US2196319A - Whistle actuating and control means for toy trains - Google Patents

Description

April 9, 1940. J. E. McLouGHLlN WHISTLE ACTUATING AND CONTROL MEANS FOR TOY TRAINS Filed Deo. 7, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @www s sfu Q a,

lllllllL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. E. McLouc-:HLIN

med nec. 7, 193s vmxs'rLn Ac'rA'rmG AND CONTROL MEANS Fon 'rour TRAINS April 9, 1940.

Patented Apr. 9, i940 4PA'IEIJT OFFICE WHISTLE ACTUAT'ING ANI)y CONTROL MEANS FOR TOY TRAINS f James E. McLoughlin, New Haven, Conn., as-

signer to The A. C. Gilbert Company, New Haven, Conn., a.` corporation of Maryland Application December 7, 1939, Serial No. 244,399

8Cialms.

This invention relates to whistle actuating and control means for toy trains, and more particularly to electric toy train systems in which a whistle carried byfgthe train is actuated by a small electric motor.

One of the vobiects of the invention is toptovide an improved toy train set having simple and convenient means whereby the whistle actuating motor. as well as the propulsion motor lo of the train, may be controlled from a distance. Another object is to provide improved means whereby at any time desired the whistle carried by the train may be blown.

It is also aimed to provide a device of this kind u in which the operation o! blowing the whistle will not interfere with the driving of the train by its electric propulsion mechanism.

In the vaccompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic viewshowing an elec-l tric toy train 'systemembodying my improvements;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation ot the electromagnetic switch device iorcontrolling the train propulsion:

' Fig. 3 is a top plan view oi' the device shown u in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a detail of the switch device mounted on the tender for controlling the operation oi' the o whistle; i l

. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the quickacting switch device associated with the transformer in l'iig.l 1;y

F18. 7 is'a section on line I-'I of Fig.. 6; and Fig.8isaview similartoFig.1showinga modified form.

In devices of this class it has been common to provide the locomotive with an electric propulsion motor, andwith a remotely controlled o electromagnetic switch 'device for starting and sinpnins the locomotive and changing its direction. It has also been common to mount at a suitable point on the train, ior example, on the locomotive tender. a pneumatically-operated 5 whistle whose actuator is a small electric motor connected in the circuit so as to be operable from s. distance i'or blowing the whistle when that is desired. However. such whistle controls as have w been provided heretofore have'been complicated and liable to get out of order; and there has been ditiiculty in controlling trom a single point in a reliable manner the operation oi both the propulsion motor and the whistle or like warning u signal. The whistleis most commonly used, but

(ci. 10s- 149) in this application I mention a pneumaticallyoperated whistle merely by way of example.

In Fig. 1 by way of example I have shown an arrangement in which wheel-supporting track rails A and B are insulated from each other, and 5 where suitable collecting devices at A' and B' carried by the locomotive C, by contacting the respective rails. provide for the supply of current to an electric motor D on the locomotive, this being the motor which propels the train. My improvements may, however, be used in connection with a third rail system.

E is the locomotive tender on which is mounted a pneumatic whistle device F, whose actuator is a 'small electric motor G. H is a Vtransformer of 15 any suitable type, which is illustrated only so lar as necessary for the understanding of the present invention, the same being connected by leads h and h with the usual light socket, and having the usual primary coil (not shown), and having its secondary coil I connected to the rails A and B to supply thereto alternating current of the desired voltage. AFor the purpose of reversing the propulsion motor D, for example, by reversing the direction oi' current in its arma- 2'5 ture, a reversing switch J is provided, shown in detail in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. For the purpose of causing actuation of the whistle motor G, a controlling switch K is provided, certain details of which are shown in Fig. 5. At Az and B the tender E is provided with suitable current collectors by means of which current is carried to motor G and switch K. For actuating the switch K. a special actuating switch L is employed, and

this may be associated with the transformer H in the manner indicated in Fig. 1.

The usual or ordinary transformer control may be provided by a knob III having a pointer i I movable over contacts i2 associated with a portion of the secondary I, so that in the usual manner control of the voltage supply to the motor may be eilected. In the case selected yfor illustration, the range is from zero to 12 volts, but this is merely by way of example. It will be apparent that the primary will, in the ycustomary 5 x manner, induce current in the secondary I, and.

' that by moving the knob Il the voltage can be increased stepwise in the usual manner up to the point where 12 volts are supplied. The secondary coil I, however, is provided with a portion il, not under control of knob i0, and which in eiect forms an extension of the secondary coil adapted when cut in to bring about a substantial increase in the voltage, and in this particular case it may be assumed by way oi example that when 56 the entire secondary coil is introduced into the circuit, volts will be supplied to the rails.

The cutting in of the extra portion or extension I3 may be leffected by means of the switch L when the latter is shifted to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1, and when this shift has been made, the switch K, which is inoperative at ordinary voltages, is actuated to close the circuit of whistle motor G.

A suitable form which the switch L may assume in practice is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. It may comprise a lever I4 pivoted intermediate of its ends at I5 on a plate I6 of insulating material on or associated with the wall of the transformer casing and within the casing. The outer end of the lever operates in a slot I1 in a bracket I8. Lever I4 is acted upon by a coiled spring I9, one end of which is attached to a post 20 on plate II,

, and the other end of which is attached to a post 2I on the lever, the post 2I operating in an arcuate slot 22. The inner end portion 23 of lever I4 is adapted to contact with end contacts 24 and 25,

respectively, and with an intermediate contact 26, all mounted on insulating plate I6.

When the switch L is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, the lever I4 forms a connection from rail B and circuit branch 21 to contact 24 by way of circuit branch 28 with knob I0 oi the transformer. At the opposite end of its swinging `movement on its pivot the inner end of the lever will be in contact with contact member 25 to connect the lever with the transformer knob by way of circuit leg 29. It will be understood, however, that in moving from one of these extreme positions to the other, the'lever will by its inner end engage for an instant the contact 24, which isconnected by circuit leg with the extension I3 of the secondary coil, so that momentarily the entire secondary coil will be introduced into the circuit. 'I'his will be effective in actuating the switch K, the coil of which is of such character and so wound as to be responsive only to this higher voltage, and in this manner the circuit of whistle motor G will be closed to cause l the blowing oi' the whistle.

In moving from one of its positions to the other the lever I4 will not interrupt the connection between thesecondary coil and the track rails.

The switch device J for controlling the operation of the propulsion motor comprises a coil li havinga ilxed iron core 32, said coil being secured by screw 33 to an L-shaped, metal frame I4. A swinging armature pivoted adjacent one end to frame 34 at 38 is adapted to be pulled toward the coil as current traverses the latter. normally holds the armature in the position shown in Fig. 2. At rigl'tangles to the coil a rotary drum or commutator 34 is arranged in the frame, and this commutator is adapted to be rotated step by step by a ratchet wheel Il on the shaft 40 of the commutator, being engaged by a pawl 4I pivotally mounted at 42 on the Ldownturned extremity 43o! amature il Thus upon each inward pull on the armature, the commutator is turned one step. The commutator proper is formed with metal rings, said rings being provided with suitable axial extensions and ,mounted onl a body of insulating material. Pressing against the commutator are suitable brushes, and in the particular arrangement illustrated, there are two horizontal brushes 44 and 4l, and two vertical brushes. and 41.. v

It wilIbe understood that the commutator is rotated insone direction4 only, and that upon successive actuations of theelectromagnetby closing A spring 31 the connection of the feed circuit to the rails through the transformer knob, or otherwise, the switch J will be moved to cause, respectively, the drive oi the propulsion motor in one direction, the stoppage of the train, and the drive of the train in the opposite direction by reversal of the motor armature and held connection.

The switch K is in general similar in construction to switch J, but switch K is a two-position switch only, -having a drum 44 with a metal contact ring 4l, a portion 5l oi insulating material, and brushes 4I and 52. Upon successive actuations of switch K the same is moved, respectively, to a position in which the circuit of the whistle motor is closed, and a position in which said circuit is open. It is understood, of course, that the rotation of the commutator, as in the case of switch J, is effected by a pivoted armature carrying a pawl at its free end, which pawl engages a ratchet wheel Il on the commutator shaft 40'. f

It will be understood that in the operation of the device the propulsion o! the train will be controlled by actuation of the transformer knob.

In Fig. 1 the transformer knob is shown in iull lines in the oi'i' position, but by moving it so that its pointer contacts the first contact, the cix-,

cuit will be closed, and by proper adjustment of the knob the train can be run at the desired speed, and by cutting of! the current to the tracks and then reconnecting, the reversal or the stoppage of the train can be elected, depending upon the position of the step-by-step switch. The switch device L is used only for the operation oi the whistle. When it is desired to operate the whistle the pivoted switch member i4 is'thrown over by the finger to its other position. In this operation its inner end will wipe across contact 24 and momentarily close the circuit through the entire secondary coll, thereby causing a surge of high voltage to pass through the coil oi.' switch K, which will close the whistle motor circuit and start the sounding of the whistle as soon as the whistle motor cornea up to speed. The whistle will continue to sound until the switch lever is flipped in the opposite direction to the initial position, during which operation switch K will again be actuated, the actuation at this time moving its commutator to a position to break the whistle motor circuit. In this manner the whistling of the train can be ettected at any time desired, even when the train is at rest (as permitted by the construction of switch J), provided the knob Il be ina position in which it closes the circuit.) The control o! the whistle actuation is also very simple and convenient, and can be incorporated in a toy train outfit at slight expense. All current used, both for control oi the propulsion and whistle motors as well as for actuation thereof, is alternating current, which is ordinarily readily available.

When the switch K is actuated by the high voltage for blowing the whistle and the train is being driven, the only eiiect upon the switch J of the surge of high voltage will be the clamping of armature 4l more firmly against the electromag- Also, when the train is at rest there will berv net. no effect 'upon the switch J because at any time when there is current in the rails the amature I! o! said switch will be held down. When the transformer knob is in the full-line position showninl'ig.1therewillbenocurrentinthe rails, andinthispositionswitchxwill not operate vthe whistle because there will be no current iiowing inthe aik.

Inll'ig. lhavelhownalmodiediormoimy to introduce the arcano invention in which. as before, the switches for closing the motor circuits operate at dierent voltages, but in this case the controlling current is direct current. In this instance the switch J' associated with the propulsion motor is operable by high voltage only, say 6 volts, while the switch M associated with the whistle motor is operable at a low voltage, say 3 volts. The switch M comprises a coil M', which when traversed by the low voltage above referred to attracts a pivoted armature 35 in opposition to spring 51', and establishes a contact between contact member 35x on the armature and a fixed contact member 35i', thereby closing the circuit of the whistle motor.

In this form the transformer T, having a primary53 and a secondary 54, comprises a knob 55 connected with a multiple push button switch 55 and a second multiple push button switch 51. The switch 55 comprises leaves 58, 58 and 50, and is adapted to be actuated by pushing a button 5I on leaf 50. Switch 51 is similarly constituted,

having leaves 52, 58 and 55, leaf 54 having a push button 55. Adapted to be placed in the circuit is a direct-current source 55, such as a dry cell I battery furnishing 3 volts, and a second directcurrent source 51. such as a dry cell battery furnishing 3 volts, is adapted to be included additionally in the y circuit. Suitable connecting means between the leaves 58 and 82, which connecting means may be constituted by link 58, areA provided.

It will be seen from Fig. 8 that when the parts are in the positions shown in full lines, connection of the propulsion motor to the transformer will be effected. If it be desired to eect actuation of switch J switch 51 is actuated by pressing down on button 55. This causes leaf 55 to engage leaf 52, and disengage leaf 53 (and also causes leaf 58 to be disengaged from leaf 58), with the result that both direct-current sources 55 and 51 will be introduced into the circuit, furnishing together 6 volts, without actuating switch M, and in this way switch J may be lmoved through the different positions, as previously described, wlthout any operation of the whistle motor taking place. The reason for this is that the high-voltage relay operates quickly, and any actuation of armature of switch M which may take place will not be of sumcient duration to bring the whistle motor up to a speed that will operate the whistle. Now when it is desired to operate the whistle, the switch 55 is actuated, button 5I being depressed so as to move leaf 55 into contact with leaf 58, and move leaf 58 out of contact with leaf 55. The effect of this will be low'fyoltage direct-current source 55 alone into the circuit, and in this particular instance 3 volts will pass through switch M, which will be sumcient to actuate said switch and cause the circuit of the whistle motor to be closed. In this case it. will be necessary to' hold button 5I depressed for a time sumcient to get the whistle motor up to speed, and `to sound the whistle for the desired length of time, lfor when pressure on leaf 50 is released the direct-current source will be eliminated from the circuit, and there will be no further operation offrelay M which is operated thereby.

I do not limit myself to direct-current sources constituted by primary batteries, as in certain,

cases a rectifier may be used in connection with a suitable resistance so as to provide direct current of 'suillciently diilerent voltages for the purposes in view. Where I use direct-current means operable at a predetermined voltage for controlling the operation of the propelling motor, I may use alternating-current. means operable at a higher voltage for controlling the operation of the accessory.

While I have shown herein twov different embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that the latter is susceptible of many different embodiments. and that various modifications and constructional changes may be made without departure from the principles of my invention or the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

l. In a motor control circuit for electric trains, in combination with a track circuit and a train having a propelling motor receiving current from said circuit and provided with a reversing switch, said train also having an accessory receiving current from said circuit and providedwith an actuating switch, means operable by current of `a predetermined voltage to operate thevreversing switch, and means operable by a like current of another voltage for operating said actuating switch.

2. In a motor control circuit for electric trains,l

in combination with a track circuit and a train having a propelling motor receiving A. C. current from said circuit and provided with a reversing switch relay, said train also having an accessory receiving A. C. current from said circuit and provided with an actuating switch relay, said relays adapted to be actuated by A. C. current at different voltages, and selective means for supplying current of the respective voltages to said relays.

3. In a motor control circuit for electric trains, in combination with a track circuit and a train 'having a propelling motor receiving A. C. current from said circuit and provided with a reversing switch relay, said train also having an accessory receiving A. C. current from said circuit and provided with an actuating switch relay, said relays adapted tobe actuated by A. C. current at dify' having a propelling motor receiving A. C. current from said circuit and provided with a reversing switch relay operable by said A. C. current, said train also having an accessory motorreceiving A. C. current from said circuity and provided with an actuating switch relay, said reversing switch relay being operable by A. C. current of a certain voltagefand said actuating switch relay ,being operable by A. C. current at a higher voltage, and selective means for supplying current of the respective voltages to said relays.

5. In a motor control circuit for electric trains, in combination with a track circuit and a train having a propelling motor receiving current from the track circuit and also having a signal-operating' motor receiving current from the track cir* cuit, a transformer for supplying regulable voltage to said circuit and thereby controlling the voltage in the track circuit to a predetermined limit at will, and means automatically operable upon such increase for closing the circuit of the signal motor.

. 8. In a motor control circuit for electric trains. in combination with a track circuit and a train having a propelling motor receiving current from said circuit and provided with a reversing switch relay, said train also having a signal-operating motor receiving current from said circuit and provided with an actuating switch relay, said reversing switch relay being operable by A. C. current of a predetermined voltage and said actuin combination with a track circuit, a train havlng a propelling motor and an accessory motor both supplied with Al C. current from said track circuit, means operable by a direct current within a predetermined voltage range for controlling the operation o! the propelling motor, and means operated by a direct current at a voltage outside o! said range for controlling the operation o! the accessory motor. f

8. In a motor control circuit for toy trains, in combination with a track circuit, a train hav ing a propelling motor and an accessory motor both supplied with A. C. current from said track circuit, direct current means operable at a predetermined voltage for controlling the operation of the propelling motor, and direct current means operable at a lower voltage for controlling the operation o! the accessory motor.

JAMES E. MCLOUGHLIN.

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