Convertible rail-highway vehicle

Claim 2

In combination with a highway vehicle having a longitudinally elongated body frame and flangeless front and rear wheels mounted on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, a front and a rear guide wheel assembly mounted on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, at least one of said guide wheel assemblies including transversely spaced left and right flanged guide wheels, a first transverse pivot member, mounting means mounted on one of said body portions for mounting the first pivot member, a subframe means, first means for connecting the subframe means to the first pivot member for swinging movement about the axis of the first pivot member, a right and a left transverse shaft pivotally mounted on the subframe means in substantial radial spaced relationship to the first pivot member, a right and a left arm each having one end portion keyed to the right and left shaft respectively and an opposite end portion, a first and a second transverse shaft mounted by the right and left arm opposite end portion respectively for rotatably mounting the respective right and left guide wheel, torsion spring means connected to the right and left shafts for resiliently urging the right and left shafts to given angular positions relative to the subframe means, and lock means mounted on the mounting means and connected to the subframe means in substantial radial spaced relationship to the first pivot member for moving the subframe means about the first pivot member axis between a guide wheel road travel position and a rail travel position and selectively releasably retaining the subframe means in a locked condition in each of said positions.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said lock means includes a third transverse shaft rotatably mounted by the mounting means, a first lock arm having a first end portion mounted on the third shaft in fixed angular relationship thereto, and a second end portion, a second lock arm having a first end portion and a second end portion, pivot means connecting said lock arms second end portions for pivotally movement relative one another about a transverse axis and a fourth shaft pivotally mounted by the subframe means in fixed relationship thereto, said second arm first end portion being mounted on the fourth shaft in fixed anGular relationship thereto.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the third shaft is mounted by the mounting means at a substantially higher elevation than the first pivot member and in a substantially stationary vertical position relative the mounting means, and that there is provided means on the fourth shaft that is adapted to have a crank mounted thereon for pivoting the fourth shaft.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that the mounting means comprises a pair of transversely spaced mounting members, each having a generally vertically elongated slots, said third shaft being extended through the slots and vertically movably therein within the limits of the lengths of said slots.

Claim 6

In combination with a highway vehicle movable over rails of a railroad track that includes a longitudinally elongated body frame having a front and a rear frame portions, front wheels mounted on the front portion, a rear axle, spring means for dependingly mounting the rear axle on the rear frame portion to resiliently permit limited variations of the vertical spacing between the rear portion and axle, and flangeless rear wheels mounted on said axle, and a rear guide wheel assembly having transversely spaced left and right flanged guide wheels, a transversely elongated subframe, arm means for rotatably mounting the guide wheels, first means for mounting the arm means on the subframe for pivotal movement about a first transverse axis and resiliently urging the arm means to given angular positions relative the first axis, a transverse first pivot member, second means for mounting the first pivot member on the body frame portion rearwardly of the axle, said second means being mounted on the frame portion for movement therewith, third means mounted on the subframe for mounting the subframe for limited swinging movement about the central axis of the first pivot member, operable fourth means connected to the subframe for releasably locking the subframe in a rail travel position, and fifth means for mounting the fourth means on the second means, and transmitting a load through the fourth means to the subframe to maintain a nearly constant downward force on the guide wheels as the second means moves downwardly with the subframe in a rail travel position and the wheels on the rails.

Claim 7

In combination with a highway vehicle movable over rails of a railroad track that includes a longitudinally elongated body frame having a front and a rear frame portions, front wheels mounted on the front portion, a rear axle, spring means for dependingly mounting the rear axle on the rear frame portion to resiliently permit limited variations of the vertical spacing between the rear portion and axle, and flangeless rear wheels mounted on said axle, and a rear guide wheel assembly having transversely spaced left and right flanged guide wheels, a transversely elongated subframe, arm means for rotatably mounting the guide wheels, first means for mounting the arm means on the subframe for pivotal movement about a first transverse axis and resiliently urging the arm means to given angular positions relative the first axis, a transverse first pivot member, second means for mounting the first pivot member on the body frame portion rearwardly of the axle, said second means being mounted on the frame portion for movement therewith, third means mounted on the subframe for mounting the subframe for limited swinging movement about the central axis of the first pivot member, operable fourth means connected to the subframe for releasably locking the subframe in a rail travel position, and fifth means for mounting the fourth means on the second means, and transmitting a load through the fourth means to the subframe to maintain a nearly constant downward force on the guide wheels as the second means moves downwardly with the subframe in a rail travel position and the wheels on the rails.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the lock means comprises overcenter lock means that includes a first and a second lock arm, said lock arms each having a first end and a second end, a transverse pivot member pivotally connecting the arms first ends, second means for connecting the first arm second end to the subframe means for pivotal movement relative the subframe means about a transverse axis, and third means mounting the second lock arm second end on the mounting means for pivotal movement about a transverse axis.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that one of the lock arms has an intermediate portion substantially offset from its first and second ends and is of a substantially greater length than the other lock arm.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the vehicle has a rear axle that mounts the rear wheels and spring means for mounting the rear axle on the body rear frame portion and permitting lowering of the body rear portion as the vehicle is loaded, further characterized in that there is provided elongated third arms having one end portions mounted on the lock means and opposite end portions, said lock means being vertically movable relative the mounting means, transverse fourth means for pivotally connecting the elongated third arms opposite end portions to the mounting means in substantial spaced relationship to the first pivot member and the right and left transverse shafts, and means for transmitting a load from the vehicle through the lock means to the overcenter lock means as the load on the vehicle increases while allowing the mounting means moving downwardly relative the overcenter lock means when the lock means is in a subframe overcenter locked, rail travel position.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 5 further characterized in that the second means comprises a transverse lock member shaft having the first lock arm fixedly attached thereto.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 8 further characterized in that a stop member is mounted on the subframe means, and that there is provided a crank member having one end portion axially slidably movable on the lock member shaft, said lock member shaft and crank member having cooperating means to selectively retain said lock member shaft and crank member in substantially the same relative angular positions, means for resiliently urging the crank member toward said stop member to a datum position, said crank member having a portion that in a crank member datum position abuts against the stop member to block angular movement of the crank member about the lock member shaft axis and that clears the stop member when the crank member is moved axially away from the stop member.

Claim 13

A guide wheel assembly for directing the support wheels of a vehicle along railroad tracks and accommodating vertical displacement of the vehicle frame and body relative to the support wheel axle as the vehicle springs flex under various load conditions, comprising: mounting means attachable to the vehicle frame adjacent the axle, a pair of flanged guide wheels to roll along the tracks, subframe means mounting said guide wheels and connected to said mounting means and restrained thereby from significant horizontal movement while permitting relative vertical movement between the mounting means and the guide wheel-carrying subframe means, a taut cable with spaced portions anchored to the axle and the mounting means, and pulleys underlying the cable between the anchored spaced portions and respectively mounted on the subframe means and the mounting means, the cable extending generally horizontally between said pulleys and bearing downwardly to urge the flanged guide wheels against the tracks, and the subframe means incorporating relatively movable parts to accommodate slight relative vertical movement between the guide wheels and the cable, and spring means bearing against said parts and restraining said parts against such relative movement.

Claim 14

A guide wheel assembly for directing the support wheels of a vehicle along railroad tracks and accommodating vertical displacement of the vehicle frame and body relative to the support wheel axle as the vehicle springs flex under various load conditions, comprising: mounting means attachable to the vehicle frame adjacent the axle, a pair of flanged guide wheels to roll along the tracks, subframe means mounting said guide wheels and connected to said mounting means and restrained thereby from significant horizontal movement while permitting relative vertical movement between the mounting means and the guide wheel-carrying subframe means, a taut cable with spaced portions anchored to the axle and the mounting means, and pulleys underlying the cable between the anchored spaced portions and respectively mounted on the subframe means and the mounting means, the cable extending generally horizontally between said pulleys and bearing downwardly to urge the flanged guide wheels against the tracks, and the subframe means incorporating relatively movable parts to accommodate slight relative vertical movement between the guide wheels and the cable, and spring means bearing against said parts and restraining said parts against such relative movement.

Claim 15

The guide wheel assembly according to claim 10 and said cable extending in a generally upright direction from each of said pulleys to a respective spaced portion of the cable at which the cable is anchored.

Claim 16

The guide wheel assembly according to claim 10 and said pulleys being arranged to guide the cable from the pulley on the subframe means to the pulley supported by the mounting means and thence to the portion anchored to the axle.

Claim 17

The guide wheel assembly according to claim 10 wherein adjacent portions of the cable extending away from each of said pulleys extend at oblique obtuse angles relative to each other, one of said obtuse angles increasing and the other of the obtuse angles decreasing as the vehicle frame and mounting means is displaced in one direction during a change of load conditions.

Claim 18

The guide wheel assembly according to claim 10 and said cable being disposed adjacent one side of the subframe means adjacent one of the flanged wheels, a second taut cable and pulleys identical with the aforesaid cable and pulleys, additional pulleys on the mounting means, and each of said cables being anchored to the axle and being passed over the additional pulleys on the mounting means and connected with the other cable, and thereby assure continued downward pressure against both sides of the subframe and both of the flanged guide wheels while maintaining substantially constant pressure on the guide wheels under various load conditions.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 further characterized in that the second means comprises a pair of transversely spaced mounting members each having a vertical elongated slot remote from the axle, that the fourth means includes transverse shaft means extended Through said slots that is vertically and angularly movable in said slots, an elongated first lock arm having a first end portion keyed to said shaft means and a second end portion, an elongated second lock arm having a first end portion connected to the first lock arm second end portion for pivotal movement relative thereto about a transverse axis and a second end portion, and means connecting the second lock arm second end portion to the subframe a substantial distance rearwardly of the first pivot member for pivotal movement relative the subframe about a transverse axis, and elongated arm sixth means having a first end portion mounting the shaft means for pivotal movement relative thereto about a transverse axis and a second end portion pivotally connected to the adjacent mounting member forwardly of said slots and at a higher elevation than the axle and the first pivot member.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that the first means includes a second transverse shaft freely rotatably mounted on the subframe, and a torsion spring on the second shaft that has one end fixedly secured to the shaft and a second end fixedly secured to the subframe, first mentioned arm means having one end portion fixedly secured to the second shaft to extend radially therefrom whereby the torsion spring resiliently urges the second shaft to position the first mentioned arm means at a given angular position relative the subframe.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 16 in that the fifth means includes seventh means for applying a downward force on the shaft means while permitting the mounting members moving downwardly when the third means is in a subframe locked, rail travel position and an increasing load is placed on the vehicle rear portion to maintain a nearly constant downward force on the guide wheels through the lock arms, subframe, arm means and first means.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 18 further characterized in that the seventh means includes a cable having a first end portion fixedly attached to the axle, an intermediate portion movably extended over the shaft means and a second end portion, said cable second end portion having a portion at least in part being mounted by at least one of mounting members rearwardly of the shaft means to be forced downwardly by the last mentioned mounting member as it moves downwardly relative the axle.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 15 further characterized in that the fifth means includes an elongated first arm having a first end portion pivotally mounted by the fourth means for pivotal movement relative the fourth means about a transverse second axis and a second end portion, and sixth means for mounting the arm second end portion on the second means for pivotal movement about a transverse third axis longitudinally intermediate the axle and the fourth means.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 20 further characterized in that the fourth means includes a transverse shaft pivotally connected to arm second end portion for pivotal movement about said second axis, said shaft being free to move generally vertically a limited amount relative said second means.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 20 further characterized in that the fourth means includes a transverse shaft pivotally connected to arm second end portion for pivotal movement about a transverse third axis longitudinally intermediate the axle and the fourth means.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 22 further characterized in that the fifth means includes a sheave mounted on said shaft, an elongated cable having a first portion rearwardly of said shaft that is mounted by the second means to move downwardly as the second means move downwardly, a second portion extended over the sixth means and the sheave in abutting relationship therewith and longitudinally movable relative thereto when the subframe is in a rail travel position, and a third portion fixedly attached to the axle, said second portion having one end joined to the third portion and an opposite end joined to the cable first portiOn, said sixth means being mounted on the mounting means at a higher elevation than the axle.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 23 further characterized in that the fourth means includes a first overcenter lock arm having one end keyed to the shaft and an opposite end, a second overcenter lock arm having one end connected to the first lock arm second end for pivotal movement relative thereto about an axis parallel to said second axis and a second end portion, and seventh means for pivotally connecting the second lock arm second end portion to the subframe at a location substantially more closely adjacent said first axis than the first pivot member.

Claim 28

The apparatus of claim 24 further characterized in that the second means comprises a pair of transversely spaced mounting members, at least one of said mounting members having a vertically elongated slot, said shaft having a first end portion extended through said slot, said slot being of a shape to permit the slotted mounting member moving relative the shaft in a downward direction.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 25 further characterized in that the shaft first end portion has a crank mounting portion, that said slotted mounting member has a second slot adjacent the first mentioned slot, that there is provided a lock plate mounted on the shaft intermediate the crank portion and the slotted mounting member, said lock plate being axially movable relative the shaft and angular fixed to the shaft, means for resiliently urging the lock plate into abutting engagement with the crank mounting portion, and a lock member fixedly attached to the first arm to move therewith and extended through said second slot, said lock member and lock plate having cooperating means for selectively locking the shaft in each of the subframe road travel position and rail travel position when the lock plate abuts against said crank mounting portion.

Claim 30

In combination with a highway vehicle having a longitudinally elongated body frame and flangeless front and rear wheels on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, a front and a rear guide wheel assembly mounted on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, at least one of said guide wheels assemblies including transversely spaced left and right flanged guide wheels, transversely spaced mounting members fixedly mounted on one of said body frame portions, a subframe having a first portion and a second portion longitudinally spaced therefrom, first means connected to the subframe first portion for mounting the subframe on the mounting members for movement between a rail travel position and a road travel position, second means mounted on the mounting members and connected to the subframe second portion for selectively moving the subframe between the road travel and rail travel positions and releasably locking the subframe in the selected subframe position, and third means mounted on the subframe second portion for mounting the flanged wheels for rotation about transverse axes in contact with railroad rails when the subframe is in its rail travel position, said second means including a transverse shaft pivotally mounted by the subframe second position, an elongated lock arm fixedly connected to the shaft to extend radially outwardly therefrom, fourth means mounted on the mounting members and connected to the lock arm for being operated by the lock arm moving about the axis of the shaft to move the lock arm and shaft to move the subframe between its positions as the shaft is pivoted and fifth means for selectively pivoting said shaft relative the subframe and selectively locking said shaft in selected angular positions relative the subframe.

Claim 31

In combination with a highway vehicle having a longitudinally elongated body frame and flangeless front and rear wheels on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, a front and a rear guide wheel assembly mounted on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, at least one of said guide wheels assemblies including transversely spaced left and right flanged guide wheels, transversely spaced mounting members fixedly mounted on one of said body frame portions, a subframe having a first portion and a second portion longitudinally spaced therefrom, first means connected to the subframe first portion for mounting the subframe on the mounting members for movement between a rail travel position and a road travel position, second means mounted on the mounting members and connected to the subframe second portion for selectively moving the subframe between the road travel and rail travel positions and releasably locking the subframe in the selected subframe position, and third means mounted on the subframe second portion for mounting the flanged wheels for rotation about transverse axes in contact with railroad rails when the subframe is in its rail travel position, said second means including a transverse shaft pivotally mounted by the subframe second position, an elongated lock arm fixedly connected to the shaft to extend radially outwardly therefrom, fourth means mounted on the mounting members and connected to the lock arm for being operated by the lock arm moving about the axis of the shaft to move the lock arm and shaft to move the subframe between its positions as the shaft is pivoted and fifth means for selectively pivoting said shaft relative the subframe and selectively locking said shaft in selected angular positions relative the subframe.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that said lock arm and fourth means comprise an overcenter lock mechanism operable by pivotal movement by the shaft between a subframe overcenter locked, road travel position and an overcenter locked, rail travel position, and that fifth means includes a lock member mounted on the subframe, a crank member mounted on the shaft in a fixed angular position relative the shaft and axIally movement relative between a locking position abutting against the lock member to retain the shaft in the selected one of the subframe locked positions and an unlocked position relative the lock member.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that the fourth means includes a transverse second shaft pivotally mounted on the mounting members at a higher elevation than the subframe, an elongated second lock arm mounted in a fixed angular position on the second shaft, and pivot means for pivotally connecting the adjacent ends of the lock arms, said lock arms and pivot means comprising overcenter lock mechanism, and that the third means includeS arm means having one end portions rotatably mounting said guide wheels and second end portions and means for mounting the arm means on the subframe second portions and resiliently urging the subframe second end portions upwardly when the guide wheels contact the rails and the subframe is in the rail travel locked position.

Claim 34

In combination with a highway vehicle drivable over rails that has a longitudinally elongated body frame and flangeless wheels mounted on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, a front and a rear guide wheel assembly mounted on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, at least one of said guide wheel assemblies including transversely spaced mounting members mounted on one of said body portions, transversely spaced left and right flanged guide wheels, a subframe means, first means for mounting the guide wheels on the subframe means for movement therewith and rotatable movement relative thereto, second means mounted on the mounting members for mounting the subframe means for movement between an elevated guide wheel road travel position and a lowered rail travel position and operable third means mounted at least in part on the mounting members and connected to the subframe means for selectively releasably locking the subframe means in each of its positions, selectively moving the subframe means between its positions and cooperating with the first means for maintaining nearly a constant downward force on the guide wheels abutting against the rails in the lowered rail travel, locked position even with the vertical spacing of the mounting members from the rails varying limited amounts.

Claim 35

In combination with a highway vehicle drivable over rails that has a longitudinally elongated body frame and flangeless wheels mounted on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, a front and a rear guide wheel assembly mounted on the front and rear portions respectively of the body frame, at least one of said guide wheel assemblies including transversely spaced mounting members mounted on one of said body portions, transversely spaced left and right flanged guide wheels, a subframe means, first means for mounting the guide wheels on the subframe means for movement therewith and rotatable movement relative thereto, second means mounted on the mounting members for mounting the subframe means for movement between an elevated guide wheel road travel position and a lowered rail travel position and operable third means mounted at least in part on the mounting members and connected to the subframe means for selectively releasably locking the subframe means in each of its positions, selectively moving the subframe means between its positions and cooperating with the first means for maintaining nearly a constant downward force on the guide wheels abutting against the rails in the lowered rail travel, locked position even with the vertical spacing of the mounting members from the rails varying limited amounts.

Claim 36

The apparatus of claim 30 further characterized in that the first means includes transverse shaft means rotatably mounted by the subframe means mounted on the shaft for mounting the guide wheels and resiliently urging the shaft means generally upwardly when the guide wheels are on the rails and the subframe means is in a locked, rail travel position.

Claim 37

The apparatus of claim 30 further characterized in that the third means includes fourth means mounted on the mounting members for limited vertical movement for moving the subframe means between its positions and releasably locking the subframe means in the selected one of its positions, and fifth means at least in part mounted by the mounting members for urging the fourth means to move downwardly in the lowered locked rail travel position of the subframe means with the guide wheels on the rails while permitting the mounting members moving downwardly relative the fourth means.