Electrical and mechanical coupling for model rail sections

US4709856A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Gebr. Maerklin & Cie. GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Helmut Rother · Höflaweg, DE
• Manfred Reyher · Uhingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 9, 1986
• Grant date: Dec 1, 1987
• Expiry date: Oct 9, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A63H19/30
• WIPO field: Furniture, games
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A coupling for two adjacent rail sections of a model railway has a bed member with rails and conductor rail held thereon and downwardly extending projections electrically connected to the rail and conductor rail. A coupling member is arranged beneath the bed members and has two upwardly opening, electrically conductive, elastic, locking elements that engage the extending projections such that projections on adjacent rail sections are mechanically and electrically connected. One locking element comprises upwardly protruding elastic tongues that interlock with the projections, and the other locking element comprises two parallel spring wires, connected by a contact spring and set apart by spacers such that projections are insertable there between. A locking element, on the underside of the coupling member, forms the elastic tongues. A connecting element, resting against the locking element, protrudes on both sides of the coupling member in the form of a contact lug.