Katherine Sophia Bis

US Patent:

6796509, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Jan 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/342511

Inventors:

Richard Webster - New Baltimore MI
Katherine Bis - Northville MI

Assignee:

Lionel L.L.C. - Chesterfield MI

International Classification:

E01B 2300

US Classification:

238 10E, 104DIG 1

Abstract:

A rail system for a toy train having at least one elongate rail with a hollow cross-section having a surface defining a connection portion along at least part of the outer periphery of the rail. The hollow rails are reinforced with at least one rib molded into the track bed. Each end of the elongate outer rails is either preassembled with corresponding pin or adaptable for receiving a pin preassembled in an adjacent track segment. An intermediate pin is operably engaged with each end of an intermediate rail and is slidingly engagable with a corresponding intermediate pin located in an adjacent intermediate rail connected to an adjacent intermediate track segment. The connection portion of each pin extends beyond the end of the rail for operable engagement with the corresponding connection portion of an adjacent rail communication electrically with the adjacent rails on an adjacent track segment.