US2278358A

US2278358A - Remote control system for toys

Info

Publication number: US2278358A
Application number: US308924A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward E Mckeige; Noel L Case
Original assignee: Louis Marx and Co Inc
Current assignee: Louis Marx and Co Inc
Priority date: 1939-12-13
Filing date: 1939-12-13
Publication date: 1942-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 1959-03-31

Description

March 31-, 1942. E. E. M cKElGE ET AL 3 -REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM. FOR TOYS Filed Dec. 13, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 'l INVENTOR EDWARD E. McKElGE NOEL L. CASE BY I v ATTORN EY ,March3l, 1942. EEWKEJ 'E ETAL' 2,278,358

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TOYS March 31, 19 E. E. MCKEIGE ETAL I I 2,278,358

REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TOYS Filed Dec. 15, 1959' 5 Sheets-Sheet s I ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 31, 1942 REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TOYS Edward E. McKeige and Noel L. Case, Girard, Pa., assignors to Louis Marx & Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation ofjNew York Application December 13, 1939, Serial No. 308,924

21 Claims.

This invention relates to remote control systems, especially for toys, and particularly for toy trains. 1

The primary object of our invention is to generally improve remote control systems for controlling a plurality of operations in a toy. The invention is disclosed as applied to a toy train system, and is intended to afford remote control of various train functions, such as the starting, stopping and direction of operation of the train, the turning on or off of the lights on the train, the operation of an audible signal such as abell or whistle or both, and the operation of the coupling means between the locomotive and train drawn thereby. To accomplish any one of the foregoing functions is comparatively easy, but to control all of these functions in anydesired combination while maintaining complete independence of control foreach of the functions, is

very difiicult. This difliculty is increased by the.

fact that in accordance with another feature and object of the present invention, the control is obtained by means of the regular propulsion current, or in other words, through a simple twowire feed system, without necessitating extra control wires or extra control current of differentiated character. For example, there is no superposition of direct current on alternating current or vice versa, .and the track current is the only current that. is used for signalling.

A system. which successfully accomplishes the foregoing objectsis disclosed in our co-pending application Serial Number 202,187, filed April 15,

with a further feature and object of the invention, the necessary time intervals are established direction or so-called outward movement under drive ofthe motor, while the second impulse terminates the outward movement and initiates a reverse or return movement to the home position.

, The extent of movement at the sender and re- 1938, and entitled Remote control system for toys. In that system, the control is obtained by means of a dial at the transmitter which interrupts the current supply a number of times dependent upon which of the control functions is desired. When dealing with a large number of control functions, this leads to a large number of interruptions of the propulsion current. This may slow up the movement of the train, and may cause an unnatural and conspicuously observable continued blinking of the lights. One primary object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing difiiculty, and to improve upon the aforesaid train control system by minimizing the necessary interruptions in the propulsion current. With this object in view, we control all functions by means of only two momentaryinterruptions, the selection of the particular function being determined by the spacing or time interval between the two interruptions.

The time interval is determined at the sender and is measured at the receiver. In accordance.

ceiver may be made the same, and may be used to select any desired one of a group of control functions.

Another object of our invention is to provide suitable structure for practicing the foregoing method. A more detailed object is to provide for the contingency of a single accidental interruption in the supply of propulsion current. This causes an outward movement which, however, is automatically rectified. I

Train-carried whistles frequently employ a motor-driven blower. A further object of the present invention is to make it possible to drive a whistle by means of the aforementioned synchronous motor forming a part of the receiver, thus dispensing with the need for a separate additional motor for the whistle.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, our invention consists in the remote control system and the elements thereof 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. 1 is a schematic diagram of a part of a toy railway embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view explanatory of the construction of the sender or transmitter;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view explanatory of the construction of the receiver;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section through a part of the receiver;

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram showing the wiring at the sender and receiver;

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified construction using forward and backward running gearing, and

showing-the same in neutral position;

Fig. 7 shows the same in forward-running position;

Fig. 8 shows the same in backward-running position;

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of a motor-reversing switch which may be used at the receiver;

Fig. 10 shows the same in opposite position;

Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a modified switch for simply opening or closing the circuit;

Fig. 13 is explanatory of the operation of the switches;

Fig.14. is a transverse section through a switch taken in the plane of the line l4l 4 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 15 is a transverse section throughr the reversing switch taken in the plane of the line l5l5 of Fig. 9; I

Fig. 16 is another transverse sectionthrough the reversing switch takeniinhthea'plane oi the,

line Iii-l6 of Fig, 10; I v 1 Fig. 17 illustrates the metal parts of the slide of the switch with the insulation slide removed;

Fig. 18 is explanatory of the uncoupling'mechanism;

Fig. 19 is explanatory of the bell-ringing mechanism;

Fig.- 20is-explanatory of a -locomotive whistle which may be advantageously used with one form of our:invention; and

Fig; 21" illustrates adetail.

Referring to the drawings, and more particu- -larly-to- Fig. 1, the remote control mechanism is -shownapplied to a toy train. This train comprises a locomotive -l2 andsimulated tender I4 pulling a train of cars, only the first car I6 of nected to an ordinary household lighting system by means of a plug "28.

The output of transformer 26, instead of being connected directly to the-track, runs through a sender or control panel 30. This has a row of buttons generally designated 32, and the panel may be marked adjacent each button with the appropriate train function controlled by that button. It is merely necessary to depress a button in order to produce the desired change in the operation of the train. The desired remote control takes place through the regular propulsion current, and is based upon the use of a pair of momentary interruptions produced at the sender 38 with a properly predetermined spacing or time interval between the two in-' terruptions. The receiver which responds tothis signal is associated with the locomotive I2, which is ordinarily most conveniently done by locating the sender in the tender I4.

Referring now to Fig. 2 of thedrawings, the sender comprises a synchronous motor 34 driving a long threaded rod. or. screw 36 carrying a nut-38. The buttons .32 are vertically reciprocable and are normally elevated by compression springs 48. W/Vhen a button, in this case the buttonJlZ, is. depressed, it islatched in down position by a suitable latch or detent M. The ,row

of detents .44 is pivoted on a pin 46, and each detent has an arm 48 overlying screw 36. The,

upper part of nut 38 is rounded or cam-shaped The locomotive is pro-.

are normally-closed by spring :12.

as shown at 50, and is thereby adapted to run beneath the arms 48, elevating the same as it moves along. Thus the nut 38 will release a depressed button when it reaches the detent of that button.

Each button is provided with a cam projection 52 arranged to cooperate with a plate 54 pivoted at .56 and having aswitch contact 58 normally resting against a stationary contact 60. It will be evident that as a button is depressed,

-the projection 52 cams plate 54 outwardly and thereby opens contacts 58, Bil. The projection .52 is thenlocated below the cam follower portion of, plate 54, and consequently, when the button. is; released, the plate 54 is again moved outwardly-and the contacts 58, 60 are again opened. 1

Referring now to'Fig. 5, the wiring below track .22 represents the wiring at the sender, and the wiring above track 22 represents the wiring on the train. The. motor 34 is a shaded pole induction motor of the reversing type, it having a main field coil 62 and shading coils B4 andfiii, one or the other "of which is energized depending upon the position of a tumbler switch 68. Power is obtained from transformer 26 and is fed to the power'rail 24 through a conductor I0 having the normally closed'contactsx58; '60 in series with it. These contacts -arecontrolled by plate 54 and The opposite sideof the transformer secondary is connected tothe service rails' 22. .The main field coil 62 of the motor isconnected-in shunt with the track circuit, and isconstantly energized. Themotor is so designed that-it may remain continuously in circuit even with the armature "I4 locked against rotation, as it is when the nut 38 reaches its return or home position: at the'inner or lefthand end of screw 36.

A normally energized solenoidffli is also connected in shunt with the track circuit and its core-l8 is connectedto a linki80, the lower end of which. underlies the tumbler 68. The latter is pivoted at '82 and-adapted to oscillate between the right-handposition shown in which contact finger l-M and coil 64are energized,-and the lefthand positionin which-contact finger 86 and coil 65 are energized. The tumbler 68 is so shaped that when in the right-hand position as shown, its, point 88- is moved-to the left of the axis of the tumbler and'solenoid. Consequently, when solenoid I6 is deenergizedand core 18 with link tilfalls, the lower end ofthe link hangs freely .in a. position on the right side of point 88 so that i when. solenoidflfiis again. energized, the link slides'up the right-hand side of the tumbler and then pulls thetumbler to. its left-hand position. Thus each momentary interruption-of the cur- 'rent supply shifts-the tumbler to its opposite pressed, the power supply is momentarily interrupted at the contacts 58,1 60, and the tumbler EB-and consequently motori34 are reversed, there- -by causing thescrew 35 to move the nut 33 outwardly on the screw. When the nut reaches that button which-has'beendepressed it releases the button. and-"the upward movement of the shown in Fig.4. In the solid line position the cam projects into the channel and is so disposed latter momentarily opens the power supply at contacts 58, 60, thus again reversing the tumbler switch and the motor 34, and thereby moving the nut 38 in return direction to its home position. Inasmuch as the motor 34 is a synchronous motor of predetermined speed, the time interval between the two interruptions of current depends on which button is depressed, it varying directly as the distance between the home position of nut 38 and the button which is depressed.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the receiver comprises a similar motor 90, that is, a reversible synchronous motor which is adapted to remain in circuit while its armature is locked. Motor 90 drives a screw 92 for moving a nut 94. The nut 94 carries a pivoted arm 96 and a stud 98. The latter is adapted to cooperate with a series of sloping passages or channels I defined by walls which terminate short of top and bottom walls I02 and I04, as is best shown by wall I06 in Fig. 4. A sloping deflector I08 is provided at the beginning of the series of channels I00, As here illustrated, the deflector I08 is hinged at I I0, and its lower edge rests on bottom wall I04. Itwill be understood that a yieldable or springy deflector may be used instead of a hinged deflector. During outward movement of nut 94, the stud 98 is guided upwardly by deflector I08 and then moves along beneath upper wall I02. During return or inward movement of nut 94, the stud 98 is drawn through one of the channels I00 until it reaches the bottom wall I04, and is then drawn along bottom wall I04 until nut 94 reaches its home position, at which time stud 98 has passed deflector I08, the latter rising to permit passage of the stud. Which of the channels I00 receives the stud 98 depends on how far outward the nut 94 has moved before the motor 90 is reversed to return the nut.

, Reverting now to Fig. 5, the motor 90 has its main field coil I I2 connected continuously in circuit between a power rail shoe or trolley I I4 and the train wheels I I8. A tumbler reversing switch H8 is associated with motor 90 and is controlled by a normally continuously energized solenoid I20, just as was previously described for the sender motor. The screw 92, nut 94, arm 96 and stud 98 are all schematically shown on the wiring diagram. It will be evident that the first power supply interruption starts outward movement of nut 94, and that the second interruption reverses motor 90 and starts the return movement of nut 94. The distance travelled by nut 94 depends on the time interval between the two interruptions, and is therefore directly related to which of the control buttons 32 has been depressed at the transmitter. The stud 98 may thus be used to actuate any one of a series of switches or to otherwise produce any desired control function.

Reverting now to Fig. 3, each channel I00 corresponds to one of the transmitter buttons. A row of switches is disposed in back of the channels, but these switches have been omitted in Fig, 3. Referring to Figs. 4 and 21, it will be noted that there is a slot IOI at the base of each channel I00. An electric switch, shown schematically, and generally designated I22, is mounted between each pair of the aforesaid slots II, that is, the switch is mounted behind an adjacent pair of the channels I00. The switch is controlled by a pair of arms or cams I24, one of which is disposed on each side of the switch. These cams pass-through the slots IOI and are movable between the solid line and dotted line positions as to lie'in the path of the stud 98 and is thereby adapted to be moved by the stud as the stud is drawn through the channel.

The cams are preferably so related that one is moved upward when the other-is pulled downward, and vice versa. A specific form of switch construction is described later, but for the present, it is suflicient to state that a cam I24 is pulled downwardly by the stud until it is moved into the slot, as is indicated by'the dotted line position in Fig. 4. The stud continues through the channel and is brought back to home position. The resulting change in switch position also moves the other cam upwardly from the dotted line position of Fig. 4 to the solid line position, so that the switch can again be changed by moving the stud through the adjacent channel.

The receiver is preferably provided with means to take care of the contingency of the power supply to the track or train being accidentally interrupted a singletime only. In such case, the nut '94 and stud 98 move outward, and we accordingly provide means to return them to home position at the end of their outward movement. Referring to Figs. 3 and 21, a switch I26 is nor- .mally closed but may be opened by depression or longitudinal movement of a pin I28 projecting into the channel box. When stud 98 is moved outward beyond all of the channels I00, it bears against stud I28 and opens the switch. The sloping end I30 on pin I28 causes the stud to move downward off the end of the pin, permitting the switch I26 to again close, under pressure of spring I32. A ledge I34 prevents premature escape of the stud from the end of pin I28.

Referring now to Fig 5, the normally closed switch I26 is shown to be connected in series with the solenoid I20. When stud 98 depresses and then releases pin I28, the switch I26 is opened and again closed. This reverses the m0- tor, and the nut 94 moves back to home position.

A modified form of drive for the screw is illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. The screw I there shown may be either the sender or receiver screw. The nut I42 may be either the camming nut at the sender or the stud-carrying nut at the receiver. Oneadvantage of the modified drive is that the screw is reversed by mechanical gearing. so that the motor I44 may be a simple unidirectional motor. Furthermore, although the motor runs continuously, it idles when not in use, instead of being locked against its own power drive. Another. advantage is that the motor may be used to drive a locomotive whistle, as will be later described.

The motor I44 drives a shaft I46 carrying a pin I48. The forward-running gear train comprises-a pinion I50 meshing with an idler I52 which in turn drives a gear I54 pinned to screw I40 at I56. The backward-running gear train consists of a pinion I58 meshing with agear I60 which is freely rotatable on the screw. The pinions I50 and I58 are both freely rotatable on shaft I46 except when clutched to the shaft by means of pin I48. For this purpose, the pinions have inwardly projecting pins I62 and I64. These pins normally seek disengagement from drive pin I48 by small compression springs I 66 and I68.

The pinions I50 and I 58 are axially movable on shaft I46, and their movement is controlled by a yoke "0 connected by link I12 to a tumbler I14 which is pivoted at I16 and actuated by a,

. engagement by 'itsspring I58.

tates screw; I40 in the forwarddirectiongand nut .I42 moves outward, .as. shown; incidentally,- the outward movement of the nut permits. a-.com wpression spring 1I80 to movegean 1.60 axiallyunswitch I93.

.tacts 2I2.

. versing switch:.220.

.tacts which when bridged vertically as shown,

, pointed out that: solenoid I 18 corresponds to. the solenoids Hi and.l20 (Fig. 5) previouslydescribed, andtumbler I14 corresponds to the :tumblersBB and II8 previouslyidescribed, butin thepresent -case. themovement of thetumbler is employed for mechanical gear-shifting purposes instead of for electrical switching.

In Fig. 6 the nut I42 is shown in its home position, :and while pinion .158, is clutched. to shaft 146- it drives .only gear= I50 which'at'this time is idle and freely rotatable on screw I40... In Fig. 7 the tumbler'I'M has been reversed by a,.first interruption :of the. ,currentzsupply. This shifts pinionIEO into engagement'with drive pin: I48

and at the: same .time :pinion: I58: is. moved .out of Pinion. I50 :ro-

til its pin I82 engages apin; 184 on screw: I40.

When the :second interruption of the current --supplytakes.place, the tumbler I14 is again'reversed; thereby disengaging pinion I50'and en- "gaging the backward-running pinion 'I58. This causes a reverse rotation of. screw I40, and nut I42. returnstoward its home pcsitionw When it reaches home position, a finger 185.. on nut l42 shifts gear .160 axially,.as is shown in Fig; 6,

thereby. disengaging .the gear from the screw and permitting the motor .144 to idle.

Revertingnow to Fig. 5, and particularly the upper portion thereof, representing. the. wiring on the train, the lamp I38. is a headlight for the locomotive, but the same or. a separate .lamp circuit may-be provided for lights in the .cars of the train. This lamp circuitiscontrolled by a A bell circuit is indicated atil 92, this circuit being controlled by a switch I94. 1 The "bell is shown in'Fig. 19, it comprisingagong I98 housing a solenoid I98, the. coretZilO ofwhich is normally elevated by springZOZ. l 1 When. solei noid':l98 is energized, the 'hammerlM is .drawn downwardly, andv when. the solenoid' is deenergized, the hammer is struck upwardly. against'the inside of the gongiISB. In order to produce wellspaced, deliberate action of the bell, a..'thermostatic switch may be used, this being schematically illustrated by rectangle 286. Reverting totFig. 5', the bimetallic bar of the thermostatic switch isshown 'at 208, it being heated 'by arresistor 210.. As the .barJZEB is repeatedlynheated and drive the motor in one direction, and when bridged horizontally instead of'vertically, drive the motor in opposite direction. 'The operation of the motor, that is, the starting and stopping of the motor, is controlled by a switch' 222. In the present disclosure, no means has been shown for controlling the speed of the train. This is readily accomplished by the provision of: appropriate additional switches for connecting aspe'ed-controlling resistorqin series. with.the..-propulsion .motorm Az-suitable switchtforwthispurpose is dis-" normally.- energized solenoid 118.; It may. be

- {closed in-our (Jo-pending; application Serial Number'. 202 ,187; previously :referred to.

1 Othertrain control functions may .be provided.

i In? the present: .case, a: train. uncoupling; solenoid .224, is;provided, the circuit of this solenoid being controlled by a..-switch226.- Referring to Fig. 18,

-, the coupling-comprises a male element having an approximately cylindrical upstanding element 223 receivedbetween the jaws 23B and 232 of a female element. The male element is larger than the spacebetween the jaws when the jaws are closed,

as shown. Jaw 232 is pivoted at 234 and normally movesto open position under the influence :of a spring 235. The .jaws are closed whenmale .element 228 bears against an arm238 projecting sidewardly from-jaw.232. Thisztakes place when two cars are run-together with the parti2'28 bearing against the arm 238,'as1Sh0wn in Fig. 18. The jawsare then :held inlclosed position by. a latch 24i1pivoted at-:242. When the train uncoupling solenoid 224. is energized,.itattracts core 244 and this is connected-by a-suitable dink'245 to latch i245 thereby'releasing'the latch and so opening thecoupling. The jaw arrangement is disclosed -in\Rexford Patent No, 2,157,187, issued May 9,

1 1939, but the. method of 'control of the latch is different inthe present case.

' Coming now. to; the switches; we" shall first describe the direction reversing switch. 220. As

1 was stated" in connection'with Fig. 5, there are four contacts, and when these are joined one way,

;.say., in a vertical direction, thezlocomotive will run forward. 1 If, however, the contacts are joined in another way-,say, in a horizontal direction, the locomotive will run backward, for the direction -of current flow through the field is reversed.

. The manner. in which this change of connection is obtained is shown in" Figs. 9, l0 and 11 of the drawings, which show one specific'structure for the reversingswitch. The switch comprises a strip of insulation 246 the ends-of which are reduced and shouldered at 248 to form tenons which are received in -mating slots in support walls, notshown. *Insulation strip 246 is cut away at themiddle to form a slotor frame in which a slider-"258 is slidable." This slider. may

.be a strip of insulation of the same thickness as frame 245. Itis provided-on its opposite sides with contact plates having'outwardly projecting guides 252. These guides hold the slider in the frame and guide it during its movement longitudinally of the frame. The slider is shifted by operating arms or =

cams

254 and 256 pivotally mounted on opposite sides of frame 246 by means of apin 2-58. A link 2-60madeof a thin piece of sheet-metal connects slider25l1-and the cams 254,

256. One end of link 250 is provided with a tongue 2$2-(Fig. 11) which is received in a slot in the slider. The opposite end of link 260 underlies cam 254 and is slotted at 264 (Figs. 9and 10) to straddle the pin'258. Link-260 is provided with a lug-265 bent-toward one side to engage the cam 254, andanother lug 268bent toward the opposite side to engage the cam "256 (Fig. 14). It will be-observed that the lugs-2E6 and-268 are disposed on opposite sides of pin 258. Hence,

1 they are moved in opposite directions by the cams. Specifically, in Fig. 9, the slider'25B is nearest the cams (upward), it having been moved there by a pull in the opposite direction (downward). on caznf254. This operating movement -of cam-.254 .was transmitted through lug 266 and was: accompanied by. an opposite or.restoring gmovement'ofzcam 256 caused bylug288.

This movement .mayrbe. explained-thy reference to-the more rudimentary showing in Fig. .13, in

which it will be seen that a link 21!) is provided with oppositely

bent lugs

212 and 214, these being disposed on opposite sides of the axis 216 of cams 2'59 and 280. The parts are in position for operation on cam 280, and when cam 280 is drawn down by the stud,.it produces an upward movement of link 210 and that upward movement causes an upward or restoring movement of cam 218 by reason of the'lug 214. Thus, the downward movement of cam 28!] is accompanied by an upward movement of cam 218, and cam 218 is restored to initial position ready to be operated upon by the stud. When it is operated on and drawn downwardly, the parts assume the posi-.

tion shown in Fig. 13, and, at this time, the cam 280 is again brought upward ready to be operated upon by the stud.

Reverting now to Figs. 10 and 11, the frame 246 carries four contact springs 282, the movable ends of which bear against the slider 250, and the stationary ends of which are insulatedlysecured to the switch frame 246 by blocks of insulation 284. These four contact springs correspond to the four contacts indicated at 220 in Fig. 5.

The slider 259 carries metallic contact plates. In Fig. 9, the contact springs 282 have been cut away, and the shape of the nearer contact plate is clearly shown. It may be explained, however, that sidewardly projecting extensions of the contact plates are bent around the edge of the slider onto the opposite face; as is indicated at 286 and 288. The contact plate on the opposite side is similar, but reversed in position, and its reversely bent lugs are indicated: at 290 and 292. The construction may be clarified by reference to Fig.1? in which the two contact platesv are shown with the insulation slider removed from between the same. The upwardly and inwardly bent parts 299 and 292 are formed integrally with the bottom or remote contact plate 294. The

parts

286 and 288 are bent downwardly and inwardly from the upper contact plate 296.

In Fig 9, the slider is shown moved toward the cams,and in this position, the contact springs bear. against the cross-bars ofthe contact plates, that is, the parts extending between the guides 252. in which it will be seen that the upper contact springs are directly connected by the top contact plate 296, whilethe bottom contact springs are connected by the bottom contact plate 294. This corresponds to one position of the reversing switch 229 in Figs; 5. InFigs. l and 11, the

slider has been moved remote from the cams, and the contact springs now bear against the reversely bent parts of the contact plates. The situation is as indicated in Fig. 16, in which it will be seen that the top and bottom contacts at one side are connected together by the reversely bent parts of .one of the contact plates, while thetop and bottom contacts on the other side are connected together by the reversely bent parts of the other contact plates. This corresponds to the other switch position at 220 in Fig. 5, and results in reversing the motor, and, consequently, the locomotive.

In Fig. 5 it will be seen that most of' the switches may be of the simple on-and-ofi type. A switch for this purpose is shown in Fig. 12, and the principal change is theomission of two of the spring contacts 282. Figs. 9 and 10 may be considered front elevations of the switch shown in Fig. l2,and it will be understoodithat when The situation is then as shown in Fig. 15

the slider is shifted to a position near the cams, the two spring contacts-are joined by the crossbar of the upper contact plate 296, while when the slider is shifted to a position remote from the cams, the contacts are disconnected from one another, as is shown in Fig. 10. From an electrical viewpoint, the rear contact plate 294 may be omitted, but it is retained for structural reasons, in order to provide the four outwardly projecting guides 252 which retain and guide the slider 250 in the switch frame.

It will be understood that the switches just described correspond to that shown at I22 in Fig. 4, in which the slide portion of the switch .has been omitted. The switches are preferably disposed at an angle as is shown in Fig. 21, so that the cams will move longitudinally of the sloping channels IML. I

It has already been mentioned that the mechanical reversing arrangement of Figs. 6, 7 and 8 has the advantage of providing a whistle without using a special whistle-driving motor. Referring to Fig. 20, the whistle comprises a fan or bladed wheel 390 which rotates in a casing lead- ,ing to a whistle -or sound resonating chamber core is pulled downwardly; the valve is moved upwardly, and the whistle blows. With this type of control the fan 309 may run continuously.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the fan 30B is mounted on the shaft of the continuously running synchronous motor I44.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it will be'understood that the whistle-controlling solenoid may be connected in circuit much as was described for the other train control devices. For example, the whistle-controlling solenoid may replace the bell 192 in Fig. 5, or it may replace the uncoupling solenoid 224, or another switch may be added if it is desired to provide the whistle in addition to the bell and the uncoupling solenoid. This will necessitate the addition of two channels in the receiver and the addition of two control buttons on thesender, one button marked Whistle on, and the other Whistle off, or equivalent identification.

In connection with Fig. 5 it will" be understood that the wiring at the synchronous motors is simplified when using the mechanical reversing arrangement of Figs. 6,"7 and 8. It is believed that a separate diagram would be superfluous, and it may therefore be stated, for the sake of completeness, that the motors will have the fields 62 and H2 permanently connected in circuit, and that the reversing switch connections at tumblers B8 and I I8 with their associated reversing shade coils, may be omitted. Instead, the tumblers are mechanically connected to gears, as was previously explained. The motors run continuously and in one direction only.

It is believed that the construction and operation as well as the advantages of ourimproved train control system will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. Any desired button is depressed at the sender. This causes a first momentary interruption in the current supply, which reverses the tumblers, and so starts the motors (referring to the first form of the invention using reversing motors) at the sender and receiver. The nuts move outwardly. When nut 56 at the sender reaches the depressed buttomit releases the-latch and thebutton, and a second momentary-interruption of-the current supply takes place. This again reverses the tum bler switches, thereby reversing the motors, and the nuts move back toward home position. At the receiver, the stud 98 is thereby drawn through a channel corresponding to that button which was depressed, and so reverses the position of the control switch or control device associated with that channel. For the most part, the buttons are used in pairs, one button corresponding to the closed position, and the other to the open position of a switch. When the nuts have moved back to home position, they mechanically stop the motors from further rotation.

In the case of the modified form of invention shown in Figs. 6 through 8, the only difierence is that the reversing of the tumbler shifts the gears and thereby changes the direction of movement of the nuts at the sender and receiver. When the nuts reach home position they disengage thegear 60- at the pins I82, I84 (Figs. 6 and '7), and

the motor runs idle instead'of beinglocked.

With our arrangement'any train control function may be obtained independently of any other function, and in any desired sequence, without necessitating more than two momentary interruptions of the current supply to the track system.

It will be understood that the particular train control functions shown were chosen solely by way of'illustration and not in limitation of the invention; Any other desired train operation may be controlled by appropriately modifying the wiring at the receiver. Furthermore,- the control system may be used on toys other than trains, although it is particularly valuable 'where the wiring or circuit between the sender andreceiver is limited, as is the case with trains. It

synchronous motors at said sender and receiver,

movable mechanisms moved-bysaidmotors, an interrupter switch in said current supply line at thesender, a plurality of control buttons associated with the movable mechanism at the sender each arranged to momentarily open said interrupter'switch and thereby interruptthe current supply, solenoid-operated starters to thereupon start said movable mechanisms under drive of said motors, means operated by the sender-mechanismto again operate the interrupter switch after a time interval -measured by the sender motor and dependent upon which of the control buttons is actuated, a plurality of controlled switches at the receiver, and an actuator driven by the synchronousmotor at the receiver for selectingand actuating one of said switches, the selected one being dependent upon the time intervalbetween the two interruptions of the currentsupply.

2. A remote control system for toys,said system comprising-a sender and a receiverconnected by an alternating current supply line extending between saidsender and receiver, the sender includinga synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby, a nut moved by said screw, arcwof control buttons along, the. screw,- an" interrupter switch insaid current supply line, means whereby depression of any 'button momentarily opens said interrupter switch-and interruptscurrent supply to the receiver, a solenoid-operated starter-to thereupon start the screw under drive of the synchronous-motor, and so start the nut moving along the screw until it reaches the said button, means wherebythe nut releases the depressed button on reaching the same and again momentarily opens said interrupter: switch to interruptthe current supplyand reverses the screw so that the nut is-screwed back to initial position.

' 3. A remote control system for toys, said system comprising a sender and a. receiver connected by a current supply line extending between said sender and receiver, said receiver-comprising a synchronous motor, a screw'driven thereby, a nut movable on said screw, a pivoted arm and stud moved by said nut, a series of sloping guide channels, a deflector to initially guide the stud to one side of said channels during outward movement of the nut said studpassingthrough one of said channels duringreturn -movement of the nut, means whereby -a first interruption of current supply starts'the nut moving in outward direc-:

tion and a second interruption starts the nut moving in return direction, whereby the guide channel through :which the stud is drawn corresponds to the time interval between interruptions, and a plurality: of control devices dis-. tributed one 'for each channel and arranged to be actuated by said studas it is drawn through a channel.-

4. A remote control systemfor toys, .said system comprising a sender and a receiver connected by an alternating current supply line, the sender including a synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby," a nut moved by said screw, means whereby momentary interruption of the current supply starts'the screw under drive .of the sender motor and so starts thenut moving along the screw until it reaches a desired point, means whereby the current supply on the line is again momentarily interrupted when the nut.

reaches the button means wherebysaid second interruption reverses the screw and .thenut is screwed back to initial position, said. receiver comprising a synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby, a nut movable on said .screw,means whereby the first interruption of current supply starts the screw, -underdrive of the receiver motor and so starts the nut, moving in outward direction, and means whereby the second interruption reverses the screw and starts the nut moving in return direction, and .a plurality of control devices arranged to be actuated by said nut.

5. A remote control system for toys, said system comprising a sender and a receiverconnected by an alternating current supply line, the sender including a synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby, a nutmoved by said screw, a row of control buttonsalong the screw, an interrupter switch in said current supply line, means whereby depression of any button momentarily opens said interrupter switch and interrupts current supply to the receiver and starts the nut moving along the screw until it reaches the said button, means whereby the nut releases the depressed button on reaching the same and again momentarily opens said interrupter switch to interrupt the current supply and reverses the screw so that-the nut. is screwed back to initial position, said receiver comprising a synchronous direction, and means whereby the second inter-. ruption reverses the screw and starts the nut moving in return direction, so that the guide channel through which the stud is drawn corresponds to the button depressed at the sender, and a plurality of control devices distributed one for each channel and arranged to be actuated by said stud as it is drawn through a channel.

6. A remotely controlled toy railway .comprising a track system, a train, a trackside sender connected to the track system, and a receiver carried by the train and connected to the track system and so to the sender, synchronous motors at said sender and receiver, movable mechanisms moved by said motors, an interrupter switch in said current supply line at the sender, a plurality of control buttons associated with the movable mechanism at the sender adapted to momentarily open said interrupter switch and thereby interrupt the current supply, solenoidoperated starters to thereupon startsaid movable mechanisms under drive of said motors, means operated by the sender mechanism to again operate the interrupter switch after a time interval measured by the sender motor and deconnected to, the track system, and a receiver carried by the train and connected to the track system and so to the sender, the sender including a synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby, a nut moved by said screw, a row of control buttons extending along the screw, an interrupter switch in said current supply line, means whereby depression of any button momentarily opens said interrupter switch and interrupts current supply to the track and the receiver, a solenoid-operated starter to thereupon start the screw under drive of the synchronous motor, and so start the nut moving along the screw until it reaches the said button, means whereby the nut releases the depressed button on reaching the same and again momentarily opens said interrupter switch to interrupt the current supply and reverses the screw so that the nut is screwed back to initial position.

8. A remotely controlled toy railway comprising a track system, a train, a trackside sender connected to the track system, and a receiver carried by the train and connected to the track system and so to the sender, said receiver comprising a synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby, a nut movable on said screw, a pivoted arm and stud moved by said nut, a series of sloping guide channels, a deflector at the beginning of said series to initially guide the stud to one side of said channels during outward movement of the nut, said stud passing through one of said channels during return movement of the nut, .means whereby a first interruption of current supply starts the nut moving in-out ward direction and a second interruption starts the nut moving in return direction, whereby the. guide channel through which the stud is drawn corresponds to the time interval between interruptions, and a plurality of train control devices distributed one for each channel and arranged to be actuated by said stud for controlling the operation of the train.

9. A remotely controlled toyrailway comprising a track system, a train, a trackside sender connected to the track system, and a receiver carried by the train and connected to the track system and so to the sender, the sender including a synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby, a nut moved by said screw, means whereby momentary interruption of the current supply starts the screw under drive of the sender motor and so starts the nut moving along the screw until it reaches a desired point, means whereby the current supply on the line is again momentarily interrupted when the nut reaches the said desired point, means whereby said second interruption reverses the screw and the nut is screwed back to initial position, said receiver comprising a synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby, a nut movable on said screw, means whereby the first interruption of current supply starts the screw under drive of the receiver motor and so starts the nut moving in outward direction, and means whereby the second interruption reverses the-screw and starts the nut moving in return direction. and a plurality of train-control devices arranged to be selectively, actuated by said nut depending upon the point of reversal for controlling the operation of the train.

10. A remotely controlled toyrailway comprising a track system, a train, a trackside sender connected to the track system by a current supply line, and a receiver carried by the train and connected to the track system and so to the sender, the sender including a synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby, a nut moved by said screw, a row of control buttons extending along the screw, an interrupter switch in said current supply line, means whereby depression of any button momentarily opens switch andinterrupts current supply to the receiver and starts the nut moving along the screw until it reaches the said button, means whereby the nut releases the depressed button on reaching the same and again momentarily opens said interrupter switch to interrupt the current supply and reverses the screw so that the nut is screwed back to initial position, said receiver comprising a synchronous motor, a screw driven thereby, a nut movable on said screw, a pivoted arm and stud 'moved by said nut, a series of sloping guide channels corresponding to the buttons at the sender, a deflector at the beginning of said series to initially guide the stud to one side of said channels during outward movement of the nut, means effective on reverse movement of the nut, to guide said stud through the channel last passed in its outward movement, means whereby the first interruption of current supply starts the screw under drive of the receiver motor and s0 starts the nut moving in outward direction, and means whereby the second interruption reverses the screw and starts the nut moving in return said interrupter directiomxz soi-thati rthel; guide channel through- 111 ing along the screw at the sender, an interrupter switchiinsaid current supply line, means where by depression of any button momentarily opens said interrupterswitch and interrupts current supply tothereceiver and soreverses the solenoid operated reversing switch. at both sender and receiver and so starts the nuts moving outwardly onthe screws, means whereby the sender nut on reaching the depressed button releases the button and again momentarily opens said interrupterswitch to interruptthe current supply, soI- that both reversing switches and motors are reversed and the nuts arescrewed backto initial position, and means to block the nuts at initial position.

12.'A toy control means comprising a sender and a remote receiver connected thereto by a current supplyline, the sender and receiver each including a reversible shaded pole induction motor, .a screw driven thereby, a nutmoved by the screwya solenoid operated reversing switch for controlling thedirection of rotation of the motor, said motor beingadapted to remain stalled withthe current on, a row of control'buttons eX- tending' along the screw at the sender, an interrupter switch in said current supply line, means whereby depression of any button momentarily opens'said interrupter switch and interrupts currentsupply to the receiver and so reverses the solenoid operated' reversing switch at both sender and receiver, and so startsthe nuts moving outwardly'on the screws, meanswhereby the sender nut on reaching the depressed button releases the button and again momentarily opens said interrupter switch'tofinterruptth current supply, so

that both reversing switches *and motors arereversed and the'nuts arescrewed back to initial positiomzmeans to blocktheinutatinitial position, a pivoted arm-'ands'tud moved"bythereceiver-nut, a series of slopin'gguide channels 'correspondingto the buttons 'atthe sender, a defiector-at-the beginning of said series to initially guide the stud to one side of the channelsduring outward movement of the. nut, means effective on reverse movement of the nut; to guide said stud :through the channel last passed in its outwardmovement, the said guide channel corresponding tothe button depressed at the sender,

aaracars:

tion :of .the. motor, .sai'dzlmotor' being adapted-to 2 remain stalledwiththe :current on, a row of con-r trol buttons extending .along' the' screwv at the sender,ian-'interrupter switch in said current supply line, means. whereby depression of any.but-' tonzmomentarily opens :said interrupter switch and interrupts current supply. to the receiver and so reverses the.solenoid-operated reversing switch.atbothsenderand receiver, and so starts the nuts moving outwardly on the screws; means whereby the sender put on: reaching the depressed button.v releases the button :and again l momentarily openssaid interrupter .switch to interrupt the current'supplyso that bothre versing: switches and-motors are reversed and the nuts are screwed back .to initial position, means to block the: nuts at initialposition, a pivoted arm andxstud moved by the receiver nut, a series of sloping guide channels corresponding to the buttons at the sender, a deflector at the beginning of saidseries to initially guide the stud to one side of the channels during outward movement of the. nut, said'stud passing through one of the channels during return movement of the nut, the guide channel correspondingtto the button depressed at the sender,- and a plurality of train- 7 the screw, a solenoid operated reversing switchf for controlling .the .directionpf rotation of the.

motor, saidimotor .being adapted to remain stalled with the current on, a row of control'buttons extendingalong the screw'at the sender, an interrupter switch in i said current supply line,

means whereby depression of any button momentarily-opens said interrupter switch and inter ruptscurrent supply to the" receiver and so reverses the solenoid-operated reversing switch at both sender and receiver and starts the nuts moving outwardly on the screws; means whereby the sender nut on reaching the depressedbutton releases the button and again momentarily opens said interrupter switchtointerrupt the current supply, sothat both reversing switches and motors are reversed and the nuts are screwed back toinitial position,-means "to block the nutsat initial'position, a pivoted arm and studmoved by the receiver nut, a series of sloping guide channels corresponding to the buttons at the sender, a deflector at the beginning of said series to initially guide the stud to one side of the channels during outward movement of the'nut, means efiectiveonreverse movementof thenut, to guide saidstud "through the'ichannel last passed in its outward movement, the" guide channel corresponding to the button depressed at the sender,

a plurality of controldevices distributed one for eachchannel and arrangedto be actuated by'said stud for controllingthe operation of the train; and means for causing return of the receiver nut without passingthrough any-of said channels in the event of a single interruption only of the current supply.

15.- A toy control means comprising a sender connected to a receiver through a current supply line, the sender and receiver each including-2t neutral or idle "position,

motor and screw, said gears being normally in a solenoid-operated shifter for controlling the gearing to engage either the forward or backward running gears, and means on said nuts to disengage the backward running gearing when the nut is returned to home position, a row of control buttons along the screw at the sender, an interrupterswitch in said current supply line, means whereby depression of any button momentarily opens said interrupter switch and interrupts current supply to the receiver and so reverses the shifter at both sender and receiverand starts the nuts moving outwardly on the screws, means whereby the sender nut on reaching the depressed button releases the button and again momentarily opens said interrupter switch to interrupt the current supply so that both shifters and drive gears are reversed and the nuts are screwed back to initial position.

16. A toy control means comprising a sender connected to a receiver through a current supply line, the sender and receiver each including a constantly running synchronous motor, va screw, a nut moved by the screw, forward running gearing and backward running gearing between said motorand screw, said gears being normally in neutral or idle position, a solenoidoperated shifter for controlling the gearing to engage either the forward or back running gears, and means on said nuts to disengage the backward running gearing when the nut is returned to home position, a row of control buttons along the screw at the sender, an interrupter switch in said current supply line, means whereby depression of any button momentarily opens said interrupter switch and interrupts current supply to the receiver and so reverses the shifter at both sender and receiver and starts the nuts moving outwardly on the screws, means whereby the sender nut on reaching the depressed button releases the button and again momentarily opens said interrupter switch to interrupt the current supply so that both shifters and drive gears are reversed and the nuts are screwed back to initial position, a pivoted arm and stud moved by the receiver nut, a series of sloping guide channels corresponding to the buttons at the sender, a deflector at the beginning of said series to initially guide the stud to one side of the channels during outward movement of the nut, means effective on reverse movement of the nut, to guide said stud through the channel last passed in its outward movement, said channel corresponding to the button depressed at the sender, and a plurality of control devices distributed one for each channel and arranged to be actuated by said stud.

1'7. A toy railway comprising a track system, a train, a trackside sender connected to the track system by a current supply line, and a receiver carried by the train and connected to the track system and so to the sender, the sender and receiver each including a constantly running synchronous motor, a screw, a nut moved by the screw, forward running gearing and backward running gearing between said motor and screw, said gears being normally in neutral or idle position, a solenoid-operated shifter for controlling the gearing to engage either the forward or backward running gears, and means on said nuts to disengage the backward running gearing when the nut is returned to home position, a row of control buttons extending along the screw at the sender, an interrupter switch in said current supply line, means whereby depression of any button momentarily opens said interrupter switch and interrupts current supply to the receiver and so reverses the shifter at bothsender and receiver and startsthe nuts moving outwardly on the screws, means whereby the sender nut on reaching the depressed button releases thebutton and again momentarily'opens said interrupter switch to interrupt the current supply so that both shifters and drive gears are reversed and the nuts are screwed back toinitial position, a pivoted arm and stud moved by the receiver nut, a series of sloping guide channels corresponding to the buttons at the sender, a deflec tor at the beginning of said series to initially guide the stud to one side of the channels during outward movement of the nut, means effective on reverse movement of the nut, to guide said stud through the, channel last passed in its outward movement, said channel corresponding to the button depressed at the sender, and a plurality of train-control devices distributed one for each'channel and arranged to be actuated by saidstud for controlling the operation of the train.

18. A'toy railway comprising a track system, a train, a trackside sender connected to the track system by a current supply line, and a receiver carried by the train and connected to the track system and so to the sender, the sender and receiver each including a constantly running synchronous motor, a screw, a nut moved by the screw, forward running gearing and backward running gearing between said motor and screw, said gears being normally in neutral or idle position, a solenoid-operated shifter for controlling the gearing to engage either the forward or backward running gears, and means oncsaid nuts to disengage the backward running gearingwhen the nut is returned to home position, a row of control buttons extending along the screw at the sender, an interrupter switch in said current supply line, means whereby depression of any button momentarily opens said interrupter switch and interrupts current supply to the receiver and so reverses the shifter at both sender and receiver and starts the nuts moving outwardly on the screws, means whereby the sender nut on reaching the depressed button releases the buton and again momentarily opens said interrupter switch to interrupt the current supply so that both shifters and drive gears are reversed and the nuts are screwed back to initial position, a pivoted arm and stud moved by the receiver nut, a series of sloping guide channels corresponding to the buttons at the sender, a deflector at the beginning of said series to initially guide the stud to one side of the channels during outward movement of the nut, means effective on reverse movement of the nut, to guide said stud through the channel last passed in its outward movement, said channel corresponding to the button depressed at the sender, and a plurality of traincontrol devices distributed one for each channel and arranged to be actuated by said stud for controlling the operation of the train, a train whistle including a blower driven by said constantly running motor, and valve means for controlling sound production by said whistle, one of said train-control devices being arranged to control said valve means.

19. A toy control means comprising a sender, and-a remote receiver connected thereto through a current supply line, the sender and receiver each including a constantly running synchronous engage the backward-running gearing when the nut is returned -.to homeposition, a row of: control buttons extending along the,screwatthesender;

ran interrupter switch .in said current supply line, means whereby depression of any button A momentarily opens said. interrupter switchrand interrupts current supply to the receiver andso reverses the shifter'at both sender: and receiver; and starts the nuts moving outwardlyonthe screws, means whereby the sendennuton reaching the depressed button releasesthe button-and again momentarily opens said. interrupter switch to interrupt the current 1 supply soqthatgboth shifters and drive gears are reversed; and the nuts are screwed back to initial position,ca

pivoted arm and stud'moved by the receiver nut, ,a series of slopingguide channels corresponding to the buttons at the sender, a deflector at the:- -beginning of said series to initially guide'the sstud toeone' side of-the channels during outward movement of the nut, means-effective on reverse movementof the nut, to guide said, stud through the channel last passed in its outward movement,

,said' channel corresponding'to' the buttondepressed at the sender,-and aplurality of control devices distributed one for each channel and arranged to be actuated by said stud, and means for causing return of the nut: at the receiver without saidvstud passing throughsaidnchannels' in the -event; of a' single interruption only of the. currentsupply.

20. '-A remote control system for a :toyj said system-:comprising a' senderconnected to: a re-- ceiver,-a -.movable element-at theqsender a syn- ',chronous;motor. tolmove the same,: a movable ele- -,ment; at: the ereceiver; a: synchronous}. motor to move the same a main; propulsion current connection between the sender and receiver/for operating: the entire toy, andmeans responsive to two-- spaced interruptions ofathe current supply to simultaneously start both movable elements in motion under the infiuenceof their synchronous motors and-to simultaneouslyilarrest and reverse their movement back toihome position,

whereby, thedistance moved by (the movable :ele-

-ment atithe receiver is directly responsive to. and

dependent upon the distance movedby the movable element at the sender.

=21. A -remote control system for; a toy,said

qsystem comprising-a sender connected to areceiver; a movableelementat thesender; a syni chronousmotorto move the same, a movable element at the receiver, a synchronous motor to move thesame a main propulsion currenticonnection between the :sender and receiver for operating the entire toy; and means responsive to two spaced-interruptions of the current supply to simultaneously start *bOthTIIlOVflblQBlBInEIItS in motion under "the influence of their-synchronous motors.- and to simultaneously'arrest and reverse their movement back' to home position, whereby the distance moved tby themovable'element at the receiver is directly responsive to and dependent-upon the-distance moved by the movable element at the sender, means at the sender to determine the; extent of movement: of the movable ele- .-ment, and means at the: receiver to control the --operation of the toyfin accordance with any one ofa plurality of functions dependent upon the extent of movement of the movable element.

"EDWARD 'MCKEIGE.

"NOEL L. CASE.