Fail-safe, weight-responsive skate retarder
US7306077B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB61K7/04
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention relates to a fail-safe skate retarder that applies a braking force proportional to the weight of a rail car entering the retarder. Each segment of the retarder includes a lever mechanism with a pair of levers rotatably joined under the running rail. Each lever holds a braking rail for engaging a wheel of the car. The retarder is normally in a lower, fail-safe position with the brake rails closer together than the width of the wheel. When the car enters the retarder, the wheel forces the brake rails apart into a braking position, and the middle of the lever mechanism rises to lift the running rail and car. A hydraulic power unit and cylinder is activated to raise the middle of the lever mechanism even further to a release position so that the brake rails are spread apart more than the width of the wheel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.