Patent US3827374A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3827374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable force hopper gate actuating mechanism
Assignee: IEC Holden Ltd
•
Filing: 1973-04-27
•
Granted: 1974-08-06
•
Expires: 1993-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A rack and pinion gear variable force applying mechanism particularly suitable for opening the gates of railway hopper cars. The mechanism includes a cam member, preferably rotatably mounted on the gate, and a rack member preferably fixed to a frame guiding the gate between open and closed positions. Teeth on the cam cooperate with slots on the rack to move the gate between open and closed positions as the cam is rotated through substantially one revolution. Each succeeding tooth on the cam is located a greater radial distance from the center of rotation of the cam than a preceding tooth to transmit a variable force between the cam and rack during cam rotation.
Inventors
- 👤 R Winsor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:22
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D7/00; B61D7/14; B61D7/16; B61D7/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/1987; Y10T74/19884
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A variable force transmitting mechanism for moving a gate member between a first and a second position with a variable force, including means for guiding the member for movement between the first and second positions, a cam rotatably mounted on one of the gate member or the guide means, a second elongate member fixedly mounted on the other of the member or the guide means, said cam having a first working surface substantially equal in length to the distance the member moves between the first and second positions, a plurality of first, force transmitting elements on the working surface extending substantially about the center of rotation of the cam with each succeeding element, in one direction of rotation of the cam, spaced radially farther from the center of rotation than each preceding element, said second elongate member having a second working surface with a plurality of second, force transmitting elements thereon, said first and second elements cooperating, on rotation of the cam, to transmit a variable force to the member to move it between the first and second positions, said elongate member extending at an angle relative to said means for guiding the gate member such that the distance between corresponding points on the guiding means and the elongate member varies as the distance between the working surface and the center of rotation of the cam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A variable force transmitting mechanism for moving a gate member between a first and a second position with a variable force, including means for guiding the member for movement between the first and second positions, a cam rotatably mounted on one of the gate member or the guide means, a second elongate member fixedly mounted on the other of the member or the guide means, said cam having a first working surface substantially equal in length to the distance the member moves between the first and second positions, a plurality of first, force transmitting elements on the working surface extending substantially about the center of rotation of the cam with each succeeding element, in one direction of rotation of the cam, spaced radially farther from the center of rotation than each preceding element, said second elongate member having a second working surface with a plurality of second, force transmitting elements thereon, said first and second elements cooperating, on rotation of the cam, to transmit a variable force to the member to move it between the first and second positions, said elongate member extending at an angle relative to said means for guiding the gate member such that the distance between corresponding points on the guiding means and the elongate member varies as the distance between the working surface and the center of rotation of the cam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first working surface extends substantially 360* about the center of rotation of the cam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongate member is mounted to extend at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of the movable member along the guiding means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first elements comprise a plurality of teeth equally spaced about the working surface of the cam, and the second elements comprise a plurality of equally spaced slots, each tooth cooperating with a respective slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cam is formed to have a tail portion overhanging a portion of the cam working surface, the tail portion also carrying a portion of the cam working surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1, including means for mounting the cam on the movable member and means for rotating the cam through substantially 360* during movement of the member between the first and second positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
217 words
A variable force transmitting mechanism for use in moving a gate in a railway hopper car comprising a frame on the hopper car, guide means on the frame for guiding the gate between a first position closing an outlet in the car and a second position fully opening the outlet, a cam rotatably mounted on one of the gate or frame, an elongate member on the other of the gate or frame, the cam having a working portion substantially equal in length to the distance the gate moves between the two positions and consisting of a plurality Of first, force transmitting elements with each first element, in one direction of rotation of the cam, spaced radially farther from the center of rotation of the cam than each preceding element, the elongated member having a working portion consisting of a plurality of second, force transmitting elements, the first and second elements cooperating on rotation of the cam, to transmit a variable force to the gate to move it between the closed and fully open positions, said elongate member extending at an angle relative to said guide means such that the distance between corresponding points on the guide means and the elongate member varies as the distance between the working surface and the center of rotation of the cam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
217 words
A variable force transmitting mechanism for use in moving a gate in a railway hopper car comprising a frame on the hopper car, guide means on the frame for guiding the gate between a first position closing an outlet in the car and a second position fully opening the outlet, a cam rotatably mounted on one of the gate or frame, an elongate member on the other of the gate or frame, the cam having a working portion substantially equal in length to the distance the gate moves between the two positions and consisting of a plurality Of first, force transmitting elements with each first element, in one direction of rotation of the cam, spaced radially farther from the center of rotation of the cam than each preceding element, the elongated member having a working portion consisting of a plurality of second, force transmitting elements, the first and second elements cooperating on rotation of the cam, to transmit a variable force to the gate to move it between the closed and fully open positions, said elongate member extending at an angle relative to said guide means such that the distance between corresponding points on the guide means and the elongate member varies as the distance between the working surface and the center of rotation of the cam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 7, wherein the working portion of the cam extends substantially through 360* at the center of rotation of the cam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cam is mounted on the gate and the elongate member on the frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first elements comprise equally spaced apart teeth and the second elements comprise equally spaced apart slots.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 7, including cooperating locking means mounted on the gate and the frame means for locking the gate in a closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1035801A
Cited
US3387570A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-05 | 1978-02-04 | 1978-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-05 | 1982-02-04 | 1982-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-05 | 1986-02-04 | 1986-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |