Trestle support apparatus

A trestle support apparatus for use with a model track assembly is provided. The model track assembly includes track sections and trestles of a first configuration and separate track sections and trestles of a second configuration. The trestle support apparatus includes an elongated base including an elongated channel dimensioned to releasably receive and support a trestle of a first configuration. First and second stanchions are releasably mounted to the base.

BACKGROUND

The present disclose generally relates to a model track assembly and specifically to a support apparatus suitable for supporting a conventional trestle for a model track assembly, such as a model railroad track assembly and model racecar track assembly.

Hobby enthusiasts for many years have enjoyed the operation of model railroad trains and model racecars, both of the type in which separate track sections are removably joined together to form a closed path designed by the hobbyist over which a model train or racecar will travel. In the simplest form, a section of track includes a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive rails and an arrangement of ties extending between the rails, the rails being joined together to form the track section into the desired configuration. The rails form a closed electrical circuit when the track sections are joined together in a closed configuration or pattern. Means are provided for supplying electrical energy to the rails of the assembled track sections to energize the model train or racecar traveling thereon. The track sections range in size and shape. There are countless possibilities for individual track sections: some are straight; some feature switching mechanisms; some are curved having various radii; and, some are ascending for connection to another track positioned at a higher level.

One of the problems facing designers today is the connection of incoming, ascending segments to other track sections, which are positioned at a different height than the incoming, ascending segments. Generally, track support apparatuses, such as trestles, are used to support such ascending track sections. Trestles may be used individually but are typically arranged in series. For example, a typical figure-8-shaped course includes elevated track sections which cross at the center of the figure-8 at differing levels. The track sections are supported at an incline and decline by gradually ascending and descending trestles. However, prior art support apparatuses fail to provide adequate stability to such track sections ascending above the figure-8-shaped course.

It is also popular to suspend model tracks from architectural structures, such as ceilings, within restaurants, retail outlets, homes, and the like. Suspended model railroad tracks are aesthetically pleasing and add substantially to the enjoyment of being in such places. Diners, customers, friends, and relatives all enjoy watching model trains travel upon such suspended tracks. However, suspending model railroad tracks from architectural structures requires custom installation involving attachment of the track sections and support apparatuses to the architectural structure, typically via suspension members. Thus, each track section and support apparatus must be individually installed specifically to suit its particular location. Additionally, it is frequently desirable to install model railroad track outdoors, such as in garden environments, for example. Thus, it would similarly be beneficial to provide support apparatuses for supporting model railroad tracks and trestles above such surfaces as soil, stone, concrete, floors, etc.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a new and improved trestle support apparatus which overcomes the difficulties with the prior art designs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a trestle support apparatus for use with a model track assembly is provided. The model track assembly includes track sections and trestles of a first configuration and separate track sections and trestles of a second configuration. The trestle support apparatus comprises an elongated base including an elongated channel dimensioned to releasably receive and support a trestle of a first configuration. First and second stanchions are releasably mounted to the base.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a trestle support apparatus comprises an elongated base including a platform and first and second arms extending outwardly from the platform. The platform and the first and second arms define an elongated channel dimensioned to releasably receive and support a trestle of a first configuration. First and second stanchions are releasably mounted to the base. The first and second stanchions are in spaced apart relation such that at least two parallel track sections can be positioned beneath the base.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a trestle support apparatus comprises an elongated base including an elongated channel dimensioned to releasably receive and support a trestle of a first configuration. First and second stanchions are releasably mounted to the base. Each of the first and second stanchions include a first end section configured to be releasably mounted beneath the base and a second end section configured to be releasably mounted within the elongated channel.

Still other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from a reading and understanding of the detailed description of the several embodiments described hereinbelow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the trestle support apparatus illustrated in the drawings and should not be construed as limiting. It will also be appreciated that the various identified components of the trestles and support apparatus disclosed herein are merely terms of art that may vary from one model track manufacturer to another and should not be deemed to limit the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views,FIG. 1illustrates a trestle support apparatus, generally designated by reference numeral10, in accordance with the present disclosure. The trestle support apparatus10includes an elongated base12and first and second stanchions or legs14and16, respectively, releasably mounted to the base. The first and second stanchion14,16are of equal height and such height can differ depending on the configuration of the ascending track sections mounted to the trestle support apparatus. In this embodiment, the trestle support apparatus is generally U-shaped and the first and second stanchions14,16stand in spaced apart relation such that at least two parallel track sections can be positioned under the base. The trestle support apparatus can be fabricated out of a durable material, such as a plastic material. As will be described in greater detail below, the base12is configured such that the first and second stanchions14,16are connectable to the base at several predetermined locations along its longitudinal extent.

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 5, the base12includes an elongated platform20having opposed end sections22,24and opposed side edges26,28. First and second arms30and32, respectively, are connected to opposed side edges and extend outwardly therefrom. Each arm30,32includes a respective upwardly extending side wall40,42and a respective inwardly extending top wall44,46. The arms and the base platform together define an elongated channel50. As will be described in greater detail below, the channel is dimensioned to releasably receive a first conventional trestle T of a first configuration and/or an adapter200(FIG. 12) configured to support a second conventional trestle T′ of a second configuration.

Each end section22,24of the platform20includes a first partial row of equally spaced apart first apertures60formed therethrough and a second partial row of equally spaced apertures62formed therethrough. The apertures60,62are dimensioned to receive conventional fasteners F (FIG. 1) which secure the first and second stanchions14and16to the base12. Particularly, and as shown inFIG. 7, a top wall66of each stanchion14,16includes at least one threaded aperture which aligns with one of the apertures60,62located on the base. In the depicted embodiment, the top wall includes a pair of threaded apertures68,70. Each fastener extends through one of the base apertures60,62and threadingly engages one of the stanchion apertures68,70.

It should be appreciated that alternate means for securing the stanchions to the base are also contemplated. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, the support apparatus10can have a Lego®-like configuration wherein one of the base12′ and the stanchions14′,16′ includes coupling protrusions80and the other includes receiving cavities82. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 9, one of the base12″ and the stanchions14″,16″ can include a pin-like projection86and the other can include a complementary socket88. Alternatively, one of the base and the stanchions can include a head (not shown) having a squared dovetail shape and the other can include a complementary channel (not shown).

As will also be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art, the first and second stanchions14,16can be generally identical, and thus only first stanchion14will be described in further detail herein. With reference now toFIGS. 2-4, first stanchion14is generally rectangular in shape and includes the top wall66, a bottom wall90, opposed side walls92,94and opposed front and back walls96,98. It should be appreciated that alternate shapes and configurations of the stanchions are contemplated. For example, the stanchions of the present disclosure may be configured to have round, triangular, hexagonal, octagonal, etc., cross-sections. Further, the stanchions can be molded to have a trestle-like configuration similar to one of the first or second conventional trestles. Provided on at least one of the front and back walls is a mounting aperture. In the depicted embodiment, each front and back wall96,98includes a respective mounting aperture100,102. Each mounting aperture extends diagonally though the stanchion and is dimensioned to receive a conventional fastener (not shown) for securing the stanchion to a generally flat, subjacent surface, such as a floor.

A groove110,112is located on each front and back wall96,98of the stanchion14. As shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, the grooves are spaced from the bottom wall90a predetermined distance such that a stanchion14′″ of a second trestle support apparatus can be mounted to trestle support apparatus10. More particularly, the grooves are dimensioned to slidingly receive at least a portion of each respective top wall44,46of each arm30,32of the base12. Once positioned in the channel50, the top walls provide stability against deflecting forces directed to the second trestle support apparatus. This allows for the stacking of the trestle support apparatuses, which, in turn, allows for the placement of additional ascending track sections. To reduce the weight of the trestle support apparatus10, each stanchion14,16can include at least one through hole120.

With reference again toFIG. 1, the mounting of the first conventional trestle T to the trestle support apparatus10is illustrated. A portion of the trestle is slidingly inserted in the channel50such that the trestle can be positioned at various locations along the longitudinal extent of the base12. To secure the trestle in the channel, the respective side walls40,42of the arm30,32include an array of apertures122,124, which can be in registry with each other. In the illustrated embodiment, the apertures122,124are threaded. As shown inFIG. 6, at least one fastener F′, such as a thumb screw, can be threaded into one of the apertures such that an end section of the fastener F′ engages the trestle, which, in turn, prevents the longitudinal movement of the trestle T in the channel. It should be appreciated that alternate means for securing the trestle are contemplated. For example, an elongated member, such as a rod having a threaded end, can be inserted through one of the apertures such that the threaded end threadingly engages the other aperture.

As indicated previously, and with reference toFIGS. 12 and 13, an adapter200can be mounted to the trestle support apparatus10. In the depicted embodiment, the adapter is generally rectangular in shape; although, it should be appreciated that alternate shapes and configurations are contemplated. The adapter includes a pair of longitudinally extending grooves202and204located on opposed sides210and212. Similar to the grooves110,112of the stanchions14,16, and as shown inFIG. 12, the adapter grooves202,204are dimensioned to slidingly receive at least a portion of each respective top wall44,46of each arm30,32of the base12. A top wall220of the adapter can be configured to mate to the specific type of second conventional trestle T′ being mounted thereto. For example, the second conventional trestle can be a conventional LGB® track top mounting pier TP mounted atop a LGB® layer pier LP. As such, the top wall includes a plurality of spaced apart mounting openings224adapted to receive downwardly extending projections (not shown) located on a bottom surface of one of the top pier and the layer pier. The top wall further includes a plurality of threaded apertures226for receiving conventional fasteners which can secure one of the second conventional trestle to the adapter. To reduce the weight of the adapter200, at least one through hole250can be located on the top wall.

To mount the adapter200to the base12, the adapter is slidingly inserted in the channel50such that the second conventional trestle mounted thereto can be positioned at various locations along the base12. Similar to the securing of the first conventional trestle to the base, at least one fastener F′ is then threaded into one of the apertures122,124located on the base12such that an end section of the fastener engages one of the side walls210,212of the adapter. This prevents the longitudinal movement of the adapter in the channel.

With reference toFIGS. 14 and 15, an additional embodiment of a stanchion300for use with the trestle support apparatus10is illustrated.

The stanchion300comprises at least two interconnected sections, which can be telescopically received within and secured to each other so that the stanchion has an extended position (FIG. 14) and a collapsed position (FIG. 15). In the depicted embodiment, the stanchion includes a first elongated member310and a second elongated member312moveably connected to and projecting from the first elongated member. The first elongated member310is generally rectangular in shape and includes a top wall320, a bottom wall322, opposed side walls (only side wall324being illustrated) and opposed front and back walls328,330. Again, it should be appreciated that alternate shapes and configurations of the stanchion300is contemplated. Extending longitudinally from the top wall towards the bottom wall is a socket340. Adapted to cooperate with the first elongated member310is the second elongated member312. The second elongated member includes a top wall350and a longitudinally extending body352which is so sized as to fit in the socket340of the first elongated member. The top wall350has a larger dimension than the body352so that in the collapsed position an outer surface356of the top wall is generally contiguous with an outer surface360of the first elongated member310.

Similar to the previous embodiment, to secure the stanchion300to the base12, the top wall350includes a pair of threaded apertures360,362which align with the apertures60,62located on the base12. Fasteners extend through the base apertures and threadingly engages the stanchion apertures. Again, it should be appreciated that alternate means for securing the stanchion to the base are also contemplated. Provided on the front and back walls328,330are respective mounting aperture368,370. The mounting apertures extend diagonally though the stanchion and are each dimensioned to receive a conventional fastener for securing the stanchion to a generally flat, subjacent surface. Grooves374,376are located on the respective front and back walls328,330of the stanchion300which allow for the stacking of at least two trestle support apparatuses.

A locking structure390selectively locks the second elongated member312in a desired position in relation to the first elongated member310. In the depicted embodiment, located adjacent the top wall320of the first elongated member310is a threaded aperture392. A fastener F″, such as a thumb screw, can be threaded into the aperture392such that an end section of the fastener frictionally engages the body352of the second elongated member312, which, in turn, prevents the longitudinal movement of the second elongated member in the socket340.

It should be appreciated that alternate means for releasably locking the elongated members together are also contemplated. For example, a single aperture can be formed along an exterior periphery of the body352and is selectively and slidably aligned with one of a plurality of openings formed along an exterior periphery of the first elongated member310. An outwardly biasing spring-loaded clip portion can be inserted within the body so that an outwardly biasing button portion selectively projects through the single aperture and one of the plurality of openings of the overlapping first elongated member. The overall length of the collapsible stanchion300may be adjusted simply by pressing the button portion inwardly and then axially sliding the first and second elongated members relative to one another until a desired opening of the plurality of openings aligns over the single aperture, at which point the button portion will again project downwardly through the aperture and one of the plurality of openings snapping the first and second elongated members in place.

With reference toFIGS. 16-18, an additional embodiment of an adapter400for use with the trestle support apparatus is illustrated.

Similar to adapter200, adapter400is generally rectangular in shape; although, it should be appreciated that alternate shapes and configurations are contemplated. The adapter comprises a first section402and a second section404movably connected to the first section. The rotation of the second section relative to the first section allows a trestle which is supported on the second section to transverse the base12at various angles. The first section402includes a pair of longitudinally extending cutouts410and412located on opposed sides420and422. The cutouts allow the sides420,422of the adapter to be slidingly received within the channel50of the base12. A top wall430of the second section is configured to mate to the specific type of the second conventional trestle being mounted thereto. The adapter400further includes means440for rotating the second section404relative to the first section402. For example, a shoulder screw450can be inserted through an aperture452located on the first section so that the threaded end section of the screw threadingly engages an aperture456of the second section. The shoulder screw allows the second section404to rotate relative to the first section402. It should be appreciated that alternate means for rotating the second section are also contemplated.

The present disclosure has been described with reference to the above embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. For example, it should also be appreciated that the trestle support apparatus10can be easily suspended from a ceiling. In this suspended embodiment, the stanchions14,16are mounted in the base channel50in a similar manner described above. The stanchions can then be secured to the ceiling via conventional manners. The components of the trestle support apparatus can be color-coded for ease of assembly. It is intended that the present disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.