Jeffrey A Katz

US Patent:

58268359, Oct 27, 1998

Filed:

Nov 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/977461

Inventors:

Roy V. Wilson - Arcade NY
Donald E. Toht - Wheaton IL
Jeffrey H. Katz - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Learning Curve International, L.L.C. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A63H 1932

US Classification:

246415A

Abstract:

A toy vehicle switch track comprising a junction element having an incoming track and a plurality of outgoing tracks, a pivotable switching mechanism, an activator bar, and a guide slot. The pivotable switching mechanism is positioned at an intersection between the incoming track and the outgoing track, and guides a toy vehicle from the incoming track to one of the outgoing tracks. The activator bar has first and second ends and passes through the junction element from a first junction element edge to a second junction element edge. The activator bar engages a portion of the pivotable switching mechanism wherein the activator bar is used to alternately position the pivotable switching mechanism between the plurality of outgoing tracks. The first end and the second end each comprise a handle. The opposing handles provide an alternating resistive force against the first junction element edge and the second junction element edge to prevent over-travel of the pivotable switching element.