Rail Interlock Patents (Class 104/246)
  • Patent number: 11884307
    Abstract: An overhead transport system includes a suspended railway and a motorized carrier configured to travel along the suspended railway. The motorized carrier includes a motorized trolley configured to move the motorized carrier along the suspended railway, chassis/beam configured to carry an object below the motorized trolley, and a bumper and deflection system configured to prevent the object from contacting another object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: EAGLERAIL CONTAINER LOGISTICS INC.
    Inventor: J. Michael Meissner
  • Patent number: 11541912
    Abstract: Transit systems for travel overhead of streets, having: at least a first vehicle and a second vehicle; a main track on which the vehicles travel, the main track having a suspended overhead rail over the streets by a support structure, such that the vehicles travel at an elevated level overhead of street level; docking stations for the vehicles to lower to the street level for loading and/or unloading passengers and/or cargo; a two-position switch at each docking station, having cables enabling vertical movement of the vehicle, and a replacement track; wherein the two-position switch allows for docking of the first vehicle while the second vehicle passes the docked first vehicle, by enabling lowering of the first vehicle from the elevated level to the street level, and the replacement track providing a track portion for the second vehicle on which to pass the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventor: Jean Victor Peloquin
  • Patent number: 11345375
    Abstract: The train anti-derailment and braking system is configured for use with a train. The train anti-derailment and braking system is an emergency device that secures and slows the train in circumstances where a load wheel is about to be separated from a rail. The train anti-derailment and braking system further forms a sacrificial structure that can be used as a supplemental braking system in emergency situations. The train anti-derailment and braking system comprises an anti-derailment structure and a braking structure. The anti-derailment structure is a mechanical apparatus that secures and slows the train in potential derailment situations. The braking structure is a mechanical device that forces the anti-derailment structure into the rail in emergency situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: David Frisoli
  • Patent number: 10407087
    Abstract: A vehicle door removal and storage dolly using a height controllable upper frame with side extending door support platforms that allows the vehicle doors to be positioned both vertically and horizontally for installation and removal from a vehicle. The extending door platforms are planarly aligned for a compacted position and include padded vertical door supports for supporting the vehicle doors during storage periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventors: Bob Baker, Jenea Law
  • Patent number: 10287150
    Abstract: A mobile platform carrying system is configured to be adjusted to remain level. The mobile platform carrying system includes a chassis, attached to a front axle assembly and a rear axle assembly. The front axle assembly includes a front axle housing through which a front axle telescoping portion extends. A first front wheel housing is joined to the front axle telescoping portion, and a first front actuator. The first front actuator is adapted to adjust a front linear position of the first front wheel housing relative to the chassis. A first front wheel is joined to the first front wheel housing with a first front hinge. The rear axle assembly is similarly arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Inventor: Clifford F. Miller
  • Patent number: 9809308
    Abstract: Load transport and retraining devices and methods for restraining industrial machines or heavy machinery, such as, turbines, to prevent displacement during adverse environmental conditions, such as, pitching and rolling seas, are provided. The devices include support structures adapted to support loads and having wheels positioned and adapted to engage rails. The wheels include a first set of wheels adapted to ride on top of the rails and a second set of wheels adapted to engage the sides of the rails and thereby retain the support structure to the rails. The devices may also include a third set of wheels adapted to also engage the sides of the rails. The devices may include brake and drive assemblies to facilitate handling. Aspects of the disclosure are uniquely adapted to turbines, but other aspects of the disclosure may restrain any industrial machine that may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Artemio Josue Aguilar, Juan Carlos Oidor, Mario Oscar Ramirez
  • Patent number: 9802792
    Abstract: Provided is a trolley which is easily driven or braked. The trolley includes a body unit which moves along a rail and a power transfer unit which transfers power for driving or braking of the body unit, in which the power transfer unit includes an input shaft, an output shaft which receives power of the input shaft and transfers the power to the body unit, and a locking unit which transfers the power from the input shaft to the output shaft but does not transfer power from the output shaft to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Heavy Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-Hoon Kwon, Nicolas Pichon, Young-Duck An
  • Patent number: 9695565
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to marine rig equipment, and specifically to a mobile jackup rig having one or more moveable cranes. The one or more moveable cranes are configured to operate along a rail, and the one or more moveable cranes are positioned to reach more than one work site location. In one embodiment, a mobile jackup rig includes at least one two-rail system having a first guide-track rail and a second guide-track rail, and at least one moveable crane positioned to operate along the two-rail system. In another aspect, a mobile jackup rig may include at least one moveable pedestal crane positioned on at least one curved or straight guide-track rail system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Zentech, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh Maini
  • Patent number: 9580963
    Abstract: A sliding platform with an outrigger attaches to a ladder for stabilization by urging the outrigger against the underside of a structure (e.g., an eave). The device prevents the ladder from sliding or falling away from the structure. The device is adjustable from right to left to accommodate an angle of the engaged underside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas Alfred Wilkes, Gregory Lee Martin
  • Patent number: 9422672
    Abstract: A device to be fitted to a guided vehicle moving on a track having a guide rail and two side rails parallel to and on each side of the guide rail maintains a trajectory of the vehicle upon derailment. The vehicle includes a guidance unit having guide wheels to be supported on the guide rail. The device includes a bar to be fixed to the guidance unit transverse to the track. The bar has a length L between a distance D mutually separating the side rails minus the width C of the head of the guide rail and the distance D mutually separating side rails, i.e. D?C<L<D. A fixing device fixes the bar to the guidance unit with the bar transversely between and level with the side rails and supported on one of the side rails during a derailment and/or failure of vehicle guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens S.A.S.
    Inventors: Philippe Carpentier, Yves Clarissou, Luciano Consoli
  • Patent number: 9186530
    Abstract: A traveler for safety line for a fall arrest system has a slot extending to the exterior of the traveler and a safety line locating shuttle provided on-board the traveler wherein the safety line locating shuttle is movable relative to the slot along a predetermined path in a direction across the slot. This aids in accurate positioning of the safety line with respect to the traveler. The slot can be defined between opposed slot edges which are movable relative to one another to reconfigure the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: LATCHWAYS PLC
    Inventors: Owain Jones, Karl Jones
  • Patent number: 9180542
    Abstract: A travel drive gear engagement mechanism for a tractor unit includes a clutch lever that has a cam portion. The clutch lever is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position at a point that is offset from a center of an elongated portion of the cam portion. The engagement mechanism also includes a connecting member that operatively connects the cam portion of the clutch lever to a drive gear of a tractor unit. The connecting member is operatively connected to the cam portion at the offset point. The clutch level and connecting member are configured such that the drive gear engages a track gear when the clutch lever is in the first position and disengages from the track gear when the clutch lever is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
    Inventors: Victor B. Miller, Lane Litke, Colin Miller
  • Publication number: 20140331887
    Abstract: The anti-extraction safety system incorporates, on each side, one side component which does not rotate with the corresponding roller, that incorporates at least one inclined flap articulated to pivot between a lowered position wherein its lower part extends under the rail head, and a raised position in which its lower part is laterally distanced from the rail. The pivot axis of the flap is inclined upwards and is located in the rear part of the flap, above the lower part in the lowered position. This flap is subjected to a downward return force which maintains it in the lowered position, but which allows it to pivot to the raised position when an upward force greater than the return force, is applied on its lower part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 8561547
    Abstract: A track-guided vehicle wheel truck facilitates vehicle maintenance and enables reduction in costs. The track vehicle wheel truck includes guide frames arranged along the forward and rearward directions of the vehicle on the inside of the vehicle width direction in the running wheels, and fixed to knuckles; a tie rod arranged on the center side of the forward and rearward directions in the vehicle along the vehicle width direction, and interlock with the guide frames; guide wheel receivers disposed toward the inside of the vehicle width direction from the guide frames on the vehicle end side and the center side relative to an axis of the running wheels; and a steering axle arranged along the vehicle width direction, and are able to turn the running wheels, the knuckles, and the guide frames by installing a kingpin at both ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mihoko Shiroyama, Yoshiki Okubo, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8475467
    Abstract: Treatment of spinal irregularities, including, in one or more embodiments, derotation apparatus and systems that can be used to reduce the rotation of vertebral bodies. Derotation apparatus that may comprise a tube assembly comprising an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve disposed over the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve may have a distal end for attachment to an implant. The tube assembly may further comprise a handle assembly. The tube assembly may further comprise a ball joint assembly disposed between the tube assembly and the handle assembly. The ball joint assembly may comprise a ball joint configured for attachment to a coupling rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Globus Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Katherine Manninen
  • Patent number: 8448578
    Abstract: A guide-roller arrangement for gantry cranes (1) has two rotatably mounted axial carriers (21) on which the guide rollers are seated. The guide rollers (11, 12) are mounted on journals which are arranged in the carrier plate (15) in a manner eccentric to the axis of rotation (41) of the axial carrier (21). The selected eccentric position of the journal can be fixed in a formfitting manner with the aid of toothing formations (29, 36) on the axial carrier and on the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Konecranes PLC
    Inventor: Markus Golder
  • Patent number: 7127999
    Abstract: A rail system for transporting dual use vehicles includes a network of multiple non-interconnected rails where each rail comprises an extruded triangular shell and a support material. The rails are supported by a system of support structures where each support structure includes a base with a rail adjustment actuator for selectively adjusting the position of the supported rail. Each rail is sized to support a standardized dual use passenger vehicle adapted for roadway and rail travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Jerry M. Roane
  • Patent number: 6418856
    Abstract: A passive steering assembly for a guided vehicle movable along a guideway includes a vehicle including at least one axle structure; a pivot joint at each end of the axle structure; a wheel mounting pivotably engaged with each pivot joint; a hub for rotatably mounting a wheel to each wheel mounting; a wheel connected to each hub for moving the vehicle; and a lateral guide device for controlling the lateral position of the axle structure for steering the wheels to follow the path of the guideway and to a passive steering system including a plurality of such assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robin Hossfield, John Puhlhorn, David C. Collins, Marvin Fredburg
  • Patent number: 6098780
    Abstract: A tripper/hopper car rides on a conveyor via four wheel tires running on T-section rails, with respective hold down wheels riding adjacent the underside of the rails and respective caster side wheels riding adjacent the vertical edges of the T-rails. Each wheel tire is driven by a motor drive unit employing a shaft-mount gearbox with a motor brake that utilizes the reduction of the drive gearbox to increase the effective braking torque developed. A pair of caliper-type brakes is further provided for redundancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Terra Nova Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Kelly, George M. Bernard
  • Patent number: 5842422
    Abstract: In a vehicle track having longitudinal rail members positioned in parallel on either side of a track centerline and on which respective drive wheels and guide wheels of a vehicle move, the improvement including longitudinal rail members each having an asymmetrical cross-section and being composed of a head portion having a primary upper running face which engages the periphery of the drive wheel, a lower guide face opposed to the primary upper running face which engages the guide wheel, and a secondary running face which is substantially vertical, which is located inwardly of the head portion towards the track centerline, and which engages the flange of the drive wheel; and a leg portion extending downwardly from the head portion; and a plurality of track support members arranged at intervals along the vehicle track and composed of a clamp device having first and second clamp faces which are moveable, which are juxtaposed to the leg portion one on each side thereof, which grip the leg portion, and which each
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Arthur Ernest Bishop
  • Patent number: 5397211
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine comprising a generally horizontal rail including a rail member, a base, a linear slide supporting the base for movement along the rail member, a generally vertical mast supported by the base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along the mast, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Lloyd, LaMar A. Jones
  • Patent number: 5381737
    Abstract: A rail truck for use in an elevated closed beam having a slot in the bottom surface for clearance of a car body support member. The passenger car body is hung beneath the beam and elevated above the ground with the trucks running inside the beam. The flanged wheels run on a pair of parallel rails with an electric power rail located above the center of the two running rails. The suspension permits restrained swinging of the passenger car in the lateral and longitudinal directions. A safety wheel is mounted to the frame to prevent upward movement of the frame to the extent that the wheel flanges on the running rails could climb over the top of the running rails. A pair of auxiliary climbing rails are mounted parallel to the power rail and above the running rails. Auxiliary climbing wheels on the truck are mounted on actuators which permit a controlled elevation of the auxiliary climbing wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Bryant Trenary
  • Patent number: 5353887
    Abstract: A household trash delivery system having a guidance member moveable within a track. The cart is controlled by a programmable timer to send the cart from a household location to a curbside destination at a desired time, and the return of the cart from the curbside destination to the household destination at a second desired time. The cart may be elevated above obstacles adjacent to the track such as a mound of snow and has a built in pressure sensitive system to cut off power temporarily if it encounters an obstacle such as a small child within the path of the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Inventor: John Putnam
  • Patent number: 5325788
    Abstract: A safety trolley restraint system for easy attachment to the rail of a railroad track crossing a bridge includes a trolley carriage with opposed rollers clampable to the rail so as to hold the trolley on the rail while permitting rolling movement of the trolley on the rail and provides a movable attachment point for the end of a safety line of a personnel safety harness. The carriage includes two halves pivoted together which may be opened to remove the trolley from the rail and closed and locked to secure the trolley to the rail. The trolley restraint attachment point is preferably swingable from side to side with respect to the rail and includes a swiveling mounted attachment eye for the personnel safety line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Smmart Equipment Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Kevin R. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5275256
    Abstract: An apparatus having first and second floor plates defining a floor opening to receive a ladder therethrough is provided, with the floor plates having first and second side plates mounted to opposed ends of the floor plates, with the side plates arranged in a parallel coextensive relationship. At least one of the side plates includes a support container, and optionally, both side plates may include support containers hingedly mounted to permit pivotment together in adjacency forwardly of the apparatus. Roller structure is mounted interiorly of the side plates to guide and direct ladder legs of the ladder within the floor opening. Further, a brake lever is arranged for engagement relative to a rear wheel guide for selective positioning of the organization relative to the ladder. A floor hook cooperative with a ladder rung pulley for selective securement to an associated ladder rung is arranged to permit selective lifting of the carriage apparatus relative to the ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Floyd D. Ellzey
  • Patent number: 5267514
    Abstract: A material handling car and track assembly, the assembly comprising a track having a pair of opposed U-shaped rails, and a car having a chassis with four wheel assemblies mounted on the chassis, each of the wheel assemblies comprising a first generally vertical travel wheel movable along a bottom plate portion of the rail, a second generally horizontal travel wheel engagable with a side wall portion of the rail, and a wear block engagable with a top plate portion of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: BAE Automated Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel L. Staehs, Charles A. Kemp, Gene DiFonso, William C. Bortzfield
  • Patent number: 5247891
    Abstract: A linear motion rolling contact guide unit includes a rail, a slider assembly and a plurality of rolling members interposed between the rail and the slider assembly so that the slider assembly can move along the rail in any direction. The slider assembly has a two-part structure and is comprised of a pair of first and second sub-assemblies with a low friction intermediate structure interposed therebetween. The first sub-assembly is slidably mounted on the rail and the second sub-assembly is mounted on the first sub-assembly such that the second sub-assembly can move relative to the first sub-assembly in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rail. Thus, when the present unit is applied to a guide unit of a heavy duty linear motion guide unit system, any error in lateral alignment can be absorbed by the present unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Thompson Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Morita
  • Patent number: 5165268
    Abstract: An extrusion pulling apparatus wherein an extrusion puller is guided from above and below for movement along an extrusion line from an extrusion press. The upper guide comprises a T-shaped beam with rollers mounted on the puller for rolling along vertical surfaces of the beam. The lower guide is formed from a multi-face beam, for example, a hexagonal beam, wherein rollers mounted on the puller roll on guide face surfaces which have an included angle between them of about 60.degree.. The upper and lower guides can be reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Granco Clark, Inc.
    Inventor: James T. Visser
  • Patent number: 5141100
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device to convey parts towards one or more processing stations and to remove them therefrom. This device includes a rail forming a continuous closed circuit and supporting a series of supports which are in contact with the rail by rollers, at least one of which is elastically biased against the rail. Each support is provided, at least at one of its ends, with a ball bearing or roller bearing, by which each support comes into contact with the support that precedes it or follows it. Preferably, the rail has a section with two opposite cants, and it is elastically gripped between rollers having a groove with a shape that matches the cants. Thus, precise positioning is obtained in the transversal direction of each support with respect to the rail, and the ball bearings provide precise contact, with low wear and tear, between two successive supports. This provides for accurate positioning also in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne de Composants Electroniques LCC
    Inventors: Emigliano Campus, Pascal Gorisse
  • Patent number: 5119734
    Abstract: A chassis for rail-bound amusement vehicles including a vehicle frame with a bearing block connected to the frame and a bearing bracket elastically mounted on the bearing block via a ball-and-socket joint. Wheel shoes are provided for hinges with supporting pairs wheels such that the wheels may be adjusted against a rail in a hinged manner from the top and bottom as well as from the side. The bearing bracket is also connected to the vehicle frame by a ball-and-socket joint, connecting the bearing bracket to the connecting rod which extends at right angles to the direction of travel and which is connected to the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Inventor: Anton Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 4991257
    Abstract: A sliding door apparatus for installation in a structural opening, having overhead runway rails with tracks or runways in which guide rollers of the sliding doors are mounted in a displaceable arrangement, additional cylindrical guide pins (pilots) (14) being provided as guides on switches which project downwardly into the runways (20) and which have centers that lie on assumed center lines of the runways (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Dorma - Glas Gesellschaft fuer Glastuer - Beschlaege und-Konstruktionen GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Eutebach
  • Patent number: 4922831
    Abstract: A lightweight car-on-track system having a pair of spaced-apart rails and an associated rotatable drive tube with a captive carrier movable along the rails and having a drive wheel in driving engagement with the rotatable drive tube. The drive wheel is spring-loaded against the rotatable drive tube and the capture of the carrier to the rails results in a controlled drive force achieved regardless of the weight of the carrier or of a load supported thereon. The system is made up of a selected number of modular units, each having adjustably mounted frame members supporting opposite ends of a rail section and a drive tube section. Adjustable mounting of frame members to an alignment plate assures alignment between rail and drive tube sections when assembling the system. A transfer device is utilized for transferring a carrier from the end of one track section to the spaced-apart end of another track section with the transfer device being oscillatable about a pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Heico Inc.
    Inventors: Barry L. Ziegenfus, Russell H. Scheel
  • Patent number: 4831937
    Abstract: An amusement ride device comprises a track composed of a pair of parallel rails and having a central axis extending between the rails, and a car adapted to travel along the track. The car includes a car body, a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels adapted to be rotated in contact with the rails, thereby allowing the car body to travel along the rails, a swinging frame, having the rear wheels rotatably supported on each end thereof and extending substantially at right angles to the advancing direction of the car, and a bogie shaft attached to the car body so as to extend in the advancing direction of the car and pivotally supporting the swinging frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Togo Japan Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 4825771
    Abstract: The invention provides a lifting device for re-railing railroad vehicles comprising a guide rail which is adapted to be disposed substantially horizontally in use, having an outer surface including a toothed rack, a traveller mounted by rollers for guided movement along the rail, the traveller being adapted to support a lifting jack or the like in use, and a drive engaging the toothed rack for transversely moving the traveller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Deton Engineering (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Hercules P. du Preez, Hermanus Dippenaar
  • Patent number: 4805537
    Abstract: A pair of truck vehicles are manually moveable along the top and side edge running surfaces of parallel joist members of a factory roof a-building. Each truck runs on a separate joist and each has wheels running on the top surface of the joist with horizontal axles journaled to the truck chassis and has pairs of guide wheels with verticle axles journaled to the chassis and running on top side edge of the joist. The trucks carry between them bundles of corrugated sheet steel roof decking for manually and sequentially fitting to the roof of the factory from the trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Romeo Desroches
  • Patent number: 4794865
    Abstract: An amusement ride vehicle for travel along a trackway defined by a pair of track rails. The vehicle includes a pair of transverse frames pivotally carried by an elongated main frame, with drive wheels carried by the transverse frames in driving engagement with upper surfaces of the track rails. Up-stop or pinch wheels below the drive wheels engage under sides of the track rails. The pinch wheels are pivotally mounted to the transverse frames by strut assemblies which hold the pinch wheels in constant forcible rolling engagement with the track rails at all times. This improves the driving traction of the drive wheels and provides constant up-stop protection against separation of the vehicle from the track rails. The strut assemblies are disconnectable to enable the pinch wheels to be pivoted out of interfering relation with the track rails so that the vehicle can be lifted from the track rails for maintenance, storage or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
    Inventor: Arnold Lindberg
  • Patent number: 4776282
    Abstract: A conveyor device for conveying articles along a predetermined path of travel having a running rail on opposite sides of the path of travel. A bus bar is below said running rails. A self-propelled carrier has driving wheels to roll on the running rails. The wheels are rotated by a single electric motor which receives power from the bus bar. Cover members overhang the running rails and wheels during operation, and interlock with the rail support member so that the cover may be readily removed by disengaging the interlock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Company
    Inventors: Takashi Ishikura, Joji Mino, Takaaki Nagato
  • Patent number: 4682547
    Abstract: An amusement ride installation of a closed track figure eight configuration has passenger carriers suspended to swing from a plurality of support rods pivotally mounted to a single carriage. Each carriage has a frame made of transverse and longitudinal members with a lower longitudinal member having a raised middle part wherein the vehicle suspending support rods are pivotally mounted. U-shaped yokes affixed to the frame with universal joints, hold at least two wheel groups, which comprise running rollers and guide rollers riding on rails. Also connected to the frame are V-shaped struts which support drive spars having brake flanges, and damping cylinders which damp oscillations of the pivoting support rods using a toothed rack assembly. Elastic couplings are provided to connect adjacent carriages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignees: Firma Schwarzkopf GmbH, Intamin Corporation
    Inventor: Anton Schwarzkopf
  • Patent number: 4669390
    Abstract: A robot carrier structure constituted by a carriage movable on rails and supported on four wheels two of which are mounted on a driven shaft and two are idle wheels. Each drive wheel has a structure adapted to ensure a high adherence to the rail, particularly due to the provision of a pair of rings of elastomeric material in engagement with the rolling surface of the rail. Engagement means movable laterally on the rail are provided to increase the adherence of the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Inventor: Luciano Bisiach
  • Patent number: 4467726
    Abstract: A stabilizing device for a satellite tracking communications aerial comprises a first element which depends from the frame of the aerial and a second element which carries at its lower end one or more rollers arranged to run along the downwardly facing surface of a rail. The first element carries a plate and the second element carries plates. A spring extends between the plates so that the rollers are biased into contact with the surface and any tendency of the aerial to rise is resisted by the action of the spring on the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: British Telecommunications
    Inventors: Derek R. Aldous, Robert J. Melling
  • Patent number: 4447680
    Abstract: A power collection apparatus is disclosed for the purpose of power distribution from a central power supply to the propulsion motors of at least one mass transit vehicle operative with a predetermined roadway track, including one or more rail gaps and/or crossover switches, to permit the vehicle to transfer from one section to a second section of that roadway track. The power collection apparatus includes collector support apparatus carried by each vehicle and designed to be operative with a rail support member for three individual phase power rails, a ground rail and a signal rail, permitting high speed vehicle passage through a rail gap and a crossover switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: William R. Segar, Robert A. Larson
  • Patent number: 4422151
    Abstract: A liquid handling apparatus capable of being used as a fraction collector, sampler, dispenser, diluter or the like utilizes a microprocessor and three stepping motors to move a liquid handling tube suitable for dispensing, sampling or the like in two horizontal directions and in a vertical direction with respect to an array of test tubes or similar containers. The apparatus is capable of operating in several modes of dispensing and withdrawal operations, including modes based on the number of drops dispensed or the time spent over each container. The pattern of the movement of the liquid handling tube or dispensing head is selectable to suit the mode of operation of the liquid handling apparatus as well as the type of container and the number of containers being used at a particular time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Robert E. Gilson
  • Patent number: 4375195
    Abstract: A plurality of sliders and a guide rail along which the sliders run to carry a load, each slider having thin U-letter shape members so layered in the longitudinal direction of guide rail as to form a channel shape casing with a hexagonal central aperture in which rollers are included to run along a hexagonal head of the guide rail in an engaging relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1983
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 4248157
    Abstract: A conveyor trolley for transporting articles along an elongated supporting rail and embodying dielectric supporting and retaining wheels and bumpers constituted and arranged so as to effectively electrically insulate the trolley and the article to be transported from such a rail and from members, such as other trolleys or stop members, on said rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: Aero-Motive Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Maurice Evans
  • Patent number: 4241664
    Abstract: An elongate formable drive rail for carrying a working apparatus having a toothed drive gear and support elements is provided in the form of a narrow elongate strip of metal having a regular series of corrugations extending lengthwise of the strip intermediate its edges and adapted to be engaged by the toothed drive gear while the edges of the strip engage the support elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: Weld Tooling Corporation
    Inventor: Harold E. Cable
  • Patent number: 4236454
    Abstract: A guideway gravity vehicle combination designed for recreational use on hills and mountains consisting of a wheeled, stabilized vehicle riding on a monorail which extends from the top to the bottom of a downwardly inclined slope. The rider controls the vehicle speed through the use of powerful braking systems. Maximum speeds are regulated by automatic braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Inventors: Alve J. Erickson, Robert D. Thulman
  • Patent number: 4232611
    Abstract: A guide-way vehicle adapted for running on guide way means having running surface means and guide rail means on the running surface means, wherein the vehicle comprises three axle assemblies provided at front and rear end portions and an intermediate portion of a car body, each axle assembly having wheels with rubber tires attached to the opposite ends thereof. The axle assemblies at the front and rear portions of the car body are adapted to swivel in a horizontal plane relative to the car body and respectively have guide wheels adapted for running along the guide rail means whereby the axle assemblies are steered along the guide rail means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Uozumi
  • Patent number: 4171670
    Abstract: A rail having an upper supporting edge and a lower braking edge, and a traction unit for riding on the rail and adapted to be connected to a carrier so as to suspend the carrier from the rail. This traction unit has a power-driven wheel to ride on the rail upper edge, and a plurality of braking wheels positioned close enough to the lower edge of the rail to prevent the traction wheel from jumping off the upper edge thereof, and a brake system for each brake wheel. A substantially C-shaped arm is pivotally connected to the traction unit near the top thereof and extends downwardly and around the rail and has a lower end extending across the plane of the rail, to which the carrier is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Assignee: H. Arnold Seed
    Inventor: Richard A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4155434
    Abstract: A rail electrification system for electric railways utilizing 3-phase power, comprising three conductor rails arranged in a group characterized by a staggered relationship, commonly known as a delta configuration, so that two of the rails face in one direction and the third faces in an opposite direction. For taking off the 3-phase power from the conductor rails, the car is equipped with two sets of three collectors or shoes each, with the sets being disposed on opposite sides of the conductor rail group. Three of the collectors (not all in one set) function when the car is traveling in one direction along the rails, whereas the remaining three collectors function when the car has been turned around and is traveling in the opposite direction along the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1979
    Inventor: Alleyne C. Howell, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE40484
    Abstract: A tripper/hopper car rides on a conveyor via four wheel tires running on T-section rails, with respective hold down wheels riding adjacent the underside of the rails and respective caster side wheels riding adjacent the vertical edges of the T-rails. Each wheel tire is driven by a motor drive unit employing a shaft-mount gearbox with a motor brake that utilizes the reduction of the drive gearbox to increase the effective braking torque developed. A pair of caliper-type brakes is further provided for redundancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Terra Nova Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald R. Kelly, George M. Bernard