A carriage for a miniature train ride for children, travelling on a track

Abstract

 The carriage travels on a track and comprises; a first frame (2), to which wheels for running on the track (20) are constrained; a second frame (3), hainged to the first frae (2) about a transvesal axis (x). The second frame (3) bears a cockpit. Means for oscillating (5) the second frame (3) on command with respect to the first frame (2) in a pitching motion about the transversal axis (x).

Description

[0001] Model trains for children usually comprise a series of carriages, one of which functions as a locomotive and draws a series of carriages, in which carriages one or two children can be carried. These trains generally travel at a contained speed, along a track which can be straight or curvy which moves through scenarios of various types. To increase the attraction of the ride, the wagons are made to pitch; in the prior art this is achieved by causing the tracks to undulate vertically. This pitching-by-vertical-undulating can, however, be complex to achieve, since any approximatively-measured undulating might cause the locomotive to lose adherence to the track. Setting up the track is made more complicated by the presence of these undulations, as the ground on which the track is installed has to be specially landscaped to create rises and dips.

[0002] The main aim of the present invention is to provide a miniature train for children's rides which travels on reliable and economical tracks and which recreates the above-described rocking motion on flat tracks.

[0003] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will better emerge from the detailed description that follows, of a carriage for a children's miniature train ride, travelling on tracks and made with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, which are purely illustrative and non-limiting, and in which:

figure 1 shows a series of carriages according to the present invention, arranged on tracks;

figure 2 is a first detailed view of the carriage of figure 1, with some parts removed better to evidence others;

figure 3 is a second detailed view of the carriage of figure 2.

[0004] With reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety a carriage according to the present invention.

[0005] The carriage 1 comprises a first frame 2, to which wheels for running on tracks 20 are constrained, and a second frame 3, hinged to the first frame 2 about a transversal axis x arranged at about the halfway-line of the first frame 2, on which second frame 3 a cockpit 4 is supported. The carriage 4 also comprises means for oscillating 5 which on command rock the second frame 3 with respect to the first frame 2 about the transversal axis x.

[0006] The means for oscillating 5 comprise at least one rotary actuator 6, for example a gear reducer, generally electrically powered, which is solidly constrained to the second frame 3 and which is provided with an output shaft 7 and at least one con rod-crank mechanism 8 connected at one end to the output shaft 7 of the actuator 6 and at the other end rotatingly to the first frame 2 by at least one hinge 9. In the illustrated embodiment the actuator 6 is arranged about at an end of the second frame 3, and in any case is sufficiently distant from the transversal axis x.

[0007] The first frame 2 comprises a transversal shaft 10 arranged on the transversal axis x; each of the ends of which shaft 10 are engaged in a turning bearing 11 connected to a longitudinal side member of the second frame 3.

[0008] The rotation produced by the actuator 6 is transformed through the con rod-crank mechanism 8 and the hinge 9 into an alternating vertical motion. This motion is transmitted to the second frame 3 which is made to oscillate about the transversal axis.

[0009] The carriage of the invention thus achieves the set aims, and is very simple and economical. The carriage also makes the train ride more fun and convincing, without the need for any special adjustments to the terrain below the tracks and the tracks themselves.

Claims

1. A carriage for a miniature train ride for children, travelling on a track, comprising a first frame (2), to which wheels for running on the track are constrained; characterised in that it comprises a second frame (3), hinged to the first frame (2) about a transversal axis (x), which second frame (3) supports a cockpit (4), and in that it comprises means for oscillating (5) which on command cause the second frame (3) to oscillate in a pitching movement with respect to the first frame (2) about the transversal axis (x).

2. The carriage of claim 1, characterised in that the transversal axis (x) is arranged at about a halfway-line of the first frame (2).

3. The carriage of claim 2, characterised in that the means for oscillating (5) comprise at least one rotary actuator (6) which is solidly constrained to the second frame (3) and which is provided with an output shaft (7), at least one con rod-crank mechanism (8) connected at an end thereof to the output shaft (7) of the rotary actuator (6) and at another end thereof by a turning pair connection to the first frame (2) by means of at least one hinge (9).

4. The carriage of claim 2, characterised in that the first frame (2) comprises a transversal shaft (10) arranged on the transversal axis (x), each of ends of which transversal shaft (10) is engaged in a turning bearing (11) which is connected to a longitudinal side member of the second frame (3).

Drawing