US3618796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle loading and transport system
Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1969-07-25
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Granted: 1971-11-09
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Expires: 1989-07-25
Abstract
Abstract The invention is embodied in a vehicle transport, in this instance a rail car, having a plurality of upright pedestals adapted to support the front wheels of vehicles arranged in tandem on the transport. Apparatus is also provided for transferring the pedestals and vehicles to or from the transport.
Inventors
- 👤 Israel D Peisner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:07
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D45/00; B61D45/001; B61D3/00; B61D3/16; B61D3/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
In combination, a vehicle transport having an elongated deck, parallel tracks mounted upon and extending lengthwise of said deck, said tracks being spaced apart laterally a distance greater than the width of the vehicles to be transported, a plurality of upright pedestals having laterally spaced upright side members provided with antifriction means at their lower ends engaging said tracks to permit movement of said pedestals lengthwise of said deck, said pedestals each having a generally horizontal transverse saddle unit connecting the upper ends of said side members, said saddle units being adapted to support the front ends of vehicles arranged in tandem on said transport in superimposed relation above the rear ends of the preceding vehicles, said saddle unit and side members of each pedestal defining an open frame construction of inverted U shape adapted to clear the rear end of the preceding vehicle, and means for securing said pedestals to said tracks in selected positions lengthwise of said deck.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
In combination, a vehicle transport having an elongated deck, parallel tracks mounted upon and extending lengthwise of said deck, said tracks being spaced apart laterally a distance greater than the width of the vehicles to be transported, a plurality of upright pedestals having laterally spaced upright side members provided with antifriction means at their lower ends engaging said tracks to permit movement of said pedestals lengthwise of said deck, said pedestals each having a generally horizontal transverse saddle unit connecting the upper ends of said side members, said saddle units being adapted to support the front ends of vehicles arranged in tandem on said transport in superimposed relation above the rear ends of the preceding vehicles, said saddle unit and side members of each pedestal defining an open frame construction of inverted U shape adapted to clear the rear end of the preceding vehicle, and means for securing said pedestals to said tracks in selected positions lengthwise of said deck.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination defined in claim 1, wherein each saddle unit has a pair of support means in the form of wheel-receiving recesses adapted to receive and supporT the front wheels of a vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
The combination defined in claim 1, wherein each saddle unit has a pair of open, horizontal, substantially rectangular frames defining bottomless pockets to receive the front wheels of a vehicle, said rectangular frames having front and rear transverse members defining the front and rear margins of said pockets and spaced apart less than the diameter of said wheels to engage the peripheries of said wheels at circumferentially spaced points to restrain the vehicles from longitudinal movement, and means for holding said wheels against upward movement with respect to said pockets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
The combination defined in claim 3, wherein said tracks are in the form of upwardly opening channels having laterally spaced flanges terminating at their upper ends in inturned flanges, the side members of said pedestals having transverse open-ended tubular members within said channels under said inturned flanges to prevent said pedestals from lifting out of said channels, said means for securing said pedestals to said channels including pins insertable through said tubular members and through registering holes in said laterally spaced flanges of said channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination defined in claim 1, including ramps adapted to be removably connected at one end to said saddle units and to extend downwardly at an angle to permit the front wheels of the vehicles to run up said ramps to said pockets.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-08 | 1975-05-10 | 1975-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-08 | 1979-05-10 | 1979-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-08 | 1983-05-10 | 1983-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |