Amusement devices: toys – Rolling or tumbling – Including extrinsic guide or means cooperable with extrinsic...
Patent
1996-05-06
1998-01-06
Muir, D. Neal
Amusement devices: toys
Rolling or tumbling
Including extrinsic guide or means cooperable with extrinsic...
446444, 10413001, 246415A, A63H 1928, A63H 1800, B61C 900
Patent
active
057048223
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a switching device which is arranged in a junction element to be used in a toy railway.
A prior-art junction element, which is provided with a switching device, has two opposing, parallel flat sides, of which the one constitutes its upper side and the other constitutes its underside. On the upper side, this junction element is formed with track-like depressions, which in pairs form an incoming railway track and two outgoing railway tracks extending therefrom for a toy train. The junction element is intended to be placed on a flat surface with its upper side, i.e. the side with the tracks, facing upwards. The switching device comprises a switch plate, which is pivotably arranged at the upper side of the junction element. The switch plate can be pivoted so as to produce a track connection between the incoming railway track and the one or the other of the outgoing railway tracks. Further, the switch plate can be pivoted by means of an eccentric element projecting from the upper side of the junction element and consisting of a pivot pin that is eccentrically mounted in the upper side of the junction element.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A switching device of the type described above cannot be used in association with a reversible junction element, by which is meant a junction element whose two flat sides are both formed with track-like depressions and thus form "track sides".
The object of this invention is to provide a simple and reliable switching device for such a reversible junction element.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a switching device arranged in a junction element, which is to be used in a toy railway and which has two opposing, parallel flat sides and is reversible so that it can be placed on a flat surface, with either of said flat sides facing upwards, each flat side being formed with track-like depressions, which in pairs form one incoming railway track and two outgoing railway tracks extending therefrom for a toy train, said switching device being characterised in that it is provided with a switch plate at each flat side, said switch plate being arranged in a recess, which is formed in the respective flat sides and in which the switch plate is pivotable about a pivot axis perpendicular to the flat sides between a first position, in which it produces a track connection between the incoming railway track and the one outgoing railway track, and a second position, in which it produces a track connection between the incoming railway track and the other outgoing railway track, that the two switch plates are interconnected by a connecting element, which extends through a profile hole formed in the junction element and which, when the switch plates occupy the first position, engages a first portion of a wall delimiting the profile hole and, when the switch plates occupy the second position, engages a second portion of said wall, and that the switch plates can be pivoted by axial displacement of an operating rod which with force fit extends through a hole, which is formed in the junction element and is essentially perpendicular to the pivot axis of the switch plates, from the outside of the junction element into the profile hole, where it is connected to the connecting element.
In a preferred embodiment, the operating rod has, over at least part of its length, a slightly larger cross-section than the hole, and the operating rod in this part has a longitudinal, through slit that enables it to be elastically compressed in the hole.
In another preferred embodiment, the pivot axis of the switch plates is defined by a pivot pin which is rotatably mounted in the junction element, and the pivot pin and the connecting element are connected with press fit to the two switch plates by means of hole-and-pin connections.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the operating rod has a conical recess in the portion located in the profile hole, and the connecting element has a projecting pin engaging in this recess in order to connect the connec
REFERENCES:
patent: 2154450 (1939-04-01), Holt
Brio AB
Muir D. Neal
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