Model train system with improved banking characteristics

• US 6,155,177 A
• Filed: 07/13/1998
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Peter Backfisch
• Original Assignee: Peter Backfisch
• Inventors: Backfisch, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Jospeh
• Assistant Examiner(s): JULES, FRANTZ F
• Application Number:
  US09/114,624
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 104/53, 104/125, 104/126, 104/DIG. 1, 104/296, 104/295, 104/140, 104/56, 238/10 R, 238/10 E, 238/15, 446/446, 446/447, 446/454, 446/455
• US Class Current: 104/126
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/18 Car coupling or uncoupling mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/24 Electric toy railways; Systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/30 Permanent way; Rails; Rail-joint connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 19/36 Model railway structures, e.g. kinds of arrangement of several units in containers, or on plates, or in combination with scenics for toy purposes models or scenery for general purposes G09B
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/086 with primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls

Abstract

A model railway system with improved banking characteristics 10 comprising a series of track sections 16, 18 joined end-to-end to form a continuous track assembly 12 and a modular trestle assembly 32 to elevate the track assembly 12. The trestle assembly 32 includes a biaxially inclined coupling module 28 that allows the track 12 to be built at a greater incline within a tighter radius than would otherwise be possible. The model railway system 10 includes a battery 114 powered locomotive 110 with a portable hand-held remote control device 84 that uses infrared signals 102 to send commands to the locomotive 110. The locomotive 110 pulls modular train cars 53,54 that have coupling protrusions 30 and beam support brackets 64 to support accesories to build different types of cars.

Claims

1. A model railway system with improved banking characteristics comprising:

a) a plurality of track sections having two parallel rails supported by transverse railroad ties;

b) means comprising a male/female interlocking mechanism for joining said track sections in an end-to-end manner to form a continuous track assembly having two parallel rails;

c) a modular trestle assembly system for elevating said track including at least one biaxially inclined coupling module;

d) said modular trestle assembly comprising a base having top and bottom surfaces, a truss having top and bottom surfaces, a plurality of coupling modules having top and bottom surfaces for coupling said truss to said base, and means on the top surfaces of said base and coupling modules, and on the bottom surfaces of said coupling modules and said truss for coupling said base, said coupling modules and said truss together to form said trestle assembly;

e) said coupling means comprising a coupling protrusion and a rib-framed receiving cavity;

f) said truss being coupled to a plurality of said coupling modules and said coupling modules are coupled to said base;

g) said track sections having an interior edge, a retaining flange extending the length of said interior edge, and said track sections having at least one track surface with a rumble strip, said rumble strip comprising a series of transverse serrations on said track surface;

h) a train to travel along said track surface, said train comprising a locomotive for pulling one or more train cars, said locomotive comprising a body including a topside, a bottom, a front end and a back end, a drive assembly including an electric motor, a power source for said electric motor, a transverse axle having opposing ends affixed rotatably to said bottom of said locomotive body and a central portion with means for being rotatably driven by said electric motor and means for mating said locomotive with said train cars; and

i) each said train car comprising a body having four sides with the body having u-shaped beam support brackets extending perpendicularly from said body, a top with a plurality of coupling protrusions and a bottom with a similar number of receiving cavities, a first pivoting wheel platform and a second pivoting wheel platform, each said pivoting platform comprising;

i) a plate having a topside with a centrally located coupling protrusion adapted to be removably, pivotally placed into a central receiving cavity on said underside of said car body;

ii) two or more parallel axle assemblies on an underside of said plate with each said axle having two ends with said wheels rotatable affixed to each said end; and

iii) means for removably and pivotally connecting one said train car to another or to said locomotive.

2. A model railway system as recited in claim 1, wherein said power source is at least one battery.

3. A model railway system as recited in claim 2, wherein said power source has a manual on/off switch accessibly located on an exterior portion of said locomotive.

4. A model railway system as recited in claim 1, wherein said locomotive is operated by a hand held remoter control device comprising:

a) a housing;

b) means for transmitting a signal, said transmitting means being contained within said housing and a means for receiving said signal secured to said locomotive;

c) power source for said transmitting means;

d) means for selecting said a signal to be transmitted with a different signal indicating different commands.

5. A model railway system as recited in claim 4, wherein said control power source is at least one battery.

6. A model railway system as recited in claim 5, wherein said lower source is two AAA batteries.

7. A model railway system as recited in claim 6, wherein said control has a color-coded button for each command.

8. A model railway system as recited in claim 4, wherein said topside of said locomotive body has an LED display in a visible location to indicate a low battery condition.

9. A model railway system as recited in claim 1, wherein each said train car further includes a series of support beams, platforms and accessories that are used to assemble an assortment of said train cars to serve various functions.

10. A model railway system as recited in claim 9, wherein said support beams are vertical and have insertion feet that slide into said support brackets.