Flexible Toy Track with Reinforcing Ribs and Loop Retainers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toy tracks are prone to permanent creasing and breakage when bent, limiting flexibility and configuration options, and require additional rigid components for loops and multi-lane racing, which complicates setup and storage.

Innovation Solution

A flexible toy vehicle track with strengthening ribs and short, flexible rails made of extruded polyvinylchloride, allowing for tight curvature bending and easy coiling, along with a mounting system that includes a releasable retainer for loop formation and side-by-side racing configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the track is made flexible to allow bending and configuration changes, then the track can be manipulated into various shapes and positions, but the track creases permanently and may rip or tear over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack flexibilityVSAvoidtrack durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The track is constructed as a composite structure combining a flexible base material with embedded reinforcing elements. The flexible material provides bendability and configuration versatility, while the reinforcing elements (such as internal ribs or hollow structural components) prevent permanent creasing and tearing, thereby resolving the contradiction between flexibility and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The track utilizes a flexible shell-like structure that can bend and conform to various shapes without permanent deformation. This flexible construction allows the track to be manipulated into different configurations while maintaining structural integrity through the inherent elasticity of the material, preventing creasing and tearing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If the track is made rigid to prevent creasing, then the track maintains its shape, but the track cannot be bent to tight curvatures or coiled for storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack shape stabilityVSAvoidtrack bendability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The track combines rigid reinforcing elements with flexible base material to achieve both shape stability and bendability. The rigid elements prevent creasing and maintain structural integrity, while the flexible material allows the track to be bent to tight curvatures and coiled for storage, resolving the contradiction between shape stability and bendability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The track is divided into modular sections that can be connected together. Each segment maintains its shape stability through rigid construction while the overall track system remains flexible enough to be bent and coiled. This segmentation allows the track to achieve both rigidity for shape maintenance and flexibility for storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If specialized track sections are added to create loops and configurations, then the track can form loops and various shapes, but the track requires multiple straight sections connected by fasteners increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack configuration optionsVSAvoidtrack construction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The track is designed as a universal component that can form loops, curves, and various configurations through its inherent flexibility and lack of rigid fastener connections. The track itself serves multiple functions (creating loops, enabling configurations) without requiring specialized sections or additional fasteners, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The track merges the functions of the track body and the loop-forming elements into a single integrated structure. Instead of having separate specialized sections and fasteners, the track itself is designed to be bent and configured into loops and various shapes, combining multiple functions into one component and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If two tracks are mounted next to one another for racing, then multiple vehicles can race, but the tracks must be mounted in precisely identical manners to ensure fair racing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-vehicle racing capabilityVSAvoidtrack mounting precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The track is designed as a universal, self-contained unit that can be mounted independently for each racing lane. The track's inherent flexibility and standardized mounting capabilities allow multiple tracks to be configured with different layouts and configurations while maintaining fairness, eliminating the need for precise identical mounting of multiple tracks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7770811B2Toy vehicle track

Publication Date: 2010.08.10 BELDING RANDY

AI summary

A toy vehicle is provided which allows the track to be bent without creasing. The track is provided with a plurality of rails and side ribs which strengthen the track against deformation even when the track is provided with loops for play or coiled for transport. Stiffener bars are releasably secured to the track to form and support loops. A connector pad and suction cup are provided to allow releasable securement of the track or window or similar flat surface.