US6293205B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Train collision system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 2000-02-22
•
Granted: 2001-09-25
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Expires: 2020-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A train collision system helps reduce the severity of impact between a train and a land vehicle or pedestrian. The system uses a flatbed rail car that is coupled to the front of a train. Several deformable barrels, each at least partially filled with an inert material, are attached to the top surface of the rail car, the barrels each decelerating an object that strikes them. A pair of diagonally downwardly disposed arms extend out from the front of the rail car and are used to either deflect the object out of the trains path or to scoop the object onto the rail car wherein the object is decelerated by the barrels. A net member subsystem captures relatively small objects and nets them before the object strikes the barrels.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul A. Butler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:35
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D15/00; B61D15/06; B61F; B61F19/00; B61F19/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A train collision system comprising: a flatbed rail car having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end separated by a medial portion; a plurality of first barrels each having a first height and each attached to the top surface at the medial portion; a first inert material at least partially filling each of the plurality of first barrels; a second barrel attached to the top surface and disposed between the plurality of first barrels and the second end, the second barrel having a second height that is greater than the first height; and a second inert material at least partially filling the second barrel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A train collision system comprising: a flatbed rail car having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end separated by a medial portion; a plurality of first barrels each having a first height and each attached to the top surface at the medial portion; a first inert material at least partially filling each of the plurality of first barrels; a second barrel attached to the top surface and disposed between the plurality of first barrels and the second end, the second barrel having a second height that is greater than the first height; and a second inert material at least partially filling the second barrel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The train collision system as in claim 1 wherein the first inert material is selected from the group consisting of water, sand, or foam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The train collision system as in claim 1 wherein the second inert material is selected from the group consisting of water, sand, or foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The train collision as in claim 1 further comprising: a third barrel attached to the top surface and disposed between the plurality of first barrels and the second barrel, the third barrel having a third height that is greater than the first height and lesser than the second height; and a third inert material at least partially filling the third barrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The train collision system as in claim 4 wherein the third inert material is selected from the group consisting of water, sand, or foam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The train collision system as in claim 1 further comprising a rigid frame member extending upwardly from the top surface proximate the second end.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The train collision system as in claim 1 further comprising a cover attached to the flatbed rail car and positioned over the plurality of first barrels in covering fashion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The train collision system as in claim 1 further comprising: a first arm attached to the first end and extending outwardly therefrom, the first arm having a first portion that is disposed diagonally downwardly relative to the top surface; and a second arm attached to the first end and extending outwardly therefrom in generally coextensive fashion to the first arm, the second arm having a second portion that is disposed diagonally downwardly relative to the top surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The train collision system as in claim 8 further comprising a cross arm extending between the first arm and the second arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The train collision system as in claim 8 wherein an end of the first arm is pointed and an end of the second arm is pointed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The train collision system as in claim 8 wherein the first arm is attached to the top surface via a first riser and the second arm is attached to the top surface via a second riser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The train collision system as in claim 8 further comprising: a resilient first covering attached to the first arm; and a resilient second covering attached to the second arm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The train collision system as in claim 8 further comprising a net member having a first side, a second side, a third end, and a fourth end, the first side attached to the first arm and to the top surface, the second side attached to the second arm and to the top surface, the third end attached to the first arm and the second arm, and the fourth end positioned over top at least one of the plurality of first barrels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
The train collision system as in claim 13 first comprising: a first bracket pivotally attached to the first arm and to the second arm, and attached to a portion of the first side, a portion of the second side and to the third end; and a second bracket pivotally attached to the first arm and to the second arm, and attached to a portion of the first side, a portion of the second side and to the fourth end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The train collision system as in claim 14 further comprising means for pivotally moving the first bracket toward the second bracket and the second bracket toward the first bracket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
133 words
A train collision system comprising: a flatbed rail car having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end separated by a medial portion; a plurality of first barrels each having a first height and each attached to the top surface at the medial portion; and a first inert material at least partially filling each of the first plurality of first barrels; a first arm attached to the first end and extending outwardly therefrom, the first arm having a first portion that is disposed diagonally downwardly relative to the top surface; and a second arm attached to the first end and extending outwardly therefrom in generally coextensive fashion to the first arm, the second arm having a second portion that is disposed diagonally downwardly relative to the top surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
133 words
A train collision system comprising: a flatbed rail car having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end separated by a medial portion; a plurality of first barrels each having a first height and each attached to the top surface at the medial portion; and a first inert material at least partially filling each of the first plurality of first barrels; a first arm attached to the first end and extending outwardly therefrom, the first arm having a first portion that is disposed diagonally downwardly relative to the top surface; and a second arm attached to the first end and extending outwardly therefrom in generally coextensive fashion to the first arm, the second arm having a second portion that is disposed diagonally downwardly relative to the top surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The train collision system as in claim 16 wherein the first inert material is selected from the group consisting of water, sand, or foam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The train collision system as in claim 16 further comprising a rigid frame member extending upwardly from the top surface proximate the second end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The train collision system as in claim 16 further comprising a cover attached to the flatbed rail car and positioned over the plurality of first barrels in covering fashion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The train collision system as in claim 19 further comprising a cross arm extending between the first arm and the second arm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The train collision system as in claim 19 wherein an end of the first arm is pointed and an end of the second arm is pointed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The train collision system as in claim 19 wherein the first arm is attached to the top surface via a first riser and the second arm is attached to the top surface via a second riser.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The train collision system as in claim 19 further comprising: a resilient first covering attached to the first arm; and a resilient second covering attached to the second arm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
81 words
The train collision system as in claim 19 further comprising a net member having a first side, a second side, a third end, and a fourth end, the first side attached to the first arm and to the top surface, the second side attached to the second arm and to the top surface, the third end attached to the first arm and the second arm, and the fourth end positioned over top at least one of the plurality of first barrels.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
79 words
The train collision system as in claim 24 first comprising: a first bracket pivotally attached to the first arm and to the second arm, and attached to a portion of the first side, a portion of the second side and to the third end; and a second bracket pivotally attached to the first arm and to the second arm, and attached to a portion of the first side, a portion of the second side and to the fourth end.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The train collision system as in claim 25 further comprising means for pivotally moving the first bracket toward the second bracket and the second bracket toward the first bracket.
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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) | 2004-09-24 | 2005-03-26 | 2005-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-24 | 2009-03-26 | 2009-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-24 | 2013-03-26 | 2013-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |