Patent ID: 7584704
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: B61B

Abstract:
1. An assembly adapted for use with and configured to interlock a vertical lift station (VLS) and an electro-mono rail system (EMS), wherein the VLS includes a VLS rail, the EMS includes a main rail, the VLS rail is translatable into and out of an operable position relative to the EMS, and the main and VLS rails are adjacent in the operable position, so as to cooperatively define an EMS-VLS interface, said assembly comprising: an EMS engaging structure fixedly attached to the main rail at or near the interface; a VLS rail engaging structure fixedly attached to the VLS rail at or near the interface; and a clamping device configured to produce a holding force when the VLS rail is in the operable position and the structures are attached to the main and VLS rails, and further configured to apply the force to the EMS and VLS rail engaging structures, so that the main and VLS rail are biased towards and held in the fixed condition, wherein said device, EMS and VLS are communicatively coupled, the EMS or VLS is configured to notify the device when the VLS rail is in the operable position, and the device is configured to produce the force only upon notification that the VLS rail is in the operable position, wherein said VLS rail engaging structure includes an angle member having a rail engaging leg and a device engaging leg projecting from the rail engaging leg, so as to present a distal end, and said rail engaging leg is fixedly attachable to the VLS rail, wherein said device includes a translatable device member configured to shift into and out of an engaging position where the translatable member applies the force against the device engaging leg, wherein the translatable device member is a swing arm presenting a distal arm end and a pivot point opposite the distal arm end, said device and VLS rail engaging structure are cooperatively positioned and configured so that the distal arm end projects the force towards the device engaging leg in the engaging position, and said arm is configured to swing a minimum angle at least 30 degrees, so as to facilitate the translation of the VLS rail into and out of the operable position.