Abstract: A circuit arrangement for a model car racing track, having at least two tracks for model cars, wherein a positive busbar and a negative busbar are in each case assigned to each track, and a first driving speed controller is connected between a positive supply terminal and the positive busbar of the first track and a second driving speed controller is connected between a negative supply terminal and the negative busbar of the second track.

Abstract: A play system includes a toy vehicle and a playset for use therewith. A toy vehicle includes a chassis having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including structure configured to define a pair of substantially parallel grooves across the bottom surface of the chassis, and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the chassis and configured to roll the chassis on a surface in a predetermined rolling direction. A playset includes a first track section adapted to engage the grooves on the bottom surface of the toy vehicle for slidable movement thereon, a second track section adapted to engage the plurality of wheels of the toy vehicle for rolling movement thereon, and a connecting portion to couple the track portions.

Abstract: An automatic slowing down system for a vehicle taking a bend includes a computer that integrates a series of instructions to process at least one of first, second and third signals according to kinematic control laws of vehicle displacement to deliver signals for a forward motion actuator and a steering actuator, a forward control and a steering control that supply the first signal representative of a forward motion data and a steering data to the computer based on an operator's requirement, a linear speed sensor and a yaw speed sensor that supply the second signal to the computer, and a unit that supplies the third signal relating to road grip to the computer.

Abstract: A dynamic current collector system for a set of toy vehicles disposed on a track. The system includes electroconductive tracks which can be connected to a power supply unit and which are disposed along inner sides of a guide groove. The system also includes current collector elements which are electrically connected to a motor of the vehicle and which are positioned on outer lateral faces of a guide follower flange disposed at a lower front part of the vehicle. The electroconductive tracks are concealed inside the groove. When the vehicle moves along the track with the flange inserted in the guide groove, a dynamic electrical contact is established between the tracks and the current collector elements to supply current to a motor that powers the vehicle.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is operated as a track-guided vehicle and cooperates with a metallic current rail device of the track via one or more current consumers. A magnet is installed in the toy vehicle which is moved by an electric motor to optimize the traction between the track and the toy vehicle. This magnet is directed at the current rail device of the track. The magnet's magnetic force can be influenced as a function of driving operation states of the toy vehicle driven by the electric motor.

Abstract: A connection unit is adapted to be connected to train line and brake line connectors of a locomotive as part of a remote control system for the locomotive. The connection unit includes a receiver for receiving remote control instructions, an interface for connection to the train line and brake line connectors, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is arranged to determine the locomotive's configuration, interpret the received remote control instructions, modify said instructions dependent on the locomotive's configuration, and operate the interface such that the locomotive is controlled according to the locomotive configuration and the remote control instructions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a toy car with adjustable magnetic adhesion for an auto racetrack having ferromagnetic current conductors countersunk in the roadbed. The conductors are in active communication with a permanent magnet countersunk in the chassis of the toy car. The permanent magnet is shiftable in the chassis along an inclined plane in order to adjust the clearance between permanent magnet and the current conductors. According to the invention, the permanent magnet can be shifted along a ferromagnetic holding plate oriented at an angle relative to the roadway plane. The plate is received in a retaining means formed in one piece with the chassis. The underside of the retaining means contains two guide rails, along which the permanent magnet can be shifted.

Abstract: An interactive slot car game having a multiple lane slot car track for electrically powered slot car. The trackway has a pit lane which is positioned on the same side of the track for all cars, with a pit position for all cars, with each pit position located on the same side of the pit lane. The game has an intermediate control device which limits the control that the user has over the speed of the slot car, and can be programmed to simulate occurrences such as tire wear or fuel shortages. The intermediate control device limits car speed due to actual occurrences during racing, such as a car in another lane exiting the track, thereby creating and enforcing caution periods, as in auto racing. Light signals and aural signals are generated in response to the game conditions, occurrences during the game, or randomly generated events.

Abstract: A bi-directional operating automated guided transit system such as a people mover including a vehicle having at least one pair of opposing axles, each axle having a wheel with its own drive system. The vehicle is capable of providing torque controlled steering to the vehicle. Sensors mounted on the vehicle detect the path of a guide track and, through a controlling system, direct the motors to provide a constant torque to both wheels, thereby directing the vehicle along a straight path or, in the alternative, direct the motors associated with each wheel to provide differing torques, thereby causing the vehicle to turn. The system also permits a vehicle operator to bypass the sensor signal and to manually steer the vehicle.

Abstract: An interactive slot car game having a multiple lane slot car track for electrically powered slot cars. The trackway has a pit lane which is positioned on the same side of the track for all cars, with a pit position for all cars, with each pit position located on the same side of the pit lane. The game has an intermediate control device which limits the control that the user has over the speed of the slot car, and can be programmed to simulate occurrences such as tire wear or fuel shortages. The intermediate control device limits car speed due to actual occurrences during racing, such as a car in another lane exiting the track, thereby creating and enforcing caution periods, as in auto racing. Light signals and aural signals are generated in response to the game conditions, occurrences during the game, or randomly generated events.

Abstract: An amusement ride for humans which utilizes at least one vehicle which is to be operatively moved on a track. The vehicle is to be tied to the track so as to prevent separation of the vehicle from the track with this tying to the track being accomplished by a guide blade that is attached to and protrudes from the vehicle which rides within a slot arrangement formed in the track. The track includes a braking area, and within that braking area there are a plurality of braking units located in an in-line sequence. Prior to each braking area, there is a centering rail section which is included within the track. The guide blade has to pass through a centering rail section prior to the entering of each braking unit. The centering rail section includes a through centering slot. The through centering slot narrows in width with the narrowness occurring in the direction of travel.

Abstract: A model vehicle course is laid out along a non-conductive, printable substrate such as a heavy paper or plastic, which is typically, but not necessarily, non-rigid. First and second conductive deposits are made along at least one of the surfaces of the substrate extending, mutually spaced-apart, along the path for each vehicle accommodated by the given layout to supply electrical energization to the vehicle as it traverses the course. In one presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the conductive deposits constitute conductive ink layers emplaced by a conventional printing step.

Abstract: Slot racing track apparatus comprises a base member, first and second slot defining respective lanes and at least one lane changing slot connecting the first and second slots together. A lane changing member is disposed at a junction between the lane defining slots and the lane changing slot and a racing vehicle for use on the track is provided with a guide member for engagement in the slots, the degree of protrusion of the guide member into the slots being controlled so that the lane changing member may be selectively engaged by the vehicle so that the vehicle may change lane.

Abstract: A vehicle levitation and guidance system (20) is provided which levitates a vehicle (22) over a roadbed (28) through the use of thin permanently magnetized strips (32, 34) located in the vehicle and the roadbed. The strips are oriented with like magnetic poles adjacent to generate a repelling force. The vehicle is guided along the roadbed by sliding engagement of the walls (37) of a channel (30) in the roadbed with pins (36) descending from the vehicle. The vehicle is propelled along the roadbed by contact with a set of rotating wheels (42, 42').

Abstract: A portable amusement ride incorporates a multi-functional trailer which can serve for hauling the amusement ride, when disassembled, and serve as an elevated track portion of the ride, when assembled. Electrically powered vehicles are guided and powered over an electrified track having a main enclosed path, and an alternate loading area for discharge and pick up of passengers. Automatic launch and vehicle exit features between the main path and loading area prevent vehicle collisions, with minimum requisite operator activity. A pick-up assembly carried on the vehicle both guides and electrically powers the vehicle as it moves over the track. The track has an electrified pair of members also forming a guidance channel in which the pick-up assembly from the vehicle is received. The configuration of the pick-up assembly and its interaction with the electrified guidance channel causes proper electrical pick-up substantially regardless of the terrain formed by the track over which the vehicle travels.

Abstract: A transport system having a track made up of rail segments largely enclosing the self-propelled carriage which traverses the track. The track has no moving parts so that switching is effected by selectively bringing guide elements of the carriage into engagement with one or the other of branching rail segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a running track of a toy car racer in a racing toy is disclosed, in which a motor-driven running body runs on a base having a plurality of guide tracks in parallel spaced apart from each other and is provided with a guide element engageable with the guide track, an electromagnetic coil for engaging and disengaging the guide element with the guide track, and a rotary magnet for controlling wheel-steerage by means of its polarity determined by energizing the electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: Self propelled pallet vehicles (12a) are guided along a track network (10) by downwardly projecting guide pins (350, 352) carried by each pallet vehicle (12) which engage slots (354, 358) in the track network and steer the pallet vehicle (12) along the track network (10). The track network has main (20) and branch (22) track sections, and selective delivery of the vehicles to various destinations along the track network (10) is achieved by controlling the position of the guide pins (350, 352) between alternate rotated raised and lowered positions. In the lowered position the guide pins (350, 352) interact with the track network (10) to guide the pallet vehicle (12) into a branch section (20) of the track. In the raised position, the guide pins (350, 352) cause continued movement of the vehicle (12) along the main track section (22) and past a junction (38). The guide pin position may be controlled by a photoemitter (364) at the junction (38), or by various other alternatives.

Abstract: A toy slot racing vehicle set including a track with one or more slots for electrically-driven toy vehicles guided by a downward projection extending into a slot, the vehicle picking up electrical power from a pair of conductors inset into the track and electrical power supply means for those conductors which include at least one hand-held controller having means to vary the electrical power applied across the conductor so as in turn to vary the speed of the toy vehicle, and further comprising switch means on the hand-held controller for providing a short circuit between the two conductors whereby when the switch means are operated and the two conductors short-circuited, the electrical motor in the vehicle will act in a regenerative sense producing an electrical current which is short-circuited and thereby provides braking for the vehicle.

Abstract: A track system for toy vehicles contains straight and curved track pieces at the end of which are reference points that coincide with symmetry points of a track grid having a track module, M, which is a multiple of a building module, m, of a base plate for mounting the track pieces. The length of the straight track pieces which are disposed either parallel to or diagonally with respect to the track grid are a multiple of or .sqroot.2 times a multiple of the track module, M. The curved track pieces are composed of a longer arcuate segment and a shorter straight segment. The center of the arcuate segment is deplaced with respect to the center of an arc, whose center is a symmetry point of the track grid and whose two radii define an angular range of the curved track piece. The center of the arcuate segment is defined by the intersection of an angle bisector of the tangents (T) of the reference points on the ends of the curved track piece and one of the two radii.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is provided with a main frame which is tiltably mounted on a plate which, at an end thereof opposite the pivot mount is provided with a pair of mutually orthogonally located bushings one of which accommodates a vertical pivot shaft to which is connected a guide plate or fin; the vehicle is adapted to ride on tracks whereby the fin will serve to guide the vehicle and where the bushings will permit rotation of the frame about a vertical axis as well as turning of the vehicle to follow the contour of a track.

Abstract: A miniature roadway of the support type for vehicles such as cars and the like. The roadway consists of an elongated flat strip or length of plastic extrusion having flat thin flexible metal conductors slidably located in flanged recesses molded longitudinally in the flat strip upper surface. The coilable, flexible roadway of a relatively long length is uncoiled and flat mounted on flat surfaces with the conductive bands exposed in the flanged channel recesses and it is self-supporting.In use, the long flexible sections of roadway are combined with roadway turn sections and are set up in an unlimited number of configurations and elevations.In use, the flexible roadway is arranged either in a self-supporting configuration on the floor, patio or grass lawns and the like or utilizing special supports which engage recessed channels formed into each side-edge of the roadway strip along the entire length thereof.

Abstract: A toy-racing express motor road permitting a plurality of cars to be operated selectively as trackbound or freely steerable. The motor road includes track sections having across their entire length extension guide grooves, guiding edges, and current conductors. In the trackbound operation, a guide pin of the car catches in the guide groove. In the freely steerable operation, a guiding edge guides the car. The force-locking, or form-locking connection between the steering mechanism of a car and the driving mechanism of the car is interrupted in the trackbound operation as through the removal of a gear wheel. In a racing express motor road having several tracks with several current conductor pairs per travel track, different possibilities of play are possible as a matter of choice between an operation with only track-driven cars and an operation with only freely steerable cars.

Abstract: A drive platform assembly is provided for attachment to the carriage of an existing manually-operable fabric spreading machine to convert the machine to motorized operation. The drive platform is connected to the fabric spreading carriage of the fabric spreading machine and includes a drive motor which drives the drive platform in both a forward and reverse direction thereby enabling the carriage to spread successive layers of fabric onto a cutting table. This motion of the drive platform is guided by guide wheel assemblies which cooperate with a guide track mounted on the cutting table. This apparatus includes a speed control and a pair of cam assemblies which automatically reverse the direction of travel of the drive platform and the fabric spreading carriage at the end of each spreading stroke. The drive platform assembly includes a platform upon which an operator may stand to regulate the speed of the fabric spreading carriage, and also to observe and regulate the spreading operation.

Abstract: A model vehicle, say of the road racing type, movable along a track having magnetically permeable rails, the vehicle including an electric motor wherein the field magnets are mounted in a non-magnetic casing or yoke to permit maximum magnetic coupling of the field magnets with the rails to exert a downward force on the vehicle toward the track.

Abstract: A toy car and roadbed unit which comprises a roadbed on which there is provided at least one electric track including three conductive paths which are connected to a positive output terminal, a negative output terminal and a center tap of the DC power source respectively and not less than two toy cars which run along two electric tracks each comprising three conductive paths in which the conductive path connected to the center tap is commonly used.

Abstract: A miniature roadway system of the support type for vehicles such as cars and the like. The roadway consists of an elongated flat strip or length of plastic extrusion having flat thin flexible metal conductors slidably located in flanged recesses, molded longitudinal in one flat side of strip or length. The coilable and flexible roadway of relatively long length is uncoiled and flat-mounted on flat surfaces with the conductive bands exposed in the flanged channel recesses extending the length of the traction surface and is self-supporting.In use, the long sections of highly flexible roadway are combined with turn sections and are set up in an unlimited number of endless configurations and elevations.In use, the roadway is arranged either in a self-supporting configuration on the floor, patio, grass lawns and the like or utilizing special supports which engage recessed channels, molded into each side of roadway strip.

Abstract: The apparatus provides for the automatic uncoupling of a toy semitrailer from a toy tractor truck and provides also for automatic coupling of a toy semitrailer to a toy tractor truck. The uncoupling utilizes a ramp in a roadway which is inboard of the tractor truck wheels, and this ramp is engaged by the forward dolly wheels on the semitrailer, which dolly wheels are also inboard of the truck tractor wheels. The coupling of the toy semitrailer to the toy tractor is achieved by a simple beveled end on the rear of the toy tractor, which backs up to the semitrailer, and the king pin of the semitractor rides up this bevel to the pivot flat area of the tractor to drop into the pivot hole. Both operations are carried out in the same locality by a reciprocating dock which is contacted by the semitrailer during its backing up at the time its dolly wheels ride up the ramp to release the tractor.

Abstract: An electronically controlled roadrace system with a sound generator for penetrating a variety of audible signals is disclosed. The system includes facilities for starting the race, counting and displaying laps completed for each car, computing and displaying fastest lap times and last lap times for each car, calculating and displaying the remaining fuel for each car, introducing random failures for each car, and randomly determining one of several failure modes. Apparatus for selectively powering and depowering each track, upon signal from a controller, is shown. Also shown is a novel apparatus for sensing completion of another lap by each car, and a track section of each car track which is selectively decoupled from the track power for performance of pit functions.Other features and functions are disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible track or roadbed is provided for enabling miniature vehicles, such as toy cars, trains or the like, to be propelled along its length. The track in one embodiment is in the form of an elongated ribbon of flexible, electrically insulating rubber-like material, with serrations in each side thereof, to permit the track to be placed on any planar or non-planar supporting surface, with the track assuming vertical undulations corresponding to any undulations in the supporting surface, and to permit the track to be readily turned into any desired lateral curved, circular or tortuous shape, the track having one or more guide slots extending along the length of the track to guide the vehicles along the track, and a longitudinally extensible and compressible elongated electric element miniature vehicles propelled along the track. In the second embodiment the track is formed of a series of rigid articulated traverse elements intercoupled to one another.