Abstract: A structure is provided for creating an elevated subroadbed for an artificial landscape. The structure includes a flexible riser section of a given length that has a generally planar bottom. The riser section also has a generally planar top extending and supported parallel to the bottom so that the height of the section is consistent along its entire length. The riser is provided with first and second side walls, which each have a series of channels that extend into the riser in spaced apart relation. The channels allow the riser to be positioned in a radius. The top forms an elevated surface that enables low-lying areas to be more easily created on the artificial landscape below the elevated surface.

Abstract: An ornamental track toy includes a loop track assembly, a motor, an elongated coupling and an ornament. The track assembly includes a hollow base having a flat surface, a slot in the flat surface and the elongated coupling slidably mounted in a hollow channel in the base. The motor includes a gear and a pinch roller for moving the elongated coupling in a loop path around the track assembly. The elongated coupling includes a link that is connected to the ornament so that the ornament is pulled around the track assembly as the elongated coupling is moved around the loop path of the track assembly.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track is disclosed for use in guiding and operating a toy vehicle. The toy vehicle track includes several roadway sections of various configurations (e.g., straight, curved, intersecting) having magnetic strips running along each lateral edge. The roadway sections are coupled to each other using magnetic coupling strips placed underneath the magnetic strips on the roadway sections. The toy vehicle track also includes a guardrail designed to fold down undamaged under the application of a force. The track may also include a bridge connected to the various roadway sections.

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: 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: A track connector for connecting two adjoining pieces of a toy railroad track set. The track connector has arms which extend to accommodate tracks of differing size.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to track locking systems for model railroads of the type in which separate sections of track are removably connected to form a desired closed pattern over which a model train will travel. The track sections include electrically conductive rails for supporting and guiding the model train thereon, and for providing electrical energy from a source for driving the train. Individual track bed sections connected to each other are joined at two laterally offset positions to enhance the stability of the sections removably locked together. The locking elements on the respective track sections joined together are oriented at substantially right angles to the direction of the rails to further enhance the stability and integrity of the joined track sections. A secure connection between locked track sections assures a positive engagement between electrical connectors to provide a completed electrical circuit when the track sections are joined in the desired closed pattern.

Abstract: A reversible track section for a toy car circuit. The reversible track section has a length, two opposite ends, two opposite sides, a top surface and a bottom surface. The reversible track section includes a thin, elongated plate including a central recess on the top surface. The central recess is of given height and rectangular cross-section and extends over the length defining two narrow pathways on the bottom surface, and includes a pair of longitudinal flanges on each of the opposite sides extending perpendicular to the top surface and towards the bottom surface. The longitudinal flanges are of the same height as the central recess and each is provided with an integral, outwardly projecting extension of constant width.

Abstract: A track for electric cars with a novel mechanism to connect successive track segments. On one side of each connecting edge and centered on the corresponding guideway is a male attachment element formed by two rectangular projections ending in a small ramp, located on either side of the guideway. There is a rectangular recess with a centering rib on each sidewall between the ramp and the connecting edge. The opposite connecting edge of each track segment contains a female attachment mechanism designed to accept the male attachment mechanism.

Abstract: A track section for pivotally interconnecting sections of toy vehicle track comprising at least two pivotally attached segments, each segment having a top surface, a bottom surface, and spaced apart ends. The track section further comprises cooperating rails that form a substantially continuous path for guiding the movement of a toy vehicle when one segment is positioned at an angle relative to another of the at least two segments. The rails partially define a pair of spaced apart parallel channels along with a median on the top surfaces of the segments. The track section includes a coupling device comprising a prong protruding from one end of one of the segments along a central longitudinal axis, and a socket formed in one end of the other segment along a central longitudinal. The other ends of the segments include a connecting device comprising a cooperating flange and recess for pivotally connecting the segments wherein the flange of each segment is received within the recess of the other segment.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting trackway sections along which a toy vehicle is driven, includes multiple track support members for supporting single tracks and/or twin tracks, height adaptors for adjusting the height of the trackway sections relative to a support surface, and tilt adaptors for adjusting the angular orientation of the trackway sections relative to the support surface.

Abstract: This invention is a model racetrack that simulates in an authentic manner motor vehicle races including causing the models to crisscross on the straightaway to simulate realistic race conditions. The third and fourth turns have a plurality of lanes which causes some cars to accelerate more than other so that the inside lane tends to go to the outside on the straightaway and the outside lane tends to go to the inside of the straightaway. Also speed controls are provided on a lift conveyor so that the race can be slowed down during "caution flags" and sped back up to race conditions during "green flag" conditions. The models used are authentic reproductions of racing motor vehicles. Different portions of the present invention have different declines for better race simulation of the free wheeling models.

Abstract: An toy track coupling mechanism has guidance channels to aid alignment formed on confronting ends of the track sections. A horizontally operating latch prevents unwanted disconnection of the coupled track sections during assembly and play. A laterally adjacent horizontally operating release switch allows easy disassembly of the track sections by disengaging the latch in response to natural hand pressures and movements.

Abstract: Provided is a track of elongated sections which interlock together to form various desired shaped. Each section has a safety securement device consisting of a "T"-bar slot (12) in its center. A rigid "T"-bar (16) is connected with a hook-end-loop strip (17) to the rear of a child's ride-on, toy vehicle. The "T"-bar (16) cooperates with the "T"-bar slot (12) to allow controlled movement of the toy vehicle along the track. The track may also be provided with raised, bumper guards along its edges to aid in keeping the child's vehicle within the confines of the track.

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: The present invention provides a track for a vehicle racing game. The track has two vehicle guide rails on an upper surface. At a curved section of the track, the guide rails converge so that the vehicles will collide with each other if the game operators do not pay close attention. Also, at the curved section, an inner side of the upper surface is recessed to hold the vehicle to the track. A guard member next to an outer side of the upper surface keeps the vehicle from tail sliding or spinning. A pair of power supply rails run on the upper surface along each guide rail, except in the curved section where the power supply rails connect by a wire or the like instead of running on the upper surface.

Abstract: A track section for a slot track racing game has a double walled box channels formed by alignment projections and receptacles therefore on each of the opposite sides of a track. A pair of hooks prevent accidental disconnection of the track sections responsive to random movements. The hooks have dependent fins which concentrate bending forces to the root ends thereof to preclude random bending under stress conditions. A lap counter gives a signal after a slot track vehicle has made a predetermined number of laps.

Abstract: Tile for use in forming a toy roadway, each tile having a roadway pattern formed on it and each tile having means for interlocking with similar adjacent tiles to form a complete system.

Abstract: A construction piece usable, in combination with other identical pieces, for forming a toy vehicle track, having interengaging slots and studs whereby a front side of one piece may be connected to the rear side of another, with slight inclination of the pieces being possible to allow for a curved track. On one face of the piece are segments of a road type tract suitable for a toy vehicle, and from the opposite face project rectangular segments which together provide rail tracks for a toy railway vehicle; this allows the track to be used with either of the two track types uppermost. The piece also has studs projecting from its ends which can engage in sockets in like pieces to form various structures. A construction set incorporating such track forming parts may also include toy vehicles having studs or sockets which can co-operate with corresponding track parts so that complex vehicles can be made.

Abstract: A track apparatus for a toy racing car includes a car-entry track portion, a car-exit track portion, and a pivotal arm pivotally mounted between the two track portions to carry a car from one portion to the other. The pivotal arm has a stand connected to a distal end thereof which has a retractable stop. When a car travelling with sufficient momentum hits the stop, the pivotal arm is caused to pivot from one position to another, whereby the car is delivered from the car-entry track portion to the car-exit track portion. Upon reaching the second position, the stop is automatically retracted to release the car.

Abstract: A toy load carrying vehicle includes a body having a cavity and a load which is movable into and out of the cavity to simulate loading and unloading. The load includes a downwardly extending tab engageable with surface tabs at the ends of a path travelled by the vehicle. As the vehicle moves from one end to the other the engaging tabs cause the load to move into and out of the body. The vehicle may be a toy fork lift truck which moves along a toy train platform from a building at one end to a train car on tracks alongside the platform at the other end. The platform includes a slotted path and a drive mechanism below the platform connected to the truck through the slot to move the truck and load along the path. The load is moved out of the truck when it engages a tab within the building to simulate the loading and is moved into the truck when it engages a tab at the edge of the platform to simulate unloading at the train car.

Abstract: An electric drag strip apparatus is set forth wherein the organization includes the various features associated with the sport of "drag racing". Initially a "burn-out" area is provided wherein a plurality of troughs are positioned on either side of elongate guide slots and electrical contact strips wherein the troughs are filled with a fluid, such as water and the like, to simulate a "burn-out" area in a drag strip. A sequencing light arrangement is positioned at a starting line wherein a plurality of solenoid actuated flags indicate a winner wherein the flags are operated by means of a photo-electric eye positioned at the finish line of the drag strip. Further, a parachute docking arrangement is positioned adjacent and beyond the finish line to secure to an associated miniature car to simulate the analogous event at a drag strip.

Abstract: An endless rail for a running toy is described. The rail includes a plurality of block bodies, each having a guide groove formed on a top surface thereof. Each block body is in the shape of an alphabet letter or symbol. Each guide groove is open to at least one end surface of the block body. A female fitting portion and a male fitting portion are formed adjacent each opening of the guide groove to connect block bodies together and communicate the guide grooves. The running toy is provided with a guide pin fitted into the communicated grooves.

Abstract: A toy stunt set which can be used to form a loop and ramps for use during play with toy vehicles. Two tower members with engaging grooves are mounted on top of a base. A frame with flexible sheet pieces is positioned between the tower members. A rod at the end of a flexible member can be inserted into the grooves in order to form a loop and ramps. Toy vehicles may be rolled onto the loop and ramps and through the frame and flexible pieces. The flexible member can be used by itself to form individual ramps. A tumble member may be connected near the end of the flexible member so that the toy vehicles will flip after rolling onto the loop or ramps.

Abstract: A toy slot car system which simulates off-track racing. The system includes a track, toy vehicles and remote, hand-held controllers to permit each player to control the performance of a preselected vehicle. The track has coextensive, deep slots which have their sidewalls lined with electrical strip conductors, and the toy vehicles have a posts that are received in the deep slots and that carry electrical wipers at their lowermost ends. The surface of the track is rough and uneven with severe undulations which simulate off road conditions and which cause the toy vehicles to be jostled and thrown upwardly, above the track surface during races. Since the slots are quite deep and the electrical strip connectors are quite wide, the cars can bounce over the track and loose all wheel contact with the surface of the track, without loosing electrical continuity with the track, thus creating a realistic simulation of off-track racing.

Abstract: A toy railroad track which is adapted to guide the movements of a toy vehicle has at the bottom of the track two control plates which are attached to a fixed plate. A rack plate is engaged with a pinion mounted at the free end of the shaft of a small motor. Upon the pinion being driven by the small motor, the rack plate can be driven to move laterally; simultaneously, the rack plate will actuate the two control plates to move, and then the flanges of the control plates will extend out of the rail grooves to close one path and open the for the running toy.

Abstract: A collapsible toy automobile race course having a spiral track with an arrangement for biasing the track to act as a spring having a relaxed essentially collapsed position and an extended taut position, and a post for holding the track in an extended position so that one end of the track is higher than the other end, and an arrangement for reversing the direction of an automobile traveling thereon at one end of the track.

Abstract: A track system for toy vehicles formed from a plurality of like interconnectable track sections, each section having a main body portion with upwardly disposed opposing sidewall portions, opposite ends of the sidewall portions and main body portion having sets of projections configured and dimensioned for interlocking engagement with like track sections. Hook members are integrally formed in the main body portion on opposite ends of the longitudinal centerline thereof for interlocking engagement. Each track section is preferably formed in a planar configuration with reduced cross sectional areas defining hinge sections for enabling pivoting of the sidewall portions into transverse relation relative to the main body portion. Regions on opposite sides of the hinge section are configured for interlocking to maintain the positions of the sidewall portions.

Abstract: A flexible track segment for freely moving, driven, track-bound toy cars with a guide edge for guiding toy cars is specified, which consists of separate track segments, which can be put together, and which are capable of swivelling against each other, and, if necessary, connecting pieces. Each track segment part and connecting piece displays a travelling surface between the guide edges. The track segment parts and the connecting pieces are connectable with each other over the contact of linkage elements and receiving parts. The linkage element displays a pair of jaws with hook-forming, pointing to each other ends, which project away from a front side of the track segment part. The receiving part is constructed on the other front side of the track segment part and displays an opening and a vertical pin, which outside is aligned with the front side. The distance of the hook-forming ends is smaller and the distance of the jaws is larger than the diameter of the pin.

Abstract: A toy vehicle jump includes a launching ramp and a landing ramp for an independently propelled toy vehicle, and an adjusting device for changing the orientation of one of the ramps from an operative position, in which a vehicle can negotiate the jump, to an inoperative position, in which the landing ramp does not accept a vehicle launched from the launching ramp. In a preferred embodiment of the vehicle jump, a jump structure, each comprising a launching ramp and a landing ramp, is provided for each of two vehicles travelling in adjacent lanes, and the adjusting device for each jump structure includes an actuator for increasing the angle of inclination of the respective landing ramp one step each time it is passed by a vehicle in the adjacent lane, until it reaches the inoperative position.

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: The object of the invention is to provide a flexible track system having a number of identical track sections interconnectable to form curves, banks and slopes, as well as straight segments, each of the sections having an arcuate surface portion with a periphery of a given diameter and an arcuate edge of the same diameter, the edge being configured for proximate engagement with the periphery of the arcuate surface of an adjacent section. Depending ribs are provided at the periphery for frictionally engaging slots in proximate relation to the edge, the slots being elongate for enabling pivotal movement of one section relative to the next. Upwardly diverging sidewalls are configured for overlapping frictional engagement for assisting in maintaining interconnected sections in fixed relation. The arcuate surface portion is deflectable to enable the formation of sloping segments of roadway.

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: This toy track is adjustable in its vertical contour, and holds itself in the vertical contour to which it is adjusted. The track is made up of numerous short sections. Each track section carries connectors that fixedly but releasably lock that section to an adjacent section, at a vertical angle selectable arbitrarily by the user of the toy.The connectors have mating pin-and-slot combinations for coupling adjacent track sections so that adjacent sections can rotate vertically with respect to one another. In addition the connectors have mating protuberance-and-groove combinations for locking the adjacent sections in particular vertical-rotation positions--that is, at the arbitrarily user-selectable angles.The connectors are secured at opposite sides (laterally, relative to vehicle motion along the track) of each track section, and the connectors extend longitudinally beyond that track section to engage like connectors of the adjacent section.

Abstract: A guiding element for a toy vehicle has an elongated body portion with at least one longitudinal groove, a retaining member received in the groove of the body portion and bendable together with the latter so that it is fixed in each of a plurality of different positions and retains the body portion so that the latter can assume one of a plurality of curved shapes, and a plurality of slots extending from at least one side of the body portion and opening into the longitudinal groove so as to render the body portion bendable in one plane.

Abstract: A track arrangement for toy vehicles with arcuately curved jump-off and jump-on ramps between which a toy vehicle can carry out a free-flying jump. The ramp tracks each have an arc between 90.degree. and 180.degree., and the ramps are offset transversely to the track elongation by at least one track width. The ramps are oriented so that the tracks of the jump-on ramp is located on an extension of the trajectory of the toy vehicle, which is determined by the jump-off ramp.

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 toy vehicle for a racing game and a track for performance on vertical and horizontal surfaces. The vehicle carries an electric motor and draws power from a pair of conductive rails embedded in the track surface. Increased magnetic attraction between the car and the conductive rails is provided locally to enable the vehicle to ride on vertically extending track lengths without impairing horizontal performance. Increased magnetic coupling is also effective in enhancing vehicle performance on curves. Greater holding forces between vehicle and track on vertical surfaces is provided by increased width in the electrically conductive rails embedded in the track surface.

Abstract: A track section for use with an electrically actuated toy vehicle and which can be joined end to end with other identical track sections to complete a vehicle track. The section includes at least one vehicle path and at least two electrically-conducting strips from which the vehicle obtains its electrical power. The strips extend from end to end of the section. The end of each strip is in a recess which tapers width-wise in a direction away from the end of the section. The recess is formed by an abutment wall adjacent to the end of the strip and a cam wall inclined to the longitudinal axis of the section. The cam wall is adapted to engage a corresponding cam wall on an adjacent section when the two sections are brought together so as to move the ends of the strips of the two sections into side-by-side engagement between respective abutment walls of the two sections. The section has a snap-fit retainer so that two sections can be releasably coupled together.

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 speed of loaded and unloaded driverless vehicles traveling along an inclined path is controlled by a hydraulic retarder mechanism which dissipates the kinetic energy of the vehicle. The retarder mechanism is velocity sensitive and projects into the path of part of the vehicle. The retarder mechanism slows down fast moving vehicles but has little or no effect on slow moving vehicles.

Abstract: A flume of the type designed to carry a stream of water in which passenger carrying vessels float is built in sections that are formed nearly exclusively by fiberglass, structural strength being provided by fiberglass box beams integrally formed with the trough.

Abstract: A model track section including a bed of generally rectangular cross-sectional outline, and a vertical wall of rectangular cross section on each side edge of the bed arranged with the lower edge of each wall spaced above the underside of the bed to define a rectangular recess configured to conformably receive a wall of a like track section with the underside of the bed substantially engaging the bed of the like track section. This enables a substantially complete nesting relationship between superposed sections with the outer sides of the section walls defining vertical sides for conforming engagement of adjacent stacks of nesting sections.

Abstract: A flexible track consisting of a plurality of track sections extending laterally of the track, each track section being pivotably coupled to the adjacent track section in a central region, viewed laterally, thereof. The respective facing portions of each pair of adjacent track sections are shaped so as to define an essentially tapered gap on each side of the central region extending inwardly from the lateral periphery of each track section, the gap being widest at said lateral periphery. The top surface of each track section is formed of at least one portion projecting longitudinally of said track on one side thereof and a recess on the other side thereof shaped to receive the longitudinally projecting portion of the adjacent track section, the essentially tapered gap being defined at least in part between the projecting portions and the recesses.

Abstract: A model track section including a bed or plate and a plurality of end projections on each end arranged so that the end projections of one section enter into the spaces between end projections of a like section with the sections in end to end aligned relation, the upper bed section having open ended slots which open into the recesses between projections, and conductive strips or rails in the slots and projecting therefrom into the recesses between projections for wiping engagement with conductive strips of a like track section upon entering into end to end aligned relation.

Abstract: A model track section for model vehicles including a first formation on each end having one side facing laterally, an obliquely disposed resilient element on the one side of each first formation and deflectable toward the latter, a complementary formation on each end of the body engageable with a resilient element to effect the lateral deflection upon end-to-end engagement with a like track section, a guide on the section ends for constraining like sections to aligned longitudinal movement, and retaining element on the track section ends for releasable retaining engagement with a like track section.

Abstract: A track section for model vehicles adapted to be interconnected with like adjacent track sections includes a longitudinally extending body having a top wall, first and second end faces and first and second sides. First and second teeth extend transversely from the body proximate the sides and the end faces in transversely opposite directions away from the centers of the end faces. First and second receiving members are fixed relative to the body proximate the sides and the end faces, each receiving member defining a recess adapted to receive a corresponding tooth of a like adjacent track section. First and second transverse flexion stabilizing members project longitudinally outward relative to the respective first and second receiving members. First and second lugs are mounted to the sides of the body proximate the teeth, each lug defining a cavity adapted to receive a corresponding transverse flexion stabilizing member of a like adjacent track section.

Abstract: A teeter-totter or see-saw track section including a base part interposable in a track system and a super track part mounted on the base part for oscillation about a generally horizontal transverse axis, together with electrical connection means between the base and super track parts to enable an operator to effect powered control of a model vehicle on the super track part.

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.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a toy guideway or track and vehicle for riding thereover. The track is made of a plastic material of such state and configuration wherein the track is not normally self supporting. Self support means are provided to support the track in a desired manner to define a trackway of particular configuration, and the track is provided with guide means for directing a toy vehicle thereover.