Track systems for model railroads

Abstract: The present invention is directed to track locking systems for model railroads of the type in which separate sections of track are removably connected to form a desired closed pattern over which a model train will travel. The track sections include electrically conductive rails for supporting and guiding the model train thereon, and for providing electrical energy from a source for driving the train. Individual track bed sections connected to each other are joined at two laterally offset positions to enhance the stability of the sections removably locked together. The locking elements on the respective track sections joined together are oriented at substantially right angles to the direction of the rails to further enhance the stability and integrity of the joined track sections. A secure connection between locked track sections assures a positive engagement between electrical connectors to provide a completed electrical circuit when the track sections are joined in the desired closed pattern.

Description: The invention refers to a track system for a model railroad train set comprising a plurality of track sections removably connectable to each other to form a path of travel for a model train, each of said plurality of track sections comprises a trackbed base section for carrying a pair of rails for guiding said model train; said trackbed base section having an extended portion defined on one side of each end thereof, and a recessed portion defined on another side of each end thereof; said extended and recessed portions defined on each of said ends of said trackbed base section are adapted to mate with complementary portions defined on an adjacent trackbed base section for removably connecting together a plurality of said trackbed base sections, wherein said extended and recessed portions on each of said plurality of trackbed base sections carry locking means for removably connecting together said plurality of said trackbed base sections. Track systems of the aforementioned kind are disclosed in the EP-A-0032160 and the US-A-4898326. In case of the prior art systems the track sections are locked and unlocked by relative movement of the track sections in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the joined track sections. In this direction, however, forces originated from the trains passing the joint occur which tend to unlock the track section especially when a train passing the joint is braked down or accelerated. To reduce the risk of unwanted unlocking of track sections the EP-A-0032160 teaches the use of additional rail connectors having resilient lips for snap engagement into recesses of the track sections. Coupling elements for connecting track sections are also disclosed in the EP-A-0370579. A disadvantage of these coupling elements consists therein that they are likely to break off from the track sections to which they are joined because they extend beyond the track sections. Additionally, the inclusion of "track connectors" increases the complexity not only of the manufacturing process but also of the assembly of track sections. A connection of track sections can also be achieved by locking elements comprising tongues provided with upstanding lugs being received in lug holes as disclosed in the US-A-2647693. To couple track sections by these elements the ends of the track sections to be coupled have to be held at an angle before they can be transferred into a common plane which makes the coupling process far more difficult than a movement in a plane parallel to the ground supporting the track sections. It is the primary object of the invention to provide a track system in which the individual track sections are designed to secure a reliable mechanical and electrical engagement between joined track sections and the locking means of which facilitate the manufacture and assembly of model railroad track sections. The solution of the task to be solved consists therein that the locking means of the track system according to the generic clause of claim 1 are adapted to be fitted together by a lateral movement of the track sections at a substantially perpendicular angle to the longitudinal direction of at least one of the track sections in a way that the faces of the rails of the track sections continuously abut against each other. The substantial perpendicular orientation of the locking means relative to the direction of longitudinal extension of the joined track sections assures that movement of the train along the tracks (and other forces which might be inadvertantly applied to the assembled track sections in the direction of travel of the model train therealong), will not act in the direction of orientation of the locking means, thereby decreasing the possibility of disengagement or separation of adjacent track sections. A model railroad track system in accordance with the present invention advantageously results in enhanced locking stability of adjacent track sections, and therefore more positive and secure engagement of electrical conductors carried by the respective joined track sections. The track system of the present invention further eliminates the need to employ conventional "track connector" rail extension elements, and thus eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 of the drawing is a perspective view of two separate track sections to be joined together in accordance with the present invention, prior to assembly of the sections; FIGURE 1A of the drawing illustrates a perspective view of the end portion of one of the track sections, illustrated by FIGURE 1, with the track and electrical connectors removed therefrom; FIGURE 2 of the drawing illustrates a top plan view of the end portion of one of the track sections to be joined together, as illustrated by FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 illustrates a top plan view of the two track sections illustrated by FIGURE 1, subsequent to assembly thereof; and FIGURE 4 illustrates a perspective view of the end portion of a track section in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The improved track system in accordance with the present invention will be discussed in greater detail with reference to Figures 1 - 4 of the drawings. Since the invention is particularly useful in connection with electrically energized model railroad sets, the preferred embodiments will be discussed with reference to this specific application of the invention. Referring now to Figure 1, a first combined trackbed/rail section is designated by reference numeral 2, while a second similar section is designated by reference numeral 4. Each of the sections 2 and 4 include two parallel rail sections 6 and 8 adapted to receive and guide the wheels of a model train, and formed from an electrically conductive material to transmit electrical energy to the train from an independent power supply electrically coupled to the rails. Still referring to Figure 1, section 2 includes an extended portion 10 on one side of an end thereof, while section 4 includes an identical extended portion 12 on the opposite side of an adjacent end thereof. Extended portion 10 defines two differently configured recessed portions 14 and 16, while extended portion 12 defines correspondingly configured recessed portions 18 and 20. Section 2 illustrated by Figure 1 further includes a retracted portion 22 defined on the side of the track section opposite to the extended portion 10. The retracted portion 22 defines two differently configured, outwardly extending projections 24 and 26. Section 4 also includes an identically configured retracted portion 28, including two projections (not shown) configured to correspond to projections 24 and 26, oriented on the side of section 4 opposite to the extended portion 12. Accordingly, each section 2 and 4 defines identical extended portion 10 and 12 including identically configured and positioned recessed portions defined on opposite sides of adjacent ends of the respective sections 2 and 4. Similarly, each section 2 and 4 defines identical retracted portions 22 and 28 defining identically configured and oriented outwardly extending projections, defined on opposite sides of adjacent ends of the respective sections 2 and 4. Preferably, the trackbed sections 2 and 4 supporting the parallel rails 6 and 8, and the respective projections extending from the retracted portions of the sections 2 and 4, are formed from a durable but resilient material, as for example a hard plastic. Figure 1A illustrates the end portion of section 2 in greater detail than illustrated by Figure 1. In particular, Figure 1A shows that recess 16 on extended portion 10 is elevated above the lower or bottom surface 27 of the trackbed section 2, and outwardly extending projection 24 on the retracted portion 22 is elevated at a height corresponding to the elevation of the recess 16. The projection 24 defines a tab section 25 extending therefrom. Still referring to Figure 1A, the recess 14 defined in extended portion 10 of the trackbed section 2 extends upwardly from the lower surface 27 of the trackbed section 2, and projection 26 similarly extends upwardly from the bottom surface 27 of the trackbed section 2. Figure 1A further illustrates that projection 24 is generally L-shaped and includes a horizontally oriented portion 29 and a vertically oriented portion 31. Recess 16 defined in extended portion 10 is configured and oriented to complement projection 24 extending from retracted portion 22, and recess 14 is defined and oriented on extended portion 10 to complement projection 26 extending from retracted portion 22. As a result of the complementary orientation and configuration of recess 16 and projection 24, and recess 14 and projection 26, and as a result of the resilient material from which the trackbed sections 2 and 4 are formed, the adjacent sections 2 and 4 can be removably locked and mated together by friction fit engagement of the respective projections and recesses defined on opposite sides of one end of section 2 with the corresponding projections and recesses defined on opposite sides of an adjacent end of section 4. Referring back to Figure 1, when sections 2 and 4 of trackbed are to be removably locked together, the adjacent ends of the sections are moved proximate to each other such that the extended portion 12 of section 4 is in linear alignment with the retracted portion 22 of section 2. Simultaneously, the oppositely oriented extended portion 10 of section 2 is in linear alignment with the retracted portion 28 of section 4. The track sections are then moved relative to each other in a lateral direction (transverse to the orientation of the rails 6 and 8) so that the respective projections on the retracted portions of sections 2 and 4 are received in the corresponding and complementary configured recesses defined on the respective extended portions of sections 2 and 4. Accordingly, the two projections are removably received in friction fitting locking engagement in two complementary configured and oriented recesses on each side of the joined adjacent ends of sections 2 and 4. Relative movement of the trackbed sections 2 and 4 in the opposite direction are required to disengage the. locked adjacent sections. As a result of the orientation of the respective projections and recesses on the extended and retracted portions of adjacent ends of track sections, the positions of locking engagement of joined track sections are laterally offset at different sides of the joined sections. Thus, the locking engagement position(s) on one side of two joined sections, and the locking position(s) on the opposite side of the two joined track sections, are not along the same line drawn perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the joined sections. Although the preferred embodiment of the invention provides the locking projections on the retracted portion of a trackbed section and defines the recesses on the extended portion of a trackbed section, it is possible to reverse the respective positions of the projections and recesses. Moreover, it is possible to define both recesses and projections on both the extended and retracted portions of the track bed sections, and it is further possible to provide different numbers of projections and recesses, and different configurations and different orientations of projections and recesses than shown in the drawing. Other suitable locking means also can be employed. Figure 2 illustrates a top plan view of trackbed section 2, including rails 6 and 8 and electrical contacts 32 and 34 mounted to the rails 6 and 8. The electrical contacts 32 and 34 are provided for electrically coupling a power supply to the electrically conductive rails 6 and 8 for powering a model train travelling over the assembled tracks and rails. The same reference numerals have been used in Figure 2 to designate elements corresponding to those disclosed in figures 1 and 1A, as discussed herein. Figure 3 illustrates a top plan view showing trackbed sections 2 and 4, as illustrated in Figure 1, after they have been removably locked together in accordance with the procedure described above. The orientation of the complementary projections and recesses defined on the adjacent ends of the joined track sections assure that when the sections are removably locked into the assembled position as illustrated by Figure 3, the respective parallel rails 6 and 8 carried by each trackbed section are in linear alignment with each other, and are contiguously abutting against each other. Likewise, the respective electrical contacts 32 and 34 carried by the rails 6 and 8 on each trackbed section 2 and 4, are joined together in linear alignment and contiguously abutting engagement. The assembled track sections 2 and 4, when removably locked together, provide continously aligned parallel rails 6 and 8, and provide a continuous electrically path for the flow of electrical energy through the assembled rails for driving a train thereon. It becomes apparent from the present invention, that the rail joiners or connectors required in the assembly of track sections of known model track railroad systems, have been eliminated by the design of the present invention. Moreover, the removable locking means, e.g., the complementary recesses and projections defined on the extended and retracted portions of adjacent trackbed sections are oriented in a direction which is not linear with, and preferably transversely oriented relative to, the longitudinal direction of the trackbed sections and the rail sections carried thereon. Accordingly, as a result of the substantially perpendicular orientation between the direction of engagement of the locking means on adjacent trackbed sections and the direction and orientation of the parallel rails carried by the adjacent trackbed sections, movement of the train along the track (and other forces exerted in a linear direction relative to the track sections) will not disengage the transversely oriented locking means or result in separation of adjacent ends of joined trackbed sections. Therefore potential for derailment of a train travelling along the tracks, and disruption of continuous electrical current flow through the closed circuit defined by the assembled track sections, is significantly reduced as a result of the design of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, adjacent trackbed sections can be assembled more securely, more efficiently, and in less time than known track sections of conventional model railroads employing rail joiner or extender elements. Moreover, by providing releasably locking engagement at laterally offset positions on different sides of adjacent ends of joined trackbed sections (as discussed above), the overall integrity of the track locking engagement is enhanced. This latter result occurs because the position of locking engagement on each side of the adjacent joined trackbed sections is not along the same straight line (linear axis) oriented perpendicularly to the direction of the track and rail, but is offset from such linear axis. Accordingly, the adjacent removably locked trackbed sections cannot pivot along the transverse linear axis, thereby enhancing the integrity of the engagement of the adjacent trackbed sections when joined together. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the substantially perpendicular orientation of engagement of the track locking means, together with the laterally offset locking positions defined on opposite sides of adjacent ends of joined track sections, result in enhanced integrity of the releasable locking engagement of adjacent trackbed sections. Figure 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a trackbed/rail design in accordance with the present invention. The trackbed section 40 shown in Figure 4 includes an extended end portion 42 and a retracted end portion 44. A trackbed section carries parallel rails 46 and 48 for guiding a train and for conducting electrical energy for driving the train on a closed pattern formed from assembled trackbed sections. Adjacent trackbed sections 40 are removably locked to each other by complementary oriented and configured projections and recesses, similar to that described with respect to the first embodiment of the invention. The major difference between the track section 40 illustrated by Figure 4, and track sections 2 and 4 illustrated by Figure 1, is that the rail section 46 on extended portion 42 of the trackbed 40 is extended relative to the rail section 48 on retracted portion 44 of the trackbed 40. Accordingly, trackbed section 40 provides offset parallel rail sections in addition to offset trackbed portions defined at the end of the trackbed section. At present, the embodiment of the invention illustrated by Figure 4 is less preferable than that illustrated by Figure 1 - - 3 as a result of increased difficulty in the manufacture of arcuate track sections carrying offset arcuate parallel rails. The above description of the drawings is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive of the scope of the invention. Further modifications falling within the scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, as noted herein, the configuration and orientation of the locking means employed by the present invention may be varied from that disclosed herein. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not restricted to the specific embodiments of the invention discussed above, but is defined by the following claims

Claims: A track system for a model railroad train set comprising a plurality of track sections (2, 4) removably connectable to each other to form a path of travel for a model train, each of said plurality of track sections (2, 4) comprises a trackbed base section for carrying a pair of rails (6, 8) for guiding said model train; said trackbed base section having an extended portion (10) defined on one side of each end thereof, and a recessed portion (22) defined on another side of each end thereof; said extended and recessed portions defined on each of said ends of said trackbed base section are adapted to mate with complementary portions (12, 28) defined on an adjacent trackbed base section for removably connecting together a plurality of said trackbed base sections, wherein said extended and recessed portions on each of said plurality of trackbed base sections carry locking means (18, 20; 24, 26) for removably connecting together said plurality of said trackbed base sections, characterized in that the locking means are adapted to be fitted together by a lateral movement of the track sections (2, 4) at a substantially perpendicular angle to the longitudinal direction of at least one of the track sections (2, 4) in a way that the faces of the rails (6, 8) of the track sections continuously abut against each other. The track system claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said locking means comprise at least one projection (26) defined on each of said recessed portions (22), and at least one recess (18) defined on each of said extended portions (12), said recess (18) adapted to receive said projection (26) for removably connecting said plurality of said trackbed base sections together. The track system claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that each of said recessed portions (22) comprises at least two projections (24, 26) and each of said extended portions comprises at least two recesses (18, 20). The track system claimed in Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said at least one projection (24) and said at least one recess (20) are configured to cooperate with each other to removably retain said projection in friction fit engagement in said recess. The track system claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that the projections (24, 26) of each pair of projections (24, 26) as well as the recesses (18, 20) of each pair of recesses (18, 20) are offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the trackbed base section. The track system claimed in one of the Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that at least one projection (24) and one recess (20) assure the linear alignment of the rails (6, 8) carried by each trackbed base section in the locked position. The track system claimed in one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the electrical contact between different track sections (2, 4) is assured by the locking means (18, 20; 24, 26). The track system claimed in one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said trackbed base sections are formed from a resilient material. The track system claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that said trackbed base sections are formed from a plastic material.

Inventors: GRUBB LAWRENCE B, GRUBB, LAWRENCE B.
Applicants: LIFE LIKE PRODUCTS LLC, LIFE-LIKE PRODUCTS, LLC
Application year: 1996
Main classification: A63H19
IPC codes: A63H19