PORTABLE RACETRACK

Abstract

Implementations of a portable racetrack are provided. In some implementations, the portable racetrack comprises a foldable board comprising a plurality of holes configured to secure accessories to the board. In some implementations, the portable racetrack further comprises detachable guard rails operatively attached to the foldable board using the holes. In some implementations, the portable racetrack includes no mechanism on the foldable board to guide a remote control car that is operated on the racetrack except the guard rails so that the remote control car may freely travel on the racetrack.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/268,339 which was filed on Dec. 16, 2015, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of portable racetracks.

BACKGROUND

There exists slot tracks for slot cars, however, relatively low cost, lightweight, and easy-to-assemble and disassemble indoor portable racetracks for motorized electric remote control (R/C) cars or vehicles do not exist. Furthermore, there does not exist mechanisms for keeping the toy R/C vehicles on a track while allowing the vehicles to freely travel on the track (e.g., slotless track). Still further, toy R/C cars can be easily damaged when used in confined spaces, such as inside a dwelling, and therefore a suitable and consistent driving surface may be desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an implementation of an example portable racetrack according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates an implementation of an example cross-sectional view of a portable racetrack according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D illustrates an implementation of another example cross-sectional view of a portable racetrack according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an implementation of an example portion of a guard rail according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an implementation of an example board comprising a plurality of openings for securing accessories to the board.

FIG. 4 illustrates an implementation for securing a guard rail to a board according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a portable racetrack are provided. In some implementations, the portable racetrack comprises a foldable board comprising a plurality of holes configured to secure accessories to the board. In some implementations, the portable racetrack further comprises detachable guard rails operatively attached to the foldable board using the holes. In some implementations, the portable racetrack includes no mechanism on the foldable board to guide a remote control car that is operated on the racetrack except the guard rails so that the remote control car may freely travel on the racetrack.

FIG. 1A illustrates an implementation of an example portable racetrack 100 according to the present disclosure. In some implementations, the portable racetrack 100 includes a plurality of individual boards 110 that are operably connected together and foldable at their edges or at spaces between adjacent boards 115. In some implementations, the portable racetrack 100 is a foldable board that can be folded at lines 115. In this way, as shown in FIG. 1B the racetrack 100 may be easily folded for portability and storage and unfolded for use. Furthermore, because the individual boards 100 are operably connected together, the assembly time to construct the racetrack may be less than the assembly time to construct a traditional racetrack.

In some implementations, the portable racetrack 100 further comprises guard rails 120 that may be removably attached to the boards. In some implementations, the guard rails 120 help R/C vehicles to remain on the racetrack 100. In some implementations, the guard rails 120 may be configured on the racetrack 100 to form a closed circuit road course, drag strip, or any other course. In some implementations, the guard rails 120 may be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible depending on use. In some implementations, the guard rails 120 may have a plurality of lengths. In this way, the racetrack includes no mechanism (e.g., slots) on the track to guide the R/C cars except the guard rails so that the cars may freely travel on the track.

In some implementations, the individual boards 110 are connected together by a top overlay sheet that covers a top side of the individual boards 110. In some implementations, the top overlay sheet may have graphics printed thereon.

In some implementations, the individual boards 110 may be connected together by a bottom overlay sheet that covers a bottom side of the individual boards 110. In this implementation, in some implementations, graphics may be printed on the top side of the individual boards 110.

FIG. 1C illustrates an implementation of an example cross-sectional view of a portable racetrack according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1C, in some implementations, a plurality of individual boards 110 are sufficiently spaced such that when the top 130 and/or bottom 140 overlay sheet is secured to the individual boards 110, the portable racetrack 100 can be folded at spaces between adjacent boards 115 of the plurality boards 110. The overlay sheets may be secured using adhesive or stitching.

FIG. 1D illustrates an implementation of another example cross-sectional view of a portable racetrack according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1D, in some implementations, a plurality of a pair of stacked boards 150 are sufficiently spaced such that when a middle overlay sheet 160 is placed between and secured to the plurality of pair of stacked boards, the portable racetrack 100 can be folded at spaces 115 between adjacent stacked boards of the plurality of pair of stacked boards 110. In this way, the racetrack can be reversible.

In some implementations, the boards 110 may be manufactured from paper or a paper-based material. In some implementations, the boards 110 maybe paperboard. In some implementations, the boards 110 may be manufactured from plastic or any other suitable material.

In some implementations, the overlay sheet maybe manufactured from paper. In some implementations, the overlay sheet may be manufactured from vinyl. In some implementations, the overlay sheet may be manufactured from rubber. In some implementations, the overlay sheet may be manufactured from any suitable material.

In some implementations, the guard rails 120 consist of a plurality of individual pieces. FIG. 2 illustrates an implementation of an example portion 220 of a guard rail 120 according to the present disclosure.

In some implementations, a plurality of boards 110 may include a plurality of openings/holes for securing the guard rails 120 and other accessories (e.g., ramps, etc.) to the boards 110. FIG. 3 illustrates an implementation of an example board 110 comprising a plurality of openings (e.g., openings 310a, 310b, 310c) for securing accessories to the board. In some implementations, a board 110 may comprise openings having the same or different shapes. In some implementations, the openings may be circular (e.g., opening 310a). In some implementations, the openings may be elongated (e.g. opening 310b). In some implementations, the openings may be clustered together (e.g., opening 310c). In some implementations, a cluster of openings may comprise openings have at least two different shapes in close proximity. In some implementations, a cluster of openings may comprise openings extending in at least two different directions. In this way, a larger number of racetrack course configurations and layouts can be created.

FIG. 4 illustrates an implementation for securing a guard rail 120 to a board 110 according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, an L-shaped bracket 410 can be used to secure the guard rail. The base 410a of the L-shaped bracket is inserted through an elongated opening (e.g., opening 310b) in the board such that the board rest on the base as shown in FIG. 4. The opposite end of the L-shaped bracket may comprise a u-shaped cap 410b for inserting the top of the guard. In some implementations, a pin 410c may be used to further secure the guard rail.

In some implementations, the guard rails may be secured to the boards in any other suitable manner using the openings on the boards.

In some implementations, larger racetracks may be constructed by connecting a plurality of racetracks 100 together in any other suitable manner. In some implementations, a racetrack may be connected to another racetrack using the openings on the boards of the racetracks.

In some implementations, the individual boards 110 can be replaced with a paperboard that can be scored and bended without fracture. In this way, the paperboard consists of a plurality of pre-scored edges and openings. In some implementations, the paperboard can be folded and unfolded along these pre-scored edges.

In some implementations, a racetrack of the present disclosure may be reversible. In some implementations, a racetrack of the present disclosure may have a first surface on a first side and a second surface on a second side.

The present disclosure can be used for battery powered R/C vehicles or vehicles powered by other means.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in an embodiment” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. For example, the disclosure attached hereto, includes other modifications and implementations of the present disclosure.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

Claims

1. A portable racetrack comprising:

a foldable board comprising a plurality of holes configured to secure accessories to the board; and

detachable guard rails operatively attached to the foldable board using the holes wherein the portable racetrack includes no mechanism on the foldable board to guide a remote control car that is operated on the racetrack except the guard rails so that the remote control car may freely travel on the racetrack.

2. The portable racetrack of claim 1 wherein the foldable board comprising a plurality of smaller, individual boards operably connected together and foldable at spaces between adjacent boards.

3. The portable racetrack of claim 2 wherein the individual boards are connected together by a top overlay sheet that covers a top side of the individual boards, wherein the plurality of individual boards are sufficiently spaced such that when the top overlay sheet is placed over the individual boards, the foldable board can be folded at spaces between adjacent boards.

4. The portable racetrack of claim 3 further comprising a bottom overlay sheet that covers a bottom side of the individual boards wherein the bottom side of an individual board is opposite the top side of the individual board.

5. The portable racetrack of claim 1 wherein the foldable board comprising a plurality of a pair of stacked boards operably connected together and foldable at spaces between adjacent stacked boards, wherein the stacked boards are connected together by a middle overlay sheet, and wherein the plurality of stacked boards are sufficiently spaced such that when the middle overlay sheet is placed between the stacked boards, the foldable board can be folded at spaces between adjacent stacked boards of the plurality of stacked boards.

6. The portable racetrack of claim 1 wherein the foldable board comprises a paperboard having a plurality of pre-scored edges that can be bended without fracture.

7. The portable racetrack of claim 1 wherein the foldable board is manufactured from paper.

8. The portable racetrack of claim 1 wherein the foldable board is manufactured from paperboard.

9. The portable racetrack of claim 1 wherein the foldable board is manufactured from plastic.

10. The portable racetrack of claim 3 wherein the top overlay is manufactured from vinyl.

11. The portable racetrack of claim 4 wherein the top overlay and bottom overlay are manufactured from vinyl.

12. The portable racetrack of claim 5 wherein the middle overlay is manufactured from vinyl.

13. The portable racetrack of claim 3 wherein the top overlay is manufactured from paper.

14. The portable racetrack of claim 4 wherein the top overlay and bottom overlay are manufactured from paper.

15. The portable racetrack of claim 5 wherein the middle overlay is manufactured from paper.

16. The portable racetrack of claim 1 wherein the foldable board comprises holes having a circular shape and an elongated shape.

17. The portable racetrack of claim 1 wherein the foldable board comprises a plurality of cluster of holes wherein a cluster of holes comprises openings extending in at least two different directions.

18. A method of using the portable racetrack of claim 1, the method comprising:

folding the foldable board and storing the board when not in use;

unfolding the foldable board and placing on a surface;

securing guard rails to the foldable board using the holes in the foldable board to form a closed circuit road course; and

placing and operating a remote control car on the unfolded board.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the foldable board comprising a plurality of smaller, individual boards operably connected together and foldable at spaces between adjacent boards, wherein the individual boards are connected together by a top overlay sheet that covers a top side of the individual boards, wherein the plurality of individual boards are sufficiently spaced such that when the top overlay sheet is placed over the individual boards, the foldable board can be folded at spaces between adjacent boards, wherein folding the foldable board comprises folding the board at spaces between adjacent boards.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the foldable board comprising a plurality of a pair of stacked boards operably connected together and foldable at spaces between adjacent stacked boards, wherein the stacked boards are connected together by a middle overlay sheet, and wherein the plurality of stacked boards are sufficiently spaced such that when the middle overlay sheet is placed between the stacked boards, the foldable board can be folded at spaces between adjacent stacked boards of the plurality of stacked boards, wherein folding the foldable board comprises folding the board at spaces between adjacent stacked boards.