US4225081A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Metallic joint for model railroad rails
Assignee: Tomy Kogyo Co Ltd
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Filing: 1976-07-15
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Granted: 1980-09-30
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Expires: 1996-07-15
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a metallic joint for joining adjacent sections of the trackway of model railroad sets, and wherein the bottom of the joint is provided with a cut-out section which is folded downwardly to form an engaging pawl which snaps in place within a cavity formed within the upper surface of the support for the rails.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Ikegame
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:16
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63H; A63H19/00; A63H19/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
323 words
In a trackway having a plurality of sections each provided with a base, a plurality of supports extending upwardly from said base, extending transversely thereof, and spaced apart from each other, and rails mounted to said supports and extending longitudinally along said base, each of said rails having a bottom portion resting on said supports and a top portion extending upwardly therefrom, the improvement comprising a system for connecting the end portions of adjacent of said rails of adjacent sections, comprising joints, each of said joints having top, bottom and interconnecting side portions, said top portion being provided with a slot extending longitudinally therealong through which said top portions of adjacent of said rails extend, said bottom portion and said side portions encompassing said bottom portions of adjacent of said rails, said bottom portion furthermore being provided at one end thereof with a cut-out section extending downwardly therefrom defining a pawl, said supports at the ends of each section of said trackway having portions extending upwardly from said base distances corresponding to the distances the remainder of said supports extend upwardly from said base defining cavities between said supports at the ends of said section and the adjacent of said supports, such that said pawls of said joints abut said supports at the ends of each section until sufficient pressure is applied thereto at which time said pawls pass over said supports at the ends of each section eventually becoming locked between said supports at the ends of each section and the adjacent of the remainder of said supports, said supports at the ends of each section extending only partially transversely across said base and being arranged on opposite sides of each of said sections such that the ends of said joints opposite said pawls can be freely slid along said rails without contacting said supports at the ends of each section into abutment against the adjacent of the remainder of said supports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
323 words
In a trackway having a plurality of sections each provided with a base, a plurality of supports extending upwardly from said base, extending transversely thereof, and spaced apart from each other, and rails mounted to said supports and extending longitudinally along said base, each of said rails having a bottom portion resting on said supports and a top portion extending upwardly therefrom, the improvement comprising a system for connecting the end portions of adjacent of said rails of adjacent sections, comprising joints, each of said joints having top, bottom and interconnecting side portions, said top portion being provided with a slot extending longitudinally therealong through which said top portions of adjacent of said rails extend, said bottom portion and said side portions encompassing said bottom portions of adjacent of said rails, said bottom portion furthermore being provided at one end thereof with a cut-out section extending downwardly therefrom defining a pawl, said supports at the ends of each section of said trackway having portions extending upwardly from said base distances corresponding to the distances the remainder of said supports extend upwardly from said base defining cavities between said supports at the ends of said section and the adjacent of said supports, such that said pawls of said joints abut said supports at the ends of each section until sufficient pressure is applied thereto at which time said pawls pass over said supports at the ends of each section eventually becoming locked between said supports at the ends of each section and the adjacent of the remainder of said supports, said supports at the ends of each section extending only partially transversely across said base and being arranged on opposite sides of each of said sections such that the ends of said joints opposite said pawls can be freely slid along said rails without contacting said supports at the ends of each section into abutment against the adjacent of the remainder of said supports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A trackway as in claim 1, wherein said base and supports are made of electrically insulating material and said rails are made of electrically conductive material.
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) | 1983-09-30 | 1984-03-31 | 1984-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-30 | 1988-03-31 | 1988-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-30 | 1992-03-31 | 1992-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |