US4051783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Model railroad layout
Assignee: Peerless Industries Inc
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Filing: 1976-07-01
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Granted: 1977-10-04
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Expires: 1996-07-01
Abstract
Abstract Model railroad layout with a length of track formed near the ends of the rails with gaps and connected to an electrical source and a control means to reverse polarity on the rails when the engine wheel bridges a gap.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Caliri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:28
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H19/00; A63H19/24; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S104/00; Y10S104/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
Model railroad layout for use with a direct current motor-driven engine, comprising a. a track having a finite length and consisting of two parallel rails, one rail having a switching means consisting of a gap in the rail adjacent one end of the track and the other having a switching means adjacent the other end of the track, b. a source of direct current electrically connected to the track, one rail being connected to ground and the other rail to the positive voltage side, so that current passes from one rail, through a wheel of the engine, through its motor, and through another wheel to the other rail, and c. control means to switch the polarity of the electricity applied to the rails to reverse the direction of the motion of the engine when it approaches a switching means, the control means reversing the engine when a wheel passes over a gap and electrically connects the rail on both sides of the gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
Model railroad layout for use with a direct current motor-driven engine, comprising a. a track having a finite length and consisting of two parallel rails, one rail having a switching means consisting of a gap in the rail adjacent one end of the track and the other having a switching means adjacent the other end of the track, b. a source of direct current electrically connected to the track, one rail being connected to ground and the other rail to the positive voltage side, so that current passes from one rail, through a wheel of the engine, through its motor, and through another wheel to the other rail, and c. control means to switch the polarity of the electricity applied to the rails to reverse the direction of the motion of the engine when it approaches a switching means, the control means reversing the engine when a wheel passes over a gap and electrically connects the rail on both sides of the gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
Model railroad layout as recited in claim 1, wherein a resilient bumper is located each end of the track with its contact element directed toward the other end, the distance between the contact element and the gap in the rail at that end being sufficiently long that the engine will normally be reversed in direction by contact of its wheel with the gap before contact of the engine is made with the bumper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
Model railroad layout as recited in claim 1, wherein the track is mounted in a rigid elongated base, wherein a miniature railroad building is mounted on the base adjacent one end of the track, and wherein the central means is contained in the building.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
Model railroads layout as recited in claim 1, wherein the ends of the rails are electrically connected, so that the short section or rail beyond the gap is of the opposite electrical polarity to the remainder of the rail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
Model railroad layout as recited in claim 4, wherein a relay is connected between the said source and the track, the relay being of the two-pole, double-throw type having an energizing coil, two input contacts connected to the two sides of the surface, and two output contacts connected to the two rails, the relay also including a contact element for reversing the electrical connections between the input contacts and the output contacts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Model railroad layout as recited in claim 5, wherein the control means includes a silicon control rectifier having a first lead connected to one rail, a second lead connected to the positive side of the electrical source, and a third lead connected to one side of the energizing coil of the relay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Model railroad layout as recited in claim 6, wherein the said first lead is connected through a capacitor to the other side of the energizing coil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-03 | 1981-04-04 | 1981-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-03 | 1985-04-04 | 1985-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-03 | 1989-04-04 | 1989-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |