Portable toy train carrying case and track layout

Abstract

A toy carrying case, preferably for a toy train, is provided wherein the case may provide storage for various components of a game or other activity. The case may be unfolded to provide a playing surface. The unfolded case may be designed to be of a standard height and which may be linked to other cases or other accessory components.

1 . A case suitable for use as a play surface, comprising: 
 a first portion and a second portion, each portion having a plurality of peripheral walls and a side wall, the side walls having an outer playing surface;    said first and second portions connected along one of said peripheral walls by at least one pivotable connection and wherein said case can be configured in a first closed configuration and in a second open configuration;    wherein said peripheral walls of said second portion are capable of fitting within said first portion when in a closed position and wherein said pivotable connection is positioned so that said case when in an open position is capable of positioning said outer playing surfaces of said first portion and second portion at substantially the same height when said open case is placed on a support surface.    
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1  further including: 
 an inner cover for said second portion, the cover adapted to be located opposite said side wall of said second portion to engage with said peripheral walls to form a storage area in said second portion;    said inner cover pivotally engaged to said second portion peripheral wall;    said inner cover capable of pivoting and engaging with said first portion to secure said case in said open position.    
   
   
       3 . The case of  claim 1  where said outer playing surfaces include protrusions or depressions.  
   
   
       4 . The case of  claim 2 , wherein said inner cover in said first configuration forms a storage area in said second portion and in said second configuration said inner cover hinges open to form a lower level play surface in said first portion.  
   
   
       5 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said outer surface of said side walls of said first and said second portions include toy train tracks.  
   
   
       6 . The case of  claim 5 , wherein said inner cover further includes an outer surface, said outer surface include toy train tracks.  
   
   
       7 . The case of  claim 5 , wherein one or more of said peripheral walls of said first portion include at least one tunnel opening for a toy train, and wherein said inner cover includes train tracks which align with said tunnel.  
   
   
       8 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein said side walls of said first portion include an opening for access to said lower playing level.  
   
   
       9 . The case of  claim 5 , wherein said outer surface of said side walls include at least one edge and said tracks terminate at said edge of said surface of said first portion or second portion with a mating end of a connector for interconnection with other carrying cases for tracks.  
   
   
       10 . The case of  claim 9 , wherein said outer surface of said inner cover includes at least one edge and said tracks terminate at said edge of said inner cover with a mating end of a connector for interconnecting with other tracks.  
   
   
       11 . The case of  claim 1  which may be configured in an open and closed position and wherein said pivot connecting said first and second portions provides relative movement between the two peripheral walls of the first and second portions when in said open position.  
   
   
       12 . A case for a toy train comprising: 
 a first portion and a second portion to configure in open and closed positions, said case including a storage compartment wherein;    said first portion and said second portions each include a plurality of peripheral walls and a side wall connected thereto, the side walls having an outer surface;    said first and second portion pivotably connected along one of said peripheral walls;    an inner cover for said second portion, the cover adapted to be located opposite said side wall of said second portion to cooperate with said peripheral walls to form a storage area in said second portion;    said inner cover pivotably connected to said second portion peripheral wall wherein said inner cover is capable of pivoting and engaging with said first portion to secure said case in said open position; and    where in a first closed position said peripheral walls of said second portion are capable of fitting within said first portion and wherein said pivotable connection between said first and second portion is capable of positioning said outer playing surfaces of said first portion and second portion at substantially the same height when said open case is placed on a support surface.    
   
   
       13 . The case of  claim 12 , wherein said inner cover in said first configuration forms a storage area in said second portion, and in said second configuration said inner cover hinges open to form a lower level play surface in said first portion.  
   
   
       14 . The case of  claim 12  further including support feet, integral or separate, positioned on one of said peripheral walls containing the pivotable connection.  
   
   
       15 . The case of  claim 14 , further including openings in one of said peripheral walls to accommodate said support feet.  
   
   
       16 . The case of  claim 12 , wherein said outer surface of said side walls of said first and said second portion include toy train tracks.  
   
   
       17 . The case of  claim 12 , wherein said inner cover includes an outer surface, said outer surface including toy train tracks.  
   
   
       18 . The case of  claim 17 , wherein one or more of said peripheral walls of said first portion include at least one tunnel opening for a toy train, and wherein said inner cover includes a train track which aligns with said tunnel.  
   
   
       19 . The case of  claim 12 , wherein said outer surfaces of the side walls of said first and said second portions include impressions or protrusions formed upon or added to said surfaces.  
   
   
       20 . The case of  claim 16 , wherein said outer surface of a side wall includes at least one edge and said tracks terminate at said edge of said surface of said first portion or second portion with a mating end of a connector for interconnection with other carrying cases for tracks.  
   
   
       21 . The case of  claim 20  wherein said connector is a compliant connector.  
   
   
       22 . The case of  claim 12 , wherein said outer surface of said inner cover includes at least one edge and said tracks terminate at said edge of said inner cover with a mating end of a connector for interconnecting with other tracks.  
   
   
       23 . The case of  claim 12 , wherein said pivot connecting said first and second portions further provides relative movement between the peripheral walls of the first and second portions when in said open position.  
   
   
       24 . A method for forming a case that provides a playing surface comprising: 
 (a) supplying a first portion and a second portion, each portion having a plurality of peripheral walls and a side wall having an outer playing surface;    (b) connecting said first and second portions along one of said peripheral walls by a pivot connection wherein said case can be configured in a first closed position and a second open position;    (c) wherein said second portion is capable of fitting within said first portion when in a closed position and wherein said pivot connection is positioned so that said case, when in an open position, and resting upon a supporting surface, positions said outer playing surfaces of said first portion and second portion at substantially the same height.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further including supplying an inner cover for said second portion, pivotably engaging said inner cover to said second portion peripheral wall, said inner cover capable of pivoting to engage with said first portion to engage with said first portion and securing said case in said open position.  
   
   
       26 . The inner cover of  claim 24  wherein said inner cover, when engaged to said second portion, supplies an additional playing surface.