JP4684129B2 - Element connection device in model railroad layout - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an element connection in a railroad model layout in which rail elements including various shapes are laid on a layout board to form a layout element, and a plurality of layout elements are connected to form a fixed traveling track. It relates to the device.

  The layout of the railway model refers to a model in which rails are arranged on a board or a scenery along the rails is provided around the rails to run model trains. People who enjoy the railway model usually want to realize a layout that is as varied as possible, but it is not always possible to use a large space, and if it is installed in a room such as a living room only at that time, the layout The bigger it is, the more it gets in the way. Under these circumstances, a layout of a railway model formed in a folding type or a disassembled type has been proposed.

  Utility model registration No. 3099959 proposes a railway model layout device that can be stored in a bookshelf or the like with a layout that is sufficiently wide when in use and can be folded and compact when not in use. However, in the case of the same device, the layout board is folded in an openable manner like a book, and has a configuration in which a front cover part and a back cover part are hinge-coupled at the back cover part. For this reason, it can be folded when not in use, but the shape after folding is constant.

  In addition, when the folding structure as described above is adopted, a certain portion corresponding to the front cover portion, the back cover portion, and the back cover portion is always necessary, for example, the weight of the layout base does not change before and after the folding. Therefore, there is a limit to the increase in size. Furthermore, in order to put it into use, it is necessary to have enough space to expand the layout. Even if there is not enough space for the back cover, it cannot be used in that location and cannot be used. . With such restrictions, the layout cannot be expanded or developed, and the enjoyment tends to reach its peak.

Utility model registration No. 3099959 JP 2003-93755 A

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention forms a layout element by laying rail elements including straight lines, curves, ends, etc. on a layout board, and a plurality of layout elements are connected to form a certain traveling line. In the layout of the model train,
At least one fitting means composed of a concave portion and a convex portion that can be fitted to each other is formed on the connection end sides of the plurality of layout elements, and the plurality of layout elements are mechanically coupled to each other by the fitting means. It shall constitute an integrated layout,
In addition, the rail elements are connected by connection means provided at a fixed position on the connection end sides of the layout elements, and the layout elements are coupled by the fitting means so that the rail elements are also electrically connected. With
The fitting means between the layout elements and the connecting means between the rail elements are provided so as to overlap each other in the layout element, and the fitting means between the layout elements has a width larger than the width of the two rails. Consists of a convex portion having a frame-like structure protruding from the connection end side of the element, and a concave portion having a surrounding structure that can be fitted to the convex portion, and on the side surface of the frame-like structure and the surrounding structure, mutually engage during the mating of the mating means, in which took measures that shall have the engaging portion to prevent the engagement is released.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention forms a layout element by laying rail elements including straight lines, curves, ends, etc. on a layout board, and a plurality of layout elements are connected to form a certain traveling line. In the layout of the model train,
At least one fitting means composed of a concave portion and a convex portion that can be fitted to each other is formed on the connection end sides of the plurality of layout elements, and the plurality of layout elements are mechanically coupled to each other by the fitting means. It shall constitute an integrated layout,
Further, the rail elements are connected by rail connecting means provided at a fixed position of the layout elements, and the layout elements are coupled by the fitting means so that the rail elements are also electrically connected. Is taken.

  In the present invention, a layout element is a layout element on which a rail element is laid. The rail element includes portions corresponding to the rail and the roadbed, and the rail includes straight lines and all kinds of curves, and also includes ends such as lead-in lines where the rail ends. The portion corresponding to the road bed may be an integral structure with the layout board or a separate structure that is attached to the layout board later with an independent member. The straight lines and curves of the rails can be freely combined and placed on the layout board, and a desired travel line can be laid. And about the rail element located in the connection edge of a layout element, it arrange | positions in the position according to the system mentioned later.

  That is, at least one fitting means including a concave portion and a convex portion that can be fitted to each other is formed on the connection end sides of the plurality of layout elements. The connection end side can be set to any end side of the layout board. For example, in a rectangular layout substrate, only one side of all four sides or all four sides can be set as connection end sides provided with fitting means. The fitting means is provided at a plurality of locations on each connection end as means for configuring a layout in which a plurality of layout elements are mechanically coupled to each other by the fitting means.

  The fitting means between the layout elements is a convex part having a frame-like structure protruding from the connection end side of a plurality of layout elements, with a width equal to or greater than the rail width (track width), and It consists of a convex part and a concave part having an enclosing structure that can be fitted, and the frame-like structure and the side surface of the enclosing structure are engaged with each other when the fitting means is fitted, and the fitting is released. It can be set as the structure which has the engaging part to prevent. One protrusion of the fitting means has a protruding structure protruding from the connection end side of the layout element with a width equal to or greater than the rail width (track width), thereby providing a planar view of the connection end of the rail element. It becomes almost enclosed, and the protective effect which prevents a collision and a deformation | transformation is acquired.

  And the convex part which has the protrusion structure which protruded from the connection end side, and the recessed part which has the surrounding structure which can be fitted with the said convex part are formed in each of the track | line comprised by the double line | wire. It is desirable. That is, a convex part having a protruding structure is provided on one single line constituting a double line, and a concave part having an enclosing structure capable of fitting the other single line constituting the same double line to the convex part is provided. desirable.

  The above-mentioned fitting means joins layout elements to each other by a fitting structure comprising a convex part having a protruding structure and a concave part having a surrounding structure that can be fitted to the convex part. Further, the side surfaces of the projecting structure and the surrounding structure further have an engaging portion that engages with each other when the fitting means is fitted and prevents the fitting from being released. The engaging portion functions as a fitting release preventing means, that is, as a stopper.

  Further, the rail elements are connected so that the model train can run by rail connecting means provided at a fixed position of the layout elements. In the present invention, the rail elements are also electrically connected by coupling the layout elements with the fitting means. The connection means between the rail elements has a structure in which the connection ends of the rails constituting the single wire are abutted together, and the connection terminals are used together for electrical connection, and the connection terminals are connected by point contact or linear contact. It is desirable to adopt a configuration that does this.

  And it is desirable that the fitting means between the layout elements and the connecting means between the rail elements are provided to be overlapped at the same location of the layout elements. By providing the fitting means between the layout elements and the connecting means between the rail elements at the same place, the configuration in which the rail elements are electrically connected by the combination of the layout elements is best achieved. This configuration is important for achieving the object of expanding or developing the layout in the present invention.

  The element connection device in the railway model layout of the present invention having such a configuration uses a plurality of layout elements in combination by connecting means, and the layout element itself has a configuration capable of running a model train. It does not have to be. However, each layout element or one layout element among a plurality of layout elements may have a configuration capable of running a model train with only one layout element. The configuration in which the model train can run is only required to have a predetermined track and a circuit function capable of energizing the model train on the track.

  Since the present invention is configured and operates as described above, a plurality of layout elements can be removed from each other when not in use, and can be disassembled into about one layout element among them. The size can be expanded according to the size, and the combination of the layout elements and the ease of disassembling can achieve the convenience of storage and the convenience of the usage. In the case of the present invention, it is possible to expand or develop the layout according to the space and the margin of the input cost. For example, in the case of Z gauge or N gauge, on a small table. From the state of use to the state of using it in a room, you can enjoy it freely.

  Hereinafter, with reference to the illustrated embodiment, the element connection device in the railway model layout of the present invention will be described in more detail. FIG. 1 shows an example 1 of a railway model layout according to the present invention, which is composed of two layout elements 11 and 12. These layout elements 11 and 12 are end layout elements 11 and 12 that can be arranged at the ends. Further, FIG. 2 is an overall view showing Example 2 in which two layout elements 11 and 12 and an intermediate layout element 13 that can be arranged therebetween are combined.

  Rail elements 21 and 22 are arranged on each layout board, and a railway station, maintenance shop, railroad crossing, railway facilities such as tunnels and bridges, trees, buildings, etc. are provided as railroad scenery S around the rails. In the example shown in the drawing, a single wire having a set of two rails and a double wire in which two single wires are wired in parallel are arranged on the layout elements 11, 12, 13, and connection end sides 14, 15, 16, which will be described later, 17, rail elements 21 and 22 are provided as double lines. In addition, as long as each layout board itself has a connection edge, it is not limited to the illustrated rectangle, and can be set to, for example, a semicircle, a triangle, or any other shape.

  In the case of Example 1 and Example 2, the end layout elements 11 and 12 having a rectangular planar shape are set with connection end sides 14 and 15 for providing fitting means only on one of the four sides. ing. Further, in the case of Example 2, the intermediate layout element 13 has two sides on the left and right sides of the four sides of the rectangular planar shape set as connection end sides 16 and 17 for providing fitting means. However, the connecting edges can be provided not only on the left and right sides of the planar shape of each layout element 11-13, but also on the railroad model layout according to the present invention, along with the left and right directions as in Examples 1 and 2, The layout elements 11, 12, 13... Can be combined in a square shape, an L shape, or a T shape, for example.

  In the illustrated example, the fitting means between the layout elements has a width larger than the width of the two rails 27 and 28, and has a protruding structure protruding from the connecting end sides 14, 15, 16 and 17. It is comprised from the convex part 18 and the recessed part 19 which has the surrounding structure which can be fitted with this convex part 18. FIG. This fitting means is formed in each of the rail elements 21 and 22 comprised by the double line. That is, a convex portion 18 having a protruding structure is provided on one single wire constituting a double line, and a concave portion 19 having an enclosing structure that can be fitted to the convex portion 18 on the other single wire constituting the same double wire. Provided (see FIG. 3 and subsequent figures). By forming a convex portion 18 having a protruding structure protruding from the connection end sides 14, 15, 16, and 17 and a concave portion 19 having an enclosing structure on each of the lines constituting the double line. The strength necessary for coupling and integrating the layout elements 11, 12, and 13 is exhibited.

  Furthermore, an engaging portion that engages with each other when the fitting means is fitted and prevents the fitting from being released is formed on the side surfaces of the protruding portion 18 of the protruding structure and the recessed portion 19 of the surrounding structure. The engaging portion functions as a fitting release preventing means, that is, a stopper, and in the illustrated case, the projections 23 are provided on the left and right side surfaces with respect to the fitting direction of the convex portion 18 and the recess is engaged therewith. 24 is provided on the left and right side surfaces of the recess 19 (FIGS. 3 to 9D). Further, a protrusion 25 is provided at the front end of the convex portion 18 in the fitting direction, and a fitting portion 26 is provided at the innermost end of the concave portion 19 in the fitting direction. A structure is formed so that a perfect connection can be obtained regardless of accuracy (see FIG. 5B).

  The rails 27 and 28 constituting the rail elements 21 and 22 are connected by a connecting means provided at fixed positions of the layout elements 11, 12 and 13 so that the model train can run. In the illustrated case, the connection ends of the rails 27 and 28 are abutted with each other for connection of the rails, and the connection terminals 31 and 32 are used together for electrical connection (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). The connection terminals 31 and 32 are provided with ear pieces 31a and 32b, which are in contact with the rails 27 and 28 of the rail elements 21 and 22, respectively, to energize the rails 27 and 28 from the power supply circuit. (Fig. 9). Since the rails 27 and 28 are merely brought into contact with each other, no processing or the like is required, and commercially available rails can be used.

  In the illustrated example, the connection terminals 31 and 32 are arranged on the left and right sides of the convex portion 18 in a state of being fixed to the bosses 33 and 34 that also serve as alignment provided to be fixed to the layout element side. Yes. In the male connection terminal 31, the outer surface is an energization terminal 35, and the female connection terminal 32 is provided with contact portions 36 protruding toward the energization terminal 35. The contact portion 36 sandwiches the left and right energization terminals 35 from the outside. For this reason, the energization terminal 35 and the contact portion 36 can be connected by point contact or line contact, energization can be ensured regardless of accuracy, and a self-cleaning action at the time of connection can be obtained. Since the connecting means of the rail elements 21 and 22 are provided so as to overlap with the fitting means of the layout elements, the mechanical coupling and electrical connection between the rail elements are performed simultaneously.

  The connection terminals 31 and 32 have hook-shaped tips 31 b and 32 b, one tip 31 b engages with the tip of the convex portion 18, and the other tip 32 b engages with the tip of the concave portion 19. (See FIG. 6). In the case of the illustrated example, the rail elements 21 and 22 are independent of the layout elements 11, 12, and 13, and are attached using a rail press 37 (see FIG. 8). 38 is a fitting leg, 39 is a fitting hole, and is provided in the layout elements 11, 12 and 13. The rail substrate is engaged with each other by the concave and convex engaging portions 21a and 22a provided at the ends (see FIG. 3).

  The element connecting device in the railway model layout of the present invention configured as described above connects the individually independent layout elements 11, 12, 13,... Can enjoy. To connect the layout elements 11, 12, 13..., The connection end sides 14, 15, 16, 17... Are brought close to each other, and the protruding portions 18 protruding from the connection end sides 14, 15, 16, 17. This is done by inserting into the recess 19 having a structure. Thereby, the fitting of the convex portion 18 and the concave portion 19, the engagement by the protrusion 23 and the recess 24, the insertion fitting by the protruding portion 25 and the fitting portion 26, and the three-stage fitting are performed, and the layout element 11, 12, 13... Are completely coupled mechanically.

  In addition, since the layout elements are mechanically coupled to each other, the embossed portion 36 of the female-side connection terminal 32 is slidably connected to the energizing terminal 35 on the outer surface of the male-side connection terminal 31. The energizing terminal 35 can move while polishing the contact portion 36 to ensure electrical contact. Therefore, the mechanical coupling and electrical connection between the rail elements can be performed simultaneously. Further, in order to disassemble after use, the layout elements 11, 12, 13... May be separated from each other. When it is removed, it can be easily disassembled by the principle of the lever, and even if the layout elements 11, 12, 13... Are bent, the tip protruding portion 25 and the fitting portion 26 can be disengaged. The fitting means will not be damaged even if it is bent in any direction.

  In such a railway layout to which the device of the present invention is applied, the mechanical connection of the layout elements 11, 12, 13... And the connection of the electric circuit are performed simultaneously with the connection of the rails 27, 28, and the setup becomes easy. . Further, since the railroad layout is unitized as layout elements 11, 12, 13,... Having a mechanical configuration and an electrical configuration, only the unit can be replaced when damaged.

The perspective view which shows Example 1 of the element connection apparatus in the layout of the railway model which concerns on this invention. The perspective view which similarly shows Example 2. FIG. The top view which shows an example of the rail element used for Example 1 and Example 2. FIG. The front view of the thing of FIG. The rail element which similarly shows a rail element, A is a state before a connection, B is a side view which shows the state after a connection. The bottom view which shows an example of a rail element. The bottom view which shows a connection state similarly. The perspective explanatory drawing which similarly shows a rail element. An example of an electrical connection part is shown, A and B are perspective views of a connection terminal, C is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the electricity supply part to a rail, D is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a fitting means.

Explanation of symbols

11, 12 End layout element 13 Intermediate layout element 14, 15, 16, 17 Connection end side 18 Protruding part 19 Concave part 21, 22 Rail element 23 Protrusion 24 Depression 25 Tip protrusion part 26 Insertion part 27, 28 Rail 31, 32 Connection terminal 31
31a, 32a Ear piece 31b, 32b Key-shaped tip 33, 34 Boss 35 Current terminal 36 Embossed part

Claims (3)

In the layout of a railway model, rail elements including straight lines, curves, ends, etc. are laid on a layout board to form a layout element, and a plurality of layout elements are connected to form a fixed track. ,
At least one fitting means composed of a concave portion and a convex portion that can be fitted to each other is formed on the connection end sides of the plurality of layout elements, and the plurality of layout elements are mechanically coupled to each other by the fitting means. It shall constitute an integrated layout,
And a rail element, and connected by a connecting means provided at a fixed position of the connecting end side of the layout elements, by coupling by fitting means a layout element to each other, so that the rail elements between also electrically connected With
The fitting means between the layout elements and the connecting means between the rail elements are provided so as to overlap each other at the same location of the layout elements, and the fitting means between the layout elements is wider than the width of the two rails. And a convex portion having a frame-like structure protruding from the connection end side of the layout element, and a concave portion having a surrounding structure that can be fitted to the convex portion. An element connecting device in a railroad model layout having engaging portions that engage with each other when fitting means is fitted on the side surfaces and prevent the fitting from being released. . The connection means between the rail elements has a structure in which the connection ends of the two rails constituting the single wire are abutted together, and the connection terminals are used together for electrical connection, and the connection terminals are connected by point contact. The element connection device in a railway model layout according to claim 1. The convex part having a frame-like structure protruding from the connecting end side and the concave part having an enclosing structure that can be fitted to the convex part are formed on each of the lines constituted by double lines, Providing a convex part having a frame-like structure protruding from the connecting end side on one single line constituting a double line, and having a surrounding structure that can be fitted to the convex part on the other single line constituting the same double line The element connection device in the model railroad layout according to claim 2, wherein the element connection device has a configuration in which a concave portion is provided.

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