Patents by Inventor Sam D. Smith

Sam D. Smith 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).

  • Patent number: 5611284
    Abstract: A railtruck apparatus is provided for supporting a railcar body on two longitudinally spaced wheel and axle sets. The railtruck includes a frame having two side frame members, each defining a pair of longitudinally spaced cradles. A bearing housing is received in each cradle and includes a top wall, two longitudinally spaced side walls depending from the top wall, and an open bottom sized for receipt over a journal bearing of one of the wheel and axle sets. A removable bottom cap closes off each bearing housing to permit assembly and disassembly of the wheel and axle sets. A primary suspension is positioned between each bearing housing and the frame for supporting the frame on the bearing housing, and is retained in position on the frame when the frame is raised relative to the bearing housing. Thus, when the wheel and axle sets are removed from the apparatus, the bearing housings and the primary suspension assemblies are retained on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Atchison Casting Corporation
    Inventors: Sam D. Smith, Michael A. Peitsch, Richard D. Curtis
  • Patent number: 4793449
    Abstract: A railroad truck having at least four wheels comprising brakes for braking the wheels; a single enclosed air cylinder mounted on the truck; the air cylinder having first and second chambers; a conduit to supply service air pressure to the first chamber; the first chamber containing a piston pneumatically operated by service air pressure to apply controlled service braking pressure, emergency braking pressure and, when the truck is stopped, parking braking pressure, to the brakes; the second chamber containing a spring which applies automatic parking pressure to the brakes when the truck is stopped, and applies emergency fail-safe pressure to the brakes when there is a pneumatic system failure to supply air to the first chamber; apparatus to supply pressurized air to the second chamber to keep the spring from applying pressure to the brakes so long as adequate air pressure is maintained in the second chamber; a handbrake assembly mounted on the truck in a position readily accessible for manual operation when t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Sam D. Smith
  • Patent number: 4773335
    Abstract: A railroad train comprising a plurality of highway trailers hitched front end to rear end with the end of each trailer supported on an adapter releasably connected to the trailer and with the adapter permanently mounted on the bolster of a four-wheel double-axle railroad truck, desirably a swing motion truck, with the adapter also supported by side bearings mounted on the bolster and with the adapter desirably having a secondary spring suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Sam D. Smith, Richard D. Curtis