Driver Pick-up Patents (Class 105/33)
  • Patent number: 8393277
    Abstract: An automatic carriage return for an exhaust removal system having a carriage that is configured to translate along a track tube, the carriage being coupled at a first end to an exhaust extraction hose, the second end of the exhaust extraction hose being coupled to a vehicle exhaust for directing exhaust from the vehicle out the track tube. The automatic carriage return includes a drive cable spanning along the track tube, and an engagement assembly coupled to the carriage. The engagement assembly has an engaged configuration and a non-engaged configuration with respect to the drive cable. A drive motor is coupled to the engagement assembly, and drives motion of the carriage along the drive cable when the engagement assembly is in the engaged configuration. In the disengaged configuration, the engagement assembly is configured to be disengaged from the drive cable while the exhaust extraction hose is attached to the exhaust of a vehicle to allow the carriage to freely follow the path of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventors: John Johnston, Brian Roe
  • Patent number: 7587983
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for a body where the body has a plurality of load bearing and track engaging wheels that allow the body to move back and forth along a track that comprises an actuator attached to the body that is manually or mechanically driven, a non-load beating drive wheel that is attached with respect to the body so that it engages a stationary surface adjacent the body and a drive coupling mechanism between the actuator and the drive wheel wherein actuation of the actuator causes rotation of the drive wheel which moves the body along the tracks. The invention provides a convenient mechanism of attaching a drive mechanism to a body and to enable easier movement of track mounted bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Glidestore Freetrack Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Brian Maurice Parker, George Giles Campbell
  • Publication number: 20020139276
    Abstract: A bogie for rail vehicles with wheels with a variable track includes a chassis supporting a body of the vehicle and four wheels connected to the chassis by articulated arms. Each wheel is movable transversely relative to the articulated arm to occupy at least two positions corresponding to two different track gages and the arms are able to pivot about a pivot with a movement damped by primary suspension members. At least one articulated arm transmits rotation of the wheel to a secondary shaft and the secondary shaft is constrained to rotate with a braking and/or traction system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: ALSTOM
    Inventor: Jean-Daniel Nast
  • Patent number: 6178891
    Abstract: The invention involves a suspended trolley line, particularly an electric monorail line with at least one undercarriage movable along running rails and with a running wheel that may be driven along the rail. At least two frictional wheels are spaced from each other and positioned on the running wheel. The frictional wheels are guided on the undercarriage by a connecting element and are braced against each other by a spring element, such that the frictional wheels additionally contact the supplemental rail and impinge upon the running wheel with pressure when in an operating position. The supplemental rail is located at least partially parallel to the running rail and spaced therefrom. The driven undercarriage is simple in its construction and has improved traction characteristics and therefore is particularly capable of being used in ascending and descending sections of the trolley line. The frictional wheels, the connecting element and the spring element form an assembly unit lying on the running wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: R{umlaut over (u)}diger Ostholt, Sigurd Volker Weber
  • Patent number: 6082268
    Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. Front and rear bogies of the vehicles pivot about front and rear vertical turn axes and carry direction control wheels that cooperate with guide ribs along tracks for selective control of movement to either of two exits from a Y junction. Electric power which can be three phase AC power can be supplied through upper and lower track structures. The upper track structures can define the guide ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Autran Corp.
    Inventor: VanMetre Lund
  • Patent number: 6050198
    Abstract: A travelling mechanism for a rail-movable lifting device includes a carrier with running wheels which roll on a longitudinally extending running surface of a rail. A double lever is pivotally mounted on the carrier. A drivable friction wheel that is positionable on a longitudinally extending friction surface of the rail is rotatably mounted on the double lever. An opposing side of the double lever supports the lifting device, whereby the double lever presses the friction wheel against the friction surface of the rail by a force under the weight of the lifting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Udo Gersemsky, Alfred Fanger, Ralf Eising
  • Patent number: 5676189
    Abstract: The present invention is a motorized drapery track assembly specially adapted for use in traversing very sharp corners without derailment. The system employs a motorized carrier that is mounted upon a track and a plurality of trolleys to which a drapery is mounted. The carrier is interconnected to at least one trolley and pulls or pushes the drapery along the track. The carrier includes at least one guide wheel and a drive wheel, which are relatively moveable with respect to each other to allow for movement at sharp corners to prevent derailment of the carrier. The track itself is specifically adapted so that it can be easily bent and installed. Special brackets are employed so that the track can be installed in areas with restricted space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Arbor Marketing Limited
    Inventor: Richard Zeeb
  • Patent number: 5632207
    Abstract: A conveying system is provided for moving a pallet along straight and curved paths. The conveying system includes a track on which the pallet is mounted for movement by a motor driven roller which engages a stationary shaft mounted on the track. The drive roller is urged into contact with the shaft and is capable of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation in order to effectuate forward or reverse motion of the pallet. A control device is provided for controlling the speed and stopping and starting the pallet. The control device may include object detectors and/or switches for stopping the pallet in response to objects on the track or for stopping the pallet at predetermined locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Evana Automation
    Inventors: Charles Roberts, Donald Swallow, Randall Wire
  • Patent number: 5421268
    Abstract: A conveying system is provided for moving a pallet along straight and curved paths. The conveying system includes a track on which the pallet is mounted for movement by means of a motor driven roller pivotally mounted on the pallet which engages a stationary shaft mounted on the track. Depending on the position of the drive roller in relation to the shaft, the pallet is driven forward, rearward, or remains stationary. The drive roller is resiliently urged into contact with the shaft and is pivotally mounted on the pallet so as to be movable between a forward drive position, a rearward drive position, and a stationary position. A resilient bias urges the drive roller to the forward drive position. A cam mechanism is provided to move the drive roller to the stationary position when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Evana Automation
    Inventors: Charles Roberts, Donald Swallow, Randall Wire
  • Patent number: 4635839
    Abstract: Welding carriage, including an articulated body having support wheel sets on its end sections, one of said end sections supporting a drive assembly movable toward and away from a track upon which the carriage travels, the drive assembly including two tandem drive wheels driven by an electric motor supported by the drive assembly. The carriage may support one welding head or plural welding heads, so that one or more weld beads may be formed as the carriage travels past a section of a welding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clyde M. Slavens
  • Patent number: 4260869
    Abstract: Traveling carriage apparatus, adapted to travel along a track disposed about or upon an object, to carry a device such as a welding torch to do work upon the object or upon other apparatus supported thereby. The apparatus is hinged end-to-end, preferably having three hinged-together portions, the angularity at the hinges being adjustable so that the apparatus may travel along a track which is either curved or flat. The apparatus is supported by track-engaging sets of wheels at its opposite ends. A retractable drive wheel assembly is carried by one of the hinged portions of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Midcon Pipeline Equipment Co.
    Inventors: Clyde M. Slavens, Edward A. Clavin