US3677197A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible movable enclosure for vehicles
Assignee: Pullman Standard Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-21
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-08-21
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle such as a railway car or over-the-highway carrier is provided with a floor and roof construction which defines a cargo space enclosed by a flexible sliding wall of endless configuration. The wall includes an opening which upon the operation of an actuating mechanism is moved to a plurality of longitudinally spaced positions providing access to the cargo space from opposite sides of the vehicle. In one of the positions a solid vertical wall section masks the opening in the wall and the cargo space is fully enclosed. A modified construction includes a pair of flexible wall sections which are moved to open and closed positions by winch mechanisms.
Inventors
- 👤 James R Hounshell
- 👤 William L Pringle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:53
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D19/00; B61D19/003; B61D19/005; B61D19/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A vehicle comprising a supporting frame: a floor supported on said frame, a roof structure supported on said frame over said floor and providing therebetween a cargo space, an enclosure for said space including an upright flexible wall carried on said floor along peripheral edges thereof, said flexible wall being horizontally moveable and extending continuously in endless fashion about said vehicle, said wall including an opening adapted to be positioned aloNg longitudinally spaced positions of said space, driven means including a flexible member on said wall, and power actuated drive means supported on said frame engaging said driven means for moving said flexible wall horizontally, and a wall portion positioned along a peripheral edge of said frame and having a height and width at least equal to said opening, and said opening in one position being masked by said wall portion whereby said space is substantially enclosed by said enclosure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A vehicle comprising a supporting frame: a floor supported on said frame, a roof structure supported on said frame over said floor and providing therebetween a cargo space, an enclosure for said space including an upright flexible wall carried on said floor along peripheral edges thereof, said flexible wall being horizontally moveable and extending continuously in endless fashion about said vehicle, said wall including an opening adapted to be positioned aloNg longitudinally spaced positions of said space, driven means including a flexible member on said wall, and power actuated drive means supported on said frame engaging said driven means for moving said flexible wall horizontally, and a wall portion positioned along a peripheral edge of said frame and having a height and width at least equal to said opening, and said opening in one position being masked by said wall portion whereby said space is substantially enclosed by said enclosure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, said frame including an upright truss type structure including longitudinally and vertically extending interconnected beams, said structure having a relatively narrow width and said cargo space being disposed on opposite sides thereof, and means connecting cargo to said structure on opposite sides thereof in said space and being accessible thereto as said opening is moved to said plurality of positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, including a pair of upright guide elements positioned adjacent laterally opposite corners of one end of said vehicle, said flexible wall being movable laterally and longitudinally in engagement with said guide members, said actuating means including first winch means having a first drum rotatably positioned on said vehicle, a first flexible member connected to one end of said flexible wall and to said first drum, a second winch means having a second drum rotatably positioned on said vehicle, and a second flexible member connected to an opposite end of said flexible wall where upon actuation, said flexible wall is moved to open and closed positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, including a pair of upright guide elements positioned adjacent laterally opposite corners of opposite ends of said vehicle, said flexible wall including longitudinally spaced sections each being movable laterally and longitudinally in engagement with a pair of said guide members, said actuating means including first winch means having a first drum rotatably positioned on said vehicle, flexible means connected to first ends of said sections and to said first drum, second winch means having a second drum rotatably positioned on said vehicle, and second flexible means connected to opposite ends of said sections where upon actuation, said flexible sections are moved to open and closed positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The invention in accordance with claim 12, said vehicle including a rigid upright wall connected to said floor and said roof structure on one side of said vehicle and extending substantially the length thereof, said opposite ends of said second sections in said open position being in longitudinally spaced adjacent relation and substantially contiguous to said upright wall whereupon said opening extends substantially the length of said vehicle on the opposite side thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
111 words
A vehicle comprising a supporting frame: a floor on said frame, a roof structure on said frame substantially coextensive with said floor, cargo support means on said frame, an enclosure disposed between said roof structure and said floor including an endless vertical wall, means slidably guiding said wall on said roof structure and floor, said wall having an opening movable with said wall to a plurality of longitudinally spaced positions on a side of said vehicle to provide access to said cargo support means, driven means on said wall, and drive means on said vehicle for driving said driven means to move said endless wall and said opening to said positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
A vehicle comprising a supporting frame: a floor on said frame, a roof structure on said frame substantially coextensive with said floor, cargo support means on said frame, an enclosure disposed between said roof structure and said floor including an endless vertical wall, means slidably guiding said wall on said roof structure and floor, said wall having an opening movable with said wall to a plurality of longitudinally spaced positions on a side of said vehicle to provide access to said cargo support means, driven means on said wall, and drive means on said vehicle for driving said driven means to move said endless wall and said opening to said positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention in accordance with claim 6, said endless vertical wall comprising a flexible material, and said slidable guiding means including guide elements extending along the peripheral edges of said floor and roof and connected respectively to lower and upper portions of said wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
The invention in accordance with claiM 7, said slidable guiding means including rotatable members positioned adjacent four corners of said floor for rotation about vertical axes, said endless wall extending and being disposed around said rotatable members, and said drive means being connected to drive said rollers to drive said driven means on said walls.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention in accordance with claim 6, including a vertical wall portion connecting said roof and said floor, said portion having a height and width at least equal to said opening to mask and close the same in one position of said wall.
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) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |