US3916799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rail car with swing platform and vertical position fixing means
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-12-05
•
Granted: 1975-11-04
•
Expires: 1994-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A railroad freight car with a swing out mechanism for use in drive-on or roll-on end loading of cargo further includes a roller mechanism for supporting the swing out platform on the rail car deck and on the loading platform. Further included is an extendable mechanism for leveling and preventing any change in elevation in the rail car relative to the loading platform during loading and/or unloading operations. A king-pin securing device is provided which is continuously adjustable in height and which is also adjustable in position in the longitudinal direction of the swing platform.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen E Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:17
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61K; B61K5/00; B61K5/02; B60; B60P; B60P1/00; B60P1/64; B61D; B61D3/00; B61D3/04; B61D47/00; B61D47/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A rail car having a deck and at least one swing platform pivotally mounted thereon for movement relative to said deck of the rail car in a substantially horizontal plane, comprising: means for selectively swinging said at least one swing platform toward a fixed loading platform, or the like; means on said rail car for fixing the position of said rail car relative to the rails and to the loading platform and for preventing changes in elevation in the rail car relative to the loading platform during unloading and/or loading operations, said fixing means including: extendable strut means extending downward from at least three positions on said rail car; means on said extendable strut means for selectively engaging a rail and for locking onto said rail; means for locking said extendable strut means in an extended position in engagement with said rail; and means for selectively raising and lowering said extendable strut means so as to cause said extendable strut means to selectively engage said rail.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A rail car having a deck and at least one swing platform pivotally mounted thereon for movement relative to said deck of the rail car in a substantially horizontal plane, comprising: means for selectively swinging said at least one swing platform toward a fixed loading platform, or the like; means on said rail car for fixing the position of said rail car relative to the rails and to the loading platform and for preventing changes in elevation in the rail car relative to the loading platform during unloading and/or loading operations, said fixing means including: extendable strut means extending downward from at least three positions on said rail car; means on said extendable strut means for selectively engaging a rail and for locking onto said rail; means for locking said extendable strut means in an extended position in engagement with said rail; and means for selectively raising and lowering said extendable strut means so as to cause said extendable strut means to selectively engage said rail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A rail car according to claim 1 comprising an extendable strut means and associated locking means at each of four corners of said rail car.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
A rail car according to claim 1 wherein said means for selectively engaging a rail and for locking onto said rail comprises a housing member secured to the end of an extendable strut means for engaging the head of a rail, and including means selectively extendable in a substantially horizontal direction towards said rail for engaging the vertical web of the rail under the head thereof, thereby locking said extendable strut means to said rail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A rail car according to claim 3 comprising a pair of said horizontally extendable rail engaging means mounted to said housing for engaging said rail at longitudinally spaced positions thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
A rail car according to claim 1 wherein said means for fixing the position of said rail car relative to the rails and to the loading platform includes means for sensing the engagement of said rail by said housing and for then enabling movement of said horizontally extendable locking members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
A rail car according to claim 1 wherein said means for fixing the position of said rail car relative to the rails and to the loading platform includes means coupled to said extendable strut means for sensing when said extendable strut means is in a fully retracted position and for generating a control signal in response thereto.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A rail car according to claim 1 further comprising a selectively elevated king-pin device on said swing platform for securing and supporting a trailer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A rail car according to claim 7 wherein said selectively elevated king-pin device comprises means for continuously adjusting the height thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A rail car according to claim 7 wherein said selectively elevated king-pin device comprises means coupled to said swing platform for varying the location of said king-pin device in the longitudinal direction of said swing platform.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
A rail car according to claim 7 wherein said selectively elevated king-pin device comprises a first pair of link members spaced in the transverse direction of said swing platform and pivotally connected at one end thereof to said swing platform; a second pair of link members spaced from each other in the transverse direction of said swing platform and pivotally connected to said spring platform at a position spaced from the pivotal connection of said first pair of link members in the longitudinal direction of said swing platform; means pivotally connecting said first and second pairs of link members together; means coupled to said pivotal connection of said first and second link members for engaging a king-pin of a trailer, or the like; and means for selectively moving the location of said pivotal connection of at least one of said pairs of link members relative to said swing platform for selectively elevating said king-pin device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
A rail car according to claim 10 wherein said king-pin device comprises a frame member movably mounted to said swing platform for movement in the longitudinal direction of said swing platform, said pivotal connections of said first and second pairs of link members being made to said frame member; and means for selectively moving said frame member in the longitudinal direction of said swing platform for varying the location of said king-pin device relative to said swing platform.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
A rail car according to claim 1 further comprising roller means extending from the lower surface of said at least one swing platform for engaging said deck of said rail car during swinging movement of said at least one swing platform and for engaging a stationary loading platform during swinging movement of said swing platform.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
A rail car according to claim 12 wherein said roller means comprises a first roller system for engaging said rail car deck and for supporting said swing platform on said rail car deck; and a second roller system which includes vertically adjustable rollers for engaging said stationary loading platform and supporting said swing platform on said loading platform.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A rail car according to claim 13 comprising hydraulic means coupled to said second roller system for adjusting the relative vertical position of the rollers thereof to adjust for differences in elevation between said swing platform and said stationary loading platform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A rail car according to claim 14 comprising means for locking said second roller system with the adjustable rollers thereof in their engaged position with said loading platform.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A rail car according to claim 1 further comprising extendable wheel or track ways at the sides of said at least one swing platform which are selectively positionable to receive and position a cargo-supporting rig.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
A rail car according to claim 1 wherein said means for operating said extendable strut means comprises a chain-drive mechanism interconnecting all of said adjustable strut means such that all of said adjustable strut means are simultaneously controllable from a control location, each of said adjustable strut means comprising a pair of relatively rotatable threaded members, at least one of said threaded members being coupled to said chain drive mechanism for rotation for raising and lowering said adjustable strut members responsive to operation of said chain drive mechanism.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
A rail car according to claim 17 comprising an extendable strut means at each of four corners of said rail car, all of said extendable strut means being interconnected via said chain-drive mechanism.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
A rail car according to claim 18 wherein said chain drive mechanism includes at least two control locations at respective opposite sides of said rail car.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
46 words
A rail car according to claim 1 wherein said swing platform includes at least one endless belt system thereon which is engageable by cargo loaded on said swing platform for facilitating conveyance and movement of said cargo along said swing platform during loading and/or unloading operations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A rail car according to claim 20 comprising a pair of endless belts on said swing platform for conveying cargo.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
A rail car according to claim 20 wherein said at least one endless belt system includes a belt which is freely movable relative to said swing platform; and a brake for selectively locking said belt to prevent movement thereof.
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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |