US3895850A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electropneumatic trainline connector
Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-09
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Granted: 1975-07-22
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Expires: 1993-11-09
Abstract
Abstract An Electropneumatic train line connector using the train line brake pipe is disclosed. The connector is for use in communicating control signals or the like to train cars equipped with a conventional airbrake system, that is, a train line brake pipe, and interconnections between train cars through angle cocks, pneumatic hoses and ''''gladhands''''. The connector makes possible an electrical circuit which passes through the angle cocks, hoses and gladhands between each car. A return path is provided through the rails and the interconnected metal portions of the cars. Means are provided to insure electrical contact is made before the pneumatic connection is secured.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H Engle
- 👤 Glen O Bohusch
- 👤 Thomas M Bogenschutz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:02
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/04; B60T17/043; B61; B61G; B61G5/00; B61G5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An electropneumatic connector for a train signal line and pneumatic brake pipe, said connector comprising: a brake pipe angle cock adapted to be mounted on a rail vehicle at the end of said brake pipe; a non conductive brake pipe hose having first and second ends; an electrically conductive pneumatic coupler attached to the first end of said nonconductive hose, for providing electrical and pneumatic coupling between said hose and a similar hose from another train car; first contact means mounted on and insulated from said angle cock for receiving signals from said train line; second contact means mounted on the second end of said nonconductive hose; conductor means traversing the length of said hose for electrically connecting said pneumatic coupler with said second contact means; and means joining said angle cock and said nonconductive hose for making electrical contact between said first and second contact means and pneumatic contact between the second end of said nonconductive hose and said angle cock during the connecting of said nonconductive hose to said angle cock, regardless of the angular orientation between said angle cock and said nonconductive hose.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An electropneumatic connector for a train signal line and pneumatic brake pipe, said connector comprising: a brake pipe angle cock adapted to be mounted on a rail vehicle at the end of said brake pipe; a non conductive brake pipe hose having first and second ends; an electrically conductive pneumatic coupler attached to the first end of said nonconductive hose, for providing electrical and pneumatic coupling between said hose and a similar hose from another train car; first contact means mounted on and insulated from said angle cock for receiving signals from said train line; second contact means mounted on the second end of said nonconductive hose; conductor means traversing the length of said hose for electrically connecting said pneumatic coupler with said second contact means; and means joining said angle cock and said nonconductive hose for making electrical contact between said first and second contact means and pneumatic contact between the second end of said nonconductive hose and said angle cock during the connecting of said nonconductive hose to said angle cock, regardless of the angular orientation between said angle cock and said nonconductive hose.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electropneumatic conductor for a trainline brake pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein a. said brake pipe hose threadably engages said angle cock, b. said first and second electrical contact means comprise rotatable contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electropneumatic connection for a train line brake pipe as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rotatable contacts are annular discs that abut one another around their planar faces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electropneumatic connector for a train line brake pipe as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one of the annular discs includes resilient biasing means for urging the disc into engagement with the other disc before said threaded connection is pneumatically secured.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electropneumatic connector for a train line brake pipe as claimed in claim 4 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises a plurality of guide pins and at least one spring means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An electropneumatic connector for a train line brake pipe as claimed in claim 4 wherein said resiliently biased contact means is embedded in a resilient elastomeric ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
An electropneumatic connector for a train line brake pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein a. said brake pipe hose threadably engages said angle cock, b. at least one of said electrical contact means including a resilient biasing means adapted to urge said contact into engagement with said other electrical contact means before said threaded coupling is pneumatically secured.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electropneumatic connector for a train line brake pipe as claimed in claim 7 wherein said electrical contacts comprise annular discs that rotatably engage one another as said threaded coupling is pneumatically secured.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electropneumatic connector for a train line brake pipe as claimed in claim 8 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises a plurality of guide pins and at least one spring means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electropneumatic connector for a train line brake pipe as claimed in claim 1 wherein said angle cock further defines a junction box for securing a train line control wire to said second electrical contact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1750633A
Cited
US3545816A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-21 | 1979-01-20 | 1979-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-21 | 1983-01-20 | 1983-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-21 | 1987-01-20 | 1987-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |