Model railroad track switching system

Abstract

A model railroad track system including first, second and third portions of model railroad track, and a movable portion of track that is movable between a first and a second position. When the movable portion is in the first position the movable portion is configured to guide a model train from the first portion of track to the second portion of track when the train moves across the movable portion in a direction of travel. When the movable portion is in the second position the movable portion is configured to guide a train from the first portion of track to the third portion of track when the train moves across the movable portion generally in the direction of travel. The system further includes an actuator movable between first and second positions, and wherein the distance between the first and second positions of the actuator constitutes a stroke length. The system also includes a switch adapter operatively coupling the actuator to the movable portion of track such that movement of the actuator from the first to the second position causes the movable portion to move from its first to its second position, wherein the distance moved by the movable portion upon the movement of the actuator differs from the stroke length.

1 . A model railroad track system comprising:
 first, second and third portions of model railroad track;   a movable portion of track that is movable between a first and a second position, wherein when said movable portion is in said first position said movable portion is configured to guide a model train from said first portion of track to said second portion of track when said train moves across said movable portion in a direction of travel, and wherein when said movable portion is in said second position said movable portion is configured to guide a train from said first portion of track to said third portion of track when said train moves across said movable portion generally in said direction of travel;   an actuator movable between first and second positions, and wherein the distance between said first and second positions of said actuator constitutes a stroke length; and   a switch adapter operatively coupling said actuator to said movable portion of track such that movement of said actuator from said first to said second position causes said movable portion to move from its first to its second position, wherein the distance moved by said movable portion upon said movement of said actuator differs from said stroke length.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the distance moved by said movable portion upon said movement of said actuator is greater than said stroke length. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first portion of track includes first and second opposed rails, and said movable portion of track includes first and second opposed rails, and wherein said system is configured such that when said actuator is in said first position said first rail of said movable portion is in contact with said first rail of said first portion of track, and when said actuator is in said second position said second rail of said movable portion is in contact with said second rail of said first portion of track. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said movable portion of track, said actuator and said switch adapter are configured such that when said actuator is in said first position said second rail of said movable portion is not in contact with said second rail of said first portion of track, and when said actuator is in said second position said first rail of said movable portion is in not contact with said first rail of said first portion of track. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first portion of track includes first and second opposed rails, and said movable portion of track includes first and second opposed rails, and wherein when said movable portion of track is in its first position said second rail of said movable portion of track is spaced away from said second rail of said first portion of track by a gap, and wherein said system is configured such that when said actuator moves from its first to its second positions, said movable portion of track is sought to be moved a distance greater than said gap. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said system is configured such that when said movable portion is in its first or second positions, residual forces from said actuator are applied to said movable portion to keep one of said rails of said movable portion flush against one of said rails of said first portion of track. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said switch adapter is releasably attachable to at least one of said track portions at varying locations in a direction generally perpendicular to said direction of travel. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said switch adapter includes a pair of flanges coupled to an associated tie of one of said track portions, and wherein the system includes a switch machine including said actuator, said switch machine including a pair of flanges coupled to said switch adapter, wherein said flanges of said switch adapter and said flanges of said switch machine are each spaced apart by a distance from the other associated flange, and wherein the distance of said flanges of said switch adapter differs from a distance of said flanges of said switch machine such that said switch adapter adapts said switch machine to be operatively coupled to said one of said track portions. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said switch adapter includes a base and a pivot arm pivotally coupled to said base, and wherein said pivot arm operatively couples said actuator to said movable portion of track. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said pivot arm is pivotable about a first point along a length of said pivot arm, and wherein said pivot arm is operatively coupled to said movable portion of track at a second point along a length of said pivot arm, and wherein said pivot arm is operatively coupled to said actuator at a third point along a length of said pivot arm, and wherein said third point is positioned generally between said first and said second point. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising a extension extending between and operatively coupled to said pivot arm and said movable portion of track, wherein said extension is configured to move in translational motion when said pivot arm is pivoted relative to said base. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a switch machine which includes said actuator, wherein said switch machine is configured to move said actuator upon receipt of an electronic signal. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said actuator is movable in translational motion. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said movable portion of track is positioned within or immediately adjacent to said first, second and third portions of track. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the distance moved by a distal end of said movable portion upon movement of said actuator differs from said stroke length. 
   
   
       16 . A model railroad track system comprising:
 first, second and third portions of model railroad track;   a movable portion of track that is movable between a first and a second position, wherein when said movable portion is in said first position said movable portion is configured to guide a model train from said first portion of track to said second portion of track when said train moves across said movable portion in a first direction, and wherein when said movable portion is in said second position said movable portion is configured to guide said model train from said first portion of track to said third portion of track when said train moves across said movable portion generally in said first direction;   an actuator movable between first and second positions; and   a switch adapter including a pivot arm operatively coupling said actuator to said movable portion of track such that movement of said actuator from said first to said second position causes said movable portion to move from said first to said second position.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said switch adapter includes a base and said pivot arm is pivotally coupled to said base. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein said pivot arm is pivotable about a first point along a length of said pivot arm, and wherein said pivot arm is operatively coupled to said movable portion of track at a second point along a length of said pivot arm, and wherein said pivot arm is operatively coupled to said actuator at a third point along a length of said pivot arm, and wherein said third point is positioned generally between said first and said second point. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the distance sought to be moved by said movable portion upon movement of said actuator is proportionally related to a stroke length of said actuator. 
   
   
       20 . A switch adapter comprising:
 a base; and   a pivot arm pivotally coupled to said base, said pivot arm being configured such that when said pivot arm is operatively coupled to an actuator and to a movable portion of track, pivoting movement of said arm from a first to a second position as caused by said actuator causes said pivot arm to move said movable portion of track from a first to a second position, wherein said pivot arm is pivotable about a first point along a length of said pivot arm, and wherein said pivot arm is configured to be operatively coupled to said movable portion of track at a second point along a length of said pivot arm, and wherein said pivot arm is configured to be operatively coupled to said actuator at a third point along a length of said pivot arm, and wherein said third point is positioned generally between said first and said second point.   
   
   
       21 . The switch adapter of  claim 20  further comprising a flange coupled to said base, wherein said flange is attachable to a portion of track at varying locations in a direction generally perpendicular to said portion of track to allow said switch adapter to be mounted to or adjacent to portions of track having varying radii of curvature. 
   
   
       22 . A method for manipulating a model railroad track system comprising:
 accessing a model railroad track system including first, second and third portions of model railroad track, and a movable portion of track that is movable between a first and a second position to selectively guide a model train from said first portion of track to said second and third portions of track;   accessing an actuator movable between first and second positions; and   operatively coupling a switch adapter having a pivotable arm to said actuator and to said movable portion of track such that movement of said actuator from said first to said second position causes said pivotable arm to pivot and move said movable portion from said first to said second position.