Lionel L.c.c.

Other

Lionel Trains, Inc.

Nc Train Acquisition L.l.c.

Robert A Grubba

Neil Percibal Young

Martin Pierson

Dennis Joseph Denen

Gary L Moreau

James G Morrison

Randall L Luck

Tim Toombs

Jeffery A Price

Kevin B Chlebek

Caleb Sullivan

Charles P Horan

A model train coupler which can be opened using a remote signal. The coupler design includes an upper arm and a lower arm, both of which pivot around a common axis. The two arms are mounted in a coupler box which is attached to a piece of rolling stock. One of the arms includes a knuckle located outside the coupler box. The other arm includes a latch positioned to open and close against the knuckle. A linear actuator links the two arms together. When an electrical current is applied to the linear actuator, the latch is rotated away from the knuckle, thereby opening the coupler.

Model train coupler with linear actuator

A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Control and motor arrangement for use in model train

A smoke production system for a model locomotive capable of accurately simulating the exhaust characteristics of an actual locomotive. The present invention accomplishes this by monitoring the rotation to the flywheel of the electric motor used to drive the drive wheels of the model locomotive. Various devices may be used to monitor the rotation of the flywheel. For example, a magnet is employed on the flywheel and a magnetically-reactive element such as a reed switch or Hall effect sensor is positioned adjacent to the flywheel. Alternatively, an opticoupler or cam may be used to track the rotations of the flywheel. A controller counts the rotations of the flywheel and actuates a smoke production device to emit smoke four discrete times for every rotation of the model locomotive's drive wheel.

Smoke production system for model locomotive

A system for generating realistic train sounds which are synchronized with the motion of a model train. A sensor is placed aboard the model train to sense the position of desired components, such as the driving pistons of a model steam engine. Preferably, sound data is gathered and transmitted as a radio frequency signal from the model train. The radio frequency signal is received by an external receiver/amplifier. This component amplifies the synchronized sounds and plays them through a subwoofer which is capable of producing deep and resonant sound.

Synchronized externally generated sound effects for model trains

A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arragement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

A wireless system uses a direct UHF radio frequency (RF) signal to control electric trains and train accessories. A controller, such as a handheld unit used by the toy train operator, accepts control commands and transmits encoded control data over a high frequency radio link directly to a receiver, on the toy train or train accessory, which decodes the commands and controls the toy train or toy train accessory functions with either unidirectional or bidirectional communication between the controller and the model train or train accessory. One controller has the ability to control many trains and other model train layout components such as signals and track switches even while other train operators are operating their trains on the same electric train track layout.

Radio-linked, bi-directional control system for model electric trains

A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is farther configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

A control and motor arrangement for use in a model train includes a control arrangement integrally constructed with a motor. The control arrangement receives rotational speed and positional information from the motor and uses this information to determine how much power to supply to the motor, thus controlling the rotational speed of the motor. In this way, the control arrangement maintains a constant motor speed, if desired. In addition, the speed and positional information is optionally provided to a sound control arrangement for use in selecting appropriate sound effects.

The present invention provides a wheel assembly for a model toy train wherein the wheel assembly includes a wheel and a traction tire. The wheel including an undercut recess and at least one sprue. The traction tire is molding into the undercut recess through the sprue.

Inserted molded traction tire for a model toy train

The present invention provides a smoke generator for a model train. The invention allows a toy locomotive to produce smoke as an actual train would, in a puffing pattern. The present achieves its purpose by manipulating the flow of air through a smoke generating housing with a fan and a blocking device.

Puffing fan driven smoke unit for a model train

The present invention provides a controller for a model toy train set. In a first aspect of the invention, the controller includes a plurality of input connectors for receiving supply power from one or more remote power supplies and providing such power to a plurality of output connectors. In a second aspect of the invention, the controller includes an input device for producing an input signal to limit the amount of output power supplied from the controller to a toy train set when the controller is remotely operated from a remote transmitter. In a third aspect of the invention, the controller includes a programming circuit having a first mode for controlling a plurality of output channels from separate sets of inputs and a second mode for controlling the plurality of output channels from a single set of inputs.

Controller for a model toy train set

The present invention provides a drive assembly for a model toy train which connects a single drive shaft from an electric motor to a pair of discrete truck assemblies. The drive shaft drives a plurality of pinions which in turn drive a pair of worm shafts which extend toward the truck assemblies. A pair of worm wheel shafts are driven by the worm shafts to drive the wheels on the truck assemblies. A saddle and bearing combination rotationally connects the model toy train to the truck assemblies allowing the truck assemblies to freely rotate.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Robert A Grubba