Patent US4164188A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4164188A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self steering railway car
Assignee: Pullman Inc
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Filing: 1977-05-26
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Granted: 1979-08-14
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Expires: 1997-05-26
Abstract
Abstract A railway car includes a chassis supported on two sub-frames which are relatively pivotally movable. The sub-frames support propulsion motors, differentials, and driven flanged wheels. And intermediate steering axle and wheel assembly are transversly movable in response to track curvature and a steering beam extending outwardly from the steering axle pivots the sub-frames for steering movement.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith J. Hallam
- 👤 Willis H. Knippel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:47
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61C; B61C9/00; B61C9/38; B61C9/48; B61C9/50; B61F; B61F5/00; B61F5/02; B61F5/22; B61F5/24; B61F5/38; B61F5/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A railway car having a body, an under frame for supporting said body including a chassis, a sub-frame assembly at each end of the chassis, each sub-frame including a first axle and drive wheels supporting the chassis, means connecting each sub-frame assembly for turning movement relative to said chassis for guided engagement with associated tracks, a second axle and wheel assembly positioned between said sub-frames, guide means slidingly guiding said second axle and wheel assembly for transverse movement relative to said chassis, said guide means including a guide element extending transversely of said chassis, and said second axle and wheel assembly including a guided yoke member supported by said second axle with means on said guided yoke member engaging said guide member in slidingly guided relation during relative transverse movement whereby positive engagement of said second axle and wheel assembly with associated tracks is assured, and a steering beam assembly directly connected to said second axle and wheel assembly and longitudinally projecting therefrom toward respective sub-frame assemblies and directly operatively connected to each of said sub-frames and movable in a substantially constant horizontal plane with said second axle and wheel assembly transversely relative of the car in response to track curvature and turning said sub-frames for steering said drive wheels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A railway car having a body, an under frame for supporting said body including a chassis, a sub-frame assembly at each end of the chassis, each sub-frame including a first axle and drive wheels supporting the chassis, means connecting each sub-frame assembly for turning movement relative to said chassis for guided engagement with associated tracks, a second axle and wheel assembly positioned between said sub-frames, guide means slidingly guiding said second axle and wheel assembly for transverse movement relative to said chassis, said guide means including a guide element extending transversely of said chassis, and said second axle and wheel assembly including a guided yoke member supported by said second axle with means on said guided yoke member engaging said guide member in slidingly guided relation during relative transverse movement whereby positive engagement of said second axle and wheel assembly with associated tracks is assured, and a steering beam assembly directly connected to said second axle and wheel assembly and longitudinally projecting therefrom toward respective sub-frame assemblies and directly operatively connected to each of said sub-frames and movable in a substantially constant horizontal plane with said second axle and wheel assembly transversely relative of the car in response to track curvature and turning said sub-frames for steering said drive wheels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, said guide element including a channel shaped member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, including means pivotally connecting said steering beam to said sub-frames for pivotal movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 3, said pivotal means connecting said steering beam including a bearing and socket connection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, said chassis having a pair of laterally spaced longitudinally extending frame members connected by a plurality of transversely extending members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention in accordance with claim 5, wherein the means connecting each sub-frame assembly to said chassis comprise pivotal connections for pivotal movement of said sub-frames about vertical axes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention in accordance with claim 6, and each said sub-frame assembly including a motor support structure extending toward said second axle and wheel assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 7, including transversely extending support brackets positioned on opposite sides of said second axle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 8, including means on said motor support structure movably supported on said support brackets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention in accordance with claim 9, said support brackets having an arcuate configuration, and said movable means on said motor support structure comprising rollers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention in accordance with claim 10, said movable means on said motor supports comprising roller carriage carried by said arcuate brackets, and said steering beams including means pivotally connecting the same to said roller carriage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention in accordance with claim 10, said steering beam during transverse movement remaining substantially parallel to said longitudinal chassis members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention in accordance with claim 12, including propulsion motors carried on said motor support structure for driving said driven wheels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 13, said first axle including differential drive means connected to said propulsion motors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a railway car support structure, a longitudinally extending chassis having a pair of end axle and wheel assemblies supporting said chassis and an intermediate axle and wheel assembly, means connecting each end axle and wheel assembly for turning movement relative to said chassis for guided engagement with associated tracks, means between said chassis and said intermediate axle and wheel assembly providing slidingly guided transverse movement of said intermediate assembly relative to said chassis, whereby positive engagement of said intermediate axle and wheel assembly with associated tracks is assured, and steering beam means directly connected to said intermediate axle and wheel assembly and extending to and directly articulatingly connected with respective end axle and wheel assemblies, said steering beam means being operative in a substantially constant horizontal plane attendant to lateral movement of said intermediate axle and wheel assembly to effect pivoting of said end axle and wheel assemblies for steering.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a railway car support structure, a longitudinally extending chassis having a pair of end axle and wheel assemblies supporting said chassis and an intermediate axle and wheel assembly, means connecting each end axle and wheel assembly for turning movement relative to said chassis for guided engagement with associated tracks, means between said chassis and said intermediate axle and wheel assembly providing slidingly guided transverse movement of said intermediate assembly relative to said chassis, whereby positive engagement of said intermediate axle and wheel assembly with associated tracks is assured, and steering beam means directly connected to said intermediate axle and wheel assembly and extending to and directly articulatingly connected with respective end axle and wheel assemblies, said steering beam means being operative in a substantially constant horizontal plane attendant to lateral movement of said intermediate axle and wheel assembly to effect pivoting of said end axle and wheel assemblies for steering.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention in accordance with claim 15 said steering means remaining substantially longitudinally parallel to said longitudinally extending chassis during transverse movement of said steering means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention in accordance with claim 16, including means articulatingly connecting said steering means to said end axle and wheel assemblies comprising a ball and socket connection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention in accordance with claim 15, said means for restricting movement of said intermediate axle and wheel assembly including a transversely extending guide element, said intermediate axle and wheel assembly including a guide yoke member supported by the second axle, and means on said guided yoke member engaging said guide element in guided relation during transverse movement.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention in accordance with claim 18, said guide element including a channel-shaped member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention in accordance with claim 15, wherein said means connecting each end axle and wheel assembly for turning movement relative to said chassis comprise pivotal connections for pivotal movement of said end axle and wheel assembly about vertical axes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention in accordance with claim 15, wherein each of said end axle and wheel assemblies includes a motor support structure extending toward said intermediate axle and wheel assembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention in accordance with claim 21, including transversely extending support means positioned on opposite sides of said intermediate axle and wheel assembly.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 22, including means on said motor support structures movably supported on said support means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention in accordance with claim 23, said support means having an arcuate configuration, and said movable means on said motor support structure comprising rollers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention in accordance with claim 24, including propulsion motors carried on said motor support structure for driving said driven wheels.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention in accordance with claim 25, said end axle including differential drive means connected to said propulsion motors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-08-13 | 1983-02-12 | 1983-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-08-13 | 1987-02-12 | 1987-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-08-13 | 1991-02-12 | 1991-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |