US3562419A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inspection method and apparatus for track alignment
Assignee: Ivacan Inc
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Filing: 1967-12-21
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1987-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An inspection method and apparatus for observing the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of a railroad track by optically comparing scales on a subframe of the vehicle which is referenced to and follows the longitudinal contours of the track with a datum line extending longitudinally of the track and providing on a single screen, preferably a television screen, a pictorial representation, which may be recorded on tape for reproduction, of the track vertical and horizontal alignment condition, and also in a preferred embodiment, the gauge condition or tie plate or rail anchor and tie condition.
Inventors
- 👤 John Kenneth Stewart
- 👤 Helmut R E Von Beckmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:38
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01B; E01B35/00; B; B61; B61K; B61K9/00; B61K9/08; E01B2203/00; E01B2203/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for observing the horizontal and vertical alignment of a railroad track comprising a track-travelling vehicle; datum providing means for the track; a subframe connected to the vehicle, adapted to ride on the rail and referenced thereto; horizontal and vertical scale means on the subframe; and optical means for providing on a single screen means a comparative picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of the horizontal and vertical scale means relative to the datum, whereby to provide a picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of the track.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for observing the horizontal and vertical alignment of a railroad track comprising a track-travelling vehicle; datum providing means for the track; a subframe connected to the vehicle, adapted to ride on the rail and referenced thereto; horizontal and vertical scale means on the subframe; and optical means for providing on a single screen means a comparative picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of the horizontal and vertical scale means relative to the datum, whereby to provide a picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of the track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the optical means includes a television camera; and wherein the datum is provided by mounting the camera on a long track-travelling frame and providing a hairline reference longitudinally extending of the track in the camera optical screen.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for observing the horizontal and vertical alignment of a railroad track comprising a track-travelling vehicle; datum wire means extending longitudinally of the track; a subframe connected to the vehicle, adapted to ride on the rail and referenced thereto; horizontal and vertical scale means on the subframe; and optical means for providing on a single screen a comparative picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of the horizontal and vertical scale means relative to the datum wire means, whereby to provide a picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of the track.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
95 words
A system for observing the horizontal and vertical alignment of a railroad track comprising a track-travelling vehicle; datum wire means extending longitudinally of the track; a subframe connected to the vehicle, adapted to ride on the rail and referenced thereto; horizontal and vertical scale means on the subframe; and optical means for providing on a single screen a comparative picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of the horizontal and vertical scale means relative to the datum wire means, whereby to provide a picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of the track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the optical means includes a television camera and wherein the screen is a television screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
88 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 in which the datum wire means comprises two datum wires extending longitudinally of the track one adjacent each rail, the subframe being referenced to the track; and in which the horizontal and vertical scale means comprise horizontal and vertical scales for the grade rail and for the other rail; the optical means providing on said single screen a comparative picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of each of the horizontal and vertical scales relative to its appropriate datum wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the subframe is in two sections telescoped one to the other transversely of the track, scale means being provided on one section and marker means being provided on the other section whereby to provide, by comparison of marker and scale, the instantaneous gauge condition of the track.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein the datum wire means is attached to the track-travelling vehicle and moves therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 7 in which the track-travelling vehicle has separate carriages mechanically connected together.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 in which the datum wire means comprises a single wire and in which the horizontal and vertical scale means comprise horizontal and vertical scales for the grade and for the other rail; said optical means providing on said single screen a comparative picture of the instantaneous horizontal and vertical alignment of both horizontal and both vertical scales relative to the datum wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the datum wire is located substantially centrally of the track.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as in claim 12 wherein indicator means is provided in the horizontal plane on the subframe, movable transversely and referenced to the track to further provide a pictorial indication on the screen of the instantaneous gauge condition of the track.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for observing the horizontal and vertical alignment of a railroad track having at least one rail comprising a track travelling vehicle, datum-providing means for the track, a subframe connected to the vehicle, adapted to ride on the rail and referenced thereto and means for optically displaying on a single screen the movement of the subframe relative to the datum-providing means.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for observing the horizontal and vertical alignment of a railroad track having at least one rail comprising a track travelling vehicle, datum-providing means for the track, a subframe connected to the vehicle, adapted to ride on the rail and referenced thereto and means for optically displaying on a single screen the movement of the subframe relative to the datum-providing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |