US2911922A

US2911922A - Model railroad turntable

Info

Publication number: US2911922A
Application number: US664816A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mahan Laban Albert; Lee Oran Otis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-06-10
Filing date: 1957-06-10
Publication date: 1959-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 1976-11-10

Description

NOV. 10, 1959 MAHAN E 2,911,922

MODEL RAILROAD TURNTABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 10, 1957 WWW mvzmons A. MAHAN O. 0. LEE

PATENT AGENT Nov. 10, 1959 Filed June 10, 1957 FIG. IA

L. A. MAHAN ET AL MODEL RAILROAD TURNTABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS LABAN ALBERT MAHAN Q) ORAN .OTIS LEE PATENT AGENT NOV. 10, 1959 H N ETAL 2,911,922

MODEL RAILROAD TURNTABLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 10, 1957 'INVENTORS LABAN ALBERT MAHAN ORAN OTIS LEE PATENT AGENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I s H R N H w E G M Mm II V WW8 T 0 8 vb 99 mu w 1. M n J A mm B L /M N M I In M lalllil mm \W i A l/ Nov. 10, 1959 A. MAHAN ET AL MODEL RAILROAD TURNTABLE Filed June 10, 1957 Q. i s; v Fo m mm BY K PATENT AGENT Unite States Patent 911,922 MODEL RAILROAD TURNTABLE Laban Albert Mahan and Oran Otis Lee, San Antonio, Tex.

Application June 10, 1957, Serial No. 664,816

3 Claims. (Cl. 10438) This invention relates to model railroad turntables, more particularly this invention relates to electric model railroad turntables which are precise in alignment and are controllable by electrical means.

The prior art illustrates a number of turntables for electric railway systems. Some of these are rather simple requiring manipulation by hand in order to effect adjustment. Others, of course, have more complex arrangements adapted to be adjusted by electric motive means. The electrically operated turntables of the prior art are diflicult to align precisely unless complex means are provided for automatically aligning the tracks of the turntable with the access tracks.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a model railroad turntable.

It is another object of the invention to provide a model railroad turntable which is electrically controlled for precise alignment with access tracks.

It is still another object of the invention to illustrate an electrically controlled model railroad turntable in which positive driving mechanism is provided.

It is yet another object of the invention to teach an electrically controlled railroad turntable in which a unique aligning means is provided.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a model railroad turntable which has a novel latching means for locking the turntable in alignment with access tracks.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts through the several views;

Figure 1 together with Figure 1A is a top plan view of the model railroad turntable.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross section of the turntable of this invention taken along lines 22 of Figure 1A.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross section of the turntable of this invention taken along lines 3-3 of Figures 1 and 1A.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross section of the turn table of this invention taken along lines 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a partially broken out left side elevation.

Figure 6 is a schematic view of the electrical circuitry necessary for a preferred mode of operation of the turntable.

Turning now to the drawings, particularly to Figures 1 and 1A, reference numeral 10 refers to a stationary circular base. The circular base is provided with an upwardly extending center post 11. A rotatable circular platform 12 is coaxially mounted on the circular base 10 and employs the upwardly extending post 11 as its axis. A rectangular track supporting rotating platform 13 is also coaxially mounted on upwardly extending post 11 and above the rotating circular platform 12. Rotating platform 13 has a Smaller radial dimension than base ice 10. The upper surface of the platform 13 is provided with

longitudinal rails

14 and 15 to form a track arrangement. It is pointed out that the rails extend beyond the platform 13 at both ends.

The circular base 10, rotating circular base 12 and rectangular platform 13 may be constructed of nonconducting material such as plywood. The rectangular platform 13 has side reinforcing

metal strips

16 and 17 which are secured by suitable means such as screws. The rectangular platform 13 is supported on

wheels

18, 19, 20, 21 which roll on

register rails

22 and 23. The

register rails

22 and 23 are mounted along the periphery of base 10. Each rail describes one half of the circumference and are not joined. Figures 1 and 1A show painted

guide lines

24 and 25 on the circular platform 12 adjacent the edges of rectangular platform 13 and parallel thereto. More will be said in connection with

guide lines

24 and 25.

The rotating circular platform 12 has a metal strip 26 secured around the edge to which a rack 27 is aflixed. A turntable drive motor 28 powered by

leads

69 and 70 is mounted on one end of strip metal base 29 which is hingedly fastened to the base 10 by a pivot means 30 which may be a screw. The drive motor actuates worm gear 31 mounted longitudinally the base 29 through flexible coupling 32 and is positioned to be in operative relationship with rack 27. The worm gear 31 is suitably journalled by hearing means 33. The said metal strip base 29 is biased by spring means 34 to keep the worm 31 in operational mesh with the rack 27. A slot 35 near the upper end of base 29 and screw 36 provide, in cooperation with pivot means 30, limited free movement of base 29 and worm 31 in order to accommodate minor irregularities in the rack 27.

A conductor clip 37 is fastened by a screw 38 to the stationary base 10 and is disposed to be in slidable engagement with the metal strip 26. Lead 39 provides current to the clip.

It is seen that Figure 3 illustrates the pivoting arrangement between the stationary base 10, the circular platform 12 and the track supporting platform 13. Reference numeral 40 designates a slightly cupped metal washer which serves as a friction free thrust washer to support the rotating circular platform 12. The center portion of platform 12 is fitted with tubular bushing 41 through which passes the center post 11, and around which the cap bushing 42 floats which is fitted into the center of the rectangular track supporting rotating platform 13. The top of the cap bushing 42 has a thrust plate 43 mounted thereon which engages the upper end of the center post 11. It will be appreciated that the assembly provides essentially friction free support for the turntable 13. It is also seen that electrical contact between the center post 11 and the thrust plate 43 is always maintained. In line therewith, it is seen in Figure 3 that a lead wire 44 runs along the under side of circular base 10 and is secured by suitable means to the center post 11. In Figure 1A, a lead wire 45 is illustrated which connects the thrust plate 43 with one of the rails 14. Additionally, conductor 44A and flexible conductor 45A provide current from metal strip 26 to rail 15. More will be said later about the function of these connections.

Now turning to the locking mechanism of the turntable, which is secured at both ends of the rectangular platform 13. Figures 1 and 1A illustrate the mechanism in a locked position to afford alignment with access tracks. Figure 1A clearly illustrates the unique mechanism since a portion of the rectangular platform 13 is broken away. The actual securing element is designated by reference numeral 46 which is in the form of a tongue and adapted to fit into any one of a series of detents 46A.

In connection therewith note Figure 4. The detents are punched or drilled in the register rails 22 and 23. In order to more fully understand the structure of the locking mechanism reference is made to Figure 2 as well as the above-mentioned Figure 1A. The securing element is a locking slide 46 which is spring loaded by means of spring 47. One end of the spring is fastened to the projection 48 of the support plate 49. Another support plate 50 is provided to complete the retaining means for the locking slide 46.

Guide plates

51 and 52 keep the looking slide in parallel disposition with the long axis of the platform 13. The guide mechanism is illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 1A. Both Figures 1A and 2 show a flexible wire jumper 53 which communicates with the tongue portion of the slide 46 and the rail contactor blade 54 which is connected to rail 15. Another contactor lade 55 is provided for rail 14. The

contactors

54 and 55 are made of metal which project beyond the

rails

14 and 15 in a manner to make contact with the access tracks. Jumper connector 53A connects rail 14- with contactor blade 55. The locking mechanism is loosely fitted by means of a hole over upwardly extending projection pin 56 which is secured to one end of linking strip 57. Link 57 is pivotally mounted at its other end to rotating circular platform 12.

In order to understand the electric energizing means for this invention the following disclosure will entertain a detailed description thereof with particular reference to Figure 6. To provide power for actuation of the motor 28 and for energizing the track rails power leads 68 and 61 may be connected to any suitable source of direct current. Reversing switches 62 and 63 are situated between'the motor and the connections for energizing the tracks, respectively. A selector switch 6 is connected to one of the poles of reversing switch 63 so that it receives current only when the switch is in either operative position and not the off position. Selector switch 64 conducts current through leads 64A and 6413 to either one or the other of register rails 22 and 23. It will be readily appreciated that depending on the position of the reversing switch 63 the

rails

14 and 15 may be positive or negative in order to drive the locomotive either forward or reverse. Also, it is seen that depending on the position of the reversing switch 62 the motor 28 will drive the circular platform 13 either in clockwise fashion or in a counter clockwise direction. Selector switch 64, if in the oil? position, prevents the access tracks from becoming energized. If, however, it is desired to run a locomotive from the turntable track onto, say rails 65 and 66 of Figure 6, and keep it in motion thereon, the selector switch 64 must be placed in position to supply current to register rail 23 from whence rail 66 is energized by conducting current through the locking mechanism 46, through the jumper wire 53 and the contactor blade 54. To run the locomotive from the turntable to the other tracks made up of rails 67 and 68, in Figure 6, the selector switch 64 must be placed to energize register rail 22 from whence rail 68 is energized by means of the oppositely disposed locking slide, jumper wire and coin tactor blade. it is seen that rail 14 is always energized by means of switch 63 and, therefore, the oppositely disposed

rails

65 and 67 are energized without the use of switch 64 by the contactor blades which are always electrically connected to rail 14 by means of jump wires. The rail contactor blades associated with rail 15 are insulated therefrom and consequently are not electrically connected thereto.

In the operation of the locking arrangement of this invention the following discussion is provided. In order to set the turntable in motion the switch 62 is thrown in one direction or the other which sends current through leads 69 and 70 to the motor 28 to actuate the circular platform 13 in either a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. As the platform rotates the pivot means engaging one end of the link 57 moves with it until it is at a small angle with the locking mechanism, at which time the projection pin 56, which is fastened to the other end of the link, strikes the edge of the hole in locking slide 46, into which it fits loosely. Further rotation of the platform 12 begins to pull the locking slide 46 against the spring 47 effecting withdrawal of the tongue of the slide from the detent 46A. Additional rotation of the platform 12 drags the turntable 13 in the same direction. It will be appreciated that should the turntable '13 attempt to overtake the platform 12 the tension of spring 47 will relax, thereby increasing the drag friction between the register rails and the locking slide. As a result, there is effected a drag having a constant angular velocity. In the event that some slight sticking takes place, the bumper pins 71 will engage the metal side strips 16 and 17 of the turntable platform 13 which will nudge the platform beyond the sticky spot, and therefor act as safety pins for the mechanism.

When the locking slide reaches the next detent in the register rail, it will snap into position. The operator upon seeing this close approximation to the new tracks reverses the drive motor 28 until guide lines 24 and 25, painted on platform 12, are parallel to the sides of the rectangular platform 13, as illustrated by Figures 1 and 1A. At the conclusion of the manuever the link 57 has again moved in axial alignment with the locking slide 46 so that the spring may exert maximum tension on the slide in a manner to thrust outwardly the locking slide. As a result of the operation the turntable rails 14 and 15 will be in precise alignment with the new set of access rails.

It will be noted that while the tracks shown are of the two rail variety, it is entirely practicable to employ the three rail type. In such an event, the center rail and one outside rail will be employed as energizing means for the locomotive.

Additionally, it will be noted that no attempt has been made to indicate the number of positions to which the turntable may be turned. It is in the purview of the invention to provide a small number of positions or a large number since the actual number of positions available may be made by choice.

Although we have disclosed herein the best form of the invention known to us at this time, we reserve the right to all such modifications and changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A model railroad turntable comprising a horizontally disposed fiat base having vertically extending pivot means located on the upper surface substantially in its center, a first horizontally disposed platform rotatably mounted on said pivot means, a second horizontally disposed platform above the first platform rotatably mounted on said pivot means, two parallel rails mounted on said second platform, at least one latch means attached to said second platform, said latch means including an elongated horizontal slide biased outwardly in a horizontal plane, the outwardly extending end of the slide being in sliding engagement with means on said base, a link means connecting the other end of said slide with the first platform.

2. A model railroad turntable comprising a horizontally disposed flat base having vertically extending pivot means located on the upper surface substantially in its center, a first horizontally disposed platform rotatably mounted on said pivot means, a second horizontally disposed platform above the first platform rotatably mounted on said pivot means, motive means for rotating said first platform about said pivot means, two parallel rails mounted on said second platform, a circular register rail mounted on said flat base perpendicular to the upper surface having as its axis the said pivot means, said rotatable second platform being adapted to ride on said register rail, at least one latch means attached to said second platform, said latch means including an elongated horizontal slide biased outwardly in a horizontal plane, the outwardly extending end of the slide being in sliding engagement with the inner side of said register rail, the register rail having a plurality of retaining means to receive the outwardly extending end portion of said slide, a link means connecting the opposite end of said slide with the first platform.

3. In a model railroad turntable associated with a plurality of access tracks, comprising a horizontally disposed flat base having vertically extending pivot means located on the upper surface substantially in its center, a first horizontally disposed circular platform rotatably mounted on said pivot means, a rack mounted along the edge of said first platform, a worm gear in operative relationship with said rack, said worm gear being driven by electric motive means, a second horizontally disposed rectangular platform above the first platform, the second platform mounted on said pivot means, at least two rails mounted longitudinally on said platform, a first electric connector means for energizing one of said rails, a second electric connector means for energizing another of said rails, a

circular register rail mounted on said flat base perpendicular to the upper surface having as its axis the said pivot means, the register rail being separated at two oppositely disposed points, said rotatable rectangular platform being adapted to ride on said register rail, at least one latch means attached to said second platform, said latch means including an elongated horizontal slide biased outwardly in a horizontal plane, the outwardly extending end of the slide being in sliding engagement with the inner side of said register rail, the register rail having a plurality of retaining means to receive the outwardly extending end portion of said slide, a link means connecting the opposite end of said slide with the first platform.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 197,358 Gilbert et al. Nov. 20, 1877 1,087,424 Bauman Feb. 17, 1914 1,689,160 Siegrist Oct. 23, 1928 1,783,669 8 Becker NOV. 25, 1930 2,629,336 Seidel Feb. 24, 1953