Patents by Inventor Cory O'Brien

Cory O'Brien has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20070084973
    Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
  • Patent number: 7185860
    Abstract: A modular tongue switch assembly comprises a tongue pivotally connected to a slide surface, held down by a pivot retainer. The slide surface consists of slide plate sections removably attached to corresponding bed plate sections, which are in turn welded onto a base plate. Floating brace blocks hold a non-integral stock rail in place on the base plate. When the tongue moves, a horizontal lever arm actuates an inner box assembly housed within an outer box and containing the conductor rail, allowing the passing train to maintain contact with the conductor rail, if necessary. A novel rodding and lever arrangement is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Cory O'Brien, Gary Click
  • Patent number: 7168664
    Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Vae Nortrak North America Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6955326
    Abstract: A modular tongue switch assembly comprises a tongue pivotally connected to a slide surface, held down by a pivot retainer. The slide surface consists of slide plate sections removably attached to corresponding bed plate sections, which are in turn welded onto a base plate. Floating brace blocks hold a non-integral stock rail in place on the base plate. When the tongue moves, a horizontal lever arm actuates an inner box assembly housed within an outer box and containing the conductor rail, allowing the passing train to maintain contact with the conductor rail, if necessary. A novel rodding and lever arrangement is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Vae Nortrak North America Inc.
    Inventors: Cory O'Brien, Gary Click
  • Publication number: 20050116118
    Abstract: A modular tongue switch assembly comprises a tongue pivotally connected to a slide surface, held down by a pivot retainer. The slide surface consists of slide plate sections removably attached to corresponding bed plate sections, which are in turn welded onto a base plate. Floating brace blocks hold a non-integral stock rail in place on the base plate. When the tongue moves, a horizontal lever arm actuates an inner box assembly housed within an outer box and containing the conductor rail, allowing the passing train to maintain contact with the conductor rail, if necessary. A novel rodding and lever arrangement is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Cory O'Brien, Gary Click
  • Publication number: 20040108418
    Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6688560
    Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20030222181
    Abstract: A modular tongue switch assembly comprises a tongue pivotally connected to a slide surface, held down by a pivot retainer. The slide surface consists of slide plate sections removably attached to corresponding bed plate sections, which are in turn welded onto a base plate. Floating brace blocks hold a non-integral stock rail in place on the base plate. When the tongue moves, a horizontal lever arm actuates an inner box assembly housed within an outer box and containing the conductor rail, allowing the passing train to maintain contact with the conductor rail, if necessary. A novel rodding and lever arrangement is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventors: Cory O'Brien, Gary Click
  • Publication number: 20030080258
    Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6543727
    Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20030042370
    Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
  • Patent number: 6158698
    Abstract: A hollow tie assembly for rodding associated with moveable trackwork (such as in a switch or a moveable point frog) serves the function of a tie, houses and protects throw rods, lock rods and detector rods, is adapted to accommodate North American switch machines, and does not interfere with mechanical tampers. The rodding is housed within two elongated and spaced channels which are held in predetermined spaced relationship. Switch plates straddle the flanges of each channel and the moveable rails or points are mounted on the switch plates. Rod adapters and switch clip provide a sliding connection to the moveable rails or points. The rods are made of insulating material and the switch plates and associated components include insulation to avoid cross conduction between the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Click, Al Forshaw, Brian Charles, Cory O'Brien