System and method for directing smoke in a model train system

• US 8,905,809 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2011
• Issued: 12/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lionel LLC
• Original Assignee: Lionel LLC
• Inventors: Mosher, Richard James, Rohde, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baldori, Joseph B
• Application Number:
  US13/273,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20120094570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 446/25, 446/24, 446/178, 446/467
• US Class Current: 446/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/14 Arrangements for imitating locomotive features, e.g. whistling, signalling, puffing

Abstract

A system and method is provided for directing smoke in a model train. In one embodiment of the present invention, the model train includes a smoke chamber physically connected to a smoke unit. The smoke unit functions to produce smoke, which is then provided to at least one smoke chamber. Each smoke chamber includes at least one exhaust opening and a valve for selectively moving smoke out of the exhaust opening(s). For example, the smoke chamber may include an intake opening, at least two exhaust openings, a piston core and a piston driven by a drive rod. By moving the drive rod, the piston can be moved through the piston core, resulting in the movement of smoke out of the exhaust openings. By positioning the exhaust openings near the wheels of the model train, the smoke system can be used to simulate steam escaping from valves or cylinders.

Claims

1. A model train comprising:

a smoke unit configured to produce a quantity of smoke; and

a smoke chamber comprising at least one intake opening physically connected to the smoke unit, at least two exhaust openings, a piston, and a drive rod; and

a fan configured to move at least a portion of the quantity of smoke to the smoke chamber;

wherein the at least one intake opening is configured to receive the at least a portion of the quantity of smoke from the smoke unit, a first end of the drive rod is physically connected to the piston, and the drive rod is configured to move the piston (i) away from a first one of the at least two exhaust openings and over a second one of the at least two exhaust openings to enable a first portion of the quantity of smoke to exit the first one of the at least two exhaust openings and (ii) away from the second one of the at least two exhaust openings and over the first one of the at least two exhaust openings to enable a second portion of the quantity of smoke to exit the second one of the at least two exhaust openings.

2. The model train of claim 1, wherein the smoke unit further comprises a smoke generator for generating the quantity of smoke.

3. The model train of claim 1, wherein the model train further comprises a motor in communication with a second end of the drive rod, wherein the motor is configured to move at least a portion of the drive rod, and thereby the piston, through the smoke chamber.

4. The model train of claim 3, wherein the motor is further configured to rotate at least one wheel of the model train.

5. The model train of claim 3, wherein the motor is further configured to rotate at least a cam connected to the second end of the drive rod, wherein the rotation of the cam results in the movement of the at least a portion of the drive rod, and thereby the piston, through the smoke chamber.

6. The model train of claim 3, wherein the motor is further configured to toggle a lever connected to the second end of the drive rod, wherein the toggling of the lever results in the movement of the at least a portion of the drive rod, and thereby the piston, through the smoke chamber.

7. The model train of claim 1, wherein the model train further comprises an electromagnetic coil around a second end of the drive rod, wherein power is applied to the electromagnetic coil to move at least a portion of the drive rod, and thereby the piston, through the smoke chamber in a first direction.

8. The model train of claim 7, wherein the model train further comprises a return spring physically connected to the second end of the drive rod, wherein power is removed from the electromagnetic coil to move at least a portion of the drive rod, and thereby the piston, through the smoke chamber in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

9. A method for directing smoke in a model train, comprising:

producing by a smoke generator a quantity of smoke;

moving by at least one fan at least a portion of the quantity of smoke through at least one tube and into a smoke chamber;

manipulating a piston (i) away from a first one of at least two exhaust openings in the smoke chamber and over a second one of the at least two exhaust openings to allow a first portion of the smoke to be exhausted from a first one of the at least two exhaust openings, and (ii) away from the second one of the at least two exhaust openings in the smoke chamber and over the first one of the at least two exhaust openings to enable a second portion of the quantity of smoke to exit from the second one of the at least two exhaust openings, thereby simulating an exhaustion of smoke from the model train.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of manipulating a piston away from a first one of the at least two exhaust openings in the smoke chamber further comprises manipulating a drive rod in order to exhaust the first portion of the smoke from the first one of the at least two exhaust openings, wherein a first end of the drive rod is physically connected to the piston.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of manipulating the drive rod further comprises using a motor to manipulate the drive rod, wherein the motor is in communication with a second end of the drive rod.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the motor is further used to rotate at least one wheel of the model train.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of using the motor to manipulate the drive rod further comprises using the motor to rotate at least a cam connected to the second end of the drive rod.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of using the motor to manipulate the drive rode further comprises using the motor to toggle a lever connected to the second end of the drive rod.

15. The model train of claim 10, wherein the step of manipulating the drive rod further comprises using an electromagnetic coil and a return spring to manipulate the drive rod.

16. A model train comprising:

a first unit configured to produce a quantity of visual substance selected from smoke and steam;

a second unit physically connected to the first unit, and comprising at least a first and a second exhaust opening, at least one piston, and at least one drive rod; and

a fan configured to move at least a portion of the quantity of visual substance to the second unit;

wherein the second unit is configured to receive the at least a portion of the quantity of visual substance from the first unit, a first end of the at least one drive rod is physically connected to the at least one piston, and the at least one drive rod is configured to move the at least one piston (i) away from the first exhaust opening and over the second exhaust opening to enable a first portion of the at least a portion of the quantity of visual substance to be exhausted from the first exhaust opening and (ii) over the second exhaust opening and over the first exhaust opening to enable a second portion of the at least a portion of the quantity of visual substance from the second exhaust opening.

17. The model train of claim 16, wherein the model train further comprises a motor in communication with a second end of the drive rod, wherein the motor is configured to move at least a portion of the at least one drive rod, and thereby the at least one piston, through the second unit, and to rotate at least one wheel of the model train.

18. The model train of claim 17, wherein the motor is further configured to one rotate at least one cam connected to the second end of the drive rod and toggle at least one lever connected to the second end of the drive rod, wherein the rotation of the at least one cam results in the movement of the at least a portion of the at least one drive rod, and thereby the at least one piston, through the second unit, and the toggling of the at least one lever results in the movement of the at least a portion of the at least one drive rod, and thereby the at least one piston, through the second unit.