Wheel assembly with a derail guard for rail

Details Wheel assembly with a derail guard for rail Wheel assembly with a derail guard for rail

2000-08-25

2001-11-27

Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)

Railway wheels and axles

Wheels

Moveable flange

C104S242000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06322121

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates in general to wheel assemblies for rail vehicles and, more particularly, to a wheel assembly with a derail guard.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rail vehicles generally travel on a track comprising a pair of spaced parallel rails. Wheel assemblies for rail vehicles typically include single flange rail wheels, which have an annular surface that rides on an upper surface of an associated rail. An annular flange on one side of each single flange rail wheel engages an associated inner side of the respective rail. Rail vehicles usually utilize single flange rail wheels in oppositely facing pairs, wherein the respective wheels are opposed across the width of the track. This configuration serves to guide the rail vehicle along the track and provide lateral retainment for the vehicle.
It is generally known that track switches are used to allow a rail vehicle to transfer from one track to another. Additionally, track frogs allow a rail vehicle traveling on one track to cross an intersecting track, without the need of a switch. Smaller rail vehicles, such as production or maintenance vehicles are more prone to derailment at track switches and frog areas of tracks in comparison to other areas of the track.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention prevents smaller rail vehicles traveling on a rail from derailing by providing a wheel assembly with a derail guard. Additionally, the wheel assembly comprises a wheel axle, which defines an axis, and a wheel. The wheel is mounted for rotation about the axis of the wheel axle and has an annular flange on one side that is adjacent the rail. The derail guard includes a connecting portion that is mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of the wheel axle and a guard portion. The guard portion depends from and hangs pendulously from the connecting portion. Furthermore, the guard portion is disposed on a side of the rail opposite the one side and extends downwardly under the force of gravity. The guard portion is pivotally movable in a direction generally parallel to the rail, when the guard portion is contacted by an obstacle adjacent the opposite side of the rail.


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