Model Tracks For Toy Vehicles

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention includes a play set having multiple configurations. The play set include a plurality of track segments that are configured to be selectively connected to each other in a variety of configuration. The track segments include a plurality of main track segments, a plurality of intersection pieces and a plurality of curved track segments. Each track segment includes at least one magnetic element embedded within a thickness of the track segment. Each track segment can be directly connectable to other track segments through the magnetic elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A play set having multiple configurations, comprising:
 a plurality of track segments that are configured to be selectively connected to each other, wherein the plurality of track segments comprise:
 a plurality of main track segments, wherein each main track segment includes a main track body with first top and bottom surfaces, a main track thickness, two main track end faces and at least one magnetic element embedded within the main track thickness at each main track end face; wherein a first length of the main track segment is twice a width of the main track segment; 
 a plurality of track intersection pieces, wherein each track intersection piece includes a track intersection piece body with second top and bottom surfaces, a track intersection thickness, four track intersection end faces and at least one magnetic element embedded within the track intersection thickness at each track intersection end face; wherein a second length of the track intersection piece is equal to a width of the track intersection piece; and 
 a plurality of curved track segments, wherein each curved track segment includes a curved track body with third top and bottom surfaces, a curved track thickness, curved track end faces and at least one magnetic element embedded within the curved track thickness at each curved track end face; 
   wherein the main track segment is configured to be directly connectable to an track intersection piece of the plurality of track intersection pieces at the main track end faces and the track intersection end face; and   wherein two main track segments are connectable at 90 degrees via the track intersection piece, the track intersection piece directly adjoining each of the main track segments via two track intersection end faces 90 degrees apart.   
     
     
         2 . The play set of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plurality of arches, wherein each arch includes two vertical leg portions connected by a horizontal portion; and   a plurality of support beams, wherein each support beam includes an elongated portion that terminates into first and second ends;   wherein a first and second arch of the plurality of arches are configured to be coupled to each other via two support beams to form an elevated platform, wherein the first arch is coupled to respective first ends of the two support beams and the second arch is coupled to respective second ends of the two support beams.   
     
     
         3 . The play set of  claim 2 , wherein the first platform is configured to be connectable to additional support beams and another arch to form a second elevated platform. 
     
     
         4 . The play set of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a riser track segment, the riser track segment including a first end portion with a first height and a second end portion with a second height;   wherein the first height is at a ground plane and the second height is elevated from the ground plane.   
     
     
         5 . The play set of  claim 4 , wherein the riser track segment is configured to be connectable to the platform for building a second level of track segments;
 wherein the second level of track segments includes the second end portion being coupled to the horizontal portion of an arch.   
     
     
         6 . The play set of  claim 2 , wherein the elevated platform is configured to receive the main track segment for providing an elevated road structure. 
     
     
         7 . The play set of  claim 6 , wherein the elevated road structure is configured to be an overpass over one or more of the track segments. 
     
     
         8 . The play set of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one scenic accessory, wherein each scenic accessory is configured to be coupled to a top surface of at least one of the main track segment, the intersection piece or the curved track segment;
 wherein each scenic accessory is selected from the group consisting of signs, buildings, and foliage.   
     
     
         9 . The play set of  claim 8 , wherein each scenic accessory includes magnetic elements that are configured to be magnetically connected to the segments. 
     
     
         10 . The play set of  claim 8 , wherein each scenic accessory includes extruding pegs that are configured to be connected to holes on the segments. 
     
     
         11 . The play set of  claim 1 , wherein the main track segment further comprises the magnetic element and a metallic cylinder at each main track end face;
 wherein each of the magnetic element and the metallic cylinder are disposed in individual holes in the main track body; and   wherein the magnetic element and the metal cylinder at a first main track end face is diagonal to a corresponding magnetic element and metal cylinder at the opposite main track end face.   
     
     
         12 . The play set of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second and third top and bottom surfaces is configured to be rotated upside down and face in an opposite direction from its original position. 
     
     
         13 . The play set of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second and third top surfaces track segments contains raised tracks for receiving train wheels. 
     
     
         14 . The play set of  claim 1 , wherein each of the main track segment, intersection segment and curved track segment includes an electrical conductor on each end of the track segments, wherein the electrical conductor is configured to conduct electricity through the track segments. 
     
     
         15 . The play set of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of main track segments includes one or more of a full-length track or a half-length length track. 
     
     
         16 . The play set of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of curved track segments includes track segments having a radius of curvature of one or more of one-eighth of a circle, two portions of one-eighth of a circle connected at an end or one-sixteenth of a circle. 
     
     
         17 . The play set of  claim 1 , wherein each of the main track segment, intersection segment and curved track segment tracks comprises two magnetic elements embedded in each of the end faces;
 wherein a first magnetic element includes a north end and a second magnetic element includes a south end; and   wherein the first magnetic element at a first end is diagonal to a magnetic element at a second end.   
     
     
         18 . The play set of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one magnetic element in each of the segments is co-planar with a side of the end faces for providing smooth edge magnetic attachment between at least two of the segments. 
     
     
         19 . The play set of  claim 2 , further comprising one or more of a base piece and a connector for stacking a first arch on top of another arch and creating a multi-level construction. 
     
     
         20 . The play set of  claim 1 , further comprising multiple configurations of main adjacent segments, adjacent intersection segments, curved adjacent segments tracks, comprising a plurality of adjacent segments that are configured to be selectively connected to each other and placed adjacent to the plurality of track segments, wherein the plurality of adjacent segments, comprising:
 a plurality of main adjacent segments, wherein each main adjacent segment includes a main adjacent body with first top and bottom surfaces, a main adjacent thickness, two main adjacent end faces and at least one magnetic element embedded within the main adjacent thickness at each main adjacent end face; wherein the first width of the main track segment is twice a first width of the main adjacent segment and a first length of main adjacent segments is equal to, three quarters of or one half of the first length of a main track segment;   a plurality of adjacent intersection pieces, wherein each adjacent intersection piece includes a adjacent intersection piece body with second top and bottom surfaces, an adjacent intersection thickness, four adjacent intersection end faces and at least one magnetic element embedded within the adjacent intersection thickness at each adjacent intersection end face; wherein a second length of the adjacent intersection piece is equal to a width of the adjacent intersection piece; and the second length of the track intersection piece is twice the second length of the adjacent intersection piece; and   a plurality of curved adjacent segments, wherein each curved adjacent segment includes a curved adjacent body with third top and bottom surfaces, a curved adjacent thickness, curved adjacent end faces and at least one magnetic element embedded within the curved adjacent thickness at each curved adjacent end face;   wherein the main adjacent segment is configured to be directly connectable to an adjacent intersection piece of the plurality of adjacent intersection pieces at the adjacent track end faces and the adjacent intersection end face; and   wherein two main adjacent segments are connectable at 90 degrees via the adjacent intersection piece, the adjacent intersection piece directly adjoining each of the main adjacent segments via adjacent intersection end faces 90 degrees apart.