US3701323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible rail-highway vehicle
Assignee: T & J INDUSTRIES Inc
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Filing: 1970-11-16
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1990-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A conventional highway bus is adapted for alternate use on highways and railways by providing rail conversion units located adjacent respective road wheels of the bus. The conversion units raise the front of the bus on rail wheels to a position which deactivates the front road wheels and the rear of the bus is supported by rail wheels only to the extent that it is guided on the rails but propulsion and some braking is obtained through contact between the rails and the rear road wheels. Air bellows suspension is provided on the rail conversion units to simulate road driving characteristics and hydraulic cylinders permit the rail wheels to be withdrawn upwardly out of service during road operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin W Cox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 15:06
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60F; B60F1/00; B60F1/04; B60F1/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
A passenger carrying vehicle for alternate use on rails and on the highway comprising: a. a multi-passenger road coach having a frame and front road wheels and rear driven road wheels, said rear road wheels being laterally spaced-apart a distance suitable for engagement with standard rails, an air suspension system between said frame and road wheels and including vertically extensible air bellows for maintaining a constant ride height for road use regardless of load and load distribution in said coach, said air suspension system including a source of compressed air for supplying air under pressure to said air bellows, b. front and rear rail conversion units mounted on said frame and respectively located adjacent said front and rear road wheels, said conversion units each including an extensible member adapted for vertical extension beneath said frame, a rail wheel assembly including a rail wheel mounted on the lower end of each of said extensible members, c. support means mounted on each of said extensible members, vertically extensible air bellows positioned between said support means and said frame, said last named air bellows being operably connected to said source of compressed air for resiliently supporting a portion of the weight of said vehicle on said rail wheels when said extensible members are extended, and d. an air valve assembly operably connected between said source of compressed air and said rear conversion unit air bellows, said air valve assembly including a sensing control Member responsive to the relative positions between said frame and said rear conversion unit support means, whereby a predetermined load distribution is maintained between said rear road wheels and said rear conversion unit rail wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
A passenger carrying vehicle for alternate use on rails and on the highway comprising: a. a multi-passenger road coach having a frame and front road wheels and rear driven road wheels, said rear road wheels being laterally spaced-apart a distance suitable for engagement with standard rails, an air suspension system between said frame and road wheels and including vertically extensible air bellows for maintaining a constant ride height for road use regardless of load and load distribution in said coach, said air suspension system including a source of compressed air for supplying air under pressure to said air bellows, b. front and rear rail conversion units mounted on said frame and respectively located adjacent said front and rear road wheels, said conversion units each including an extensible member adapted for vertical extension beneath said frame, a rail wheel assembly including a rail wheel mounted on the lower end of each of said extensible members, c. support means mounted on each of said extensible members, vertically extensible air bellows positioned between said support means and said frame, said last named air bellows being operably connected to said source of compressed air for resiliently supporting a portion of the weight of said vehicle on said rail wheels when said extensible members are extended, and d. an air valve assembly operably connected between said source of compressed air and said rear conversion unit air bellows, said air valve assembly including a sensing control Member responsive to the relative positions between said frame and said rear conversion unit support means, whereby a predetermined load distribution is maintained between said rear road wheels and said rear conversion unit rail wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said extensible member includes an hydraulic cylinder, and b. said coach includes a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure for operating said hydraulic cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. said rail wheel assemblies comprise a horizontal rocker arm having opposite ends and centrally pivoted about each of said extensible members for rocking in a vertical plane. b. one of said rail wheels being mounted on each of said rocker arm ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The vehicle as set forth in claim 3, wherein: a. said respective rocker arms are located in laterally opposed relation; and b. lateral tie rods are connected to said opposed rocker arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said support means comprises a cross beam directed longitudinally of said vehicle and one of said air bellows is positioned at each end of said cross beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle as set forth in claim 1, including shock absorbers operably mounted between each of said rail conversion units and said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
101 words
In combination with a road passenger carrying vehicle having air suspension and a frame: a. front and rear rail conversion units movably mounted on said frame for alternately supporting said vehicle on rails, b. said conversion units each including an extensible member providing selective vertical extension of rail wheels beneath said frame, air bellows between said extensible members and said frame for imparting air suspension to said vehicle when on rails, and c. means associated with said rear conversion units and responsive to the relative positions between said frame and said rear conversion unit extensible members for operating said air bellows.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
101 words
In combination with a road passenger carrying vehicle having air suspension and a frame: a. front and rear rail conversion units movably mounted on said frame for alternately supporting said vehicle on rails, b. said conversion units each including an extensible member providing selective vertical extension of rail wheels beneath said frame, air bellows between said extensible members and said frame for imparting air suspension to said vehicle when on rails, and c. means associated with said rear conversion units and responsive to the relative positions between said frame and said rear conversion unit extensible members for operating said air bellows.
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) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |