Inserted molded traction tire for a model toy train

Details Inserted molded traction tire for a model toy train Inserted molded traction tire for a model toy train

2000-05-17

2003-09-09

Banks, Derris H. (Department: 3712)

Amusement devices: toys

Rolling or tumbling

Wheeled vehicle

C446S465000, C264S274000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06616506

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wheel assembly for a model toy train including traction tire.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the past model toy trains have included traction tires to assist the toy train engines in pulling their respective cars. The traction tires are typically placed on the driven wheels of the model toy train engine. Traction tires prevent the driven wheels from slipping as the model toy train pulls its cars up a slop as is often included in model toy train layouts.
Two styles of traction tires are available in the prior art. As illustrated in
FIG. 1
there is shown a prior art toy train wheel assembly
10
including a traction tire
12
directly molded to a die cast wheel
14
. Because traction tire
10
did not sit in a channel, strong adhesives were used to bond traction tire
12
to wheel
14
. While this design provided increased traction, once the tire
12
wore out the entire assembly
10
had to be disposed of. This was because the material and method used to mold the rubber to the wheel
14
did not allow the traction tire
12
to be removed easily.
The model toy train industry solved the problem of the toy train wheel assembly illustrated in
FIG. 1
by replacing the rubber tire
12
of
FIG. 1
with the rubber tire
22
as illustrated in FIG.
2
.
FIG. 2
illustrates a second prior art toy train wheel assembly
20
. The rubber tire
22
of
FIG. 2
was not molded to a wheel
26
but an undercut recess or channel
24
was provided which accommodated a rubberband-like tire
22
. Tire
22
was not bonded to wheel
26
, but was held in by the elasticity of tire
22
. While the traction tire illustrated in
FIG. 2
solved the problem of replacing the tire, it had an undesirous effect that the tire tended to slip off the wheel.
The present invention addresses the problems with the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a model toy train wheel assembly including a wheel and a traction tire. The wheel includes an undercut recess accessible by at least one sprue and a traction tire over molded into the undercut recess through the at least one sprue.
The present invention also includes a method for manufacturing a wheel assembly for a model toy train including providing a wheel including an undercut recess and at least one sprue; and over molding an elastomeric tire into the undercut recess through the at least one sprue.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3270373 (1966-09-01), Jagger et al.
patent: 3398222 (1968-08-01), Kaufman, Jr. et al.
patent: 3680187 (1972-08-01), Murray

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