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 Title: |
US5402730:
Platen drive unit
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Salter, Kenneth D.; Los Angeles, CA
Armstrong, Daniel A.; Simi Valley, CA
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| Assignee: |
The Walt Disney Company, Burbank, CA
other patents from WALT DISNEY COMPANY (617665) (approx. 101)
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| Published / Filed: |
1995-04-04
/ 1993-08-11
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| Application Number: |
US1993000105845
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
B61B 13/12;
IPC-7:
B61B 13/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
B61B13/12D;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
104/168;
104/165;
Original:
104/168;
104/165;
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| Field of Search: |
104/165,163,168,170
198/722,782
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| Priority Number: |
| 1993-08-11 |
US1993000105845 |
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| Abstract: |
The preferred embodiment is a platen drive unit that propels the platens of vehicles moving along a track. The platen drive unit may be readily used at any portion of the track, since it acts as a castor about a kingpin assembly, thereby substantially reducing the effects of roller scrub in curved track portions. A self energizing structure balances a dual-pivot arrangement of frames, such that the drive roller of the unit is balanced to intersect the conveyance plane without imposing a "bump" or lurch upon a vehicle that first engages the drive roller. Additionally, the drive roller is preferably a dual-rate tire which features a compliant range, within which the tire is readily deformed, but which continues to drive the platen with a large normal force. Beyond the compliant range, the tire is not compliant to deformation. The dual-rate tire may be created by constricting the circumference and filling the deformed tire with a urethane filler, which is allowed to cure. The constricting influence is removed, and the tire tread punctured to allow air to fill an ullage between the filler and the tread, creating the compliant region.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Pretty, Schroeder, Brueggemann & Clark ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Le, Mark T.;
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 20 claims |
We claim:
1. A platen drive unit adapted to propel a platen of a vehicle along a conveyance plane, to thereby provide impetus to the vehicle for movement along a track, said platen drive unit mounted with respect to the track and comprising:
- a drive roller adapted to contact the platen and provide the impetus to the platen, said drive roller intersecting the conveyance plane and having a rotational axis that is substantially parallel to the conveyance plane;
- a swivel mounting that pivotally mounts said drive roller about a vertical axis that is substantially normal to said conveyance plane, thereby permitting the pivot of said rotational axis about said vertical pivot axis; and
- a motor operatively coupled to said drive roller to provide rotational impetus thereto.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 4 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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