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06/26/08 - USPTO Class 105 | 1 views | #20080148992 | Prev - Next | About this Page

Trolley with tractor drive for use in curved enclosed tracks and system including the same

Title: Trolley with tractor drive for use in curved enclosed tracks and system including the same

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Claims

The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080148992, Trolley with tractor drive for use in curved enclosed tracks and system including the same.

1. A trolley for use with an enclosed track having at least one curved portion, the enclosed track being an elongated hollow member having a top wall portion, a pair of side wall portions and a pair of flanged portions, the flanged portions being spaced from each other to define a slot there between extending longitudinally along the track, said trolley comprising a rolling section and a drive section, said rolling section comprising first and second roller portions, said first roller portion being located within the track and comprising at least one support roller arranged to roll on at least one of the flange portions of the track, said second roller portion comprising a driven wheel and a pair of support rollers, said drive section being located outside of the track and including a driving sprocket and an associated driving loop, said driving sprocket being arranged for positively engaging said driving loop, said driving loop being arranged for positively engaging said driven wheel to cause said driven wheel to rotate about a horizontal axis, said pair of support rollers comprising an upstream support roller and a downstream support roller, said upstream support roller being located adjacent one side of said drive wheel and mounted on said drive section for pivoting action about an upstream vertical axis, said downstream support roller being located adjacent a diametrically opposed side of said driven wheel and mounted on said drive section for pivoting action about a downstream vertical axis, whereupon said upstream and downstream support rollers are enabled to roll along at least one of the flange portions of the track while said driven wheel rolls along the top wall portion of the track in the center thereof.

2. The trolley of claim 1 wherein said driving loop comprises a chain.

3. The trolley of claim 1 additionally comprising at least one spring for biasing said driven wheel into engagement with the top wall of the track.

4. The trolley of claim 1 additionally comprising a pair of guide rollers mounted on respective vertically extending rods connected to said second roller portion, each of said guide rollers being and located within the slot in the track, with said guide rollers being positioned immediately fore and aft of the position of said driven wheel.

5. The trolley of claim 4 wherein said first roller portion is coupled to said second roller portion by an articulated joint, said articulated joint comprising an elongated member, said elongated member having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion being pivotably coupled to said first roller portion at a first vertically extending axis, said second end portion being pivotably coupled to said second roller portion at a second vertically extending axis, said second vertically extending axis being located approximately midway between said vertically extending rods of said guide rollers.

6. The trolley of claim 5 wherein said articulated joint additionally comprises a tow-arm swing plate, and wherein said elongated member is comprises a yoke like member having a pair of arms, each of which includes a respective end fixedly secured to said tow-arm swing plate, said tow-arm swing plate being mounted for pivoting about said second vertically extending axis.

7. A trolley for use with an enclosed track having at least one curved portion, the enclosed track being an elongated hollow member having a top wall portion, a pair of side wall portions and a pair of flanged portions, the flanged portions being spaced from each other to define a slot therebetween extending longitudinally along the track, said trolley comprising a rolling section and a drive section, said rolling section comprising first and second roller portions, said first roller portion being located within the track and comprising at least one support roller arranged to roll on at least one of the flange portions of the track, said second roller portion comprising a driven wheel and a pair of support rollers, said first and second roller portions being coupled together by an articulating joint, said second roller portion comprising a pair of guide rollers mounted on respective vertically extending rods, each of said guide rollers being and located within said slot, with said guide rollers being positioned immediately fore and aft of the position of said driven wheel, said drive section being located outside of the track said driving section being arranged for driving said driven wheel to cause said driven wheel to rotate about a horizontal axis, said pair of support rollers comprising an upstream support roller and a downstream support roller, said upstream support roller being located adjacent one side of said drive wheel and mounted on said drive section for pivoting action about an upstream vertical axis, said downstream support roller being located adjacent a diametrically opposed side of said driven wheel and mounted on said drive section for pivoting action about a downstream vertical axis, whereupon said upstream and downstream support rollers are enabled to roll along at least one of the flange portions of the track while said driven wheel rolls along the top wall portion of the track in the center thereof, said articulated joint comprising an elongated member, said elongated member having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion being pivotably coupled to said first roller portion at a first vertically extending axis, said second end portion being pivotably coupled to said second roller portion at a second vertically extending axis, said second vertically extending axis being located approximately midway between said vertically extending rods of said guide rollers.

8. The trolley of claim 7 wherein said articulated joint additionally comprises a tow-arm swing plate, and wherein said elongated member is comprises a yoke like member having a pair of arms, each of which includes a respective end fixedly secured to said tow-arm swing plate, said tow-arm swing plate being mounted for pivoting about said second vertically extending axis.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Claims

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Previous Patent Application:
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Industry Class:
Railway rolling stock

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