Patent ID: 6244543
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: A63H

Abstract:
A switching device adapted to be used with a model railroad track which has a track switch, the switching device comprising:a base and a cover removably connected thereto, the base having a first portion and an adjoining second portion,a slide member disposed in the base, the slide member being longitudinally slidable in the first portion of the base, the slide member having a slot formed diagonally therein,a hollow core disposed in the second portion of the base longitudinally adjacent to the first portion of the base, the core having a first coil and a second coil of electrically conducting wire wound thereabout, the coils of wire being longitudinally juxtapositioned,a plunger rod being received in the hollow core, the plunger rod having a first end, external of the core and a second end internal in the core, the first end of the plunger rod being connected to the slide member wherein longitudinal movement of the slide member within the base corresponds with longitudinal movement of the plunger within the core,a pivot assembly having a top and a spaced-apart bottom connected to one another, a pin disposed between the top and the bottom, a spring attached to the pin,the pivot assembly having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end having a downward extending protrusion formed thereon, the protrusion being slidingly received in the diagonal slot in the sliding member,a link member disposed in the base near the second end of the pivot assembly, and connected to the spring in the pivot assembly, the link member extending outwardly from an opening on the base, the link member being connected to a throwbar disposed in the track, the throwbar being connected to the track switch,means for electrically energizing a selected one of the coils,wherein energization of one of the coils moves the first end of the plunger rod away from the core which moves the track switch to a first position and energization of the other of the coils moves the first end of the plunger rod toward the core which moves the track switch to a second position,the switching device having a low profile such that the switching device does not interfere with model trains passing on the track.