US3697746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Railroad switch heater
Assignee: Vapor Corp
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Filing: 1971-05-26
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1991-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A heater for a railroad track switch using forced hot air to heat the area between the moving and fixed rails to maintain the area free of ice and snow, and to heat the side plates and maintain them free of ice and snow, including duct work and distribution outlets for distributing hot air evenly over the entire switch length in the areas where the elimination of snow and ice will permit the movable rails to operate freely and easily.
Inventors
- 👤 Gordon I Patterson
- 👤 Dugald J Telfer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:40
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01B; E01B7/00; E01B7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A heater for a railroad switch having a pair of fixed outer stock rails and a pair of inner movable rails therebetween mounted on a series of ties and slide plates on said ties upon which the movable rails slide, said heater comprising means mounted adjacent the switch for producing forced hot air, a cross track duct extending from said heater beneath said switch and between a pair of adjacent ties, longitudinally extending distribution ducts mounted on the ties between and adjacent to the movable rails, means connecting said distribution ducts to said cross track duct, and a plurality of hot air distribution nozzles extending outwardly from said distribution ducts between adjacent ties and below the upper surface thereof, distributing hot air under the movable rails and between the movable rails and the stock rails.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A heater for a railroad switch having a pair of fixed outer stock rails and a pair of inner movable rails therebetween mounted on a series of ties and slide plates on said ties upon which the movable rails slide, said heater comprising means mounted adjacent the switch for producing forced hot air, a cross track duct extending from said heater beneath said switch and between a pair of adjacent ties, longitudinally extending distribution ducts mounted on the ties between and adjacent to the movable rails, means connecting said distribution ducts to said cross track duct, and a plurality of hot air distribution nozzles extending outwardly from said distribution ducts between adjacent ties and below the upper surface thereof, distributing hot air under the movable rails and between the movable rails and the stock rails.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as defined in claim 1, and a plurality of hot air distribution openings in said distribution ducts distributing hot air outwardly to the slide plates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as defined in claim 2, and point end nozzles extending outwardly from the ends in said distribution ducts at the switch points distributing hot air to the points.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination as defined in claim 3, and deflectors at each of the ends of the distribution ducts for deflecting snow and/or debris carried by a train away from the switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as defined in claim 3, and crib plates between the ties at the outside of the fixed rails to prevent hot air from escaping.
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) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |