Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6186074
-
Patent Number
6,186,074
-
Date Filed
Tuesday, November 3, 199825 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 13, 200123 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Morano; S. Joseph
- Jules; Frantz
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 105 15
- 105 2605
- 105 292
- 105 341
- 105 84
- 105 961
- 105 98
- 105 1572
- 105 176
- 074 665 F
- 475 150
- 180 651
- 180 655
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
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.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a model train and more particularly to a drive assembly for a model toy train having more than two truck assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Model toy train manufacturers typically make toy models, or replicas of existing or historical trains. Model toy train manufactures make locomotives or engines, box cars, cabooses and many other things. As to the toy train locomotive or engine and its real world counterpart the similarities are little more than in appearance. In terms of external appearance, both real world and toy train engines include truck assemblies having a plurality of wheels positioned on the tracks. Typically each truck assembly rotates about its central axis allowing the train to negotiate turns in the track.
Notwithstanding their visual similarity, real world train engines and toy train engines use very different power sources. Real world train engines are powered by coal fired boilers, gas turbines and diesels while toy train engines are powered by electric motors which receive their power from the train track. A significant difference caused by the different power sources used in real world and model toy train engines is how the power is transferred to the wheels of the truck assemblies to move the train engines forward.
In real world train engines, such as diesel or gas turbine train engines, the diesel or gas turbine generates electricity which is supplied to electric motors. The electric motors are positioned within one or more truck assemblies and drive the wheels positioned on the track. Because the electric motors are positioned within the truck assemblies the truck assemblies may freely turn about their own axes allowing the real world train to negotiate a corner.
In contrast, the electric motors of model toy train engines power the wheels of the truck assemblies through drives shafts. To do this, the drive shafts of the electric motors are positioned directly over the central axis of each truck assembly. In this way the truck assembly can rotate about its axis, and the electric motor remains positioned within the model toy train body.
Positioning the electric motors in model toy train engines on the central axis of the truck assemblies has limited model toy train manufactures to providing toy train engines having no more than two driven truck assemblies. This is because two points define any curve.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a model toy train motor assembly for model toy trains having more than two truck assemblies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a drive assembly for a model toy train including at least one motor having a motor shaft fixedly positioned within a model toy train body. At least two truck assemblies are provided each having a plurality of wheels, the truck assemblies positioned below the model toy train body. At least two saddles connect each truck assembly to the model toy train body such that each truck assembly freely rotates about the motor shaft. Means for connecting the motor drive shaft to the wheels of each truck assembly are provided such that when the motor drive shaft rotates it causes the wheels in each truck assembly to rotate.
A method of translating rotational energy from a drive shaft of a electric motor in a model toy train to a plurality of wheels on at least two truck assemblies is also provided. The method includes translating the rotational energy from the electric motor to at least a pair of shafts and translating the rotational energy from each of the pair of shafts to the wheels of the truck assemblies.
A further drive assembly in a model toy train has a toy train body is also provided which includes at least two separate electric engines positioned at discrete positions within the toy train body, each electric engine including a motor shaft. At least two subframes are fixedly attached to the toy train body and at least four truck assemblies, each including a plurality of wheels, are rotationally attached to the subframes such that at least two truck assemblies are attached to each subframe. A plurality of pinions connect each drive shaft to at least four worm shafts such that at least two worm shafts are connected to the pinions in each subframe. At least four worm wheel shafts are provided, each worm wheel shaft discretely connecting one of the worm shafts to one of the at least four truck assemblies with the worm wheel shafts operably connected to the wheels in each of the at least four truck assemblies to rotate the wheels of truck assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1
is a side plan view of a model toy train of the present invention, including a cut away.
FIG. 2
is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred drive assembly of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a top view of a model toy train of the present invention traveling around a curve in a train track.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference to
FIGS. 1-3
, wherein like elements are numbered like
FIG. 1
generally illustrates a model train
10
including an outer train body
12
. As shown, outer body
12
is mounted to four truck assemblies,
20
,
21
,
22
, and
23
respectively. Each truck assembly includes a plurality of wheels
25
which are adapted to ride on a track (not shown). For purposes of the present invention, the truck assemblies may be of any known configuration including but not limited to those disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,619 which is incorporated herein by reference.
As further illustrated in
FIG. 1
, there is shown four electric motors
30
,
31
,
32
and
33
. In the preferred embodiment the electric motor is a Lionel Odyssey brand brushless electric motor, however it is appreciated that other electric motors may be utilized. Further, while four electric motors, positioned in 2×2 tandem, are illustrated, it is understood that in alternate embodiments two electric motors could be provided rather than four, or six motors could be provided 3×2 in tandem. In the preferred embodiment four electric motors are provided to give the electric model toy train engine additional power. Each pair of motors drives a single motor drive shaft
40
and
42
respectively. Each motor shaft defines a motor mount axis.
As illustrated in
FIG. 1
the model toy train includes a subframe
50
. Subframe
50
includes a cover
52
and is fixedly connected to model toy train
10
.
FIG. 2
illustrates an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the drive assembly of present invention where motor drive shaft
40
drives truck assemblies
20
and
21
. The drive assembly is preferably housed in subframe
50
. However, it is understood that the drive assembly of the present invention may be positioned within the train body rather than the subframe.
As shown drive shaft
40
passes through a motor mount assembly
44
fixed between train body
12
and subframe
50
. Motor shaft
40
is driven by electric motors
30
and
31
and includes a drive or spur gear
60
mounted on the distal end thereof. As shown, drive gear
60
engages pinion gears
70
mounted in subframe
50
as to transfer the rotational energy to drive gears
62
and
64
also positioned in subframe
50
. As shown, pinion gears
70
are mounted on pinion shafts
72
within subframe
50
. Drive gears
62
and
64
are fixedly mounted to worm shafts
102
and
104
respectively which project downwardly from subframe
50
. Thus, as motor shaft
40
and drive gear
60
rotates, pinions
70
and drive gears
62
and
64
cause worm shafts
102
and
104
to rotate.
Subframe
50
is mounted to truck assemblies
20
and
21
through a pair of saddles
90
and
91
and bearing flanges
94
and
95
such that truck assemblies
20
and
21
may rotate independently of subframe
50
. Bearing flange
94
and
95
are mounted within a bores
96
and
97
respectively and rotate therein. Saddles
90
and
91
engage truck assemblies
20
and
21
in a lose nesting arrangement within cavities
98
and
99
. Connecting subframe
50
to trucks
20
and
21
as above described and illustrated allows trucks to move with three degrees of freedom. In this fashion the trucks can pitch and yaw as model toy train
10
negotiates banked corners, or travels up and down hills. Also, because the saddle has a little play in it relative to each truck assembly the train can easily switch tracks, as is commonly done.
Worm shafts
102
and
104
pass through bearing flanges
94
and
95
respectively and engage a worm wheel shafts
110
and
111
respectively. Each worm wheel shaft
110
and
111
is positioned perpendicularly to worm shafts
102
and
104
respectively. As worm shafts
102
and
104
rotate, they in turn cause worm wheel shafts
110
and
111
to rotate. Worm wheel shafts
110
and
111
are each connected to wheels
25
of each truck through drive gears
115
and
116
, thus translating energy to wheels
25
of each truck assembly
20
and
21
to move the model train engine assembly along the track. It is understood that alternate shafts may be provided to the above described worm shafts. For example additional drive shafts having gears at their proximal and distal ends could function to translate rotational energy to the wheels on the truck assemblies.
The above described construction allows the subframe to rotate about each motor mount axis and the motor and subframe to rotate about the motor mount axis. Thus as illustrated in
FIG. 3
the model toy train can navigate a curve in a train track with motor mount axes remaining centered within the train body and each truck free to independently rotate to maintain contact with the track. As can be seen by the point indicated by letter A, if each electric motor where mounted directly above the center point of each truck assembly, they would not be along the center line of the model toy train body, thus limiting the amount any given truck assembly could rotate and limiting the manner in which it can turn.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.
Claims
- 1. A model toy train including a model toy train body comprising:at least one motor having a motor shaft, the motor being fixedly positioned within a model toy train body; at least two truck assemblies having a plurality of wheels positioned below the model toy train body; at least two saddles connecting each truck assembly to the model toy train body such that each truck assembly freely rotates and; means for connecting the motor shaft to the wheels of the truck assemblies such that when the motor drive shaft rotates it causes the wheels in each truck assembly to rotate.
- 2. A model toy train as in claim 1 wherein the means for connecting comprises:at least two worm shafts; a plurality of pinion gears and pinion shafts operably connected to the motor drive gear and operably connected to the worm shafts; at least two worm wheel shafts operably connected to the worm shafts and operably connected to the wheels of the truck assemblies such that the drive shaft causes the pinions to rotate, the pinions cause each worm shaft to rotate, each worm shaft causes the worm wheel shaft to rotate and each worm wheel shaft causes the wheels on the truck assemblies to rotate.
- 3. A model toy train as in claim 2 wherein each saddle is further provided with a bearing flange rotatably connecting each truck assembly to the model toy train body.
- 4. A model toy train as in claim 2 further comprising a subframe positioned between the truck assemblies and the model toy train body, the subframe fixedly connected to the model toy train body, and the truck assemblies rotatably connected to the truck assemblies through the saddles and bearing flanges.
- 5. A model toy train as in claim 4 wherein the pinion gears and pinion shafts are positioned within the subframe.
- 6. A model toy train as in claim 5 wherein the motor includes a pair of electric motors stacked in tandem and driving a single drive shaft.
- 7. A method of translating rotational energy from a drive shaft of an electric motor in a model toy train to a plurality of wheels on at least two truck assemblies comprising:translating the rotational energy from the electric motor to at least a pair of shafts; translating the rotational energy from each of the pair of shafts to the wheels of the truck assemblies wherein the rotational energy is translated to a plurality of pinons which in turn translate rotational energy to at least two worm shafts.
- 8. A drive assembly in a model toy train having a toy train body comprising:at least two separate electric engines positioned at discrete positions within the toy train body, each electric engine including a drive shaft; a least two subframes fixedly attached to the toy train body; at least four truck assemblies, each including a plurality of wheels, rotationally attached to the subframes such that at least two truck assemblies are attached to each subframe; a plurality of pinions connected to each drive shaft, the pinions positioned in each subframe; at least four worm shafts connected to the pinions, such that at least two worm gears are connected to the pinions in each subframe; at least four worm wheel shafts, each worm wheel shaft discretely connecting one of the worm shafts to one of the at least four truck assemblies with the worm wheel shafts operably connected to the wheels in each of the at least four truck assemblies to rotate the wheels of truck assemblies.
US Referenced Citations (5)