GB2547224A - The Oliver toy/model rail-track - Google Patents

Abstract

Track section for model and toy railways having a three male connectors at one end and three female connectors at the other to allow similar sections of railway track to be connected together. Two of the male protrusions are trapezoid shaped, with the upper surface being smaller than the lower surface given the protrusion sloping sides. The male protrusions engage with female inlets that are corresponding shaped to allow easy of entry and lock the connectors together. Both male and female connectors have wedged shaped sections of rail that combine to join the rail sections together when the male and female connectors engage with each other. The third male connector is pliable and has a spring action that lockable engages with the third female inlet, allowing the track sections to be locked and unlocked in respect to each other. The combination of male and female connectors lock the track sections together, and assists in preventing the sections from folding, dipping and separating when they are joined together that can result in the derailment of toys or models using the track.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a new system of joinery for connecting parts of a toy/model rail-track, in this case a dual purpose toy/model rail-track.

Background of the Invention

The present invention seeks to improve the way of joining any two parts of a toy/model rail-track in order to provide a smoother, stronger and more reliable connection between the many parts joined together to make-up a toy/model rail track; thus the present invention seeks to provide an all-round improved, dual purpose rail-track that both toy and model trains with cum-wheels or plain, can use. Most types of toy/model and other rail-track joinery leave an open gap between the rails of one section and another that any movement of the track can cause the rails of one section to become out of line or come apart from at the joints with another section. Weak joints on a rail-track can create faults that may derail a train running at speed over it, especially if the joint is situated over a bridge or other obstacle. Weak or badly designed joints on a rail-track can also result in a bumpy ride for trains, wagons, goods in wagons or passengers and compromise the joy of play for a user. I was inspired with the idea, to create a better system of joinery for the many parts of a toy/model rail-track, while watching the displeasure and frustration on Oliver’s face, the youngest of my grandsons, every time his toy rail-track came apart at the joints causing the derailment of his train-sets, hence the title ‘The Oliver toy Rail-Track’.

There exists a need for a toy/model rail-track using a better joinery system, for all the parts joined together to make it; one that can provide a stronger, smoother, safer and more reliable base for the trains running over it; a system of joinery that does not allow for two sections of the rail-track to easily come apart, to fold upwards or downwards and create ramps or dips at the joints or to compromise the smooth and secure running of a train-set running over it

There also exists a need for a system of joinery that can hold the sections of a rail-track, from easily falling apart, when lifted or moved about.

Summary of the Invention

According to all aspects, the present invention seeks to provide a system where any two parts of a toy/model rail-track can be joined together leaving no gaps that would allow upward or downward folds to form, or by their presence and design compromise the smooth and secure running of a train-set running over it.

According to all aspects the present invention seeks to provide a new system of joinery for a toy/model rail-track, that of a trapezoid, wedge-grooved and connected, self-locking system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention two sections of a rail-track are provided. Each section has a ‘male-side’ connector at one end and a ‘female-side’ connector at the other end.

The ‘male-side’ connector of a rail-track section features two trapezoid protrusions and a central-lock protrusion. Each trapezoid protrusion is wedge-grooved on two sides, lightly grooved at the front-side with a fourth side that is an integral part of the track’s lower section. The ‘male-side’ protrusions incorporate part of the width of a rail on either side of them and in turn part of the rail incorporated in the protrusions is wedge-grooved from the top of the rail-part of it down and outwards.

The ‘female-side’ connector of a rail-track section features 4 wedge-grooved inlets, one under each of the rails and a central-lock inlet. The ‘female-side’ inlets also incorporate part of the corresponding rail width. Part of the rail incorporated in the ‘female-side’ inlets is also wedge-grooved from the top of the rail down and inwards.

Conveniently the ‘male-side’ protrusions are of a lesser width at the front than at the base and the ‘female-side’ inlets are wider at the front and narrower at the innermost point.

Conveniently the rails on the track are wide enough to accommodate the new system of joinery, the trapezoid, wedge-grooved and connected, self-locking system.

Advantageously the 4 wedge-grooved inlets and the central-lock inlet that feature on the ‘female-side’ connector of one rail-track section, line-up with the two wedge-grooved protrusions and the central-lock protrusion that feature on the ‘male-side’, of another rail-track section.

The 4 under the rails inlets and the central-lock inlet of the ‘female-side’ connector and the spaces between them are so formed as to allow the two side protrusions and the central-lock protrusion, of a ‘male-side’ connector of another rail-track section, to enter with ease and lock joining the two sections of the rail-track together.

The central-lock inlet housed on the ‘female-side’ of a rail-track section is conveniently shaped to allow the cential-lock protrusion, housed on the ‘male-side’ of another track section, to enter with ease and lock firmly, leaving a small open gap between one side of the central-lock protrusion and the central-platform of the track. This space is essential for the spring action movement needed to lock and unlock the ‘male-side’ protrusion into the ‘female-side’ inlet.

Conveniently the 2 identical trapezoid protrusions, on the ‘male-side’ of a track section, are less in thickness and stand high enough off the track base to enable easy entry into the corresponding inlets on the ‘female-side’ connector of another rail-track section.

Advantageously the central-lock protrusion of a ‘male-side’ connector is so shaped as to allow it to have easy entry and to lock firmly into the central-lock inlet of the ‘female-side’ of another rail-track section.

Conveniently the wedge-shaped part on the ‘male-side’ protrusions and the wedge-shaped inlets in the ‘female-side’ of a rail-track section are so shaped as to provide easy entry and a firm locking.

The rails of the track are substantially higher than the spaces between them.

Conveniently the central-lock protrusion and central-lock inlet is housed in one of the spaces between the rails of the track.

Advantageously the ‘male-side’ central-lock protrusion and the ‘female-side’ central-lock inlet are of the same thickness and sit at the same level as the lower spaces between the rails of the track.

Preferably the rail-track material is made of tough, flexible, plastic material but also other materials can be used. In the case of other materials being used the central-lock protrusion on the ‘male-side’ may need to be of a lesser thickness or of a different design so as to allow for the spring action needed in order to lock and unlock with ease in the corresponding inlet of a ‘female-side’ connector.

Advantageously when all parts are joined and locked together, only a small gap between one side of the central-lock protrusion and the central-platform of any two connected sections is showing empty.

Advantageously with the present system if flexible and tough plastic material is used, the entire track becomes a one piece firm structure that although it would allow for some bending it will not cause the track to fold upwards, downwards or come apart at the joints.

Advantageously with the present system a rail-track can easily be put together by push action of the joints between two sections and can easily be taken apart by pull-action at the joints between two sections.

Advantageously with the present system a rail-track, when assembled, cannot be accidentally broken or come apart by lifting, moving or bending.

Advantageously with the present system the rails on the track provide a firm, smooth base for the wheels of a train at its full length, including all the joints.

Advantageously with this inventive joinery system the user has at his/her disposal a stronger, smoother, more reliable and well connected rail-track.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Drawing 1, figure 1; is a blown-up view of a complete rail-track section, clearly showing; the ‘female-side’ connection mechanism on the left and the ‘male-side’ connection mechanism on the right.

Also showing, on Drawing 1 Figure 1, are; the 4 rails on the track, side-platforms 1 & 2 and the central- platform.

Showing on the ‘female-side’ connector section of Drawing 1 Figure 1, are; the 4 trapezoid wedge-shaped inlets, a central-lock inlet and lower platform inlets 1&2.

Showing on the ‘male-side’ connector section of Drawing lFigure 1, are; the 2 trapezoid ‘male-side’ protrusions with their wedge-shaped edges on each side and the central-lock protrusion.

Drawing 2 figure 2; is a partial view of two rail-track sections joined and locked together. The 4 rails of the track are coloured red; the 2 side platforms and the central platform are coloured light green; the empty space on one side of the central-lock’s ‘mail-side’ protrusion, marked ‘Q’, is shown in white.

Drawing 3 figure 3; is a view of two rail-track sections that include both the ‘male-side’ and the ‘female-side’ connecting sections taken apart and facing each other. On the left partial track section clearly showing are; the 4 track-rails coloured red, the two side-platforms and central-platform coloured light green, the 4 “female-side” inlets, dot-lined and tacked under part of the rails, the empty central-lock inlet left white and the 2 lower platform inlets in dark green. On the right partial track section, clearly showing are; the 4 rails coloured red; the 2 trapezoid protrusions in light green and red with their 4 wedge-shaped sides lined and sculptured on the rail part of the trapezoid ‘male-side’ protrusions; the two side-platforms; the central-platform and the central-lock protrusion, in light green.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only. These examples represent the best way of putting this invention into practice that is currently known to the Applicant, although this is not the only ways in which this could be achieved.

Referring to Drawing 1, Figure 1; this illustrates a complete blown-up unit of the rail-track showing all of the rail- track’s parts including the parts that form the connection mechanism. On the left end of the drawing clearly showing are; the ‘female-side’ connector’s joinery parts and arrowed are; 1 of the 4 trapezoid wedge-shaped inlets, one under each of the rails; 2 lower platform inlets and one central-lock inlet. On the right end of the drawing clearly showing are; the ‘male-side’ connector’s joinery parts and arrowed are; the 2 ‘male-side’ protrusions; the central-lock protrusion and two empty gaps, one on either side of the central-lock protrusion. Referring to Drawing 2, figure 2; this illustrates the blown-up view when the ‘male-side’ connector of one rail-track section enters and locks into the ‘female-side’ connector of another rail-track section. The wedge-shaped rail-part on the 2 ‘male-side’ protrusions is tucked under the 4 wedge-shaped inlets in the ‘female-side’ connecting section. The central-lock protrusion of the ‘male-side’ connector is locked into the central-lock inlet of the ‘female-side’ connector. The empty space ‘Q’ can be seen between one side of the central-lock protrusion and the central-platform.

In summary, the present invention provides; A solution to the weakest link on a toy/model rail-track, that of the joint between any two sections. I refer to rail-tracks with vertical gaps the full width and depth of the rail at connection point. A rail-track on which, according to the above provision, a toy/model train-set can run fast and smoothly over the full length of it with less of a danger of derailment as that posed by tracks that leave open vertical gaps the full width and depth of the rails at connection point. A toy/model rail-track that can, within reason, be lifted and moved in one piece without the various sections of it folding over and coming apart at the joints. A toy/model rail-track that when joined together there would be no gaps between the rails of one section and another that may cause the wheels of a train-set to jump or sink as they cross over. A toy/model rail-track that will not form humps or bumps or come apart at the joints when weight-pressure is put on it by train-sets climbing or descending upon it, if bridges, hills and other structures are used to form it. A toy/model rail-track on which the full width of one section can easily connect and lock into another section by a simple line-up and push action and can be taken apart by a simple pull. A toy/model rail-track system on which part of the train wheels will always have contact with a solid section of the rail under it, including all the joints between one rail section and another.

Claims (10)

1. The present invention provides a system of joinery that seeks to improve and strengthen the weakest points on a toy/model rail-track, the connections between the sections of it.

2. The present invention provides a toy/model rail-track on which the wheels of a toy/model train, according to the claim 1, can run fast and smoothly over the full length of it, with less of a danger of derailment as that posed by other tracks that allow gaps or folds to form between two rail sections at connection point.

3. The present invention provides a toy/model rail-track that, according to the previous claims can be lifted and moved by a single person, all in one piece, without the various sections of it folding or coming apart at the joints.

4. The present invention provides a toy/model rail-track that, according to all previous claims, when all parts are joined together has no gaps and allows no folds to form between the rails of one section and another that may cause the wheels of a train and therefore the train-set to jump or sink as it crosses over.

5. The present invention provides a toy/model rail-track that, according to all previous claims, will not form humps or bumps or come apart at the joints when weight-pressure is put on it by train-sets climbing or descending upon it, if bridges, hills and other structures are included in the make of it.

6. The present invention is a toy/model rail-track system on which, according to all previous claims, there is provided a rail on which the train wheels, during a run, will always have contact with a solid part of it, including all the joints between the many sections of it.

7. The present invention provides a toy/model rail-track the sections of which can easily be connected and locked together by a simple line-up and push action at the joints and can be easily taken apart by a pull at the joints.

8. The present invention provides a toy/model rail-track that, according to all previous claims, the end product is a smooth, strong and well connected frame for toy/model train-sets which a child or an adult can assemble with ease to play or use with pleasure and with less or no irritation.

9. The present invention, according to all previous claims, provides a well-connected, dual purpose rail-track that can be used both by trains equipped with wheel-rollers that can run only on rails but also for trains equipped with wheels that can only run in the gaps between the rails.

10. This innovative joinery system can also be used to connect together parts of many other DIY toys and models without the need of gluing. A wedge locking system may also prove useful in proper rail connections.