Means for joining toy track sections

#1. Technical Field

#This invention relates to a track system for a toy vehicle, and more particularly to a track section interconnectable with a number of like track sections to form a roadway for travel thereon of a miniature toy vehicle.

#In toy vehicle tracks formed of a number of sections, it is preferable that such sections have some flexibility to permit the formation of curves and banks.

#The details of the invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements in the several views:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a track segment, with a portion thereof in dotted lines depicting a curve which may be formed from the track sections of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a track segment, with a portion thereof in dotted lines depicting a slope which may be formed from the track sections of the present invention;

#Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a track system, including first and second conventional track sections 20 and 22, interconnected by a segment 24, shown in dotted lines, in FIG. 1, and a segment 26, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2, the track system being configured for forming a roadway for passage thereover of a toy vehicle 30. The vehicle 30 is of the non-motorized free-wheeling type, such as those toy vehicles sold under the trademark "Hot Wheels".

#The track sections 20 and 22 are one-piece members having sidewalls along the length thereof, with the undersurface having integrally formed longitudinally extending inwardly facing opposed grooves 28 configured for receiving tongue-shaped connectors therein for interconnecting like track sections. As shown in FIG. 1, the dotted line track segment 24 is in the form of an S-shaped curve, this being illustrative of the type of segment which can be formed using the track sections to be described. Similarly, the dotted line segment in FIG. 2 is in the form of an incline or slope. As will be hereinafter described, the segments 24 and 26 are structured using two basic track sections, one track section being interconnectable to other like track sections on either end thereof, and the other track section being configured for the transition to the conventional track sections 20 and 22. As shown in FIG. 1 the near end of the dotted line segment 24 is connected by a tongue member 32 (shown in dotted lines) to the conventional track section 22, this tongue member 32 being formed as a part of the transition section.

#Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown a perspective, and side view of a track segment including two of the basic sections 34 and an end, or transition section 36. As will be discussed, the track sections 34 and 36 are formed as unitary members, that is, in one piece of generally planar form with integrally formed hinge means for enabling pivoting of sidewall portions relative to a main body portion, with interlock means at the hinge junction, with integrally formed interconnection, or coupling means.