Combined track-railbed joining apparatus

Abstract

A joining apparatus is provided for a model railroad track, wherein the model railroad track includes a pair of combined track-railbed sections, with each end thereof configured for abutting an end of another combined track-railbed section, including a tie array disposed on an upper portion of each railbed and a pair of spaced apart rails fixed thereto, wherein the rails are electrically and physically joined to a rail on an abutted rail by a rail connector. Each combined track-railbed section includes a joining element retainer located adjacent each end of the section, underlying the railbed adjacent an end of each rail fixed to the railbed. A joining element is removably retainable in each joining element retainer for providing horizontal, vertical and longitudinal alignment between abutted combined track railbed sections.

1 . For a model railroad track, consisting of a pair of combined track-railbed sections, with each end thereof configured for abutting an end of another combined track-railbed section, including a tie array disposed on an upper portion of each railbed and a pair of spaced apart rails fixed thereto, wherein the rails are electrically and physically joined to a rail on an abutted rail by a rail connector, a joining apparatus therefore, comprising: 
 in each combined track-railbed section, a joining element retainer located adjacent each end of said section, underlying the railbed adjacent an end of each rail fixed to said railbed; and    a joining element removably retainable in each of said joining element retainer for providing horizontal, vertical and longitudinal alignment between abutted combined track railbed sections.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said joining element is symmetrical about longitudinal and transverse axes, and includes a central body portion, and a tang portion extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein said tang portion includes a necked portion and an expanded region, wherein said expanded region is captured in said joining element retainer.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said joining element retainer includes a joining element guide for aligning said joining element in said joining element retainer.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said joining element includes a joining element guide receiver for receiving said joining element guide therein.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said joining element retainer includes an enlarged portion at a distal end thereof and a capture element located intermediate the ends thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said joining element includes a joining ramp on the bottom side of a rail connector support, wherein said joining ramp has a tapered cross section to facilitate insertion of the joining element into a joining element retainer.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each joining element includes a body portion, a joining element guide receiver and a tang disposed below said joining element guide receiver, and wherein a wasted area is formed between said tang and said joining element guide receiver to provide spring-like flexing of said tang relative to said body portion.  
   
   
       8 . For a model railroad track, consisting of a pair of combined track-railbed sections, with each end thereof configured for abutting an end of another combined track-railbed section, including a tie array disposed on an upper portion of each railbed and a pair of spaced apart rails fixed thereto, wherein the rails are electrically and physically joined to a rail on an abutted rail by a rail connector, a joining apparatus therefore, comprising: 
 in each combined track-railbed section, a joining element retainer located adjacent each end of said section, underlying the railbed adjacent an end of each rail fixed to said railbed, wherein said joining element retainer includes a joining element guide for aligning said joining element in said joining element retainer, and which further includes an enlarged portion at a distal end thereof and a capture element located intermediate the ends thereof; and    a joining element removably retainable in each of said joining element retainer for providing horizontal, vertical and longitudinal alignment between abutted combined track railbed sections, wherein said joining element is symmetrical about longitudinal and transverse axes, and includes a central body portion, and a tang portion extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein said tang portion includes a necked portion and an expanded region, wherein said expanded region is captured in said joining element retainer by said capture element.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said joining element includes a joining element guide receiver for receiving said joining element guide therein.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said joining element includes a joining ramp on the bottom side of a rail connector support, wherein said joining ramp has a tapered cross section to facilitate insertion of the joining element into a joining element retainer.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein each joining element includes a body portion, a joining element guide receiver and a tang disposed below said joining element guide receiver, and wherein a wasted area is formed between said tang and said joining element guide receiver to provide spring-like flexing of said tang relative to said body portion.  
   
   
       12 . For a model railroad track, consisting of a pair of combined track-railbed sections, with each end thereof configured for abutting an end of another combined track-railbed section, including a tie array disposed on an upper portion of each railbed and a pair of spaced apart rails fixed thereto, wherein the rails are electrically and physically joined to a rail on an abutted rail by a rail connector, a joining apparatus therefore, comprising: 
 in each combined track-railbed section, a joining element retainer located adjacent each end of said section, underlying the railbed adjacent an end of each rail fixed to said railbed, which includes a joining element guide; and    a joining element removably retainable in each of said joining element retainer for providing horizontal, vertical and longitudinal alignment between abutted combined track railbed sections, wherein each joining element includes a body portion, a joining element guide receiver and a tang disposed below said joining element guide receiver, and wherein a wasted area is formed between said tang and said joining element guide receiver to provide spring-like flexing of said tang relative to said body portion, wherein said joining element guide is received in said joining element guide receiver for aligning said joining element in said joining element retainer.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said joining element is symmetrical about longitudinal and transverse axes, and includes a central body portion, and a tang portion extending along a longitudinal axis, wherein said tang portion includes a necked portion and an expanded region, wherein said expanded region is captured in said joining element retainer.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said joining element retainer includes an enlarged portion at a distal end thereof and a capture element located intermediate the ends thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said joining element includes a joining ramp on the bottom side of a rail connector support, wherein said joining ramp has a tapered cross section to facilitate insertion of the joining element into a joining element retainer.