Diaphragms Patents (Class 105/15)
  • Patent number: 11267492
    Abstract: A railcar diaphragm includes a car side assembly configured to be coupled to an end wall of a railcar, a wear side assembly configured to engage the wear side assembly of another railcar diaphragm or an other railcar when the other railcar is coupled to the railcar, a bellows assembly disposed between the car side assembly and the wear side assembly to provide a pathway and at least one elastomer suspension unit assembly including an elastomer suspension unit, a bearing assembly and an arm having a first end coupled to the elastomer suspension unit and a second end coupled to the bearing assembly. The elastomer suspension unit assembly is coupled to the car side or wear side assembly via the bearing assembly. The arm is biased towards an initial position by the elastomer suspension unit as a distance between the car side assembly and the wear side assembly changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HUBNER Manufacturing Corp
    Inventors: Barbara Jo Wood, Thomas Merrill Turko, Jacob Adam Reece
  • Patent number: 10518594
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cover between at least two vehicle parts of the type connected to one another in an articulated manner to form a vehicle e.g. a streetcar or an articulated bus, the cover comprising an at least U-shaped cover that is elastically yielding, the U-shaped cover bridging a space between the two vehicle parts, wherein the U-shaped cover being double-walled, with an outer wall and an inner wall being formed in one part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Volker Jünke
  • Patent number: 10414415
    Abstract: A first constituent member constructed such that at least portions of a plurality of panels overlap and a second constituent member constructed such that at least portions of a plurality of panels overlap are included, in which the first constituent member and the second constituent member are connected to a link member that can be expanded and contracted, the first constituent member and the second constituent member are expanded and contracted by expansion and contraction of the link member, and the first constituent member and the second constituent member can relatively be rotated around rotation axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: NARITA MFG., LTD., TOKYO METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY, GrandTech Fujimoto Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jozo Ishida, Iri Takeshita, Naoyuki Takesue, Hideo Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 10302075
    Abstract: A reciprocating positive displacement pump comprises a flexible diaphragm fluidically separating a pumping chamber from an actuation chamber. The membrane may include bumps or other features on the side of the membrane facing the pumping chamber that space at least a portion of the membrane away from the rigid chamber wall when the membrane is in a minimum-pumping-chamber volume position. Such structures may prevent pockets of fluid from being caught away from the inlet and outlet by keeping portions of the membrane spaced away from the rigid pumping chamber wall even when the pumping chamber volume is at a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brian D. Tracey, Larry B. Gray, Jason A. Demers, James D. Dale, N. Christopher Perry, Michael J. Wilt, Scott A. Leonard
  • Patent number: 10272971
    Abstract: A canopy structure includes arch members defining a barrel vault and horizontal members. Each of the upper horizontal members is affixed to the parallel arch members. The canopy structure further includes arched vertical supports. The upper horizontal supports are affixed to the arched vertical supports. The canopy structure further includes lower horizontal members. Each of the lower horizontal members is affixed to the parallel arch members. According to another aspect, a canopy structure includes a U-shaped dock surrounding a watercraft mooring area. The canopy structure includes inner dock arm edges located on opposite sides of the watercraft mooring area. The canopy structure further includes vertical supports affixed to at least two of the inner dock arm edges. The vertical supports support a canopy frame. The canopy frame defines a barrel vault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Designer Direct, Inc.
    Inventor: Kerry Levin
  • Publication number: 20150000550
    Abstract: A gangway floor for a gangway between a first car of a multi-car vehicle and a second car of said vehicle comprises a first floor panel and a second floor panel, wherein the first floor panel is arranged to rotate about a first axis that does not lie in the plane that the first floor panel lies in, and the second floor panel is arranged to rotate about a second axis that does not lie in the plane that the second floor panel lies in, wherein the first axis is different from the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Ego International B.V.
    Inventors: Mathias Hjort, Roger Danielsson, Fredrik Hedh, Tommy Fälth
  • Patent number: 8869706
    Abstract: A bellows is provided as part of a crossway between two vehicles connected to each other in an articulated manner or as a telescopic gangway, with a material web which is provided with a layer of synthetic material. The material web has a top (upper) side made of a textile and a bottom (under) side made of textile (11, 12). The spacer fibers/pile threads (13) are provided between the top side and the bottom side, such that a space between the top side and bottom side results when the material web is in a non-loaded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventor: Claus-Ekkehard Koukal
  • Patent number: 8794159
    Abstract: A deformable assembly which comprises an assembly of flexible metal leaves which each include a central portion having a side arm that extends from each end. The leaves are placed standing on edge, stacked against one another and attached by a central portion to the end of a plate supported by a wheeled base. The lateral arms of the assembly remain elastically deformable. The deformable assembly preferably comprises an extension of the leaves by acting on the end leaf. An intercommunicating gangway, between two consecutive plates, is manufactured using one or two of the deformable assemblies, each one of which is mounted on one of the opposing ends of the two plates and independent from the other leaf and/or from the other plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Andre, Serge Brion
  • Patent number: 8646391
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rail vehicle for driving operation on track systems with ballast permanent way. The invention is to effectively avoid or at least significantly reduce an agglomeration of snow and ice in cavities of the vehicle underfloor. For this purpose it is provided that the rail vehicle in the region of its underfloor comprises at least one flexible membrane which spans hollow spaces which are positioned open towards the track systems or support frame structures of the underfloor of the rail vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: DB Fernverkehr AG, Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schmidt, Dieter Fastnacht, Alfred Krumpf, Juergen Kupies, Kasper Schroeder-Bodenstein, Maik Scholz
  • Patent number: 8424461
    Abstract: A passageway between two carriages of a rail vehicle, in particular a high-speed rail vehicle, wherein the passageway comprises an inner bellows and, disposed at a distance to said, an outer bellows to form an interior space, wherein the two bellows are each attached to the end face of the vehicle, wherein the two bellows are each designed in their circumference in a box shape, and that the interior space contains a means for at least a partial pressure compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventors: André Goebels, Volker Jünke
  • Publication number: 20120204754
    Abstract: A passageway between two carriages of a rail vehicle, in particular a high-speed rail vehicle, wherein the passageway comprises an inner bellows and, disposed at a distance to said, an outer bellows to form an interior space, wherein the two bellows are each attached to the end face of the vehicle, wherein the two bellows are each designed in their circumference in a box shape, and that the interior space contains a means for at least a partial pressure compensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Hübner GmbH
    Inventors: André Goebels, Volker Jünke
  • Patent number: 8230791
    Abstract: A device is provided for covering the sides of a spacing (4) between two vehicles coupled with each other, in particular rail cars (1, 2). The device has two side walls (10) running parallel to each other that deform at least in the longitudinal direction of travel. The side walls (10) are connected to each other in the upper and lower regions by braces (12). The braces (12) are connected to each other, so that they can move relative to each other, in the longitudinal direction of the travel by at least one accordion-like material strip (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventor: Andre Goebels
  • Patent number: 8201503
    Abstract: A railcar diaphragm is described having a first and a second plate assembly, a bellows assembly, and a spring assembly. The first plate assembly is coupled to a railcar. The second plate assembly is configured to contact another railcar. The bellows is disposed between first and second plate assemblies. The spring assembly includes a leaf spring and a pivot member coupled to the leaf spring. The first and second plate assemblies are coupled through the spring assembly. The spring assembly has a first and a second configuration based on whether the railcar is engaged to another railcar. The spring assembly and the second plate assembly can collectively swivel about a centerpoint associated with the pivot member when the spring assembly is in the second configuration and the railcar is in a curved portion of a track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: RailPlan International, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Huppert, Terry B. Soesbee, Timothy V. Treadwell
  • Publication number: 20110253002
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drag reduction device between carriages of high-speed multiple units for reducing air drag, which belongs to the technical field of railway carriages. The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: a drag reduction device between carriages of high-speed multiple units comprises side windshields arranged on side edges of each end wall of a carriage body. Each of the side windshields includes a bar rubber capsule and a rubber capsule frame whose shapes are matched with a curve of the side edge of the end wall of the carriage body. The rubber capsule is connected with the end wall of the carriage body by the rubber capsule frame. The device is simple in structure, convenient and quick to install, and the multiple units need not to be broken up or made up. Furthermore, the device can effectively reduce the air drag resulting from the impact of the airflow on the end wall of the carriage body and increase the running speed of the train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: TANGSHAN RAILWAY VEHICLE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: BANGCHENG SUN, LIHANG WANG, JUN GAO, JIJUN MA, JIN LIU, QINGGANG ZHANG
  • Patent number: 7836831
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convoy comprising at least two intercoupled rail vehicles between which an adapter is arranged, said adapter including at least two interconnectable sets of bellows which are respectively provided with a plurality of frames, in addition to adapter sheets , and a support for the adapter sheets, that can be displaced on a sliding plate arranged between the rail vehicles above a coupling device . At least one anti-catching device is provided on the intercoupled end regions of the rail vehicles , said anti-catching devices extending essentially over the entire width of the vehicle, and the two rail vehicle are intercoupled by a spiral sleeve. The sliding plate is embodied as three parts, part of the sliding plate arranged on the spiral sleeve being detachably connected to the coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens AG Oesterreich
    Inventors: Clemens Eger, Georg Fleischmann
  • Publication number: 20100229754
    Abstract: A device is provided for covering the sides of a spacing (4) between two vehicles coupled with each other, in particular rail cars (1, 2). The device has two side walls (10) running parallel to each other that deform at least in the longitudinal direction of travel. The side walls (10) are connected to each other in the upper and lower regions by braces (12). The braces (12) are connected to each other, so that they can move relative to each other, in the longitudinal direction of the travel by at least one accordion-like material strip (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Huebner GmbH
    Inventor: Andre GOEBELS
  • Publication number: 20100212538
    Abstract: A railcar diaphragm is described having a first and a second plate assembly, a bellows assembly, and a spring assembly. The first plate assembly is coupled to a railcar. The second plate assembly is configured to contact another railcar. The bellows is disposed between first and second plate assemblies. The spring assembly includes a leaf spring and a pivot member coupled to the leaf spring. The first and second plate assemblies are coupled through the spring assembly. The spring assembly has a first and a second configuration based on whether the railcar is engaged to another railcar. The spring assembly and the second plate assembly can collectively swivel about a centerpoint associated with the pivot member when the spring assembly is in the second configuration and the railcar is in a curved portion of a track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Douglas A. HUPPERT, Terry B. SOESBEE, Timothy V. TREADWELL
  • Patent number: 7520227
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a seal and connection device between train compartments comprised of a ? shaped rubber groove having two groove walls and a groove bottom. A width between the two groove walls is substantially equal to that of a slit between two neighboring compartments. The two groove walls can be fixed to ends of the two neighboring compartments respectively and the groove bottom are extended toward two ends thereof to form groove brims so that the groove brims can abut against end side walls of the compartments tightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Lingqun Li
  • Patent number: 7506590
    Abstract: Interconnected train cars (ZUV) with at least two rail vehicles (WA1, WA2) coupled to each other, between which there is a passage (UEB) with at least two gangway bellows (WB1, WB2), which can be connected to each other and which each have several bellows frams (BR1, BR2, BR3, BR4), and the passage (UEB) has additional passage plates (UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4) and a support (ABS) for the passage plates (UB1, UB2, UB3, UB4), with this support being able to move on a sliding plate (GLP) arranged between the rail vehicles (WA1, WA2) above a coupling device (KUP), wherein there is at least one pile-up prevention device (AC1, AC2) at the end regions of the rail vehicles (WA1, WA2) coupled to each other, with the pile-up prevention devices (AC1, AC2) each extending essentially over the entire vehicle width, the bottom edges of the bellows frames (BR1, BR2, BR3, BR4) being arranged over the upper edges of the pile-up prevention devices (AC1, AC2), and the sliding plate (GLP) being arranged under the bottom edge of the pil
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Transportation Systems GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Moser, Clemens Eger, Christian Flegel, Christoph Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7131383
    Abstract: An inner wall lining of the bellows of a connection between two hinge-linked vehicles or vehicle parts is provided, the inner wall lining including several wall elements that are disposed within the connection so as to be slidabic relative to each other via a guide device, the guide device including at least one guide arn that is disposed on the one wall element and is oriented parallel to and at a distance of said wall element, the guide arm slidably receiving the other wall element, the distance between the one wall element and the guide arm corresponding approximately to the thickness of the other wall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Huebner GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Britzke, Andre Goebels, Sven Mohr
  • Patent number: 6957610
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a flexible connection for connecting train cabins in a train. The connection comprises a first tubular train cabin having an end portion having a first diameter and a second tubular train cabin having a front portion having a second diameter. The second diameter is greater than the first diameter such that the end portion of the first train cabin fits within the front portion of the second train cabin. At least one flexible buffer ring, extending around an outer circumference of the end portion of the first train cabin is positioned as a cushion between the outer circumference of the end portion of the first train cabin and the inner circumference of the front portion of the second train cabin such that when the train enters a curve and the first train cabin turns relative to the second train cabin about a pivot axis. The flexible buffer ring provides a stable cushioned connection between the train cabins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Inventor: Richard D. Cummins
  • Patent number: 6926344
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a pleat or corrugation of a bellows of a connection between two hinge-linked vehicles or vehicle sections e.g., of an articulated bus, the corrugation or pleat in the corner zone of the bellows being comprised, for the purpose of increasing the expansion of the bellows in the corner zone, of a pleat or corrugation insert unit having a plurality of pleats or corrugations, with said pleat or corrugation insert unit (20) tapering in the region of the upper end thereof toward the vertex (11) of the pleat (10) or corrugation where it is connected to said pleat or corrugation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Huebner GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Koch, Knud Mosaner
  • Patent number: 6435101
    Abstract: A strong, flexible and vandalism-resistant panel is provided. The panel has a flexible interwoven skeleton structure that is embedded in a layer of polymer material. The skeleton structure is formed from a generally parallel arrangement of linear cross-members interconnecting adjacent links. The links are in the form of a triangular wave pattern and include a plurality of link elements interconnected at their opposed ends or peaks by alternately spaced transverse curves or folds. The linear cross-members are nested in the transverse curves of adjacent links to join the adjacent links. The panel of the present invention is particularly useful as a panel used to cover the space between two adjacent railroad car sections. The formed panels are flexible, cannot be dented, are substantially cut-proof, and are highly vandalism-resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Burrell Leder Beltech, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Marker, Klaus H. Kraft
  • Patent number: 6196132
    Abstract: Bellows of a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or vehicle parts, whereas the bellows is provided with several bellows elements connected together, whereas each bellows element is showing two opposite legs in the initial state of the bellows, whereas, for additional thermal insulation and silencing, each of the two opposite legs (4, 5) of a bellows element are provided on their inner side with at least one strap-joint (10, 20) provided with a coated tissue, whereas the two strap-joints (10, 20) are overlapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hubner Gummi und Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Hübner
  • Patent number: 6113458
    Abstract: A railway car for a model railroad train system has a low-power laser for providing entertainment, for example, by simulating a laser "death ray" or by producing a laser light show. When an operator activates a switch on the transformer of the model railroad train system, an electronics module on the car receives the signal and turns on the laser source. A scanning mirror system receives and deflects the laser beam to provide the laser light show or other entertaining laser pattern. The car can carry a scattering medium to make the laser beam visible on the car. The car can also produce sound effects to accompany the laser light show or other entertaining laser pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Bruce J. Brown
  • Patent number: 6085403
    Abstract: A gangway bellows for rolling stock, where the bellows has corrugated regions forming a deformable volume, and comprises a plurality of assembled-together modules, each module being made of a rubber-base material and including at least two corrugated regions that are assembled together by vulcanization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Le Joint Francais S.N.C.
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Petit
  • Patent number: 6076470
    Abstract: The subdivided bellows of a connecting element is provided between two articulated vehicle components. The halves of the bellows are coupled at their ends to a vehicle component, and a middle frame (1) has a device for guiding supply lines (100), e.g. tubes, cables, etc., in a ceiling area of the connecting element which is movable relative to the middle frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Hubner Gummi-Und Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Koch
  • Patent number: 6067911
    Abstract: A strong, flexible and vandalism-resistant panel is provided. The panel includes a flexible wire skeleton structure such as a chain link structure embedded in a layer of polymer material such as rubber, synthetic rubber or another suitable polymer material. The chain link structure is made from parallel flat helical link sections connected by curved cross-sections. The panel of the present invention is particularly useful as a curtain for a roll-up door or for panels used to cover the space disposed between two adjacent railroad car sections. The formed panels are flexible, cannot be dented, are substantially cut-proof and are highly vandalism-resistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Burrell Leder Beltech, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Marker, Klaus H. Kraft
  • Patent number: 6065406
    Abstract: A system which operates a digitally controlled model railroad transmitting a first command from a first client program to a resident external controlling interface through a first communications transport. A second command is transmitted from a second client program to the resident external controlling interface through a second communications transport. The first command and the second command are received by the resident external controlling interface which queues the first and second commands. The resident external controlling interface sends third and fourth commands representative of the first and second commands, respectively, to a digital command station for execution on the digitally controlled model railroad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Matthew A. Katzer
  • Patent number: 6014934
    Abstract: A modular circuit board arrangement for use in a model train includes a motherboard mounted on the model train platform. The motherboard has receptacles that accept and communicate signals with a plurality of removable circuit modules for controlling model train operations. These circuit modules may include, for example, a light control circuit module and a sound control circuit module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Lionel, LLC
    Inventor: Marty Pierson
  • Patent number: 6009813
    Abstract: The invention relates to a connection between two vehicles hinged to one another, e.g. railway coaches or underground coaches, whereas the connection comprises a bellows and an intercommunicating gangway, whereas the connection may be divided transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle into two connection sections, the one forming the bellows section and the other the gangway section (30, 10), whereas each connection section (1) is held by tension means (40) hinged on the coach body (60) of the vehicle and the intercommunicating gangway section (10) is designed as an articulated gangway section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Hubner Gummi - Und Kunststoff
    Inventor: Ingo Britzke
  • Patent number: 5961149
    Abstract: The covers and flaps of the cover construction of the book and toy assembly are opened and laid flat. Pop-up and fixed structures on the opened cover construction form a village, and a path or track passes through and by the village. The path passes over the front and rear covers, the spine therebetween, and the front and rear flaps folded out from the respective covers. A toy train stored in a storage compartment mounted on the front cover can be removed therefrom by the user, wound up, placed on the track and allowed to run around the track, and thereby through the village. Pressing a button on the inside of the book spine causes a noise making device to emit a train whistle noise to add realism and enjoyment to the train playing experience. Indicia and pictures on the flaps and readable with the covers open and the flaps closed tell a story about the train traveling through the village.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Intervisual Books, Inc.
    Inventor: Waldo Henley Hunt
  • Patent number: 5947794
    Abstract: An adapter for a model railroad flat car enables the carrying of axled model vehicles on model railroad flat cars. The adapter is a thin rectangular block with a transverse groove at each end for engaging the axle, axle housing or axle encasement of a model vehicle being carried on the flat car and facing in either direction. The adapter is secured to the flat car by any suitable means and has minimum visibility when the model vehicle is being carried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph D. McGrath
  • Patent number: 5931099
    Abstract: A model train set includes a base member having two base member sections that are connected together in a horizontal arrangement such that an upper surface is formed. The upper surface has a continuous integral trackway disposed thereon. The model train set includes at least one snap-in reversible storyboard, having a first surface and a second surface with unique surface configurations to modify the upper surface. Further included is a plurality of visual elements which are selectively engageable with the upper surface. An array of storage recesses are provided which serve to provide storage for the visual elements. A toy train is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Lionel LLC
    Inventors: Dan Bruner, Keith Kresge, Norio Sujikawa
  • Patent number: 5855004
    Abstract: A system is provided for recording, storing and reproducing sound for playing back in an environment requiring simulated sounds, voices, and/or sound effects. Sounds are recorded on a chip and played back in an asynchronous manner from the chip as a result of activation of a switch or inertial movement within the system. A Hall-effect sensor, reed switch or momentary switch or the like may be implemented for enabling activation of the recorded sound from the chip for broadcasting. A compander compresses the sound on the chip and expands the compressed sound for playback. Employing the above system for audio storage, a sound, motor and special effects controller may be created for model train applications as well. The different functions of the sound unit are controlled through a discrete bi-polar digital command control signal using a unique address for each unit. A synchronous means of play back may also be employed when the system is used with the bi-polar signal using a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventors: Michael J. Novosel, Vincent S. Fleszewski, III, Kelly Boles
  • Patent number: 5823117
    Abstract: The passenger connecting passageway between two rail vehicles includes a respective half-passageway at the end of each vehicle. Each half-passageway has a respective main frame. To lock the half-passageways together, a locking device including at least one locking hook and preferably a pair of hooks is arranged on the outside of one vertical support of the main frame of one half-passageway. A receiving pin on the adjacent main frame of the other half-passageway receives the hook and a device swings the hook selectively on and off the pin. A swingable pull together device on the inside of the half-passageway includes a pull strap supported at the vertical support on one half-passageway that hooks on a receiver on the vertical support on the other half-passageway and a ratchet rotates an arm that winds the strap to pull the half-passageways together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Fiat-Sig Schienenfahrzeuge AG
    Inventor: Arnold Ommerli
  • Patent number: 5724892
    Abstract: The inner covering for the connecting corridors between cars of rail vehicles consists in each case of side wings, each of which consists of at least two independent frames (1, 2, 3) the spars of which are pivoted to each other at the corners, the frames being held in bottom and top telescopic guide rails (4). When the outermost vertical frame spars are fastened by hinges (8) to the car body or coupling frame, the inner covering can follow all movements which occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Fiat-Sig Schienenfahrzeuge AG
    Inventor: Norbert Melzer
  • Patent number: 5647282
    Abstract: Flexible sheating for connecting corridors, and, more particularly a cover for the side wall of a connecting corridor between two connected vehicles, whereas the cover (1) is designed in one piece and has a varying flexibility over the expense of the cover (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Hubner Gummi-und Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventor: Andre Goebels
  • Patent number: 5562042
    Abstract: The elastic membrane is designed as a flat, three-dimensional object. It has prominences and depressions. This makes possible a deformation which is substantially free of stress, in particular free of tensile stress, simultaneously in all three dimensions. The elastic membranes of this type which are known today suffer from the disadvantage that they are not substantially free of stress, and in particular free of tensile stress, in all three dimensions and therefore cannot meet certain requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Sig Schweizerische Industriegesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerald Luck, Thomas Schlusemann, Hans H. Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 5297484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a guidance track for an electric vehicle. The guidance track preferably includes one or more grooves formed within a dielectric material. The wheels of the vehicle fit, at least in part, in the grooves which are configured to accept the wheels of both powered and unpowered cars in the vehicle. The grooves guide and direct the vehicle as the wheels travel through the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Train Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Piserchia, Eric F. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5165347
    Abstract: A vehicle levitation and guidance system (20) is provided which levitates a vehicle (22) over a roadbed (28) through the use of thin permanently magnetized strips (32, 34) located in the vehicle and the roadbed. The strips are oriented with like magnetic poles adjacent to generate a repelling force. The vehicle is guided along the roadbed by sliding engagement of the walls (37) of a channel (30) in the roadbed with pins (36) descending from the vehicle. The vehicle is propelled along the roadbed by contact with a set of rotating wheels (42, 42').
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas V. Wagner
  • Patent number: 5060577
    Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for the ends of railroad passenger cars comprises a head section, a sill section, and a pair of spaced apart upright side sections which connect the ends of the head and sill sections together. Each section is made of a single cast of urethane and is a molded integral section. Each section includes a channel member which has a pair of legs separated at one end and connected together at the bottom of the legs by a base member having a face portion with a hard rubbing surface for rubbing against a similar rubbing surface of an abutting diaphragm assembly. Hard flanges are molded onto the separated ends of the legs for mounting the channel member onto the door frame of the railroad car, and, in the side and head sections, a series of spaced-apart posts extend inwardly from the base member between the legs for insertion into a guide channel on the door frame of the railroad car to prevent lateral movement of the channel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Floyd Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 5027712
    Abstract: A monorail toy train is suspended from an overhead guideway, which guideway is secured to a ceiling or other fixed support structure. The elongated tubular guideway includes a plurality of guideway sections connected together at a joint by a short tubular coupler and a hanger secured to the ceiling. Each guideway section is connected to like length guide rails and rack rails, which, together, define a track for cars of the monorail toy. Trucks of driven and nondriven cars ride on the track defined by the rack rail and guide rail. The driven car includes a drive frame including a motor, drive gear and pinion gear, which pinion gear meshes with the rack rail to provide motive force for the monorail train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Inventor: William P. Wallick
  • Patent number: 4986187
    Abstract: The invention comprises a toy vehicle such as a train, for moving about a track and which includes an optical sensing apparatus. The vehicle includes a charge coupled device to sense radiant energy external of the vehicle. The vehicle includes sensing circuitry to convert the image into a video signal. The video signal is FM modulated and supplied to the track by a transmitter on the vehicle for transmission to a receiver. The receiver receives the FM signal and demodulates same to produce a video signal adapted to be received by a monitor for viewing by the user of the toy vehicle as the vehicle moves along the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Lionel Trains, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Booth, Thomas D. Heidt
  • Patent number: 4984522
    Abstract: A diaphragm assembly (10) is provided around the doors (11) of adjacent railway cars (12) and together adjacent diaphragm assemblies (10) enclose the passageway between adjacent railway cars (12). Each diaphragm assembly (10) includes a mounting plate (15) having vertical sections (17, 18) at the side of door (11) and an arch portion (19) above door (11) mounted to a car (12). The mounting plate (15) is of a predetermined lateral width and carries side portions (22) of a flexible membrane (21). A bridge portion (23) of flexible membrane (21) extends between side portions (22) and is attached to a face plate (25) which has vertical sections (26, 27) at the side of door (11) and an arch portion (28) above door (11). The face plate (25) has a predetermined lateral width greater than the width of mounting plate (15). Face plates (25) of adjacent cars ( 12) are adjacent to each other and a seal assembly (40) may be provided between the arch portions (28) thereof to prevent liquid from entering the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: SMR Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James M. Parish
  • Patent number: 4942825
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a diaphragm for passsenger railway cars, which consists of a platform (5) and a diaphragm (36, 2, 3) disposed in tunnel fashion over the platform. The system is so constructed that it provides good protection for the interior against external influences even when the differences in pressure between the outside and inside are extreme. The tunnel-like diaphragm consists of an inner end frame (36) for fastening to one of two railroad passenger cars coupled together, an outer end frame (3) for cooperation with the outer end frame of the connecting platform of the second of two coupled railroad passenger cars, and a resilient member, especially a bellows (2) between the two end frames (36) and (3). The outer end frames (3) is suspended by springs (4a) directly on one of the two passenger cars, and the springs exert an outwardly directed force on the outer end frame (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventors: Ingo Britzke, Peter Braemert
  • Patent number: 4937207
    Abstract: A portable toy vehicle racing set for use with at least one toy vehicle having a motor includes a case having a first section with inner and outer surfaces and a second section with inner and outer surfaces. The case sections are pivotally coupled together to permit movement between opened and closed positions. In the closed position, the set simulates a carrying case. In opened condition, a flat track surface is presented. The first and second sections of the case include predetermined track layouts which provide a closed loop track. The closed loop track defines at least one lane in which the toy vehicle can ride with the at least one lane including contact rails for supplying power to the toy vehicle motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Link Group International
    Inventors: Thomas L. Simmell, Robert McDarren, David Auerbach
  • Patent number: 4905607
    Abstract: A deformable floor in an interconnecting compartment between two adjacent rail or road vehicles is capable of allowing relative movement between the adjacent vehicles and is capable of accommodating for differences in relative angular positioning of and linear distance between the adjacent vehicles. The deformable floor includes a pair of support shafts respectively located at opposite sides of the vehicles with each extending in a longitudinal direction generally between the adjacent vehicles. Each extended end of the support shaft is resiliently mounted relative to its respective vehicle for relative angular movement therebetween. A plurality of generally evenly spaced rigid transverse bars extends in a transverse direction between the support shafts. There is included a friction bearing at each end of each of the rigid transverse bars on the support shaft for relative longitudinal movement therebetween. Reinforcing material is folded about and adhering to each of the rigid transverse bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques
    Inventor: Roland M. Wanneroy
  • Patent number: 4869178
    Abstract: A device designed to ensure running continuity between two successive railroad or road vehicles in spite of vertical movements, the lateral sway and the torsion between the floors of said vehicles, characterized in that it includes:(a) at each end, a deformable joint (10) which ensures tightness against dust, noise and weather,(b) a self-supporting element (6), which is deformable under torsional stresses, comprised of an elastomer compound (17) reinforced by at least one pair of metal or textile cord plies (16a) and (16b) and resting on two elastic supporting members (7), which are deformable under shear stress, and(c) angle base (9) mounted onto the floors of vehicles, fitted to said continuous elastic supporting members (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Bechu, Roland Wanneroy
  • Patent number: 4858535
    Abstract: An intercirculation tunnel between successive railroad cars or highway vehicles for ensuring protection against bad weather and atmospheric agents as well as noise and heat insulation as a unitized structure with oval constant cross section. The structure has a self-supporting wall that is elastically deformable throughout without mechanical devices, and that is composed of a multilayer composite of compact elastomers including an outer layer and an inner layer which can also contain reinforcements and an intermediate layer of a cellular polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Bechu, Jacques J. Champleboux