Track Brake Patents (Class 293/6)
  • Patent number: 7237828
    Abstract: An underbody crash device for a vehicle. The underbody crash device comprises a pillar member attached to the vehicle. The vehicle has a primary load path for absorbing crash energy in a collision. The pillar member is movable to a deployed position for supporting the vehicle directly on the ground and positioning the primary load path to increase crash energy absorbed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Frederick, Phillip Przybylo, Xiaowei Li, Saeed Barbat, Hikmat Mahmood
  • Patent number: 6158556
    Abstract: A safety system for dissipating the forces involved in a vehicle collision comprises two large friction platforms beneath the vehicle unibody or floor pan, with each platform having an actuator between the platform and the overlying vehicle structure and connected to the platform by a series of struts or arms. The actuators are preferably automated and pyrotechnically actuated to drive the struts outwardly and downwardly, thereby driving the platforms downwardly beneath the vehicle and against the underlying surface to lift the vehicle slightly above the underlying surface. The vehicle may be surrounded by a plurality of bumper-like impact absorbing contact structures, with each structure also linked to a corresponding friction platform. The outer portion of each contact structure telescopes into the inner portion, and drives a series of struts connected to the corresponding friction platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Richard Swierczewski
  • Patent number: 5579695
    Abstract: An assembly line system has a pallet travelling along a work top of a work table section. The table section has a track along which a cardanic chain moves to convey pucks connected to the underside of the pallet in spring-loaded manner, by means of frictional engagement between the chain and pucks. The pallet is provided with a set of castors having resilient wheels. Passageways convey the pneumatic supply necessary for operating various items of equipment along the assembly line. The assembly line system also includes an adjustable track bend. In a modification the pucks are locked in the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Flexible Assembly Equipment Limited
    Inventor: David J. Cockayne
  • Patent number: 5226685
    Abstract: A collision-avoidance safety apparatus for a car has a reaction force absorber for absorbing at least some of a reaction force of an impact of an object upon the car pivotally mounted on a supporting component fixed to a frame of the car. The reaction force absorber is a swinging component having an up end with a steel or hard rubber plate and a spring mounted thereon. It is attached to the supporting component by a middle portion inserted into a hole in the supporting component. A down end with a wheel mounted thereon contacts the ground when a force acts on the up end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Yung-Hsing Chen