The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 05, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 09, 1998
Stephen R. Early, Olathe, KS (US);
Aerd Transportation Products, Inc., Independence, MO (US);
Abstract
A railroad car cover actuator automatically opens and closes the hatch covers of a railroad car. The actuator includes a camming device mounted to a railroad car along a longitudinal axis on which a car cover is hingedly mounted. A first inflatable hose for opening the railroad car cover is attached at one end to the cover and at another end to the car and extends partially around the camming device in a taut position when the car cover is closed. A second inflatable hose for closing the railroad car cover is also attached at one and to the cover and at another end to the car and extends from the cover in a relaxed position when the car cover is closed. Upon inflation of either the opening or closing hose, the diameter of the camming device effectively increases because the reach of the hose shortens to apply a lifting force to the cover causing it to open or close, respectively. The actuator may additionally include a pull-strap on each hose for opening or closing the cover upon inflation to prevent permanent deformation of the hoses.