MODEL RAILWAY

This invention relates to model railway assemblies.

Model railways are a source of considerable enjoyment and interest. A common problem, and particularly in some public places, is the lack of available space to accommodate a model railway.

According to the present invention there is a provided a model railway assembly, the assembly comprising a track on which one or more model train vehicles can run, the track being made of a non ferromagnetic material, a ferromagnetic material base located beneath the track, and one or magnets located on the underside of the or each vehicle such that the attraction between the or each magnet and the base retains the or each vehicle on the track, including when the track is inverted, and also permits the or each vehicle to move along the track, whereby the vehicles can run upside down beneath the track when inverted.

The or each magnet may be located on the or each vehicle such that when the vehicle is on the track the magnet is spaced between the two rails of the track, is spaced from any connecting arrangement between the rails, and is spaced from the base.

A plurality of spaced magnets may be provided on the, some of the, or all of the vehicles, the magnets may be permanent magnets.

A protective cover may be provided spaced from the track so as to be located therebelow when the track is inverted. The cover may be substantially transparent, and may comprise a sheet of transparent material which may be a plastics material such as Perspex.

The track and base may be mounted on a baseboard, and the cover may be selectively removably mounted to the baseboard so as to extend substantially parallel thereto and spaced therefrom.

The invention also provides a model railway assembly according to any of the preceding five paragraphs, with the track inverted such that one or more train vehicles can run thereon whilst upside down.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a train vehicle on a track according to the invention;

Fig 2 is a diagrammatic side view of a second train vehicle according to the invention;

Fig 3 is view from beneath of the train vehicle of Fig 1 ;

Fig 4 is a diagrammatic exploded view of some of the components of

Fig 1 ;

Fig 5 is a diagrammatic view from beneath of part of a train assembly according to the invention; and

Fig 6 is a diagrammatic side view of the assembly of Fig 5 in use.

Fig 1 shows a model train vehicle 10 in the form of a tank engine with two pairs of driving wheels 12. The vehicle 10 is of a conventional type with the electric current being drawn from two rails 14 of a track 16. The rails 14 are mounted on transverse spaced sleepers 18.

The vehicle 10 is conventional aside from the fact that two permanent magnets 20 in the form of discs are provided on the underside of the vehicle 10, one immediately in front of the front wheels 12, and one immediately behind the rear wheels 12. The rails 14 are of a non ferromagnetic metal, and may be formed of a nickel silver alloy. The sleepers 18 are made of plastics material and may be made to imitate wood. The track 16 is mounted on a base 22 in the form of a sheet of steel.

The magnets 20 are located so as to extend below the top of the rails 14 and be located therebetween, but to be spaced above the top of the sleepers 18, and hence to be spaced above the base 22. It is to be realised that other rail vehicles can be provided which can be pulled by the vehicle 10.

The other vehicles which can include trucks and/or coaches, will have similar magnets 20. If couplings of the type 24 shown in the drawings are used, these can be glued or otherwise adapted such that the hooked bar 26 cannot raise, and hence vehicles running upside down will remain coupled. Other types of couplings can be used such as those which move laterally and thus will not be affected by being upside down.

It is generally advisable only to run a single train on any one track to avoid the possibility of one train knocking another train off the track.

In use the vehicle 10 can be operated in a conventional manner with current applied to the rails 14. The magnets 20 provide attraction towards the base 22 thereby retaining the vehicle 10 on the track 16, even if the track 16 is inverted. This therefore means the vehicle 10 can be run in a conventional manner even when upside down.

Fig 2 shows a further train vehicle 28 which again has permanent magnets 20 on its underside. In this instance three magnets 20 are provided, one immediately in front of the front driving wheels 12, one immediately in front of the rear driving wheels 12 and one behind the rear driving wheels 12.

It is to be realised that the magnets 20 are located where space permits and also to avoid affecting the magnetic field produced by the engine in the vehicle.

A model rail assembly according to the invention can be mounted on a ceiling or other fixture pointing downwardly such that the trains run upside down. Fig 5 shows a simple loop 30 mounted on a baseboard 32 which could be mounted for instance on the ceiling in a public building such as a public house or perhaps a children's hospital. Fig 6 shows the base board 32 with a protective cover in the form of a sheet 34 of Perspex plastics material. The sheet 34 is removably mounted on upstanding brackets 36 so as to be spaced from the baseboard 32. This provides protection for the track 16 and any vehicles 10 thereon, and also will receive any vehicles 10 which may inadvertently come off the track 16. The sheet 34 is held on the brackets 36 by wing nuts 38.

There is thus described a model railway assembly which permits trains to run upside down and hence run on the ceiling or other downwardly facing areas which otherwise may not be productively used. This permits assemblies to be used in a wide range of places and could be used for example in themed locations or elsewhere to provide added novelty or interest. Applications such as public houses or other entertainment venues could be enhanced with such arrangements. Also such arrangements may be usable with persons who are bed bound or otherwise incapacitated.

The assemblies whilst providing effective operation are of straightforward configuration, and can must be inexpensively manufactured for long term substantially maintenance free operation.

It is to be realised that a wide range of modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance different magnet means could be used. The base could be other than as illustrated and

may for instance incorporate a strip of material located beneath the track, or some other formation. Whilst the invention has been described in relation to a model railway assembly, it may be used or in relation to other moveable items.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.