Spring Actuated Patents (Class 246/291)
  • Patent number: 12221144
    Abstract: Disclosed is a railroad switch device for moving railroad switch points. The device includes two spring assembly sets placed over two switch operation rods. The spring assembly sets move railroad switch points and keep railroad switch points against a stock rail. At least one sensor is mounted adjacent to two switch operation rods. The switch operation rods have a switch point position target connected to the switch operation rods. The switch point position target follows a movement of two throw rods. The two spring assembly sets provide a spring holding force to the two switch operation rods. The spring holding force provides a safe operation of a switch point position assembly by at least one of determining that the spring holding force is present in the moving railroad switch point, and pushing the spring holding force towards the switch point position assembly away from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Inventor: Mona Beaman
  • Patent number: 9156479
    Abstract: Provided is a hydraulic railroad switch machine that incorporates a lock-spring assembly, a point-detection and display system, a connector rod assembly, and a hydraulic system to overcome disadvantages associated with throw-out linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventors: Donald Coy Beamon, Dilson Santos Rodrigues, Rick Presley
  • Patent number: 5531408
    Abstract: A railroad switch stand for actuating a rail switch between open and thrown positions includes, in one embodiment, an upstanding frame supporting a handwheel at approximately chest height for movement between a first position enabling manual rotation of an upstanding throw shaft to actuate a horizontal rail switch throw rod, and a second position enabling powered rotation of the throw shaft to open or throw the rail switch points. In alternative embodiments, low profile railroad switch stands are adapted for interconnection to a rail switch throw rod through fluid pressure or electric motor actuators and associated constant force spring actuators in a manner to apply a substantially constant force to the throw rod in maintaining the rail switch in open or thrown positions. The constant force spring actuators provide overload protection and automatic reset in the event a train runs through a rail switch lined against it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Chemetron-Railway Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Emmerich E. Wechselberger
  • Patent number: RE48026
    Abstract: Provided is a hydraulic railroad switch machine that incorporates a lock-spring assembly, a point-detection and display system, a connector rod assembly, and a hydraulic system to overcome disadvantages associated with throw-out linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: VOSSLOH SIGNALING USA, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Coy Beamon, Dilson Santos Rodrigues, Rick Presley