US 12,151,721 B2
Locked-axle wheel cradle, system, and method
Christopher M. Romero, Lawrece, KS (US); Henry R. Schafer, Smithville, MO (US); Timothy Webb, Topeka, KS (US); Mike E. Teaford, Topeka, KS (US); Edward M. Meyers, Grantville, KS (US); Ryan L. Kimberlin, Meriden, KS (US); and Larry C. Valentine, Berryton, KS (US)
Assigned to BNSF Railway Company, Fort Worth, TX (US)
Filed by BNSF Railway Company, Fort Worth, TX (US)
Filed on Aug. 4, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/365,349.
Application 18/365,349 is a continuation of application No. 17/934,960, filed on Sep. 23, 2022, granted, now 11,724,723.
Prior Publication US 2024/0101169 A1, Mar. 28, 2024
Int. Cl. B61J 1/12 (2006.01)
CPC B61J 1/12 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A locked-axle wheel cradle, comprising:
a receiver member having a first wheel member and a first locked-wheel engager;
a connector member having a second wheel member and a second locked-wheel engager;
a puller coupled to the receiver member and the connector member and configured to pull the receiver member and the connector member towards each other to at least partially mate the receiver member with the connector member to lift a wheel off a surface; and
a gearbox having one or more gears configured to operate the puller to pull the receiver member and connector member towards each other.