Vehicle safety railroad crossing system
OwnerFrank J. Bartolottiinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A vehicle safety railroad crossing system comprising a system for preventing collisions between trains and motor vehicles at railroad crossings. The vehicle safety railroad crossing system functions to alert the train's engineer and brakeman of the vehicle ahead obstructing the tracks, and automatically apply the train's brakes to prevent a collision.
Claims8
A vehicle safety railroad crossing system for automatically stopping a train in the event a vehicle is obstructing a railroad crossing, the vehicle safety railroad crossing system comprising:
- one or more weight sensors mounted adjacent a railroad track at a railroad crossing;
- means for transmitting a signal, the signal based upon the weight of the vehicle determined by the one or more weight sensors, to an approaching train;
- and
- means for automatically applying the train's brakes to avoid collision with a vehicle resting on the railroad tracks.
A method for automatically stopping an approaching train in the event a vehicle is obstructing a railroad crossing, the method consisting of the following steps:
- A. Installing one or more weight sensors adjacent the railroad tracks at a railroad crossing;
- B. Distinguishing the transitory presence of vehicles crossing the railroad tracks and the prolonged presence of a vehicle at rest within the railroad crossing;
- C. In the event of a vehicle at rest within the railroad crossing, transmitting a signal from the location of the railroad crossing to the location of an approaching train;
- D. Communicating the signal to the approaching train;
- E. Activating the brakes of the train;
- and
- F. Stopping the train prior to collision with the vehicle at rest on the railroad tracks.
A method for automatically stopping an approaching train using a mechanical trip switch in the event a vehicle is obstructing a railroad crossing, the method consisting of the following steps:
- A. Installing one or more weight sensors adjacent the railroad tracks at a railroad crossing;
- B. Distinguishing the transitory presence of vehicles crossing the railroad tracks and the prolonged presence of a vehicle at rest within the railroad crossing;
- C. In the event of a vehicle at rest within the railroad crossing, transmitting a signal from the location of the railroad crossing to a mechanical trip switch in the location of an approaching train;
- D. When the approaching train trips the mechanical switch, the approaching train is notified that a stop is required;
- E. Activating the brakes of the train;
- and
- F. Stopping the train prior to collision with the vehicle at rest on the railroad tracks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.