US3786204A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Balanced support mechanism for a linearly movably current collecting head
Assignee: Merlin Gerin SA
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Filing: 1971-08-02
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Granted: 1974-01-15
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Expires: 1991-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A balanced support mechanism for a collector head guided in a longitudinal current supplying passageway which extends parallelly to the trackway of a high-speed vehicle. The mechanism is pivotally attached to the vehicle and comprises a counterweight tending to maintain the collector head in neutral equilibrium. The counterweight is sustained by a pantograph or by a telescoping arrangement.
Inventors
- 👤 D Laurent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L5/00; B60L5/04; B60L5/08; B60L5/40; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A mechanism for use with a high speed vehicle movable along a trackway to drive and support a current collecting head guided in a longitudinal current supplying passageway extending parallelly to said trackway, said mechanism comprising rod means extending substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of said passageway and having an end swingably connected to said collector head substantially in the center of inertia thereof, a counterweight, linkage means connecting said rod means to said counterweight and extending substantially transversely of said longitudinal direction, and a pivot axis on said vehicle extending substantially parallelly to said longitudinal direction, said linkage means being pivotally connected to said pivot axis and adapted to cause said counterweight to move in response to transverse movements of said collector head in a manner such that the centers of inertia of said counterweight and of said collector head and said pivot axis are substantially aligned whereby the ratio of the distances of said centers to said pivot axis is selected substantially reciprocal of the ratio of the respective masses of said counterweight and of said collector head for all relative positions of said collector head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A mechanism for use with a high speed vehicle movable along a trackway to drive and support a current collecting head guided in a longitudinal current supplying passageway extending parallelly to said trackway, said mechanism comprising rod means extending substantially transversely of the longitudinal direction of said passageway and having an end swingably connected to said collector head substantially in the center of inertia thereof, a counterweight, linkage means connecting said rod means to said counterweight and extending substantially transversely of said longitudinal direction, and a pivot axis on said vehicle extending substantially parallelly to said longitudinal direction, said linkage means being pivotally connected to said pivot axis and adapted to cause said counterweight to move in response to transverse movements of said collector head in a manner such that the centers of inertia of said counterweight and of said collector head and said pivot axis are substantially aligned whereby the ratio of the distances of said centers to said pivot axis is selected substantially reciprocal of the ratio of the respective masses of said counterweight and of said collector head for all relative positions of said collector head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said linkage means comprise pantograph means, said rod means being integral with a first bar of said pantograph means, said counterweight being sustained by a second bar of said pantograph means pivotally connected to said first bar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
A mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising guide means to guide said counterweight along a line substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction and passing substantially through said pivot axis and the center of inertia of said collector head, said pivot axis being arranged intermediate said counterweight and said collector head, said linkage means being adapted to cause said counterweight to move along said line in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of said collector head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A mechanism according to claim 3, said guide means comprising a tubular guiding arm pivotally mounted on said pivot axis and in telescoping relationship with said rod means and said counterweight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A mechanism according to claim 4, said linkage means comprising endless flexible belt means having a first side secured to said counterweight and a second side engaging said rod means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle comprising A mechanism according to claim 1, said rod means comprising an arm extending laterally from said vehicle to support said collector head.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vehicle according to claim 6, said arm extending normally substantially horizontally from said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a stream-lined housing for said arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electrical distribution and current-collecting system for a vehicle guided along a trackway, comprising three equidistant triangularly disposed current supplying conductor rails extending parallelly to said trackway and defining a passageway for a collector head laterally of said vehicle, a collector head having a longitudinal row of contact shoes for each conductor rail adapted for sliding contact therewith within said passageway, a support arm extending substantially horizontally from said vehicle and having an end swingably connected to said collector head substantially in the center of inertia thereof, the opposed end portion of said arm being connected to a balanced support mechanism carried by said vehicle and tending to maintain said collector head in neutral equilibrium within said passageway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
118 words
An electrical distribution and current-collecting system for a vehicle guided along a trackway, comprising three equidistant triangularly disposed current supplying conductor rails extending parallelly to said trackway and defining a passageway for a collector head laterally of said vehicle, a collector head having a longitudinal row of contact shoes for each conductor rail adapted for sliding contact therewith within said passageway, a support arm extending substantially horizontally from said vehicle and having an end swingably connected to said collector head substantially in the center of inertia thereof, the opposed end portion of said arm being connected to a balanced support mechanism carried by said vehicle and tending to maintain said collector head in neutral equilibrium within said passageway.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2700705A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-14 | 1977-07-16 | 1978-01-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-14 | 1981-07-16 | 1982-01-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-14 | 1985-07-16 | 1986-01-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |