Control system for, and method of, operating toy vehicles

Abstract

Each of first vehicles has an individual address dependent upon an insertion of a selective one of different keys into a socket in the vehicle. Each vehicle is movable in any desired direction on a first support structure formed by intercoupling male detents on first beams and female detents on the beams and on blocks. The first support structure may be, but does not have to be, intercoupled with a second support structure. The second structure may define a track on which an additional vehicle (e.g., a monorail) is movable in first and second opposite directions. Each of a plurality of manually operated pads generates signals for addressing any unaddressed vehicle and for providing movements of, and the performance of functions in, the vehicle when addressed. Each pad communicates the pad-generated signals to a connected central station. The central station communicates these signals by wireless to the vehicles.

1 . In combination, 
 a plurality of vehicles each having first members to provide a movement of the vehicles in different directions and each having first controls operable on the first members to provide a movement of the vehicles in the different directions and each having a second member to perform functions other than the movement of the vehicle and each having second controls operable on the second member to obtain the performance of the functions by the second member,    a first support structure on which the vehicles in the plurality are movable in the different directions in accordance with the operation of the first controls in the vehicle,    an additional vehicle having first members to provide a movement of the vehicle and having first controls operable on the first members to provide a movement of the vehicle and having a second member for performing functions other than the movement of the additional vehicle and having second controls operable on the second member to obtain the performance of the functions by the second member,    a second support structure defining a path for the movement of the additional vehicle,    a plurality of pads each having a plurality of switches controlling the addressing of any one of the vehicles in the plurality and the additional vehicle and controlling the operation of the first and second controls in the addressed vehicle, and    a central station responsive to the operation of the switches in the pads for providing for an operation of the first and second controls in the vehicles addressed by the pads.    
     
     
         2 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 1  wherein 
 the second support structure defines a track and wherein 
 the additional vehicle is constructed to move on the track.  
 
 
     
     
         3 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 2  wherein 
 the first support structure is defined by beams and blocks having particular constructions to provide interconnections between the beams and blocks and wherein 
 the second structure defines a track produced from beams and blocks having the particular constructions to provide interconnections between the beams and blocks in the second track and wherein 
 the additional vehicle rides on the track and wherein 
 the track produced from the interconnected beams and blocks in the second structure has characteristics for retaining the vehicle on the track.  
 
 
 
 
     
     
         4 . In a combination as recited in  claim 1  wherein 
 the first support structure and the second support structure are manually assembled from beams and blocks interconnected with one another and having an identical construction of the beams and an identical construction of the blocks and wherein 
 the additional vehicle constitutes a monorail and the interconnected beams and blocks in the second structure define the track for the monorail.  
 
 
     
     
         5 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 4 , 
 the interconnected beams in the first structure including detents providing for the interconnections of the beams and blocks in the first structure,    the interconnected beams in the second structure including detents providing for the interconnections of the beams and the blocks in the second structure, and    the first and second support structures being intercoupled by the beams and the blocks    
     
     
         6 . In combination, 
 a plurality of vehicles each having first controls for providing a movement of the vehicle in different directions and each having second controls for performing functions other than the movement of the vehicle,    a first support structure for providing for the movements of the vehicles in the different directions on the first support structure,    an additional vehicle constructed to move only in first and second opposite directions and having first controls for providing a movement of the additional vehicle in the first and second opposite directions and having second controls for performing functions other than the movement of the additional vehicle in the first and second opposite directions,    a second support structure providing for the movement of the additional vehicle in the first and second opposite directions,    a plurality of pads each having switches controlling the addressing of any one of the vehicles in the plurality and the additional vehicle and controlling the movement of the addressed one of the vehicles in the plurality in the different directions and controlling the movement of the additional vehicle, when addressed, in the first and second opposite directions and controlling the operation of the second controls in each of the addressed vehicles in performing the functions in the addressed vehicle, and    a central station responsive to the operations of the switches in each of the pads for addressing any one of the vehicles in the plurality, and the additional vehicle, not addressed by any of the other pads and for providing for movements of the addressed vehicle in accordance with the operation of the first controls in the addressed vehicle and for providing for the performance of the functions in the addressed vehicle in accordance with the operation of the second controls in the addressed vehicle.    
     
     
         7 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 6  wherein 
 the first support structure is defined by beams and blocks manually interconnected in a particular relationship and wherein 
 the second support structure is defined by beams and blocks manually interconnected in the particular relationship and wherein 
 the interconnection between the beams in the second support structure defines a track for receiving the additional vehicle and for providing for the movement of the additional vehicle in the first and second opposite directions.  
 
 
 
     
     
         8 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 7  wherein 
 the second support structure extends from the first support structure and wherein 
 the extension of the second support structure from the first support structure is defined by beams and blocks manually interconnected in the particular relationship.  
 
 
     
     
         9 . A method of providing controlled operations, including the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of vehicles each having an individual address and each having first controls providing for a movement of the vehicle when addressed and second controls providing for an operation of the vehicle, other than movements of the vehicle, when addressed,    providing an additional vehicle having an individual address and having first controls providing for a movement of the additional vehicle when addressed and second controls providing for individual operations of the vehicle, other than movements of the vehicle, when addressed,    providing a first structure on which the vehicles in the plurality are able to move in any different direction,    providing a second structure on which the additional vehicle is able to move in a pair of opposite directions,    providing a plurality of pads each having controls operable to address any one of the vehicles in the plurality and the additional vehicle and to provide for a movement of the addressed vehicle and for individual operations of the addressed vehicle,    operating the controls in each of the pads to address any one of the vehicles in the plurality or the additional vehicle and to provide for movements of the addressed vehicle and individual operations of the addressed vehicle,    providing for a periodic activation of each of the pads to determine the addressing by the pad of any one of the vehicles in the plurality and the additional vehicle and the movement and individual operations of the addressed vehicle,    providing for a sequential transmission by the pads, upon the periodic activation of the pads, of signals addressing in each of the pads any one of the vehicles in the plurality and the additional vehicle and signals indicating the movements and individual operations to be provided in the addressed vehicle,    providing for the reception by the vehicles in the plurality and the additional vehicle of the signals indicating the addresses of the vehicles and the signals indicating the movements and individual operations to be provided in the addressed vehicles, and    providing movements and individual operations in each of the addressed vehicles in accordance with the operation of the first and second controls in the pad addressing the vehicle.    
     
     
         10 . A method as set forth in  claim 9 , including the steps of: 
 providing in each of the vehicles in the plurality, and in the additional vehicle, a visual indication individually identifying the vehicle,    providing in each of the pads indications visually identifying the vehicles in the plurality and the additional vehicle, and    activating in each of the pads the visual indication individually identifying the vehicle addressed by the pad.    
     
     
         11 . In a method as set forth in  claim 9 , the steps of: 
 providing for the first and second support structures beams having an identical construction, and having detents of an identical construction, for interconnection between adjacent beams wherein 
 the detents on the beams in the second support structure operate in cooperation with the additional vehicle to retain the additional vehicle on the track.  
   
     
     
         12 . In a method as set forth in  claim 11  wherein 
 the additional vehicle has drive rollers rotatable on the beams to propel the additional vehicle on the track and wherein 
 the beams have side surfaces and wherein 
 the additional vehicle has guides disposable relative to the side surfaces of the beams to retain the additional vehicle on the track during the movement of the additional vehicle on the track and wherein 
 the first and second structures are intercoupled by the beams and the blocks.  
 
 
 
 
     
     
         13 . A method of providing a controlled operation of a plurality of toy vehicles and an additional vehicle, including the steps of: 
 providing for each of the toy vehicles in the plurality an address different from the addresses provided for the other toy vehicles,    providing an additional toy vehicle having an address different from the addresses of the vehicles in the plurality,    providing a first support structure for the movement of the vehicles in the plurality on the first support structure in any desired direction,    providing a second support structure for the movement of the additional vehicle on the second support structure in first and second opposite directions,    providing a plurality of pads each having a first control operable to provide for an addressing of any one of the vehicles and each having second controls operable to provide for a movement, and operations other than a movement, of the addressed vehicle,    providing a central station for sequentially communicating to all of the vehicles the addresses provided by the operation of the first controls in the pads in the plurality and in the additional pad and the movement and other operations of the addressed vehicles as provided by the operations of the second controls in the pads,    providing for an addressing by the central station of the vehicles in accordance with the addressing of the vehicles by the first controls in the pads, and    providing in the central station for a movement and other operations of each of the addressed vehicles in accordance with the operation of the second controls in the pad addressing the vehicle.    
     
     
         14 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein 
 the central station provides for the addressing by each of the pads only of the vehicles not addressed by any of the other pads.  
 
     
     
         15 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein 
 the central station has a memory for indicating the vehicle being addressed by each of the pads and wherein 
 the central station removes from the memory the addressing of each of the vehicles by the pad addressing the vehicle when the pad addressing the vehicle addresses another one of the vehicles or fails to address the vehicle within a particular period of time.  
 
 
     
     
         16 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein 
 the second support structure is intercoupled to the first support structure for the movement of the pads in the plurality only on the first support structure and for the movement of the additional pad only on the second support structure.  
 
     
     
         17 . A method as set forth in  claim 13  wherein 
 each of the pads in the plurality is movable in any direction on the first support structure and wherein the second structure defines a loop for providing a movement of the additional vehicle only in opposite directions in the closed loop defined by the second support structure.  
 
     
     
         18 . A method as set forth in  claim 17  wherein 
 the second structure defines a single track in the loop and wherein 
 the additional vehicle is a monorail which rides on the single track.  
 
 
     
     
         19 . A method as set forth in  claim 18  wherein 
 the central station provides for the addressing by each of the pads only of the vehicles not addressed by any of the other pads and wherein 
 the central station has a memory for indicating the vehicle being addressed by each of the pads and wherein 
 the central station removes from the memory the addressing of each of the vehicles by the pad addressing the vehicle when the pad addressing the vehicle addresses another one of the vehicles or fails to address the vehicle within a particular period of time and wherein 
 the second support structure is displaced from the first support structure for the movement of the vehicles in the plurality only on the first support structure and for the movement of the additional vehicle only on the second support structure.  
 
 
 
 
     
     
         20 . In combination for use with a plurality of toy vehicles, 
 a first plurality of coupling members having first and second detents,    a second plurality of coupling members having the second detents,    the first plurality of coupling members having the first detents for intercoupling in the first plurality to the second detents on other ones of the coupling members in the first plurality and to the second detents on individual ones of the coupling members in the second plurality to provide a first support structure for movement of toy vehicles on the first support structure in any direction, the first detents on the coupling members in the first plurality being of the same construction and the second detents on the coupling members in the first and second pluralities being of the same construction,    the first plurality of the coupling members having the first detents for intercoupling to the detents on individual ones of the coupling members in the second plurality to provide a second structure defining a track for movement of a toy vehicle in only two opposite directions on the track.    
     
     
         21 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 20 , 
 detents on each of the coupling members in the first plurality constituting tangs and the second detents on each of the coupling members in the first and second pluralities constituting openings for receiving the tangs.    
     
     
         22 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 20 , 
 the first detents on the first individual ones of the coupling members in the first plurality constituting a pair of spaced tangs and the second detents on each of the coupling members in the first and second pluralities constituting openings for receiving the pair of the spaced tangs.    
     
     
         23 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 20 , 
 the first detents on each of the coupling members in the first plurality constituting male members and the second detents on each of the coupling members in the first and second pluralities constituting female members for removably receiving the first detents in others of the coupling members in the first plurality.    
     
     
         24 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 23 , 
 the first detents on each of the coupling members in the first plurality being constructed to be removed from the second detents in others of the coupling members in the first plurality by the application of a force in either one of two substantially perpendicular directions.    
     
     
         25 . In combination, 
 a plurality of toy vehicles each constructed for movement in any direction,    an additional toy vehicle constructed for movement in first and second opposite directions,    a first plurality of coupling members having an identical construction,    a second plurality of coupling members having an identical construction different from the construction of the first members,    each of the coupling members in the first plurality being constructed for intercoupling to other ones of the coupling members in the first plurality and to coupling members in the second plurality to provide a first support structure for movement of the toy vehicles in the plurality in any direction on the first support structure, and    the coupling members in the first plurality being constructed for intercoupling to the coupling members in the second plurality to provide a second support structure defining a track for movement of the additional toy vehicle in only the two opposite directions on the second support structure.    
     
     
         26 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 25 , 
 each of the coupling members in the second plurality having female detents,    each of the coupling members in the first plurality having male and female detents providing for a removable intercoupling of male detents on each of the coupling members in the first plurality with female detents on other ones of the coupling members in the first plurality and with female detents on coupling members in the second plurality.    
     
     
         27 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 26 , 
 the male detents on each of the coupling members in the first plurality constituting tangs and the female detents on each of the coupling members in the first and second pluralities constituting openings providing for a removable disposition of the tangs on each of the coupling members in the first plurality in openings in other ones of the coupling members in the first plurality and in openings in coupling members in the second plurality.    
     
     
         28 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 27 , 
 the tangs on each of the coupling members in the first plurality being constructed to provide for the insertion of the tangs into openings in other ones of the coupling members in the first plurality each of four (4) different directions substantially perpendicular to one another and to provide for the tangs into openings in the coupling members in the second plurality in each of six different directions substantially perpendicular to one another.    
     
     
         29 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 28 , 
 each of the tangs on each of the coupling members in the first plurality having a bulbous portion at its end for removable insertion manually of the bulbous portion into the openings in another one of the coupling members in the first plurality and into the openings in the coupling members in the second plurality and for retention of the bulbous portion in the opening in the other one of the coupling member in the first plurality and in the opening in the coupling member in the second plurality until manual removal of the bulbous portion from the opening in the other one of the coupling members in the first plurality and in the opening in the coupling member in the second plurality.    
     
     
         30 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 27 , 
 the tangs on each of the coupling members in the first plurality constituting a spaced pair, and    each of the openings in each of the coupling members in the first and second pluralities being defined by a pair of spaced walls having a particular separation and the tangs in the spaced pair on each of the coupling members in the first plurality being separated from each other by the particular distance and the tangs on each of the coupling members in the first pluralities having bulbous portions at their ends, each of the bulbous portions having a maximum dimension at an intermediate position and progressively decreasing dimensions in opposite directions from the intermediate position for removable insertion manually of the bulbous portion into the opening in another one of the coupling members in the first plurality and the opening in one of coupling members into the second plurality for releasable retention of the tangs by the opposite walls in the other one of the coupling members in the first plurality are in the coupling member in the second plurality until manual removal of the bulbous portion from the opening in the other one of the coupling members and the openings in the coupling member in the second plurality.    
     
     
         31 . In combination, 
 a plurality of toy vehicles each constructed to move in any desired direction,    an additional toy vehicle constructed to move only in first and second opposite directions,    a first plurality of coupling members each having first and second detents,    a second plurality of coupling members each having the second detent,    the coupling members in the first and second pluralities being constructed for intercoupling of one of the first detents on each individual one of the coupling members in the first plurality to one of the second detents on another one of the coupling members in the first plurality and to one of the second detents on one of the coupling members in the second plurality to provide a first support structure for movement of at least a first individual one of the vehicles in the plurality in any desired direction on the first support structure, and    the coupling members in the first plurality being constructed for intercoupling of one of the first detents on each individual one of the coupling members in the first plurality to one of the second detents on one of the coupling members in the second plurality to provide a second support structure having a track for movement of the additional vehicle on the track in a selective one of two opposite directions.    
     
     
         32 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 31 , 
 the first individual one of the vehicles in the plurality having a first individual address for activation of the vehicle,    the additional vehicle having a second individual address, different from the first individual address, for activating the vehicle.    
     
     
         33 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 32 , 
 the first individual one of the vehicles in the plurality being constructed to receive first signals in the first individual address for addressing the vehicle and to receive second signals, after the reception of the first signals addressing the vehicle, for providing a controlled movement of the vehicle in the direction indicated by the second signals, the first individual one of the vehicles in the plurality being constructed to move in any desired direction on the first support structure in accordance with the reception of the second signals,    the additional vehicle being constructed to receive first signals in the second individual address for addressing the vehicle and to receive second signals, after the reception of the first signals addressing the vehicle, for providing a controlled movement of the vehicle on the track on the second support structure in the selective one of the two opposite directions indicated by the second signals, the additional vehicle being constructed to move on the second support structure in accordance with the reception of the second signals.    
     
     
         34 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 33 , 
 the first individual one of the vehicles in the plurality being constructed to receive third signals, after the reception of the first signals addressing the vehicle, for providing a controlled operation of the vehicle other than the movement of the vehicle,    the additional vehicle being constructed to receive third signals, after the reception of the first signals addressing the vehicle, for providing a controlled operation of the vehicle other than the movement of the vehicle.    
     
     
         35 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 31 , 
 there being sockets in the vehicles in the plurality and in the additional vehicle, and    a plurality of keys each disposable in the sockets in vehicles in the plurality and in the additional vehicle and each identifying an individual address, when disposed in the socket in any one of the vehicles, different from the addresses identified by the other keys when disposed in the sockets in any one of the vehicles, to provide the vehicle with the address identified by the key.    
     
     
         36 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 34 , 
 there being sockets in the vehicles in the plurality and in the additional vehicle,    a plurality of keys each disposable in the sockets in the vehicles in the plurality and in the additional vehicle and each identifying an individual address when disposed in the socket in any one of the vehicles, different from the addresses identified by the other keys when disposed in the sockets in any one of the vehicles, to provide the vehicle with the address identified by the key,    each of the keys having ribs in an individual pattern providing an individual identification to the vehicle in whose socket the key is inserted, and    each of the vehicles having elements disposed in the sockets for cooperating with the ribs in the key, when the key is disposed in the socket, to produce a plurality of signals in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the ribs in the key and identifying the vehicle with an address individual to the key and different from the addresses of the other keys when the other keys are inserted.    
     
     
         37 . In combination, 
 a vehicle,    a plurality of beams each having first and second detents,    a plurality of blocks each having the second detents,    the beams and the blocks being constructed for intercoupling the first detents on individual ones of the beams to the second detents on individual ones of the blocks to provide a track for a movement of the vehicle in the first and second opposite directions on the track,    the vehicle having rollers for movement on the track in the first and second opposite directions to drive the vehicle along the track and having guides disposed relative to the track to retain the vehicle on the track during the movement of the vehicle in the first and second opposite directions on the track, and    a motor disposed in the vehicle and operatively coupled to the rollers for rotating the rollers to drive the vehicle on the track.    
     
     
         38 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 37 , 
 each of the beams having male detents as the first detents and female detents as the second detents, the male detents on each of the beams providing a coupling with the female detents in the blocks to produce an intercoupling between the beams and the blocks in defining the track.    
     
     
         39 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 37 , 
 the guides constituting rollers disposed at the opposite sides of the beams defining the track to retain the vehicle on the track during the movement of the vehicle on the track.    
     
     
         40 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 37 , 
 the vehicle including a socket constructed to receive an individual one of a plurality of keys each providing the vehicle with an address individual to the key upon an insertion of the key into the socket,    the vehicle being constructed to receive and process sequences of signals including address signals and control signals, and    the vehicle being constructed to activate the motor upon the reception of a sequence including address signals identifying the vehicle and including control signals and to provide an operation of the motor in accordance with the control signals in the sequence upon the activation of the vehicle.    
     
     
         41 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 38 , 
 the guides constituting rollers disposed at the opposite sides of the beams defining the track to retain the vehicle on the track during the movement of the vehicle on the track,    the vehicle including a socket constructed to receive an individual one of a plurality of keys each providing the vehicle with an address individual to the key upon an insertion of the key into the socket,    the vehicle being constructed to receive and process sequences of signals including address signals and control signals, and    the vehicle being constructed to activate the motor upon the reception of a sequence of signals including address signals identifying the vehicle and including control signals and to provide an operation of the motor in accordance with the control signals in the sequence upon the activation of the vehicle.    
     
     
         42 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 40 , 
 the vehicle being constructed to perform a function other than the movement of the vehicle,    the control signals constituting first control signals, and    the vehicle being constructed to receive and process second control signals in the sequence and to perform the function in accordance with the processing of the second signals in the sequence.    
     
     
         43 . In combination, 
 a plurality of vehicles,    a first structure providing a support for a movement of at least a first one of the vehicles in the plurality at any time in any desired direction,    a second structure providing a track for a movement of a second one of the vehicles in the plurality on the track at any time in a selective one of first and second opposite directions,    the at least first one of the vehicles being constructed to be disposed on the first structure for movement on the first structure in any desired direction, and    the second one of the vehicles being constructed to be retained on the track for movement of the vehicle in the selective one of the first and second opposite directions,    each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles being activatable for movement upon the reception by the vehicle of a sequence of signals in a pattern constituting an address individual to the vehicle.    
     
     
         44 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 43 , 
 each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles having a socket for receiving any one of a plurality of keys each providing an individual address when inserted into the socket in the vehicle and each of the vehicles being activatable upon the reception by the vehicle of signals indicating the address of the vehicle represented by the individual one of the keys inserted into the socket in the vehicle.    
     
     
         45 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 44 , 
 each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles being operable independently of the operation of the other vehicles upon the insertion of an individual one of the keys into the socket in the vehicle and upon the reception by the vehicle of signals constituting the address provided by the individual one of the keys.    
     
     
         46 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 43 , 
 each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles including first controls constructed to provide movements of the vehicle upon a reception by the vehicle of a sequence of signals including first signals indicating the address of the vehicle and including second signals indicating the operation of the first controls in the vehicle and each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles including second controls constructed to perform a function in the vehicle other than a movement of the vehicle upon a reception by the vehicle of the sequence of signals including third signals indicating the operation of the second controls in the vehicle.    
     
     
         47 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 43 , 
 each of the first and second structures being formed from first elements each having male and female detents of the same construction and second elements each having the female detents, each of the first and second structures being formed by intercoupling the male detents in individual ones of the first elements with female detents in other ones of the first elements and female detents in the second elements,    the first and second structures being intercoupled by intercoupling male detents in first elements in each of the structures with female detents in the first and second elements in the other one of the structures.    
     
     
         48 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 44 , 
 each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles being operable independently of the operation of the other vehicles upon the insertion of an individual one of the keys into the socket in the vehicle being operated and upon the reception by the vehicle of signals constituting the address provided by the individual one of the keys,    each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles including first controls constructed to provide movements of the vehicle upon a reception by the vehicle of a sequence of signals including first signals indicating the address of the vehicle and including second signals indicating the operation of the first controls in the vehicle and each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second vehicle including second controls constructed to perform a function in the vehicle other than a movement of the vehicle upon a reception by the vehicle of the sequence of signals including third signals indicating the operation of the second controls in the vehicle,    each of the first and second structures being formed from first elements each having male and female detents of the same construction and second elements each having the female detents, each of the first and second structures being formed by intercoupling the male detents in individual ones of the first elements with female detents in an individual one of the second elements.    
     
     
         49 . In combination as set forth in  claim 48 , 
 the first and second structures being intercoupled by intercoupling male detents in first elements in each of the structures with female detents in the second elements in the other one of the structures.    
     
     
         50 . In combination, 
 a plurality of vehicles, at least a first one of the vehicles being constructed to be moved in any direction,    a second one of the vehicles being constructed to be moved only in first and second opposite directions,    a first structure providing a support for a movement of the at least first one of the vehicles at any time in any desired direction,    a second structure providing a track for a movement of the second one of the vehicles on the track at any time in a selective one of the first and second opposite directions,    each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles being constructed to provide for an individual address different from the addresses of the other vehicles,    each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles being constructed to become activated upon a reception by the vehicle of a sequence of signals including first signals having a pattern indicating the address of the vehicle,    each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles being constructed to be moved in accordance with second signals following the first signals received by the vehicle in the sequence activating the vehicle.    
     
     
         51 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 50 , 
 each of the vehicles being constructed to become coupled to any one of a plurality of keys each constructed to provide the coupled vehicle with an address individual to the key.    
     
     
         52 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 50 , 
 a plurality of pads each constructed to produce sequences of signals including first signals having individual patterns providing an address for activating any of the vehicles plurality and providing second signals for producing a controlled movement of the vehicle activated by the first signals in the sequence.    
     
     
         53 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 52 , 
 each of the at least first one of the vehicles and the second one of the vehicles being constructed to perform a function, other than the movement of the vehicle, in accordance with third signals following the first and signals received by the vehicle in the sequence activating the vehicle,    each of the pads being constructed to produce the sequence of signals including third signals for producing the performance of the function in the vehicle activated by the first signals in the sequences.    
     
     
         54 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 53 , 
 each of the pads including a plurality of switches manually actuatable to produce the sequence of the signals including the first, second and third signals for activating any individual one of the vehicles and for providing for a controlled movement of the individual one of the vehicles and the performance of the function in the individual one of the vehicles.    
     
     
         55 . A vehicle for movement in first and second opposite directions on a track having a top surface and a pair of spaced side surfaces, including, 
 a chassis having a pair of spaced side surfaces,    a pair of axles disposed in a spaced relationship in a longitudinal direction on the chassis,    a pair of drive rollers respectively disposed on the axles for rotary movement on the track,    a motor supported on the chassis in operatively coupled relationship to the drive rollers for rotating the drive rollers to move the vehicle in a selective one of first and second opposite directions on the track, and    a plurality of guides supported by the chassis and respectively extending from the chassis for disposition in closely spaced relationship to the side surfaces of the track to maintain the vehicle positioned on the track during the movement of the vehicle on the track.    
     
     
         56 . A vehicle as set forth in  claim 55  wherein 
 the guides are positionable relative to the side surfaces of the track during the movement of the vehicle on the track to provide an adjustment in the lateral positioning of the vehicle for maintaining the vehicle on the track during the movement of the vehicle on the track.  
 
     
     
         57 . A vehicle as set forth in  claim 55  wherein 
 the guides are positioning rollers rotatable in the direction of movement of the vehicle on the track.  
 
     
     
         58 . A vehicle as set forth in  claim 56  wherein 
 the vehicle is provided with an address individual to the vehicle and wherein 
 the vehicle is constructed to receive sequences of signals including first signals providing addresses and second signals providing for the operation of the motor in the selective one of the first and second opposite directions and wherein 
 the vehicle is operative to provide the operation of the motor for producing a movement of the vehicle in the selective one of the first and second opposite directions when the vehicle is addressed by the first signals in the sequences.  
 
 
 
     
     
         59 . A vehicle as set forth in  claim 57  wherein 
 the vehicle is provided with a socket and wherein 
 each of a plurality of keys is insertable into the socket and wherein each of the keys is provided with an individual address different from the address of the other keys and wherein 
 the vehicle is constructed to receive sequences of signals including first signals providing an address and second signals providing for a movement of the vehicle and wherein 
 the vehicle is constructed to become activated upon the reception by the vehicle of a sequence of signals including first signals addressing the vehicle and to be moved in accordance with the second signals in the sequence.  
 
 
 
 
     
     
         60 . A vehicle as set forth in  claim 57  wherein 
 the vehicle is constructed to perform a function other than the movement of the vehicle when the vehicle receives third signals in the sequences which include the first signals for activating the vehicle.  
 
     
     
         61 . In combination for use with a plurality of keys each providing an individual address, 
 a track formed from a plurality of intercoupled coupling members, each of the coupling members having a pair of spaced side surfaces,    a vehicle disposed on the track for movement on the track, the vehicle including: 
 a chassis,  
 a pair of drive rollers supported by the chassis and extending laterally across the track between the pair of side surfaces at positions spaced in the direction of movement of the vehicle on the track,  
 a motor for rotating the drive rollers, and  
 a plurality of guides supported by the chassis and disposed at positions closely spaced relative to the spaced side surfaces of the track for retaining the vehicle on the track during the movement of the vehicle on the track and for guiding the movements of the vehicle on the track,  
 the vehicle being constructed to receive any one of the keys to provide an address corresponding to the address of the received key.  
   
     
     
         62 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 61 , 
 first ones of the coupling members having male and female detents and second ones of the coupling members having the female detents for an intercoupling between the male detents on individual ones of the first coupling members with the female detents on individual ones of the second coupling members to form the track.    
     
     
         63 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 61 , 
 the guides constituting positioning rollers disposable against the side surfaces of the track and rotatable against the side surfaces of the track in accordance with the rotation of the drive rollers on the track.    
     
     
         64 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 63 , 
 the positioning rollers being normally spaced from the side surfaces of the track.    
     
     
         65 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 64 , 
 a plurality of pads each constructed to address the vehicle when none of the other pads in the plurality is addressing the vehicle.    
     
     
         66 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 62 , 
 the guides constituting positioning rollers disposable against the side surfaces of the track and rotatable against the side surfaces of the track in accordance with the rotation of the drive rollers on the track,    the positioning rollers being normally spaced from the side surfaces of the track.    
     
     
         67 . In combination, 
 first vehicles each having an individual address and each movable in any desired direction in accordance with signals received by the vehicle and having the individual address,    an additional vehicle having an individual address different from the first vehicle and movable in a selective one of two opposite directions,    a first structure for supporting the first vehicles for movement of each of the vehicles on the first structure in any desired direction,    a second structure for supporting the additional vehicle for movement of the additional vehicle in the selective one of the first and second opposite direction, and    a plurality of pads each manually operable to address any individual one of the first vehicles, and the additional vehicle, not addressed by any of the other pads and to provide commands for moving the addressed vehicle.    
     
     
         68 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 67 , 
 a plurality of keys each providing an individual address,    each of the first vehicles and the additional vehicle including a socket for receiving any one of the keys and for providing an address corresponding to the address provided by the key, each of the vehicles being constructed to be addressed by the individual one of the pads manually operative to address the vehicle.    
     
     
         69 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 67 , 
 each of the first and second structures being constructed to be formed from a plurality of first elements each having first and second detents and second elements each having the second detents to provide for an intercoupling of the first detents on the first elements with the second detents on the second elements.    
     
     
         70 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 69 , 
 the vehicle including a motor and rollers driven by the motor for rotation on the track,    the first and second elements having side surfaces defining the width of the track,    the vehicle including guides disposed relative to the side surfaces of the track for maintaining the vehicle on the track during the movement of the vehicle on the track.    
     
     
         71 . In a combination as set forth in  claim 68 , 
 each of the first and second structures being constructed to be formed from a plurality of first elements each having first and second detents and second elements each having the second detents to provide for an intercoupling of the first detents on the first elements with the second detents on the second elements,    the additional vehicle including a motor and rollers driven by the motor for rotation on the track,    the first and second elements having side surfaces defining the width of the track,    the vehicle including guides disposed relative to the side surfaces of the track for maintaining the vehicle on the track during the movement of the vehicle on the track, and    the guides constituting second rollers closely spaced relative to the side surfaces of the tracks and rotatable in the same direction as the movement of the vehicle on the track.    
     
     
         72 . A method of providing a controlled operation of a first toy vehicle and an additional vehicle, including the steps of: 
 providing for each of the first toy vehicle and the additional toy vehicle an address different from the address of the other toy vehicle,    providing for the first toy vehicle characteristics for movement in any desired direction,    providing for the additional toy vehicle characteristics for movement in a selective one of two opposite directions,    providing for a first intercoupling of first individual ones of first elements and first individual ones of second elements to form a first structure for holding the first toy vehicle for movement in any desired direction,    providing for a second intercoupling of second individual ones of the first elements and second individual ones of the second elements to form a second structure for holding the additional toy vehicle for movement at each instant in a selective one of the first and second opposite directions, and    providing for the transmission to the vehicles of signals indicating the address of an individual one of the first and additional vehicles and indicating the desired movement of the addressed vehicle.    
     
     
         73 . A method as set forth in  claim 72 , including the step of, 
 providing a plurality of keys each indicating an individual address,    each of the first and additional vehicles being constructed to receive any one of the keys and to operate in conjunction with the key to provide the individual address indicated by the received key.    
     
     
         74 . A method as set forth in  claim 73 , including the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of vehicles including the first vehicle, each of the vehicles having characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the first vehicle,    providing a plurality of pads each constructed to address any one of the vehicles in the plurality, and the additional vehicle, not addressed by any of the other pads, and    providing for an operation of each individual one of the pads to provide first signals addressing any individual one of the vehicles not addressed by any of the other pads and second signals for a movement of the addressed vehicle in accordance with the characteristics of the second signals and the characteristics provided for the addressed vehicle.    
     
     
         75 . A method as set forth in  claim 72 , including the step of: 
 providing for an intercoupling of individual ones of the first and second elements, different from the first and second elements in the first and second structures, to individual ones of the first and second elements in the first structure and in the second structure to provide for an intercoupling of the first and second structures.    
     
     
         76 . A method as set forth in  claim 72  wherein 
 each of the first elements constitutes a beam having male and female detents and each of the second elements constitutes a block having the female detents and wherein the male detents in the first elements releasably intercouple with the female detents in the second elements.  
 
     
     
         77 . A method as set forth in  claim 74 , including the step of: 
 providing for an intercoupling of individual ones of the first and second elements, different from the first and second elements in the first and second structures, to individual ones of the first and second elements in the first structure and in the second structure to provide for an intercoupling of the first and second structures and wherein 
 each of the first elements constitutes a beam having male and female detents and each of the second elements constitutes a block having the female detents and wherein the male detents in the first elements releasably intercouple with the female detents in the second elements.  
   
     
     
         78 . A method of providing a controlled operation of first toy vehicles and on additional toy vehicle, including the steps of: 
 providing for each of the first toy vehicles and the additional toy vehicle an address different from the address of the other toy vehicles,    providing for each of the first toy vehicles characteristics for movement in any desired direction,    providing for the additional toy vehicle characteristics for movement in a selective one of two opposite directions,    providing a first structure for holding the first toy vehicles for movement at each instant in any desired direction,    providing a second structure for holding the additional toy vehicle for movement at each instant in a selective one of the first and second opposite directions,    providing a plurality of pads each constructed to address any one of the first vehicles, and the additional vehicle, not addressed by any of the other pads,    providing for an operation of individual ones of the pads to produce, for transmission, first signals addressing individual ones of the vehicles not addressed by any of the other pads and second signals for a movement of the addressed vehicles in accordance with the characteristics of the second signals and the characteristics provided for the addressed vehicles, and    providing for the reception of the transmitted signals by each of the vehicles and for the movement of the addressed vehicles in accordance with the characteristics of the second signals and the characteristics provided for the addressed vehicles.    
     
     
         79 . A method as set forth in  claim 78 , including the steps of: 
 providing each of the keys with ribs in an individual pattern indicating an individual address, and    providing for a disposition of any individual one of the keys in a socket in each of the first toy vehicle and the additional vehicle to provide, for the toy vehicle receiving the key, an address represented by the ribs in the key.    
     
     
         80 . A method as set forth in  claim 78 , including the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of pads each constructed to address any one of the first vehicles, and the additional vehicle, not addressed by any of the other pads,    providing for an operation of individual ones of the pads to produce, for transmission, first signals addressing individual ones of the vehicles not addressed by any of the other pads and second signals for movement of the addressed vehicles in accordance with the characteristics of the second signals and the characteristics provided for the addressed vehicles, and    providing for the reception of the transmitted signals by each of the vehicles and for the movement of the addressed vehicles in accordance with the characteristics of the second signals and the characteristics of the addressed vehicles.    
     
     
         81 . A method as set forth in  claim 78  wherein 
 the first vehicles and the additional vehicle are constructed to transfer play elements between the different vehicles.  
 
     
     
         82 . A method as set forth in  claim 80 , including the steps of: 
 providing each of the keys with ribs in an individual pattern indicating an individual address, and    providing for a disposition of any individual one of the keys in a socket in each of the first toy vehicles and in the additional vehicle to provide for the toy vehicle an address represented by the ribs in the key and wherein 
 the first vehicle and the additional vehicle are constructed to transfer play elements between the additional vehicle and the play vehicle.  
   
     
     
         83 . A method of providing a controlled operation of a first toy vehicle and an additional vehicle, including the steps of: 
 providing for each of the first toy vehicle and the additional toy vehicle an address different from the address of the other toy vehicle,    providing for the first toy vehicle characteristics for movement in any desired direction,    providing for the additional toy vehicle characteristics for movement in a selective one of two opposite directions,    providing a first structure for holding the first toy vehicle for movement at each instant in any desired direction,    providing a second structure for holding the additional toy vehicle for movement at each instant in a selective one of the first and second opposite directions,    providing a plurality of keys each indicating an individual address,    each of the first vehicle and the additional vehicle being constructed to receive any one of the keys and to operate in conjunction with the key to provide the individual address indicated by the received key, and    providing for a disposition of any one of the keys in an individual one of the first vehicle and the additional vehicle to provide for the vehicle the address indicated by the key.    
     
     
         84 . A method as set forth in  claim 83 , including the step of: 
 forming the first structure from a first plurality of beams, each having male and female detents, intercoupled with a first plurality of blocks each having the female detents, and    forming the second structure from a second plurality of the beams intercoupled with a second plurality of the blocks,    the second structure constituting a track and the additional vehicle constituting a monorail movable on the track.    
     
     
         85 . A method as set forth in  claim 84 , including the steps of: 
 providing the additional vehicle with rotary members movable on the track,    the beams and the blocks having a pair of spaced side walls defining the width of the track, and    disposing guides in closely spaced relationship to the side walls of the beams and the blocks to maintain the additional vehicle on the track during the movement of the additional vehicle on the track.    
     
     
         86 . A method as set forth in  claim 83 , including the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of vehicles each having characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of the first vehicle,    providing a plurality of pads each manually operable to address any one of the vehicles in the plurality, and the additional vehicle, not addressed by any of the other pads and to provide commands for obtaining a movement of the addressed vehicle, and    providing for the production by the pads, for the transmission to the vehicles, of signals addressing the vehicles and commanding the movement of the addressed vehicles.    
     
     
         87 . A method as set forth in  claim 85 , including the steps of: 
 providing the additional vehicle with rotary members movable on the track,    the beams and the blocks having a pair of spaced side walls defining the width of the track,    disposing guides in closely spaced relationship to the side walls of the beams and the blocks to maintain the additional vehicle on the track during the movement of the additional vehicle on the track, and    wherein the guides are rollers movable in the same direction as the direction of movement of the additional vehicle on the track.