US1779605A - Track structure for toy electric railways - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 28, 1930. J. c. KOERBER 1,779,605

TRACK STRUCTURE FOR TOY ELECTRIC RAILWAYS Filed Dec. 51, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR BY (I061: cKaenel \w. ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1930. Y c KOERBER 1,779,605

TRACK STRUCTURE FOR TOY ELECTRIC RAILWAYS Filed Dec. 51, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

J08 fiyga's J U U IN'TIENTOR 105 85 E U Johzz CJQerber 74 bmchvifi lazm ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 28, 1930 I UNITED "STAT PATENAT YOF FICE 1* JOHN c. xonmma or SOUTH QRANGE, NEW JERSEY imex sTRncTU'REroIt TOY ELECTRIC nAILwAvs,

Application filed December -31,192 8.; Serialloif329j9i2.

. This invention 're'lates toftoy railways and for mechanical or electrical toy railways.

One object-of my invention is to provide an improved toy railway track, the rails of which are adjustable toward and away from one another, so that the track may be altered n from a track of one gauge to track ofjanother above indicated and wherein means is provided for eleetrically connecting the rails to an external circuit; r I i A further obj ectof my invention is to provide an improved toy electric railway track section with improved means for connecting the railsof the section w1th one or more electric circuits and wherein the use of the usual conducting track clips is avoi ded.-

' Other objectsof my 'inventionwill appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein: I

Figure 1 is a top plan view of atrack section showing one embodiment of my invention and wherein the tracksection is shown as joined to sections of narrow gauge track. Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing'my improved section joined to sections ofwide gauge track. V

Figurefi is a perspective View ofrthe improved track section shown in Figures 1 and 2.

I Figure 4 is-a bottom plan View of the structure shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line.55 of Figure 1. e

- Figure 6 is a top plan view of a track-section showing a modified formof my inven- I tion wherein the outside rails, each include a s er,tlinsulateilportion designed for use in the operation o f w more particularly to the track constructions 'y'side cross gates, or

similar devices;

f Figure 7 is abottom plaii viewiofthe structure shown in Figure 6. V ,7 a :F'gure 8 i a sectional view taken on, the line 8-8 of Figure 6,

"Figure 9 is a perspecti veview of at'racli section showing a still :turther mo dification, and

Figure 10 is a perspectivegview of a jstill "further modified form of my invention. v Q "Referring to'Figu'rel, reference characters 110" and 11 represent: ends of narrow gauge track sections 'ofthe typecommonly employed intoy electriciailways' andjoinmg the ends 10" and 1"1'is' a short track section 12 which .1 forms with the remaining sections a continuous track, having two, outer, wheel bear ng rails and an intermediate th rd ra lor power frail.

The track section comprises ofinsulatingv material which is formed with "two longitudinal slots, 16 and :17, respectively, 'which extend inwardly from points ad] a- "cent to' thefopposite' "ends of the base.

Mountedto slide in the slots'16 and 17 are sheet inet alclips 18 and 19 respectively, 'which" extend upwardly through the slots and are bent at their upper ends over the flanges of the wheel bearing rails 20 and 2-1 otithetrack section." For the purpdseof re- .taining the clips 18 and 19 in'their respective slots, the bottoms of these clips are" formed with lateral extensions 22 which bear against the 'under-faceofthe base 15 and bearing against the upper face of the base are sheet metal plates 30 and -31; eachof which is provided with twoslots 32"through which 'the upper'ends of clip 18 or ,19 respectively, extend. Ifdesired the metal plates 30 and 31 may be made resilient so as to press upwardly against the lower face-of the'rail flanges and downwardly against the upper face of the base 15 and in thisrnanner serve to hold the clips and attached rails in their adjusted po sitions along; the base.

The metal plate 31 is formedat one corner withan extension 34 to which is secured, as

.bysjmeans of fan eyelet '35, a terminal binding member or clip 36 adapted to hold a terminal wire.

Rigidly secured to the base 15, between the rails 20 and 21 and insulated therefrom, is a third rail or rail section 40. The third rail 40 is secured to the base 15 by a sheet metal member 42, located beneath the base and provided with lugs 43 which extend upwardly through the base and are bent over the lower flange of the third rail 40.

Member 42 is "formed with a portion 44 which extends along the underside of the base 15 and is secured. to the base at its outer end by an eyelet 46. Eyelet 46 extends through the base and serves 'to hold a termin al binding member or clip 47.

The rails of the section 12 are formed of sheet metal, and have hollow tubular heads 29 in which are secured projecting pins 50, employed for connecting the section to the adjacent sections of track as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The pins 50 project into'the tubular heads of the corresponding rails of adjacent sections and serve to hold the track sections together.

To adapt the section 12 for engagement with sections of a narrow gauge track, the rails 20 and 21 are pressed inward toward the centre rail so that they occupy the positions shown in Figures 1 and 3. The section 12 may then be joined to theadjacent ends of sections of narrow gauge track in the usual manner by pushing the pins 50 of one section into the tubular openings at the rail ends of the adjacent section. To adjust the section 12 for attachment to sections of --ra ils of the track to a terminal of an external circuit and also a second terminal means adapted to connect the intermediate or third rail to another terminal of an external ci rcuit. By these terminal means the wheelbearing rails of the assembled track may be connected to one terminal of a source ofsupply and the power or third rail to the other terminal of such source.

In the track section shown in Figures (Ste 8 incluslve. the adjustment for wide and narrow gauge is by movement of one of the wheel-bearing rails and the intermediate power rail, instead of by movement of both of the wheel-bearing rails as in the form of invention shown in Figures 1 to 5. The modification shown in Figures 6 to 8 also differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 5, in

that the wheel'bearing rails in the form of invention shown in Figures 6 to 8, each comprise a number of insulated rall sections and provision is made for connecting difierent rail sections with different terminals.

The track section shown in Figures 6 to 8 comprises an insulating base 57, to which is secured a stationary wheel-bearing rail 58, a movable wheel-bearing rail and a movable third or power rail 60. The rail 58 comprises end sections 63 and 64 respectively and an intermediate insulated section 65. The end sections 63 and 64 are secured to the base 57 by clips 66. Oneof the clips 66 which serves to secure the rail section 63 and one of the clips-66 which serves tosecure the rail section 64 to the base, may be extended beneath the base as indicated at 68 and be connected by means of an eyelet 69 to a terminal binding member or clip- 70. In this manner the rail sections 63 and 64 may each. be electrically connected with an external circuit or the two rail sections 63 and 64 maybe electrically connected with one another. The intermediate insulated rail section may be connected to a binding clip 72 by means of an eyelet 73 and a plate 74 secured to the bottom of the base 57 bythe eyelet 73 and by one of the clips 66.

The intermediate adjustable rail 60 is secured to the base by means of clips 76 and 77 which are movable respectively in slots 78 I and 79 formed in the base 57. Interposed be tween the base and the power rail 60 and held in position by the clips 76 and 77 are metal plates 80 which are similar in form to the plate 30 shown in Figure 3.. The clip 77 is formed beneath the base 57 with an extension 82 whichjprojects outwardly from one end of the base and carries a terminal binding member 84 which is secured to the outer end of the extension 82 by an eyelet 85.

The movable wheel-bearing rail 59 is formed of three sections, two outer sections 90, each of which is secured to the base 57 by sheet metal clips 92' which extend through and are'movable in slots 93 in the base. The wheel-bearing rail 59 also comprises an insulated intermediate section 98 which is secured to the base by a clip 99 that extends through and is movable in a slot 100 in the base. The clip 99'also serves to secure to the underside of the base, a metal strip 102 whichforms an electrical connection between the clip 99 and themetal plate 74, thus serving as part of an electrical connection between the insulated rail section 98 and the terminal binding member 72. Strip 102 is preferably formed of resilient metal and bears downwardly against an offset portion 105 of the plate 74, one edge of the strip 102 being located between the offset portion 105 of the plate 74 and the bottom of the base 57 as shown in Figure 7. To prevent lateral movement of the strip 102 awayfrom the plate 74 I may provide a guidingplate 108 secured to the bottom of the base 57 at the strip 102.

lVhile Ihave shown the end sections and the opposite edge of (the intermediate section 98 of the wheel bearingirail 59 as independently adjustable along their respective slots, it is 'obvious that these severalsections may be connected'together by insulating material sothat the entire railsec tion 59 may be adjusted as aunit. a v

Also, while I have shown separate terminal means connected respectiVe-lyfto thepower rail and each of the sections of the rail58, it is obvious that in certain cases one or more of these terminal means may be omitted." v

z In the modification shown in Figure 9', I provide a stationary or" fiXedwh'eel-bearing rail 110,'a movable Wheel-bearing rail 111 and a movable third or power rail 112. The staj tionary rail 110 has a short 'se ction: 115 Wll'iich isspaced at its ends andsoinsulated fromthe fremainingiportions of the wheelebear ing rail 110. The rails 111 and 112 aremo'vablei along 'wbeing h'elds by clips 122 which'extendthrough the slots 120 formed in the base .l2liithese rails .andaremovablealong the slots 51;; 1.1 a

Electrical connectionbetween a terminal of an. outside-circuit and: the third rail'11 2cis through a binding member124 secured to an extension of one of the clips 122.,thisexte1ifsioniheing shown in dotted lines in Figure T 1: Thelseparate sectionslof the wheel-bearing rail111Q are securedto the base-121 v by meanstof clips 128 which may be extended beneaththe ;[jase as in'dicatediinfdotted lines to form electrical connection between each rail section land an eyelet 5129 and thence throrigh'thdelyelet to the bindingimember 130. '1 1 It will be seen that in the form ofimyfin ven- 'tion showninEigures 1 moi-hat provide a 'Lfixed or stationary base': and adjustable rails and terminal 1means. army; ifgdesiredi make the terminal means stationary'and adapted to have sliding contact with the movablerails or some conducting-member securedto the movable mile; :1 maylalso' if desirediprovide mov- "able oradj'ustable terminal means adapted to cooperate with a fixed base and fixedrails, the

terminal means being secured or clamped to "a toy railway track of wide gauge on of'gnar row gauge with anfexternal' circuit and this terminal meansis heldby a base orvtie which imam servesto support sections of track rail and furthermore-the terminal means; in being adjustedto adaptit to' tracksof different gauge; is'movable relative to the basqor rail In the form of invention shown in Fig1ire '10;jinsteadgof pmviding atraek section-with vable rails to adapt it for connection with ltra'ek sectidns orwide omfialarrbw: gauge, 1

provide a short track' section with fivest'ationary rail sections arranged parallel to one fian- Equally spaced fromthe power rail atioppo. site sides of the'power rail aretwo wheel-bearing rails 1 11 which serve as a connecting means between the adjacent endsof the wheelbearing rails of narrow gauge track."Also locatedon oppositesides of the :power rail and :spaced at a greater distance from'the l-power rail are two rails 142 which serve as wheel-bearing rail'sections when the terminal device is used with track "of wide gauge. The rails 1 10-1 12 are shown Figure 10 as supported by a sheet metal base or-tie which is formed with lugs 145 that serve to clamp or hold the lower flanges ofthe railstothe top of the tie. The power rail 1 10 is insulated from themetal ofthe tie by a piecee'of flexible insulating material 14A, this being -theusual 7 construction for insulating rails-from theirsupporting ties. The remaining rails 141 and 142 are in electrical contact with the'metal of the tie; To provide a meansfor connecting the rails 1 11 and 142 with an external circuit I mount a binding member or clip 151 at one end of the tie, and I also provide suit-able means for connecting the power rail] section 140 to a circuit terminal as the binding clip 152 secured directlyto the power rail section. While have shown the rail sections 140- 142 as attachedto and supported'by asheet metal tie of the usualform, it is obviousthat other supporting means may'be employed." 7 7 As a further modification of my invention, I may if desired mount suitable wayside accessory such. as a signalkor station light ,on the'b'ase ofany of theforms oftracksection herein disclosed, or I may in some" other way connect such device with the tracksection so that the two form a unitary structure. *Thus the endof the base 15 shown in Figures 1to5 oppositethe binding terminals 36 and arm he extendedso as to formva support forestation light and the circuit terminalsof the light connected by flexible wires to"the bind ing terminals 36 andA7 respectively. s V

A Or'if desired the accessory may beltorrned with a sheet metal base whichforms a ground terminal for the accessory circuits and this base extended soithat jfthe movable rail 20 slides in contact therewith, thus forming an electrical circuit connection between the binding terminal membersBG which may be connected to a source of current and oneterminal oflthe accessory by way of the wheel-bearing rails. The other terminal of, the accessory maybeconnected by a conductor to thethird rail. J a. 1 I r Havingnow described my invention; what other; 7' The centre section 140'is employed as a power rail section for both wide and narrow gauge tracks and serves as a connection, between theadjacent ends'ofthepower rail of standard Wide gaugeror'i narrow gauge track.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patcut is:

1. A short toy railway track section comprising a central power rail and wheel bearing rails at opposite sides of said power'rail and means permitting the attachment of said section to sections of track of wide ornarrow gauge, so as to form, with either of said last named sections, a continuous track.

2. A short toy railway track section comprising a central power rail and wheel bearing rails at opposite sides of said power rail, means permitting the attachment of said section to sections of track of wide or narrow gauge, so as to form with either of said last named sections a continuous track, and separate terminal means connected to the power and wheel bearing rails.

3. A tjoy railway track section having three parallel rails, two of which are bodily adjustable toward and away from the remaining rail.

4. A toy railway track section having three jparallel rails, two of which are adjustable toward and away from the remaining rail, and terminal members electrically connected to different rails.

5. A toy railway track section having two outside wheel bearing rails and an intermediate third rail, two of said rails being adjustable toward and away from the remaining rail, so as to change'the track gauge of the section. H

6. A toy railway track section having two outside wheel bearing rails and an intermediate third rail, two of said rails being adjustable toward and away from the remaining rail, so as to change the track gauge of the section, and terminal members, each electrically connected to a diiferent rail.

. 7. A toy railway track section comprising wheel-bearing rails and a. third rail, means connecting and serving to support said rails, and terminalmeans adapted to be supported by said supporting means, said terminal means comprising an elementadapted to engage said rail supporting means and movable relative: to said rail supporting means to adapt said terminal means to tracks of difierent gauge. Y r c I a r 8. A toy railway track section comprising wheel-bearing rails and a third rail,=means connecting and serving to support said rails and terminal means comprising an element adapted for holding engagement with and movable relative to said rail supporting means, said element being adapted to occupy difi'erent positions to adapt said terminal means to tracks of diiferent gauge.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of an insulating base, of rails supported by said base, one of said rails being adjustable toward and away from another rail to adapt said track section for use in tracks of different gauge and said base being formed to guide said rail in its movement.

10. A toy railway track section comprising an insulating base formed with slots, a stationary rail secured to said base, a movable rail, holding means for said movable rail eX- tending through said slot and terminal. means electrically connected to said holding means.

11. A toy railway track section comprising a base, a stationary third rail mounted on said base, two wheel-bearing rails mounted on said base at opposite sides of said third rail, said wheel-bearing rails being movable along said base toward and away from said third rail so as to adapt said track section for use in tracks of different gauge.

12. A toy railway track section comprising a base, a stationary third rail section mounted on said base, two wheel-bearing rail sections mounted on said base at opposite sides of said third' rail, said wheel-bearing rails being movable along said base toward and away from said third rail, so as to adapt said track section for use in tracks of different gauge, terminal means connected tosaid third rail and terminal means connected to said wheelbearing rails.

13. In a device of the class described a base having slots therein, a pair of wheel bearing rails and a power rail mounted on said base, two of said rails being adjustable relative to the'third rail to adapt the rails for connection to tracks of different gage,

said slots serving as guides for the adjustment of said rails and circuit terminals connected to different rails.

14. In a device of the class described an insulated base having slots therein, a pair of wheel bearing rails and a power rail mounted on said base, two ofsaid rails being adjustable relative to the third rail to adapt the rails for connection to tracks of diflerent gage, said slots serving as guides for the adjustment of said rails and circuit terminals connected to different rails.

15. A toy railway track section comprising a base, a stationary third rail mounted on said base, a stationary terminal mounted on said base and connected withsaid third rail, two wheel-bearing rails mounted on said base at opposite sides of said third rail, said wheel bearing rails. being movable toward and away from said third rail so as to adapt said track section for use in tracks of diflerent gauge and a terminalconnected to a wheelbearing rail and movable therewith.

16. A toy railway track section having two outside wheel bearing rails and an intermediate power rail, one of said wheel bearing rails and said power rail being each adjustable toward and away from the remaining wheel bearing rail so as to change the gauge of the section.

17. A toy railway track section consisting of a central power rail and two pairs of wheel bearing rails, the two rails of each pair being located at opposite sides of the power rail and spaced from said power rail so as to permit one of said pairs to be used as wheel bearing rails for vehicles of one gaugeand theother of said pairs to be used as wheel bearing rails for vehicles of another gauge.

18. A toy railway track section having two outside wheel-bearing rails and an interme diate power rail, one of said wheel-bearing rails and said power rail being each adjustable toward and away from the remaining wheel-bearing rail so as to change the gauge 7 of the section and terminal members 0011-} nected, respectively, to the power rail and a wheel-bearing rail.

19. A short toy railway track section conslsting of a central power rail and two pairs of wheel-bearing rails, the two rails of each pair being located at power rail and'spaced om said power rail so as to'permit one of said pairs to be used as wheel-bearing rails for vehicles of one gauge and the other of said pairs to be used as wheel-bearlng rails for vehicles of another gauge and terminal members connected, re-

spectively, to the power rail and a wheel bearing rail.

Signed at New York, in the county of New 1 York and State of New York, this 21st day 7 of December, A. V

JOHN C. KOERBER.

opposite sides of the I I

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