Robert A Grubba

6441570, Aug 27, 2002

Jun 14, 1999

09/332649

Robert A. Grubba - Rochester Hills MI
Neil Young - Redwood City CA
Charles P. Horan - East Pointe MI
Martin D. Pierson - Howell MI

Lionel, LLC. - Chesterfield MI

H02K 714

318 3, 318 9, 105 15, 104DIG 1, 213 75 TC, 246122 A, 246192 R, 446467, 701 19

The present invention provides a controller for a model toy train set. In a first aspect of the invention, the controller includes a plurality of input connectors for receiving supply power from one or more remote power supplies and providing such power to a plurality of output connectors. In a second aspect of the invention, the controller includes an input device for producing an input signal to limit the amount of output power supplied from the controller to a toy train set when the controller is remotely operated from a remote transmitter. In a third aspect of the invention, the controller includes a programming circuit having a first mode for controlling a plurality of output channels from separate sets of inputs and a second mode for controlling the plurality of output channels from a single set of inputs.

6485347, Nov 26, 2002

May 17, 2000

09/572645

Robert A. Grubba - Rochester Hills MI
James G. Morrison - Royal Oak MI

Lionel, L.L.C. - Chesterfield MI

A63H 1914

446 25, 446 24, 446467

The present invention provides a smoke generator for a model train. The invention allows a toy locomotive to produce smoke as an actual train would, in a puffing pattern. The present achieves its purpose by manipulating the flow of air through a smoke generating housing with a fan and a blocking device.

6616506, Sep 9, 2003

May 17, 2000

09/572188

James G. Morrison - Royal Oak MI
Robert A. Grubba - Rochester Hills MI

Lionel L.L.C. - Chesterfield MI

A63H 1902

446467, 446465, 264274

The present invention provides a wheel assembly for a model toy train wherein the wheel assembly includes a wheel and a traction tire. The wheel including an undercut recess and at least one sprue. The traction tire is molding into the undercut recess through the sprue.

6765356, Jul 20, 2004

Oct 31, 2000

09/702466

Dennis J. Denen - Westerville OH
Neil P. Young - Redwood City CA
Gary L. Moreau - Rochester MI
Martin Pierson - Howell MI
Robert Grubba - Ormond Beach FL

Lionel L.L.C. - Chesterfield MI

B65H 5938

318 6, 318282, 318283, 318 16, 446410, 434 74, 367127, 104296

A control and motor arrangement for use in a model train includes a control arrangement integrally constructed with a motor. The control arrangement receives rotational speed and positional information from the motor and uses this information to determine how much power to supply to the motor, thus controlling the rotational speed of the motor. In this way, the control arrangement maintains a constant motor speed, if desired. In addition, the speed and positional information is optionally provided to a sound control arrangement for use in selecting appropriate sound effects.

7211976, May 1, 2007

Jul 19, 2004

10/894233

Dennis J. Denen - Westerville OH, US
Neil P. Young - Redwood City CA, US
Gary L. Moreau - Rochester MI, US
Martin Pierson - Howell MI, US
Robert Grubba - Ormond Beach FL, US

Lionel L.L.C. - Chesterfield MI

H02P 3/06

318286, 318282, 246 1 R, 246187 A, 246187 R

A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is farther configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

7215092, May 8, 2007

Sep 6, 2005

11/218575

Robert A. Grubba - Ormond Beach FL, US
Randall L. Luck - Cary NC, US
Tim Toombs - Apex NC, US

NC Train Acquisition L.L.C. - Kwai Cheong New Territories

H02P 1/00

318268, 318727, 318729, 318806

A wireless system uses a direct UHF radio frequency (RF) signal to control electric trains and train accessories. A controller, such as a handheld unit used by the toy train operator, accepts control commands and transmits encoded control data over a high frequency radio link directly to a receiver, on the toy train or train accessory, which decodes the commands and controls the toy train or toy train accessory functions with either unidirectional or bidirectional communication between the controller and the model train or train accessory. One controller has the ability to control many trains and other model train layout components such as signals and track switches even while other train operators are operating their trains on the same electric train track layout.

7298103, Nov 20, 2007

May 8, 2006

11/430331

Dennis J. Denen - Westerville OH, US
Neil P. Young - Redwood City CA, US
Gary L. Moreau - Rochester MI, US
Martin Pierson - Howell MI, US
Robert Grubba - Ormond Beach FL, US

Lionel L.L.C. - Chesterfield MI

H02P 7/298

318282, 318286, 318430, 318439, 388814, 388819, 388828, 388831, 388832, 446465, 446467, 446431, 446280

A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arragement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.

7307394, Dec 11, 2007

Apr 20, 2007

11/738428

Dennis J. Denen - Westerville OH, US
Neil P. Young - Redwood City CA, US
Gary L. Moreau - Rochester MI, US
Martin Pierson - Howell MI, US
Robert Grubba - Ormond Beach FL, US

Lionel L.L.C. - Chesterfield MI

H02P 7/00

318286, 318 16, 318461, 318466, 104287, 104288

A control and motor arrangement in accordance with the present invention includes a motor configured to generate a locomotive force for propelling the model train. The control and motor arrangement further includes a command control interface configured to receive commands from a command control unit wherein the commands correspond to a desired speed. The control and motor arrangement still further includes a plurality of detectors configured to detect speed information of the motor, and a process control arrangement configured to receive the speed information from the sensors. The process control arrangement is further configured and arranged to generate a plurality of motor control signals based on the speed information for controlling the speed of said motor. The control and motor arrangement yet still further includes a motor control arrangement configured to cause power to be applied to the motor at different times in response to the motor control signals.