US3566104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Model railway switch assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-07-30
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Granted: 1971-02-23
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Expires: 1988-07-30
Abstract
Abstract A model switch assembly is provided of the kind in which the switch includes blades or rails depended upon both (a) a) for controlling which of two track forks a locomotive or train will be delivered onto from a main track section, and (b) for delivering electrical energy selectively to the track forks and through the track forks to operating instrumentalities on the locomotive and/or the cars. Firm but yielding conductive pressure of both ends of either switch blade with cooperative rails is assured by providing a switch pivot which is normally biased to a datum position, but which can yield. With this arrangement, when one end of a switch blade is closed on a rail, that does not block the closing of the opposite end of the blade nor the keeping of it pressed firmly and dependably on the rail with which it is designed to cooperate.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence K Edwards
- 👤 Lawrence D Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 06:33
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H19/00; A63H19/30; A63H19/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
379 words
A model railroad forked track assembly comprising, in combination: a. first and second principal rail members having parallel portions which form a main track section, but which diverge to form elements of two forked track sections, together with first and second auxiliary, frog-connected, divergent rail members which cooperate, respectively, with the first and second principal rail members to constitute, respectively, distinct alternatively active continuations of the main track section; b. a rail bed supporting all of said rail members in fixed relation with one another; c. a switch unit which includes alternatively active, side by side, first and second wheel bearing rail members, interposed between the main track section portions of the principal rail members and the forked sections, and operable between opposite extreme positions in the first of which the first rail member of the switch bears firmly in wheel sustaining and guiding relation at its opposite ends, respectively, with the first principal rail member and the frog, and in the other of which the second rail member of the switch bears firmly in wheel sustaining and guiding relation at its opposite ends, respectively, with the second principal rail member and the frog; d. a yieldable switch operator movable laterally of the track and connected to the switch near one extremity thereof, for placing the main track section selectively in communication with one or the other of the forked sections through a pivotal action of the switch; e. a yieldable actuator for urging the switch operator toward either of two opposite extreme positions; f. spring means providing an intermediate floating pivot for the switch, said pivot-providing spring means being constructed and arranged constantly to urge the switch pivot to a definite datum position, and serving to maintain the pivot in that position so long as both ends of the switch are free; and the construction and arrangement being such that in any switch shifting operation the end of the switch remote from the switch operator will always be first closed and blocked against further movement, the pivot providing spring means will then yield laterally through resilient deformation sufficiently to permit the switch end adjacent the operator to be fully and firmly closed, while resiliently urging the first closed switch end to its closed position and maintaining it there.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
379 words
A model railroad forked track assembly comprising, in combination: a. first and second principal rail members having parallel portions which form a main track section, but which diverge to form elements of two forked track sections, together with first and second auxiliary, frog-connected, divergent rail members which cooperate, respectively, with the first and second principal rail members to constitute, respectively, distinct alternatively active continuations of the main track section; b. a rail bed supporting all of said rail members in fixed relation with one another; c. a switch unit which includes alternatively active, side by side, first and second wheel bearing rail members, interposed between the main track section portions of the principal rail members and the forked sections, and operable between opposite extreme positions in the first of which the first rail member of the switch bears firmly in wheel sustaining and guiding relation at its opposite ends, respectively, with the first principal rail member and the frog, and in the other of which the second rail member of the switch bears firmly in wheel sustaining and guiding relation at its opposite ends, respectively, with the second principal rail member and the frog; d. a yieldable switch operator movable laterally of the track and connected to the switch near one extremity thereof, for placing the main track section selectively in communication with one or the other of the forked sections through a pivotal action of the switch; e. a yieldable actuator for urging the switch operator toward either of two opposite extreme positions; f. spring means providing an intermediate floating pivot for the switch, said pivot-providing spring means being constructed and arranged constantly to urge the switch pivot to a definite datum position, and serving to maintain the pivot in that position so long as both ends of the switch are free; and the construction and arrangement being such that in any switch shifting operation the end of the switch remote from the switch operator will always be first closed and blocked against further movement, the pivot providing spring means will then yield laterally through resilient deformation sufficiently to permit the switch end adjacent the operator to be fully and firmly closed, while resiliently urging the first closed switch end to its closed position and maintaining it there.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A model railroad forked track assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which the yieldable actuator for the switch operator is a spring toggle actuator adapted when it has been moved from either extreme position across dead center to urge the operator toward the opposite extreme position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A model railroad forked track assembly as set forth in claim 2 which further includes: g. a source of electrical energy; and h. means connecting opposite terminals of said source to the respective rails which form the first track section, and in which said rails are selectively connected to the remaining rails of the forked sections through the switch, as required by the setting of the switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A model railroad forked track assembly as set forth in claim 1 in which the means providing intermediate pivotal support for the switch consists of a resilient length of wire having its ends confined and fixed against lateral movement by the track bed, the wire and the switch being connected to one another with limited freedom for relative pivotal movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
A model railroad forked track assembly as set forth in claim 4 in which the switch is supported on the track bed between the rails of the first section and the wire is disposed beneath the track bed, the switch having a wire receiving eye portion which extends down below the track bed, the construction and arrangement being such that the switch is retained in operative relation to the track bed chiefly, at least, by the wire.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A model railroad forked track assembly as set forth in claim 5 in which at least one end of the wire has freedom to shift longitudinally as the wire bends, so that lateral displacement of the switch pivot demands flexure of the wire but no stretching of the wire.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |