Track switch and controller

Abstract

A switching apparatus for a toy railroad is provided. A housing has a drive compartment and a motor positioned in the drive compartment in the housing. A movable actuating element is positioned entirely within the housing. A drive connection between the motor and the movable actuating element moves the movable actuating element between a first position and a second position. At least a portion of the movable actuating element is positioned in a protective compartment adjacent to said drive compartment to protect the movable actuating element from outside forces. A track switch directs toy trains to a selected one of a plurality of tracks. A connector between the movable actuating element and the track switch moves the movable actuating element between its first and second positions causes movement of the track switch between a first position and a second position.

1 . A switching apparatus for a model railroad, comprising: 
 a housing having a drive compartment;    a motor positioned in the drive compartment in the housing;    a movable actuating element positioned entirely within the housing;    a drive connection between the motor and the movable actuating element to move the movable actuating element between a first position and a second position, at least a portion of the movable actuating element being positioned in a protective compartment adjacent to said drive compartment,    whereby the movable actuating element is protected from outside forces;    a track switch for directing toy trains to a selected one of a plurality of tracks; and    a connector between the movable actuating element and the track switch, whereby movement of the movable actuating element between its first and second positions causes movement of the track switch between a first switch position in which a first selected one of a plurality of tracks is selected and a second switch position in which a second selected one of a plurality of tracks is selected.    
     
     
         2 . The switching apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a spur gear coupled to and driven by the motor; and a cam gear engaged to and driven by the spur gear, the movable actuating element being operatively connected to and driven by the cam gear.  
     
     
         3 . The switching apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein protective compartment of the housing defines an opening on a side of the protective compartment facing the track switch.  
     
     
         4 . The switching apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tracks form a track section.  
     
     
         5 . The switching apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the housing is molded to the track section.  
     
     
         6 . The switching apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the housing includes a base plate molded to the track section.  
     
     
         7 . The switching apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the track section includes two outer rails and a middle rail, the two outer rails being grounded and the middle rail carrying electrical current.  
     
     
         8 . The switching apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the movable actuating element is a lever.