US2114720A - Toy train - Google Patents

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US2114720A
US2114720A US56311A US5631135A US2114720A US 2114720 A US2114720 A US 2114720A US 56311 A US56311 A US 56311A US 5631135 A US5631135 A US 5631135A US 2114720 A US2114720 A US 2114720A
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truck
car
coupling
cars
guide
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US56311A
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Edward E Mckeige
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Louis Marx and Co Inc
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Louis Marx and Co Inc
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63HTOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H19/00Model railways
    • A63H19/16Parts for model railway vehicles
    • A63H19/18Car coupling or uncoupling mechanisms

Definitions

  • This invention relates to toy trains. It is customary to pivot the wheeled trucks of toy trains to facilitate running on curves.
  • the truck is ordinarily left free to assume its own run- '5-- ning direction, but this has the disadvantage of necessitating the use of at least four wheels on each truck, and, further, of causing bad derailment once a tendency to derail begins, as where p the track is not perfectly smooth.
  • the primary object of my invention resides in the provision of truck guide means to guide the truck to a running direction intermediate that of the preceding and succeeding cars, and more particularly to combine such means with a truck having only two wheels. I find that this improvement reduces the cost of manufacturing the toy, and at the same time results in improved highspeed operation without derailment.
  • Another advantage of the improved toy is that it is easier to place on the rails or track because there is no tendency for the individual trucks to spin around to positions entirely out of alignment with the track.
  • the train maybe run on the floor or other surface without using a track at all. This is of value with spring-wound toys and also with so-called pull trains, that is, trains which are drawn along by a string.
  • a more particular object of my invention resides in its application to streamline toy trains in which a single truck is used in common with the preceding and succeeding cars.
  • This truck is preferably disposed with its pivot aligned withthe coupling pin or coupling center between the two cars.
  • the truck while comprising only two wheels disposed at the ends of an axle extending transversely of the cars, is at all times automatically positioned to assume a running direction intermediate the direction of the cars, that is, the axle is disposed at an angle bisecting the angle between the cars.
  • Another object of my invention is to facilitate the coupling together of the successive cars in a streamline train. Still another object is. to generally improve the toy streamline train disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,019,690, issued November 5, 1935. i
  • Fig. l is a side elevation of an intermediate car in a streamline train, said car embodying features of my invention
  • Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view thereof
  • Fig. 3 is an enlarged inverted plan view showing coupled adjacent car ends and a truck common thereto;
  • Fig. 4 is a section taken in elevation in the plane of the line 4-4 in Fig, 2;
  • Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken in elevation in the plane of the line 55 in Fig. l;
  • Fig. 6 is a horizontal section showing a hook type couplingmeans, said section being taken in the plane of the line 6-45 in Fig. 7;
  • Fig. '7 is a section taken in elevation in the plane of the line l-l of Fig. 6;
  • Fig. 8 is a similar section taken through a modification and showing a preliminary step in the coupling of the adjacent car ends;
  • Fig. 9 shows the car ends in coupled relation
  • Fig. 10 is an inverted plan view similar to that shown in Fig. 3 but with the cars in aligned rather than angular relation.
  • My invention is described as applied to a toy train of the general type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,019,690 heretofore referred to, said train comprising a locomotive car having front and rear trucks followed by intermediate cars each having a rear truck only, and terminated by an end car which also has a rear truck only. All of the trucks except the first truck in the 1000- motive car and the last truck in the end car, may be considered to be intermediate trucks; and my invention is directly applicable to and will be described in connection with the said intermediate trucks.
  • FIG. 1 I show an intermediate car l2 which comprises roof and side walls l4 and IS.
  • the side walls are spaced apart at the forward end by a coupling plate l8, and at the rear end by a truck support plate 29, said plates being secured to the side walls by appropriate tongue and slot connections 22.
  • the forward end of the coupling plate preferably projects beyond the end of the car and is perforated or cut away at 24 to receive a coupling pin.
  • the rear end of the plate is bent upwardly to a point near the roof of the car, thus forming a lateral partition 28 which serves to greatly strengthen and rigidify the car structure.
  • the rear end it of the car is patterned conveXly to conform to the surface of a cylinder having a vertical. axis.
  • An elevatable coupling pin 32 is provided, said pin being accessible at the roof of the car and being located at the center or axis of cylindrical surface 38.
  • the forward end of the car is open to receive the convex or vestibule end of a preceding car, said convex end being like the end 3%.
  • the open end of the car is patterned concavely to a vertical cylindrical pattern adapted to mate with the convex end of the next car, the coupling hole 2 3 being so located as to receive the coupling pin of the preceding car.
  • the car body is preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal which is bent to inverted U or trough shape, thus forming the roof and side walls 54 and. it of the car.
  • the sheet metal blank is incised at 36, (Fig. 1) thus facilitating patterning the ends of the side walls on the desired cylindrical pattern.
  • the end or rearmost portion of the car end or vestibule is closed by added pieces of sheet metal, one piece, marked 33, being disposed above a horizontal slit 48 in the car end, and the other piece 62 being disposed below the slit at. These pieces are secured in place by appropriate tongue and slot connections i l.
  • the slit til is adapted to receive the coupling plate of the succeeding car and to afiord turning or angularity of one car with respect to the other.
  • the truck 5 is simple in form and comprises a strip of sheet metal bent to inverted U-shape, thus forming a top wall 52 and side walls 54 in which a single axle E6 is journaled.
  • This axle carries flanged wheels 58 and is appropriately pinched or keyed within the wheels to hold the same in desired spaced relation. (See Fig. 5.)
  • the truck 5% is pivotally mounted on a rearward extension 83 of truck support plate 28, by means of a suitable eyelet 62, said eyelet being dimensioned to receive the lower end of the coupling pin 32.
  • a suitable eyelet 62 said eyelet being dimensioned to receive the lower end of the coupling pin 32.
  • the truck swivels about an axis concentric with the coupling axis between successive cars.
  • the truck carries a truck guide 64, said truck guide being with. but transversely slidable on the truck.
  • the truck guide lies beneath the top 52 of the truck and is supported in place by eyelet 62 which passes through a slot 66 in the truck guide.
  • truck guide 6 As is more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the outer ends of truck guide 6 are turned upwardly to form guide lugs 68 disposed at either side of the extension E3 of the truck support plate.
  • the top wall 52 of the truck is cut away or slotted at it to receive the guide lugs 68.
  • the overlapping coupled plates that is, the coupling plate !8 and the truck support plate 2%, which may be generically referred to as spacer plates, are so shaped as to cooperate with the aforesaid guide lugs 68 with a view to positioning the truck guide and. with it the truck in desired angular relation.
  • the end or coupling portion of plate i 8 is curved on an arc i2 struck on radius M about a center "it?
  • the tip of the plate may be termi nated in numerous ways, as by continuing arc l2, as shown in dotted lines at 12', but I prefer to provide an end portion 78 struck by a relatively small radius 89 on coupling center 2%. It will be understood, however, as thedescription proceeds, that the shape of this end portion 18 is relatively unimportant.
  • the plate is flared outwardly, as indicated at 82.
  • the arrangement is such that angularly related lines 84 are equal in length to transverse line 86, all of said lines passing through the coupling center. Furthermore, this length is approximately equal to the distance between the aforesaid guide lugs 68.
  • the truck support extension 60 on plate 20 is shaped in a similar manner.
  • the coupling means is generally'like that described in my Patent No. 2,619,690, except for the provision of a motionlimiting washer 90 and stop key 92, best shown Fig. t, these operating to prevent complete removal and possible loss of the coupling pin.
  • the coupling means may be improved to entirely eliminate the necessity for an elevatable coupling pin, and such improved coupling means is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings.
  • the closed car end is like that previously described, in comprising a guide in order to properly'steer the truck. Spetruclcfifi pivotally mounted on a truck support plate 29 and having a suitable truck guide iii with guide lug's'iit.
  • the coupling plate 94 on the open car end isquite different, however, in that the leading endthereoi is cut to form a coupling hool; Q.
  • the arcs 72 and 78 are struckonsrnall and'large radii with displaced centers, just aspreviously de-;' scribed, but the forwardtpart of arc i8 .is cut away tofcrm a spiral approach 98 leading to the :coupling center.
  • the entrance to path 98 is enlarged and so shaped that the cars may be coupled together by simply pushing plate 94 for- 15' wardly into the end of car 52.
  • the guide lugs 68 besides functioning as heretofore described to steer the truck, fulfill an additional function in that they tend to hold the cars in coupled relation. .
  • the manner in which this takes place will be evident-from inspection of Fig. 6, for the end of coupling plate 94 comes 1 between guide lugs 68 as it is being pressed forwardly, and the guide lugsarenecessarily sprung apart somewhat during the coupling operation because of the sideward displacement of' one coupling plate relative to the other.
  • lugs 68 are additionally useful in helping guide the plate I08 to proper position particularly if the lugs I are made higher than the coupling pin.
  • the overlapping ends may be shaped exactly as previously described in connection with Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it being only the tip portion of the plate, which anyway serves no useful steering function, that is turned up-. wardly as is indicated at H2, to facilitate the coupling operation- While'the description has been directed to the 10 intermediate car, it will be understood that'the couplings and truck guide mechanisms disclosed are applicable to any intermediate truck, including that at the rear end of a locomotive car.
  • the underlying principle of the operation of the truck guide may be explained by emphasizing that the important parts of the truck guideare the guide lugs. These may be relatively movable, as by using separate pins slidably mounted directly on the truck and drawn together by a I light pull spring. In such case the overlapping ends of the coupling plates need not maintain a.
  • said means including a truck guide oscillatable with but transversely slidable on said truck and having upstanding guide lugs, the overlapping ends of the spacer plates being so relatively shaped as to locate the guide lugs and consequently the truck in desired position, each of said plates having a tip or end portion curved on a small radius and an .adjacent portion curved on a large radius, followed by outwardly flared edges, the distance between the aforesaid guide lugs being approximately equal to the sum of the small and large radii.
  • a toy streamline railroad car comprising sheet metal bent to form roof and side walls, one end of said car being open, and the other end being convexly formed to conform to a curved portion of a cylinder, stiffening and coupling plates extending transversely between the sides of the car at the open and closed ends, the plate at the closed end being provided with a pivotally mounted Wheeled truck and a coupling pin concentric therewith," said truck having only two wheels, the coupling plate at the other end proportion of a cylinder, stifiening and coupling plates extending transversely between the sides of the car at the open and closed ends, the plate at the closed end being provided with a pivotally mounted wheeled truck and a coupling pin concentric therewith, said truck having only two wheels disposed on a single axle extending trans versely of the car, and including transversely slidable truck guide lugs disposed on either side. of the'end of the coupling plate, the coupling sponding to the axis-of the afores
  • saidjtruck having only twolwheels disposed on a single axle extending transversely of the car, the coupling plate at theother end projecting outwardly from the open end of the car and being provided with a coupling hole located on a center line corresponding to the axis of the aforesaid cylinder, the ends of said plates being curved on arcs struck from centers located inwardly of the coupling pin and hole,
  • said truck including a transversely slidable truck side of the end of the truck support plate.
  • coupled car ends one of said car ends being patterned convexly to a vertical cylindrical pattern, the mating end of the other car being open, the convex car endincluding a truck sup port plate extending between the sides and secured thereto, a stub coupling pin fixed on said plate, a single truck common to both cars pivotally mounted on said truck support plate at said pin, the mating end of the other car being provided with a coupling plate projecting out of the car and adapted tooverlie the truck support plate, the end of said coupling plate having means 1 to receive the coupling pin;
  • Coupled car ends one of said car ends I being patternedconvexly to a vertical cylindrical pattern, the mating end of the other car being i open, the convex'car end including a truck sup- 15 "port plateextending between the sides and se- [cured thereto, a coupling pin, a single truck common to both cars pivotally mounted on said truck support plate at said pin, the mating end of the I i other car being provided with a coupling plate projecting out of the car and adapted to overlie the truck support plate, the end of said coupling plate being shaped to form a convergent passage leading to a hook adapted to be hooked on said coupling pin. 7 0o,
  • a coupling pin a single truck common to both cars pivotally mounted on said truck support plate and pin, said truck having only two port plate, the mating end of the other car being provided with a coupling plate projecting out of the car and adapted to overlie the truck sup-' wheels, truck guide means on said truck including upstanding lugs at either side of the truck support plate, the end of said coupling plate being shaped inform a hook adapted to be pushed be- 1 tween said lugs andhooked on said coupling pin, the convex car end being horizontally slit at the truck support plate to receive the coupling plate and to accommodate turning movement thereof.
  • a toy streamline railroad car comprising asingle piece of sheet metal pressed downwardly to form; roof and sidewalls, a truck support plate near one end thereof extending across said body between the side Walls thereof, atruck pivoted on said truck support plate, and a coupling plate extending across'the other end of the car be-' tween the side walls thereof, one endof said pling the same to an adjacent car, and the other end of said plate being bent upwardly andsecured to the sidewalls of the car in order to brace the same.
  • a toy streamline articulated railroad train coupled car ends, one of said car ends being patterned convexly to a vertical cylindrical pattern, the mating end of the other car being open, the convex car end including a support plate extending between the sides and secured thereto near the bottom of the car, a stub coupling pinfixed on said plate and projecting upwardly therefrom, Wheels common to both cars mounted on said convex car end, the mating end of the other car being provided with a coupling plate projecting out of the car near the bottom thereof and adapted to overlie and rest upon the aforesaid support plate, the end of said coupling plate being apertured to receive the coupling pin, and the convex car end being horizontally slit or cut away to receive the projecting coupling plate.

Description

Apl'll 19, 1938. E. E. MGKEIGE 2,114,720
TOY TRAIN Filed Dec. 27, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Edward E. M cKeL' 9:
ATTORNEYS April 19, 1938. E. E. M KElGE TOY TRAIN Fil ed Dec. 27, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Edward E. McKeige ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 19, 1938 UNITED STATES P AT El TOY TRAIN Application December 27, 1935, Serial No. 56,311
22 Claims.
This invention relates to toy trains. It is customary to pivot the wheeled trucks of toy trains to facilitate running on curves. The truck is ordinarily left free to assume its own run- '5-- ning direction, but this has the disadvantage of necessitating the use of at least four wheels on each truck, and, further, of causing bad derailment once a tendency to derail begins, as where p the track is not perfectly smooth.
10 The primary object of my invention resides in the provision of truck guide means to guide the truck to a running direction intermediate that of the preceding and succeeding cars, and more particularly to combine such means with a truck having only two wheels. I find that this improvement reduces the cost of manufacturing the toy, and at the same time results in improved highspeed operation without derailment. Another advantage of the improved toy is that it is easier to place on the rails or track because there is no tendency for the individual trucks to spin around to positions entirely out of alignment with the track. Moreover, the train maybe run on the floor or other surface without using a track at all. This is of value with spring-wound toys and also with so-called pull trains, that is, trains which are drawn along by a string.
A more particular object of my invention resides in its application to streamline toy trains in which a single truck is used in common with the preceding and succeeding cars. This truck is preferably disposed with its pivot aligned withthe coupling pin or coupling center between the two cars. In accordance with my invention the truck, while comprising only two wheels disposed at the ends of an axle extending transversely of the cars, is at all times automatically positioned to assume a running direction intermediate the direction of the cars, that is, the axle is disposed at an angle bisecting the angle between the cars.
Another object of my invention is to facilitate the coupling together of the successive cars in a streamline train. Still another object is. to generally improve the toy streamline train disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,019,690, issued November 5, 1935. i
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the toy train elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the'specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:
Fig. l is a side elevation of an intermediate car in a streamline train, said car embodying features of my invention;
Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view thereof;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged inverted plan view showing coupled adjacent car ends and a truck common thereto;
Fig. 4 is a section taken in elevation in the plane of the line 4-4 in Fig, 2;
Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken in elevation in the plane of the line 55 in Fig. l;
Fig. 6 is a horizontal section showing a hook type couplingmeans, said section being taken in the plane of the line 6-45 in Fig. 7;
Fig. '7 is a section taken in elevation in the plane of the line l-l of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a similar section taken through a modification and showing a preliminary step in the coupling of the adjacent car ends;
Fig. 9 shows the car ends in coupled relation; and
Fig. 10 is an inverted plan view similar to that shown in Fig. 3 but with the cars in aligned rather than angular relation.
My invention is described as applied to a toy train of the general type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,019,690 heretofore referred to, said train comprising a locomotive car having front and rear trucks followed by intermediate cars each having a rear truck only, and terminated by an end car which also has a rear truck only. All of the trucks except the first truck in the 1000- motive car and the last truck in the end car, may be considered to be intermediate trucks; and my invention is directly applicable to and will be described in connection with the said intermediate trucks.
Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, I show an intermediate car l2 which comprises roof and side walls l4 and IS. The side walls are spaced apart at the forward end by a coupling plate l8, and at the rear end by a truck support plate 29, said plates being secured to the side walls by appropriate tongue and slot connections 22. The forward end of the coupling plate preferably projects beyond the end of the car and is perforated or cut away at 24 to receive a coupling pin. The rear end of the plate is bent upwardly to a point near the roof of the car, thus forming a lateral partition 28 which serves to greatly strengthen and rigidify the car structure.
The rear end it of the car is patterned conveXly to conform to the surface of a cylinder having a vertical. axis. An elevatable coupling pin 32 is provided, said pin being accessible at the roof of the car and being located at the center or axis of cylindrical surface 38. The forward end of the car is open to receive the convex or vestibule end of a preceding car, said convex end being like the end 3%. I prefer to cut away the roof of the car on an arc, indicated by the dotted line 35 in Fig. 2, said are preferably being struck around coupling hole 24 as a center. In other words, the open end of the car is patterned concavely to a vertical cylindrical pattern adapted to mate with the convex end of the next car, the coupling hole 2 3 being so located as to receive the coupling pin of the preceding car.
The car body is preferably formed of a single piece of sheet metal which is bent to inverted U or trough shape, thus forming the roof and side walls 54 and. it of the car. The sheet metal blank is incised at 36, (Fig. 1) thus facilitating patterning the ends of the side walls on the desired cylindrical pattern. The end or rearmost portion of the car end or vestibule is closed by added pieces of sheet metal, one piece, marked 33, being disposed above a horizontal slit 48 in the car end, and the other piece 62 being disposed below the slit at. These pieces are secured in place by appropriate tongue and slot connections i l. It will be understood that the slit til is adapted to receive the coupling plate of the succeeding car and to afiord turning or angularity of one car with respect to the other.
The truck 5!) is simple in form and comprises a strip of sheet metal bent to inverted U-shape, thus forming a top wall 52 and side walls 54 in which a single axle E6 is journaled. This axle carries flanged wheels 58 and is appropriately pinched or keyed within the wheels to hold the same in desired spaced relation. (See Fig. 5.)
The truck 5% is pivotally mounted on a rearward extension 83 of truck support plate 28, by means of a suitable eyelet 62, said eyelet being dimensioned to receive the lower end of the coupling pin 32. l/Vith this arrangement, the truck swivels about an axis concentric with the coupling axis between successive cars. The truck carries a truck guide 64, said truck guide being with. but transversely slidable on the truck. The truck guide lies beneath the top 52 of the truck and is supported in place by eyelet 62 which passes through a slot 66 in the truck guide.
As is more clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the outer ends of truck guide 6 are turned upwardly to form guide lugs 68 disposed at either side of the extension E3 of the truck support plate. The top wall 52 of the truck is cut away or slotted at it to receive the guide lugs 68.
It may be explained that the overlapping coupled plates, that is, the coupling plate !8 and the truck support plate 2%, which may be generically referred to as spacer plates, are so shaped as to cooperate with the aforesaid guide lugs 68 with a view to positioning the truck guide and. with it the truck in desired angular relation. Referring to Fig. 2, the end or coupling portion of plate i 8 is curved on an arc i2 struck on radius M about a center "it? displaced inwardly from the coupling center The tip of the plate may be termi nated in numerous ways, as by continuing arc l2, as shown in dotted lines at 12', but I prefer to provide an end portion 78 struck by a relatively small radius 89 on coupling center 2%. It will be understood, however, as thedescription proceeds, that the shape of this end portion 18 is relatively unimportant. Within arc 12 the plate is flared outwardly, as indicated at 82. The arrangement is such that angularly related lines 84 are equal in length to transverse line 86, all of said lines passing through the coupling center. Furthermore, this length is approximately equal to the distance between the aforesaid guide lugs 68. The truck support extension 60 on plate 20 is shaped in a similar manner.
The way in which these parts function to steer the truck is best explained with reference to Figs. 3 and of the drawings. Referring to Fig. 10, it will be observed that with the successive cars l2 and 88 in alignment, as when running on a straight track, the guide lugs 58 are disposed on opposite sides of the overlapping plates and are restrained against oscillation about coupling pin 32. This is so because the arcs "I2 intersect to form V-shaped notches in which lugs 68 are received. Differently expressed, arcs 12 are so directed that the plates increase in dimension at either side of the coupling pin, hence any attempted oscillation of the truck guide 64 is prevented by the fixed distance between the guide lugs 68. Inasmuch as guide lugs 68 ride in the slots 55 of the truck, the truck is maintained in the transverse position shown.
When the cars swing to angular relation, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, the truck guide 64 moves sidewardly from its centered or symmetrical position shown in Fig. 10 to the position shown in Fig. 3 in which eyelet 62 is located at one end of slot 66. One of the guide lugs 68 is confined between the edges 82 of the cars, thus effectively preventing oscillation of the truck guide. The truck guide and truck are thus fixed, with the axle approximately bisecting the angle between the cars. It will be understood that the increase in dimension of the coupled plates near the edges 82 is accommodated by a corresponding decrease in dimension at the opposite sides of the plates, was explained in connection with Fig. 2, reverting to which, it will be remembered that the dimension 84 is approximately equal to the dimension 86. In fact, as a rough approximation, it may be said that the variable distance varies between the small and large radii 8G and it, and that the distance between the guide lugs 68 has a mean value or is approximately equal to the sum of the small and large radii. This definition is not exactly correct because the large radius is struck from a center 16 displaced from the coupling center 24.
Referring again to Fig. 3, the operation is, of course, generally similar when the cars turn in opposite direction. The cars then assume the broken line positions I22 and 88, and the truck guide at moves to the broken line position 64'. In either case, the truck is moved to a running direction intermediate the directions of the cars. It will be seen from inspection of Figs. 3 and 10 that because guide lugs 68 are given an appreciable width instead of being made in the form of slender pins, the distance therebetween is necessarily somewhat greater than the theoretical distances indicated in connection with Fig. 2.
is so far described, the coupling means is generally'like that described in my Patent No. 2,619,690, except for the provision of a motionlimiting washer 90 and stop key 92, best shown Fig. t, these operating to prevent complete removal and possible loss of the coupling pin. However, the coupling means may be improved to entirely eliminate the necessity for an elevatable coupling pin, and such improved coupling means is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. Referring to these figures, the closed car end is like that previously described, in comprising a guide in order to properly'steer the truck. Spetruclcfifi pivotally mounted on a truck support plate 29 and having a suitable truck guide iii with guide lug's'iit. The coupling plate 94 on the open car end .isquite different, however, in that the leading endthereoi is cut to form a coupling hool; Q. Considered morespecifically, the arcs 72 and 78 are struckonsrnall and'large radii with displaced centers, just aspreviously de-;' scribed, but the forwardtpart of arc i8 .is cut away tofcrm a spiral approach 98 leading to the :coupling center. The entrance to path 98 is enlarged and so shaped that the cars may be coupled together by simply pushing plate 94 for- 15' wardly into the end of car 52. a r The guide lugs 68, besides functioning as heretofore described to steer the truck, fulfill an additional function in that they tend to hold the cars in coupled relation. .The manner in which this takes place will be evident-from inspection of Fig. 6, for the end of coupling plate 94 comes 1 between guide lugs 68 as it is being pressed forwardly, and the guide lugsarenecessarily sprung apart somewhat during the coupling operation because of the sideward displacement of' one coupling plate relative to the other. When the parts have beenhocked together, these guide "only a short or stub pin I94, as isclearly shown in Fig.7, said stub pin being permanently solderlugs tend to prevent accidental uncoupling.
:vate the pin. a part of the pin serves no. important function andmay, if desired,'be eliminated, thus leaving ed in place, 'orfriveted, or otherwise fastened.
, When using a stub pin, it is also possible to couple the cars together-by permitting the coupling plate of the rear car to ride upwardly over the top end of the coupling pin on the forward car. 1 Such an arrangement is illustrated in Figs.
8 and 9 of the drawings, referring to which it will be seen that the forward car is generally similar to that previously described and includes a short or stub coupling pin Hi l. The succeeding car I06 is provided with a coupling plate its having a coupling holeillt like that described in the first figures of the drawings, In this case, however, the forward end or tip N2 of the cou pling pin is bent upwardly somewhat, and the top-end of stub pin I04 ispreferably roundedso tfwill be understood that by. simply moving car Hi6 forwardly against the preceding car, the coupling plate 168 will be elevated first to the ,asFto facilitate coupling the parts together. The
truck guide, lugs 68 not shown in Figs. 8 and9) are additionally useful in helping guide the plate I08 to proper position particularly if the lugs I are made higher than the coupling pin.
fbroken line position I08. shown in Fig. 9, and
. willthen drop over the coupling pin W4, as shown Y bymthe solid line positionin Fig. 9. This coupling operation is, of course, facilitated if the ad- "jacent ends of the cars arefelevated somewhat during the coupling operation. 'Uncoupling of the cars may be similarly aided. During nora 5 mal operation, the cars rest in horizontal posithe cars. It should be understood that while the modification cf F'igs. 8 and 9 has not been [shown in plan, the ends of the overlapping plates are preferably shaped to cooperate with the truck tion on: the track, and there is'accordingly no dangerof accidental or undesireduncoupling of While a complete or full-length coupling pin, lili! may be used, as shown inbrok en lines in (Fig. 7 the lower end of this pin maybe soldered, as is indicated at lii2, for it is unnecessary to ele-" Because of this fact, the upper.
ordinary four-wheel truck construction.
cifically, the overlapping ends may be shaped exactly as previously described in connection with Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, it being only the tip portion of the plate, which anyway serves no useful steering function, that is turned up-. wardly as is indicated at H2, to facilitate the coupling operation- While'the description has been directed to the 10 intermediate car, it will be understood that'the couplings and truck guide mechanisms disclosed are applicable to any intermediate truck, including that at the rear end of a locomotive car.
consequently easily derailed, is automatically guided to a running direction intermediate the directions of the cars. This improvement in turn makes it possible to use a two-wheel instead of afour-wheel truck, which change is economical and also improves the operating characteristics of the toy train. Furthermore, this automaticallysteered truck construction is useful for inexpensive pull trains which are not run on a track and which therefore could not use the It should also be noted that the. car construction is improved for rigidity and strength, and that the coupling operation is greatly facilitated.
Some children find it difficult to center the lift pin at its lower end when lowering the pin, and this difficulty-isovercome whenusing the stub pin couplings here disclosed.
The underlying principle of the operation of the truck guide may be explained by emphasizing that the important parts of the truck guideare the guide lugs. These may be relatively movable, as by using separate pins slidably mounted directly on the truck and drawn together by a I light pull spring. In such case the overlapping ends of the coupling plates need not maintain a.
constant spacing and therefore may have straight side edges, parallel 'or convergent, because the pins, withthem the truck axle, will at'all times approximately bisectthe angle between the cars. The truck guide shown may have one lug only, and be moved against the coupling plates A by a spring. The special shaping of the coupling piates heretofore, described is preferred merely because With'a constant spacing the guide lugs may be formed on a single piece, and no spring is needed. In this aspect, one lug replaces a spring and functions to hold the other lugagainst; the coupling plates. 7
Because the foregoing and numerous otherl changes may be made, it will be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in preferred forms, many modifications maybe from the spirit of the invention, definedin the foliowing claims.
. I claim:
1.111 a toy train, cars coupled at adjacent ends,
a pivotally mounted wheeled truck common to said coupled car ends, said truck having only a made in the structures disclosed, without depart-j i two wheels mounted on a single axle extending transversely of the cars, and ,means on the cars associated with said truck for guiding the same to a position with the axle approximately bisecting the angle between the cars. e
2. In a toy train, streamline cars coupled end to end, one of said car ends being patterned convexly to a vertical cylindrical pattern, the end of the other car being open to mate therewith, the convex car end including a wheeled truck common to both cars, said truck having only two wheels, and means on said cars associated with said truck for guiding the same to a running direction intermediate the directions of the cars.
3. In atoy train, streamline cars coupled end to end, one of said car ends being patterned convexly to a vertical cylindrical pattern, the end of the other car being open to mate therewith, the convex car end including a wheeled truck common to both cars and pivotally related to said cars on an axis coinciding with the center of coupling or" said car ends, said truck having only two wheels disposed at the ends of an axle extending transversely of the cars, and means on said cars associated with said truck for guiding the same to a position with the axle approximately bisecting the angle between the cars.
l. In a toy train, successive cars coupled at adjacent ends by means including overlapping coupling plates, a wheeled truck common to both car ends, said truck having only two wheels, and means including a truck guide mounted on said truck and cooperating with the overlapping ends of the coupling plates for holding the truck in desired position, said overlapping ends being so shaped and said truck guide being so related thereto as to guide the truck to a running direction intermediate the longitudinal axes of the cars.
5. In a toy train, successive cars coupled at adjacent ends by means including overlapping spacer plates, a coupling pin pivotally connecting said plates together, a wheeled truck common to both car ends and pivotally related thereto at the coupling pin, said truck having only two wheels the ends of an axle extending transversely of the cars, and means including a truck guide mounted on said truck and cooperating with the overlapping ends of the spacer plates for guiding the truck to a position approximately bisecting the angle between the cars. I
6. In a toy train, successive cars coupled at adjacent ends by means including overlapping spacer plates, a coupling pin pivotally connecting said plates together, a wheeled truck common to both car ends and pivotally related thereto at the coupling pin, said truck having only two wheels at the ends of an axle extending transversely of the cars, and means for guiding the truck to a running direction intermediate the directions of the cars, said means including truck guide lugs oscillatable with but transversely slidable on said truck, the overlapping ends of the spacer plates being so relatively shaped as to locate the gu de lugs and consequently the truck in desired position.
'2. In a toy train, successive cars coupled at adjacent ends by means including overlapping spacer plates, a coupling pin pivotally connecting said plates together, a wheeled truck common to both car ends and pivotally related thereto at the coupling pin, said truck having only two wheels at the ends of an axle extending transversely of the cars, and means for guiding the truck to a position with the axle approximately said plates together, a wheeled truck common to both car ends and pivotally related thereto at the coupling pin, said truck having only two wheels at the ends of an axle extending transversely of the cars, and means for guiding the truck to a running direction intermediate the directions of the cars, said means including upstanding guide lugs on said truck, the overlapping ends of the spacer plates being so shaped as to locate the guide lugs and consequently the truck in desired position, each of said plates having convergent end portions which only partially overlap, the aforesaid lugs being disposed at the intersections of the edges of the end portions.
9. In a toy train, successive cars coupled at adjacent ends by means including overlapping spacer plates, a coupling pin pivotally connecting said plates together, a wheeled truck common to both car ends and pivotally related thereto at the coupling pin, said truck having only two wheels at the ends of an axle extending transversely of the cars, and means for guiding the truck to a running. direction intermediate the directions of the cars, said means including a truck guide oscillatable with but transversely slidable on said truck and having upstanding guide lugs, the overlapping ends of the spacer plates being so relatively shaped as to locate the guide lugs and consequently the truck in desired position, each of said plates having a tip or end portion curved on a small radius and an .adjacent portion curved on a large radius, followed by outwardly flared edges, the distance between the aforesaid guide lugs being approximately equal to the sum of the small and large radii.
10. A toy streamline railroad car comprising sheet metal bent to form roof and side walls, one end of said car being open, and the other end being convexly formed to conform to a curved portion of a cylinder, stiffening and coupling plates extending transversely between the sides of the car at the open and closed ends, the plate at the closed end being provided with a pivotally mounted Wheeled truck and a coupling pin concentric therewith," said truck having only two wheels, the coupling plate at the other end proportion of a cylinder, stifiening and coupling plates extending transversely between the sides of the car at the open and closed ends, the plate at the closed end being provided with a pivotally mounted wheeled truck and a coupling pin concentric therewith, said truck having only two wheels disposed on a single axle extending trans versely of the car, and including transversely slidable truck guide lugs disposed on either side. of the'end of the coupling plate, the coupling sponding to the axis-of the aforesaid cylinder, and said coupling plate being so shaped as to control the position of truck.
" 5 end ,of said car being open, and the otherencl being convexly formed to conform to aicurved I portion of a vertical cylinder, stiffening and cou- V [1 'g pling :plates extending transversely between the sides of the car atthe open andclosed ends, the plate at the closed end being provided with a the truck guide lugs and 12. A toy streamline railroad car con'iprising sheet "metal bent to form roof and side walls, one
pivotally mounted wheeled truck and a coupling pinconcentric therewith, saidjtruck having only twolwheels disposed on a single axle extending transversely of the car, the coupling plate at theother end projecting outwardly from the open end of the car and being provided with a coupling hole located on a center line corresponding to the axis of the aforesaid cylinder, the ends of said plates being curved on arcs struck from centers located inwardly of the coupling pin and hole,
said truck including a transversely slidable truck side of the end of the truck support plate. '13. In a toy streamline articulated railroad train, coupled car ends, one of said car ends being patterned convexly to a vertical cylindrical pattern, the mating end of the other car being open, the convex car endincluding a truck sup port plate extending between the sides and secured thereto, a stub coupling pin fixed on said plate, a single truck common to both cars pivotally mounted on said truck support plate at said pin, the mating end of the other car being provided with a coupling plate projecting out of the car and adapted tooverlie the truck support plate, the end of said coupling plate having means 1 to receive the coupling pin;
14. In a toy streamline articulated railroad 'train, coupled car ends, one of said car ends I being patternedconvexly to a vertical cylindrical pattern, the mating end of the other car being i open, the convex'car end including a truck sup- 15 "port plateextending between the sides and se- [cured thereto, a coupling pin, a single truck common to both cars pivotally mounted on said truck support plate at said pin, the mating end of the I i other car being provided with a coupling plate projecting out of the car and adapted to overlie the truck support plate, the end of said coupling plate being shaped to form a convergent passage leading to a hook adapted to be hooked on said coupling pin. 7 0o,
' plate extending between the sides and secured thereto, a coupling pin, a single truck common to both cars pivotally mounted on said truck support plate and pin, said truck having only two port plate, the mating end of the other car being provided with a coupling plate projecting out of the car and adapted to overlie the truck sup-' wheels, truck guide means on said truck including upstanding lugs at either side of the truck support plate, the end of said coupling plate being shaped inform a hook adapted to be pushed be- 1 tween said lugs andhooked on said coupling pin, the convex car end being horizontally slit at the truck support plate to receive the coupling plate and to accommodate turning movement thereof.
' 16; A toy streamline railroad car comprising asingle piece of sheet metal pressed downwardly to form; roof and sidewalls, a truck support plate near one end thereof extending across said body between the side Walls thereof, atruck pivoted on said truck support plate, anda coupling plate extending across'the other end of the car be-' tween the side walls thereof, one endof said pling the same to an adjacent car, and the other end of said plate being bent upwardly andsecured to the sidewalls of the car in order to brace the same. I
17. In a toy streamline articulated railroad train,'cars coupled at their adjacent ends, one of said car ends being patterned convexly toa vertical cylindrical pattern, the mating end of the other car being open, whereby said cars abut in end to'end relation, the convex car end including a truck support plate extending between the sides of the car and secured thereto, a single truck for both cars pivotally mounted on said truck support plate, said truck having only two wheels, the mating end of the other car being provided with a plate projecting out of the car and overlapping the aforesaid truck support plate, a coupling pin for pivotally coupling said tion intermediate the directions of the car, said means including truck guide means mountedon the truck and cooperating with the overlapping ends of the aforesaid plates.
18. In a toy streamline articulated railroad train, cars coupled at their adjacent ends, one of said car ends being patterned convexly; to a vertical cylindrical pattern, themating end of the other car being open, whereby said cars abut in end=to end relation, the convex car end in cluding a truck support plate extending between the sides of the car and secured thereto, a single truck for both cars pivotallyv mounted on said truck support plate, said truck having only two wheels, the mating end of the other car being provided with a plate projecting out of the car and overlapping the aforesaid truck support plate, a coupling pin for pivotally coupling said plates at the center of oscillation of the truck, and means to guide the truck to a running direction intermediate the directions of the cars, said means including truck guide lugs oscillatable with coupling plate projecting out of the car for coubut transversely slidable on the truck, the overlapping ends of the plates being so relatively shaped as to locate the guide lugs and consequently the truck in desired position.
'19. In a toy streamline articulated railroad:
jecting out of the car end and adapted to overlie the truck support plate, the end of said coupling plate being cutaway to form a convergent passage adapted to be slid on the coupling pin and to be anchored thereto.
20. In a toy train, successive cars coupled at adjacent ends by means including overlapping spacer plates, a wheeled truck common to both car ends, said truck having only two Wheels, means including a truck guide lug transversely slidably mounted on said truck and cooperating with the overlapping ends of the couplingplates at one side thereof for guiding the truck to a running direction intermediate the directions of the cars, and means to hold said guide lug against the side of the coupling plates.
21. In a toy streamline articulated railroad train, coupled car ends, one of said car ends being patterned convexly and the end of the other car being open to mate therewith, the convex car end including a support plate extending between the sides and secured thereto near the bottom of the car, a stub coupling pin fixed on said plate and projecting upwardly therefrom, wheels common to both cars mounted on one only of said car ends, the mating end of the other car being provided with a coupling plate projecting out of the car ne'arthe bottom thereof and adapted to overlie and rest upon the aforesaid support plate, the end of said coupling plate receiving the coupling pin. 7
22. In a toy streamline articulated railroad train, coupled car ends, one of said car ends being patterned convexly to a vertical cylindrical pattern, the mating end of the other car being open, the convex car end including a support plate extending between the sides and secured thereto near the bottom of the car, a stub coupling pinfixed on said plate and projecting upwardly therefrom, Wheels common to both cars mounted on said convex car end, the mating end of the other car being provided with a coupling plate projecting out of the car near the bottom thereof and adapted to overlie and rest upon the aforesaid support plate, the end of said coupling plate being apertured to receive the coupling pin, and the convex car end being horizontally slit or cut away to receive the projecting coupling plate.
EDWARD E. MCKEIGE.
US56311A 1935-12-27 1935-12-27 Toy train Expired - Lifetime US2114720A (en)

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2599138A (en) * 1947-01-16 1952-06-03 Midgage Models Inc Model electric locomotive
US2843056A (en) * 1953-05-13 1958-07-15 Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Coupler apparatus
DE1126293B (en) * 1959-02-21 1962-03-22 Fleischmann Geb Three-axle two-part transport trolley with arc-controlled center wheel set for toy and model trains
US5794536A (en) * 1996-06-20 1998-08-18 Westinghouse Air Brake Company End design for a railway type freight car

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2599138A (en) * 1947-01-16 1952-06-03 Midgage Models Inc Model electric locomotive
US2843056A (en) * 1953-05-13 1958-07-15 Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Coupler apparatus
DE1126293B (en) * 1959-02-21 1962-03-22 Fleischmann Geb Three-axle two-part transport trolley with arc-controlled center wheel set for toy and model trains
US5794536A (en) * 1996-06-20 1998-08-18 Westinghouse Air Brake Company End design for a railway type freight car

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