Abstract: A pair of shoes that incorporates sound-reproducing equipment that is triggered by the detection of one or more conditions. One of the conditions is the impact of a shoe with the ground, such as when a user stomps the heel on the ground. Another condition is the proximity of a second shoe to a first shoe, such as when a user moves the left shoe of a pair close to the right shoe. The detection of an impact may be used to trigger the reproduction of any desired sound—such as the “chuff” sound of a steam locomotive. The detection of the proximity of another shoe along with an impact may be used to trigger the reproduction of a different sound—such as a steam whistle.

Abstract: A shoe incorporating sound-reproducing equipment that is triggered by the detection of one or more conditions. One of the conditions is the impact of the shoe with the ground, such as when a user stomps the heel on the ground. Another condition is the proximity of a second shoe to a first shoe, such as when a user moves the left shoe of a pair close to the right shoe. The detection of an impact may he used to trigger the reproduction of any desired sound—such as the “chuff” sound of a steam locomotive. The detection of the proximity of another shoe may be used to trigger the reproduction of a different sound—such as a steam whistle.

Abstract: A model train coupler which can be opened using a remote signal. The coupler design includes an upper arm and a lower arm, both of which pivot around a common axis. The two arms are mounted in a coupler box which is attached to a piece of rolling stock. One of the arms includes a knuckle located outside the coupler box. The other arm includes a latch positioned to open and close against the knuckle. A linear actuator links the two arms together. When an electrical current is applied to the linear actuator, the latch is rotated away from the knuckle, thereby opening the coupler.

Abstract: A model train coupler which can be opened using a remote signal. The coupler design includes an upper arm and a lower arm, both of which pivot around a common axis. The two arms are mounted in a coupler box which is attached to a piece of rolling stock. One of the arms includes a knuckle located outside the coupler box. The other arm includes a latch positioned to open and close against the knuckle. A linear actuator links the two arms together. When an electrical current is applied to the linear actuator, the latch is rotated away from the knuckle, thereby opening the coupler.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A smoke production system for a model locomotive capable of accurately simulating the exhaust characteristics of an actual locomotive. The present invention accomplishes this by monitoring the rotation to the flywheel of the electric motor used to drive the drive wheels of the model locomotive. Various devices may be used to monitor the rotation of the flywheel. For example, a magnet is employed on the flywheel and a magnetically-reactive element such as a reed switch or Hall effect sensor is positioned adjacent to the flywheel. Alternatively, an opticoupler or cam may be used to track the rotations of the flywheel. A controller counts the rotations of the flywheel and actuates a smoke production device to emit smoke four discrete times for every rotation of the model locomotive's drive wheel.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arragement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A smoke production system for a model locomotive capable of accurately simulating the exhaust characteristics of an actual locomotive. The present invention accomplishes this by monitoring the rotation to the flywheel of the electric motor used to drive the drive wheels of the model locomotive. Various devices may be used to monitor the rotation of the flywheel. For example, a magnet is employed on the flywheel and a magnetically-reactive element such as a reed switch or Hall effect sensor is positioned adjacent to the flywheel. Alternatively, an opticoupler or cam may be used to track the rotations of the flywheel. A controller counts the rotations of the flywheel and actuates a smoke production device to emit smoke four discrete times for every rotation of the model locomotive's drive wheel.

Abstract: A system for generating realistic train sounds which are synchronized with the motion of a model train. A sensor is placed aboard the model train to sense the position of desired components, such as the driving pistons of a model steam engine. Preferably, sound data is gathered and transmitted as a radio frequency signal from the model train. The radio frequency signal is received by an external receiver/amplifier. This component amplifies the synchronized sounds and plays them through a subwoofer which is capable of producing deep and resonant sound.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A system for generating realistic train sounds which are synchronized with the motion of a model train. A sensor is placed aboard the model train to sense the position of desired components, such as the driving pistons of a model steam engine. Preferably, sound data is gathered and transmitted as a radio frequency signal from the model train. The radio frequency signal is received by an external receiver/amplifier. This component amplifies the synchronized sounds and plays them through a subwoofer which is capable of producing deep and resonant sound.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arragement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A wireless system uses a direct UHF radio frequency (RF) signal to control electric trains and train accessories. A controller, such as a handheld unit used by the toy train operator, accepts control commands and transmits encoded control data over a high frequency radio link directly to a receiver, on the toy train or train accessory, which decodes the commands and controls the toy train or toy train accessory functions with either unidirectional or bidirectional communication between the controller and the model train or train accessory. One controller has the ability to control many trains and other model train layout components such as signals and track switches even while other train operators are operating their trains on the same electric train track layout.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is farther configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arragement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

Abstract: A wireless system uses a direct UHF radio frequency (RF) signal to control electric trains and train accessories. A controller, such as a handheld unit used by the toy train operator, accepts control commands and transmits encoded control data over a high frequency radio link directly to a receiver, on the toy train or train accessory, which decodes the commands and controls the toy train or toy train accessory functions with either unidirectional or bidirectional communication between the controller and the model train or train accessory. One controller has the ability to control many trains and other model train layout components such as signals and track switches even while other train operators are operating their trains on the same electric train track layout.

Abstract: A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is farther configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.