Electro-hydraulic rectangular grapple for railcars
US5620222A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 1995 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 14, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66C3/16
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a novel grapple type of device for removing bulky materials from containers such as rail cars. The invention conforms to the general shape of rail cars and is able to enclose the bulky material from all sides. Therefore a grapple is provided comprising a housing which has a side and an end, with the end being shorter in length than the side. The grapple also has an attachment device positioned on the housing for attaching a tension member to the housing. A plurality of tines are pivotally attached to the housing along the side and at least one fine is pivotally attached to the housing along the end. There are further a plurality of fine actuating devices, each of the actuating devices having a first end attached to the housing and a second end attached to one of the tines. Additionally, the grapple contains a fluid supply mechanism operatively attached to the tine actuating devices, the fluid supply mechanism being positioned on the grapple.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.