Railcar man-way cover lift-assist system
US7770526B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2008 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 8, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16J13/18
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lift-assist system for a man-way cover includes a unitary spring mounted to the axis of rotation for the man-way cover. The spring includes a coil portion on either side of the axle of rotation, with a unitary bridge portion spanning between the coil portions. The bridge portion of the spring presses down on a cantilevered extension of the man-way cover, called a duck bill. A first predetermined spacing is provided between the coil portions and the axle and second predetermined spacing is provided between the ends of the coil portions and the mounting of the axle. These predetermined spacings accommodate the variations in the coil geometry as the man-way cover moves from a fully shut position to a fully open position and vice versa.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.