Race-track lap counter
AssigneesNgai Keung Metal & Plastic Manufactory Ltd., Ta Spiel & Freizeit Holding GmbH
InventorAndrew Shun Pui Chiu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lap counting mechanism is described for a race-track for toy cars of the type in which the cars are guided in slots. The guide member of the car, which in use is received within the slots, is provided with a left-right asymmetry and the lap counting mechanism is able to detect this asymmetry. This allows at least two cars to be clearly distinguished by the lap counting mechanism and so the number of laps that an individual car has done may be totaled accurately even though the cars may swap tracks and slots. The sensing means and the associated asymmetry may be electrical, optical or magnetic. Means are also provided for detecting the speed of the cars and for generating sound and light effects.
Claims9
A lap counting mechanism for a toy race car adapted to be guided in a slot formed in a race track, wherein said race car is formed with a guide member that travels in said slot, said guide member being formed with a left-right asymmetry, and wherein said track is provided with means for sensing the presence of a car and for identifying the car sensed by means of said left-right asymmetry.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.