Tractor Operated Patents (Class 410/59)
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Patent number: 7704025Abstract: A retractable stanchion for supporting a semi-trailer during transport on a deck of a railcar is provided. The stanchion includes a rear guide support assembly, a diagonal support strut coupled to said rear guide support assembly, and a vertical support strut operatively connected to said diagonal support strut. The vertical support strut an outer frame, an inner frame, and a moveable pull-up assembly. The outer frame includes an outer frame first end and an outer frame second end. The outer frame first end is pivotally mounted to the deck of the railcar. The inner frame is coupled to and disposed within the outer frame. The moveable pull-up assembly includes a pull-up assembly first end and a pull-up assembly second end, wherein the pull-up assembly first end is pivotally coupled to and substantially disposed within the inner frame, and wherein the pull-up assembly is configured to be engaged by a tractor hook and moved from an engagement position to a pull position.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: American Railcar Industries, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth D. Schmidt, James C. Hammonds
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Publication number: 20080014039Abstract: A retractable stanchion for supporting a semi-trailer during transport on a deck of a railcar is provided. The stanchion includes a rear guide support assembly, a diagonal support strut coupled to said rear guide support assembly, and a vertical support strut operatively connected to said diagonal support strut. The vertical support strut an outer frame, an inner frame, and a moveable pull-up assembly. The outer frame includes an outer frame first end and an outer frame second end. The outer frame first end is pivotally mounted to the deck of the railcar. The inner frame is coupled to and disposed within the outer frame. The moveable pull-up assembly includes a pull-up assembly first end and a pull-up assembly second end, wherein the pull-up assembly first end is pivotally coupled to and substantially disposed within the inner frame, and wherein the pull-up assembly is configured to be engaged by a tractor hook and moved from an engagement position to a pull position.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2006Publication date: January 17, 2008Inventors: Kenneth D. Schmidt, James C. Hammonds
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Patent number: 7232282Abstract: An improvement to a collapsible stanchion on a railcar for supporting semi-trailers thereon. The improvement consists of a linkage which is activated by the pulling of a handle away from the stanchion during the operation of raising it from a resting position to an upright position. The linkage exerts a force on a diagonal support member of the stanchion to urge it into a position where the stanchion's locking mechanism may be engaged to lock the stanchion in an upright position.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.Inventor: Thomas Engle
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Patent number: 5518354Abstract: A stanchion is provided with a latch system which is operable from the tractor which positions the trailers such that a gate on the tractor locks and unlocks the latch to appropriately reposition the stanchion during the positioning of the trailer. The tractor also includes a hook which engages the stand to raise the stand during loading of the trailer from its lowered to its raised position to engage and secure the tractor and also to reposition the unlocked stand during unloading of the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 1995Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: New York Air Brake CorporationInventor: Thomas H. Engle
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Patent number: 5462394Abstract: A stanchion is provided with a latch system which is operable from the tractor which positions the trailers such that a gate on the tractor locks and unlocks the latch to appropriately reposition the stanchion during the positioning of the trailer. The tractor also includes a hook which engages the stand to raise the stand during loading of the trailer from its lowered to its raised position to engage and secure the tractor and also to reposition the unlocked stand during unloading of the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 1993Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corp.Inventor: Thomas H. Engle
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Patent number: 5452982Abstract: In a system for positioning supporting trailers on stanchions of a railroad car, an optical system is provided to allow the operator to monitor the relationship of the tractor, trailer, stanchion and actuators on the tractor. The unique system of stanchion position indicia is provided to allow rapid and accurate selection of the stanchion position. The tractor includes a positively controlled actuator for operating the breakdown trigger of the stanchion to unlock it.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 1994Date of Patent: September 26, 1995Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corp.Inventor: Thomas H. Engle
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Patent number: 5112172Abstract: A stanchion is provided with a latch system which is operable from the tractor which positions the trailers such that a gate on the tractor locks and unlocks the latch to appropriately reposition the stanchion during the position of the trailer. The tractor also includes a hook which engages the stand to raise the stand during loading of the trailer from its lowered to its raised position to engage and secure the tractor and also to reposition the unlocked stand during unloading of the trailer.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1990Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding CorporationInventor: Thomas H. Engle
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Patent number: 4407617Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a lock block link 34 has a first end 36 connected to a trailer hitch bumper block 22 and a second end 40 which engages a lock block 46 which holds the hitch jaws 16 in closed position. The lock block link 34 is supported by an operating shaft link 54 extending from a manual operating shaft 50 extending to the side of the hitch. When the bumper block 22 is engaged by a tractor, the bumper block rotates about pins 30 connecting the bumper block to the hitch head 10. This rotation moves the lock block link 34 and in turn the lock block 46 rearwardly, which allows the jaws 16 to rotate to open position to allow exit of the trailer king pin. A lost motion connection 31 is provided in the connection between the first end of the lock block link and the bumper block to allow the lock block link 34 to move relative to the bumper block when the lock block 46 is moved rearwardly manually by the operating shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1981Date of Patent: October 4, 1983Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: James C. Hammonds, Ronald D. VanDyke
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Patent number: 4397594Abstract: A tractor operated hitch is provided including a vertical strut and a diagonal strut, each connected to the hitch head and which provide the sole support for the hitch head. A bumper block assembly is pivotably mounted about the hitch head which depends from and extends outwardly from the hitch head in a direction away from the diagonal strut a distance sufficient to locate a bumper within the industry standard distance above the deck. On the opposite side of its pivot point the bumper block assembly is connected to a diagonal strut linkage which, upon application of sufficient force by the tractor to the bumper, will pivot the bumper block assembly about its pivot point and disconnect the diagonal strut linkage from an upright, engaged position to a retracted position on the deck.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1980Date of Patent: August 9, 1983Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: James C. Hammonds, Patricia S. Stoller, Ronald D. VanDyke
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Patent number: 4239429Abstract: In a tractor operated piggyback railway trailer hitch including a vertical strut and a diagonal strut supporting a hitch head or fifth wheel, an improved bumper block assembly is provided, including at least one bumper block support plate pivotably mounted about a first pin in the hitch head, and a kingpin block laterally spaced from the bumper block support plate. The bumper block includes a generally vertical surface adapted to be contacted by a tractor, and a body portion including a first opening to receive a second pin. The bumper block is pivotably mounted about the second pin extending through the bumper block support plate and the bumper block. A third pin extends through the bumper block and said bumper block support plate. The third pin is designed to shear at a predetermined applied load.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1979Date of Patent: December 16, 1980Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Patricia S. Stoller, James C. Hammonds, Ronald D. Van Dyke
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Patent number: 4230431Abstract: A railway trailer hitch includes a diagonal strut linkage rigidly attached to a bumper block assembly which is pivotably mounted about a pin supported for rotation by a vertical strut. The linkage extends within a hitch diagonal strut. A transversely extending shaft is attached to the lower portion of the linkage. At least one movable locking link is attached to the outer end of the shaft. The movable locking link is adapted to engage at least one fixed locking lug on at least one side of the hitch when the diagonal strut linkage is in the extended position within the diagonal strut. A spring is attached to the diagonal strut and to the diagonal strut linkage biasing the linkage into a downward position within the strut. Guide means are located within the diagonal strut allowing vertical movement of the linkage within the strut as the bumper block rotates about the pin and the linkage is moved longitudinally within the strut against the bias of the spring.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1979Date of Patent: October 28, 1980Inventors: Patricia S. Stoller, James C. Hammonds, Ronald D. Van Dyke
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Patent number: 4230430Abstract: In the piggyback trailer hitch of the present invention, the hitch is held in upright position by a pair of hook-shaped movable locking lugs which engage a pair of fixed locking lugs on opposite sides of the hitch. Links extending from the nose of the movable locking lugs are attached to a shaft extending transversely of the hitch. On at least one side of the hitch an indicating arm is pivotably mounted upon an upper diagonal strut cover plate. The indicating arm includes a lower surface which engages the shaft. The lower surface includes a slot which the shaft engages when the movable locking lug is locked in the upright position. When the shaft engages this slot, the distal end of the indicating arm extends through a slot in a lower diagonal strut cover plate to indicate to the operator that the hitch is fully locked in the upright position.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 1979Date of Patent: October 28, 1980Inventors: Patricia S. Stoller, James C. Hammonds, Ronald D. Van Dyke
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Patent number: 4185564Abstract: In a railway car trailer hitch in which a yoke maintains a pair of jaws in position engaging the trailer king pin in closed position, a pivotably mounted cam assembly is provided which moves the yoke to the open position and a stop is automatically activated when the yoke reaches the open position which maintains the yoke in open position for removal of the trailer from the hitch.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1977Date of Patent: January 29, 1980Assignee: ACF Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Patricia S. Stoller, James C. Hammonds, John O. Kloepper, Arnold Schlobohm