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US 12,139,180 B2Granted
Railcar uncoupling lever apparatus and methods of using the same
AssigneeHolland Company
InventorsPaul Lindemulder, John B. Brewster, Christopher D. Roberts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved telescoping railcar uncoupling levers have improved bearings that resist damage. Moreover, the uncoupling levers include removable lock lifter linkage hooks. In addition, the uncoupling levers comprise an improved handle loop shape allowing the levers to be more easily installed and/or removed when damaged. Methods of using the same are further provided.
Claims20
A railcar uncoupling lever apparatus comprising:
- a telescoping bar having a first end and a second end;
- a handle on the first end of the telescoping bar;
- a hook on the second end of the telescoping bar;
- wherein the handle is configured to thread through a bracket on a railcar without removal of the bracket, and the hook is configured to be removable from the telescoping bar,
- wherein the telescoping bar comprises a first bar portion, a second bar portion, and a third bar portion, wherein the first bar portion is slidably disposed on a first side of the second bar portion and slides relative to the second bar portion, and the third bar portion is slidably disposed on a second side of the second bar portion and slides relative to the second bar portion,
- wherein the first bar portion or the third bar portion is held to the second bar portion via at least one bearing, wherein the at least one bearing is held in place by a retaining clip comprising a first plate welded to a first side of the second bar portion, a second plate welded to a second side of the second bar portion, and a third plate extending between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first, second, and third plates form a space wherein the at least one bearing is held within the space.
3 more elements
A method of using an uncoupling lever apparatus comprising the steps of:
- providing a railcar uncoupling lever apparatus comprising a telescoping bar having a first end and a second end, a handle on the first end of the telescoping bar, a hook on the second end of the telescoping bar, wherein the handle is configured to thread through a bracket on a railcar without removal of the bracket, and the hook is configured to be removable from the telescoping bar;
- threading the handle of the railcar uncoupling lever apparatus through a bracket on railcar;
- removing the hook from the second end of the telescoping bar;
- disposing the hook onto a lifting linkage of a railcar coupler;
- and
- attaching the hook to the second end of the telescoping bar.
3 more elements
A railcar uncoupling lever apparatus comprising:
- a telescoping bar having a first end and a second end;
- a handle on the first end of the telescoping bar;
- a hook on the second end of the telescoping bar;
- wherein the handle is configured to thread through a bracket on a railcar without removal of the bracket, and the hook is configured to be removable from the telescoping bar,
- wherein the handle comprises a first portion extending perpendicular from the telescoping bar, the handle further having a first straight portion extending from a first bend having a first angle, the handle further having a second straight portion extending from a second bend in the first straight portion having a second angle, the second straight portion extending into a loop forming a first plane that is perpendicular to a second plane formed by the first straight portion and the telescoping bar, the loop extending to a third straight portion that extends back toward the second bend, a third bend extending from the third straight portion having a third angle, the third bend extending into a fourth straight portion, a fourth bend extending from the fourth straight portion having a fourth angle, the fourth bend extending into a fifth straight portion.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.