Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device (1,2) for model railways (3) where two model vehicles are connected and disconnected automatically with a closing element (12) and at least one coupling head (11); in the coupled state of the two coupling devices (1,2), the coupling head (11) of one coupling device (1,2) engaging the closing element (12) of the other coupling device (1,2) from behind and vice versa. In the coupling device (1,2) or in the vehicles (4,5) bearing the latter, especially model vehicles, an adjustment device (23) is arranged, with which the coupling head (11) and/or the closing element (12) of the coupling device (1,2) are adjustable relative to one another.

Abstract: A model railroad car coupler having a box and drawbar formed of a pair of shanks. The shanks are disposed vertically with respect to one another and independently rotatable relative to a pivot axis. The distal end of one shank carries a knuckle and the distal end of the other shank includes a lip. Biasing springs attached to the proximal end of each shank cooperate with the coupler box for biasing its respective shank about a pivot axis. The extent of the relative motion of the two shanks are limited by a controller. In a preferred embodiment, the controller comprises a boss and guide surface.

Abstract: A coupler arm assembly is disclosed which includes a coupler frame with a coupler head and a channel. A hollow housing is defined between the coupler head and the channel. A knuckle is pivotally connected to the coupler head and movable between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. A core pin is received in the hollow housing of the frame. A first end of the pin selectively engages a detent of the knuckle and a second end of the pin extends away from the hollow housing parallel to the channel. The assembly includes two distinct uncoupling devices. The first device includes a solenoid disposed about an outer periphery of the coupler frame. The solenoid applies a magnetic force upon activation to move the pin from engagement with the knuckle. The second device includes a lever arm pivotally connected to the coupler frame adjacent a first end, a plunger adjacent a second end, and an uncoupler armature extending downwardly from the lever arm.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated coupler assembly for model railroad rolling stock is provided. The coupler assembly includes a drawbar having first and second ends. The first end includes an aperture defined therethrough adapted for mounting in a coupler pocket on model railroad rolling stock. The second end includes a coupler head. A coupler knuckle is pivotably mounted to the coupler head by a magnetically actuated pivot post. A first coil spring alignment pin is located on the second end of the drawbar. A second coil spring alignment pin is located on the coupler knuckle. A coil spring is mounted between the coupler head and the coupler knuckle on the first and second coil spring alignment pins for resiliently urging the coupler knuckle to a coupled position.

Abstract: An improved model railroad coupler incorporates a coupler shank, having a joining element at one end thereof and a coupler head at the other end thereof. A coupler-knuckle receiver is located within the coupler head and receives a coupler knuckle. The knuckle is provided with limited, rotational movement within the coupler head, through a predefined arc. The coupler head has a first knuckle stop located thereon which limits rotational movement of the coupler knuckle relative to the coupler head in a first direction of rotation. A second knuckle stop is located on one side of the coupler head adjacent to the shank. A knuckle limiter is located on the coupler knuckle. The second knuckle stop and the knuckle limiter are constructed and arranged to abut one another when the coupler knuckle is shifted to an open position, thereby stopping rotation of the coupler knuckle relative to the coupler head.

Abstract: A model railroad remote uncoupler mechanism is intended for use with a signal-receiving mechanism and a self-centering coupler. A coupler is mounted on a unit of model railroad rolling stock, and is shiftable between a coupled condition, wherein the coupler engages a coupler on another unit of rolling stock, in an uncoupled condition. The remote uncoupler mechanism includes an electromotive actuator, which is activated by the signal-receiving mechanism, and a connector, which extends between the electromotive actuator and the coupler for shifting the coupler between its coupler position and its uncoupled condition. A power supply is provided for the remote uncoupler mechanism, which power supply may be carried on-board the rolling stock, or may include a pick-up mechanism for collecting power from the energized rails of the model railroad layout.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling assembly for model railroad cars. The assembly comprises a retainer adapted for attachment to a car and magnet mounted on the retainer. The magnet may have a cylindrical shape with faces of opposite polarity, and it may be mounted on a pivot pin connected to the retainer, allowing the magnet to pivot freely about the pin. A kingpin may attach the assembly to a model railroad car between a truck assembly and the car body, or the coupling assembly may be integral with a truck assembly. A model railroad car may be mounted with one or more coupling assemblies. Adjacent cars are coupled when the magnets of their respective assemblies contact one another.

Abstract: A coupler adaptor is intended for use with rolling stock that has a coupler mounted thereon, and is used between the coupler mount and a coupler draft box having a coupler mounted therein. The adaptor includes an adaptor plate having a post thereon. A spring is provided and has opposed, extensible arms, and draft-box capturing fingers located at the ends of the arms. A spring coil is located intermediate the arms and is sized to fit over the post. When the individual elements are combined, the coupler may rotate relative to the draft box and the draft box may rotate relative to the adaptor plate, which is fixed on the rolling stock, thereby providing for significantly greater angular movement of the coupler than what would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: A model railroad coupler centering system includes a draft box and a coupler. The coupler includes a coupler head and a coupler knuckle. An elongate coupler shank extends between the coupler head and a coupler mounting structure. The coupler mounting structure includes a mounting plate, which may have forwardly diverging sides thereto. Plural centering springs are fixed on each side of the coupler mounting plate such that when the coupler is centered, the centering springs make touching, non-flexed contact with the interior of the draft box and, when the coupler is pushed off-center, one of the centering springs makes flexed contact within an interior side of the draft box and the other centering spring does not make any contact with the other side of the draft box.

Abstract: A model railroad car coupler having a box and drawbar formed of a pair of shanks. The shanks are disposed vertically with respect to one another and independently rotatable relative to a pivot axis. The distal end of one shank carries a knuckle and the distal end of the other shank includes a lip. Biasing springs attached to the proximal end of each shank cooperate with the coupler box for biasing its respective shank about a pivot axis. The extent of the relative motion of the two shanks are limited by a controller. In a preferred embodiment, the controller comprises a boss and guide surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically uncoupling track-guided toy vehicles includes a first coupling element pivotally mounted on one toy vehicle for pivotal movement between a coupling position and an uncoupling position and a second coupling element mounted on another toy vehicle. The first coupling element couples with the second coupling element when the first coupling element is in a coupling position, and the first coupling element uncouples from the second coupling element when the first coupling element is in an uncoupling position. A spring pivotally biases the first coupling element in the coupling position. A first pivotally suspends a pendulum from the first coupling member.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated coupling and uncoupling system for model railroads comprised of a drawbar pivotally-mounted to one end of a railroad car, wherein the drawbar contains an integral leaf spring extending from the first end of the coupler to tend to center the drawbar, a coupler body with cantilever springs secured to the second end of the drawbar, a magnetically-actuated post pivotally-secured to the drawbar extending downward from the drawbar, and a pivotally-mounted coupler knuckle secured to the post and pivotally secured to the drawbar such that the pivotally-mounted coupler knuckle will interact with the cantilever spring.

Abstract: A remote-controlled uncoupling for an electric toy or model train with an electrically operated disengaging mechanism, particularly a hook coupling with coupling hooks, which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis and hooked into a coupling bracket of the respective counter-coupling part, wherein a response circuit, which emits a triggering signal for the disengaging mechanism whenever the train voltage is within a voltage gate, that is, between two threshold values for a specified time interval, is assigned to the electrically operated disengaging organ.

Abstract: An improved coupler structure is intended for use on model railroad rolling stock. The coupler structure includes a coupler having a shank and a joining mechanism for joining to a companion coupler on another piece of rolling stock located at one end of the shank. A centering structure is located adjacent the other end of the shank for maintaining the coupler in an axially aligned condition with the rolling stock body axis. The centering structure includes a centering cavity formed in the shank other end and a centering mount attached to the rolling stock body.

Abstract: A connectable mobile toy wherein a plurality of such toys can be interconnected front to back and side by side. The front-to-back connection allows swiveling so that a string of interconnected toys can negotiate turns and surface irregularities. Propulsion is provided by a spring-driven motor installed in one or more toys in the formation.

Abstract: A claw coupling for toy model trains includes a coupling support head having a hook and a claw along with a pivotal support pivotably mounting the claw on the coupling support head for movement between a coupled and an uncoupled position. A decoupling pin depends from the claw, and the coupling support head has an opening in which the decoupling pin is received, the decoupling pin being engageable by a decoupling rail to raise and pivot the pin in the opening. The claw has two arms disposed generally at right angles to one another, one of the arms having the aforementioned hook, the other arm having the aforementioned depending decoupling pin. The coupling support head has a mandrel operable to be disposed in a position juxtaposed to the other of said arms of a claw of another like coupling to preclude the last said claw from pivoting to a decoupling position.

Abstract: A coupling device for scale model railway cars has a hook-shaped coupling element with a free end, a shaft connected to the coupling element, a crosspiece extending horizontally from both sides of the shaft. There is a chamber having a rear wall which defines an abutment surface facing the free end of the coupling element and a front wall opposite and spaced from the rear wall and defining at least in part a through opening for the shaft. There is at least one compression spring coupled with the shaft and/or the crosspiece and bearing against the front wall. The chamber houses the abutment surface, the crosspiece and spring, the latter seeking to hold the coupling element resiliently in the normal position but permitting a swiveling of the coupling element about a vertical axis against the force of the spring while the crosspiece is urged by the spring against the abutment surface.

Abstract: Claw coupling for electric toy and model trains, with a pre-uncoupling device with a claw, which can be swivelled in a horizontal plane and hooked from the side into a rigid hook of the respective opposite anchoring bracket, with a support pin resting in a borehole, which can be lifted out of its coupling position against the force of gravity in an upwards direction into an uncoupling position by a coupling cam of an uncoupling rail, which engages a downwards projecting uncoupling bolt, the support borehole and the support pin each being disposed at the outer edge of the mounting bracket or the claw and the mounting bracket having an approach mandrel for the inner arm of the claw of the respective opposite mounting bracket.

Abstract: A coupler for rail vehicles of a model railway is attached to the end of a vehicle along substantially the longitudinal central axis of the vehicle. The coupler is provided with a coupling carrier which has at its free end a coupling plate acting as a buffer. In the coupled condition of railway vehicles, these coupling plates abut against each other and coupling hooks are positioned behind the coupling plates to retain the vehicles in coupled relationship.

Abstract: A claw coupling for electric toy and model trains with prerelease has a claw, which can be hooked from the side into a rigid hook of the respective end supporting part, and which is spring-mounted and preclamped so that it can swivel in a horizontal plane into the coupling position and can be lifted upwardly by means of a coupling lever of a release track and which engages a pivot journal that projects downwardly. The pivot journal is mounted in a borehole acting against a vertical restoring force from its coupling position into a release position that is limited by a stop. The spring, which produces the restoring force that counteracts the swivelling motion, is in the form of a tongue adjacent to the claw, optionally with clearance, and is attached to a bearing part.

Abstract: A model train coupler for a truck having a pocket with an upright pivot pin, the coupler including a stem inserted endwise into the pocket and swingable on the pin, a laterally opening hook extending outwardly from the stem, an actuator depending from the closed side of the hook, and a guide extending resiliently from the stem partially across the open side of the hook, said hook having an outwardly convergent end portion for entering engagement between the hook and guide of a like coupler to interengage the hooks, and the actuator of a like coupler being engageable with a track cam to spread interengaging hooks laterally apart for uncoupling.

Abstract: Toy apparatus including an assembly for coupling a self-powered 4-wheel drive toy pulling vehicle to a toy sled which provides a variable resistance or drag to test the pulling power of the vehicle. The toy apparatus simulates in a simplified and economical way its full-scale counterpart; in particular it provides for variations (such as in weight amount and location and coupling configuration) permitted or demanded by rules of competitive load-pulling events. The coupling assembly includes a harness mounted on the pulling vehicle and providing an upright transversely extending tab or bar, and a tongue pivotally mounted on the sled and having a transversely extending slot for receiving the tab. The tongue is pivoted about an axis generally parallel to the ground. This coupling tends to keep the toy vehicle-sled combination moving in a straight line and limits any tendency to veer off to the side.

Abstract: An electric motor driven toy train is disclosed which has a novel wheel and track assembly for minimizing slippage and avoiding binding between the train's wheels and the track as the train goes around a curve section of the track. The train's wheels are each stepped in cross-section with a small diameter rim and a large diameter rim, and the wheels ride on track sections with rails that are also stepped in cross-section. The inside rail of a curve track section is structured so that only the inside train wheels' small diameter rims ride thereover, and the outside rail is structured so that only the outside wheels' large diameter rims ride thereover. The train comprises multiple cars, each of which is articulated about a vertical axis and each of which has only a single axle so as to minimize the turning radius of the train set. A child sits upon the second car, the coal tender, and steers the first car, the locomotive of the set.

Abstract: A magnetically automated delayed uncoupling system consisting of a knuckle positioned magnet actuated coupler and a parallel outside-the-track magnetic force field which permits use of ferromagnetic train wheels without wobble and provides delayed uncoupling and coupling. The improved system is compatible with hook type couplers when used in combination therewith.

Abstract: A portable uncoupling device comprising a raised resilient strap attached to a self locating base and used to uncouple miniature railroad cars where the two couplers connecting two railroad cars each have one lift pin located on opposite sides of the centerline running between the rails of a miniature railroad track. The raised resilient strap is secured at one end to the self locating base, the other end of the strap touching the base but being able to slide freely along it so as not to buckle as the raised straps is depressed. The base has crimped ends to secure it between two railroad ties and sufficient width to allow it to fit snugly between the rails. The resilient strap has a width slightly greater than half the width of the base and is positioned so that it lifts only one lift pin of two connected couplers and provides support below the center of mass of the railroad cars passing over it.

Abstract: A coupler for toy and model railway cars includes a coupler knuckle adapted to engage a complimentary knuckle on an adjacent car. The knuckle is pivotally mounted and is adapted to pivot between a lower position substantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position. A first permanent magnet is mounted on the knuckle and a second magnet is mounted on the car structure with an unlike pole facing the adjacent pole of the first magnet. The resultant magnetic attraction between the unlike poles resiliently urges the knuckle to the lower position. Cars may be uncoupled by providing an uncoupling magnet on the trackway to attract one pole and repel the other pole of the first magnet to create an attraction/repulsion force couple to torque the knuckle to the upper position and thereby uncouple adjacent cars.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for uncoupling the cars of model trains travelling on tracks assembled on conventional cork roadbeds. The uncoupler disclosed and claimed operates from a normal, inactivated position in which no parts extend between the track rails, to an activated state in which a pair of wings rotate to fold towards one another between the track rails and engage the depending fingers of car couplers between cars indexed at the car uncoupling position.

Abstract: A coupler for toy and model railway cars includes a pivotable coupler member having a coupler knuckle adapted to engage a complementary knuckle on an adjacent car. The coupler member is mounted for pivoting movement between a lower position substantially parallel to a trackway and an upper position and is normally maintained in the lower position by magnetic attraction existing between two permanent magnets secured, respectively, to the coupler member and to a support. Cars may be uncoupled by providing a pole of an uncoupling magnet on the trackway to attract at least one pole of the coupler member magnet to torque the knuckle to the upper position and thereby effect uncoupling. The coupler knuckle includes a projection formed on its lower side which is adapted to engage and hold the adjacent complementary coupler knuckle when cars are being pulled in a normal running mode to prevent the knuckles from unintentionally disengaging when coupled cars pass over the uncoupling magnet.

Abstract: A coupling member for model railway rolling stock comprises an anchoring member for attachment to the end of a model vehicle, a rigid bifurcated member extending from said anchoring member and a resilient tongue extending substantially parallel to the bifurcated member at one side thereof and at a spacing therefrom. The tongue is flexible away from said bifurcated member and carries a latch which is directed towards said bifurcated member. The other side of the bifurcated member is recessed to define a catch. When the coupling member is engaged with an identical counter-coupling, the latch of the counter-coupling is engaged in said catch of the coupling member, one bifurcation of the counter-coupling is engaged in a receptacle defined by the bifurcations of the coupling member, and the other bifurcation of the counter-coupling is engaged in the spacing between the bifurcated member and resilient tongue of the coupling member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a model railway system employing a novel uncoupling mechanism for couplers of the type which are coupled by having one coupler cam another upward so that it may then drop into the coupled relationship. Couplers of this type, equipped with suitable magnets, can be uncoupled mechanically or by magnetic repulsion or attraction. In accordance with the present invention a normally inactive uncoupling magnet, located at an uncoupling station, is rendered active, thereby to effect uncoupling by magnetic repulsion of one of the couplers. The couplers, after being thus disconnected, are displaced laterally in opposite directions by magnetic attraction and the raised coupler is then permitted to drop. The altered relationship is such that one coupler may push the other without recoupling. By this means a detached car or train section can be pushed to any desired location and left there.

Abstract: Apparatus used for coupling and decoupling of model railroad cars which employs first and second coupling units, one on each car. Each unit employs a horizontal member having a curved opening at one end and a latching means which can be disposed either into the opening or outside of it and can be pivoted into either position. Each unit further employs a locking element having normal locked position at which the latching means can be moved into or out of the opening. A tiltable control lever extends through the member and has means cooperating with the locking element for unlocking same. The units are moved toward each other to couple and are moved away from each other to uncouple. When the units are coupled, the latching means engage each other and are disposed within the corresponding openings.