Assembly for guiding toy vehicle

Abstract

A track layout for guiding toy vehicles is formed from a number of rectangular tiles ( 1 ). Each tile has at least two distinct pathways for the vehicle to increase the track density per tile in comparison with known systems of a similar type. The tiles can be orientated in any one of eight different positions. Each face ( 3 ) of each tile has one or more female parts ( 10 ) of a connector, and separate male part ( 21 ) of the connector holds the tiles together. The connector may be constructed from a number of different components, and has a circumjacent flange ( 23 ) that helps prevent vertical movement between the tiles.

1 . A connection member for use in conjunction with elements of a folding/demountable assembly for forming an environment, in particular with track elements of an assembly guiding a toy vehicle, the connection member comprising a central body extending between end sections, said end sections being shaped so as, in use, to be engageable in complementary shaped recesses formed in the elements, said connection member, in use, extending between adjacent elements with each end section engaged in a recess formed in one of the elements so as to secure said pieces together.  
   
   
       2 . A connection piece according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body is formed from an elastically deformable material.  
   
   
       3 . A connection piece according to  claim 1 , wherein the main body has a basal flange track element.  
   
   
       4 . A connection piece according to  claim 1 , wherein the end sections of the connection piece are flexibly connected.  
   
   
       5 . A connection piece according to  claim 4 , composed of at least two separate elements which are pivotally connected together, each element having formed thereon one of said end sections and a part of said central body.  
   
   
       6 . A connection piece according to  claim 5 , wherein said elements are pivotally connected together at the centre of the central body.  
   
   
       7 . A connection piece according to  claim 5 , wherein each element is pivotally movable relative to the other element through substantially 180° about a signal axis both clockwise and anti-clockwise.  
   
   
       8 . A connection piece according to  claim 7 , wherein said single axis lies in the plane of and extends substantially perpendicular to said central body.  
   
   
       9 . A connection piece according to  claim 6 , further including biasing means connected between said elements which urges said sections into a first, un-rotated position in which the parts of the central body carried on the two sections are aligned.  
   
   
       10 . A connection piece according to  claim 6 , wherein said elements are connected together by means of a double hinge.  
   
   
       11 . A connection piece according to  claim 6 , wherein said elements are connected together by a resiliently deformable member.  
   
   
       12 . A connection piece according to  claim 11 , wherein said resiliently deformable member is an elastic band which is attached to the end section carried on each element.  
   
   
       13 . A connection piece according to  claim 12 , wherein said elastic band has a hoop on each end which engages in an annular recess formed in each end section.  
   
   
       14 . A connection piece according to  claim 5 , wherein each element has a basal flange.  
   
   
       15 . A connection piece according to  claim 1 , wherein each end section has a recess in its upper end for receiving, in use, a mounting peg of a mounting element such as a piece of scenery.  
   
   
       16 . An assembly for guiding a toy vehicle, the assembly comprising a plurality of substantially rectilinear track elements and a plurality of element connectors according to  claim 1 , each track element having three or more edges, and each edge having a shaped recess for receiving and retaining one end section of a connector, such that, in use, the connectors releasably retain the track elements with the ends of abutting edges in alignment.  
   
   
       17 . An assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein each track element is provided with two or more track-defining formations to allow the vehicle to be guided along two or more different pathways, and the track-defining formations being configured and positioned to facilitate alignment of the pathways between abutting track elements.  
   
   
       18 . An assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein both main faces of each track element are provided with two or more track-defining formations, the track-defining formation being configured differently on each face.  
   
   
       19 . An assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the track-defining formation comprises a pair of equi-spaced grooves.  
   
   
       20 . An assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the track elements are substantially square.  
   
   
       21 . An assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the recesses are positioned and configured to allow any of the edges of a track element to be connected to any edge of another track element with the ends of the connected edges in alignment.  
   
   
       22 . An assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the track elements are formed from a semi-rigid foam material.  
   
   
       23 . An assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the shaped-recesses and each end of each connector are of complementary shape.  
   
   
       24 . An assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein one or more secondary elements are provided, each secondary element having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having formations for complementary engagement with track-defining formations, such that, in use, the secondary formations overlie some or all of a pathway on a track element.