Toy train track adapter

Abstract

A toy train track adapter system for adapting a toy train track made for use with trains having a specific wheel configuration for use with vehicles having other wheel configurations is provided. The adapter system is comprised of a plurality of adapters having a support surface to support the adapters when placed along the toy train track. The adapters also have an upper surface having at least one travel surface dimensioned to receive at least one set of wheels of a vehicle having another wheel configuration that is different from the specific wheel configuration. At least one guiding feature is provided by the adapters and/or the toy train track when the adapters are placed along the toy train track to maintain the vehicle on the at least one travel surface. The adapters having longitudinal ends that permit them to be placed end-to-end along the toy train track to create a continuous track length from the at least one travel surface of the adapters.

1 . A toy train track adapter system for adapting a toy train track made for use with trains having a first wheel configuration for use with vehicles having other wheel configurations, comprising: 
 a plurality of adapters, each of said adapters comprising a support surface in contact with said toy train track when placed therealong, an upper surface having at least one travel surface dimensioned to receive at least one set of wheels of a vehicle having a second wheel configuration that is different than said first wheel configuration, and at least one guiding feature provided by at least one of said adapters and said toy train track when said adapters are placed along said toy train track to maintain said vehicle on said at least one travel surface, said adapters having longitudinal ends that permit a first of said adapters to be placed adjacent a second of said adapters along said toy train track to create a continuous track length from said at least one travel surface of said first and second adapters,    such that placement of said plurality of adapters about said toy train track permits said vehicle to travel about said toy train track on said at least one travel surface of said plurality of adapters.    
   
   
       2 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 1 , wherein said adapters are dimensioned to fit between a set of rails of said toy train track.  
   
   
       3 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 2 , wherein said set of rails is comprised of two outer rails and a center rail, and said adapters are placed between said center rail and each of said outer rails.  
   
   
       4 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 2 , wherein said upper surface of said adapters, including a lateral portion of said adapters adjacent at least one of said set of rails when said adapters are placed along said toy train track, is recessed sufficiently relative to said at least one of said set of rails to permit the undercarriage and wheels of a toy train having said first wheel configuration to travel unobstructed when said toy train travels along said toy train track.  
   
   
       5 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 3 , wherein said upper surface of said adapters is generally planar and said at least one guiding feature is said set of rails.  
   
   
       6 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 5 , wherein said upper surface of said adapters further comprise at least one guide rail adjacent said at least one travel surface.  
   
   
       7 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 5 , wherein said upper surface of said adapters further comprise one guide rail adjacent said at least one travel surface and spaced from one of said set of rails by one of said at least one travel surface to restrict a set of wheels of said vehicle to said one of said at least one travel surface.  
   
   
       8 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 1 , wherein said support surface has at least one recess for receiving connecting elements of rails and ties of said toy train track.  
   
   
       9 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 1 , wherein the lengths of said adapters of said system correspond to the lengths of track segments comprising said toy train track.  
   
   
       10 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 9 , wherein each of said adapters of said system is provided one of a variety of shapes corresponding to the shapes of said track segments.  
   
   
       11 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one track is provided with a friction surface to facilitate rolling movement of said vehicle.  
   
   
       12 . A toy train track adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein said adapters are dimensioned to provide a gap to permit removal of said adapters from said toy train track when said adapters are placed thereon.  
   
   
       13 . A toy train track system for use with a train having a first wheel configuration and other vehicles having a second wheel configuration, comprising: 
 a plurality of track segments for forming a circuit, said track segments comprising at least two rails for supporting a train having a first wheel configuration, at least one travel surface adjacent said rails and dimensioned to receive at least one set of wheels of a vehicle having a second wheel configuration, and at least one guiding feature provided along said at least one travel surface to maintain said vehicle on said at least one travel surface, said at least two rails extending the length of said track segments to permit unobstructed travel of said train thereover and said at least one travel surface extending the length of said track segments to permit unobstructed travel of said vehicle thereover when at least two of said track segments are coupled at longitudinal ends thereof.    
   
   
       14 . A toy train track system according to  claim 13 , wherein said track segments have two travel surfaces located between at least two of said at least two rails.  
   
   
       15 . A toy train track adapter system for adapting a toy train track made for use with trains having a first wheel configuration for use with vehicles having other wheel configurations, comprising: 
 a plurality of adapters dimensioned to fit between a set of rails of said toy train track, said set of rails including two outer rails and a center rail, each of said adapters comprising a support surface in contact with said toy train track when placed therealong, an upper surface having at least one travel surface dimensioned to receive at least one set of wheels of a vehicle having a second wheel configuration that is different than said first wheel configuration, and at least one guiding feature provided by at least one of said adapters and said toy train track when said adapters are placed along said toy train track to maintain said vehicle on said at least one travel surface, said adapters having longitudinal ends that permit a first of said adapters to be placed adjacent a second of said adapters along said toy train track to create a continuous track length from said at least one travel surface of said first and second adapters,    such that placement of said plurality of adapters about said toy train track permits said vehicle to travel about said toy train track on said at least one travel surface of said plurality of adapters.    
   
   
       16 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 15 , wherein said upper surface of said adapters is generally planar and said at least one guiding feature is said set of rails.  
   
   
       17 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 16 , wherein said upper surface of said adapters further comprise at least one guide rail adjacent said at least one travel surface.  
   
   
       18 . A toy train track adapter system according to  claim 16 , wherein said upper surface of said adapters further comprise one guide rail adjacent said at least one travel surface and spaced from one of said set of rails by one of said at least one travel surface to restrict a set of wheels of said vehicle to said one of said at least one travel surface.