US2962563A - Toy electric railway current collector means - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 29, 1960 w, DAVls 2,962,563

TOY ELECTRIC RAILWAY CURRENT COLLECTOR MEANS Filed Sept. 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l TOY ELECTRIC RAILWAY CURRENT COLLECTOR MEANS Filed Sept. 3, 1954 W. M. DAVIS Nov. 29, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 NN NM NM MN NW N W. M. DAVIS Nov. 29, 1960 TOY ELECTRIC RAILWAY CURRENT COLLECTOR MEANS Filed Sept. 3, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q' J 0 70/ 57 if I M 0 J 047 5554 "ll- HEM States TOY ELECTRIC RAILWAY CURRENT COLLECTOR MEANS Wilbur M. Davis, 63 86th St., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Filed Sept. 3, 1954, Ser. No. 454,037

2 Claims. (Cl. 191-45) The usual electrical toy railway system includes a track which serves the dual purpose of forming a roadway over which cars are propelled and of forming part of the electrical power distributing means to one or more cars equipped with motors. It is often desired to provide such toys to relatively young children. However, typical constructions while varying widely are relatively intricate and therefore unsuited for use by such young children. Furthermore, the cost of' such toys which perform satisfactorily tends to prohibit their use by young children since the fragile construction of important parts thereof is not adapted to withstand the rugged handling and abuse to which they would be subjected.

It is therefore a principal object of my invention to provide a highly rugged toy electrical railway system made up of parts which individually are of rugged, simple construction and which may be readily assembled.

Another object is to provide such a rugged toy electrical railway system capable of withstanding rough usage to an exceptional degree and yet adapted tobe manufactured at an exceedingly low cost,

A further object is to provide an improved track especially well suited for such a toy electrical railway system and which is substantially flat, being free of protuberances, and therefore reducing to a minimum the possibility that portions thereof may be bent or otherwise rendered inoperative.

Another object is to provide an electrically propelled car or locomotive having a contactor or wiper which is connected to and in circuit with its motor and which is of rugged yet simple construction for sliding along in positive contact with conductive current carrying portions of a toy track.

Yet another object is to provide a power supply for such an electrical toy in which the number of discrete parts is reduced to a minimum and which is of highly rugged construction but yet adapted to be produced at exceedingly low cost.

In accordance with my invention there is provided a track having a fiat electrically nonconductive upper surface on which there are formed two spaced parallel conductive adherent coatings. Toy cars are provided with spaced Wheels having rims which run along the outer upper edge portions of the track and having flanges which serve to retain the cars on the track. At least one of the toy cars is provided with a motor which is connected to the conductive coatings by means of current collector means, one connected to each side of the motor, which slideably engage each of the conductive areas. The track conductive coatings are connected to opposite sides of a source of electrical current through other conductive coatings formed on a nonconductive base and arranged in a pattern to provide two alternate paths which, together with a double-pole, double-throw switch, serve as an adatent vantageous means for reversing the polarity of the track conductive coatings and thereby the direction of movement of the toy cars. Preferably, the conductive coatings of the track and conductive coatings connecting them to the power source are metalized areas formed by spraying conductive metal by means of a metalizing gun upon the nonconductive surfaces of the track and power supply base.

Other objects as well as advantages of my invention will be apparent from the, following description of one preferred embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a toy electrical railway system constructed in accordance with my invention and partially broken away for convenience;

Figure 2 is a plan view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion of track and the power supply with the top of the latter removed;

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view through the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure. 6 is a plan view of the base of a motor driven toy vehicle, partially in section, taken through the line 66 of Figure 7;

Figure 7 is a sectional view, partially in elevation, through the line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is. a bottom plan view of the toy locomotive; and

Figure 9 is a sectional view through the line 9-9 of Figure 7,

Referring now to the drawings in detail, track 10 may include a plurality of sections joined end to end to form an endless loop as shown. Each section of track 10 is of rigid electrically nonconductive material and may conveniently be cut or stamped from suitable composition board. While various types of board may be used, I preferably utilize a composition board having at least one relatively rough surface such as for example board sold under the name hardboard. Other materials which. may also be used include cardboard and plywood. Tracks 10 may be made in the following manner. The track sections are first cut out or otherwise formed from the composition board stock. Then the rough surface of the track sections is covered with a mask shaped to leave exposed theproperly shaped and spaced areas to which adherent conductive coatings 11 and 12 are applied. It is to be understood that the coatings 11 and 12 as well as the coatings hereinafter to be described have been shown with exaggerated thickness for purposes of illustration and are relatively thin and in practice of the order of about .004 inch. For purposes which will be made apparent, conductive coatings l1 and 12 are widened adjacent the ends of each track section. Coatings 11 and 12 are preferably formed by spraying conductive metal, such as aluminum, by means of a metalizing gun onto the masked rough surface. Conductive coatings 11 and 12 may also be formed by afiixing conductive metal foil strips to the surface of the track sections. However, such foil strips are more difficult to apply and when heat is utilized in laminating the foil to the track section they often become warped. Another expedient, is to utilize conductive metal strips which are embedded into the surface of the track sections. This manner of providing conductive areas is also more diflicult to carry out and has the further disadvantage in that sharp edges may be. left exposed. I have found that by spraying metal, and in particular aluminum, onto the surface of the track sections a uniformly satisfactory product is formed which provides low resistance conductors which make good electrical contact and have a long trouble-free life. While other methods may be utilized for forming the conductive coatings such as chemical deposition, they are generally substantially more expensive than spraying.

Complementary conductive connectors 13, 14 are connected to opposite ends of each track section, a set being provided for each of the coatings 11 and 12, and provide means for linking up the track sections to form the roadway for the cars and also to electrically bridge coatings 11 and 12 of one section with the respective coatings on adjoining track sections. Connectors 13 may be readily formed from sheet metal and provided with a tongue portion 13a having a boss formed thereon. When formed, connectors 13 may also be provided with tabs 13b by means of which the connectors are secured to one end of the track sections in overlying and contacting relation with the aforementioned widened portions of the conductive coatings 11 and 12.

Connectors 14 are of similar construction each being formed with a tongue portion 14a and tabs 14b. Tongue portions 14a are provided with a recess or hole in complementary relation to the boss on tongues 13a for engaging the same.

One section of track is secured to a nonconductive base member 15 by means of two conductive straps 16, 17 suitably fastened thereto, as by conductive rivets 18 which electrically connect straps 16, 17 with conductive coatings 11, 12 respectively. Straps 16, 17 extend below the section of track 10 so as not to interfere with the movement of the cars while rivets 18 extend through the track and serve as conductors. Base member '15 forms the base of a housing indicated generally at 19 in Figure 1 and may be adapted to receive several conventional dry cell batteries. In the present instance, two contact posts 20, 21 are connected to and supported on base member 15 in alined relation to a slot 22 through which three cells 23 may be inserted into housing 19 and alined in end to end contacting relation and in contact with posts and 21. A rotatably mounted retaining member 34 when rotated so as to extend across slot 22 serves to retain cells 23.

A pair of bowed, resilient, conductive members 24, 25 are secured to base member 15 in side by side insulated relation. Members 24, 25 are mounted with their convex surfaces toward base member 15 so that the median portions thereof engage the base member. The median portion of conductive member 24 is electrically connected to contact post 20 by a conductive coating 26 formed on base member 15. Similarly, the median portion of conductive member 25 is electrically connected to contact post 21 by conductive coating 27.

A conductive coating 28 also formed on base member 15, is conductively connected to strap 16 by one of the rivets 18 and extends along base member 15 so as to underlie the left-hand end portion of conductive member 25 and the right-hand end portion of conductive member 24 as viewed in Figure 2. Similarly, conductive coatings 29 and 30 are connected adjacent to one end thereof to strap 17 and extend along base member 15 so as to underlie respectively the left-hand end portion of conductive member 24 and the right-hand end portion of conductive member 25.

As shown most clearly in Figures 4 and 5, housing 19 has a pair of apertures 31 formed therethrough adjacent to the opposite ends of conductive members 24, 25 and in which actuators in the form of buttons 32, 33 are seated. Enlarged base portion 32a of button 32 extends in engagement with one set of adjacent ends of conductive members 24, 25 while enlarged base portion 33a of button 33 extends in engagement with the opposite end portions of conductive members 24, 25. Thus, as viewed, button 32 engages the left and button 33 the right ends of conductive members 24, 25 which normally are in their raised positions and out of contact with their associated conductive coatings. It is evident that conductive members 24, 25 form a double-pole, double-throw switch thereby permitting reversal of the connection between track conductive coatings 11, 12 and the terminals of battery 23.

Referring now to Figures 6-9 in detail, motor driven toy vehicle 35 may be a locomotive as shown and comprises a base 36 to which are rotatably secured running Wheels 37 and drive wheels 38. Wheels 37 and 38 have rims which engage and run along the opposite peripheral portions of track 10, being retained thereon by outwardly disposed flanges 37a and 38a, respectively. The rims of drive wheels 38 are covered by material having a suit able high coefiicient of friction such as endless rubber bands 39 which bear against the upwardly presented peripheral portions of track 10. Engaging bands 39 for driving wheels 38 are similar bands 40 of smaller diameter engirdling the opposite extremities of drive shaft 41 which extends outwardly from motor 42. A U-shaped bracket 43 having its base secured to base 36 provides a seat for a motor 42 and is positioned so that bands 40 are maintained in frictional engagement with drive wheels 38 due to the pressure exerted on motor 42 by resilient member 44 interposed between motor 42 and casing 45. Resilient member 44 may be of spongy material or, if desired, a spring may be used.

A pair of current collectors 46 are carried by vehicle base 36 in parallel spaced relation and each includes a generally L-shaped conductive support member 47 the horizontal portion of which extends longitudinally of base 36 and is loosely secured by means of a pin 48 so as to be vertically displaceable to a limited extent. The vertical portions of each of the support members 47 extend upwardly each through a hole 49 formed in base 36 and are bent over and soldered to the relatively flexible leads 50 of motor 42. Each of the L-shaped support members 47 is provided with tabs 51 which may be integral therewith and which serve to secure elongated contact brushes 52 to each of the horizontal portions of support members 47. I have found that flat braided wire is most suitable for forming brushes 52 and preferably utilize tin or silver coated copper wire. Brushes 52 are spaced and alined so that each engages and may slide along one of the conductive coatings 11, 12 when toy vehicle 35 is placed on track 10. It will be noted that the portion of conductive support members 47 engaging pins 48 are turned up to provide suflicient clearance between coatings 11, 12 and the heads of pins 48.

A pair of weights 53 each slideable in a hole 54, formed in base 36 and alined with the horizontal portion of each L-shaped conductive member 47 so as to bear against the same provide means for maintaining brushes 52 in firm engagement against the respective conductive coating 11. The lower portion of each of the weights 53 is tapered as shown to provide suflicient clearance with respect to connectors 13 and 14. Springs or other suitable resilient means may be utilized in place of weights 53 but since they would act against the weight of the relatively light toy car are much more difficult to use than the preferred weights 53 which also serve to lower the center of gravity of car 35. This is especially desirable when the lower portions of the vehicle are of relatively light weight materials. It is to be understood that in the event base 36 is formed of electrically conductive material then suitable insulation is provided to avoid a short circuit between coatings 11 and 12.

As shown in Figure 1, a plurality of suitably ornamented cars 55 having outwardly flanged running wheels 56 may be mounted on track 10 and coupled to locomotive 35. Any desired coupling between the cars may be utilized and in the present instance hooks 57 and eyes 58 connected to the rear and front of the cars are provided.

Motor 42 may be of conventional design suitable for energization by the source of electrical power utilized.

with the reversing means previously described is especially desirable.

When the cars are set up and engaged one with the other on track current collectors 46 of locomotive 35 are positioned with brushes 52 each bearing against and slideable along one of the conductive coatings 11, 12. Since both ends of resilient members 24, 25 normally are raised and out of contact with the underlying conductive coatings the circuit between the terminals of battery 23 and motor 42 is open and the cars remain motionless. Now, when button 32 is depressed the left-hand ends of members 24, 25 are carried down into engagement with conductive coatings 29 and 28 respectively thereby closing a circuit which comprises the left-hand battery terminal, contact post 20, conductive coating 26, member 24, coating 29, strap 17, rivet 18 and track conductive coating 12. Current is picked up from coating 12 by the brush 52 in contact therewith and flows along its L-shaped support member and the motor lead 58 connected thereto through the stator winding of motor 42 and then to coating 11 by means of the other collector 46. From coating 11 current flows to rivet 18, strap 16, conductive coating 28, then through conductive resilient member 25, the left-hand end of which is also down, to coating 27 and contact post 21 which engages the other terminal of battery 23. It is apparent then that depressing button 32 serves to complete the circuit to motor 42 so that its shaft is rotated in one direction for driving Wheels 38 and hence the cars in their forward direction along track 10. When button 32 is permitted to rise, the lowered ends of members 24, 25 also rise and the circuit is opened thereby deenergizing motor 42 and the cars come to rest. When button 33 is depressed the other or right-hand ends of members 24, 25 are carried down and now the terminal of battery 23 engaging post 20 is connected to strap 16 while the other battery terminal is connected to strap 17. It is evident then that the current through motor 42 is now reversed. Consequently drive shaft 41 is driven in the direction opposite to that previously described and the cars are driven backwards. Again, when button 33 is raised the circuit is opened and the cars halt.

It is apparent that I have provided a toy electric railway system having a highly simplified and rugged construction which lends itself to low cost mass production methods and which is suitable for use and operation by a young child. By providing a virtually fiat surfaced track free of connecting wires a long trouble free track life is ensured which may be quickly and easily assembled. It will also be observed that since the conductive coatings, in particular track coatings 11 and 12, are formed on a rough surface they are not only strongly adherent but also tend to prevent the formation of continous scratches or breaks as might result from a childs mishandling and which could otherwise cause an open circuit failure.

Current collectors 46 together with conductive coatings 11 and 12 provide a small resistance contact therebetween thereby minimizing current losses which would otherwise occur. This is especially important since it is contemplated that battery operation will be favored to provide maximum safety for a child. At the present time, I attribute the success of my preferred sliding contact to the braided wire brushes 52 which in rubbing along the rough surface of metalized coatings 11 and 12 are believed to continually expose clean metal while weights 53 provide a simple but highly efiicient means for ensuring the desired contact pressure which remains uniform over the entire life of the toy.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. Current transfer means comprising an elongated conductor strip, means for supporting said strip, an elongated braided wire brush having longitudinally extending Wires forming a lateral surface, said surface being in contact with said strip, and means pressing said wire brush through substantially the whole length thereof against said strip.

2. Current transfer means comp-rising a support, two thin parallel, spaced elongated strips of conductive material coated on said support, two elongated braided Wire brushes, each having longitudinally extending wires forming a lateral surface, the surface of each of said brushes being in contact with each of said strips, and means for pressing said wire brushes through substantially the whole length thereof against said strips.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 51,098 Story Nov. 21, 1865 95,051 Shetfield et al Sept. 21, 1869 533,583 Dickey Feb. 5, 1895 599,781 Gutmann Mar. 1, 1898 993,727 Sollman May 30, 1911 1,256,599 Schoop Feb. 19, 1918 1,660,715 Lingenfelder Feb. 28, 1928 1,668,249 Rich May 1, 1928 1,734,678 Krogel Nov. 5, 1929 2,066,511 Arlt Jan. 5, 1937 2,461,696 Morningstar Feb. 15, 1949 2,519,899 Gaynor Aug. 22, 1950 2,537,281 Roshak Jan. 9, 1951 2,581,583 Fields Jan. 8, 1952 2,599,710 Hathaway June 10, 1952 2,622,160 Werner Dec. 16, 1952 2,632,284 McDonald Mar. 24, 1953 2,652,500 Bonanno Sept. 15, 1953 2,677,216 Hein May 4, 1954 2,687,304 Northrup et al Aug. 24, 1954 2,690,626 Gay et al. Oct. 5, 1954 2,691,946 Marmo Oct. 19, 1954 2,698,180 Hersh Dec. 28, 1954 2,703,534 Copeland Mar. 8, 1955 2,836,129 Jaeger May 27, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 307,505 Germany Sept. 2, 1918 803,882 Germany Apr. 12, 1951 OTHER REFERENCES intendent of Documents, US. Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D.C.)

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