Flexible vehicle guiding element

Abstract

A flexible vehicle guiding element which is formed from a plurality of segments connected together by an appropriate male and female connectors at each end thereof. The segment is constructed from molded elastomeric material having release or indentations along each side and voids along the bottom thereof. To permit bending about the longitudinal transfer or orthogonal axes to thus provide a track which curves, spirals or can ascend or descend. A ductile metal member extends centrally along each segment and has no memory so that the segment will retain the position into which it is bent until further bent by the user.

1 . A flexible guiding element for toy vehicles comprising a plurality of segments, each segment comprising: 
 a body having first and second ends, said body formed of a molded elastomeric material; and    a ductile metal member encased within said body in direct contact with and fully surrounded by said elastomeric material so as to be displaced from the surface of said body.    
     
     
         2 . A flexible guiding element as defined in  claim 1  wherein said ductile metal member is a twisted pair of wires.  
     
     
         3 . A flexible guiding element as defined in  claim 1  which further includes a male connector member at said first end and a female connector member at said second end.  
     
     
         4 . A flexible guiding element as defined in  claim 3  wherein said male and female connector elements each include a pair of ridges displaced from each other to provide an interference fit when a male connector member on one segment is joined to a female connector member on an adjacent segment.  
     
     
         5 . A flexible guiding element as defined in  claim 1  wherein said body includes first and second side edges, said side edges each defining a plurality of V-shaped indentations.  
     
     
         6 . A flexible guiding element as defined in  claim 1  wherein said body includes a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface defining a pair of spaced apart depressions forming a track for said vehicle and said bottom surface defines a plurality of voids.