US3675593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stairway for rail-mounted conveyances
Assignee: Duewag AG
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Filing: 1969-12-11
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1989-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A stairway for use in streetcars or subway cars wherein a portion of the floor constitutes the uppermost step and is spaced inwardly from a lowermost step which is fixedly secured to the chassis. An auxiliary step which has two hingedly connected panels is movable between a first position in which the two panels constitute an extension of the uppermost step and overlie the lowermost step so that the floor can be reached from a relatively high subway platform, and a second position in which one of the panels extends downwardly from the uppermost step and the other panel extends horizontally between the levels of the uppermost and lowermost steps to constitute an intermediate step whereby the stairway is ready to be used on streetcars to permit boarding from a low street curb.
Inventors
- 👤 Franz Tonne
- 👤 Werner Brand
- 👤 Benno Wolowitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:36
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D23/00; B61D23/02; B61D23/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In a conveyance, particularly in a street car or subway car, a combination comprising a chassis including an upright wall and a floor located at a first level above the ground and having a portion spaced inwardly from said wall and constituting the upper step of a stairway; an auxiliary step having a first panel articulately secured to said upper step and a second panel articulately secured to said first panel; and operating means for moving said auxiliary step between a first position in which said panels are substantially coplanar with and outwardly adjacent to said upper step to constitute an extension thereof and a second position in which said first panel extends downwardly from said upper step and said second panel extends substantially horizontally at a second level below said first level and constitutes a lower step, said panels being located in said first and said second positions thereof within a plane defined by the outer surface of said upright wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a conveyance, particularly in a street car or subway car, a combination comprising a chassis including an upright wall and a floor located at a first level above the ground and having a portion spaced inwardly from said wall and constituting the upper step of a stairway; an auxiliary step having a first panel articulately secured to said upper step and a second panel articulately secured to said first panel; and operating means for moving said auxiliary step between a first position in which said panels are substantially coplanar with and outwardly adjacent to said upper step to constitute an extension thereof and a second position in which said first panel extends downwardly from said upper step and said second panel extends substantially horizontally at a second level below said first level and constitutes a lower step, said panels being located in said first and said second positions thereof within a plane defined by the outer surface of said upright wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said second panel extends substantially to the plane of said wall in the first position of said auxiliary step.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a lowermost step fixed to said chassis at a third level below said second level and outwardly adjacent to said second panel in the second position of said auxiliary step.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A combination as defined in claim 3, wherein said lowermost step extends substantially to the plane of said wall.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a shield secured to said auxiliary step and movable therewith between a first position in which it extends downwardly from the outermost portion of said second panel in the first position of said auxiliary step and a second position in which it is located inwardly of said lower step in the second position of said auxiliary step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 5, further comprising connecting means securing said shield to the underside of said first panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said operating means comprises prime mover means and a link train coupling said prime mover means with said connecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein said connecting means is articulately connected with said shield and wherein said link train comprises a first link articulately connected to said connecting means, a second link articulately connected to said shield, and a third link turnable in said chassis about a fixed axis and articulately connected with said first and second links.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one partition movably mounted on said floor inwardly adjacent to said auxiliary step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A combination as defined in claim 9, wherein said partition is a stile which is swingable about a vertical axis to and from an idle position in which it separates said upper step from said auxiliary step, and further comprising means for locking said stile in said idle position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a conveyance, particularly in a street car or subway car, a combination comprising a chassis including an upright wall and a floor located at a first level above the ground and having a portion spaced inwardly from said wall and constituting the upper step of a stairway; an auxiliary step having a first panel articulately secured to said upper step and a second panel articulately secured to said first panel; operating means for moving said auxiliary step between a first position in which said panels are substantially coplanar with and outwardly adjacent to said upper step to constitute an extension thereof and a second position in which said first panel extends downwardly from said upper step and said second panel extends substantially horizontally at a second level below said first level and constitutes a lower step; and a safety device for preventing movement of said auxiliary step in at least one position thereof when a predetermined load rests on said auxiliary step, said safety device including electric switch means and means for actuating said switch means in response to placing of a predetermined weight onto said auxiliary step.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a conveyance, particularly in a street car or subway car, a combination comprising a chassis including an upright wall and a floor located at a first level above the ground and having a portion spaced inwardly from said wall and constituting the upper step of a stairway; an auxiliary step having a first panel articulately secured to said upper step and a second panel articulately secured to said first panel; operating means for moving said auxiliary step between a first position in which said panels are substantially coplanar with and outwardly adjacent to said upper step to constitute an extension thereof and a second position in which said first panel extends downwardly from said upper step and said second panel extends substantially horizontally at a second level below said first level and constitutes a lower step; and a safety device for preventing movement of said auxiliary step in at least one position thereof when a predetermined load rests on said auxiliary step, said safety device including electric switch means and means for actuating said switch means in response to placing of a predetermined weight onto said auxiliary step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination as defined in claim 11, wherein the means for actuating said switch means forms part of said operating means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
A combination as defined in claim 12, wherein the means for actuating said switch means comprises a link operatively connected with and being arranged to carry the weight of said auxiliary step and to change its position in response to placing of a weight onto said auxiliary step to thereby effect actuation of said switch means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a conveyance, particularly in a street car or subway car, a combination comprising a chassis including an upright wall and a floor located at a first level above the ground and having a portion spaced inwardly from said wall and constituting the upper step of a stairway; an auxiliary step having a first panel articulately secured to said upper step and a second panel articulately secured to said first panel; operating means for moving said auxiliary step between a first position in which said panels are substantially coplanar with and outwardly adjacent to said upper step to constitute an extension thereof and a second position in which said first panel extends downwardly from said upper step and said second panel extends substantially horizontally at a second level below said first level and constitutes a lower step; deformable stop means supporting said lower step in the second position of said auxiliary step and arranged to yield in response to placing of a predetermined weight on said auxiliary step; and a safety device operative in response to deformation of said stop means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
181 words
In a conveyance, particularly in a street car or subway car, a combination comprising a chassis including an upright wall and a floor located at a first level above the ground and having a portion spaced inwardly from said wall and constituting the upper step of a stairway; an auxiliary step having a first panel articulately secured to said upper step and a second panel articulately secured to said first panel; operating means for moving said auxiliary step between a first position in which said panels are substantially coplanar with and outwardly adjacent to said upper step to constitute an extension thereof and a second position in which said first panel extends downwardly from said upper step and said second panel extends substantially horizontally at a second level below said first level and constitutes a lower step; deformable stop means supporting said lower step in the second position of said auxiliary step and arranged to yield in response to placing of a predetermined weight on said auxiliary step; and a safety device operative in response to deformation of said stop means.
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) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |