US3553450A - Device for electric toy and model railroad installation for controlling the operation of vehicles thereon - Google Patents

Device for electric toy and model railroad installation for controlling the operation of vehicles thereon Download PDF

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Publication number
US3553450A
US3553450A US746966A US3553450DA US3553450A US 3553450 A US3553450 A US 3553450A US 746966 A US746966 A US 746966A US 3553450D A US3553450D A US 3553450DA US 3553450 A US3553450 A US 3553450A
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conductor
collector
resistor
section
block
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US746966A
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Max Ernst
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H19/00—Model railways
    • A63H19/24—Electric toy railways; Systems therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H19/00—Model railways
    • A63H19/24—Electric toy railways; Systems therefor
    • A63H2019/243—Anti-collision systems

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a device for electric toy and model railroad installations for controlling the operation of vehicles thereon.
  • the socalled block section-operation has been introduced.
  • the railroad section over which two or more trains run in the same direction is subdivided into sufficiently long sorcalled block sections which are adapted to be blocked and released by signals at the start of the block sections.
  • the entrance signal pertaining thereto is switched to red, and is switched over to green only, i.e. is released or freed for the passage of another train, when the preceding train has left this block section. This will assure that between two succeeding trains there will always be maintained a sufficiently large safety distance.
  • an object of the present invention to provide a device forum in connection with electric toy and model railroad installations for automatically running the installation in block section-operation, which will overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the electric diagram for the block sectionoperation of a direct current operated installation for electric toy and model railroad installations with three block sections, and also illustrates the circuit of one of the three signal devices;
  • FIG. 2 is a circuit similar to that of FIG. 1 but for five block sections.
  • each block section which, preferably at the start thereof is provided with a signalling post, there is located a track section which is not connected to the driving voltage feeder line and the length of which is so selected that even a train which at full speed with the locomotive moves on the said track section, will come to the stop on said track section ahead of the location of the signal.
  • the resistors preceding the control electrodes and pertaining to the contact-free electronic switches are so dimensioned that the control current passing through the motor winding of the employed locomotives, or the control voltage occurring in this connection will open the respective electronic switch which, however, is not yet put into operation by the motor through which the control current passes.
  • each of the provided block sections will at the start thereof be equipped with a signalling device, especially a signal post adapted to emanate a red light signal and a green light signal.
  • each block section is equipped with a contract-free operating signalling device adapted to send a red signal and a green signal.
  • incandescent lamps are provided of which one gives off the red signal, and the other gives off the green signal. Both incandescent lamps are so arranged in a monostable sweep circuit formed by two transistors that the incandescent lamps giving off the red signal are located in the stable branch of the sweep circuit, whereas the incandescent lamp giving off the green signal is located in the unstable branch of the sweep circuit.
  • the control electrode of the electronic switch, especially the transistor, giving off the red signal is through the intervention of a suitably dimensioned resistor connected to the voltage electrode (collector) of the electronic switch giving off the green signal, that while a sufficient control voltage is furnished for opening the switch associated with the red signal, the incandescent lamp giving off the green signal will not be illuminated.
  • the electronic switch giving off the green signal is, through a suitably dimensioned resistor connected to the railway track which does not receive driving voltage and pertains to the preceding block section.
  • alternating current may be employed, for instance, the secondary voltage (approximately 16 volt) of the transformer necessary for the driving operation, while a diode interposed in the feeding line brings about the necessary rectification.
  • the installation may be provided with a switch by means of which those railway sections which are provided in insulated condition for carrying out the block section-operation are connected directly to the driving voltage whereby the block sectionoperation is eliminated.
  • all of the signalling devices will be red similar to the actual driving operation in actual railroad operations.
  • the invention will now be described specifically in connection with a toy railroad installation which comprises two rails insulated relative to each other and in which the driving operation is effected by locomotives equipped with direct current motors while a direct voltage variable from O to 12 volts is conveyed to the two rails, preferably through the intervention of a control transformer.
  • the invention can also be applied to different installations, for instance, with an overhead wire, or to alternating current driven installations.
  • network lines 1 and 2 lead to a control transformer and convey a direct voltage which is variable at will.
  • the two rails of the railway installations are designated with the reference numerals 3 and 4 and form a track closed in itself.
  • the entire track is subdivided! into three block sections while at the start of each block section there is provided a signalling post (not shown) with a. green and a red signal.
  • the track comprises a section B1, B2 and B3 insulated from the rail 4.
  • the length of these sections B1B3 is so selected, for instance, 10 to 20 centimeters, that even a train moving with its locomotive at full speed on the respective section, will be stopped ahead of the drive-in signal.
  • rail sections Bl--B3 are respectively connected to the plus-pole of the feeding line 1 through the collectoremitter section of a PNP transistor TL-T3.
  • the base of the transistor T1 is electrically conductively connected to the rail section B3 through a resistor WI.
  • the base of the transistor T2 is electrically conductively connected to the rail section B1 through the intervention of a resistor W2, and the base of the transistor T3 is electrically conductively connected to the rail section B2 through the intervention of a resistor W3. If no block operation is desired, switch will be actuated, by means of which all ofthe rail sections B1, B2 and B3 are directly connected to the plus-pole 1.
  • Locomotive 1 has been stopped on section B2.
  • Locomotive 2 passes through the block section between B3 and B1.
  • the transistor T2 will be rendered conductive.
  • the driving voltage Locomotive 1 thus moves to B3 whereas locomotive 2 remains on section B1.
  • the transistor T1 is made conductive by the motor winding of locomotive 1 and the resistor W1 so that the motor of locomotive 2 now receives the full driving voltage and passes through the block section between B1 and B2, etc.
  • each block section has at its entrance a signalling installation for producing a green and a red signal.
  • the signalling is in conformity with the invention effected through two small incandescent lamps 6 and 7 which are fed from a suitable alternating current source 8, 9 through the intervention ofa rectifier 10.
  • the two incandescent lamps are respectively in series with the PNP transistors T6, T7 while the rectifier 10 is so poled that the two incandescent lamps with their common pole receive a negative voltage.
  • the incandescent lamp 6 is intended for producing the green signal
  • the incandescent lamp 7 is intended to produce the red signal.
  • the second pole of the incandescent lamp 6 is connected to the collector of a transistor T6 and is furthermore through a resistor W12 connected with the base of a second transistor T7 the collector feeding line of which is connected to the second pole of the incandescent lamp 7.
  • the two emitters of of the transistors T6 and T7 are connected to the contact 8 of the current feeding line.
  • a resistor W11 In the feeding line to the base of the transistor T6 there is interposed a resistor W11 through which the base is connected to the rail section B1.
  • the incandescent lamps 6 and 7 connected to the transistors T6 and T7 in the illustrated manner form a monostable sweep circuit according to which, normally, the transistor T6 is blocked and the transistor T7 is opened.
  • the base of transistor T7 receives such a high negative voltage that the latter is made conductive. Consequently, the full voltage of operation exists on incandescent lamp 7 so that the red signal will be illuminated.
  • the resistor W12 is selected of such a magnitude that the control current passing through incandescent lamp 6 will remain so low that the incandescent lamp 6 will not be illuminated.
  • the signalling installation connected to the rail section B1 is mounted toward the front by one block section, in other words, ahead of the rail section B2 so that when T2 releases a locomotive standing on B2 for a continued drive, the corresponding signalling device is switched over from red to green.
  • the illustrated installation intended for three block sections and correspondingly provided with three signalling installations may with larger railway installations analogously be expanded to more than three block sections.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an installation for a total of five block sections designed in the above-mentioned manner.
  • parts similar to those of FIG. 1 have been designated with the same references as in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 2 furthermore shows that, for instance, the base of transistor T2 is through resistor W2. connected to the rail section B1 of the preceding block section, and to the rail section B4 of the second following block section.
  • the base of the transistor T3 is through resistor W3 connected to the rail sections B2 and B5, etc.
  • the installation according to the present invention is particularly simple when operating the installation with direct current while the driving voltage is conveyed to the two rails insulated relative to each other.
  • the invention can also be used in connection with other systems, for instance, with a system according to which the voltage of operation for the locomotive is on one hand conveyed through the two rails, and on the other hand through a wire.
  • the installation according to the invention can be operated with alternating current, and is particularly simple when installations are employed in which the locomotives are provided with rectifier means and only one-half wave of the fed alternating voltage is taken advantage of.
  • the block signal system of claim 1 wherein there are five block sections progressively and structurally comprising a first section having a first transistor with a first collector connected to a first insulated portion of said first conductor, a first emitter connected to said first conductor and a first base connected to a first resistor; a second section having a second transistor with a second collector connected to a second insulated portion of said first conductor, a second emitter connected to said first conductor and a second base connected to a second resistor which in turn is connected to said first collector; a third section having a third transistor.
  • a third collector connected to a third insulated portion of said first conductor and said first resistor, a third emitter connected to said first conductor and a third base connected to a third resistor which in turn is connected to said second collector; a fourth section having a fourth transistor with a fourth collector connected to a fourth insulated portion of said first conductor and said second resistor, a fourth emitter connected to said first conductor and a fourth base connected to a fourth resistor which in turn is connected to said third collector; and a fifth section having a fifth transistor with a fifth collector connected to a fifth insulated portion of said first conductor and said first and third resistors, a fifth emitter connected to said first conductor and a fifth base connected to a fifth resistor which in turn is connected to said fourth collector.
  • the block signal system of claim 1 further comprising a contact free signal installation associated with each block section, respectively including alternately driving and nondriving sections.
  • said signaling installation includes a monostable sweep circuit comprising two transistors, said sweep circuit having both a stable branch with means for generating a red signal and an unstable branch with means for generating a green signal alternately of each other.
  • the block signal system of claim 5 wherein the first of said sweep circuit transistors has a base connected to a resistor which in turn is connected to said insulated portion, a collector electrode connected to said means for generating a green signal, and first and second sources of alternating current, and an emitter connected to said second source of alternating current, and the second of said sweep circuit transistors has a base connected to a resistor which in turn is connected to said collector of the first sweep circuit transistor, a collector connecting said means for generating a red signal and said first source of alternating current and an emitter connected to said second source of alternating current.

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US746966A 1967-07-25 1968-07-23 Device for electric toy and model railroad installation for controlling the operation of vehicles thereon Expired - Lifetime US3553450A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEE0034456 1967-07-25

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US3553450A true US3553450A (en) 1971-01-05

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US746966A Expired - Lifetime US3553450A (en) 1967-07-25 1968-07-23 Device for electric toy and model railroad installation for controlling the operation of vehicles thereon

Country Status (8)

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US (1) US3553450A (de)
CH (1) CH494048A (de)
DE (1) DE1603278A1 (de)
ES (1) ES356403A1 (de)
FR (1) FR1577588A (de)
GB (1) GB1170410A (de)
NL (1) NL6810502A (de)
SE (1) SE334565B (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5678789A (en) * 1995-12-05 1997-10-21 Pipich; Robert B. Model railroad car position indicator
FR2822391A1 (fr) * 2001-03-26 2002-09-27 Trouve Paul Dispositif perfectionne anti-collision pour chemin de fer miniature
US6457681B1 (en) 2000-12-07 2002-10-01 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
US20060202645A1 (en) * 1998-11-04 2006-09-14 Denen Dennis J Control and motor arrangement for use in model train

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2227411A (en) * 1940-12-31 Automatic toy-train control

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2227411A (en) * 1940-12-31 Automatic toy-train control

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Westcott, L. H. Model Railroader July, 1964 p.45. *

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5678789A (en) * 1995-12-05 1997-10-21 Pipich; Robert B. Model railroad car position indicator
US20060202645A1 (en) * 1998-11-04 2006-09-14 Denen Dennis J Control and motor arrangement for use in model train
US7656110B2 (en) 1998-11-04 2010-02-02 Lionel L.L.C. Control and motor arrangement for use in model train
US20070285043A1 (en) * 1998-11-04 2007-12-13 Denen Dennis J Control and motor arrangement for use in model train
US7307394B1 (en) 1998-11-04 2007-12-11 Lionel L.L.C. Control and motor arrangement for use in model train
US7298103B2 (en) 1998-11-04 2007-11-20 Lionel L.L.C. Control and motor arrangement for use in model train
US6604641B2 (en) 2000-12-07 2003-08-12 Mike's Train House, Inc. Low-power electrically operated coupler
US20040079841A1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2004-04-29 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
US20050023416A1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2005-02-03 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
US6655640B2 (en) 2000-12-07 2003-12-02 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
US7210656B2 (en) 2000-12-07 2007-05-01 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
US20070164169A1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2007-07-19 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
US6619594B2 (en) 2000-12-07 2003-09-16 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
US20030015626A1 (en) * 2000-12-07 2003-01-23 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
US6457681B1 (en) 2000-12-07 2002-10-01 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
US8262034B2 (en) 2000-12-07 2012-09-11 Mike's Train House, Inc. Control, sound, and operating system for model trains
FR2822391A1 (fr) * 2001-03-26 2002-09-27 Trouve Paul Dispositif perfectionne anti-collision pour chemin de fer miniature

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1577588A (de) 1969-08-08
SE334565B (de) 1971-04-26
ES356403A1 (es) 1970-01-01
NL6810502A (de) 1969-01-28
CH494048A (de) 1970-07-31
GB1170410A (en) 1969-11-12
DE1603278A1 (de) 1971-04-01

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