Lionel L.c.c.

James M Rohde

Martin Pierson

Neil Percibal Young

Louis Kovach

John Thomas Ricks

Jon F Zahornacky

Richard James Mosher

Tyler R Brooks

A system and method is provided for directing smoke in a model train. In one embodiment of the present invention, the model train includes a smoke chamber physically connected to a smoke unit. The smoke unit functions to produce smoke, which is then provided to at least one smoke chamber. Each smoke chamber includes at least one exhaust opening and a valve for selectively moving smoke out of the exhaust opening(s). For example, the smoke chamber may include an intake opening, at least two exhaust openings, a piston core and a piston driven by a drive rod. By moving the drive rod, the piston can be moved through the piston core, resulting in the movement of smoke out of the exhaust openings. By positioning the exhaust openings near the wheels of the model train, the smoke system can be used to simulate steam escaping from valves or cylinders.

System and method for directing smoke in a model train system

A system and method is provided for controlling bell movement and/or sound in a model train or other model vehicle. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a user control, a sound subsystem, a bell controller and a bell device. The user control may include a lever, a track, and a plurality of predetermined positions on the track, wherein the lever can be moved by a user to any one of the plurality of predetermined positions. The user control may be configured to transmit at least one bell signal in response to the lever being released from (or moved to) one of the plurality of predetermined positions. The bell controller is configured to receive the bell signal, and to use the bell signal to control at least the bell device. The bell device may include a bell and an electromagnetic device, wherein the bell comprises a permanent magnet and is configured to swing from a bracket. By applying at least one voltage to the electromagnetic device, and placing the bell near the electromagnetic device, a magnetic field can be created and used to swing the bell from the bracket, thereby simulating bell movement. The bell controller may further be adapted to synchronize bell movement with bell sound by transmitting a bell sound signal to the sound subsystem at a particular time, so as to substantially synchronize at least one bell movement with at least one bell sound.

System and method for controlling a bell in a model vehicle

An apparatus for controlling operating features of a model train includes a plurality of selection devices, each of which corresponds to a respective operating feature of the train. The apparatus also includes a controller connected to the selection devices of the apparatus. The controller is operative to generate digital or DC offset messages corresponding to the selection devices. The apparatus further includes a transmitter connected to the controller. The transmitter is operative to send the digital or DC offset messages that are generated by the controller to a receiver located on the train in order to carry out the desired functions. This invention provides for at least a single button output of complex messages.

Control for operating features of a model vehicle

A smoke generating device for a model train that includes a smoke generating element supported by a support member. The smoke generating element can be wound around the support member is a generally helical pattern. The number of turns and the distance between turns can be varied to enhance the smoke generating properties of the device. The support member can be braided fiberglass. A length and cross-section of the support member can be varied to support smoke generating elements of different lengths. The length of the smoke generating element can be varied to produce smoke generating devices having different resistive values.

Smart smoke unit

An apparatus for controlling operating features of a model train includes a plurality of selection devices, each of which corresponds to a respective operating feature of the train. The apparatus also includes a controller connected to the selection devices of the apparatus. The controller is operative to generate control signals such as digital messages or DC offset signals corresponding to the selection devices. The apparatus further includes a plurality of switches to control the form the control signals take, and a transmitter connected to the controller. The transmitter is operative to send the digital or DC offset messages that are generated by the controller to a receiver located on the train in order to carry out the desired functions. This invention provides for at least a single button output of complex messages.

A smoke generating unit for a model train that varies the rate of smoke produce in response to changes in the load on the model train. The smoke generating unit includes a housing, a smoke element and a motor driven fan. The housing can be formed of two sub-housings. The first sub-housing can contain the smoke generating element and the second housing can contain the fan. The smoke element can be a nickel chromium wire. An insulating gasket can be positioned between the sub-housings to thermally insulate the motorized fan from the heat generating element. The motorized fan is controlled by a microprocessor that can monitor the load on the train and control rotation of the fan to correspond to the load on the engine. The load on the train can be the voltage across the engine of the train or the speed at which the train is moving.

Growing community of inventors

Walled Lake, MI, United States of America

James M Rohde