CA1087846A - Coupler for toy and model railway cars - Google Patents
Coupler for toy and model railway carsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1087846A CA1087846A CA290,770A CA290770A CA1087846A CA 1087846 A CA1087846 A CA 1087846A CA 290770 A CA290770 A CA 290770A CA 1087846 A CA1087846 A CA 1087846A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- magnet
- pole
- knuckle
- coupler
- uncoupling
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
COUPLER FOR TOY AND MODEL RAILWAY CARS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A coupler for toy and model railway cars includes a coupler knuckle adapted to engage a complimentary knuckle on an adjacent car. The knuckle is pivotally mounted on a support means and is adapted to pivot between a lower position sub-stantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position. A first permanent magnet is mounted on an end of the knuckle with a pole of the magnet facing outwardly. A second magnet is mounted on the car structure with an unlike pole facing towards the out-wardly facing pole of the first magnet. The resultant magnetic attraction between the unlike poles resiliently urges the knuckle to the lower position.
Cars may be uncoupled by providing a pole of an uncoupling magnet on the trackway to attract the outwardly facing pole and repel the other pole of the first magnet to create an attraction/repulsion force couple to torque the knuckle to the upper position and thereby uncouple adjacent cars.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A coupler for toy and model railway cars includes a coupler knuckle adapted to engage a complimentary knuckle on an adjacent car. The knuckle is pivotally mounted on a support means and is adapted to pivot between a lower position sub-stantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position. A first permanent magnet is mounted on an end of the knuckle with a pole of the magnet facing outwardly. A second magnet is mounted on the car structure with an unlike pole facing towards the out-wardly facing pole of the first magnet. The resultant magnetic attraction between the unlike poles resiliently urges the knuckle to the lower position.
Cars may be uncoupled by providing a pole of an uncoupling magnet on the trackway to attract the outwardly facing pole and repel the other pole of the first magnet to create an attraction/repulsion force couple to torque the knuckle to the upper position and thereby uncouple adjacent cars.
Description
I 3L0E~78~ 1 , BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIO~
¦1. FIELD OF rr~lE INVENTION
¦ The present invention relates to coupler mechanisms for toy and model railway cars, or the like, and more particu- ~' larly, to couplers utilizing magnetlc means for coupling and uncoupling. !
¦1. FIELD OF rr~lE INVENTION
¦ The present invention relates to coupler mechanisms for toy and model railway cars, or the like, and more particu- ~' larly, to couplers utilizing magnetlc means for coupling and uncoupling. !
2. PRIOR ART
Toy and model railway cars utilizP coupler mechanisms located at the ends of each car to affect the coupling and ;~ 10 uncoupling of adjacent cars. Ordinary couplers mechanisms have been characterized by troublesome and unreliable operation giving ~-rise to a need, especially with regard to the smaller scale model railroad couplers, for a simple inexpensive coupler which provides reliable coupling and uncoupling. Examples of conventional coupler mechanisms include the so-called "Arnold-type" shown in r Figures 1 and 2, and a coupler mechanism disclosed in United States Patent No. 3,840,127 to Edwards.
The "Arnold-type" coupler, generally referred to in Figures 1 and 2 by the reference character 10, includes a "C"-shaped couplar knuckle 11 secured to an end of a support shat12 and a flange 13 formed at and extending laterally outward of the other end of the shaft 12. The knuckle 11 includes a triangular formation 19 at its fo~ard end having upper and lower inclined ramp surfaces. The 1ange end of the support shaft 12 is pivotally retained in a pocket 21 ormed in a support means 15 secured to the end of the car 14 (broken line .. ¦ illustration). The flange 13 i5 resiliently urged by a helical coil spring 17, in compression, against a forward waIl 18 of '.;
the support means 15. The knuckle 11 is mounted so that it may g~ pivot in a vertical plane between a lo~er position substantially '' . ' I ~',.
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~parallel to a trackway 20 and an upper position (FIG. 2) with the sprin~ 17 resiliently urging the knuckle 11 to the lower position. In order to couple adjacent cars together, the cars ¦are thrust towards one another causing one of the two knuckles to ride upwardly on the upper inclined ramp surface of the other ¦
knuckle. In the case shown in FIG. 2, the knuckle 11 is forced to its upper position by the upper inclined ramp surface of ;~ the knuckle 11'. The upwardly pivoted knuckle 11 then clears - the horizontal knuckle 11' and is resiliently urged by the spring 17 to the lower position to engage the knuckle 11'. The cars may be readily uncoupled by providing a depending pin, 16 ¦
and 16', on each knuckle, 11 and 11l, and an uncoupling means.
22 which may be selectively caused to extend upward from the trackway 20 to contact one of the depending pins and force the associated knuckle to its upper position to disengage the knuckles and thereby uncouple the cars.
- A disadvantage of the above described coupler is that ` the spring 17 can twist and thereby diminish the ability of the spring to maintain the knuckles 11 and 11' in their normal , 20 positions. As a result, the coupler operation is less than reliable. In addition, it has proven extremely difficult to control the running and stopping of the cars in such a manner to efect reliable uncoupling.
The coupling mechanism disclosed in the aforementioned Edwards' patent affixes a permanent magnet to the knuckle of a ; conventional coupler to provide a means for magnetically uncoupling cars. The permanent magnet is aligned on the . ¦ knuckle with its polar axis along the vertical and with one pole facing downward toward a trackway. An uncoupling , electromagnet is located beneath the trackway with a like pole on the trackway facing upwardly toward the downwardly facing `': ' ~
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¦pole of the knuckle magnet. The cars are coupled as described ¦above for the "Arnold-type" coupler and may be uncoupled by ¦selectively energiziny the uncoupling electromagnet to cause a resultant magnetic repulsion between the like poles of the ~¦magnets to ~ivot one of the ~nuckles to its upper position ¦
and thereby e~fect uncoupling. The direction of the lines of force between the two magnets varies as the coupler pivots upwardly, as a result, the repulsion force differs depending upon the relative position of the two magne-ts. This force variation makes smooth and reliable uncoupling uncertain.
SUMMAR~ OF THE INVENTION
,, ~ ' `:
It is an object of the present invention to provide`a coupler mechanism for coupling and uncoupling toy and model railway cars, or the like, which is reliable and operates with a smooth uniform motion.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a coupler which utilizes magnetic force to resiliently urge a coupler knuckler to a lower position substantially parallel to a trackway.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a coupler utilizing magnetic force Eor both resiliently urging a coupler knuckle to a lower position and to effect the uncoupling operation.
Toward the fulfillment of these ob~ects, and others, ~-the present invention provides a coupler for connecting adjacent toy or model railway cars including a coupler knuckle having a first permanent magnet secured to an end thereof with a pole of i ¦ the magnet facing outwardly of the knuckle. A support means is ¦ provided at the end of a car upon which the knuckle is mounted I to permit the knuckle to pivot between a lower position sub-stantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position. A
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¦¦second magnet is mo~nted on a stationary structure relative the first magnet with an unlike pole o~ the second magnet jfacing to~ard the outwardly facing pole of the first magnet with the resultant magnetic at-traction bet~Jeen the unlike poles resiliently urging the knuckle to ~he lower position.
Cars may be selectively uncoupled by mounting the pole of an uncoupling magnet, such as an electromagnet, on the trackway with the uncoupliny magnet pole unlike that of the outwardly facing pole of the first magnet. The t~o poles attract one another to create a torque to pivot the knuckle to the upper position and thereby uncouple the cars.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
.. ~
The above description as well as the obiects, features, and advantages, o~ the present invention will be more fullY
aPPreciated bY reference to the followinq detailed description of presentl~ preferred but nonetheless illustrated embodiments ~ in accordance with the Present invention, when taken in con- ¦
- junction with the accompanying drawings wherein~
Figure 1 is a plan view, in partial cross section, of a conventional coupler mechanism;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the coupler shown i~ Figure 1 with a coupler knuckle shown in an upward ! :
position and selected portions shown in broken line illustration;
Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a model railway car having a coupler embodyiny the present invention secured thereto with the coupler knuckle shown in an upward position;
¦ Figure 4a is a plan view, in partial cross section~
of the coupler shown in Figure 3;
- B n l Figure 4b is a perspective view of the coupler shown ¦ in Figure 4a with selected portions shown in broken line ¦ illustration;
' _5_ 1~78~a6 Figure 4c is a perspective view of another coupler embodyin~ the present lnvention, shown with the coupler knuckle in an upward position;
I Figure 5 is a plan view, in par-tial cross section, of a variation of the coupler shown in Figure 4a; and Figure 6 is a plan view, in partial cross section, of , r another variation of the coupler shown in Figure 4a.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIL~ENTS , ~ -Referring to Figures 3, 4a, and 4b, the re~erence character 36 refers in general to a coupler of the present invention mounted at the end portion 31 of a model railway car 30~ The coupler 36 is formed generally along a longitudinal axis 29 and includes a conventional coupler knuckle 32 secured to one end o~ a support shaft 33. The knuckle 32, which is adapted to engage a complimentary knuckle 32' on an adjacent car (not shown~ includes a triangular formation 42 having inclined uppex and lower ramp surfaces, 27 and 28, intersectin~
along a line 26. A flange 34 is formed at and extends later-ally outward of the other end of the support shaft 33. The flange end of the coupler 36 is pivotally retained in a pocket 38 (FIG. 4al of a support s-tructure 25 having open front and upper portions and having spaced apart vertical walls 37-and 37~' The coupler 36 is pivotally supported for movement between a lower position substantially parallel to a tràckway 40 and an upper position (FIG. 3).
A permanent magnet 35, preferably in the form of a bar magnet having a rectangular or circular cross section, is ¦secured to the flange end of the support shaft 33 with its ' r polar axis preferably coincident with the longitudinal axis . ~ ~
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7~6 , ¦,29 of the couplex 36 and with one of its poles 49 facing jloutwardly of the coupler along the longitudinal axis 29. 1 _ A second permanent magnet 39, preferably having the same general shape as the magnet 35, is secured to the support ¦structure 25 with one o~ its poles .51 facing towards the outwardly Eacin~ pole 49 of the magnet 35. The magnet 39 is preferably located on the support structure 25 such that its , polar axis is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis 29 of the coupler 36 when the coupler 36 is in its lower position. I
The magnets 35 and 39 are so oriented that unlike I r poles face toward one another. In the case of the preferred ~; embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4a, the south pole of the magnet 35 faces the north pole of the magnet 39. As can ' be read;ly appreciated, a reverse polar arrangement is equally satisfactory. The magnetic attraction that results between the unlike poles of the magnets 35 and 39 causes the flange end of the shaft 33 to be resiliently urged against the ends of the walls 37 and 37' and thereby cause the knuckle 32 to be ~ ;
resiliently urged to its lower pos.ition.
Two cars utilizing the structure described above may be coupled together by thrusting the cars toward one another as shown in Figure 3. As sho~n therein, the knuckle 32 is driven upward on the upper inclined ramp 27' of the other knuckle 32' to its upper position and then resiliently urged by the magnetic force between the magnets 35 and 39 to its lower position to thereby couple the cars. I
The cars may be uncoupled by means of an uncoupling 'I ~ -magnet 41 (Figure 3), either a permanent magnet or a selectively ~ -actuable electromagnet, mounted beneath the trackway 40. ¦ I
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~ 7846 The uncoupling magne~ 41 ls so mounted that one of its poles 24 is located on -the tr~ck~ay 40 facing upwardly to~ard the ¦outwardly faciny pole 49 of the magnet 35. The uncoupliny ma~net 41 is so oriented that the pole 24 is unli~e the out-wardly facing pole 49 of the magnet 35 and produces a sub-stantially stronger magnetic force, that is, a substantially greater magnetic flux, th~n the magnet 39. In the preferred e~bodiment shown in Fig. 3, the pole 24 is a north pole.
When it is desired to uncouple cars, they are rolled over the magnet 41 which is then energized by conventional electrical circuity (not shown). As a result, the north pole 24 attracts , , the outwardly facing south pole 49 and repels the north pole of the magnet 35 to generate an attraction/repulsion force couple at the flange end of the coupler 36 which torques the coupler 36 upw~rd to its upper position as shown in Fig. 3 to thereby uncouple the carsn An alternate structure for supporting the coupler :, knuckle 32 is shown in Fig. 4c and includes a box-like recepticle 43 formed at the end of the support shaft 33 and into which the ma~net 35 is inserted. Shafts 44 extend laterally outward from each side of the recepticle 43 along a lateral axis 50 and are received in boxes 46 formed in the sidewalls of a support 45.
The bores 46 are preEerably enlarged to permit limitèd pivoting of the knuckle 32 in a plane passing through the lateral axis ~; 50. When the coupler 36 is in its lo~er position, an upper wall 47 of the recepticle 43 contacts a ceiling 48 of the support 45 .~ . -.
,~ to limit the downward pivoting of the coupler 36 and thereby define le lower position of the co~pler 36. This alternate ~` -8-,., . ., .
,, . , 0~7s46 l~ l j embodiment permits the coupler 36 to pivot between its lower and up~er positions .in a smooth uniform manner when compared i to the embodiment utilizing the aforementioned pivoting ~lange structure.
I In ~he embodiments described above~ both poles of the ;~ ¦ magnet 35 are located on one side of the pivoting axis of the - j coupler 36. During the uncoupling operation, the outwardly ¦ facing south pole 49 of the magnet 35 is attracted to the north pole 24 of the uncoupling magnet 41 to provide a torque to pivot the coupler to its upper position, and the north pole of the magnet is repelled by the north pole 24 to provide ¦
a counter-torque to pivot the coupler downward to its lower ¦
position. Since the north pole of the magnet 35 is closer ¦ to the pivoting axis, the counter-torque produced by the , I repulsion force is small and can be considered negligible. ¦ .
It is readily possible to increase the attraction/repul-¦ sion force couple acting on the coupler 36 by having one pole of ,~ the magnet 35 on one side of the pivoting axis and the other pole on the other side of the pivoting axis. In Figure 5 the a o support shaft 33 is formed as a magnetic member wi-th one pole, i the south pole, facing outwardly toward the magnet 39 and the other pole, the north pole, at the other end of the support I shaft 33, contiguous with the knuckle 32. This embodiment t~ I may be fabricated by forming the support shaft 33 from a ferro~
¦ magnetic material or affixing a bar magnet to a support shaft j 33 fabricated from a non-magnetic material. The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is similar to that shown in Fig. 5, except . I that the north pole is located at the end of the knuckle 32.
jj T~is elbodiment may be fabricated by forming the knucklc ¦
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I~ I ,. , ~32 and the suppo~t shaft 33 as a unitary structure from a 1I ferro-mac~netic mater:ial. As can be appreciated, the attraction~
¦, repulsion ~orce couple that results when the poles are on opposite sides of the pivotiny axis is greater than tha-t of the embodiments of Figs. 4a, 4b, and 4c.
¦ The present invention provides a coupler for toy land model railway cars which is smooth and reliable in I :
¦operation and which utilizes magnetic means to resiliently .
! urge the coupler knuckle to the lower position and to uncouple ¦cars in contrast to the prior art couplers. The present . ¦ invention, while disclosed in a model railway cars context, is equally applicable to any kind of vertically pivotablé
coupling-uncoupling type coupler.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the ar~, various changes and modifications may be made to the couplers .. of the present lnvention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention às recited in the appended .
claims and their legal equivalent. .
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Toy and model railway cars utilizP coupler mechanisms located at the ends of each car to affect the coupling and ;~ 10 uncoupling of adjacent cars. Ordinary couplers mechanisms have been characterized by troublesome and unreliable operation giving ~-rise to a need, especially with regard to the smaller scale model railroad couplers, for a simple inexpensive coupler which provides reliable coupling and uncoupling. Examples of conventional coupler mechanisms include the so-called "Arnold-type" shown in r Figures 1 and 2, and a coupler mechanism disclosed in United States Patent No. 3,840,127 to Edwards.
The "Arnold-type" coupler, generally referred to in Figures 1 and 2 by the reference character 10, includes a "C"-shaped couplar knuckle 11 secured to an end of a support shat12 and a flange 13 formed at and extending laterally outward of the other end of the shaft 12. The knuckle 11 includes a triangular formation 19 at its fo~ard end having upper and lower inclined ramp surfaces. The 1ange end of the support shaft 12 is pivotally retained in a pocket 21 ormed in a support means 15 secured to the end of the car 14 (broken line .. ¦ illustration). The flange 13 i5 resiliently urged by a helical coil spring 17, in compression, against a forward waIl 18 of '.;
the support means 15. The knuckle 11 is mounted so that it may g~ pivot in a vertical plane between a lo~er position substantially '' . ' I ~',.
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ll 1 q8~ ~
~parallel to a trackway 20 and an upper position (FIG. 2) with the sprin~ 17 resiliently urging the knuckle 11 to the lower position. In order to couple adjacent cars together, the cars ¦are thrust towards one another causing one of the two knuckles to ride upwardly on the upper inclined ramp surface of the other ¦
knuckle. In the case shown in FIG. 2, the knuckle 11 is forced to its upper position by the upper inclined ramp surface of ;~ the knuckle 11'. The upwardly pivoted knuckle 11 then clears - the horizontal knuckle 11' and is resiliently urged by the spring 17 to the lower position to engage the knuckle 11'. The cars may be readily uncoupled by providing a depending pin, 16 ¦
and 16', on each knuckle, 11 and 11l, and an uncoupling means.
22 which may be selectively caused to extend upward from the trackway 20 to contact one of the depending pins and force the associated knuckle to its upper position to disengage the knuckles and thereby uncouple the cars.
- A disadvantage of the above described coupler is that ` the spring 17 can twist and thereby diminish the ability of the spring to maintain the knuckles 11 and 11' in their normal , 20 positions. As a result, the coupler operation is less than reliable. In addition, it has proven extremely difficult to control the running and stopping of the cars in such a manner to efect reliable uncoupling.
The coupling mechanism disclosed in the aforementioned Edwards' patent affixes a permanent magnet to the knuckle of a ; conventional coupler to provide a means for magnetically uncoupling cars. The permanent magnet is aligned on the . ¦ knuckle with its polar axis along the vertical and with one pole facing downward toward a trackway. An uncoupling , electromagnet is located beneath the trackway with a like pole on the trackway facing upwardly toward the downwardly facing `': ' ~
~7~ 6 I ~
¦pole of the knuckle magnet. The cars are coupled as described ¦above for the "Arnold-type" coupler and may be uncoupled by ¦selectively energiziny the uncoupling electromagnet to cause a resultant magnetic repulsion between the like poles of the ~¦magnets to ~ivot one of the ~nuckles to its upper position ¦
and thereby e~fect uncoupling. The direction of the lines of force between the two magnets varies as the coupler pivots upwardly, as a result, the repulsion force differs depending upon the relative position of the two magne-ts. This force variation makes smooth and reliable uncoupling uncertain.
SUMMAR~ OF THE INVENTION
,, ~ ' `:
It is an object of the present invention to provide`a coupler mechanism for coupling and uncoupling toy and model railway cars, or the like, which is reliable and operates with a smooth uniform motion.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a coupler which utilizes magnetic force to resiliently urge a coupler knuckler to a lower position substantially parallel to a trackway.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a coupler utilizing magnetic force Eor both resiliently urging a coupler knuckle to a lower position and to effect the uncoupling operation.
Toward the fulfillment of these ob~ects, and others, ~-the present invention provides a coupler for connecting adjacent toy or model railway cars including a coupler knuckle having a first permanent magnet secured to an end thereof with a pole of i ¦ the magnet facing outwardly of the knuckle. A support means is ¦ provided at the end of a car upon which the knuckle is mounted I to permit the knuckle to pivot between a lower position sub-stantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position. A
. . ~' 8~
¦¦second magnet is mo~nted on a stationary structure relative the first magnet with an unlike pole o~ the second magnet jfacing to~ard the outwardly facing pole of the first magnet with the resultant magnetic at-traction bet~Jeen the unlike poles resiliently urging the knuckle to ~he lower position.
Cars may be selectively uncoupled by mounting the pole of an uncoupling magnet, such as an electromagnet, on the trackway with the uncoupliny magnet pole unlike that of the outwardly facing pole of the first magnet. The t~o poles attract one another to create a torque to pivot the knuckle to the upper position and thereby uncouple the cars.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
.. ~
The above description as well as the obiects, features, and advantages, o~ the present invention will be more fullY
aPPreciated bY reference to the followinq detailed description of presentl~ preferred but nonetheless illustrated embodiments ~ in accordance with the Present invention, when taken in con- ¦
- junction with the accompanying drawings wherein~
Figure 1 is a plan view, in partial cross section, of a conventional coupler mechanism;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the coupler shown i~ Figure 1 with a coupler knuckle shown in an upward ! :
position and selected portions shown in broken line illustration;
Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a model railway car having a coupler embodyiny the present invention secured thereto with the coupler knuckle shown in an upward position;
¦ Figure 4a is a plan view, in partial cross section~
of the coupler shown in Figure 3;
- B n l Figure 4b is a perspective view of the coupler shown ¦ in Figure 4a with selected portions shown in broken line ¦ illustration;
' _5_ 1~78~a6 Figure 4c is a perspective view of another coupler embodyin~ the present lnvention, shown with the coupler knuckle in an upward position;
I Figure 5 is a plan view, in par-tial cross section, of a variation of the coupler shown in Figure 4a; and Figure 6 is a plan view, in partial cross section, of , r another variation of the coupler shown in Figure 4a.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIL~ENTS , ~ -Referring to Figures 3, 4a, and 4b, the re~erence character 36 refers in general to a coupler of the present invention mounted at the end portion 31 of a model railway car 30~ The coupler 36 is formed generally along a longitudinal axis 29 and includes a conventional coupler knuckle 32 secured to one end o~ a support shaft 33. The knuckle 32, which is adapted to engage a complimentary knuckle 32' on an adjacent car (not shown~ includes a triangular formation 42 having inclined uppex and lower ramp surfaces, 27 and 28, intersectin~
along a line 26. A flange 34 is formed at and extends later-ally outward of the other end of the support shaft 33. The flange end of the coupler 36 is pivotally retained in a pocket 38 (FIG. 4al of a support s-tructure 25 having open front and upper portions and having spaced apart vertical walls 37-and 37~' The coupler 36 is pivotally supported for movement between a lower position substantially parallel to a tràckway 40 and an upper position (FIG. 3).
A permanent magnet 35, preferably in the form of a bar magnet having a rectangular or circular cross section, is ¦secured to the flange end of the support shaft 33 with its ' r polar axis preferably coincident with the longitudinal axis . ~ ~
'' . I .
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, . .
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7~6 , ¦,29 of the couplex 36 and with one of its poles 49 facing jloutwardly of the coupler along the longitudinal axis 29. 1 _ A second permanent magnet 39, preferably having the same general shape as the magnet 35, is secured to the support ¦structure 25 with one o~ its poles .51 facing towards the outwardly Eacin~ pole 49 of the magnet 35. The magnet 39 is preferably located on the support structure 25 such that its , polar axis is substantially coincident with the longitudinal axis 29 of the coupler 36 when the coupler 36 is in its lower position. I
The magnets 35 and 39 are so oriented that unlike I r poles face toward one another. In the case of the preferred ~; embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4a, the south pole of the magnet 35 faces the north pole of the magnet 39. As can ' be read;ly appreciated, a reverse polar arrangement is equally satisfactory. The magnetic attraction that results between the unlike poles of the magnets 35 and 39 causes the flange end of the shaft 33 to be resiliently urged against the ends of the walls 37 and 37' and thereby cause the knuckle 32 to be ~ ;
resiliently urged to its lower pos.ition.
Two cars utilizing the structure described above may be coupled together by thrusting the cars toward one another as shown in Figure 3. As sho~n therein, the knuckle 32 is driven upward on the upper inclined ramp 27' of the other knuckle 32' to its upper position and then resiliently urged by the magnetic force between the magnets 35 and 39 to its lower position to thereby couple the cars. I
The cars may be uncoupled by means of an uncoupling 'I ~ -magnet 41 (Figure 3), either a permanent magnet or a selectively ~ -actuable electromagnet, mounted beneath the trackway 40. ¦ I
.'' j . ~' ,~, . :' .
. -7-.
~ 7846 The uncoupling magne~ 41 ls so mounted that one of its poles 24 is located on -the tr~ck~ay 40 facing upwardly to~ard the ¦outwardly faciny pole 49 of the magnet 35. The uncoupliny ma~net 41 is so oriented that the pole 24 is unli~e the out-wardly facing pole 49 of the magnet 35 and produces a sub-stantially stronger magnetic force, that is, a substantially greater magnetic flux, th~n the magnet 39. In the preferred e~bodiment shown in Fig. 3, the pole 24 is a north pole.
When it is desired to uncouple cars, they are rolled over the magnet 41 which is then energized by conventional electrical circuity (not shown). As a result, the north pole 24 attracts , , the outwardly facing south pole 49 and repels the north pole of the magnet 35 to generate an attraction/repulsion force couple at the flange end of the coupler 36 which torques the coupler 36 upw~rd to its upper position as shown in Fig. 3 to thereby uncouple the carsn An alternate structure for supporting the coupler :, knuckle 32 is shown in Fig. 4c and includes a box-like recepticle 43 formed at the end of the support shaft 33 and into which the ma~net 35 is inserted. Shafts 44 extend laterally outward from each side of the recepticle 43 along a lateral axis 50 and are received in boxes 46 formed in the sidewalls of a support 45.
The bores 46 are preEerably enlarged to permit limitèd pivoting of the knuckle 32 in a plane passing through the lateral axis ~; 50. When the coupler 36 is in its lo~er position, an upper wall 47 of the recepticle 43 contacts a ceiling 48 of the support 45 .~ . -.
,~ to limit the downward pivoting of the coupler 36 and thereby define le lower position of the co~pler 36. This alternate ~` -8-,., . ., .
,, . , 0~7s46 l~ l j embodiment permits the coupler 36 to pivot between its lower and up~er positions .in a smooth uniform manner when compared i to the embodiment utilizing the aforementioned pivoting ~lange structure.
I In ~he embodiments described above~ both poles of the ;~ ¦ magnet 35 are located on one side of the pivoting axis of the - j coupler 36. During the uncoupling operation, the outwardly ¦ facing south pole 49 of the magnet 35 is attracted to the north pole 24 of the uncoupling magnet 41 to provide a torque to pivot the coupler to its upper position, and the north pole of the magnet is repelled by the north pole 24 to provide ¦
a counter-torque to pivot the coupler downward to its lower ¦
position. Since the north pole of the magnet 35 is closer ¦ to the pivoting axis, the counter-torque produced by the , I repulsion force is small and can be considered negligible. ¦ .
It is readily possible to increase the attraction/repul-¦ sion force couple acting on the coupler 36 by having one pole of ,~ the magnet 35 on one side of the pivoting axis and the other pole on the other side of the pivoting axis. In Figure 5 the a o support shaft 33 is formed as a magnetic member wi-th one pole, i the south pole, facing outwardly toward the magnet 39 and the other pole, the north pole, at the other end of the support I shaft 33, contiguous with the knuckle 32. This embodiment t~ I may be fabricated by forming the support shaft 33 from a ferro~
¦ magnetic material or affixing a bar magnet to a support shaft j 33 fabricated from a non-magnetic material. The embodiment shown in Fig. 6 is similar to that shown in Fig. 5, except . I that the north pole is located at the end of the knuckle 32.
jj T~is elbodiment may be fabricated by forming the knucklc ¦
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.
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I~ I ,. , ~32 and the suppo~t shaft 33 as a unitary structure from a 1I ferro-mac~netic mater:ial. As can be appreciated, the attraction~
¦, repulsion ~orce couple that results when the poles are on opposite sides of the pivotiny axis is greater than tha-t of the embodiments of Figs. 4a, 4b, and 4c.
¦ The present invention provides a coupler for toy land model railway cars which is smooth and reliable in I :
¦operation and which utilizes magnetic means to resiliently .
! urge the coupler knuckle to the lower position and to uncouple ¦cars in contrast to the prior art couplers. The present . ¦ invention, while disclosed in a model railway cars context, is equally applicable to any kind of vertically pivotablé
coupling-uncoupling type coupler.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the ar~, various changes and modifications may be made to the couplers .. of the present lnvention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention às recited in the appended .
claims and their legal equivalent. .
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~1 -10- ~
,- ~ . ' .,
Claims (10)
1. A coupler for connecting toy railway cars comprising:
a coupler knuckle having a first permanent magnet secured to one end thereof with one pole of said first magnet facing outwardly of said knuckle;
a support means for said knuckle secured to the end of a car and adapted to pivotally support said knuckle for pivotal motion between a lower position substantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position;
a second magnet secured to said support means having one pole thereof facing said one pole of said first magnet; and said one pole of said first magnet unlike said one pole of said second magnet;
wherein the resultant magnetic attraction between said unlike magnet poles resiliently urges said knuckle to said lower position.
a coupler knuckle having a first permanent magnet secured to one end thereof with one pole of said first magnet facing outwardly of said knuckle;
a support means for said knuckle secured to the end of a car and adapted to pivotally support said knuckle for pivotal motion between a lower position substantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position;
a second magnet secured to said support means having one pole thereof facing said one pole of said first magnet; and said one pole of said first magnet unlike said one pole of said second magnet;
wherein the resultant magnetic attraction between said unlike magnet poles resiliently urges said knuckle to said lower position.
2. The coupler claimed in claim 1 wherein said knuckle has a longitudinal axis; said one pole of said first magnet faces outwardly of said knuckle along said longitudinal axis; and said one pole of said second magnet faces toward said one pole of said first magnet along an extension of said longitudinal axis when said knuckle is in said lower position.
3. The coupler claimed in claim 2 wherein said knuckle has a lateral axis with bearing shafts extending laterally outward of said knuckle along said lateral axis;
said support means having bores formed therein to pivotally receive said bearing shafts.
said support means having bores formed therein to pivotally receive said bearing shafts.
4. The coupler claimed in claim 1 wherein the other pole of said first magnet is located at the other end of said knuckle.
5. The coupler claimed in claim 1 wherein the other pole of said first magnet is located intermediate the ends of said coupler.
6. The coupler claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
an uncoupling magnet having a pole on said trackway;
said uncoupling magnet pole unlike said one pole of said first magnet;
wherein said uncoupling magnet pole attracts said one pole of said first magnet to create a torque to pivot said knuckle to said upper position.
an uncoupling magnet having a pole on said trackway;
said uncoupling magnet pole unlike said one pole of said first magnet;
wherein said uncoupling magnet pole attracts said one pole of said first magnet to create a torque to pivot said knuckle to said upper position.
7. The coupler claimed in claim 6, wherein said uncoupling magnet comprises a selectively actuatable magnet.
8. The coupler claimed in claim 6, wherein said uncoupling magnet comprises a permanent magnet.
9. The coupler claimed in claim 4, further comprising an uncoupling magnet having a pole on said trackway; said uncoupling magnet pole unlike said one pole of said first magnet;
wherein said uncoupling magnet pole attracts said one pole and repels said other pole of said first magnet to create a torque to pivot said knuckle to said upper position.
wherein said uncoupling magnet pole attracts said one pole and repels said other pole of said first magnet to create a torque to pivot said knuckle to said upper position.
10. The coupler claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means is adapted to support said knuckle for lateral pivoting.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA290,770A CA1087846A (en) | 1977-11-14 | 1977-11-14 | Coupler for toy and model railway cars |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA290,770A CA1087846A (en) | 1977-11-14 | 1977-11-14 | Coupler for toy and model railway cars |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1087846A true CA1087846A (en) | 1980-10-21 |
Family
ID=4110014
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA290,770A Expired CA1087846A (en) | 1977-11-14 | 1977-11-14 | Coupler for toy and model railway cars |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1087846A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9114815B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2015-08-25 | Brandt Road Rail Corporation | Assembly for extendable rail-supported vehicle coupler |
-
1977
- 1977-11-14 CA CA290,770A patent/CA1087846A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9114815B2 (en) | 2013-03-14 | 2015-08-25 | Brandt Road Rail Corporation | Assembly for extendable rail-supported vehicle coupler |
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