A retracting rail clamp for braking or anchoring a rail-mounted machine such as a crane by clamping opposite sides of a longitudinal rail member, the retracting rail clamp comprising: a load transfer frame rigidly secured to the crane, such as by bolting; and a clamp mechanism suspended within the load transfer frame by at least one lateral pair of pivotally mounted lift levers, and operable through a first and second stage of motion between a raised, brake release position, in which the entirety of the rail clamp is disposed substantially vertically clear of the rail, and a lowered, brake set position wherein at least one opposed facing pair of main levers of the clamp mechanism engage the side surfaces of the rail.

A braking system includes a frame, a linear actuator coupled to the frame, a rotating joint coupled to linear actuator and the frame, a force applicator coupled to the rotating joint, and a friction mat coupled to the force applicator. The first linear actuator is operable to cause the rotating joint to rotate relative to the frame and the force applicator is operable to vary a distance between the friction mat and the rotating joint.

A braking system includes a frame, a linear actuator coupled to the frame, a rotating joint coupled to linear actuator and the frame, a force applicator coupled to the rotating joint, and a friction mat coupled to the force applicator. The first linear actuator is operable to cause the rotating joint to rotate relative to the frame and the force applicator is operable to vary a distance between the friction mat and the rotating joint.

A protection device for traversing a guide member and method of making the like, the protection device includes a wheel configured to engage the guide member. In some embodiments, the protection embodiment includes a locker configured to engage a braking surface. The locker engagement mechanism configured to releasably engage the locker. In some embodiments, a centrifugal actuator operatively coupled to the wheel and configured to actuate the locker engagement mechanism to release the locker based on a threshold speed of the wheel. In an instance in which the wheel is rotating at or above the threshold speed of the wheel in a first direction, the centrifugal actuator is configured to actuate and rotate the locker engagement mechanism to release the locker and to allow the locker to rotate and engage the braking surface. A corresponding method of operation is also provided.

A rapid deceleration mechanism for a vehicle is provided herein. The rapid deceleration mechanism includes a cutting mechanism configured to be coupled to a body of the vehicle, e.g., via a tether. An actuating mechanism is configured to selectively actuate (e.g., release or propel) the cutting mechanism towards a road surface on which the vehicle is driving to cause the cutting mechanism to cut a channel in the road surface. The channel defines a bollard area in the road surface. At least a portion of the cutting mechanism is disposed at least partially within the channel, against the bollard area, to anchor the body of the vehicle relative to the road surface.

A rapid deceleration mechanism for a vehicle is provided herein. The rapid deceleration mechanism includes a cutting mechanism configured to be coupled to a body of the vehicle, e.g., via a tether. An actuating mechanism is configured to selectively actuate (e.g., release or propel) the cutting mechanism towards a road surface on which the vehicle is driving to cause the cutting mechanism to cut a channel in the road surface. The channel defines a bollard area in the road surface. At least a portion of the cutting mechanism is disposed at least partially within the channel, against the bollard area, to anchor the body of the vehicle relative to the road surface.

An extended range, consistent force rail brake comprising an adjustable wedge assembly operatively situated between the main power spring(s) and the brake shoe(s) for selectively taking up the vertical distance that the brake shoe is required to travel between the brake release position and an initial railhead contact position. The adjustable wedge assembly is thus selectively expandable in the vertical orientation, and may comprise: an upper block that is operatively connected, either directly or indirectly, to the power spring; a lower wedge rigidly affixed to a replaceable brake shoe; and an intermediate wedge that is located by suitable bearings and/or linkages for transverse, generally horizontal slidable engagement between the upper block and the lower wedge. Each of the upper block and lower wedge elements of the wedge assembly are, respectively, located by suitable bearings and/or linkages for generally vertical translational motion (but very little, if any, lateral or longitudinal horizontal motion) within upper and lower guides provided on a frame of the rail brake.

An extended range, consistent force rail brake comprising an adjustable wedge assembly operatively situated between the main power spring(s) and the brake shoe(s) for selectively taking up the vertical distance that the brake shoe is required to travel between the brake release position and an initial railhead contact position. The adjustable wedge assembly is thus selectively expandable in the vertical orientation, and may comprise: an upper block that is operatively connected, either directly or indirectly, to the power spring; a lower wedge rigidly affixed to a replaceable brake shoe; and an intermediate wedge that is located by suitable bearings and/or linkages for transverse, generally horizontal slidable engagement between the upper block and the lower wedge. Each of the upper block and lower wedge elements of the wedge assembly are, respectively, located by suitable bearings and/or linkages for generally vertical translational motion (but very little, if any, lateral or longitudinal horizontal motion) within upper and lower guides provided on a frame of the rail brake.

Provided are a suspension device of a monorail crane and a monorail crane. The suspension device includes a suspension box and at least one set of suspension wheels; the suspension box is provided with a receiving groove for receiving at least one set of the suspension wheels; the receiving groove is provided with a first suspension wheel and a second suspension wheel; a first gap is formed the first suspension wheel and the second suspension wheel; the monorail includes at least a first track on which the first suspension wheel is placed and a second track on which the second suspension wheel is placed; a spacer is provided between the first track and the second track; the first gap can accommodate at least the spacer; the suspension devices each further includes a braking mechanism fixed to the suspension box.

A braking system includes a frame, a linear actuator coupled to the frame, a rotating joint coupled to linear actuator and the frame, a force applicator coupled to the rotating joint, and a friction mat coupled to the force applicator. The first linear actuator is operable to cause the rotating joint to rotate relative to the frame and the force applicator is operable to vary a distance between the friction mat and the rotating joint.