Nesting track section for model vehicles

#In the distribution of model track sections, competition is extremely keen so that manufacture may be performed in foreign countries at remote distances if economically warranted by savings in manufacture plus costs involved in shipping. Shipping has heretofore been a serious problem to foreign manufacturers of model track sections. In particular, shipping costs have been high due to lost space due to irregular or nonconforming shapes, resulting in "shipping air". Further, the frequency of damage, also due to irregular or nonconforming shapes, has been high and required expensive protective packing.

#Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide model track sections for model racing vehicles which are uniquely well adapted for substantially complete nesting to effectively protect themselves from damage in handling and shipment, reduce space requirements to a minimum for economy in storage and shipment, and require minimum materials for effecting substantial savings in manufacture.

#Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

#FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing end portions of like track sections adapated for assembly and disassembly in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of one of the track section end portions of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the track section end portions of FIG. 1 in an assembled condition.

#Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of like track sections are each generally designated 10 in FIG. 1, and may each include a generally flat base plate or bed 11. While the track sections 10 of the illustrated embodiment are shown as straight, it is appreciated that suitably nonstraight or curved track sections may be constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The bed 11 of each track section 10 includes a pair of parallel spaced longitudinally extending side edges 12 and 13, and a pair of opposite end edges 14, each extending generally normal to and between the adjacent pair of ends of side edges 12 and 13. The bed 11 may further include a generally flat upper surface 15 extending between the side edges 12 and 13, and end edges 14. Also, the lower or under surface 16 of bed 11 may be generally flat, and similarly extend between the side and end edges 12, 13 and 14.

#Each end edge 14 is formed with a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending projections, as at 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24. The end projections 20-24 are all substantially flush with the upper bed surface 15, and above or spaced from the lower or under bed surface 16. The projection 20 may have one side generally flush with the adjacent bed side edge 13, and is spaced from the next adjacent end projection 21 by an intermediate recess 25. The projection 22 is similarly spaced laterally from the projection 21 by a recess 26 between the projections 21 and 22, and similarly a recess 27 is defined by the space between next adjacent end projection 23 and end projection 22. The end projection 24 is similarly spaced from the projection 23 by an intermediate recess 28, while the space between projection 24 and adjacent side edge 12 may be considered, as a recess, as at 29. The recesses 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 serve to respectively receive projections 24, 23, 22, 21 and 20, upon end to end aligned digitally interfitting engagement, as in the condition shown in FIG. 3.

#As the recesses 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 all may be considered as opening upwardly through surface 15, the projections 24, 23, 22, 21, and 20 are respectively received therein in flush relation therewith, as being flush with the upper surface 15. Also, the end projections 20-24 are all spaced above the bed underside 16, except for a lower reinforcing portion 30 of projection 21. In conforming relation therewith, the recess 28 may open downwardly through the under surface 16 for receiving the lower portion 30 of a mating projection 21.