US3741027A

US3741027A - Driving transmission for opening and closing sliding roof parts

Info

Publication number: US3741027A
Application number: US00087154A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Schneider; M Oerter; R Walser
Original assignee: Rheinstahl AG
Current assignee: Rheinstahl AG
Priority date: 1969-11-07
Filing date: 1970-11-05
Publication date: 1973-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-26
Also published as: GB1272199A; SU414777A3; AT310796B; BG17480A4; DE1956136A1; NO126307B; RO56047A7; SE367975B; YU254870A; CA922925A; ES384786A2; BE757852R; FI51921B; HU163141B; YU32581B

Abstract

A transmission or device for opening and closing sliding roof parts, particularly sliding roofs of freight cars, comprises a cable drum mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and arranged for each sliding roof part on a cross connection transverse to the longitudinal direction of the freight car. A cable is secured to each roof part and the free ends of each cable are secured on the cable drum and are mounted such that one cable is wound when the other is unwound. The cables could also be connected together and the connected cable arranged to surround the cable drum at least once. A hand crank is connected to each cable drum through transmission means which includes an engaging and a disengaging clutch and having at least a two ratio gearing which automatically adjusts itself to the force expended on the crank.

Description

United States Patent [191 Schneider et al.

[ June 26, 1973 Germany; Rudolf Walser, Jegenstorf, Switzerland [73] Assignee: Rheinstahl Ag,

Netphen-Dries-Tiefenbach, Germany [22] Filed: Nov. 5, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 87,154

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data 2,530,796 11/1950 Weyant 192/54 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 192,286. 12/1906 Germany 74/337 Primary.Examiner-Leonard I-l. Gerin A'iiarr ze'y McGlew & Toren [5 7 ABSTRACT A transmission or device for opening and closing sliding roof parts, particularly sliding roofs of freight cars, comprises a cable drum mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis and arranged for each sliding roof part on a cross'connection transverse to the longitudinal direction of;,the freight car. A cable is secured to each roof part and the free ends of each cable are secured on the cable drum and are mounted such that one cable is wound when the other is unwound. The cables could also be connected together and the connected cable arranged to surround the cable drum at'least once. A hand crank is connected to each cable drum through transmission means which includes an engaging and a disengaging clutch and having at least a two ratio gear ing which automatically adjusts itself to the force expended on the crank.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENIEI] M26 I975 SHEUIBFZ FIGJ llll ilili ililililililililili SCI/#67052 E 5 m m m 0% f 4 a v 6F 5e Y B 3 E F DRIVING TRANSMISSION FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SLIDING ROOF PARTS This invention relates in general to driving devices for operating moving parts, and in particular, to a new and useful driving transmission for opening and closing sliding roof parts particularly on railroad freight cars.

This invention is an improvement over that disclosed and described in US. Pat. No. 3,526,194.

The present invention is particularly applicable for opening and closing sliding roof parts particularly on railroad freight cars. Such-freight cars include two side wall upper booms of the car box frame which are connected with each other by at least one cross connection and the sliding roof comprises at least two parts which are raised for displacement by an amount at least corresponding to their thicknesses. A cable drum mounted forrotation about a horizontal axis is arranged transverse to the longitudinal direction of the car for each sliding roof part and cams are provided, at least on one side of each drum, which extend in a closed position of the sliding roof parts to a finger bar arranged ontheir underside of the parts. The cams move during the rotation of the respective cable drum in an opening direction under the finger, bar and lift the sliding roof part. The two free ends of the connecting cables are so secured on a cable drum that one cable is wound the other is unwound or the two cables are connected with each other and the one part cable thus formed surrounds the cable drum' at least once. Each cable drum is turned by a hand crank which is operated from the bottom through a transmission means which can be engaged and disengaged through a clutch.

The fact that the sliding roof parts must be raised by at least the amount of their thickness before they are displaced horizontally one above the other, makes it necessary to'- select gear ratios in the transmission means so that the force expended during the raising of the roof parts is kept as low as possible. In addition, the required number of revolutions of the hand wheel during the horizontal displacement also must be kept to a minimum. The selected ratio is thus a compromise which does not do full justice to either of the two movements.

jIn order to be able to open the roof with a minimum of force and time expenditure, the invention provides a transmission means with a gearing which reduces the necessary force during the raising of the roof parts and the necessary number of revolutions during the horiz'ontal displacement. This is achieved by providing at least a two ratio gear which adjusts itself automatically to the force expended on the hand crank located in the transmission means between the hand crank and the associated drum. The gear engages in a manner to provide a minimum amount of movement in a'rest position, and during the horizontal displacement when the roof parts are locked in their closed position. When the roof parts are raised, the gearengages in a manner providing for a force saving transmission. By the arrangement of such a gear, the force required on the hand crank for raising the roof from its closed position is reduced to a minimum. After the roof is raised thegear shifts automatically into a gearing which provides for a saving of the amount of revolutions or movement for the displacement of the roof parts.

If one gear is used per freight car, a drive shaft is connected non-rotationally with the other transmission means arranged on the freight car. Preferably two hand cranks are arranged which are operated from the bottom and they are connected through a transmission with the drums being mounted on the cross connection. By connecting the hand wheels through the transmission means with the drive shaft of the gear, all hand wheels can be connected with the roof opening devices through only a single gearing. The gearing advantageously comprises four sprocket or gear wheels of different sizes corresponding to the required gear ratio and which are arranged in pairs on two shafts. When a sprocket and chain drive is employed, they are interconnected with each other by a chain and the wheels of the shaft are mounted loosely and those sprockets on the other shaft are affixed to the shaft for rotation therewith. The transmission includes an arrangement between the rotatable hand wheel and the gearing which comprises a clutch having two clutch engaging portions. The first coupling portion of the clutch is connected between the drive shaft and the first gearing and a second coupling is connected between the drive shaft and the second gearing. The arrangement includes first spring biasing means biasing the first coupling into an engaged position and second springbiasing means for biasing the second coupling into an engagement position but which is held in an ineffective position when the driven shaft is in a loaded or driving'condition. The two couplings are advantageously in the form of sleeve members having coupling engagingportions or claws and they are dimensioned so that they may be telescoped one within the other. The interengaging portions are chamfered in the form of a truncated pyramid. One of them, for example, theone which is engaged with the gear for saving speed preferably includes a straightfor chamfered dove tail interconnection.

Accordingly, it is anobject of the invention to provide a device for opening and closing sliding roof parts which includes a hand crank connected to a cable drum for a cable which is adapted to be connected to a roof part to be moved, and transmission means in the form of an engaging'and disengaging clutch which has at least two selectable ratios of gear connection for driving the associated cables, and which automatically adjusts itself to the force expendedon the hand crank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a driving transmission particularly for opening and closing sliding roof parts which includes a rotatable drive shaft driving a driven shaft for the cables through a selective one of at least two separate gear connections and with a clutch coupling connected between the drive shaft and the gearing which includes two interengageable telescopic coupling parts with spring means for biasing one of the parts into an effective position and holding the other part out of an effective position, and which permits disengagement of the first part after the unloading of the driven shaft and allows subsequent engagement of the other part.

A further object of the invention is to provide a driving transmission which is simple in design, rugged in construction, and economical to manufacture.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularlity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

' For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a transmission gearing constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line IIII of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line III-III of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings in particular, the invention embodied therein, comprises a driving transmission, particularly for opening and closing sliding roof parts which, in the embodiment shown, includes a driving hand wheel 16 which is affixed to a drive shaft 76 for rotating said shaft. The driving shaft 76 is connected non-rotatably through sprocket wheels 77, chains 78 and sprocket wheel 50 with a second hand wheel 52 which is adapted to be located at another location of a railroad freight car (not shown).

The apparatus also includes a driven shaft 79 having a sprocket 92 which drives a chain 78 which is adapted to be connected, either directly or through an intermediate gearing, for the selective operation of one or the other of two roof parts associated with the actuating device for the moving of the sliding roof parts. The separate sprocket 92 could also be provided behind each hand wheel 16.

Transmission means extending between the hand wheel 16 and the driven shaft 79 includes axially spaced

sprocket wheels

80 and 83 which alternatively drive the

sprockets

82 and 83 on the driven shaft 79 through

respective chains

84 and 85 to provide two selectable drive speed ratios. The

sprockets

80 and 81 are freely rotatable around the shaft 76 and have on their sides facing each other coupling claws or coupling parts 80a and 81a. The

sprocket wheels

82 and 83 are fixed to their associated driven shaft 79 for rotation therewith.

In accordance with a feature of the invention the

sprocket wheels

80 and 81 around the drive shaft 76 are associated with clutch means including a first clutch member or bush 86 and a second clutch member or bush 87. These

bushes

86 and 87 carry

coupling claws

86a and 80a, respectively, which are chamfered in the form 'of a truncated pyramid and the coupling claws 87a and 81a of the clutch bushing 87 and of the free sprocket 81 are straight. The inside and outside diameters of the first and

second clutch bushes

86 and 87 are so dimensioned at least on the sides facing each other that they can be telescoped up to a stop. The

bushes

86 and 87 include an axially elongated slot through which a wedge 88 is engaged and which provides a driving connection between the

bushes

86 and 87 and drive shaft 76. The slots in the

bushes

86 and 87 and in the drive shaft 76 are longer than the width of the wedge 88 so that the

bushes

86 and 87 are axially displaceable and can be moved relatively in axial directions.

A compression spring 89 is arranged around the bush 86 and bears at the bush 86 at its one end and the bush 87 at its opposite end. The compression spring 89 tends to spread the

bushes

86 and 87 apart and constitutes a spring biasing means for biasing the bush 87 into an engaged position when the bush 86 in in a disengaged position.

The drive shaft 76 is partly hollow and in the hollow portion is arranged the tension spring 91 which is secure to the wedge 88 and which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting screw 90. It provides a biasing means for biasing the bush 86 into an engaged position.

The force of the compression spring 91 and the force of the tension spring 91 are so selected and adjust that the coupling claws 86a of the clutch bush 86 engage in the unloaded gear. The claws 87a of the bush 87 which carries the sprocket wheel are disengaged from the claws 81a of the sprocket wheel 81. If the hand wheel 16 is now turned the transmission in such that the drive is from the drive shaft 76, the clutch bush 86, the sprocket wheel 80, the chain 84 to the sprocket wheel 82 and the drive shaft 79 and to the sprocket wheel 92. The hand wheel 52, which is connected to the sprocket 77 turns freely with it. The bush 86 with the sprocket I 80 will remain engaged until the wedge effect of the

coupling claws

86a and 80a exceeds the contact pressure exerted by the tension spring 91. The force of the tension spring 91 is adjusted by the adjusting screw so that engagement takes place during the raising of the roof parts when the driven shaft 79 is loaded.

When the clutch bush 86 is disengaged with clutch bush 87 engages to cause rotation of the sprocket 81 and driving of the shaft 79 through the driven sprocket 85. This provides for a different transmission gear ratio and provides a force-saving speed transmission. The interengagement is produced by the action of the compression spring 89 after the bush 86 is moved backwardly into disengagement and the compression spring 89 becomes effective to force engagement of the claws 87a and 81a of the clutch bush 87 for driving engagement of the associated sprocket 81 with the sprocket 85. Jamming of the coupling claws is prevented by the elastic engagement of the clutch bush 87 because of the fact that it may be displaced toward the compression spring 89 on the clutch bush 86. When the force on the hand wheel 16 diminishes the clutch is shifted automatically to the path-saving speed ratio by the tension spring 91.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A driving transmission, particularly for opening and closing sliding roof parts, comprising a rotatable drive shaft, a rotatable driven shaft adapted to be connected to a part to be moved, first and second drive gear means each with engaged toothed wheels carried by said drive shaft, a first coupling connected between said drive shaft and said first drive means, a second coupling connected between said drive shaft and said second drive gear means, operating means connected to said drive shaft to rotate said drive shaft, first spring means biasing said first coupling into an engaged position, second spring means biasing said second coupling toward an engaged position, said first spring means being connected to said second coupling and holding said second coupling in a position in which said second spring means is ineffective when said driven shaft is in a loaded driving condition and when said operating means is rotating said drive shaft.

2. A driving transmission according to claim 1, including a hand wheel driving sprocket connected to said first coupling and being rotatable during engagement of said first coupling.

3. A driving transmission, according to claim 1, including first and second driven sprockets carried on said driven shaft, said first and second toothed wheels carried by said drive shaft including separate first and second drive sprockets and chain means extending between respective first drive sprocket and said second drive sprocket and said second driven sprocket.

4. A driving transmission, particularly for opening and closing sliding roof parts, comprising a rotatable drive shaft a rotatable driven shaft adapted to be connected to a part to be moved, first and second drive gear means carried by said drive shaft, a first coupling connected between said drive shaft and said first drive means, a second coupling connected between said drive shaft and said second drive gear means, operating means connected to said drive shaft to rotate said drive shaft, first spring means biasing said first coupling into an engaged position, second spring means biasing said second coupling toward an engaged position, said first spring means being connected to said second coupling and holding said second coupling in a position in which said second spring means is ineffective when said driven shaft is in a loaded driving condition and ,when' said operating means is rotating said drive shaft, said first and second drive gear means comprising respective first and second gears carried by said first and second couplings respectively.

5. A driving transmission, according to claim 4,

wherein said first and second gears comprise driving sprockets.

6. A driving transmission, particularly for opening and closing sliding roof parts, comprising a rotatable drive shaft, a rotatable driven shaft adaptedto be connected to a part to be moved, first and second drive gear means carried by said drive shaft, a first coupling connected between said drive shaft and said first drive means, a second coupling connected between said drive shaft and said second drive gear means, operating means connected to said drive shaft to rotate said drive shaft, first spring means biasing said first coupling into an engaged position, second spring means biasing said second coupling toward an engaged position, said first spring means being connected to said second coupling and holding said second coupling in a position in which said second spring means is ineffective when said driven shaft is in a loaded driving condition and when said operating means is rotating said drive shaft, said first and second couplings comprising telescopic sleeve members rotatably mounted on said drive shaft.

7. A driving transmission, according to claim 6, wherein said first spring means comprises a spring having one end anchored at a fixed location, said first and second couplings comprising telescopic sleeve members having each an axially elongated slot, a wedge member extending through the slots of each of said couplings and engaged with the opposite end of said spring.

8. A driving transmission, particularly for opening and closing sliding roof parts, comprising a rotatable drive shaft, a rotatable driven shaft adapted to be connected to a part to be moved, first and second drive gear means carried by said drive shaft, a first coupling connected between said drive shaft and said first drive means, a second coupling connected between said drive shaft and said second drive gear means, operating means connected to said drive shaft to rotate said drive a and holding said second coupling in a position in which drive gears.

Claims

4. A driving transmission, particularly for opening and closing sliding roof parts, comprising a rotatable drive shaft a rotatable driven shaft adapted to be connected to a part to be moved, first and second drive gear means carried by said drive shaft, a first coupling connected between said drive shaft and said first drive means, a second coupling connected between said drive shaft and said second drive gear means, operating means connected to said drive shaft to rotate said drive shaft, first spring means biasing said first coupling into an enGaged position, second spring means biasing said second coupling toward an engaged position, said first spring means being connected to said second coupling and holding said second coupling in a position in which said second spring means is ineffective when said driven shaft is in a loaded driving condition and when said operating means is rotating said drive shaft, said first and second drive gear means comprising respective first and second gears carried by said first and second couplings respectively.

5. A driving transmission, according to claim 4, wherein said first and second gears comprise driving sprockets.

6. A driving transmission, particularly for opening and closing sliding roof parts, comprising a rotatable drive shaft, a rotatable driven shaft adapted to be connected to a part to be moved, first and second drive gear means carried by said drive shaft, a first coupling connected between said drive shaft and said first drive means, a second coupling connected between said drive shaft and said second drive gear means, operating means connected to said drive shaft to rotate said drive shaft, first spring means biasing said first coupling into an engaged position, second spring means biasing said second coupling toward an engaged position, said first spring means being connected to said second coupling and holding said second coupling in a position in which said second spring means is ineffective when said driven shaft is in a loaded driving condition and when said operating means is rotating said drive shaft, said first and second couplings comprising telescopic sleeve members rotatably mounted on said drive shaft.

8. A driving transmission, particularly for opening and closing sliding roof parts, comprising a rotatable drive shaft, a rotatable driven shaft adapted to be connected to a part to be moved, first and second drive gear means carried by said drive shaft, a first coupling connected between said drive shaft and said first drive means, a second coupling connected between said drive shaft and said second drive gear means, operating means connected to said drive shaft to rotate said drive shaft, first spring means biasing said first coupling into an engaged position, second spring means biasing said second coupling toward an engaged position, said first spring means being connected to said second coupling and holding said second coupling in a position in which said second spring means is ineffective when said driven shaft is in a loaded driving condition and when said operating means is rotating said drive shaft, a first drive gear freely rotatable on said drive shaft, a second drive gear freely rotatable on said drive shaft, said first and second couplings comprising respective interengageable first and second jaw members on the respective first and second couplings and the first and second drive gears.