Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02500019 2005-03-08
TOY TRAIN TRACK ADAPTER
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to hobby toys and, in
particular, to the use of toy train tracks with different types of toy trains
and
other vehicles.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Toy trains, in particular electric toy trains, are well known in the
art. A typical toy train track layout will generally comprise multiple track
segments that, when connected together, will form at least one loop or
circuit.
The track segments are generally comprised of two or more rails fastened to a
plurality of railway ties. The railway ties serve to maintain the rails in a
pre-
determined, spaced-apart relationship, thereby defining a particular gauge of
model railroad. To ensure both electrical and physical continuity, as well as
to
ensure proper alignment of the rails between adjoining track segments,
connectors are used. For example, with 027 and O gauge tubular track
manufactured by Lionel LLC, the connectors are pins that friction fit into
each of
the adjoining rail segments. Due to the variety of manufacturers and model
railway gauges available to the industry, the configuration of the connectors
will
vary, but their primary function remains the same.
[0003] Electric toy trains employ an engine car, generally referred to as a
locomotive, comprising at least one electric motor that draws power from the
rails of the track. In the industry, there are two generally accepted formats
of
track, one being referred to as 2-rail, the other being referred to as 3-rail.
With
2-rail, one rail serves as a power rail, while the, other rail serves as the
reference. The wheels of the locomotive serve as contacts, thereby completing
an electrical circuit for powering the electric motor contained therein. For 3-
rail,
a center rail generally provides the power, while two electrically contiguous
outside rails serve as the reference. Locomotives generally have an electrical
pick-up means, for example a shoe or roller, that contacts the center rail,
while
the wheels of the locomotive or rolling stock serve to complete the electrical
CA 02500019 2005-03-08
-2-
circuit by contacting the outside rails. Power is generally applied to the
rails by
way of a transformer that converts standard household power (i.e. 120V) to an
appropriate and safer voltage range for use with toy trains (i.e. 0 to 25V).
[0004] For younger children, electric toy trains can present certain
difficulties with respect to operation. In particular, some trains are
difficult to
mount on the rails where failure to do so generally results in potentially
hazardous electrical shorts. Consequently, the suitability of electric toy
trains
for use by young children is often questioned.
[0005] Conventional toy train track is designed for operation of a specific
"gauge" of toy train, the gauge being defined by the distance between the
rails,
or, in the case of 3-rail, the outside rails. Examples of popular gauges for
toy
trains include N, Z, HO, 027/0 and Standard. There are numerous
manufacturers that produce track segments, trains and accessories, with Lionel
LLC, MTH Trains and K-Line being popular manufacturers for 027/0 gauge.
Depending on the gauge and the extent of the track layout, track layouts can
potentially occupy a large amount of space that, by design, is devoted to
operation of only a specific gauge of toy train. Many of these track layouts
are
permanent and, therefore, require a dedicated space. Often, such tracks are
secured to a surface such as plywood boards in order to further stabilize the
track layout. Due to the inherent hazards discussed above with respect to
electric toy trains, such a space is generally unusable for a younger child
without adult supervision or assistance. While the electricity that powers
such
tracks can be turned off, trains designed for powered motion are usually
unsuitable as "push" toys. Further, some electric train locomotives can be
damaged when being manually urged along the track.
[0006] For younger children, there are a number of battery-operated or
non-powered toy trains available that operate on wooden or plastic track.
Popular examples include those manufactured by the Brio Corporation as well
as Thomas and Friends by Learning Curve International Inc. The track
segments used with the above battery-operated or non-powered trains
generally have channels for receiving and guiding the wheels of the train. In
some cases, the tracks may also be used with non-train vehicles (i.e. trucks,
CA 02500019 2005-03-08
-3-
cars, etc.), depending on the product line of the manufacturer. As is the case
for conventional electric toy trains, the track for the battery-operated and
non-
powered trains is gauged specifically for use with these toy trains.
[0007] As indicated above, toy train track has traditionally been
manufactured for a specific gauge of toy train. Overlap between the gauges
where multiple gauges use the same basic track has not been previously
contemplated. For multiple gauge operation, the only solution has been to
build
separate layouts. For many, due to space constrictions, this may not be
possible.
[0008] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel toy
train track system and adapter.
Summary of the Invention
[0009] The present invention allows toy train tracks designed for use with
a specific type of train to be used with other types of vehicles, including,
but not
limited to, other trains and cars. The adapters can be designed to permit the
toy train track to be used with trains of a specific wheel configuration for
which
the track was designed and vehicles having another wheel configuration without
removal of the adapters from the train track. Alternatively, the adapters can
be
made to be placed onto and removed from the toy train track, thus allowing the
utility of the track to be switched.
[0010] With the invention, one track can be used with a variety of
vehicles, thus reducing the need to disassemble the track when not in use.
Further, the adapters can be made relatively cheaply, thus providing
inexpensive additional functionality to an existing train layout. Still
further, by
enabling the use of other vehicles with the train track, electricity can be
disconnected from the train track, thus providing a safer play environment for
younger children.
[0011] Additionally, the train tracks can be made with one or more travel
surfaces between or adjacent the rails to permit vehicles having various wheel
configurations to be used in conjunction with the train track.
CA 02500019 2005-03-08
-4-
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0012] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures,
wherein:
Figure 1 shows an isometric exploded view of an electric toy train
being placed on two joined 3-rail track segments;
Figure 2 shows an isometric sectional view of the 3-rail track of
Figure 1;
Figure 3 shows a front view of the electric toy train of Figure 1
fitted on the track;
Figure 4 shows an isometric exploded view of another toy train
being placed on two adapters that are being fitted in one of the track
segments
of Figure 1;
Figure 5 shows a front view of the toy train and adapters of Figure
4 fitted on the track of Figure 1;
Figure 6 shows a front exploded view of the adapters of Figure 4
being fitted on the track of Figure 1;
Figure 7 shows a bottom perspective view of the adapters of
Figure 4;
Figure 8 shows a perspective sectional view of an alternative
track having a set of channels between the two outer rails;
Figure 9 shows a front view of the track of Figure 9 illustrating the
placement thereon of wheels of an electric train and another vehicle; and
Figure 10 illustrates a front view of an alternative adapter fitted on
the track of Figure 1.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0013] Various aspects of the invention are described in detail where it is
appreciated that the principles of the invention, as established in the
detailed
description of the drawings, may find application for use with toy trains.
This
invention relates to an adapter and system that permits a toy train of a
CA 02500019 2005-03-08
-5-
particular gauge to use the tracks of a toy train having a different gauge,
thus
providing increased play value out of a track layout. More specifically, a
first,
larger gauge of toy train track is fitted with adapters in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. This allows for the unimpeded operation
of trains of either the first, larger gauge, generally being electric toy
trains, and a
second smaller gauge, generally being battery-powered or non-powered. Due
to the variety of toy train gauges available, for exemplary purposes, the
present
invention will be discussed using 027/0 gauge tubular track manufactured by
Lionel LLC.
[0014] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate typical 3-rail toy electric train track
segments 20, each of which comprises two outer rails 24 and a center rail 28
secured to a set of railway ties 32. An engine 21 coupled to rolling stock 22
is
shown being placed on the track segments 20.
[0015] Figures 2 and 3 better illustrate the profile of the rails 24, which
for the purpose of this discussion are virtually identical to rails 28 in
construction. The rails 24 of a track segment 20 are made by crimping long
rectangular metal plates along their length at portions 36 to create tubular
portions 38 having rolling surfaces 40. A pair of flanges 44 is formed on each
track segment 20 by bending the longitudinal edges of the metal plate such
that
they are generally perpendicular to the crimped portions 36.
[0016] The rails 24, 28 are shown secured to the railway ties 32 using
tabs 48. The railway ties 32 are generally made from stamped metal with the
tabs 48 being integral and unitary with the railway ties 32. The tabs 48
engage
the outside rails 24 by directly clamping over the flanges 44. This
establishes
electrical continuity between the outside rails 24 due to the use of metal
railway
ties 32. To electrically isolate the center rails 28 from the outside rails
24, and
thereby to prevent a short, insulating layers 52 are inserted between the
flanges
44 of center rails 28 and the tabs 48. In operation, a voltage is applied to
the
center rails 28 with the outer rails 24 serving as the reference. The
electrical
continuity between the outside rails 24 simplifies the wiring for powering the
track as only two leads are required from the transformer, one being the power
CA 02500019 2005-03-08
-6-
lead connected to the center rails 28, the other being the reference lead
connected to the outside rails 28.
[0017] To assemble the track segments 20 together to form a layout,
pins 56 positioned within the tubular portion 38 of adjacent track segments
are
used. While the pins 56 may be retained in place by friction fit, the track
segments 20 are generally supplied with a set of pins already mounted on one
end of each rail 24, 28 of the track segment 20. In this case, the pins are
usually "pinched" in place. During assembly, the pins 56 projecting from one
end of the rails 24, 28 of a first track segment 20 are used to connect the
first
track segment 20 with a second track segment 20 by mating the pins with the
respective tubular portions 38 of the second track segment. The pins 56 are
usually friction-fit into the unoccupied ends of the tubular portions 38 of
the
second track segment 20 to releasably hold the two train track segments 20
together.
[0018] Figures 4 to 7 show a pair of adapters 100 for use with the train
track segments 20. Each of the adapters 100 is generally rectangular when
viewed from above and has an outer side 104, an inner side 108, a first end
112 and a second end 116. Presently, the adapters 100 are constructed of
injection-molded plastic, but other suitable materials will occur to those of
skill in
the art. The adapters 100 are placed between one of the outer rails 24 and the
center rails 28 of track segments 20, with the outer sides 104 adjacent the
outer
rails 24 and the inner sides 108 adjacent the center rails 28.
[0019] Each of the adapters 100 has a support surface 120 along its
bottom for supporting the adapter 100 on the railway ties 32. The support
surface 120 has a set of smaller cutouts 124 for receiving the tabs 48 clamped
over the flanges 44 and a set of larger cutouts 128 for receiving the tabs 48
clamped over the insulating layer 52 and the flanges 44.
[0020] An upper surface 132 is provided on each adapter 100, having a
travel surface 136 and a guiderail 140 adjacent the travel surface 136. Both
the
travel surface 136 and the guiderail 140 extend along the length of the
adapter
100. When the adapters are placed between the outer and center rails 24, 28,
the travel surfaces 136 sit recessed relative to the outer rails 24 and the
CA 02500019 2005-03-08
-7-
guiderails 140, thus defining channels that confine lateral movement of sets
of
wheels of a vehicle placed on the adapters 100. According to one
embodiment, the travel surfaces 136 are provided with a textured surface to
provide both aesthetic detailing as well as traction to wheels of the vehicle
when moving along the travel surfaces 136.
[0021] In operation, two adapters 100 are placed in the spaces between
each of the outer rails 24 and the center rail 28 of each adapter 100, with
the
two guiderails 140 being positioned closest one another. In this orientation,
the
travel surfaces 136 are adjacent the outer rails 24. The adapters 100 are
dimensioned such that the upper surfaces 132 do not interfere with wheel
flanges and other structural members of trains (or other vehicles) designed
for
operation on the train track segments 20.
[0022] A toy train track layout fitted with the adapters 100 can be used
with both a first toy train for which the track was originally gauged for, as
well as
a second toy train or other vehicle of a smaller gauge. Where the first toy
train
is an electric train, the train track can be operated as usual under power
from a
transformer. When the track layout is to be used in conjunction with the
adapters to permit the second toy train of a smaller gauge to be placed
thereon,
the electricity can be turned off. The adapters 100 allow a traditional
electric
toy train layout to be converted for use with both the trains for which it was
originally designed, as well as with battery operated or non-powered trains or
other vehicles of smaller gauge that are generally safer and easier to use by
younger children.
[0023] While the invention has been described with reference to 3-rail
track, use of the present invention with other types of tracks will occur to
those
of skill in the art. For example, a single adapter can be employed with 2-rail
track to provide the same functionality. Such an adapter would have the same
general features described above with one or more guiderails residing between
the sets of wheels of a vehicle placed thereon.
[0024] Figures 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment, where the
adapters of Figures 4 to 7 are integrated into a molded roadbed that replaces
the railway ties. Where the molded roadbed is made from a material having
CA 02500019 2005-03-08
- $ -
less than desired conductivity, the molded roadbed can be provided with
contact strips to ensure electrical continuity between the outside rails, so
as to
not affect operation of electric toy trains on the rails of the track. By
incorporating the adapters into the roadbed, a total cost savings can be
realized, while also providing greater flexibility with respect to utility of
the track.
For example, track of this embodiment can be sold as a set where both a
battery-operated and an electric train are provided, the child learning to
operate
toy trains using the more child-friendly battery train, while graduating to
the
electric train upon achieving a suitable level of maturity and/or once
familiarized
to the hobby. The set would also demonstrate appeal across multiple age
groups as, during one play session, it rnay be used by a young child with push
or battery-operated trains, while during a later play session, it may be used
by
an older child or adult for electric toy train operation.
(0025] One or both of the guiderails can be omitted. For example, in one
embodiment, one guiderail can be provided on the adapters) that restricts
lateral movement of a set of wheels of a vehicle placed thereon in conjunction
with an outer rail. Alternatively, in another embodiment pertaining to 2-rail
toy
train tracks, a single guiderail can be centrally provided to restrict lateral
movement of the set of wheels of the vehicle, wherein the difference between
the width of the guiderail and the distance between the wheels determines how
much lateral movement is permitted. Still further, where the travel surfaces)
of
the adapters) is positioned sufficiently below the height of the outer rails,
the
outer rails themselves (or even the center rail) can provide sufficient
guidance
for a vehicle placed thereon.
[0026] In still further embodiments, the adapters are furnished with
features to provide their easy removal from the track segments without
disassembly of the track. For example, the adapters are provided with a slot
between the guiderail and the center rail to allow a flathead screwdriver to
pry
the adapters off of the track.
[0027] In order to provide a more secure fit between the adapters and
the track segments, the adapters can be dimensioned to friction-fit between
adjacent rails. Further, the adapters can be interconnected at their ends, or
CA 02500019 2005-03-08
_g_
fixed into place using suitable fasteners, including nails, screws, clips and
various adhesives.
[0028] Figure 10 shows yet a further embodiment, wherein adapters are
provided that fit the toy train track segments to convert the track for sole
use by
a second set of other powered or unpowered vehicles of a different gauge. In
this embodiment, since the adapters may sit above the rails, the adapters may
be provided on their support surfaces with clips or other suitable fasteners
for
attaching the adapters to the track below.
[0029] A second train track can be provided with the adapters. In this
scenario, the adapters can be integrally formed or can be inlaid with metal or
other suitable rails.
[0030] Different support surfaces can be provided for the adapters to
accommodate various roadbed features associated with different track
manufacturers and sets.
[0031] It can be appreciated that the concepts herein described can be
extended to other track formats including tracks of different gauge as well as
configuration (i.e. straight sections, curves, cross-overs, etc.).
[0032] The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended
to be examples of the present invention and alterations and modifications may
be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the
scope
of the invention which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
