Abstract: A model railroad track assembly having a substantially rigid, one-piece molded plastic body with an upper surface molded to generally replicate at least a portion of a railroad track bed is provided. The track assembly has depending side walls extending generally downwardly from the upper surface to define a lower side having a hollow cavity. The body has at least two ends, with each end including a male latching member and a matingly complementary female engagement structure. The upper surface includes a molded-in guiding structure to receive and locate a preassembled piece of model railroad track, including at least two metal rails molded in place on a ladder-shaped member simulating a plurality of spaced-apart ties. The ends of the molded body are adapted for mating engagement with the ends of similar track assemblies having a similar piece of preassembled model railroad track with the rails on the engaged track ends being aligned.

Abstract: A rotation control unit is disposed on an intersection portion. The rotation control unit has a plurality of blocks and extends into a running way of an automotive toy. As an automotive toy enters an intersection from a running way, the automotive toy pushes a block to rotate a rotation control unit. Due to this rotation, the block is moved away from the running way and the automotive toy on the running way is made movable. A block is placed on the other running way to close it so that the other automotive toy is prevented from entering the intersection portion. While the automotive toy is passing the intersection, the rotation control unit retains this state. After the automotive toy has passed the intersection portion, the pressure applied to the block is removed and the rotation control unit is returned to its original position, whereby the automotive toy can enter the intersection portion from the other running way.

Abstract: A control system for use with a toy train system having a layout area including a track upon which a toy train runs includes a system component configured to operate within the toy train system and having a plurality of selective operative states. A control device remote from the system component is configured to emit a limited width visible light signal responsively to activation by an operator. A receiver mechanism is disposed in operative communication with the system component. The receiver mechanism is configured to receive the signal and to distinguish the signal from ambient light.

Abstract: A toy vehicle switch track comprising a junction element having an incoming track and a plurality of outgoing tracks, a pivotable switching mechanism, an activator bar, and a guide slot. The pivotable switching mechanism is positioned at an intersection between the incoming track and the outgoing track, and guides a toy vehicle from the incoming track to one of the outgoing tracks. The activator bar has first and second ends and passes through the junction element from a first junction element edge to a second junction element edge. The activator bar engages a portion of the pivotable switching mechanism wherein the activator bar is used to alternately position the pivotable switching mechanism between the plurality of outgoing tracks. The first end and the second end each comprise a handle. The opposing handles provide an alternating resistive force against the first junction element edge and the second junction element edge to prevent over-travel of the pivotable switching element.

Abstract: A model railroad track assembly having a substantially rigid, one-piece molded plastic body with an upper surface molded to generally replicate at least a portion of a railroad track bed is provided. The track assembly has depending side walls extending generally downwardly from the upper surface to define a lower side having a hollow cavity. The body has at least two ends, with each end including a male latching member and a matingly complementary female engagement structure. The upper surface includes a molded-in guiding structure to receive and locate a preassembled piece of model railroad track, including at least two metal rails molded in place on a ladder-shaped member simulating a plurality of spaced-apart ties. The ends of the molded body are adapted for mating engagement with the ends of similar track assemblies having a similar piece of preassembled model railroad track with the rails on the engaged track ends being aligned.

Abstract: A switching device (5) is arranged in a junction element (1), which is to be used in a toy railway and is in the form of a reversible plate. On each flat side, this plate is formed with depressions (2, 2', 2"), which in pairs form an incoming railway track (2) and two outgoing railway tracks (2', 2") extending therefrom. On each flat side, the switching device (5) has a switch plate (6) which is arranged in a recess (7) formed in the respective flat sides and which is pivotable between a first position and a second position, in which it produces a track connection between the incoming railway track (2) and the one or the other of the outgoing railway tracks (2', 2"). The switch plates (6) are interconnected by means of a connecting element (12), which extends through a profile hole (16) in the junction element (1) and which, when the switch plates (6) occupy the first and the second position, engages a first and a second portion (16', 16"), respectively, of a wall delimiting the profile hole (16).

Abstract: A track set as set forth for use with a toy train or the like includes a pair of mirror image C-shaped track portions coupled to a circular base. A circular platform is rotatably supported upon the base and includes a plurality of track segments supported thereon. The track segments include orthogonally intersecting straight track portions as well as offset arcuate curved portions symmetrically arranged upon the platform. The base further defines an upwardly extending annular rim which defines a plurality of notches equally spaced thereupon. A platform lock includes a pivotable handle receivable within the notches to securely position the platform at a selected rotational position and thereby align selected track segments of the platform with the C-shaped track portions. The travel path of the track set may be configured to provide a figure-eight, a peanut-shape, and a pair of separate distinct circular travel paths.

Abstract: An electrically-controlled actuating mechanism comprises a length of shape memory wire. A source of electrical current passes electricity through the shape memory wire and a voltage regulator controls the voltage applied to the wire. The actuating mechanism is particularly advantageous as an actuator for a model railway track switch.

Abstract: A switch point for a toy cog railway which has smooth tracks with a centrally disposed gear rod comprising a shifting device with a curved and a straight gear rod piece for the given driving direction. The shifting device which supports these gear rod pieces is laterally displaceable with respect to the track direction. Each obtusely travelled end segment of the switch point is provided with a tongue-like actuating element displaceably disposed in a longitudinal slot of the solid gear rod of the corresponding end segment having an upwardly extending nose. In the outermost position of the actuating element the nose protrudes beyond the gear rod and in the inner position thereof it is lowered to the level of the gear rod. Each actuating element is coupled to a rotating mounted disk by way of pivoted levers, which in turn are coupled with the shifting device. A vehicle which travels on the switch point actuates the nose, if the same protrudes.

Abstract: A track toy includes an infrared signal transmitter for transmitting at least one type of infrared signal, a track having at least one changeover element movable between two operative positions, and a drive coupled to the at least one changeover element for driving the chageover element between the two operative positions. An infrared signal receiver is associated with each at least one changeover element for receiving the at least one type of infrared signal transmitted by the infrared signal transmission device, and a controller operatively coupled to the infrared signal receiver and the drive, outputs a drive command signal to the drive when the received type of infrared signal matches as predetermined type of infrared signal corresponding to the at least one changeover element.

Abstract: A model railroad turnout assembly includes a roadbed element having an entry track thereon. The entry track includes a pair of spaced apart entry rails. Plural, branching discharge tracks are mounted on the roadbed element, each discharge track including a pair of spaced apart discharge rails. The adjacent rails of the discharge track terminate with ends intermediate the other rails of the discharge tracks. A switch element is provided and has a pair of blades at one end thereof. A frog extends from the discharge track ends over the switch. The frog is shiftable, with the switch element, such that the frog contacts an element blade to provide a continuous rail segment between a selected entry track rail and a selected discharge track rail.

Abstract: A slow motion actuating device has a housing with a first opening therein through which an output pin extends. The output pin is connected to a swing arm which is pivotally mounted in the housing and driven by a set of reduction gears. Stops are provided in the housing for limiting movement of the swing arm. An electric motor is mounted in driving relation with the gear set. The motor has a stall current which is low enough to allow the motor to be continuously stalled without damaging it. A printed circuit board is mounted in the housing with a tail portion extending through a second opening in the housing. The circuit board provides electrical connections to the motor and auxiliary contacts which can be opened and closed by a wiper mounted on the swing arm.

Abstract: A toy railroad track which is adapted to guide the movements of a toy vehicle has at the bottom of the track two control plates which are attached to a fixed plate. A rack plate is engaged with a pinion mounted at the free end of the shaft of a small motor. Upon the pinion being driven by the small motor, the rack plate can be driven to move laterally; simultaneously, the rack plate will actuate the two control plates to move, and then the flanges of the control plates will extend out of the rail grooves to close one path and open the for the running toy.

Abstract: A toy train set includes a toy train car operative upon a two rail trackway. The trackway includes a braking system for reducing the toy train speed at selected places along the trackway and a track intersection having no moving parts which permits a child user to select either of two direction paths. An elongated beam spring is provided on the toy cars to facilitate placement upon the trackway by a younger child.

Abstract: A modular control panel for controlling the switching operations in a miniature- or model-railway-line has grooves which reproduce the railway tracks, contacts being applied to the groove bottoms in the neighborhood of railway crossings, and is improved by the provision of a rotatable direction indicator placed at every line intersection so as to mask one or the other branch of a line bifurcation with one of its halves, the other half of said indicator defining the correct direction.

Abstract: A track switch assembly for toy electrically operated railroad trains comprising a plastic base having the usual main and branch lines and switch point arrangement therefor, in which the inside rails and the power rails of the main and branch lines are interrupted and have mounted in the interruptions a main line continuity rail structure and a branch line continuity rail structure that are electrically insulated for separate energizing and that are shaped for continuous electrical energy supply as the locomotive and cars one by one pass through the switch.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for model trains includes tracks arranged in multiple closed paths which have at least one track section in common. The various paths are interconnected by remote controlled track switches. In order to assure that the train traverses the tracks in a random fashion, a signaling device activated by the passage of the train, is located in the common track section. The speed of the train, and hence its residence time over the signaling device, determines the length of the signal produced by this device. This signal drives a motor for its duration, which motor moves a selection arm that passes contacts wired to the tracks switches. The location of the track switching contacts are randomly spaced over the path of the selection arm. Since the train may move at various speeds and the contacts are randomly spaced, the positions of the track switches that are operated by each passage of the train over the common section of track are randomly selected.

Abstract: A toy including a powered running toy member and a track along which the toy member runs, the toy member being made to run by rotation of the driving wheels of the toy member. The running toy member is provided with a switching arm which is attached to the lower side thereof and is adapted to trigger an operation for changing the running direction, and a mechanism for effecting the change of running direction when actuated by the swinging arm. On at least one end of the track, a mechanism is provided for causing swinging movement of the switching arm to automatically change the running direction of the toy member as the toy member reaches that end of the track. The running toy member has the form of an animal such as, for example, a bird, and incorporates various mechanisms for effecting various actions simulating those of the actual animal, e.g., turning of the head, opening of a beak, etc., by making use of power provided by the driving wheels.

Abstract: This machine consists primarily of a low R.P.M., motor driven cam and follower, the follower being pivotally secured to the top of a table, upon which the railroad tracks are secured. The machine includes an adjustable push rod, secured to one leg of the follower, which will intermittently connect and disconnect a section of track with another track.