US3034256A - Toy atomic waste disposal car - Google Patents

Description

y 5, 1962 J. L. BQNANNQ' 3,034,256

TOY ATOMIC WASTE DISPOSAL CAR Filed April 22, 1959 INVENTOR zfiwspk/ A. ZONfl/VNO ATTO R N EYS Unitcd States Patent Gfice 3,34,Z56 Patented May 15, 1962 3,034,256 TQY ATDMHI WASTE DISPGSAL CAR Joseph L. Bonanno, South Orange, N.J., assignor to The Lionel Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 22, 1959, Ser. No. 808,166 11 Claims. (Cl. 46-226) the flatcar contain light bulbs which are energized through a set of rail contact members which receive energy via the track structure through the wheels of the vehicle which are maintained on the track.

While not necessarily limited thereto, the invention is particularly applicable to a flatcar construction having means for positioning and electrically connecting one or more containers thereon each having a light therein for actuation through the flatcar from the track structure over which the flatcar is moved.

The containers may advantageously simulate atomic energy Waste containers and are provided with window cutouts to permit flashing of light therethrough to simulate what a child may imagine to be radiation rays from atomic waste. The light-source used within the containers may advantageously contain a thermostatically controlled switch to periodically interrupt the electrical circuit and hence cause flashing of the light bulb which is energized.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved model railway flatcar.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toy having a set of rail contact and securing members on the top thereof for the positioning of a plurality of containers thereon having a light therein which is connected electrically by the positioning of the container on the flatcar.

A further object of the invention is to provide an atomic energy waste disposal flatcar including a light bulb positioned in a container which is mounted on conductive rail terminal members mounted on top of the flatcar and including means to intermittently flash the light so that its rays are visible through openings in the container to simulate what a child may imagine to be radiation energy rays.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy which is simple in design, rugged in construction and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advan tages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: 7

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a model railway flatcar having an atomic energy disposal container thereon constructed in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2. is a perspective view of the container lamp assembly.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention as embodied therein includes a model railway flatcar generally designated 10 having a forward and rear set of wheel trucks 12 and 14, respectively, adapted for positioning on a track structure 16 and for movement of the flatcar thereover.

The rails of the track structure 16 are energized electrically and communicate this power through the wheelsand cables 18 and 20 to a pair of elongated'conductive rail members 22 and 24 which are positioned on top of the flatcar with their longitudinal axes in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the flatcar.

In accordance with the invention, the conductive rail members 22.and 24 are mounted in spaced parallel relationship on top of the flatcar in order to provide both a mounting support and an electrical contact for mem bers positioned thereon.

Positioned on the rail structures 22 and 24 are two containers 26, 26 which in this embodiment are constructed to simulate atomic waste disposal containers. Each of the containers 26 are notched at two locations 28 and 30 on each of its four walls adjacent the bottom edge thereof.

The rails 22 and 24 are spaced apart suificiently to align with the notches, and the containers may be positioned thereon when aligned in any of four directions.

Positioned within each of the containers 26. is a lamp supporting bracket generally designated 32 having two sets of opposite upstanding transparent side- walls 34 and 36 which converge toward the top end thereof and which may be sprung together to permit insertion into the containers. Each wall contains a protuberance 38 which locks into an upper opening 40 of a series of window openings generally designated 42. The window openings 42 are covered with a red transparent material so that the light which is emitted through these windows will flash red.

A lamp generally designated .44 is positioned above flanged portions 46 and 48, which in turn are secured to the bracket 32. The lamp 44 includes terminal wires 50 and 52 which extend around and are electrically c0nnected to outwardly extending corner lugs 54 and 56 respectively. The lugs 54 and 56 are electrically conductive and each lug is connected to'a pair of depending terminal lugs 58 and 60 which are located in planes at right angles to each other.

When the containers 26 are positioned in one direction, opposite lugs 58 and 58 are biased into contact with respective ones of the rails 22 and 24. When the container is rotated degrees and positioned on the rails in this direction, the lugs 60, 61} are biased into contact with the rails 22 and 24. Thus lamp 44 is always electrically and mechanically connected through either of the depending lugs 58 and 60 which are bimed into holding engagement with and continuously receive power from the track structure 16.

The lamp 44 is of a type having a thermostatic switching element 62 which, upon reaching a certain temperature opens the circuit and causes the lamp to go out. Thus as the flatcar 10 is moved along the track structure 16, power supply from the track structure is efiective to iflash the lamp 44 within the container 26 and cause the flashing rays to be exhibited through the windows 42. The containers 26 are labeled Radioactive Waste-Danger. To a child, the flashing light gives the appearance of the emission of radioactive rays through the Windows of the waste disposal containers 26.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A toy comprising a body member having a substantially flat top, a pair of elongated rails positioned on and extending along the upper surface of said top, model railway car shipping containers having notched portions fittainer.

ting over said rails, a lamp in each of said containers an spring contact means connected to each said lamp and biased into contact with said rails, and means to energize said rails.

2. A toy according to claim 1 wherein each said shipplng container is provided with window openings and i said lamp includes means to periodically disconnect said lamp from said electrical energizing means whereby to cause flashing of light through the window of'said con- 3. A model railway fiatcar including a forward and rear set of Wheels for positioning said car on a track structurefor movement thereover, at least two elongated spaced rail contact members extending along the upper surface of said flatcar, a shipping container notched at each end and positioned on said flatcar, said rail contact members extending into said notched portions, lamp means within said container connected to said rail contact members, and means to energize said rail'contact members. i

4. A model railway flatcar according to claim 3 wherein said rail contacts are electrically connected to said wheels and said wheels are energized by-said track structure.

5. Ainodel railway flatcar according to claim 4 where in said containers have fwindow openings therein'for the emission of light rays, and means to cyclically disconnect said light source from said electrical energy means whereby to cause flashing of light through said windows.

,6. A .model railway flatcar according to'claim 5 wheref in said rail contactsare arranged in parallel spaced relationship, and said containers are provided with notches adjacent thesbottom ends thereof at each end and at each notches when said container is facing in any right-angular direction.

' tact members of each pair being located in planes at side, said notches being spacedsufiiciently to'position said container on said rails with the rails extending into said notches when the container is positioned both in an end wise and sidewise position. 7 a

..7. In combinatiorna model railway flatcar, two spaced elongated contact rails on said fiatcar and extending along the upper surface thereof a cont-ainer having a lamp mounting bracket therein, a lamp positioned on said mounting bracket, two pairs" of depending resilient contact members, the contact members of each pair being located in planes at right angles to one another and each pair being connected to a terminal of said lamp, the deon said rail structure with the rails'extending into said right angles to one another and each pair being connected to a terminal of said lamp, the contact members. connected to one of said lamp terminals being arranged in opposition with the depending contact members connected to the other of said lamp terminals whereby op. posite contact members are adapted to grip energized terminals on the model railway car for actuating said lamp.

10. A simulated atomic energy waste shipping container for disposition atop a flat'deck of a model railway car, saidrcontainer including wall means having a window opening therein, -a lamp mounting bracket positioned in-' side said container, said bracket'including opposed upstanding resilient walls and inwardly extending ledge means for supporting a lamp thereon, at least one of said walls having a protuberance on an outside face, said walls being capable of being sprung together 'for insertion into an end of said container, the protuberance thereon being arranged relative to said will means so as to be positionable in said window to hold said bracket Within said container when the Walls of said bracket are permitted to spring apart and means on said container for mounting the same on the model railway car.

11. In combinatiomtwo spaced elongated model railway contact rails, a container having a lamp mounting bracket therein, a lamp positioned on said mounting bracket, two pairs or depending resilient contact members, said resilient members in each pair being located in planes at right angles to one another and each pair being connected to a terminal of said lamp, the depending resilient contact members of one of said lamp terminals being arranged in opposition with the depending contact members of the other of said lamp terminals and opposite contact members gripping the spaced elongated model railway contact rails when said container is positioned thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 947,154 Freeman Jan. 18, 1910 1,674,238 Becker June 19, 1928 2,002,358 Smith May 21, 1935 2,153,983 Kelch et al. Apr. 11, 1939 2,325,883 Schleif Aug. 3, 1943 2,863,038 Lombardo Dec. 2, 1958

Images