Low power illumination system for scale models

• US 6,231,421 B1
• Filed: 10/16/1997
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NC Train Acquisition LLC
• Original Assignee: Albert C. Ruocchio
• Inventors: Ruocchio, Albert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kien T.
• Application Number:
  US08/951,723
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 446/431, 446/438, 446/439, 362/479, 362/218, 362/310
• US Class Current: 446/438
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/28 Electric lighting systems

Abstract

A low-power lighting system for illuminating the interior of scale models such as model railroad cars is disclosed. The lighting system includes a plurality of miniature bulbs in the 2.5 to 3.0 Volt range operating at 100 milliamps that are soldered directly to a printed circuit board in lieu of socket mounting to provide a low-profile configuration to the assembled lighting system which can be installed within the interior roof structure of a scale model so as to be hidden from exterior view. The printed circuit board which carries the miniature bulbs is configured to fit various standard classes of model railroad cars and scale model buildings to permit interior details thereof to be displayed. The lighting system dissipates the heat intensity of the miniature bulbs over the entire surface area of the printed circuit board to eliminate hot spots and warpage of plastic model structures.

Claims

1. A low power illumination system for scale models, comprising:

a scale model member having walls covered by a roof to define an interior and having windows for observing said interior;

a planar circuit board member including first connilector means, said circuit board disposed in said interior and having an upper surface connected to said roof and a lower facing exposed to said interior;

second connector means electrically connected to said first connector means and extending outwardly of the model member for connection to a power supply;

a plurality of miniature light bulbs mounted on said lower surface of said circuit board member and electrically connected to said first connector means, said light bulbs positioned with respect to said windows whereby illumination of said light bulbs will illuminate said interior without said light bulbs being directly visible through said windows.

2. The illumination system as recited in claim 1 wherein said miniature bulbs are disposed at predetermined intervals to provide even illumination of said interior.

3. The illumination system as recited in claim 1 wherein said light bulbs have longitudinal axes parallel to said lower surface.

4. The illumination system as recited in claim 1 wherein said light bulbs are arranged in sets and each set is disposed at separated discrete portions of said interior.

5. The illumination system as recited in claim 4 wherein said scale model is a railroad car.

6. The illumination system as recited in claim 5 wherein said railroad car has an elongated longitudinally extending roof and said circuit board extends substantially thereunder.

7. The illumination system as recited in claim 6 wherein an auxiliary light bulb is electrically connected to said first connector means and mounted on a wall for direct visibility on the exterior of said scale model.

8. The illumination system as recited in 5 wherein said railroad car has discrete locations in said interior and said circuit board member includes a first circuit board located at a first discrete location and a second circuit board located at a second discrete location.