US3869805A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Track level indicator
Assignee: Oak Industries Inc
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Filing: 1973-10-09
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Granted: 1975-03-11
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Expires: 1993-10-09
Abstract
Abstract This is a device for checking the cross level of railroad track which may be mounted on the dashboard of a regular rail-highway vehicle. The dial is easy to read by the driver of the vehicle. It is accurate, extremely useful and a timesaver for railroad superintendents and chief engineers and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew M Dieringer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:07
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C9/00; G01C9/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
260 words
A railroad track level indicator for installation in a vehicle of the type which travels on railroad tracks, said indicator being constructed and adapted to show differences in elevation between the rails and including a housing constructed and arranged to be mounted on the vehicle, an electric bridge circuit mounted in the housing, a bracket adjustably mounted in the housing, a pendulum mounted on the bracket, a variable contact mounted on the pendulum and movable along one of the resistances in the bridge circuit upon movement of the pendulum and the housing relative to each other as the vehicle moves along the tracks to indicate an out of level condition, an ammeter connected in the bridge circuit having a scale calibrated in inches of elevation and a pointer movable across the scale in response to differences of potential in the bridge circuit, the adjustable mounting for the bracket and relative to the housing including a pivotal connection for one end of the bracket on one side of the housing so that the bracket may be pivoted about an axis which is generally paralled to the rails; and a springbiased, manually operable adjustment on the other side of the housing between the bracket and the housing with operable means extending through the housing so that the bracket may be adjusted to and firmly held at a position wherein said pointer will point to the zero position on the scale while the vehicle is on a section of level track, and means for connecting the bridge circuit to a source of power.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
260 words
A railroad track level indicator for installation in a vehicle of the type which travels on railroad tracks, said indicator being constructed and adapted to show differences in elevation between the rails and including a housing constructed and arranged to be mounted on the vehicle, an electric bridge circuit mounted in the housing, a bracket adjustably mounted in the housing, a pendulum mounted on the bracket, a variable contact mounted on the pendulum and movable along one of the resistances in the bridge circuit upon movement of the pendulum and the housing relative to each other as the vehicle moves along the tracks to indicate an out of level condition, an ammeter connected in the bridge circuit having a scale calibrated in inches of elevation and a pointer movable across the scale in response to differences of potential in the bridge circuit, the adjustable mounting for the bracket and relative to the housing including a pivotal connection for one end of the bracket on one side of the housing so that the bracket may be pivoted about an axis which is generally paralled to the rails; and a springbiased, manually operable adjustment on the other side of the housing between the bracket and the housing with operable means extending through the housing so that the bracket may be adjusted to and firmly held at a position wherein said pointer will point to the zero position on the scale while the vehicle is on a section of level track, and means for connecting the bridge circuit to a source of power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
260 words
A railroad track level indicator for installation in a vehicle of the type which travels on railroad tracks, said indicator being constructed and adapted to show differences in elevation between the rails and including a housing constructed and arranged to be mounted on the vehicle, an electric bridge circuit mounted in the housing, a bracket adjustably mounted in the housing, a pendulum mounted on the bracket, a variable contact mounted on the pendulum and movable along one of the resistances in the bridge circuit upon movement of the pendulum and the housing relative to each other as the vehicle moves along the tracks to indicate an out of level condition, an ammeter connected in the bridge circuit having a scale calibrated in inches of elevation and a pointer movable across the scale in response to differences of potential in the bridge circuit, the adjustable mounting for the bracket and relative to the housing including a pivotal connection for one end of the bracket on one side of the housing so that the bracket may be pivoted about an axis which is generally paralled to the rails; and a spring-biased, manually operable adjustment on the other side of the housing between the bracket and the housing with operable means extending through the housing so that the bracket may be adjusted to and firmly held at a position wherein said pointer will point to the zero position on the scale while the vehicle is on a section of level track, and means for connecting the bridge circuit to a source of power.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
260 words
A railroad track level indicator for installation in a vehicle of the type which travels on railroad tracks, said indicator being constructed and adapted to show differences in elevation between the rails and including a housing constructed and arranged to be mounted on the vehicle, an electric bridge circuit mounted in the housing, a bracket adjustably mounted in the housing, a pendulum mounted on the bracket, a variable contact mounted on the pendulum and movable along one of the resistances in the bridge circuit upon movement of the pendulum and the housing relative to each other as the vehicle moves along the tracks to indicate an out of level condition, an ammeter connected in the bridge circuit having a scale calibrated in inches of elevation and a pointer movable across the scale in response to differences of potential in the bridge circuit, the adjustable mounting for the bracket and relative to the housing including a pivotal connection for one end of the bracket on one side of the housing so that the bracket may be pivoted about an axis which is generally paralled to the rails; and a spring-biased, manually operable adjustment on the other side of the housing between the bracket and the housing with operable means extending through the housing so that the bracket may be adjusted to and firmly held at a position wherein said pointer will point to the zero position on the scale while the vehicle is on a section of level track, and means for connecting the bridge circuit to a source of power.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |