US3897735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for stopping cars in a railroad transportation system employing a rotating drive shaft
Assignee: AID CORP
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Filing: 1974-03-25
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Granted: 1975-08-05
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Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A transportation system is disclosed comprising a railroad track, a rotatable drive shaft extending along the railroad track, and means for rotating the drive shaft. A car is movably supported upon the track. A drive wheel is rotatably mounted beneath the car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to that portion of the track and drive shaft upon which the car is disposed. A brake wheel is also rotatably mounted beneath the car for rotation about an axis oriented generally along that portion of the track and drive shaft disposed beneath the car. Lever means are provided for alternately placing one of the wheels in engagement with the drive shaft. The system further includes lever actuation means mounted adjacent the track at a car stopping station. A method is also disclosed for controlling the velocity of a car being driven upon tracks by frictional engagement of a car drive wheel rotating in oblique frictional engagement with a rotating drive shaft extending along the tracks. The method comprises the steps of disengaging the drive wheel from the rotating drive shaft and engaging a brake wheel rotatably mounted beneath the car for rotation about an axis oriented in general alignment with the rotating drive shaft whereby the car is braked. By reversing these steps the car may be accelerated.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Welton Watts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:55
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B13/00; B61B13/12; B61B13/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for controlling the velocity of a car adapted to be driven in a predetermined direction of car travel over rails by a drive shaft rotatably mounted along the rails, said apparatus comprising a drive wheel; means for mounting said drive wheel to said car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to said predetermined direction; a brake wheel; means for mounting said brake wheel to said car for rotation about an axis oriented in general alignment with said predetermined direction; and means for moving said drive and brake wheels relative to said car whereby said drive and brake wheels may be alternately moved into and out of frictional engagement with said drive shaft to alternatively drive and brake the car.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
Apparatus for controlling the velocity of a car adapted to be driven in a predetermined direction of car travel over rails by a drive shaft rotatably mounted along the rails, said apparatus comprising a drive wheel; means for mounting said drive wheel to said car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to said predetermined direction; a brake wheel; means for mounting said brake wheel to said car for rotation about an axis oriented in general alignment with said predetermined direction; and means for moving said drive and brake wheels relative to said car whereby said drive and brake wheels may be alternately moved into and out of frictional engagement with said drive shaft to alternatively drive and brake the car.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said moving means comprises a lever pivotally mountable to said car at a pivot point with said drive and brake wheels rotatably mounted to said lever about opposite sides of said pivot point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 comprising lever actuating means mounted adjacent said rails at a car stop station for movement to and from a position to intercept and engage said lever as said car approaches said car stop station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lever actuating means comprising a camming block and means for moving said camming block laterally with respect to said rails at said car stop station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising spring means biasing said drive wheel towards said drive shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for controlling the velocity of a car adopted to be driven in a predetermined direction of car travel over rails by engagement of a drive wheel with a rotatable drive shaft extending along the rails, said drive wheel being coupled with an actuator and mounted to the car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to said predetermined direction, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a camming block having an actuator camming surface communicating with an actuator stop surface; means for mounting said camming block adjacent said drive shaft with said camming block actuator camming surface extending along said drive shaft; and mEans for moving said camming block between positions into and out of interception with said actuator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for controlling the velocity of a car adopted to be driven in a predetermined direction of car travel over rails by engagement of a drive wheel with a rotatable drive shaft extending along the rails, said drive wheel being coupled with an actuator and mounted to the car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to said predetermined direction, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a camming block having an actuator camming surface communicating with an actuator stop surface; means for mounting said camming block adjacent said drive shaft with said camming block actuator camming surface extending along said drive shaft; and mEans for moving said camming block between positions into and out of interception with said actuator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said camming block has an indentation forming said actuator stop surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said mounting means includes means for pivoting said camming block about an axis extending generally parallel to said rotatable drive shaft and rails.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said mounting means includes shock absorbent means permitting limited movement of said camming block against spring biasing means longitudinally along said drive shaft and rails.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said mounting means includes shock absorbent means permitting limited rotational movement of said camming block against spring biasing means about an axis extending transversely to said drive shaft and rails.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for stopping a car in a railroad transportation system employing a rotatable drive shaft extending along car supporting rails, said apparatus comprising a drive wheel mounted beneath a car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to car travel over said drive shaft and rails; a brake wheel mounted beneath said car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to said car travel and with respect to said drive wheel axis; and means for relocating said drive wheel and brake wheel axes relative to said car without swiveling of said axes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
Apparatus for stopping a car in a railroad transportation system employing a rotatable drive shaft extending along car supporting rails, said apparatus comprising a drive wheel mounted beneath a car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to car travel over said drive shaft and rails; a brake wheel mounted beneath said car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to said car travel and with respect to said drive wheel axis; and means for relocating said drive wheel and brake wheel axes relative to said car without swiveling of said axes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 11 comprising a lever pivotally mounted beneath said car to which said drive wheel and brake wheel are rotatably mounted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 12 comprising a camming block mounted adjacent said drive shaft and rails at a car stopping station for movement between positions into and out of interception with said lever.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
109 words
A transportation system comprising a railroad track; a rotatable drive shaft extending along said railroad track; means for rotating said drive shaft; a car movably supported upon said track; a drive wheel rotatably mounted beneath said car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to that portion of the track and drive shaft disposed beneath said car; a brake wheel rotatably mounted beneath said car for rotation about an axis oriented generally along that portion of the track and drive shaft disposed beneath said car; and means for alternately placing one of said wheels in engagement with that portion of said drive shaft disposed beneath said car.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
109 words
A transportation system comprising a railroad track; a rotatable drive shaft extending along said railroad track; means for rotating said drive shaft; a car movably supported upon said track; a drive wheel rotatably mounted beneath said car for rotation about an axis oriented obliquely with respect to that portion of the track and drive shaft disposed beneath said car; a brake wheel rotatably mounted beneath said car for rotation about an axis oriented generally along that portion of the track and drive shaft disposed beneath said car; and means for alternately placing one of said wheels in engagement with that portion of said drive shaft disposed beneath said car.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said wheels are rotatably mounted to a lever pivotally mounted beneath said car.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said drive wheel is spring biased towards said drive shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 14 comprising lever actuation means movably mounted adjacent said track at a car stopping station.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 17 wherein said lever actuation means comprises a lever camming block pivotally mounted adjacent said track.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of controlling the velocity of a car being driven over tracks by frictional engagement of a car drive wheel rotating in oblique frictional engagement with a rotating drive shaft extending along the tracks, said method comprising the steps of: a. disengaging the drive wheel from the rotating drive shaft; and b. engaging a brake wheel rotatably mounted beneath the car for rotation about an axis oriented in general alignment with the rotating drive shaft.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of controlling the velocity of a car being driven over tracks by frictional engagement of a car drive wheel rotating in oblique frictional engagement with a rotating drive shaft extending along the tracks, said method comprising the steps of: a. disengaging the drive wheel from the rotating drive shaft; and b. engaging a brake wheel rotatably mounted beneath the car for rotation about an axis oriented in general alignment with the rotating drive shaft.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 19 wherein upon initial engagement of the brake wheel with the rotating drive shaft the brake wheel is slid upon the drive shaft, and subsequently the brake wheel is rolled upon the drive shaft without appreciable sliding.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the brake wheel is rolled upon the rotating drive shaft at a slight angle of brake wheel rotation with respect to drive shaft rotation whereby the car is made to creep along the tracks.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3118393A
Cited
US3120761A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-04 | 1979-02-03 | 1979-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-04 | 1983-02-03 | 1983-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-04 | 1987-02-03 | 1987-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |