Model train car coupler
OwnerJames Dafoeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The model train car coupler comprises a coupler body and a pivoting knuckle. The model train car coupler body resembles a Janney coupler reduced to the scale of a model train. The model train car coupler is used on one or both the ends of a model train locomotive, caboose, or train car to couple one car to an adjacent car. The model train car coupler is used by backing a train car having the coupler into another car also having the coupler. As the cars are pushed together, the pivoting knuckles of each coupler defect to opposite sides, pass each other, and then spring back to their original positions at which point the couplers are engaged and forward motion of the train will cause one car to pull the other forward.
Claims15
A model train car coupler comprising:
- a coupler body and a pivoting knuckle;
- wherein the model train car coupler is used in pairs to couple a first model railroad car to a second model railroad car;
- wherein the coupler body is mounted onto a model railroad car;
- wherein when a first model train car coupler on the first model railroad car and a second model train car coupler on the second model railroad car are pushed together from opposing directions, a first pivoting knuckle on the first model train car coupler and a second pivoting knuckle on the second model train car coupler deflect, in opposite directions, from their original positions;
- wherein when the first pivoting knuckle and the second pivoting knuckle are in their deflected positions they pass each other;
- wherein once past each other, the first pivoting knuckle and the second pivoting knuckle return to the original positions;
- wherein when the first pivoting knuckle and the second pivoting knuckle are in the original positions, they are coupled and reversing the direction of travel on either car will result in the interlocking of the pivoting knuckles with the first model railroad car pulling the second model railroad car, or vice versa;
- wherein the coupler body comprises a neck, a head, and a mounting tab;
- wherein the neck is a rectangular cuboid;
- wherein one side of the neck is coupled to the mounting tab and the opposing side is coupled to the head;
- wherein the head is pyramidal in shape with the apex of the pyramid truncated;
- wherein the base of the pyramid comprises a concave surface in one dimension;
- wherein the pyramid is rotated 90 degrees such that the concave surface is apparent when the head is viewed from above.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.