Patent US4378890A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4378890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Telescoping uncoupling lever for railroad cars
Assignee: GARBE IRON WORKS Inc
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Filing: 1981-05-18
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Granted: 1983-04-05
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Expires: 2001-05-18
Abstract
Abstract Two side-by-side housings each receive a telescoping member therein. Bearings captivated within each housing engage the telescoping members such that the bearings are free to slide both with respect to the housings and the telescoping members. A handle for operating the lever and an arm for engaging the car coupler are mounted to opposing distal ends of the telescoping members. The other ends of the telescoping members are free to extend beyond the housings and have stops which abut the bearings while these ends are disposed within the housings.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth G. Empson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:01
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61G; B61G3/00; B61G3/04; B61G3/06; B61G3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An improved telescoping uncoupling lever for uncoupling railroad cars having a coupler and a support bracket mounted to the endsill thereof, said lever including first and second adjacent longitudinal housings, first and second telescoping members slidably received by said first and second housings, respectively, each telescoping member having a distal end and a proximal end, a handle member connected to the distal end of said first telescoping member including a handle portion for being pivotally supported by said support bracket, an uncoupling arm connected to the distal end of said telescoping member for engaging said coupler, the improvement comprising: (a) first bearing disposed between said first telescoping member and said first housing; (b) second bearing disposed between said second telescoping member and said second housing, said first and second bearings slidable with respect to the telescoping member and the housing associated therewith, said bearings dimensioned to prevent axial rotation of each telescoping member relative to its associated housing thereby transmitting torque from one telescoping member to the other telescoping member; and (c) means for captivating said first and second bearings within said first and second housings, respectively, said first and second bearings cooperating with said captivating means to allow the proximal end of each telescoping member to extend beyond its associated housing without restriction due to said bearings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An improved telescoping uncoupling lever for uncoupling railroad cars having a coupler and a support bracket mounted to the endsill thereof, said lever including first and second adjacent longitudinal housings, first and second telescoping members slidably received by said first and second housings, respectively, each telescoping member having a distal end and a proximal end, a handle member connected to the distal end of said first telescoping member including a handle portion for being pivotally supported by said support bracket, an uncoupling arm connected to the distal end of said telescoping member for engaging said coupler, the improvement comprising: (a) first bearing disposed between said first telescoping member and said first housing; (b) second bearing disposed between said second telescoping member and said second housing, said first and second bearings slidable with respect to the telescoping member and the housing associated therewith, said bearings dimensioned to prevent axial rotation of each telescoping member relative to its associated housing thereby transmitting torque from one telescoping member to the other telescoping member; and (c) means for captivating said first and second bearings within said first and second housings, respectively, said first and second bearings cooperating with said captivating means to allow the proximal end of each telescoping member to extend beyond its associated housing without restriction due to said bearings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said captivating means comprises a first stop disposed at one end of each of said first and second housing sleeves, and a second stop disposed at the other ends of each of said first and second housing sleeves, said first and second stops disposed to abut said first and second bearings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first stop comprises a stopping sleeve fixedly mounted adjacent one end of each of said first and second housing sleeves.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claims 2 or 3 wherein said second stop comprises at least one inwardly protruding member adjacent one end of each of said first and second housings to abut said first and second bearings.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said stopping sleeve includes a protrusion extending laterally outward therefrom that mates with an aperture in the wall of said first and second housings, said aperture dimensioned to receive said protrusion and lock the stopping sleeve to the housings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said stopping sleeve includes an opening allowing foreign matter to communicate therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a means, mounted adjacent the proximal ends of said first and second telescoping members, for preventing said first and second bearings from sliding off of said proximal ends.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said preventing means comprises an abutment member extending outwardly from the first and second telescoping members to abut said first and second bearings, respectively.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
44 words
The apparatus according to claims 7 or 8 further comprising means, disposed at the ends of said first and second housings which receive the proximal ends of said first and second telescoping members, for guiding said preventing means into said first and second housings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said guiding means comprises an outwardly sloping ramp which initially engages said preventing means as the proximal ends of said first and second telescoping members approach the ends of said first and second housings, respectively.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said abutment member is made of plastic bearing material which slidably engages said first and second housing sleeves while the proximal ends of said first and second telescoping members are disposed therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first and second bearings comprise sleeve bearings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said first and second bearings each comprise a plurality of plastic sleeve bearings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said first and second sleeve bearings each comprise a plurality of plastic sleeve bearings of U-shaped cross section disposed sequentially within said housings.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said sequential sleeve bearings are disposed such that the open wall of adjacent U-shaped bearings lie in different planes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 12 further comprising a path means for expelling foreign matter from either end of each housing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said path means is integral with said sleeve bearings such that foreign matter can pass through said sleeve bearings.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claims 12 or 17 wherein said sleeve bearings have a generally U-shaped cross section.
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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) | 1986-04-04 | 1986-10-04 | 1987-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-04 | 1990-10-04 | 1991-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-04 | 1994-10-04 | 1995-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |