Apparatus for controlling operation of a railcar discharge gate assembly having a lost motion mechanism for unlocking the gate prior to movement
An apparatus for controlling operation of a railcar discharge gate assembly including a frame defining a discharge opening with a gate slidably arranged on the frame for movement along a predetermined path of travel between open and closed positions. The apparatus of the present invention includes an operating shaft rotatably supported on the frame for selectively moving the gate between open and closed positions in response to rotation of the shaft. A lock assembly is carried on the frame and is operably coupled to the operating shaft. The lock assembly includes a displacable stop member which, when the gate is closed, extends into the path of travel of the gate to prevent movement of the gate relative to the frame, and which moves in timed relation relative to movement of the gate such that upon rotation of the operating shaft to move the gate to an open position the stop member is automatically removed from the path of travel of the gate prior to movement of the gate toward an open position.The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/004,286, filed Jun. 24, 1996, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1.570(e).
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Claims
2. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 1 wherein said operating shaft is connected to said gate through pinion gears arranged upon said operating shaft and which intermesh with racks fitted to an underside of said gate.
3. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 1 wherein said stop member is pivotally mounted on said frame for vertical movement about a fixed generally horizontal axis extending generally parallel to said operating shaft.
4. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 1 wherein said drive Includes a cam mounted on said operating shaft for positively displacing said stop member from the path of travel of said gate upon rotation of said operating shaft.
5. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 1 wherein said stop member is resiliently urged by a spring toward an engaging position with said gate.
6. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 1 wherein said stop member is provided with a counterweight for naturally causing said stop member to be urged toward engagement with said gate.
10. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 9 wherein a lost motion mechanism is provided between said operating shaft and said rack and pinion drive mechanism for permitting rotation of said operating shaft through a predetermined range of rotation prior to imparting an opening movement to said gate.
15. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 14 wherein said actuation assembly further includes a rack and pinion drive assembly comprised of a pair of laterally spaced pinion gears mounted on said operating shaft for engagement with a pair of laterally spaced racks fixed to an undersurface of said gate.
16. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 14 wherein said stop member of said lock assembly includes a lever pivotally mounted on the frame for rocking movement about an axis extending generally parallel to said operating shaft, with one end of said lever being adapted to positively engage and wedge against said gate edge.
17. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 16 wherein said lock assembly further includes a spring member for resiliently urging said lever into engagement with said gate.
19. The.Iadd.gate control.Iaddend.apparatus.Iadd.and railway hopper car discharge gate assembly.Iaddend.according to claim 14 wherein said operating shaft is operably coupled to said gate through a rack and pinion assembly, and wherein said lost motion mechanism includes a specifically configured slot defined by pinions of said rack and pinion assembly for allowing said operating shaft to rotate through a predetermined angle of rotation prior to imparting motion to said pinions and thereby movement of the gate.
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- "Specification for New Gravity Outlet Gates on Covered Hopper Cars, S-233-92 ( AAR S-233-92), " Association of American American Railroads, Mechanical Division, Manual of Standards and Recommended Practices, pp. C11-C13.4 (Sep. 1, 1992). Miner AutoLOK Discharge Gate displayed at RSA show, Sep. 1992. Miner AutoLok Discharge Gate Brochure MEM 1038-992-1M, dated Sep. 1992.
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 8, 1996
Date of Patent: Oct 20, 1998
Assignee: Miner Enterprises, Inc. (Geneva, IL)
Inventors: Jeremy J. Dohr (Kenosha, WI), Robert S. Toms (Racine, WI), Robert T. Fischer (Homewood, IL)
Primary Examiner: S. Joseph Morano
Attorneys: J. W. Harbst, M. L. Goldman
Application Number: 8/727,190
International Classification: B16D 724;
