Curtis Dudley
Real Estate Commission in Hockessin, DE

2009011, May 7, 2009

Nov 2, 2007

11/934229

Curtis L. Dudley - Hockessin DE, US

A63H 19/18

213 75TC

An improved remote-controlled model railway vehicle coupling device comprising a coupler configured with a channeled shaft having a proximal and distal end, the proximal end forming an aperture designated for pivotably mounting within a housing, the distal end forming a head designated for limiting the pivotable displacement of a knuckle; the knuckle operable to pivot between a closed and an open position. An electronically automated locking assembly is substantially carried within the shaft of the coupler. The locking assembly includes a thermo-mechanical actuator capable of using an electric current to provide thermal energy to transpose between a martensite phase length and a shorter austenite phase length; where the martensite and austenite phase lengths of the thermo-mechanical actuator respectively define a first and a second length of the locking assembly. The locking assembly further includes a bias-spring operable to both encourage the thermo-mechanical actuator towards its martensite phase length and urge the distal end of the locking assembly towards the knuckle for substantial engagement with the proximal end of the knuckle to lock it in its closed position, accordingly. The first length of the locking assembly is operable to substantially engage the knuckle in its closed position, while, when activated, the second length is suitable to disengage the knuckle to permit the knuckle to freely pivot towards it open position. A spring is provided along the knuckle; the spring operable to urge the knuckle towards its open position when the locking assembly is disengaged. The coupler comprises two interconnected elements defining a bottom member and a top member cooperating to receive the locking assembly therein. The bottom and top members are configured to permit a suitable portion of the locking assembly to project therethrough to contact a pair of wipers; the wipers, configured to both slidably contact the locking assembly and project from the housing, are operable to communicate an electric current between a conventional power source designated for energizing the track of a model railroad layout, a conventional electronic command device carried aboard the scale model railroad vehicle provided for administering the electric current, and the locking assembly. A housing, comprising a partial housing and a cover cooperating as securely interconnected elements, is provided to both pivotably receive the coupler for mounting along the end of the scale model railroad vehicle and receive the wipers along its interior such that they are suitably disposed for contacting the locking assembly.