US3586138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulically operated lock mechanisms
Assignee: SPX Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-05
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1989-12-05
Abstract
Abstract Fluid pressure operated lock mechanism for reciprocating elements particularly suited for use with hydraulic brake cylinders on railway cars. The lock mechanism includes a lock which is biased toward lock position and is yieldingly held in both the lock and unlock positions by a detent. One fluid pressure motor overpowers the detent and allows the biasing spring to move the lock into locking position, and another such motor overpowers the detent and moves the lock to unlock position. The lock itself may be a canting ring adapted to grip the reciprocating element, or a circumferential series of rollers which can be wedged selectively between that element and a camming surface, or a similar group of rollers which act to force the sliding element into engagement with a friction shoe. In the last mentioned versions, the rollers may be moved out of wedging engagement simultaneously, or they may be unlocked sequentially in groups or individually.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H Engle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/08; B60T17/16; F; F15; F15B; F15B15/00; F15B15/20; F15B15/26; F15B15/262
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
Lock mechanism (e.g. 11) for a reciprocating element (17) comprising a casing containing said element and a. a lock (16) movable between a locking position in which it prevents motion of said element (17) in one direction of movement and an unlock position in which it permits substantially free motion of the element in either direction; b. means (222) biasing the lock toward locking position; c. a detent device (26) associated with the lock and adapted to yieldingly hold it in each of its two positions; d. a fluid pressure unlock motor (24) arranged to overpower the detent device and shift the lock to unlocking position; and e. a fluid pressure lock motor (23) arranged to overpower the detent device and allow the biasing means to move the lock to locking position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
Lock mechanism (e.g. 11) for a reciprocating element (17) comprising a casing containing said element and a. a lock (16) movable between a locking position in which it prevents motion of said element (17) in one direction of movement and an unlock position in which it permits substantially free motion of the element in either direction; b. means (222) biasing the lock toward locking position; c. a detent device (26) associated with the lock and adapted to yieldingly hold it in each of its two positions; d. a fluid pressure unlock motor (24) arranged to overpower the detent device and shift the lock to unlocking position; and e. a fluid pressure lock motor (23) arranged to overpower the detent device and allow the biasing means to move the lock to locking position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Lock mechanism (11) as defined in claim 1 in which the biasing means is a spring means (22) reacting between the lock (16) and the casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
Lock mechanism (11) as defined in claim 2 in which a. the lock and unlock motors (23, 24) act in opposition to each other on an actuating member (25) arranged to shift the lock (16) to unlocking position; and b. the detent device is a Belleville washer having inner and outer peripheral portions which are held captive in said member and casing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
Lock mechanism (e.g. 11a) defined in claim 1 in which a. the lock and unlock motors (23a, 24a) act in opposition to each other on an actuating member (25a) arranged to shift the lock (16a) to unlocking position; and b. the biasing means is a spring means (22a) reacting between said member (25a) and the lock and urging the latter to follow movement of the member under the action of the lock motor (23a).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Lock mechanism (11a) as defined in claim 4 in which the detent device is a spring biased ball detent (26a) comprising cooperating portions carried by the casing and said member (25a).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Lock mechanism (e.g. 11) as defined in claim 1 which includes a manually operable mechanical actuator (27) for moving the lock (16) from its locking to its unlocking position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
148 words
Lock mechanism (e.g. 11b) as defined in claim 1 in which said lock comprises a. a cam surface (29) spaced radially from the element (17b) and defining therewith a space (30) which tapers in the longitudinal direction; and b. a circumferential series of rollers (16b) positioned within said space and adapted to be moved into and out of wedging relation between the cam surface (29) and said element, c. the rollers (16b) being held captive in positions wherein their axes are transverse to the axis of said element (17b) by an actuator (25b) upon which said motors (23b, 24b) act in opposition to each other, but having some freedom to move longitudinally relative to the actuator, and d. each roller (16b) having a central portion (32) shaped to have line contact with said element, and end portions (33) shaped to have line contact with the cam surface (29).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Lock mechanism (e.g. 11b) as defined in claim 7 in which the actuator (25b) is adapted to move at least some of the rollers (16b) out of wedging relation in sequence.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Lock mechanism (e.g. 11b) as defined in claim 7 in which said biasing means (22b) is an elastic element interposed between the rollers (16b) and a portion of the actuator (25b) and urging the rollers in the direction of the narrow end of said space (30).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
Lock mechanism (11b) as defined in claim 7 in which a. the cam surface (29) is a conical surface coaxial with said element (17b); and b. the end portions (33) of the rollers (16b) are curved to fit the conical surface at a point intermediate its ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Lock mechanism (11b) as defined in claim 10 in which said series of rollers (16b) surrounds said element (17b), whereby the radial forces imposed on the element by the rollers are balanced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
Lock mechanism (e.g. 11c) as defined in claim 7 in which a. the cam surface comprises inclined plane surfaces (35); and b. the end portions (36) of the rollers (16c) are cylindrical.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
Lock mechanism (11c) as defined in claim 12 in which said series of rollers (16c) surrounds said element (17c), whereby the radial forces imposed on the element by the rollers are balanced.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
Lock mechanism (11d) as defined in claim 7 in which the lock also includes a stationary friction shoe (37) adapted to have surface engagement with said element (17d) and located at the opposite side of said element from the rollers (16d), whereby the wedging action of the rollers forces the element into contact with the shoe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
Lock mechanism (e.g. 11b) as defined in claim 7 in whIch a. said series of rollers (16b) surrounds said element (17b); and b. the biasing means (22b) is an elastic O-ring encircling said element (17b) and reacting between the rollers (16b) and a portion of said actuator (25b).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |