US4901953A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controller for railway vehicles
Assignee: Nabco Ltd
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Filing: 1988-06-08
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Granted: 1990-02-20
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Expires: 2008-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A railway vehicle controller apparatus having a housing in which a rotatable shaft having a first portion positioned within the housing and a second portion extending out of the housing is provided. A control mechanism is connected to the second portion of such rotatable shaft. Such control mechanism is operable by an operator of such railway vehicle. A detection unit is positioned within the housing to detect a rotational position of the rotatable shaft. The detection unit includes a unit to provide an electrical signal indicative of such rotational position of the rotatable shaft. Such a signal is used as an acceleration or deceleration command. A control resistance mechanism engages the rotatable shaft to provide a controlled resistance to rotation of such rotatable shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuyoshi Munetika
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60T; B60T13/00; B60T13/10; B60T13/66; B60T13/665; B60T15/00; B60T15/02; B60T15/04; B60T15/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A railway vehicle controller apparatus, said controller apparatus comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a rotatable shaft having a first portion positioned within said housing and having a second portion extending out of said housing; (c) a control mechanism connected to said second portion of said rotatable shaft which is operated by an operator of such railway vehicle, said control mechanism includes a star wheel portion and a roller portion, said star wheel portion has a substantially uniform surface which in combination with said roller portion defines a plurality of step positions of said controller apparatus, said star wheel portion further includes at least one groove portion to clarify at least one position of said controller apparatus; (d) at least one detection means positioned within said housing for detecting a rotational position of said rotatable shaft, said detection means including a means for providing an electrical signal indicative of said rotation position of said rotatable shaft, said electrical signal being usable as one of an acceleration and deceleration command signal; and (e) a control resistance means engageable with said rotatable shaft for providing a controlled resistance to rotation of said rotatable shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A railway vehicle controller apparatus, said controller apparatus comprising: (a) a housing; (b) a rotatable shaft having a first portion positioned within said housing and having a second portion extending out of said housing; (c) a control mechanism connected to said second portion of said rotatable shaft which is operated by an operator of such railway vehicle, said control mechanism includes a star wheel portion and a roller portion, said star wheel portion has a substantially uniform surface which in combination with said roller portion defines a plurality of step positions of said controller apparatus, said star wheel portion further includes at least one groove portion to clarify at least one position of said controller apparatus; (d) at least one detection means positioned within said housing for detecting a rotational position of said rotatable shaft, said detection means including a means for providing an electrical signal indicative of said rotation position of said rotatable shaft, said electrical signal being usable as one of an acceleration and deceleration command signal; and (e) a control resistance means engageable with said rotatable shaft for providing a controlled resistance to rotation of said rotatable shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said detection means includes: (a) a detection board secured to said rotatable shaft and; (b) a contactless switch positioned to detect rotational movement of said board and to provide said electrical signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said controller apparatus includes a plurality of said detection means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said detection means includes: (a) a detection board secured to said rotatable shaft and; (b) a contactless switch positioned to detect rotational movement of said board and to provide said electrical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said control resistance means includes: (a) a frictional board secured to said rotatable shaft, said friction board having a friction surface; (b) a receiving member having a friction surface positioned to frictionally engage said friction surface of said friction board; and (c) means for urging said friction surface on said friction board against said friction surface on said receiving member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said means for urging said friction surface on said friction board against said friction surface on said receiving member is a spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said spring is a compression spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 6, wherein said control resistance means further includes a means for adjusting a force exerted by said spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said control resistance means further includes means for preventing rotational twisting of said spring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said means for preventing said rotational twisting of said spring is a bearing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said means for adjusting a force exerted by said spring is a nut threadedly engaging said rotatable shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 11, wherein said control resistance means further includes means to prevent unwanted rotation of said nut.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 12, wherein said means to prevent unwanted rotation of said nut is a lock washer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of step positions defined along said substantially uniform surface is at least four.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A controller apparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said star wheel includes at least three groove portions to clarify at least a brake release position, an emergency application position and a handle extraction position.
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) | 1993-02-19 | 1993-08-21 | 1994-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-19 | 1997-08-21 | 1998-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-19 | 2001-08-21 | 2002-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |