Track structure and furniture

Abstract

A track structure (2), capable of forming a track including a road surface for moving a movable body, comprises a frame body (10) having a plurality of support frames (13a) aligned at intervals along a first direction or a second direction and each extending in a third direction orthogonal to the first and second directions, and a rail body (20) including a plurality of rails (21) detachably connectable to side surfaces of the support frames (13a). The rails (21) have a path part (22) forming the road surface of the track and a connection part (24) provided beside the path part (22) and serving as a site of connection to side surfaces of the support frames (13a). The rail body (10) connects the plurality of rails (21), bridges between two support frames (13a), and can form a track in which a plurality of road surfaces form a continuous surface. The present invention can provide a track structure which can be moved while maintaining a form and has a high degree of freedom of change in form without requiring a large installation space.

Description

Track structures and furniture

[0001] The present invention relates to a track structure and furniture, and more particularly to a track structure for moving a moving object such as a toy in a predetermined form, and furniture incorporating such a track structure.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Track structures are used to move moving objects having wheels or rolling shapes, such as miniature cars or small balls, so that people can enjoy them (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Literature 1 discloses a track toy having an inclined spiral track formed thereon, allowing a user to enjoy running the toy vehicle along the downward slope track formed on the track toy by utilizing gravity.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-013706

[0005] Conventional track structures, such as the track toy disclosed in Patent Document 1, often have limited shape and little flexibility in terms of shape modification. While some conventional track structures, such as model train tracks, have a high degree of shape modification, these conventional track structures primarily form tracks extending along a horizontal plane, requiring a large installation space to create a track for moving a moving object for enjoyment. Furthermore, in such conventional track structures, parts tend to separate easily, making it difficult to move them while maintaining their shape, such as for cleaning. The inventors believe that a track structure that allows for a high degree of shape modification and can be moved while maintaining its shape despite limited installation space could be incorporated into furniture, enhancing the decorative value of the furniture.

[0006] In view of the above, the object of the present invention is to provide a track structure that can be moved while maintaining its shape, and that has a high degree of freedom in changing its shape without requiring a large installation space, and also to provide furniture that incorporates such a track structure and has an enhanced decorative effect.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the track structure of the present invention is a track structure capable of forming a track including a road surface for moving bodies, and is characterized in that it comprises: a frame body having a plurality of column frames that are aligned at intervals along a first direction or a second direction intersecting the first direction, and each extending in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions; and a rail body including a plurality of rails that can be detachably connected to the side of the column frames, wherein each rail included in the rail body has a road portion that forms the road surface of the track, and a connection portion that is provided on the side of the road portion and serves as a connection site to the side of the column frame, and when the rail body is connected to the column frames, it can connect the multiple rails to bridge between at least two column frames and form a track with a continuous surface of multiple road surfaces.

[0008] In this track structure, the pitch is the center-to-center distance between adjacent support frames in the first and second directions when viewed from the third direction, and it is even more preferable if the pitch is an integer multiple of the minimum pitch, which is the center-to-center distance between the closest adjacent support frames, as this makes it easier to construct a standardized rail body.

[0009] In addition, in this track structure, it is preferable that the support frame is made of a magnetic material, the connection portion has a magnet, and the rail can be connected to the support frame by arbitrarily changing its position in the third direction by the magnetic force of the magnet.

[0010] In addition, in this track structure, the track may be a track for running miniature cars.

[0011] Furthermore, in this track structure, the rail body includes rails of one or more types, and at least one of the types of rails preferably has one of the following configurations: a first configuration in which, when connected to the support frames, the rails bridge between the multiple support frames so that each end contacts a surface of the corresponding support frame facing the same direction; a second configuration in which the rails curve and bridge between the multiple support frames so that each end contacts a surface of the corresponding support frame facing in opposite directions; a third configuration in which the rails bridge between the multiple support frames so that each end contacts a surface of the corresponding support frame facing in directions perpendicular to each other; or a fourth configuration in which the rails go around one support frame so that each end contacts a surface of the corresponding support frame facing in different directions. In particular, it is even more preferable to configure the rail body to include multiple rails of all of the first to fourth configurations, as this allows for the formation of tracks of various configurations.

[0012] In this track structure, it is also preferable that at least one type of rail among the rails further has side wall portions that protrude from both edges of the road portion and form wall surfaces of the track.

[0013] Furthermore, in this track structure, it is also preferable that, for at least one type of rail among the first to third types of rails, the positions of both ends of the road section and the connection positions of the connection sections to the support frames are determined according to the spacing between adjacent support frames and the cross-sectional shape of the support frames, so that when connected to the support frames, the angle relative to the plane extending in the first and second directions of the road surface is determined.

[0014] In addition, in this track structure, it is preferable that at least one type of rail is such that when connected to the support frame, the road surface becomes an inclined surface with respect to the surface extending in the first and second directions, so that the moving body can move using gravity.

[0015] In addition, in this track structure, at least one type of rail among the second, third, and fourth types on which the inclined surface is formed may include two types of rail, a right-handed rail and a left-handed rail, which are plane-symmetrical but have opposite curvature directions.

[0016] Furthermore, in this track structure, it is also preferable that the rails included in the rail body each have a step-reducing coupling structure that connects the rails together so that when they are connected to other rails, the step-reducing coupling structure connects the rails together to minimize the step in the road surface at the connection point, and that at least one of a magnetic step-reducing coupling structure in which magnets are attached or embedded at the ends and the rails are connected together by magnetic force, and a fitting step-reducing coupling structure in which uneven shapes are provided on the end faces and the convex shape of one rail fits into the concave shape of the other rail to connect the rails together.

[0017] In addition, this track structure may further include a floor plate that can be detachably connected to the frame body and that extends flatly with a minimum width dimension greater than the width dimension of the rail, and a park body that has a peripheral wall that protrudes from the periphery of one surface of the floor plate.

[0018] The furniture according to the present invention comprises a leg body of a frame structure having a contact surface and a face body supported by the leg body, and the above-mentioned track structure is incorporated into at least a part of the leg body, and the frame structure is formed by the frame body of this track structure.

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a track structure that can be moved while maintaining its shape and has a high degree of freedom in changing its shape without requiring a large installation space.Furthermore, by incorporating such a track structure, it is possible to provide furniture with enhanced decorativeness.

[0020] 7 is a perspective view of a table according to a first embodiment as one form of furniture to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a track structure incorporated in the furniture of FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a front view of the track structure of FIG. 2. FIG. 10 is a left side view of the track structure of FIG. 2. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a frame body provided in the track structure of FIG. 2. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of rails of various configurations provided in the track structure of FIG. 2. FIG. 14 is an enlarged front view of rails of various configurations provided in the track structure of FIG. 2. FIG. 15 is an enlarged top view of rails of various configurations provided in the track structure of FIG. 2. FIG. 16 is a six-view diagram of a first form of rail among the rails of FIG. 7. FIG. 17 is a six-view diagram of a second form of rail among the rails of FIG. 7. FIG. 18 is a six-view diagram of a third form of rail among the rails of FIG. 7. FIG. 19 is a six-view diagram of a fourth form of rail among the rails of FIG. 7. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a table according to a second embodiment as one form of furniture to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 19 is a schematic view showing a modified arrangement of the support frame.

[0021] The furniture and track structure according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings do not necessarily accurately reflect actual dimensions and details. For ease of explanation, in this specification, when the furniture and track structure are installed and ready for use, a first direction along the installation surface is defined as a left-right direction X, with one side designated as the left side X1 and the other side designated as the right side X2; a second direction along the installation surface perpendicular to the first direction (left-right direction X) is defined as a front-back direction Y, with one side designated as the front side Y1 and the other side designated as the rear side Y2; and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction (left-right direction X) and the second direction (front-back direction Y) is defined as a up-down direction Z, with one side designated as the upper side Z1 and the other side designated as the lower side Z2. These directions will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0022] [Embodiment 1] (Configuration of furniture 1) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a table 1' according to embodiment 1, seen from above, as one form of furniture 1 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in Fig. 1, the table 1' includes legs 2' having a frame structure with a ground contact surface, and a face piece 3' supported by the legs 2'.

[0023] The leg body 2' employs a three-dimensional track structure 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as "track structure 2"), which will be described later, that is capable of forming a three-dimensional track for using gravity to move a moving object such as a toy without a power source, and the track structure 2 is incorporated as all or part of the leg body 2', and the leg body 2' forms a frame structure with a frame body 10 (see Figure 2) provided on this track structure 2, and constitutes the leg of the table 1'. The track structure 2 employed in the leg body 2' will be described in detail below.

[0024] The face 3' is one or more plates of a predetermined thickness made from materials such as wood, glass, metal, resin, stone, ceramic, etc., and is supported by or fitted into the legs 2', extending flatly, and forming the table surface of the table 1'.

[0025] In one example, the table 1' configured in this manner has a face piece 3' formed entirely or partially out of a transparent material such as a glass plate, allowing the legs 2' to be seen through the face piece 3', and the design is enhanced by taking advantage of the shape of the track structure 2, described below, which is used as the legs 2'. Note that, while Figure 1 shows, as an example, the table 1' in which the face piece 3' is supported by the legs 2', the design can also be enhanced by fitting the face piece within the frame of the upper frame 12 of the frame body 10 of the track structure 2, described below, which serves as the legs 2', and forming the table surface with the upper surface of the fitted face piece and the upper surface of the upper frame 12.

[0026] (Configuration of track structure 2) Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the track structure 2 incorporated into a table 1' as furniture 1, Fig. 3 is a front view thereof, Fig. 4 is a left side view thereof, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a frame body 10 provided in the track structure 2. Figs. 7A-D are enlarged perspective views of rails 21 of various configurations provided in the track structure 2, Figs. 8A-B are enlarged front views thereof, and Fig. 9 is an enlarged top view thereof. The track structure 2 incorporated as the legs 2' of the table 1' will be described in detail with reference to these figures.

[0027] As described above, the track structure 2 is configured to be capable of forming a three-dimensional track including a road surface for moving objects, such as toys that do not have a power source, using gravity to move them. As an example, the track formed on the track structure 2 is a track for running miniature cars. The track structure 2 includes a frame body 10 that forms a framework that supports the entire structure, and rail bodies 20 that can be detachably connected to the frame body 10.

[0028] The frame body 10 is a three-dimensional framework having a frame-shaped lower frame portion 11 whose lower side Z2 forms a grounding surface that contacts the installation location, a frame-shaped upper frame portion 12 that faces the lower frame portion 11 at an interval on the upper side Z1, and support portions 13 that extend in the vertical direction Z and connect the lower frame portion 11 and the upper frame portion 12. The frame body 10 is configured as a three-dimensional framework by joining together a plurality of magnetic metallic frame members by welding or the like, each of which has a square cross section and extends in the left-right direction X, the front-back direction Y, or the up-down direction Z (see FIG. 6 ).

[0029] The lower frame portion 11 is a framework that extends in a plane and is made up of a lower frame lattice portion 11a formed in a lattice shape using horizontal frame members that extend in the left-right direction X and are aligned in three rows at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction Y, and vertical frame members that extend in the front-to-back direction Y and are aligned in four rows at equal intervals in the left-to-right direction X, and a lower frame semicircular portion 11b formed in a semicircular shape using frame members and connecting both corners on the left side X1 of the lower frame lattice portion 11a.

[0030] The upper frame portion 12 has the same configuration as the lower frame portion 11, and is a framework that extends in a plane by combining an upper frame lattice portion 12a formed in a lattice shape by horizontal frame members extending in the left-right direction X and aligned in three rows at equal intervals in the front-to-back direction Y, and vertical frame members extending in the front-to-back direction Y and aligned in four rows at equal intervals in the left-to-right direction X, and an upper frame semicircular portion 12b formed in a semicircular shape by frame members and connecting both corners X1 of the upper frame lattice portion 12a. The upper frame portion 12 overlaps the lower frame portion 11 without any misalignment when viewed in the up-down direction Z.

[0031] The support column 13 is composed of a plurality of support frames 13a aligned at equal intervals from one another in the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y and extending in the up-down direction Z. Specifically, the support frames 13a extend in the up-down direction Z from the intersections of the horizontal frame members extending in the left-right direction X and the vertical frame members extending in the front-rear direction Y in the lower frame section 11 and the upper frame section 12, and from the centers of the semicircular frame members. As a result, the support column 13 is aligned at equal intervals (1 time the minimum pitch P, which is the center-to-center distance between the closest adjacent support frames 13a) in three rows in the front-rear direction Y, with four support frames 13a on each of the front side Y1 and the rear side Y2, and five support frames 13a in a central row in the front-rear direction Y, with the right side X2 aligned (see FIG. 6 ). The pitch is determined according to the spacing between the support frames 13a and the cross-sectional shape of the support frames 13a (the distance from the center to the periphery). When the support frames 13a are aligned at the minimum pitch P in the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y, the rails 21 can be attached in both the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y by adjusting the mounting width of the rails 21 in the rail body 20 (described later) to correspond to the minimum pitch P, which is preferable because it makes it easier to configure a standardized rail body.

[0032] The rail body 20 includes rails 21 of multiple types so that they can be combined to form various shapes. The multiple types of rails 21 included in the rail body 20 have in common a road portion 22 that forms the road surface of the track, a side wall portion 23 that forms the wall surface of the track, and a connection portion 24 that serves as a connection site to the side surface of the support frame 13a (see Figures 7A-D to 9A-D), and each can be detachably connected to the side surface of the support frame 13a by the connection portion 24. The rails 21 are made of an appropriately selected material, such as resin, metal, wood, stone, paper, or glass, taking into consideration the weight and other characteristics of the moving object that will move on them.

[0033] The path portion 22 is a thin plate-like member having a flat surface, which functions as a road surface along which the moving body moves. Although the length of the path portion 22 is not particularly limited, in the first embodiment, when the path portion 22 is connected to the support frame 13a as the rail body 20, both end positions are defined to be along the width center of the support frame 13a in the left-right direction X or the front-back direction Y. This is preferable because it makes it possible to align rails 21 having similarly defined end positions at the width center of the support frame 13a while making the area of ​​each rail 21 that is held by (aligned with) the support frame 13a the same.

[0034] The side wall portions 23 protrude from both edges of the road portion 22 at a predetermined width substantially perpendicular to the road surface, and function as walls to prevent a moving object moving on the track from falling off the track.

[0035] The connection portion 24 is provided on the side of the path portion 22. The position at which the connection portion is fixed is not particularly limited, and may be a surface other than the underside of the path portion or the inner wall surface of the side wall portion, but in embodiment 1, the connection portion 24 is fixed to the outer wall surface of the side wall portion 23. The connection portion 24 has a function of connecting to the side surface of the support frame 13a. As an example, in order to achieve this connection function, the connection portion 24 has a magnet, and the position in the vertical direction Z can be arbitrarily changed by the magnetic force of the magnet to connect to (be attached to) the support frame 13a.

[0036] The rail 21 having such parts is not particularly limited, but in at least some forms, when connected to the support frame 13a, the road surface is formed as an inclined surface with respect to the surface extending in the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y, so that the moving body can move using gravity.

[0037] When the rail body 20 includes such a plurality of rails 21, it is possible to connect the rails 21 and bridge at least two support frames 13a to form a track with a continuous surface of multiple road surfaces. Also, the rail body 20 includes rails 21 of multiple types with different shapes but the same width of the road surface and the same height of the wall surfaces rising from both edges of the road surface, so that it can be changed into various forms depending on the combination as described above. As a specific example, the rail body 20 includes four types of rails 21: a first type of rail 21A, a second type of rail 21B, a third type of rail 21C, and a fourth type of rail 21D.

[0038] (Each Configuration of Rail 21) Figures 7A-D are enlarged perspective views of each configuration of rails 21A-D provided on the track structure 2, Figures 8A-D are enlarged front views thereof, and Figures 9A-D are enlarged top views thereof. In Figures 7A-D to 9A-D, Figures 7A, 8A, and 9A show rail 21A of the first configuration, Figures 7B, 8B, and 9B show rail 21B of the second configuration, Figures 7C, 8C, and 9C show rail 21C of the third configuration, and Figures 7D, 8D, and 9D show rail 21D of the fourth configuration. Each configuration of rail 21 will be described below with reference to Figures 7A-D to 9A-D. For better understanding of the rails of each configuration, six-view diagrams of rail 21A of the first configuration are shown in Fig. 10, rail 21B of the second configuration in Fig. 11, rail 21C of the third configuration in Fig. 12, and rail 21D of the fourth configuration in Fig. 13. In Fig. 10 to Fig. 13, (a) is a front view, (b) is a left side view, (c) is a right side view, (d) is a rear view, (e) is a top view, (f) is a bottom view, (g) is a perspective view seen from above, and (h) is a perspective view seen from below.

[0039] 8A and 9A , the rail 21A of the first form shown in Fig. 7A is formed in a form bridging in a straight line between adjacent support frames 13a in the left-right direction X or the front-rear direction Y so that, when connected to the support frames 13a, each end contacts a surface of the corresponding support frame 13a facing the same direction. More specifically, the rail 21A of the first form is formed in a straight line so that, when connected to the support frames 13a, the road surface of the path portion 22 is inclined at an inclination angle θ with respect to a surface extending in the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y, and the width in the left-right direction X or the front-rear direction Y as viewed from the up-down direction Z is the same as the minimum pitch P between the adjacent support frames 13a. Furthermore, the rail 21A of the first form has side wall portions 23 that form wall surfaces perpendicular to the road surface along both edges of the road portion 22 from one end to the other. Furthermore, on both side surfaces of the rail 21A in the first form, at positions inward from each end by half the width of the support frame 13a, protrusions extending in the up-down direction Z protrude perpendicularly to the side surfaces toward the outside of the path portion 22, with a height equal to half the width of the support frame 13a. The rail 21A in the first form has magnets fixed to the range from each end of each side surface to the position of the protrusions, and, if necessary, to the surfaces of the protrusions facing both ends. The rail 21A in the first form has connection portions 24 formed by these fixed magnets. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9A , the first form of rail 21A can be attached and fixed to the support frame 13a by magnetic force in a manner that bridges the surfaces of the support frame 13a facing in the same direction, by having the connection portion 24 at one end abut against a surface of the support frame 13a facing in the left-right direction X or the front-back direction Y, and the connection portion 24 at the other end abut against a surface of the adjacent support frame 13a facing in the same direction.

[0040] The rail 21B of the second configuration shown in FIG. 7B is formed as a curved bridge between adjacent support frames 13a in the left-right direction X or the front-rear direction Y, with each end of the rail 21B contacting the surface of the corresponding support frame 13a facing the opposite direction, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 9B . More specifically, the rail 21B of the second configuration is curved in an S-shape so that, when connected to the support frame 13a, the road surface of the path portion 22 is inclined at an inclination angle θ with respect to the surface extending in the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y, and the width in the left-right direction X or the front-rear direction Y as viewed from the up-down direction Z is the same as the minimum pitch P between the adjacent support frames 13a. Furthermore, the rail 21B of the second configuration has side wall portions 23 that form wall surfaces perpendicular to the road surface along both edges of the path portion 22 from one end to the other. Furthermore, the inner surfaces of both ends of the rail 21B of the second configuration are offset from each other in parallel by the width of the support frame 13a. Furthermore, the rail 21B of the second form has projections extending in the up-down direction Z on both side surfaces at positions inward from each end by half the width of the support frame 13a, protruding perpendicularly to the side surfaces toward the outside of the path portion 22 with a height equal to half the width of the support frame 13a. The rail 21B of the second form has magnets fixed to the range from each end of each side surface to the position of the projections, and, if necessary, to the surfaces of the projections facing both ends. The rail 21B of the second form has connection portions 24 formed by these fixed magnets. 9B, the rail 21B of the second form can be attached and fixed to the support frame 13a by magnetic force in such a manner as to bridge between the faces of the support frame 13a facing in the same direction, by having the inner connection portion 24 at one end abut against the face of the support frame 13a facing in one of the left-right direction X or the front-back direction Y, and the inner connection portion 24 at the other end abut against the face of the adjacent support frame 13a facing in the opposite direction. Note that the rail 21B of the second form can be configured so that one face of the path portion 22 serves as the road surface and the side wall portion 23 protrudes from one face, but it is preferable to configure both the front and back sides of the path portion 22 as road surfaces and have the side wall portions 23 protrude from each face to form an H-shaped cross section, as shown in FIG.By doing so, when attaching the support frame 13a, the direction of curvature can be changed by choosing which side to face upward, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the course layout that can be formed.

[0041] The rail 21C of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 7C is formed in an arc-shaped bridge between adjacent support frames 13a in the direction between the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y (hereinafter referred to as the "diagonal direction") so that each end of the rail 21C contacts the surfaces of the corresponding support frames 13a facing in mutually orthogonal directions, as shown in Figs. 8C and 9C. More specifically, when connected to the support frames 13a, the road surface of the path portion 22 is inclined at an inclination angle θ with respect to the plane extending in the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y, and the outer circumferential ridge of the road surface is curved in a quarter-circle shape with a radius obtained by subtracting the minimum pitch P between the adjacent support frames 13a in the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y from the width of the support frames 13a as viewed from the up-down direction Z. Furthermore, the rail 21C of the third embodiment has side wall portions 23 that form wall surfaces perpendicular to the road surface along both edges of the road portion 22 from one end to the other. Furthermore, the rail 21C of the third embodiment has projections extending in the vertical direction Z on its outer peripheral surface at positions inward from each end by half the width of the support frame 13a, protruding perpendicularly to the side surface toward the outside of the path portion 22 with a height equal to half the width of the support frame 13a. The rail 21C of the third embodiment has magnets fixed to the range from each end of the outer peripheral surface to the position of the projections, and, if necessary, to the surfaces of the projections facing both ends. The rail 21C of the third embodiment has connection portions 24 formed by these fixed magnets. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9C , the rail 21C of the third form can be attached and fixed to the support frame 13a by magnetic force, with the connection portion 24 at one end abutting against a surface of the support frame 13a facing in one of the left-right direction X or the front-back direction Y, and the connection portion 24 at the other end abutting against a surface of one of the diagonally adjacent support frames 13a facing in a direction perpendicular to one of the diagonally adjacent support frames 13a.Although the third form of rail 21C can be configured so that one side of the road portion 22 serves as the road surface and the side wall portions 23 protrude from one side, it is preferable to configure it so that both the front and back sides of the road portion 22 serve as the road surface and the side wall portions 23 protrude from each side, forming an H-shaped cross section, as shown in Figure 7C. This allows the direction of curvature to be changed by choosing which side faces upward when attaching it to the support frame 13a, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the course layout that can be formed.

[0042] The rail 21D of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7D is formed in an arc shape around one support frame 13a so that each end of the rail 21D contacts a surface of the corresponding support frame 13a facing in a different direction, as shown in FIGS. 8D and 9D . More specifically, when connected to the support frame 13a, the road surface of the path portion 22 of the rail 21D is parallel to the plane extending in the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y, and is formed in a quarter-circle shape with a clearance of the support frame 13a on the inside. Furthermore, the rail 21D of the fourth embodiment has side wall portions 23 that form wall surfaces perpendicular to the road surface along both edges of the path portion 22 from one end to the other. Furthermore, the inner peripheral surfaces of the rail 21D of the fourth embodiment extend in the up-down direction Z with a width equal to half the width of the support frame 13a, one in the left-right direction X and the other in the front-back direction Y. The rail 21D of the fourth embodiment has a magnet fixed to its inner peripheral surface. The fixed magnet forms a connection portion 24 of the rail 21D of the fourth embodiment. As a result, as shown in Fig. 9D , the rail 21D of the fourth embodiment can be attached and fixed to the support frame 13a by magnetic force in a manner that goes around one-quarter of the support frame 13a, with one connection portion 24 abutting against a surface of the support frame 13a facing in the left-right direction X and the other connection portion 24 abutting against a surface of the same support frame 13a facing in the front-rear direction Y.

[0043] The rails 21A-D of the first to fourth forms formed in this manner have the same road surface width and the same height of the wall surfaces rising from both edges of the road surface, and are shaped so that when connected to the support frame 13a, each connection portion 24 adheres to half of the surface of the support frame 13a in the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y, sandwiching a predetermined corner therebetween, and the end surface of the road surface is located in the center of the support frame 13a in the left-right direction X or the front-back direction Y. Therefore, by using the rails 21A-D of the first to fourth forms to successively attach other rails 21 to areas of the support frame 13a where no rails 21 have yet been attached, it is possible to form a track in which the road surface is a continuous surface made up of multiple rails 21.

[0044] (Operations and Effects) The track structure 2 of the first embodiment comprises a frame body 10 having a plurality of column frames 13a aligned at intervals from one another in the left-right direction X or the front-rear direction Y and extending in the up-down direction Z, and a rail body 20 including a plurality of rails 21 detachably connectable to the side surfaces of the column frames 13a. Each rail 21 has a road portion 22 forming the road surface of the track and a connection portion 24 provided on the side of the road portion 22 and serving as a connection site to the side surface of the column frames 13a. In other words, the track structure 2 cannot form a track in a location where the column frames 13a are not installed, but the rails 21 can be connected to the side surfaces of the column frames 13a, and therefore can form a three-dimensional track along the extension direction of the column frames 13a, making full use of limited installation space. Furthermore, when the rail body 20 is connected to the support frame 13a, it can connect multiple rails 21 to bridge at least two support frames 13a, forming a track with multiple continuous road surfaces, and the shape of the rails 21 is maintained even when the support frame 13a is moved. The number and length of the support frames 13a can be easily set as needed, and their attachment positions on the side surfaces can be easily set as needed. Furthermore, if the rails 21 are configured to be connectable to the side surfaces of the support frame 13a, the ease of setting the number, length, and attachment positions of the support frames 13a to the support frame 13a makes it easy to change the attachment of the rails 21. As a result, the track structure 2 can be moved while maintaining its shape, and the degree of freedom in changing the shape can be increased without requiring a large installation space.

[0045] Furthermore, in the track structure 2, the pitch is the distance between the centers of adjacent support frames 13a when adjacent support frames in the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y are viewed from the up-down direction Z, and all pitches are the minimum pitch P, which is the distance between the centers of the closest adjacent support frames 13a. In other words, the distances between the support frames 13a are equal. Therefore, according to the track structure 2, if the length of the rail 21 is determined based on the minimum pitch P, it can be installed between any of the support frames 13a, and the orientation can be changed in both the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y, making it easier to standardize the rail body 20.

[0046] Furthermore, according to the track structure 2, the support frame 13a is formed of a magnetic material, the connection portion 24 of the rail 21 has a magnet, and the rail 21 can be connected to the support frame 13a by arbitrarily changing its position in the vertical direction Z using the magnetic force of the magnet, thereby further increasing the degree of freedom in changing the shape by changing the mounting height in the vertical direction Z.

[0047] Furthermore, the track structure 2 can form a track for running miniature cars, so that miniature cars can be enjoyed not only for viewing but also for running.

[0048] In addition, in the track structure 2, the rail body 20 is composed of four types of rails 21: a first type rail 21A that, when connected to the support frames 13a, bridges adjacent support frames 13a in a straight line so that each end contacts a surface facing the same direction of the corresponding support frame 13a; a second type rail 21B that bridges adjacent support frames 13a while curving in an S-shape so that each end contacts a surface facing in an opposing direction of the corresponding support frame 13a; a third type rail 21C that bridges diagonally adjacent support frames 13a in an arc shape so that each end contacts a surface facing in directions perpendicular to each other of the corresponding support frame 13a; and a fourth type rail 21D that goes around one support frame 13a in a quarter circle so that each end contacts a surface facing in different directions of the corresponding support frame 13a. Therefore, according to the track structure 2, the shape of the track can be changed depending on how the rails 21 of each shape are combined, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in changing the shape.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the track structure 2, the rails 21 have side wall portions 23 that protrude from both edges of the road portion 22 and form the wall surfaces of the track, so that a moving object moving on a road surface is less likely to come off the track even when it is moved without being held, for example, when it is desired to move it by taking advantage of an incline, and it can be used to enjoy moving the moving object by itself.

[0050] In the track structure 2, the rails 21A-C of the first to third embodiments are configured such that the positions of both ends of the road portion 22 and the connection positions of the connection portions 24 to the support frames 13a are determined according to the spacing between adjacent support frames 13a, and when connected to the support frames 13a, the angles of the road surface relative to the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y are determined. Therefore, with the track structure 2, even young children can easily form a track and have fun.

[0051] In this case, according to the track structure 2, the first to third forms of rails 21A-C can be used to enjoy moving objects by moving on their own using gravity, since when connected to the support frame 13a, the road surface is an inclined surface with an inclination angle θ so that the moving object can move using gravity.

[0052] The furniture 1 of the first embodiment comprises a leg 2' of a frame structure having a contact surface and a face piece 3' supported by the leg 2'. A track structure 2 is incorporated into the leg 2', and the frame structure is formed by a frame body 10 of the track structure 2. Since the track structure 2 is incorporated into the leg 2', the furniture 1 enjoys the effects of the track structure 2, can be moved while maintaining its shape, and can be enjoyed in a variety of shapes. Furthermore, the furniture 1 can enhance its decorativeness by taking advantage of the added value of the track structure 2.

[0053] [Embodiment 2] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a table 101' according to embodiment 2, which is one form of furniture 101 to which the present invention is applied. The table 101' according to embodiment 2 has a configuration basically similar to that of the table 1' according to embodiment 1, but differs in the size and position of the face plate, and in part and shape of the configuration of the track structure incorporated as the legs. The table 101' according to embodiment 2 will be described below using Figure 14, but differences from the table 1' according to embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and a description of the similar configuration will be omitted.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 14, a table 101' includes legs 102' of a frame structure having a ground surface, and a surface body 103' supported by the legs 102'.

[0055] A track structure 102 is employed for the leg body 102' and is incorporated as all or part of the leg body 102', and the leg body 102' forms a frame structure together with a frame body 110 provided on this track structure 102, and forms the leg of the table 101'. The track structure 102 employed for the leg body 2' will be described later.

[0056] The face piece 103' differs in that, whereas the face piece 3' of the first embodiment was supported on the top surface of the track structure 2 incorporated into the leg body 2', the face piece 103' is supported at an intermediate height position of the track structure 102, and, whereas the face piece 3' of the first embodiment was formed to cover the entire top surface of the track structure 2, the face piece 103' is formed to be smaller and to protrude significantly from the track structure 102 in the vertical direction. In all other respects, it is the same as the face piece 3' of the first embodiment.

[0057] The track structure 102 comprises a frame body 110 constituting a framework supporting the entire structure, a rail body 120 detachably connectable to the frame body 110, and a park body 130 detachably connectable to the frame body 110.

[0058] The frame body 110 is similar to the frame body 10 of the first embodiment in that the frame members constituting the frame body 10 have a square cross section, whereas the frame members constituting the frame body 110 have a circular cross section.

[0059] The rail body 120 is similar to the rail body 20 of the first embodiment, except that the connecting portion has a shape corresponding to the frame material of the frame body 110, which has a circular cross section.

[0060] The park body 130 is detachably connectable to the frame body 110 and has a floor plate 131 that extends flat and has a minimum width greater than the width of the rails that make up the rail body 120, and a peripheral wall 132 that protrudes from the periphery of one surface of the floor plate 131. Nothing protrudes from the other surface of the floor plate 131, and the other surface of the park body 130 is flat.

[0061] The track structure 102 has a configuration similar to that of the track structure 2 of embodiment 1, and therefore provides the same effects as the track structure 2. Furthermore, since the face body 103' is supported at an intermediate height position on the track structure 102, the upper end of the rail of the rail body 120 can be aligned with the height of the top surface of the face body 103', allowing the face body 103' to be used as a road surface for a moving object, thereby expanding the variety of usage methods. For example, as shown in FIG. 14 , if the rail body 120 is installed so that the top point (starting point) of the rail body 120 is connected to the top surface of the face body 103', the face body 103' can be used as a starting board. Furthermore, since the track structure 102 includes a park body 130, the variety of usage methods can be expanded. For example, as shown in Figure 14, if the park body 130 is installed at the lowest point (finish line) of the rail body 120, the moving object traveling along the rail body 120 can be stopped by the frictional force of the floor board 131 or the peripheral wall 132, and the park body 130 can be used as a finish line to prevent the moving object from flying out of the furniture 101. Also, for example, the park body 130 can be used as a storage place for the moving object when not being played with. Also, for example, by turning the park body 130 upside down and installing it midway along the rail, the park body 130 can be used as a road surface.

[0062] Furthermore, according to the furniture 101, the track structure 102 is incorporated into the legs 102', and therefore the furniture 101 can enjoy the effects of the track structure 102, and can be moved while maintaining its shape, as with the furniture 1 according to embodiment 1, and various shapes can be enjoyed. Furthermore, according to the furniture 101, as with the furniture 1 according to embodiment 1, it is possible to enhance the decorativeness by taking advantage of the added value of the track structure 102.

[0063] [Other Embodiments] While the present invention has been described above based on the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0064] (1) The number, material, shape, position, size, direction, etc. of the components described in the above embodiment are examples and can be changed within the scope that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0065] (2) In the above-described first embodiment, the track structure 2 is described as being incorporated into the legs 2' of the table 1', but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the track structure itself may be distributed and used as it is, without being incorporated into any furniture, as a means of enjoying a moving object.

[0066] (3) In the above-described first embodiment, the table 1' is described as an example of the furniture 1 incorporating the track structure 2, but the furniture into which the track structure to which the present invention is applied can be incorporated is not limited to a table. For example, the furniture may be a chair with a seat formed as a face on top of the track structure to which the present invention is applied, or a shelf with wall panels attached as faces on each side of the track structure to which the present invention is applied, etc.

[0067] (4) In the above-described first embodiment, the track structure 2 is described as having an inclined road surface to allow the moving body to move using gravity, and further, the road surfaces of the rails 21A-C of the first to third configurations that bridge between the support frames 13a included in the rail body 20 are described as being inclined at a constant inclination angle θ. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The rails that bridge between the support frames may not have an inclination angle, or the inclination angle may change midway, or the inclination angle may be different for each configuration. Furthermore, the road surface of the rail 21D of the fourth configuration that runs around one support frame 13a included in the rail body 20 is described as having no inclination angle, but it may have an inclination angle.

[0068] (5) In the above-described first embodiment, the track formed on the track structure 2 has been described as being for running miniature cars, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the track may be for a spherical, cylindrical, or barrel-shaped toy without a power source. It may also be for a toy without a power source that has a shape other than a car shape, such as a model train. It may also be for a toy with a power source that runs with or without the power of the toy. It may also be for a moving object that is not a toy, such as a small animal or water.

[0069] (6) In the above-described first embodiment, the frame body 10 is described with reference to Figure 6 and the like as having 13 support columns 13a, with four columns in the front and rear rows and five columns in the middle row, and semicircular frame members in part of the lower frame 11 and the upper frame 12. However, the invention is not limited to this. The shape of the frame body 10 is arbitrary, and the number and shape of the frame members used may be set appropriately.

[0070] (7) In the above-described first embodiment, the column frames 13a are described as being aligned at equal intervals (1x the minimum pitch P) with a minimum pitch P between each row. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which some column frames 13a are removed from a configuration in which the column frames 13a are aligned at equal intervals with a minimum pitch P. In this case, the distance between adjacent column frames 13a may become an integer multiple of the minimum pitch P in some locations. However, by adjusting the mounting width of the rails 21 to correspond to the minimum pitch P and enabling the rails 21 to be connected so as to be fixed in the longitudinal direction, this can be achieved without preparing rails with mounting widths that are integer multiples of the minimum pitch P. This is preferable because it makes it easier to construct a rail body that is somewhat standardized, even when the configuration is based on an arrangement in which the columns are aligned at equal intervals with a minimum pitch P.

[0071] (8) In the first embodiment described above, the frame body 10 is made of a plurality of magnetic metal frame members, and the connecting portion 24 of the rail 21 included in the rail body 20 contains a magnet to provide a connecting function, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the connecting function between the frame body and the rail body may be provided by a hook-and-loop fastener structure, a hook-and-protrusion structure, a bolt-fastening structure, etc.

[0072] (9) In the first embodiment described above, the rail body 20 is configured to include a plurality of rails 21A-D of the first to fourth configurations so that various configurations can be achieved depending on the combination, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the rails are formed so that they can be connected to the side surfaces of the support frames, the way in which the road surface is laid out, the way in which the slope is formed, etc. can be determined as appropriate.

[0073] (10) In the first embodiment described above, the rail 21 has the side wall 23, but the present invention is not limited to this. In cases where the moving body is not moved by its own weight, for example, the side wall may not be particularly required. Even in cases where the moving body is moved by its own weight, a groove structure or other structure that prevents the moving body from straying from the track may be used instead of the side wall.

[0074] (11) In the first embodiment described above, the rail 21 included in the rail body 20 spans between adjacent support frames 13a (rails 21A-C in the first to third embodiments) or wraps around one support frame 13a (rail 21D in the fourth embodiment), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rail 21 may span between another support frame, skipping an adjacent support frame. Furthermore, the rail 21 may span between three or more support frames. Furthermore, the rails may have a connecting structure, and may be cantilevered from a single support frame and connected to each other.

[0075] (12) In the above-described first embodiment, the first type rail 21A bridging between two support frames 13a is straight so that, when connected to the support frames 13a, each end abuts a surface of the corresponding support frame 13a facing the same direction; the second type rail 21B bridging between two support frames 13a is S-shaped so that each end abuts a surface of the corresponding support frame 13a facing in opposite directions; the third type rail 21C bridging between two support frames 13a is quarter-circular so that each end abuts a surface of the corresponding support frame 13a facing in mutually perpendicular directions; and the fourth type rail 21D circumferentially circumferentially around one support frame 13a is quarter-circular so that each end abuts a surface of the corresponding support frame 13a facing in different directions. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rail of the first type may be curved and bridge between two support frames 13a so as to contact surfaces of the support frames 13a facing in the same direction. Alternatively, the rail of the second type may be curved two or more times and bridge between two support frames 13a so as to contact surfaces of the support frames 13a facing in opposite directions. Alternatively, the rail of the third type may be changed in curvature or bending direction and bridge between two support frames 13a so as to contact surfaces of the support frames 13a facing in mutually perpendicular directions. Alternatively, the rail of the fourth type may be changed in curvature or bending direction and go around one support frame 13a.

[0076] (13) In the above-described first embodiment, the frame members constituting the frame body 10 have a square cross section, and in the above-described second embodiment, the frame members constituting the frame body 110 have a circular cross section. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the cross section may be polygonal or rectangular. However, a 90° rotationally symmetric shape, such as a square or circle, is preferable because it is easier to configure the rails so that they can be connected under the same conditions regardless of whether they are oriented in the left-right direction X or the front-back direction Y.

[0077] (14) In the above-described first embodiment, the support frame 13a is described as extending along the up-down direction Z, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the support frame may extend obliquely in the up-down direction Z, extend in a crank shape, or extend in a spiral shape.

[0078] (15) In the above-described first embodiment, when the path portion 22 is connected to the support frame 13a as the rail body 20, both end positions are defined to be along the width center of the support frame 13a in the left-right direction X or the front-back direction Y. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, both end positions of the path portion may be positioned off the width center of the support frame. Furthermore, for example, even if the surfaces of both ends of the rail are not flat and extend in a straight line, but have a wedge-shaped or L-shaped stepped surface, this is preferable because it makes it easier to join to another rail.

[0079] (16) In the above-described first embodiment, the rails 21B-D of the second to fourth configurations in which the path portion 22 is curved midway have been described using the curved direction as shown in Figures 7B-D as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The rails of the second to fourth configurations, particularly the rails in which, when connected to the support frame, the road surface of the path portion is formed as an inclined surface at an inclination angle θ with respect to a plane extending in the left-right direction X and the front-back direction Y, may include two types of curved direction, such as those shown in Figures 7B-D, and those in which the curved direction is opposite to the curved direction shown in Figures 7B-D but is plane-symmetrical, i.e., a right-handed rail and a left-handed rail.

[0080] (17) In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in Figures 7A-D, the rail 21 has a flat end surface at the connection point with another rail 21, and no connection structure is formed to connect the rails 21 to each other when connecting them to another rail 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Although this increases costs, it is also preferable for the rails to have a step-reducing connection structure formed at the end so as to minimize the road surface step at the connection point. As an example of a step-reducing connection structure, a magnetic step-reducing connection structure can be adopted, in which magnets are attached to or embedded in the end surfaces of the rails, and the magnetic force of the magnets attracts the rails together when connected, thereby minimizing the road surface step. As another example of a step-reducing connection structure, a fitting step-reducing connection structure can be adopted, in which the end surfaces of the rails are provided with concave and convex shapes, and when connected, the concave shape of one rail fits into the convex shape of the other rail, thereby minimizing the road surface step. With track structures having rails that employ such step-reducing joint structures, it is not necessary to fine-tune the height positions of the rails, and therefore it is possible to easily reduce the steps on the running surface. Furthermore, with track structures having rails that employ such step-reducing joint structures, because the rails are joined together, it is possible to reduce the risk of the rails falling off the support frames when an external force is applied, such as when they are subjected to centrifugal force due to the movement of a moving object.

[0081] (18) In the above-described first embodiment, the support frames 13a are aligned along the left-right direction X and the front-rear direction Y, which are orthogonal to each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the support frames may be arranged as follows.

[0082] 15 is a schematic diagram showing a modified arrangement of the support frames. In this modified arrangement, the support frames 113a are aligned at equal minimum pitches P2 along a coordinate system that extends in a direction inclined by 60 degrees from the left-right direction X in the front-rear direction Y, rather than perpendicular to the left-right direction X. In other words, the support frames 113a are aligned so that three adjacent support frames 113a spaced at minimum pitches P2 form the vertices of an equilateral triangle when viewed from the up-down direction Z. Even with this arrangement, the rail length can be adjusted to correspond to the equal minimum pitches P2, making it easy to standardize the rail shape.

Claims

1. A track structure capable of forming a track including a road surface for moving a moving body, the track structure comprising: a frame body having a plurality of support frames aligned at intervals along a first direction or a second direction intersecting the first direction, each support frame extending in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; and a rail body including a plurality of rails detachably connectable to side surfaces of the support frames, wherein each of the rails included in the rail body has a road portion forming the road surface of the track and a connection portion provided on a side of the road portion and serving as a connection site to the side surface of the support frame, and the rail body is capable of forming the track in which a plurality of the rails are connected in a state of being connected to the support frames to bridge between at least two of the support frames and a plurality of the road surfaces form a continuous surface.

2. The track structure according to claim 1, wherein the pitch, which is the center-to-center distance between adjacent support frames when the adjacent support frames in the first direction and the second direction are viewed from the third direction, is an integer multiple of a minimum pitch, which is the center-to-center distance between the closest adjacent support frames.

3. The track structure according to claim 1, wherein the support frame is formed of a magnetizable material, the connection portion has a magnet, and the rail can be connected to the support frame by arbitrarily changing its position in the third direction by the magnetic force of the magnet.

4. The track structure according to claim 1, wherein the track is a track for mini-car running.

5. In the track structure according to claim 1, the rail body includes one or more types of the rails. Among the rails, at least one type of rail, when connected to the support frame, bridges between a plurality of the support frames such that each end contacts a surface facing the same-direction side of the corresponding support frame; bridges between a plurality of the support frames such that each end contacts a surface facing the opposite-direction side of the corresponding support frame; bridges between a plurality of the support frames such that each end contacts a surface facing the mutually perpendicular-direction sides of the corresponding support frame; or circulates around one of the support frames such that each end contacts a surface facing the different-direction sides of the corresponding one support frame, and is any one of a first form, a second form, a third form, and a fourth form.

6. In the track structure according to claim 5, among the rails, at least one type of rail further has side wall portions that protrude from both edges of the road portion and form the wall surface of the track.

7. In the track structure according to claim 5, among the rails of the first - third forms, at least one type of rail is defined according to the interval between the support frames adjacent to the connection positions of the both-end positions of the road portion and the support frames of the connection portion to the support frames and the cross-sectional shape of the support frames, and the angle with respect to the surface that spreads in the first direction and the second direction of the road surface is determined when connected to the support frame.

8. In the track structure according to claim 5, among the rails, at least one type of rail, when connected to the support frame, forms an inclined surface with respect to the surface that spreads in the first direction and the second direction of the road surface such that the moving body can move using gravity.

9. In the track structure according to claim 8, among the rails of the second form, the third form, and the fourth form in which the inclined surface is formed, at least one type of rail includes two modes of a right-turn rail and a left-turn rail that are symmetric with respect to a plane and have opposite bending directions.

10. In the track structure according to claim 1, each of the rails included in the rail body has, when connected to other rails, at least a magnetic type step reduction coupling structure in which a magnet is attached or buried at an end and the rails are connected by magnetic force so as to minimize the step of the road surface at the connection point, and a fitting type step reduction coupling structure in which the rails are connected by fitting a convex shape of one rail into a concave shape of the other rail by providing a concavo-convex shape on an end surface. A track structure in which any one of them is formed.

11. In the track structure according to claim 1, a floor plate that is detachably connectable to the frame body and has a minimum width dimension larger than the width dimension of the rail and spreads in a planar shape, and a park body having a peripheral wall protruding from the periphery of one surface of the floor plate. A track structure further comprising.

12. A furniture characterized by comprising a leg body of a frame structure having a grounding surface and a plane body supported by the leg body, wherein the track structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11 is incorporated at least partially in the leg body, and the frame body of the track structure constitutes the frame structure.

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