US2081682A - Toy railway crossover - Google Patents

Description

May 25, 1937. A. N. SMITH TOY RAILWAY CROSSOVER Filed Oct. 20, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l R. Z W T May 25, 1937. A. N. SMITH TOY RAILWAY CROSSOVER 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 20, 1955 M ATTORNEY.

Patented May 25, 1%37 UETED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY RAILWAY CROSSOVER Pennsylvania Application October 20,

16 Claims.

The present invention relates to tracks for toy railways and particularly to the form of the track and the crossovers therefor.

It has been the practice in making crossovers for toy railways to clinch the rails to a central base plate. Such a construction involves the production of a large number of parts and con siderable time and labor in their assembly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a crossover for a toy railway that will be composed of a minimum number of parts.

Another object is to provide a crossover in which the main parts thereof are substantially identical and interchangeable.

'Another object is to provide a new form of carryover for a toy railway crossover.

Another object is to provide a new form of track for toy railways.

A further object is the provision of a new form of crossover having an insulated third rail structure, the component parts of which are substantially identical and interchangeable.

A still further object is the provision of a new form of carryover adapted to conduct electrical current in connection with a toy railway crossover and to insulate and isolate the current conducting parts from that of the crossover which conducts current of an opposite polarity.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention and reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective viewof an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a disassembled perspective view of the parts, showing the manner of assembly thereof;

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the blanks from which the track sections of the crossover are formed;

' Figure 4 is a perspective View of my invention equipped with my novel third rail structure embracing an isolated carryover, and

Figure 5 is a disassembled perspective view of the parts illustrated in Figure 4 and showing the manner of assembly and their correlation to each other.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, 5 indicates a track section adapted to be connected to a similar section 5 superimposed on the section 5 and at right angles thereto.

As both sections are identically the same in con- 1933, Serial No. 694,491

struction, a description of section 6 will suffice for both. The track section 6 as seen in Figure 2 is stamped from a single piece of sheet metal and is of channel formation, the bottom I of the channel forming the base of the track and the sides 8 forming the rails.

' Intermediate the ends of the channel the metal of the sides 8 is cut away as at 9 on either side of a center section which is left fiat to provide wings l i flush with the bottom I and producing a break in the rails equal to the width of the track. The sides of the rails are bent outwardly back upon themselves forming depending flanges l2 and providing a rounded upper surface l3 forming the tread surface of the rails. The adjacent ends of the rails facing the break therein are chamfered as at M so that a neat fit is secured when the crossover is assembled.

The base of the track section is provided with a plurality of slots IS in the area defined by the break in the side rails, said slots being equal distances apart and equal distances from the center of said area so that when one track section is superimposed on the other at right angles the slots in one section will be alined with those of the other. 7

For the purpose of securing the superimposed track sections together and to bridge the break in the rail sections, a carryover element It is provided. This carryover I6 is formed of a single piece of sheet metal providing a flat center section I! formed with four upstanding sides I8, opposite sides being parallel and in the embodiment illustrated at right angles to the other sides. The upper portion of the sides I! are bent outwardly as at IS to provide tread flanges the same height as the rails 8.

The center section I! of the carryover has depending ears 2!] struck therefrom, said ears being equal in number and spaced the same as the slots I5 in the track sections so that when the two track sections are laid one across the other and the carryover is placed in position as shown in Figure 1, the ears 2!) will pass through the alined slots l5 of each section and may then be turned down flush with the base of the bottom section to firmly secure the sections together and the carryover in position.

When the sections are thus assembled, the projecting wings I l of one section lie within or under the channel portion of the other, thereby strengthening the joint.

In order to join the adjacent ends of track rails together and to provide prongs extending from the ends of one of the sections, L-shaped rods 2| with the legs and bases at the same angle as the sections 5 and 6 are fitted with the bases 2la underlying the flanges E2 of section 6 and the legs 2!?) underlying the flanges l2 of the section 5. The flanges E2 of both sections are rolled or crimped inwardly to enclose the rods and'secure them in position. The rods 2! serve the dual purpose of tying the track sections more firmly together and as, at least, one end of each rod extends beyond the end of the track section to which it is secured, these ends form prongs 2lb for engagement with an adjacent track section not shown.

Referring to Figure 3 and to the blank from which the track sections are formed, a indicates the lines along which the bend is made to form the sides or rails 3, and b indicates the lines upon which the flange l2 is turned over to form the tread surface side flanges which are subsequently rolled in to enclose the rods 2!.

The rods 2! may terminate short of the outer ends of either or both of the track sections 5, 6, leaving the tubular openings 22 formed by the rolled flanges l2 for the reception of the prongs 23 of a connector piece 24. The connector 24 is formed of a short piece of channel-shaped sheet metal conforming to the size of the track sections 5 and 3 and having upstanding rail forming sides 25, the upper edges of which are rolled outwardly as at 26 to enclose the center section of lengths of wire, the projecting ends by which form the prongs 23 which serve to secure the connector to two meeting sections of track and thus join the two together while bridging the gap therebetween.

By the use of this novel connector, track sections may be used in any fashion to form different designs as either end of any section may be joined to either end of any other section.

It is to be understood that the foregoing described structure is used in connection with toy railway assemblies where the toy vehicles are spring propelled or derive their electrical current from an overhead trolley wire arrangement employing the track sections to conduct current of an opposite polarity in relation to the trolley wire.

However, it is desirable in toy railway systems employing electrical propelling means, that both poles of the current be conducted by the track sections as this makes for a more efficient operation of the system and a quick assembly of the various parts thereof. The typical form of structure usually employed utilizes the rails of the track sections for one pole of the current, While a third rail conducts the other pole, the structure being insulated in a manner to prevent short-circuiting of the current.

Therefore, referring to Figures 4- and 5 of the drawings, I provide my track sections 5 and 6 with a novel form of third rail carryover which serves to connect the usual third rails together and at the same time insulates or isolates the carryover from the sections in a manner to prevent short-circuiting.

The third rail carryover comprises two sections, 30a and 3%, adapted to be superimposed at an angle in relation to each other, each section being provided at its central portion with a substantial square portion 3|, two sides of which are bent in a manner to form channels 32 for the clearance of the wheel flanges of a vehicle. Extending from the channels 32 are elongated tapering portions 33 which terminate in rolled portions 34 adaptedto receive pins 35 for connection with adjacent third rail sections.

The rolled portions are so formed as to provide raised ridges 36 upon the tapering portions 33 for contacting the third rail shoe of the vehicle and which terminate at the outer walls of the channels 32. It will be noted that the channels 32 are of a suflicient width to permit of the reception of pieces 31 or what may be termed auxiliary rail sections, which are composed of insulating material, and are secured to the outer walls of channels 32. The inner faces of the rail pieces 31 are held in alinement with the inner surfaces of the cross track section rails l3 by the ears 38 formed from the outer walls of the channels.

Both the floors 39 of the channels 32 and the tapering ends of the elongated portions 33 are provided with depending ears 4&3 and 4| respectively, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The opposite sides of the square portions 3| are open as indicated at 42 the square portion of upper section 30w receiving and aligning the square portion 3| of the section 30?) whose elongated tapering portions 33 function to connect the third rails of cross tracks.

As heretofore stated, I employ similar track sections as shown and described in reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3. These sections 5 and 6 are superimposed at right angles and each is stamped from a single piece of sheet metal of a channel formation having a bottom I which forms the base of the track together with side walls 8 forming the rails. The sides are cut away as at 9 to provide the wings ll.

The bottom I of the sections are provided with slots 43 and 44 which receive the ears 40 and 4| in a manner to be later described. The cars being considerably smaller thanthe slots.

Sections of insulating material 45 having projecting portions or wings 46 are provided with slots 47 for also receiving therethrough the ears 4E! and 4|. However, these slots are of the same size as the ears.

In assembling, the track sections 5 and 6 are superimposed at right angles to each other, a section of insulating material 45 is placed within the channel and on the upper surface of the floor bottom I. The wings 46 fitting snugly within the side walls 8. Another section of insulating material 45 is then placed on the bottom. The slots 4! of both sections registering with each other and serve to securely hold all of the parts to' gether.

The similar carryover section 30a is now superimposed at right angles to the other carryover section 3%, its ears passed through similar slots and bent over as in the first instance. This arrangement now provides a complete crossover unit, the various parts being securely and rigidly held in place by their nested relation to each other and the binding action of the ears. In this form also, the pins 2| are provided and function in the same manner as described in reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

It will now be readily understood that the carryover which conducts one pole of the electric current is by means of the insulating material, Completely isolated from the track sections conducting the other pole in a manner to prevent short-circuiting of the current.

The pieces 31, as shown in Figure 4, are slightly higher than the ridges 36, thus, preventing the periphery of the vehicle wheels from engaging the ridges 36 and short-circuiting the system.

While the invention has been illustrated in connection with a crossover at an angle of 90 degrees, it will be readily apparent that the same construction could be used for crossovers at any angle and such use is contemplated. It will also be understood that various modifications in the details of construction and assembly may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a track for toy railways, a crossover in cluding two sections of track superimposed at an angle, said sections being of channel-shape in cross section and having the sides thereof providing rails, said rail providing sides being cut away intermediate the ends thereof to permit interfitting of said sections, and a wheel supporting carryover element connected to said sections.

2. A crossover for toy railways, comprising intersecting channel members having the sides thereof forming track rails and interrupted for the space of said intersection, the intersecting portions of said channel members having alined slots formed therein, and a wheel supporting carryover element including a plate superimposed on said channel members at said intersection, said plate having ears extending through said openings and serving to secure said carryover to said channel members and said channel members to each other.

3. A crossover for toy railways, comprising intersecting channel members having the sides thereof forming track rails and interrupted for the space of said intersection, the intersecting portions of said channel members having alined slots formed therein, and a wheel supporting carryover element including a plate superimposed on said channel members at said intersection, said plate having ears extending through said openings and serving to secure said carryover to said channel members and said channel members to each other, said plate having upstanding flanges at opposite sides thereof adapted to bridge the interruption between the rails of said channels at said intersection.

4. A crossover for toy railways comprising intersecting channel members having upstanding sides forming track rails, said rails being interrupted at said intersection with the interrupted rail ends of one member meeting the interrupted rail ends of the other member at an angle, rod elements bent to the angle of said meeting ends, the upper edges of said rail forming sides being bent over to embrace the angularly disposed ends of said rods to form a connection between the meeting ends of said rails, and wheel supporting carryover means between the interrupted rails.

5. A crossover for toy railways comprising intersecting channel members having upstanding sides forming track rails, said rails being interrupted at said intersection with the interrupted rail ends of one member meeting the interrupted rail ends of the other member at an angle, and a wheel supporting carry over element disposed in said intersection comprising a plate having means for bridging the interruptions between said rails, and providing means for securing said carryover to said channel members and said channel members to each other.

6. A crossover for toy railways comprising intersecting channel members having upstanding sides forming track rails, said rails being interrupted at said intersection with the interrupted rail ends of one member meeting the interrupted rail ends of the other member at an angle, and a wheel supporting carryover element disposed in said intersection comprising a plate having means for bridging the interruptions between said rails, and providing means for securing said carryover to said channel members and said channel members to each other, rod elements bent to the angle of said meeting ends, the upper edges of said rail forming sides being bent over to embrace the angularly disposed ends of said rods to form a connection between the meeting ends of said rails.

7. A third rail carryover for toy electric rai1 way crossovers comprising a central portion ter minating in oppositely disposed elongated tapering portions provided with channels interposed between said central portion and said tapering portions and auxiliary wheel supporting track sections of insulating material secured within said channels, said tapering portions being electrically connected together and capable of supporting a current collector passing thereover.

8. In a crossover for toy railroad tracks comprising pair of plate members, a pair of laterally spaced rails carried by each plate member and interrupted intermediate their ends to provide gaps, wheel supporting carryover means at said gaps, the plate members being superimposed crosswise at the site of said gaps to bring about substantial engagement of adjacent angularly disposed rails of the respective plate members, and means connecting the superimposed portions of said plates.

9. In a crossover for toy railroad tracks comprising a pair of plate members, a pair of laterally spaced rails carried by each plate member and interrupted intermediate their ends to provide gaps, the plate members being superimposed cross wise at the site of said gaps to bring about substantial engagement of adjacent angularly disposed rails of the respective plate members, and means carried by the angularly disposed rails of the respective plates for connecting the rails and holding the plates in assembly.

10. In a crossover for toy railroad tracks comprising a pair of plate members, a pair of laterally spaced rails carried by each plate member and interrupted intermediate their ends to provide gaps, the plate members being superimposed crosswise at the site of said gaps to bring about substantial engagement of adjacent angularly disposed rails of the respective plate members, a wheel supporting carryover member upon the uppermost plate at the site of said gap, and means connecting said plates and carryover member in assembly.

11. In a crossover for toy railroad tracks comprising a pair of plate members, a pair of laterally spaced rails carried by each plate member and interrupted intermediate their ends to prog;

vide gaps, the plate members being superimposed crosswise at the site of said gaps to bring about substantial engagement of adjacent angularly disposed rails of the respective plate members, and means including a wheel supporting carryover member for connecting said plate members at the site of said gap.

12. In a toy railway crossover, a pair of crossed track carrying plates, substantially tubular tread providing track rails carried by the respective plates and providing gaps intermediate their ends whereby the plates may be juxtaposed in crossed flatly contacting relationship; wheel supporting carryover means in said gaps, and angularly bent connector rods having their ends engaging within the treads of the gap ends of adjacent angularly disposed rails of diilerent plates whereby to connect said plates and reinforce said rail treads.

13. In a toy railway crossover, a pair of crossed I plates, track sections carried thereby and having cutouts intermediate their ends providing a gap, a track section-providing wheel supporting carryover at said gap and connecting the plates together, and track section portions of said carryover being aligned with the track sections of each said plates.

14. The combination of a toy railway crossover having angularly disposed tracks, the rails of which are interrupted to provide a gap, a third rail carryover comprising crossed elongated plate members, said plate members providing current collector supporting portions extending between the'rails of each of said tracks and providing depressions and transverse shoulders adjacent said gap, and wheel supporting track sections of insulating material carried by each of said shoulders and aligned with the rails of said tracks.

15 The combination of a toy railway crossover having angularly. disposed tracks, the rails of which are interrupted to provide a gap, a third rail carryover comprising crossed elongated plate members, said plate members providing current collector supporting portions extending between the rails of each of said tracks and providing depressions and transverse shoulders at the site of said gap, and wheel supporting track sections carried by each of said shoulders in alignment with rails of said tracks, said wheel supporting track sections being free of electrical connection with said plate members.

16. The combination of a toy railway crossover having angularly disposed tracks, the rails 01 which are interrupted to provide a tap, a third rail carryover comprising crossed elongated plate members, said plate members providing current collector supporting portions extending between the rails of each of said-tracks and providing depressions at the site of said gap, and Wheel supporting track sections carried by each of said plate members at-vthe site of said depression and aligned with rails of said tracks, said wheel supporting track sections being free of electrical connection with said plate members.

- ANTHONY N. SMITH.

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