US3854417A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic visual hand brake system
Assignee: R Mac Co
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Filing: 1974-03-13
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1994-03-13
Abstract
Abstract An automatic visual hand brake indicator system for truck mounted and conventional type hand brakes provides indicator flags that move between an OFF position adjacent the car and an ON position projecting beyond the sides of the car to be visible from anywhere alongside a track or train of cars.
Inventors
- 👤 R Macdonnell
- 👤 O Shander
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:20
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/18; B60T17/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An automatic indicator system for a railway car having a truck mounted or conventional type B-end hand brake that has a hand wheel operable in a brake applying direction to take up a brake actuator chain and operable in a brake release direction to pay out the chain, said indicator system comprising an indicator flag, drive means for shifting the flag between an OFF position adjacent the car and an ON position projecting sideways beyond the car to be visible from anywhere alongside a train or track of cars, and actuator means connected under tension between said drive means and said chain and including a series connected takeup spring to accommodate differences in travel of said hand brake chain and said drive means in moving between ON and OFF positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An automatic indicator system for a railway car having a truck mounted or conventional type B-end hand brake that has a hand wheel operable in a brake applying direction to take up a brake actuator chain and operable in a brake release direction to pay out the chain, said indicator system comprising an indicator flag, drive means for shifting the flag between an OFF position adjacent the car and an ON position projecting sideways beyond the car to be visible from anywhere alongside a train or track of cars, and actuator means connected under tension between said drive means and said chain and including a series connected takeup spring to accommodate differences in travel of said hand brake chain and said drive means in moving between ON and OFF positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
An automatic indicator system as defined in claim 1 and including a second flag, a second drive means for shifting the second flag between an OFF position adjacent the car and an ON position projecting sideways beyond the other side of the car, said actuating means having a common portion including said take-up spring and having separate connections from said common portion to each of said drive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automatic indicator system as defined in claim 2 and including spring means for actuating both drive means to return the flags to OFF position when the hand brake is operated in a brake release direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automatic indicator system as defined in claim 1 and including spring means for actuating the drive means to return the flag to OFF position when the hand brake is operated in a brake release direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
An automatic indicator system as defined in claim 1 wherein said drive means is a pulley, said actuating means includes a flexible cable trained around said pulley in interlocking relation therewith and anchored through a return spring that maintains tension on said cable to return the drive means and flag when the hand brake is operated in a brake release direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
An automatic indicator system as defined in claim 1 and including separate indicator means mounted on the side of the car to shift between an OFF position for exposing I.C.C. identification indicia on the side of the car and an ON position for masking said indicia, and means connected between said actuator means and said separate indicator means for operating the separate indicator means and said drive means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
An automatic indicator system for a railway car having a truck mounted or conventional type B-end hand brake that has a hand wheel operable in a brake applying direction to take up a brake actuator chain and operable in a brake release direction to pay out the chain, said indicator system comprising an indicator flag, means for shifting the flag between an OFF position wherein I.C.C. car identification indicia are exposed and an ON position wherein I.C.C. car identification indicia are mashed, and actuator means connected under tension between said flag and said chain and including a series connected take-up spring to accommodate differences in travel of said hand brake and said flag in moving between ON and OFF positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
120 words
An automatic indicator system for a railway car having a truck mounted or conventional type B-end hand brake that has a hand wheel operable in a brake applying direction to take up a brake actuator chain and operable in a brake release direction to pay out the chain, said indicator system comprising an indicator flag, means for shifting the flag between an OFF position wherein I.C.C. car identification indicia are exposed and an ON position wherein I.C.C. car identification indicia are mashed, and actuator means connected under tension between said flag and said chain and including a series connected take-up spring to accommodate differences in travel of said hand brake and said flag in moving between ON and OFF positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An automobile indicator system as defined in claim 7 and including spring means to bias the actuating means to move in a direction to allow the flag to return to OFF position when the hand brake is operated in a brake release direction.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |