MX2012004351A - Booster mechanism for toy vehicle track set. - Google Patents

Abstract

A booster mechanism that can be wound or loaded for successive boosts of toy vehicles is disclosed. The booster mechanism includes multiple spaced apart booster arms that engage toy vehicles that activate the booster mechanism.

Description

OVERHEATING MECHANISM FOR SET OF TRACKS OF A TOY VEHICLE CROSS REFERENCES WITH RELATED REQUESTS This application claims priority a and is based on the U.S. patent application. No. 61 / 475,997, filed on April 15, 2011, entitled "Supercharger Mechanism for Track Set of a Toy Vehicle", the complete description of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a supercharger mechanism for a set of tracks of a toy vehicle and in particular, to a rolling supercharger mechanism with multiple engaging parts or supercharger arms which can continuously supercharge feed toy vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Some supercharger mechanisms are known in the art. Some conventional superchargers are manually activated by a child. In such superchargers, a child attempts to manipulate an actuator at the proper time to engage a toy toy vehicle to provide a supercharger to the toy vehicle. For that supercharger mechanism, a child must be involved with each supercharger of a toy vehicle.

There is a need for a supercharger mechanism that can be loaded for multiple uses. There is a need for a supercharger mechanism that can successively supercharge toy vehicles without the interaction of a user.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a set of tracks of a toy vehicle having a track on which a toy vehicle and a supercharger mechanism coupled to the track can travel, the supercharger mechanism has a body mounted to complete the rotation around the track. an axle, the body has a plurality of supercharger arms, each of which is configured to engage a toy vehicle, the body being rolled up against a push mechanism to a loaded position so that each time the supercharger mechanism is activated by a toy vehicle, the body partially rotates about the axis away from the loaded position that one of the supercharger arms engages and expels the activated toy vehicle.

The present invention is also directed to a supercharger of the toy vehicle coupled to a closed circuit track. The supercharger has a base part, a supercharger member rotatably coupled to the base part, the supercharger member being configured to move 360 degrees relative to the base part, the supercharger member has a plurality of engaging parts, each of the engagement parts being configured to engage a toy vehicle and a gradual mechanism coupled to the supercharger member, the step mechanism allows only the supercharger member to rotate partially repeatedly in response to activation of the supercharger by sequential toy vehicles.

The present invention is also directed to a supercharger of the toy vehicle coupled to a closed circuit track. The supercharger has a base part, a supercharger member rotatably coupled to the base part, the supercharger member being configured to move 360 degrees relative to the base part, the supercharger member has a plurality of engaging parts, a member of thrust coupled to the supercharger member, the pushing member pushing the supercharger member into a rest position and a pawl engaging with the supercharger member to stop the supercharger member during its rotation after activation by a toy vehicle so that the supercharger member only rotates partially.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a pair of tracks of toy vehicles with supercharger mechanisms according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows an approach of the perspective view of a part of one of the toy vehicle tracks shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3-5 show different perspective top views of some of the components of the toy vehicle track shown in Fig. 2 in different disassembly states.

Fig. 6 shows a bottom perspective view of the supercharger mechanism shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6A shows a bottom perspective view of some components of the supercharger mechanism shown in Fig. 2 in a disengaged configuration.

Fig. 6B shows a bottom perspective view of some components of the supercharger mechanism shown in Fig. 6A in an engaged configuration.

Fig. 6C shows an inverted side view of the components shown in Figs. 6? and 6B in an interlocking configuration.

Fig. 6D shows an inverted side view of the components shown in Fig. 6C in a released configuration.

Fig. 7 shows a top perspective view of another embodiment of a toy vehicle track according to the present invention and as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 shows a top perspective view of the supercharger mechanism shown in Fig. 7 in a disassembled state.

Fig. 8A shows a top view of a ratchet mechanism of the supercharger mechanism shown in Fig. 8.

Figs. 9-11 show different top perspective views of the supercharger mechanism shown in Fig. 7 in different disassembly states.

Fig. 12 shows a bottom perspective view of the supercharger mechanism shown in Fig. 7 with several components disassembled.

Figs. 12A and 12B are views showing the relative movements of trigger parts of the supercharger mechanism shown in FIG. 7.

Fig. 13 shows a bottom perspective view of the supercharger mechanism shown in Fig. 7 with several components disassembled.

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a supercharger mechanism for a toy vehicle track according to the present invention.

Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a supercharger mechanism for a toy vehicle track according to the present invention.

Similar reference numbers have been used to identify similar elements throughout this description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A supercharger mechanism according to the present invention has at least one supercharger arm or engaging part that can be moved towards engagement with a toy vehicle in a set of tracks of a toy vehicle. When the supercharger arm moves while in contact with the toy vehicle, a force is applied to the toy vehicle along the direction of the track that moves or expels the toy vehicle along the track. In one embodiment, the supercharger mechanism has a rotating body with three supercharger arms that are equidistantly spaced apart.

The supercharger mechanism also has a control mechanism, which can alternatively be referred to as a winding or rope mechanism. The control mechanism has a thrust member that can be wound to generate potential energy in the thrust member. A child can roll up the push member, which is held in a loaded configuration or condition until it is released.

The supercharger mechanism has an actuator that can be engaged by a toy vehicle on the track. The actuator has a part that prevents the rotary body of the supercharger mechanism from moving. When the actuator is tricked by a passing toy vehicle, the actuator moves to a released or released position, which releases the rotating body. In one embodiment, the rotating body rotates through a part of a total rotation, such as 120 °, until the actuator engages the rotating body and prevents further movement. These steps to release, move and block are repeated each time a passing toy vehicle activates the actuator until the potential energy in the pushing member is terminated.

Referring to Fig. 1, two tracks or sets of tracks of toy vehicles according to the present invention are shown. Each set of tracks has a supercharging mechanism that is used to supercharge or propel a toy vehicle along the track. Since each of the sets of tracks is a closed circuit track, a toy vehicle that is supercharged travels along the track from one end to the other end and returns to the supercharger mechanism to be supercharged again.

As shown in Fig. 1, the track of the toy vehicle 10 has a supercharger mechanism 100 and the track of the toy vehicle 500 has a supercharger mechanism 600. The set of toy vehicle tracks 10 is shown and described in relation to with Figs. 1-6 and 6A-6D. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle 500 is shown and described in relation to Figs. 1 and 7-8, 8A, 9-12, 12A, 12B and 13. Track sets 10 and 500 have several similar characteristics as described below.

Referring to Fig. 1, the set of tracks of a toy vehicle 10 has a closed circuit track 20 with opposite ends 22 and 24. Track 20 is inclined from end 22 to end 24 and is retained in that position or orientation through several supports 26. The angle of inclination facilitates the return of a toy vehicle from the end 24 to the end 22, where the supercharger mechanism 100 is located. The track 20 has a part of the track 30 having a channel 32. which is formed by the side walls and along which a toy vehicle can travel.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is shown a top perspective view of a portion of the track 20 and the supercharger mechanism 100. Next to the track 20 is a base or part of a base 110 having an upper surface 112 and a surface lower 114 (see Fig. 6). In one embodiment, the base 110 can be formed separately from the track 20 and placed in proximity to the track 20 or coupled thereto. In another embodiment, the base 110 can be formed integrally with the track 20.

Track 20 has a turn 34 along which toy vehicles can travel. Coupled to the turn 34 is a cover 50, which may be a piece of plastic formed integrally with the turn 34 or separately formed and coupled thereto subsequently. The cover 50 reduces the likelihood that a supercharged toy vehicle will leave the track 20 through the turn 34. The supercharger mechanism 100 is located close to the turn 34 and a portion of the supercharger arms of the supercharger 100 extend to turn 34 of track 20 to engage a toy vehicle passing along turn 3.

In this embodiment, the supercharger mechanism 100 has a body 120 with multiple engaging parts. The body is mounted so that it can rotate to the base 110 and can rotate through a complete circle. The multiple engagement parts allow the supercharger to rotate or advance gradually in a particular direction and supercharge successive toy vehicles.

Extending from the body 120 are the supercharger arms or arms 130, 140 and 150, which may also be referred to as engagement parts. Each arm 130, 140 and 150 has a longitudinal axis along which the arm extends. Each longitudinal axis and the corresponding arm are 120 ° apart from the other two contiguous axes and arms.

As shown in Fig. 2, the arm 130 has a finger or engaging member 132 that provides a larger surface area with which it contacts a toy vehicle instead of only the side edge of the arm 130. In this embodiment, the engagement member 132 has a flat contact surface engaging a rear surface of the toy vehicle. The engagement member 132 can be formed integrally with the rest of the arm 130, or else it can be formed separately from the rest of the arm 130 and be coupled thereto subsequently.

Similarly, the arm 140 has a finger or engaging member 142 with a flat contact surface 144 (see Fig. 3) and the arm 150 has a finger or engagement member 152 with a flat contact surface 154 (see FIG. Fig. 3). In one embodiment, body 120 and arms 130, 140 and 150 can be formed integrally. In another embodiment, the body 120 and the arms 130, 140 and 150 can be formed separately and the arms can be coupled to the body 120.

As described below, the body 120 of the supercharger mechanism 100 has a rest or no initial thrust position relative to the base 110. The body 120 can be moved against the force of a thrust member to a loaded or rolled position and Retain in that position through a ratchet or pin. When the ratchet or pin is released, the pushing member can push the body 120 to rotate and engage a passing toy vehicle. The body 120 will continue to rotate as long as the pushing member provides a force on the body 120 and as long as the pawl or pin is not in a locked or engaged position.

The supercharger mechanism 100 has a control mechanism 250, which can alternatively be referred to as a winding or loader mechanism, which can be manipulated by a user to load or wind the supercharger mechanism 100. In this embodiment, the mechanism for loading or winding 250 has a handle 260. A user can rotate the knob 260 and as a result, the body 120, along the direction of the arrow "A" about an axis 116 defines an axis of rotation 125. The handle 260 is engaged to a sleeve part 262 and has a butt contact 217 which contacts a belay member 280 by winding the spring on the inside of the sleeve part 262 as the handle 260 is rotated or bent. The engagement member 280 is part of the clutch mechanism that prevents overwrapping of the handle 260 and protects the push or spring member, which is described in detail below.

In this embodiment, the supercharger mechanism 100 has an actuator, a portion 430 of which extends above the travel surface of the toy vehicle track. In one embodiment, the actuator portion 430 is located along the turn 34. When the supercharger body 120 rotates to supercharge the toy vehicles, the body 120 rotates along the direction of the arrow "B" around the axis 125 Referring to Fig. 3, the components of the supercharger mechanism 100, including the body 120 and the winding mechanism 250, have been separated from the base 110. As shown, the shaft 116 extending upwardly from the base 110 has a sufficient length so that the body 120 and the winding mechanism 250 can be mounted so that they can rotate thereon. Each of: the body 120 and the winding mechanism 250 has an opening or hole that is configured to receive the shaft 116. The body 120 has an upper surface 124 (see Fig. 3) and a lower, opposite surface 126 (see FIG. Fig. 5).

Referring again to FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the supercharger mechanism 100 has a protrusion 282 extending upwardly from the winding mechanism 250. The protrusion 282 has a slot 284 formed on its upper surface. The slot 284 is sized to receive a portion of the engagement member 280. As the handle 260 rotates and the butt contact 270 contacts the engagement member 280, the movement of the engagement member 280 results in the protrusion 282 tour too.

As shown in Fig. 3, as mentioned above, are the contact surfaces 144 and 154 of the supercharger arms 140 and 150, respectively. In this embodiment, the contact surfaces 144 and 154 are generally planar. In another embodiment of the invention, the contact surfaces 144 and 154 can be textured and / or have a non-planar shape or configuration.

Referring to Fig. 4, the winding mechanism 250 is shown separated from the body 120. The body 120 has a central part 122 and coupled to the upper surface 124 of the central part 122 is a winder 290 having several stop contacts 294 that they define notches or slots 296 between the abutting abutment contacts 294. Located between all butt contacts 294 is a central hole 292 through which the shaft 116 of the base 110 can pass.

As shown, coupled to the handle 260 is a sleeve 262 having a wall 264 defining a receptacle 266. The wall 264 also has a notch 268 formed therethrough. In this embodiment, the handle 260 and the sleeve 262 are formed integrally.

A thrust member 300, such as a coiled spring, has opposite ends 302 and 304 and is located in the receptacle 266. Due to the coiled configuration of the spring 300, the end 302 is an inner end and the end 304 is an end of the spring 300. The end 304 extends through the notch 268, as shown. The end 302 of the spring 300 is positioned between one or more of the notches 296 between the stop contacts 294. The end 302 is retained in one or more of the notches 296 due to friction and, in some cases, crimps or bends the extreme 302.

The winder 290 is used to wind the spring 300. As the handle 360 is rotated, the handle 260 rotates in relation to the body 120. As the end of the pushing member 302 is coupled to the winder 290 in the body 120, the rotation of the handle 260 moves the end of the pushing member 304 in relation to the end of the pushing member 302. This relative movement results in the pushing member 300 being wound and constricted around the winder 290. The size of the winding of the pushing member 300 is limited to when the push member 300 is tightly wound on the reel 290 and itself. When the push member 300 is wound, it stores potential energy that is used to command and rotate the body 120 relative to the base 110 and the track 20.

Referring to FIG. 5, a bottom perspective view of the body 120 of the supercharger mechanism 100 is shown. As shown, the body 120 has a lower surface or side 126 to which several pawls or detents are engaged. In this embodiment, the body 120 has three pawls 160, 170 and 180 that are spaced equidistantly apart. The pawls 160, 170 and 180 collectively form part of a gradual mechanism that allows the body 120 to rotate gradually or progressively. Each of the ratchets 160, 170 and 180 are positioned so that each of the supercharger arms 130, 140 and 150 is in a loaded position ready to supercharge a toy vehicle when it is released (such as the arm 140 in the Fig. 2). The pawls 160, 170 and 180 are used to control the amount of rotation of the body 120 about the shaft 125 as the pushing mechanism 300 is unwound. As the pawls 160, 170 and 180 are 120 ° apart, engagement of the successive ratchets by an actuator, as described below, results in the rotation of the body 120 along approximately 120 °. This partial or gradual rotation of the body facilitates the overfeeding of multiple toy vehicles for each complete rotation of the rotating body 120.

The pawls 160, 170 and 180 have lips or projections 162, 172 and 182, respectively. The drillers 162, 172 and 182 are oriented so as to engage a part of an actuator, as described below. The pawls 160, 170 and 180 can be formed separately from the body 120 and subsequently attached to it using an adhesive or a connector, such as a screw. Otherwise, the pawls 160, 170 and 180 can be formed integrally with the body 120.

Referring to Fig. 6, a perspective view of the bottom of the supercharger mechanism 100 and a portion of the track 20 is shown. As shown, the base 110 has a lower surface or lower side 114 that is oriented toward and / or placed in contact with a surface of support in which the set of tracks 10 is placed. Coupled to the base 110 is an actuator 400 which is activated by a toy vehicle on the track 20 and that releases the body 120 to rotate with the thrust of the thrust member 300.

In this embodiment, the actuator 400 has an elongated member 410 with opposite ends 412 and 414. The elongate member 410 can be a rod or joint. Next to end 412 is a meshing part 420 which engages body 120, as shown. In Fig. 6, the engaging part 410 is shown to be engaged with the pawl 180. Next to the end 414 is a protruding portion 430 (see Fig. 2) extending toward the track 20 track through a opening formed in the track 20. The elongate member 410 is coupled to the track 20 and / or the base 110 and is mounted to at least partially rotate about its longitudinal axis 425. A pushing mechanism, such as a spring, is positioned to push the elongated member 410 toward an initial position where the projecting portion 430 extends toward the channel or area of the track 20.

When a toy vehicle makes contact with the projecting part 430, the projecting part 430 moves downward and the elongated member 410 rotates about the axis 425 against the pushing mechanism. The rotation of the elongated member 410 around the shaft 425 causes the engagement part 420 to also rotate. When the engaging portion 420 rotates from its latched or locked position shown in Fig. 6, the body 120 rotates until the next ratchet is stopped by the engaging portion 420.

Referring to Figs. 6A-6D, the interaction between the actuator 400 and the ratchet 180 is shown. Each of FIGS. 6A-6D is an inverted view of some of the components of the supercharger mechanism 100.

In this embodiment, the actuator 400 is urged by a thrust member, such as a spring, into an interlocked position 422. In this position, the engagement portion 420 of the actuator 400 is in a position in which it can engage one of the ratchets 160, 170 or 180. As shown in Fig. 6A, the rotation of the body moves the body part 120 with the ratchet 180 along the direction of the arrow "C". The ratchet 180 with its tip 182 defines a slot 184 with which the engaging portion 420 meshes as shown in Fig. 6B. When the engaging portion 420 contacts the pawl 180, rotation of the body 120 about the shaft 125 is stopped. Referring to Fig. 6C, an end view of the components shown in Figs. 6A and 6B. Body 120 and ratchet 180 move from a disengaged position 186 to an engaged position 188 as the body moves along the direction of arrow "Cl".

Referring to Fig. 6D, the engaging portion 420 is shown in its initial position 422 (shown in phantom) in which it makes contact with the pawl 180. As the elongate member 410 rotates along the direction of the arrow "D", the engaging part 420 moves about the axis 426 to its unlocked position 424. In this position 424, there is a recess 440 between the engaging part 420 and the body 120. The recess 440 is of sufficient size to allow the pawl 180 to move through it, which results in the body 120 rotating along the direction of the arrow "E".

When the toy vehicle disengages from the actuator, the elongate member 410 rotates about the axis 426 along the direction of the arrow "F" from the position 424 to the position 422. The engagement portion 420 is thus positioned to make contact with the next pawl 160, and stops the body 120 after it rotates 120 °.

Once the pushing mechanism 300 is wound, the process for a toy vehicle to activate the actuator 400, the actuator 400 moves to allow rotation of the body 120, the body 120 of the supercharger mechanism 100 rotates 120 ° about the axis 125 and engages the toy vehicle, the actuator 400 which stops the rotation of the body 120 repeats the same with each successive activation by a toy vehicle until the potential energy stored in the pushing mechanism is terminated. In one embodiment, the winding mechanism 250 can be rotated or bent seven times, which allows the body 120 to make seven full revolutions due to the potential energy in the coiled thrust mechanism 300. The body 120 can overfeed twenty one toy vehicles in one. row since the toy vehicles continuously activate the actuator 400 for the set of tracks 10.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the set of tracks of toy vehicles 500 has a closed circuit track 510 with opposite ends 512 and 514. Track 510 is also inclined from end 512 to end 514 and retained in that position through the supports 516 and a base support 518 (see Fig. 7). The supercharger mechanism 600 is located near the end 512 of the track 510.

Referring to Fig. 7, a portion of the track 510 and the supercharger mechanism 600 are shown. Similar to the supercharger mechanism 100, the supercharger mechanism 600 has a drive mechanism 700, which may be referred to as a winding or loading mechanism. . In this embodiment, the track 510 has a turn 520 along which an arm of the supercharger mechanism 600 travels to supercharge a passing toy vehicle. The track 510 has a cover 530 with a projecting portion 532 located near where a supercharger arm initially engages a toy vehicle. The cover 530 is coupled to a frame 534 having several posts 532 extending therefrom. In one embodiment, the cover 530 is transparent, which allows a child to see that the supercharger mechanism 600 engages a toy vehicle.

Track 510 has a base 540 coupled thereto or formed therewith. The base 540 rotatably supports the supercharger mechanism 600. The track 510 has an outer wall 550 having several separate mounts 552 with openings 554 into which the posts 536 can be inserted to couple the cover 530 to the track 510.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, some of the components of the supercharger mechanism 600 are shown. In this embodiment, the supercharger mechanism 600 has a body 620 with an upper surface 624 and the arms 630, 640 and 650, each of which is 120 ° apart. .

In this embodiment, the supercharger mechanism 600 has a loading mechanism or reel 700 that can be manipulated by a child reel supercharger mechanism 600. As shown in Fig. 8, the reel mechanism 700 has a cover 720 having a wall 722 with teeth 724 formed along an internal surface. The wall 722 defines a receptacle 726 and the cover 720 has a hole 728 located centrally.

The winding mechanism 700 has a handle 710 which is coupled to a body 712 with an upper surface 713 to which a ratchet mechanism 740 is mounted. The body 712 also has a downwardly depending wall 714 defining a receptacle 716 (see FIG. Fig. 9).

Referring to Figs. 8 and 8A, the components of the ratchet mechanism 740 are shown. As shown, the ratchet mechanism 740 has a pair of cam members 750 and 760. The cam members 750 and 760 have mounting holes 756 and 766 through from which the connectors 770 and 772 are inserted to pivot the cam members 750 and 760 to the body 712 coupled to the handle 710. As shown in Fig. 8A, each of the cam members 750 and 760 have ends Opposites 752, 754 and 762, 764 and a movement hole 757 and 767, respectively.

A push member 780, such as a resilient band, coupled to the cam members 750 and 760 together. The push member 780 extends around the posts 715 and 717 which are formed on the upper surface 713 of the body 712. The push member 780 pushes the cam member 750 around the connector 770 in the hole 756 along the direction of arrow "G". Similarly, push member 780 pushes cam member 760 around connector 772 in hole 766 along the direction of arrow "H". The result of pushing the cam members 750 and 760 in these directions is that the distant ends or ends 752 and 762 of the members 750 and 760 are forced outward to mesh with the inner surface of the wall 722 of the cover 720. The tips 752 and 762 engage the teeth 724 of the cover 720, which results in the translation of the rotation of the handle 710 towards the rotation of the winding mechanism 700.

Referring to Fig. 9, the furling mechanism 700 also has a furling 790 having a center post 792 and stands 794 located near the center post 792. The notches or holes 796 are formed between the post 792 and the stands 794. The mechanism winder 700 also has a thrust member or mechanism 800, such as a coiled spring, with opposite ends (only the inner end 802 is shown in Fig. 9). The push member 800 is located in the receptacle 716 of the handle part 710 and the inner end 802 is positioned in one or more of the notches 796. The other end of the push member 800 is fixed to the handle 710 so that the rotation of handle 710 moves the other end. As a result, as the push member 800 is unwound, the push member 800 imparts movement to the body 620 by the connection between the push member 800 and the body 620.

Referring to FIG. 10, the base 540 has a post or shaft 546 extending from the upper surface 542. A sample 548 is formed near the post 546. A detent 942 of an actuator 900 is shown extending through the notch. 548. The detent 942 moves along the directions of the arrow "I". The details of the retainer are described in detail later.

Referring to Fig. 11, a view of the bottom of the body 620 is shown. The body 620 has a lower surface 626 to which several pawls are engaged. As shown, the pawls 660,670 and 680 are coupled to the lower surface 616 through connectors, such as screws, which extend through the ratchets 660, 670 and 680. Each of the ratchets 660, 670 and 680 it has a tip or lip 662, 672 and 682, respectively. The pawls 660, 670 and 680 are 120 ° apart in the same configuration as the pawls 160, 170 and 180 for the set of tracks 10 described above.

Referring to Figs. 12, 12A, 12B and 13, details of the actuator 900 of the track assemblies 500 are shown. In this embodiment, the base 540 has a lower surface 544 with a cavity or chamber 545. A closing plate 570 can be attached to the base 540 to cover the cavity 545. The closure plate 570 has several openings 572 through which the connectors 574, such as screws, can be inserted to be connected to the openings formed in the mounting structures in the base 540. The closure plate 570 can be attached to the base 540 to cover the cavity 545. As shown in FIG. 12, the track 510 has a musk 560 which extends through the track 510 between the upper surfaces and bottom of runway 510.

In this document, the actuator 900 has an elongated member 910 with opposite ends 912 and 914. Next to the end 912 is a engagement member 930 and close to the end 914 is a ratchet member or pin 940. The elongate member 910 is engaged or assembled to the base 540 and can rotate about its longitudinal axis 915.

Referring to FIG. 13, several stands with slots at their ends are spaced apart and used to position the elongated member 910. The stand 921 is located near the end 912 to engage the elongate member 910. The stands 923 and 925 are located near of end 914 to engage elongate member 910.

As shown in Fig. 13, the elongate member 910 has a collar or sleeve 920 having a slit formed therein. The necklace 920 is positioned ?? engagement with the 921 stand and the 921 stand engages the cleft. Similarly, the elongate member has collars 922 and 924 near the end 914. Collars 922 and 924 engage stands 923 and 925, respectively, and have slots to receive the ends of stands 923 and 925. The slits in collars 920 , 922 and 924 extend around the perimeter of the collars and allow the rotation of the collars 920, 92 and 924 relative to the stands 921, 923 and 925. The inner surface of the closure plate 570 has stands corresponding to and they are aligned with the stands 921, 923 and 935 when the closing plate 570 is coupled to the base 540. The different series of stands capture the corresponding series of the collars 920, 922 or 924 between them.

As mentioned above, the elongated member 910 is mounted for rotation about the shaft 915. Fig. 12A shows the movement of the engaging member 930 as the elongate member 910 rotates and Fig. 12B shows the movement of the ratchet part. 940 as the elongated member 910. Each of the engaging members 930 and the ratchet part 940 are fixed to the elongate member 910. As a result, the movement of any of the components [lacuna] Referring to Fig. 12A, a toy vehicle 1000 travels along track 510 along the direction of arrow "J", which is also shown in Fig. 12. As the toy vehicle 1000 moves in that direction, a part of the toy vehicle 1000 contacts or engages a contact surface 933 in an upper portion 932 of the engagement member 930. The engagement member 930 has an initial or skewed position 934 in which the The engagement member 920 is positioned without any force applied to the engagement member 930. A thrust member, such as a spring, is provided to urge the elongated member 910 and, thus, the engagement member 930 toward this orientation. . When the toy vehicle 1000 makes contact with the surface 933, the engagement member 930 moves within the notch 560 and rotates about the axis 915 along the direction of the arrow "K". As a result, the engagement member 930 moves to a contact position 936 (shown in phantom) and the elongated member 910 rotates about the axis 915 as well. When the force of the toy vehicle 1000 is no longer applied to the contact surface 933, the engagement member 930 returns to its initial or biased position 934.

Referring to Fig. 12B, the ratchet portion 940 located at the opposite end of the elongated member 910 also moves from the engaging member 930. The ratchet portion 940 has a protruding portion 942 extending upward through the notch. 548 in the base 540 (see Figs 10 and 13) when the ratchet part 940 is in its locked position 944. In this position 944, the projecting part 942 contacts or engages one of the pawls 660, 670 and 680 in the rotary body 620. When the engaging member 930 rotates about the axis 915 along the direction of the arrow "K", the ratchet portion 940 also rotates about the axis 915 along the direction of the arrow "L" to an unlocked position 946, which allows the ratchet to move past the protruding part 942. The body 620 rotates until the next ratchet engages the pin part 940 the actuator 900. The process is repeated until the Thrusting has enough potential energy to cause the body 620 to gradually rotate something else.

Referring to Fig. 14, a perspective view of another modality of a set of tracks is shown. In Fig. 14, only the fly part of the track 11700 and the supercharger mechanism 1100 are shown. The track 1170 has connectors 1172 and 1174 that facilitate the connection of the track 1170 with other track parts that can have any configuration or shape.

Track 1170 has a base part 1105 formed integrally therein. The supercharger mechanism 1100 is rotatably mounted to the base part 1105 and has a rotating body 1110 with several supercharger arms or engaging pairs 1120, 1130 and 1140. In this embodiment, each of the arms has a contact surface which may be coated with a material to reduce the impact of the arm on the toy vehicle. For example, the arms may have a rubber coating or similar material as shown on surfaces 1132 and 1142 of arms 130 and 1140, respectively. The supercharger mechanism 1100 has a winding mechanism 1150 with a handle 1152 that can be used for winding a spring that is located internally in the winding mechanism 1150.

Referring to Fig. 15, a perspective view of a certain modality of a set of tracks is shown. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle 1500 has a closed circuit track 1510 with opposite ends 1512 and 1514, each of which may be circular, but different from the previous modes, the first end 1512 may be oriented as a circuit considerably vertical. The two ends 1512 and 1514 can be connected together at intersection 1570 and the portions of track 1510 can be supported by supports 1516 so that track 1510 is slanted from intersection 1570 to end 1514. Similar to the track 20 of a previous embodiment, the tilt angle facilitates the return of a toy vehicle 2000 from the end 1514 to the end 1512, where the supercharger mechanism 1600 is located. The track 1510 has a channel 1532 which is formed by walls opposite sides and along which a toy vehicle can travel. In one embodiment, track 1510 has a repositionable part 1580 that can be moved relative to intersection 1570 to create various game configurations. For example, the part 1580 can be positioned so that a toy vehicle 2000 traveling along it jumps on the intersection 1570, thereby avoiding collision with another toy vehicle 2000.

Referring to FIG. 15, track set 1500 also has a base 1540. A base 1540 supports supercharger 1600 in a vertical orientation while receiving a portion of track 1510. In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown. in Fig. 15, a turn 1520 is supported or included in a portion of an outer wall 1550 of the base 15410, so that the turn 1520 can be engaged by the vertically oriented supercharger. In this way, the outer wall 1550 of the track 1500 is at least a part of a ring oriented vertically so that the outer wall 1550 provides a circuit or ring for the supercharger mechanism 1600 that rotates inside. The outer wall 1550 also has openings 1554 so that the toy vehicles can enter and exit the base 1500 and the mounts 1553 so that the base can be mounted to a track 1500 that exists previously. Additionally, a loader or reel mechanism 1700 can be mounted to the supercharger 1600 so that any winding can occur around the central axis of the outer annular wall 1550.

As shown in Fig. 15 the supercharger mechanism 1600 having arms 1630, 1640 and 1650, each of which has a engaging portion 1662, 1672 and 1682, respectively. Each of the arms 1620, 1640 and 1650 can be coupled to or formed integrally with a body 1620 (see Fig. 15) so that the arms 1630, 1640 and 1650 can rotate about the central axis of the outer wall 1550 while engaging as an alternative to the minus one part of the turn 1520. The multiple engagement parts allow the supercharger to rotate or advance gradually in a particular direction and supercharge successive toy vehicles. In this particular embodiment, a vehicle 2000 can be supercharged in a direction practically upward, so that it has sufficient speed to traverse the vertical circuit included in the end 1512.

In order to operate the supercharger mechanism, a user can roll up the winder mechanism 1700 and subsequently activate a drive mechanism 1900 (seen in Fig. 15). The winding mechanism may have a body that may be covered with the cover 1720, which may have an outer wall. The cover 1720 and the body can form a housing that can accommodate any suitable energy storage mechanism (not shown). In order to transfer energy to this mechanism, a handle 1710 (seen in Fig. 15) can be rotated about a central axis of the cover 1720. The winding mechanism can be operatively coupled to the supercharger mechanism so that that energy transferred to the furling mechanism can be transferred to the supercharger mechanism.

Once the energy has been transferred to the winder 1700, activation of the actuator mechanism can cause the supercharger mechanism 1600 to overfeed a toy vehicle. The drive mechanism 1900 is included on or within the base 1540 and is operatively connected to both the winder mechanism 1700 and the supercharger mechanism 1600, so that the supercharger mechanism 1600 can rotate one third of a rotation (120 degrees) when the Actuating mechanism is activated. In this particular embodiment, a driving member 1930 is included in the base 1540 and protrudes therefrom so that it can be engaged by a vehicle 2000 traveling along the track 1510.

In this embodiment, the set of tracks 1500 has one or more brackets for positioning the supercharger mechanism so as to engage at least a portion of the track 1510. In one embodiment, it is preferable to mount the supercharger mechanism in a position that maximizes its engagement with track 1510. The winder mechanism 1700 can be mounted on the same axle as supercharger mechanism 1600 in order to provide an aesthetic and efficient design. Therefore, in this embodiment, where the supercharger 1600 engages the track 1500 in the turn 1520, it is preferable to mount the supercharger mechanism 1600 and the winder mechanism 1700 in the center of the turn 1520. One or more supports support the supercharged mechanism in that position while other supports support the winding mechanism in that position.

In alternative embodiments, a supercharger mechanism in accordance with the present invention may have a rotating body with two supercharger arms or with four or more supercharger arms. For the multiple supercharger arms in a supercharger mechanism, the supercharger arms are spaced equidistantly apart. The number of supercharger arms determines the size that the rotary body rotates gradually during each activation of the supercharger mechanism. The supercharger arms can be of any material that provides sufficient force to supercharge a toy vehicle, such as a plastic material.

It should be understood that terms such as "left," "right," "upper," "bottom," "forward." "end," "rear," "side," "height," "length," "width," "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "internal," "external," and the like may be used herein, only describes reference points or parts and does not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. In addition, the terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., only identify one of a number of portions, components and / or reference points as described in the present invention at any particular configuration or orientation.

Although the described inventions are shown and described herein incorporated into one or more specific examples, however, no attempt is made to limit them to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. the inventions. For example, the supercharger arms of the rotation mechanism can engage a vehicle traveling in a straight part of the track. In addition, various features of the modalities can be incorporated into another modality. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the invention can be considered in a broad manner and consistent with the scope of the description.

Claims (20)

1. A set of tracks of a toy vehicle consisting of: a track on which a toy vehicle can travel and a supercharger mechanism coupled to the track, the supercharger mechanism has a body mounted to complete the rotation about an axis, the body has a plurality of supercharger arms, each of the plurality of supercharger arms is configured to engage a toy vehicle, the body being rolled up against a pushing mechanism to a loaded position so that each time the supercharger mechanism is activated by a toy vehicle, the body partially rotates about the axis away from the loaded position so that one of the supercharger arms engages and expels the activated toy vehicle.

2. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the track forms a closed circuit.

3. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the track has a turn and the supercharger mechanism is coupled to the track near the turn so that each supercharger arm can be at least partially extended towards the track. turn to engage and expel a toy vehicle around the turn.

4. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the partial rotation is one third of a rotation.

5. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the loaded position is a first loaded position and the body is configured to rotate partially from the first loaded position to a second loaded position after being activated by a toy vehicle.

6. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the body remains, at least momentarily, in the second loaded position until the supercharger mechanism is activated again by a toy vehicle.

7. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the supercharger arms have engaging members that increase the contact area between the supercharger arms and an activated toy vehicle.

8. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the pushing member is a spring.

9. The set of tracks of a toy vehicle according to claim 1, further consists of: A crank configured reel body against the thrust member.

10. A supercharger of a toy vehicle coupled to a track, consisting of: a base part; a supercharger member rotatably coupled to the base portion, the supercharger member being configured to move 360 degrees relative to the base portion, the supercharger member has a plurality of engaging portions, each of the engaging portions being configured to engage a toy vehicle; Y a gradual mechanism coupled to the supercharger member, the gradual mechanism allows only the supercharger member to rotate partially repeatedly in response to activation of the supercharger by the jig vehicle.

11. The supercharger of the toy vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the toy vehicle is a first toy vehicle and the supercharger member is configured to engage and be activated by sequential toy vehicles.

12. The supercharger of the toy vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the indexing mechanism includes at least one ratchet configured to stop the rotation of the supercharger member by choice.

13. The supercharger of the toy vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the at least one pawl has three pawls placed at equal intervals around the base.

14. The supercharger of the toy vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the partial rotation is one third of a rotation.

15. A supercharger of the toy vehicle coupled to a track, consisting of: a base part, a supercharger member pivotably coupled to the base portion, the supercharger member being configured to move 360 degrees relative to the base portion, the supercharger member has a plurality of engaging portions, a thrust member coupled to the supercharger member, the thrust member pushing the supercharger member into a rest position and a pawl engageable with the supercharger member to stop the supercharger member during its rotation after activation by a toy vehicle so that the supercharger member only rotates partially.

16. The supercharger of the toy vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the rest position is a first resting position and the pushing member is configured to push the supercharger member to one of the first resting position, a second resting position. rest, or a third resting position.

17. The supercharger of the toy vehicle according to claim 15, wherein one of the plurality of engagement parts engages a toy vehicle during partial rotation.

18. The supercharger of the toy vehicle according to claim 15, further comprises: A crank configured to transfer potential energy to the thrust member.

19. The supercharger of the toy vehicle according to claim 18, wherein each rotation of the crank imparts sufficient energy to the thrust member to allow three partial rotations to the supercharger member.

20. The supercharger of the toy vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the crank is rotated in a first direction and the supercharger member rotates in a second and opposite direction.