Patent Publication Number: US-6904847-B2

Title: Removable or invertable in-situ model railroad wheel cleaner

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to model railroading, and in particular, to a removable or invertable layout accessory that is used to removed oxidation and detritus from driven wheels used by model train locomotives in one embodiment, and non-driven wheels in another embodiment. 
   BACKGROUND 
   The predominant mode of cleaning driven wheels of a model railroad locomotive and/or car has relied upon the use of a brush with brass bristles separated by a plastic divider. This assembly is operatively connected by wires having electrical alligator clips to the rails of the model railroad or to the terminals of a suitable power supply during the cleaning process. The conductive properties of the bristles permit the locomotive to receive power therefrom, which in turn causes the driven wheels to rotate. The interaction between the bristles and the rotating wheels then removes the oxidation and detritus. During this operation, however, it was necessary to remove the locomotive and/or car from the track and hold it in the inverted position during the cleaning operation. Often times, the detail parts installed on the upper surfaces of the locomotive and/or car were inadvertently damaged during this process. While use of a cradle during cleaning reduced the likelihood of damage, it still required that the locomotive and/or car be inverted and manipulated. Moreover, the cleaning assemblies of the prior art required additional storage when not in use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention is directed to a removable and/or invertable in situ assembly for removing oxidation and detritus from driven and/or non-driven wheels of model railroad locomotives and/or cars, and to methods thereof. The invention is found in embodiments that are both semi-permanent and removable, as well as embodiments that feature passive cleaning and active cleaning features. In all embodiments, the invention is integratable into a model railroad layout comprising a track secured to a mechanical ground or base such as the layout table. The track comprises a first rail spaced apart from a second rail by a distance “D”. Furthermore, a space in the track layout is defined by a removed track segment. The resulting structure is a track layout having a space or gap where the track has a first end terminating at one end of the space and a second end terminating at the other end of the space. In addition, all embodiments comprise a removable and/or rotatable in situ wheel cleaning apparatus having a replacement segment (a cleaning segment and/or a track segment) sized to generally fit within the space, wherein the replacement segment comprises a first rail interface element spaced apart from a second rail interface element to operably receive the wheels of the locomotive and/or car. 
   While the complexity of the cleaning segment varies from embodiment to embodiment, at least the first rail interface element thereof comprises a cleaning surface for contacting at least one wheel of the locomotive and/or car. The cleaning surface may be abrasive, e.g., a bristle brush, or capable of carrying an abrasive or solvent, e.g., a foamed polymer; it may be conductive and electrified as disclosed herein with respect to the preferred embodiments or not. If it is not electrified, then preferably any track segment or extension in contact with the rail interface is electrified if the cleaning surface is passive (non-moving). Depending upon the embodiment, the second rail interface element may also comprise a cleaning surface. Moreover, either one or both rail interfaces may comprise at least one rail extension, in addition to a cleaning surface. A rail extension may operate to link the cleaning surface with the layout track or other component. 
   For a track segment, which permits the layout to smoothly operate without the presence of the cleaning segment, both rail interface elements are preferably rails, the objective being to conceal the presence of the space or gap defined by the layout. While the cleaning segment need not be electrified, at least one rail of the track segment does (such as when an overhead wire or catenary wire is used). Thus, all embodiments including a track segment may include at least one means for delivering power from at least one rail of the layout to the first track interface element of the track segment. 
   The first embodiment of the invention represents a simplistic manifestation of where features thereof include a removable cleaning segment and a variety of connector means for electrically coupling at least one rail of the layout to the first element of the replacement track segment and, in a preferred embodiment, the cleaning segment. With respect to the connector means, a spring rail contact or a rotary contact arrangement can be used. The spring rail contact comprises a portion for engaging at least one layout rail and at least one extending biased rail contacting portion. The at least one extending biased rail contacting portion can be a “U” shaped configuration or can be a leaf spring arrangement. The objective is to provide a means for establishing a compressive electrical connection with the first element so that when the replacement segment occupies the space, a suitable electrical connection is established. 
   The rotary contact arrangement comprises a first contact having a conductor receiving portion for, preferably, engaging a layout rail, and defining a hole. The arrangement further comprises a second contact having a conductor receiving portion and a tab wherein the second contact is located proximate to the first contact when the replacement segment occupies the space created by the removed track segment. To operatively link the two contacts, a conductive rotary element is provided having a shaft and an extending contacting arm. When the shaft is located in the hole and rotated, the contacting arm pivots to contact the tab of the second contact. Because the rotary element is electrically coupled to the first contact and because it can operatively engage with the second contact, a closed circuit is created. When removal of the replacement segment is desired, rotation of the contacting arm to the unengaged position provides the necessary clearance for removal. 
   With respect to the rail interface elements of the cleaning segment, the first rail interface element (when employed in a cleaning segment) may consist of only one cleaning surface, or the first rail interface element may comprise a cleaning surface and one of the following: a rail extension extending from the cleaning surface or a pair of rail extensions extending in opposite directions from the cleaning surface. In addition to these combinations, the cleaning segment may further comprise, at a lateral distance of about “D” from the first rail interface element, one of the following: a continuous rail, a second cleaning surface, a rail extension extending from a second cleaning surface or a pair of rail extensions extending in opposite directions from a second cleaning surface. 
   In a second embodiment, an invertable supporting platform having an obverse side and a reverse side is used in conjunction with the cleaning segment of the first embodiment. The obverse side comprises a conventional track segment having at least two rails intended to replace the removed track layout segment. The reverse side comprises the previously described cleaning segment of the first embodiment. A bay dedicated to receiving the platform may be integrated into the layout, or the platform may be adapted to the existing layout. 
   While the second embodiment uses a vertically removable supporting platform, a third embodiment uses a pivoting supporting platform. In this embodiment, the supporting platform is pivotally linked to a mechanical ground, such as a bay mounted to the layout. The axis of rotation can be orthogonal to track direction, i.e., parallel to the major axis of the ties, or can be parallel to the track direction. Thus, a user need only rotate the supporting platform in order to expose the opposite side. 
   To facilitate electrical connection between the layout track and the supporting platform, connector means are used, and include the previously described rotary contact arrangement for the first embodiment. If a receiving bay is used, power from the layout can also be delivered via conductor(s) to at least one contact disposed on an internal perimeter wall of the bay, with a complementary contact positioned on an outer portion of the supporting platform with conductor(s) to the desired segment or element. A detent arrangement can also be used to positively locate the supporting platform in the bay and/or act as electrical connector means. This later configuration is especially desirable for use with the third embodiment. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention showing the integration of a wheel cleaning assembly with a model railroad track layout; 
       FIG. 2  is a composite perspective, exploded view of the first embodiment illustrating the interchangeability of a conventional track segment and a wheel cleaning assembly in a model railroad track layout; 
       FIG. 3  is perspective exploded view of a second embodiment of the invention showing the integration of an invertable wheel cleaning assembly/conventional track segment with a model railroad track layout; 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective exploded view of a brush assembly used in several embodiments of the invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective exploded view of the second embodiment of the invention detailing the structure of an invertable support and a bay; 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed perspective, exploded view illustrating a rail to tie connector used in conjunction with the invertable support of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 7  is a detailed perspective, exploded view illustrating a rail to tie connector and rotary contact used in conjunction with the bay of the second embodiment; 
       FIG. 8  is an elevation view in cross section taken substantially along the line  8 — 8  in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective exploded view of a third embodiment of the invention schematically illustrating the inclusion of a powered wheel cleaner; 
       FIG. 10  is a cross section elevation view of the third embodiment in conjunction with part of a model railroad track layout; 
       FIG. 11  is a detailed cross section, elevation view of one means for transferring power from a model railroad track layout to the support of the third embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a detailed cross section, elevation view of another means for transferring power from a model railroad track layout to the support of the third embodiment of  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic perspective, exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the invention showing a rotatable wheel cleaning assembly having an axis of rotation parallel to the rail axis and for use with a model railroad track layout; 
       FIG. 14  is schematic cross section, elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 13  showing, in phantom, the rotation of the support in a bay; 
       FIG. 15  is schematic cross section, elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 13 ; and 
       FIG. 16  is a schematic perspective, exploded view of a fourth embodiment of the invention wherein the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the rail axis. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiment shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
   In the following paragraphs, reference is made to a model railroad layout. As those persons skilled in the art will appreciate, such a layout is comprised of at least one track having two rails operatively coupled to a source of electrical power for electrifying the track (or possibly overhead catenary wire) in order to operate locomotives and accessories used in conjunction therewith. As used herein, “track” refers to any gauge or scale railway track comprising at least two rails and suitable ties, whether G, O, HO, N, Z or others. These tracks generally come in track segments that are linked to one another in an abutting fashion via couplers to form a continuous track. The tracks are usually anchored to a suitable layout substrate via one or more fasteners engaging the ties, which provides the track with a mechanical ground. 
   First Embodiment 
   Turing then to the several Figures wherein like numerals indicate like parts, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first removable embodiment is shown. In this first embodiment, track layout  10  has track segment  12  removed therefrom, leaving space  18 , and track ends  14   a/b  and  16   a/b . As will be seen below, space  18  may be occupied alternatively by track segment  12  or wheel cleaning segment  20 . 
   Wheel cleaning segment  20  is shown as having first track extension  22 , including distal rail ends  30   a  and  32   a , and proximal rail ends  34   a  and  36   a . Rails  23  are fixedly positioned in a spaced-apart relationship by ties  25 , as is well known in the art. Wheel cleaning segment  20  also has second track extension  24  including distal rail ends  30   b  and  32   b , and proximal rail ends  34   b  and  36   b . Again, rails  23  are fixedly positioned in a spaced-apart relationship by ties  25 , as is well known in the art. 
   Between track extensions  22  and  24  is located cleaning assembly  40 , which is best shown in  FIG. 4 . Depending upon the application, cleaning assembly  40  may be electrified or not. The disclosed embodiment provides for electrification, however similar efficacy can be achieved by only electrifying track extensions  22  and  24 . 
   Brush assembly  40  includes guide block or base plate  42  to which are attached rail joiners  46   a/b  and brush plates  48   a/b . Guide block plate  42  defines holes  43  for receiving screws  68  and includes integral guide blocks  44   a/b , which operate to prevent the wheels of a locomotive and/or car from laterally displacing given the absence of a rail-flange interface at brushes  41   a/b . Guide block plate  42  is preferably constructed from a dielectric such as plastic. Rail joiners  46   a/b  are preferably constructed from brass or other conductive material, and operate to join track ends  34   a  and  36   a  respectively to track ends  34   b  and  36   b , and to carry current to brush plates  48   a/b  from the layout. Holes  47  defined by the rail joiners permit attachment thereof to guide block plate  42 . Brush plates  48   a/b  define holes  49 , and function as a means for positioning and retaining brushes  41   a/b  on guide block plate  42 . Both brush plates  48   a/b  and brushes  41   a/b  are preferably constructed from brass or other conductive material; any means for mounting brushes  41   a/b  to brush plates  48   a/b  should function as a suitable conductor, unless it is not desired to pass power there through. 
   While brush assembly  40  is shown in the several Figures as being part of wheel cleaning segment  20 , alternative embodiments have brush assembly  40  acting entirely as the cleaning assembly, i.e., brush assembly  40  interfaces directly with track ends  14   a/b  and  16   a/b , as those persons skilled in the art will realize. See, for example,  FIGS. 13–16  illustrating the exclusion of track extensions  22  and  24 . Moreover, the illustrated configuration of brush assembly  40  is presently preferred, however, those persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any means for providing both a rail connection means with at least one brush is contemplated, with or without the preferred inclusion of guide blocks. 
   An important function of this first embodiment is wheel cleaning segment  20 &#39;s acquisition of power from track layout  10 . Because cleaning segment  20  is intended to be conveniently removable from track  10 , means must be provided for permitting quick engagement and disengagement therefrom. To this end, track extensions  22  and  24  define holes  26   a/b , which permit screws  66  to be inserted there through and to engage with the layout substrate. Thus, by simply disengaging screws  66   a/b  from the substrate, a user may remove wheel cleaning segment  20  and replace it with track segment  12 , and vice versa. For similar reasons, track segment  12  also defines holes  26   a/b  for use with screws  66 . Again, those persons skilled in the art will appreciate the numerous means by which temporary but secure fastening of either wheel cleaning segment  20  or track segment  12  to the substrate can be achieved. These means include quick disconnect devices. 
   Also in furtherance of this objective are spring rail contacts  50 , which comprise base portion  52 , rail engaging returns  54 , and spring portion  56 . One each of base portion  52  and rail engaging returns  54  are coupled to track ends  14   a/b  and  16   a/b , thereby leaving spring portion  56  exposed to vertical compression by the bottom portions of track ends  30   a/b  and  32   a/b . When wheel cleaning segment  20  is place thereon, distal track ends  30   a/b  and  32   a/b  contact and compress spring portions  56  to establish an operative electrical connection between cleaning segment  20  and track  10 . Those persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the actual mode of accomplishing power delivery to cleaning segment  20  is largely a matter of design consideration so long as the objectives described herein are met. For example, spring portion  56 , which is shown as an arch-like structure, can also be a “C” shaped structure. Other means for establishing power delivery to cleaning segment  20  (or assembly  120 ) are shown with respect to the second and third embodiments, and illustrate the diversity of alternative means for establishing electrical continuity between track  10  and cleaning segment  20  or assembly  120 . 
   Establishing and operating the first embodiment: Turning to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the initial step is to remove track segment  12  and replace it with wheel cleaning segment  20 : the user must ensure that there are no obstructions that would prevent the vertical deposition of cleaning segment  20  into space  18 , e.g., removal of track segment  12 . After so doing, cleaning segment  20  is then lowered to replace track segment  12  and temporarily affixed to the substrate via screws  66 . As those persons skilled in the art will readily realize, any viable means for temporarily securing cleaning segment  20  to the substrate such as screws, bolts, two-part mechanical fasteners and magnets are considered within the scope of the invention. 
   Once wheel cleaning segment  20  has been established in place of track segment  12 , the locomotive to be cleaned is placed thereon. Ideally, a means for restraining movement of the locomotive will be used when cleaning segment  20  is electrified. The means can be as simple as the user holding the locomotive in place or permitting only limited linear motion thereof, or as complex as an actuatable stop that activates upon electrification of cleaning segment  20 . 
   From the foregoing, it can be seen that the locomotive undergoing wheel cleaning need not be removed from the layout or handled in any other way beyond a gentle restraining effort. Moreover, in this embodiment a user can modify the nature of the spring rail contacts so as to permit lateral, as opposed to vertical, engagement and disengagement of the cleaning segment or replacement track, as those persons skilled in the art will readily realize. 
   Second Embodiment 
   In a second embodiment, wheel cleaning segment  20  is modified to produce wheel cleaning assembly  120 , as is best shown in FIGS.  3  and  5 – 8 . In particular, assembly  120  generally comprises wheel cleaning segment  20  (identified as cleaning segment  20 ′ in this embodiment and having all parts formerly associated with cleaning segment  20  indicated with a prime designation) fixedly mounted to obverse side  82  of support platform  80 . Assembly  120  also includes track segment  12 ′ mounted to reverse side  84  of support platform  80 . Ideally, both cleaning segment  20 ′ and track segment  12 ′ are in opposition to one another so as to preserve symmetry about support platform  80 . As will be described in more detail, the invertable nature of the second embodiment is considered an improvement to the first embodiment. 
   Because assembly  120  has a depth greater than track segment  12 , it is necessary to establish sufficient clearance for assembly  120 . While even a cutout or hole formed in the layout would be sufficient to hold assembly  120 , the second embodiment preferably includes dedicated bay  70 , which not only operates to receive assembly  120 , but also to provide a means for delivering power to assembly  120  from track  10 . As is best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , bay  70  includes perimeter walls  72   a - d  and tabs  78   a/b . A bottom wall is optional. Also present are mounting holes  79   a/b  formed respectively in tabs  78   a/b  for securing bay  70  to the layout substrate; vertical guides  74   a/b  to ensure precise alignment of assembly  120  in bay  70 ; bottom stops  76   a - d  for establishing the proper elevation of support platform  80 ; layout rail to tie conductors  60   a/b  for tapping power from bay rail segments  122  and  124 ; and screws  90   a/b  having fixedly attached, extending arms  92   a/b  for conducting power from rail to tie conductors  60   a/b  to rail to tie conductors  62   a/b . Lastly, bay  70  includes bay track segments  122  and  124  respectively on tabs  78   a/b . Bay rail segment  122  has distal track ends  130   a  and  132   a , and proximal track ends  134   a  and  136   a , and bay rail segment  124  has distal track ends  130   b  and  132   b , and proximal track ends  134   b  and  136   b.    
   To ensure proper orientation of assembly  120  within bay  70 , vertical guides  74   a/b  are formed in perimeter walls  72   a/b , which are complementary in profile to recesses  86   a/b  formed in support platform  80 . Depending upon the configuration of assembly  120 , additional registration guides may be incorporated or the guides eliminated. 
   To modulate the depth of assembly  120  within bay  70 , a plurality of bottom stops  76  are provided on perimeter walls  72   a–d  of bay  70 . The bottom stops may be integral with walls  72   a–d , or their elevation may be user adjustable such as by use of screws or pins penetrating the relevant wall. 
   To aid in removing assembly  120  from bay  70 , reversible handle  88   a/b  is provided. Vertical members  89   a/b  depend respectively into holes or slots formed in guide block plate  42 ′, and in a normal state, handle  88   a  is in contact with guide block plate  42 ′. When a user desires to remove assembly  120  from bay  70 , handle  88   a  is lifted whereby handle  88   b  (obscured in the drawings, but complementary to handle  88   a ) bears against the ties of track segment  12 . A continued lifting force then causes assembly  120  to be removed from bay  70 . As is readily apparent, when assembly  120  is inverted handle  88   b  may be lifted and handle  88   a  bears against guide block plate  42 ′. Those persons skilled in the art will appreciate the myriad of means available to accomplish this objective, and include at least one “I” stud, a string, a push-to-engage and push-to-disengage mechanism, or springs. 
   Electrical power from track  10  is provided to bay track segments  122  and  124  by conventional rail joiners linking track  10  to bay track segments  122  and  124 , as illustrated  FIG. 3 . Power from bay track segments  122  and  124  is preferably delivered to assembly  120  by operatively coupling layout to rail conductors  60   a/b  with layout to rail conductors  62   a/b  as will now be described. Because it is not necessary for assembly  120  to establish electrical continuity between bay track segments  122  and  124  (each segment is an electrical “dead end”; it is only desirable to electrify assembly  120  so that track extensions  22 ′ and  24 ′, and optionally brushes  41 ′ are electrified), only two connection means are used. Referring specifically to  FIGS. 5–7 , rail to tie conductor  60   a  is linked to one rail  23 ′ of bay rail segment  122 , and rail to tie conductor  60   b  is linked to one rail  23 ′ of bay rail segment  124  having an opposite polarity. Rail to tie conductor  60   a  engages a rail at track end  134   a  at one end, and hole  61   a  is positioned coaxially with hole  75   a . Rail to tie conductor  60   b  engages a rail at track end  136   b  at one end, and hole  61   b  (obscured from view) is positioned coaxially with hole  75   b  (obscured from view). Similarly, rail to tie conductor  62   a  engages a rail at one end as shown, and recess  63  is positioned about vertical guide recess  86   a . Rail to tie conductor  62   b  engages a rail of opposite polarity at one end as shown, and recess  63  is positioned about vertical guide recess  86   b.    
   Conductive screws  90   a/b  include arms  92   a/b , which may be formed therewith or separately attached thereto. As shown best in  FIG. 7 , screw  90   a  extend through holes  93   a ,  61   a  and  75   a , and preferably engages nut  94 , which may be permanently or removably associated with bay  70  (or eliminated if hole  75   a  is threaded). This arrangement is duplicated with respect to tab  78   b . Through this arrangement, an arm  92  receives power from a rail  23 ′. When assembly  120  is inserted into bay  70  (obverse side up) and a screw  90  having an arm  92  extending therefrom is rotated so as to obstruct vertical movement of assembly  120 , it compressively contacts a portion of a rail to tie conductor  62  as is shown in  FIG. 3 . This compressive contact supplies either rail segments  22 ′ or  24 ′, and therefore assembly  20 ′, with suitable power. Over-rotation of arm  92  is prevented by arm stops  96   a/b , which extend from respective ties as shown best in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , or from support platform  80 . In addition, screws  90   a/b  engage nuts  94   a/b , which may be permanently or removably associated with bay  70  (or eliminated if hole  75  is threaded). It should be noted that a similar configuration exists with respect to track segment  12 ′ on reverse side  84 . 
   Establishing and operating the second embodiment: Still referring to  FIGS. 3 , and  5 – 8 , and particularly to  FIG. 5 , the initial step is to install bay  70  into the layout by inserting screws  66  through tabs  78   a/b  and into the layout substrate (mechanical ground), and establish suitable continuity between the layout and bay track segments  122  and  124  as previously described. After making sure that screws  90  are rotated so that arms  92  are perpendicular to bay track segments  122  and  124 , assembly  120  is lowered into place with either obverse side  82  or reverse side  84  exposed. Vertical guides  74  interact with vertical guide recesses  86 , ensuring that proper support orientation is achieved, and stops  76 , interacting with support platform  80 , prevent support platform  80  from exiting bay  70 . 
   If obverse side  82  is exposed, then screws  90  are rotated approximately 30–90°, thereby causing arms  92  to similarly rotate. Over-rotation is prevented by the abutment of arms  92  with stops  96 , at which time arms  92  are generally parallel to track extensions  22 ′ and  24 ′; preferably, arms  92  are sufficiently rotated to compressively contact respective rail to tie conductors  62   a/b . If reverse side  84  is exposed, then a similar procedure is practiced. Removal is accomplished by reversing the order of installation, and by using handles  88   a/b  as needed. It therefore can be seen that by simple rotation of screws  90   a/b  (approximately 30–90°), support platform  80  can be removed, inverted, replaced and re-secured by again rotating screws  90   a/b.    
   As was the case with cleaning segment  20 , numerous alternatives to the disclosed means for providing power to assembly  120  are contemplated. For example, biased surface contacts operatively coupled to track extensions  22 ′ and  24 ′, and to track segment  12  may be used at one or more of the perimeter walls  72   a/b  in conjunction with complementary structure associated with assembly  120  (see  FIG. 11 ). Moreover, detents or similar locate and hold arrangements can be used to secure support platform  80  in bay  70  (see  FIG. 12 ). 
   Third Embodiment 
     FIGS. 9–12  show an active or powered wheel cleaning assembly. Here, any desirable variety of wheel cleaning elements are integrated with assembly  120  (or logically with cleaning segment  20 ), with rotary cleaning assembly  140  being shown. Alternatively or in addition to rotary cleaning assembly  140 , vibrating cleaning elements can be used. While power delivery means such as that described with respect to the second embodiment is equally applicable to this third embodiment, taps  160  extending from bay rail segment  122  and  124  or a separate power source can be used (because active cleaning elements are used, it is not necessary, although it remains desirable, to provide power to rail extensions  22 ′ and  24 ′ or the elements themselves). Taps  160  can be configured to operatively accept corresponding taps  162 , which are coupled to rail extensions  22 ′ and  24 ′ as shown. Two different means for coupling taps  160  with taps  162  are shown in  FIGS. 9–11  and  12 . In  FIGS. 9–11 , a leaf spring biased means is shown, while in  FIG. 12  a compression spring biased means is shown. In the first instance, tap  160  includes recessed portion  161 , which in conjunction with the adjacent extending portions of tap  160  create a deformable contact surface. Similarly, contact portion  164  of tap  162  has resilient characteristics, thereby permitting a light compression interlock between taps  160  and  162 . Moreover, because contact portion  164  is sized to fit within recessed portion  161 , unintentional vertical movement of support  80 ′ is minimized. In the second instance, conductive ball and spring assembly  166  interfaces with detent  161 ′ of tap  160 ′, thereby accomplishing the desired connection. Power may then be delivered to rail extensions  22 ′ and  24 ′ and/or motor  146  of rotary cleaning assembly  140 . In the event that a user desires to disable motor  146 , button switch  148  (see  FIG. 9 ), which is a SPST switch, is used in conjunction with motor  146  and its power leads. 
   Fourth Embodiment 
   Yet another embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 13–15 . In this embodiment, rather than relying upon removal-replacement or removal-inversion, wheel cleaning assembly  220  relies upon rotation of support platform  280 . In many respects, this embodiment is a modification of support platform  80  and bay  70 : it eliminates rail extensions  22  and  24  (or rail extensions  22 ′ and  24 ′), and modifies support platform  80  (now identified as support platform  280 ) and bay  70  (now identified as bay  270 ) to provide rotation of support platform  280 . In this embodiment, pivot shafts  288   a/b  extend from the central longitudinal axis of support platform  280  and are rotationally received by corresponding pillow blocks  274   a/b  formed in bay  270 . Caps  276   a/b  are fixedly (and optionally removably) attached to pillow blocks  274   a/b  to prevent unintentional escapement of support platform  280 . Preferably, lateral sides  286   c/d  of support platform  280  are curved so as not to interfere with bay  270 , and include captive poppets  290   a/b  that locate in corresponding detents  276  formed in opposing perimeter walls  272   c  and  272   d  of bay  270 . In a preferred embodiment, power taps extend from the rail ends to one detent location (according to any of the power delivery means described herein or as known to a skilled person in the art), and similarly to the opposing detent location. Thus, it is only necessary to establish electrical continuity between captive poppets  290   a/b  and conductive brushes  41  (and also corresponding track elements of track segment  212 ) to have a functional apparatus. Naturally, power can be delivered to brushes  41  via shafts  288 . 
   A variant of this embodiment is shown in  FIG. 16 , the significant modification being the axis of rotation. Thus, bay  270 ′ has been modified as well as support  280 ′ as shown.