Integrated mandrel vehicle restraint with pedal tensioner
AssigneeTrinity Rail Group, LLC
InventorKenneth W. Huck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus includes a mandrel assembly, an anchor, a strap, a winch, a first pedal, an advancer. The mandrel assembly is positioned on a first side of a tire of a vehicle and to couple to a track assembly of rail car. The anchor is positioned on a second side of the tire and to couple to the track assembly. The strap assembly is coupled to the mandrel assembly and the anchor and wraps around the tire. The winch is coupled to the mandrel assembly. The winch includes a first sprocket. The advancer is coupled to the first pedal and engages the first sprocket such that, when the first pedal is pushed towards the winch, the advancer pushes the winch such that the winch and the mandrel assembly rotate in a first direction.
Claims17
An apparatus comprising:
- a mandrel assembly configured to be positioned on a first side of a tire of a vehicle and to couple to a track assembly of rail car;
- an anchor configured to be positioned on a second side of the tire and to couple to the track assembly;
- a strap assembly configured to couple to the mandrel assembly and the anchor and further configured to wrap around the tire;
- a winch coupled to the mandrel assembly, the winch comprising a first sprocket;
- a first pedal;
- and
- an advancer coupled to the first pedal and configured to engage the first sprocket such that, when the first pedal is pushed towards the winch, the advancer pushes the winch such that the winch and the mandrel assembly rotate in a first direction.
A method comprising:
- positioning a strap assembly on a portion of a tire of a vehicle;
- coupling a mandrel assembly to a track assembly of a rail car on a first side of the tire;
- coupling an anchor to the track assembly on a second side of the tire;
- coupling the strap assembly to the mandrel assembly and to the anchor;
- and
- pushing downward on a first pedal to cause an advancer coupled to the first pedal to engage a first sprocket of a winch coupled to the mandrel assembly and to push the winch such that the winch and the mandrel assembly rotate in a first direction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.