Abstract

A railroad box car has a combined underframe and floor structure that includes a floor sheet having an upper surface upon which to carry lading, and an underside to which a center sill, cross-members, and floor stringers are welded. The floor sheet defines the upper flange of the center sill, the cross-members, and the stringers, such that the center sill, cross-members, and stringers are mutually flush. For assembly, the floor sheet is upside-down, and the center sill webs, stringers, and tie-down mounting rails to it with longitudinal welds. The cross-members and center sill web separators are positioned cross-wise and welded in place. The floor sheet is a non-nailable surface that caps the underframe structure. The stringers are channels welded toes-in to the underside of the floor sheet with the spacing between the center sill web, stringer toes, and edge channel rails being roughly equal.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/10 - Floors
• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures

Abstract

A symmetrical multi-unit railroad freight car, such as a 3-pack railroad intermodal well car, has body units that are connected symmetrically. The body units have a symmetrical arrangement of end trucks and shared trucks. The end trucks are 70 Ton Trucks. The shared trucks are 125 Ton trucks. The trucks have passive steering using geometric rocker stiffnesses. The rockers in the end trucks have a smaller radius of curvature than the rockers in the shared trucks. The spring groups in the shared trucks are stiffer than the spring groups in the end trucks. The spring groups in the end trucks have a different proportion of damping when empty, a shorter live load range of travel, and greater reserve travel than the shared trucks. The end trucks and the shared trucks have four-cornered damper groups that have the same sized damper wedges. The damper wedges have non-metallic wear pads.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/38 - Arrangements or devices for adjusting or allowing self-adjustment of wheel axles or bogies when rounding curves, e.g. sliding axles, swinging axles
• B61D 3/10 - Articulated vehicles
• B61F 3/12 - Types of bogies specially modified for carrying adjacent vehicle bodies of articulated trains
• B61F 5/30 - Axle-boxes mounted for movement under spring control in vehicle or bogie underframes

Abstract

There is a damper wedge for a railroad car truck. It has a removable and replaceable friction element that reciprocates on the wear plate of the side frame column of the railroad car truck. It has a non-metallic wear surface; a spring seat that, in use, engages a spring of the railroad car truck; and an inclined damper wedge surface having a primary angle, alpha, and a secondary angle, beta. The inclined damper wedge surface has a curvature. The curvature has a working point. The working point is located in a central region of a contact patch, or working surface patch. The nonmetallic wear surface material is mounted to a carrier that mounts removably to the damper wedge body. The carrier has fingers that span the wedge and that transfer shear and resist torsion, the fingers preventing the non-metallic member from migrating out of position.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/12 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating dampers
• B61F 3/02 - Types of bogies with more than one axle
• B61F 5/06 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating metal springs

Abstract

A railroad hopper car has a hopper carried between two trucks, and has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a rectangular frame. The bottom discharge is lower than the center sill. The car has a flat bottom discharge having multiple arrays of louvers. All of the lading discharges through the flat bottom. The side sheets extend downwardly beyond the side sills, so that the side slope sheets terminate below the side sills. The car has laterally extending shear force transfer members, that provide a shear connection between the side walls of the car, and have openings to permit lading from the main containment volume of the car to pass therethough to the lading discharges. The louvers are joined to move together. Alternatively, the gate may include two opposed sliding doors separated by a beam that runs under the center sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms

Abstract

A railroad tank car may have external fittings, such as brake fittings. A low mount brake fitting is located in a recess formed in the end sill of the car or in the side sill of the car between the main bolster and the end sill. Where an end sill installation is used, the end sill may be asymmetric, with the recess being formed to one side of the center sill. Alternatively, the end sill may be offset longitudinally away from the striker, and a spacer inserted.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61H 13/02 - Hand or other personal actuation
• B61D 5/00 - Tank wagons for carrying fluent materials
• B61D 17/10 - Floors
• B60T 7/10 - Disposition of hand control

Abstract

A transverse trough coil car has a straight-through center sill. It has a pair of truck centers. It has a set of trough slope sheet assemblies mounted to the center sill between a pair of side sills. The slope sheet assemblies include intermediate slope sheet assemblies that are pin jointed connected to the center sill. The pin joint connection has a tongue and clevis form that is aligned with the webs of the center sill. The car may have stub bolsters that are surmounted by pre-fabricated trough assemblies that mate with the stub bolsters and extend to the side sills.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/16 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads

Abstract

A transverse trough coil car has a straight-through center sill. It has a pair of truck centers. It has a set of trough slope sheet assemblies mounted to the center sill between a pair of side sills. The slope sheet assemblies include intermediate slope sheet assemblies that are pin-jointed connected to the center sill. The pin joint connection has a tongue and clevis form that is aligned with the webs of the center sill. The car may have stub bolsters that are surmounted by pre-fabricated trough assemblies that mate with the stub bolsters and extend to the side sills.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/16 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads

Abstract

A transverse trough coil car has a straight-through center sill. It has a pair of truck centers. It has a set of trough slope sheet assemblies mounted to the center sill between a pair of side sills. The slope sheet assemblies include intermediate slope sheet assemblies that are pin-jointed connected to the center sill. The pin joint connection has a tongue and clevis form that is aligned with the webs of the center sill. The car may have stub bolsters that are surmounted by pre-fabricated trough assemblies that mate with the stub bolsters and extend to the side sills.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/16 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads
• B61D 45/00 - Means or devices for securing or supporting the cargo, including protection against shocks

Abstract

A transverse trough coil car has a sawtooth center sill. It has a pair of truck centers. Portions of the straight-through center sill deviate upwardly inboard of the truck centers and define saw teeth that have truncated tips. The center sill has an undulating top cover plate, or top flange. A portion of the center sill deviates slopingly to conform angularly to the inclined sides of the transverse troughs. The center sill is notched to conform to those transverse troughs. The car has stub bolsters that are surmounted by pre-fabricated trough assemblies that mate with the stub bolsters and extend to the side sills. The center sill has an array of internal web separators and gussets to discourage buckling. There are deep center sill webs that extend upwardly higher than the draft sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/16 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads

Abstract

A transverse trough coil car has a sawtooth center sill. It has a pair of truck centers. Portions of the straight-through center sill deviate upwardly inboard of the truck centers and define saw teeth that have truncated tips. The center sill has an undulating top cover plate, or top flange. A portion of the center sill deviates slopingly to confonn angularly to the inclined sides of the transverse troughs. The center sill is notched to conform to those transverse troughs. The car has stub bolsters that are surniounted by pre- fabricated trough assemblies that mate with the stub bolsters and extend to the side sills. The center sill has an array of internal web separators and gussets to discourage buckling. There are deep center sill webs that extend upwardly higher than the draft sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/16 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads

Abstract

A damper wedge for a railroad car truck includes a friction member that rides on the wear plate of the side frame column of the railroad car truck and a non-metallic wear surface; and a spring seat that, in use, engages a spring of the railroad car truck. The inclined damper wedge surface has a primary angle alpha, and a secondary angle beta. The spring seat has an axial centerline. The inclined damper wedge surface has a curvature. The curvature has a working point. The damper wedge has a datum plane that is normal to the non-metallic wear surface and that contains the axial centerline. The axial centerline meets the inclined damper wedge surface at an intersection point that is the center of a contact patch. The working point is located in a central region of the contact patch, or working surface patch, downslope of the intersection point.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/12 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating dampers
• B61F 5/06 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating metal springs

Abstract

A well car for carrying shipping containers has a pair of end structures supported by railcar trucks, a pair of first and second spaced apart side beams extending between the end structures and a well defined therebetween. Container support cross-members are mounted between the side sills in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. An array of elongate members is provided to divide the opening into smaller spaces and to prevent excessively large openings from being left. The elongate members can have different forms, whether rigid hollow structural sections, rods, or cables. The arrays of elongate members are oriented at oblique angles along the railcar body.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/20 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for forwarding containers
• B61D 3/08 - Flat wagons including posts or standards
• B61D 3/18 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for vehicles
• B61D 17/10 - Floors

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures

Abstract

A rail road car truck has a bolster having the form of a hollow beam that has a deep central portion and shallow ends. The bolster has a top flange, a bottom flange and internal and external webs extending between, intersecting and merging with the top and bottom flanges. A center plate bowl is located in the middle of the top flange, and brake rod passages are defined transversely through the bolster. In some embodiments, transverse ribs run underneath the center plate bowl. The ribs may be curved. The ribs may be flush with the brake rod openings in the various webs. There may be upwardly standing ribs running transversely across the bottom flange. Those lower ribs may terminate upwardly flush with the brake rod openings. Alternatively, the bottom portion of the bolster may by cast with a greater thickness, up to the bottom of the break rod openings. In other embodiments, the bolster may have partial or fully tubular brake rod opening liners or tubes that extend across the bolster beneath the center plate.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/52 - Bogie frames

Abstract

There is a damper wedge for a railroad car truck. It has a removable and replaceable friction element that reciprocates on the wear plate of the side frame column of the railroad car truck. It has a non-metallic wear surface; a spring seat that, in use, engages a spring of the railroad car truck; and an inclined damper wedge surface having a primary angle, alpha, and a secondary angle, beta. The inclined damper wedge surface has a curvature. The curvature has a working point. The working point is located in a central region of a contact patch, or working surface patch. The nonmetallic wear surface material is mounted to a carrier that mounts removably to the damper wedge body. The carrier has fingers that span the wedge and that transfer shear and resist torsion, the fingers preventing the non-metallic member from migrating out of position.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/12 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating dampers
• B61F 5/14 - Side bearings
• B61F 5/30 - Axle-boxes mounted for movement under spring control in vehicle or bogie underframes

Abstract

There is a damper wedge for a railroad car truck. It has a removable and replaceable friction element that reciprocates on the wear plate of the side frame column of the railroad car truck. It has a non-metallic wear surface; a spring seat that, in use, engages a spring of the railroad car truck; and an inclined damper wedge surface having a primary angle, alpha, and a secondary angle, beta. The inclined damper wedge surface has a curvature. The curvature has a working point. The working point is located in a central region of a contact patch, or working surface patch. The nonmetallic wear surface material is mounted to a carrier that mounts removably to the damper wedge body. The carrier has fingers that span the wedge and that transfer shear and resist torsion, the fingers preventing the non-metallic member from migrating out of position.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/12 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating dampers
• B61F 5/14 - Side bearings
• B61F 5/30 - Axle-boxes mounted for movement under spring control in vehicle or bogie underframes

Abstract

There is a damper wedge for a railroad car truck. It has a removable and replaceable friction element that reciprocates on the wear plate of the side frame column of the railroad car truck. It has a non-metallic wear surface; a spring seat that, in use, engages a spring of the railroad car truck; and an inclined damper wedge surface having a primary angle, alpha, and a secondary angle, beta. The inclined damper wedge surface has a curvature. The curvature has a working point. The working point is located in a central region of a contact patch, or working surface patch. The nonmetallic wear surface material is mounted to a carrier that mounts removably to the damper wedge body. The carrier has fingers that span the wedge and that transfer shear and resist torsion, the fingers preventing the non-metallic member from migrating out of position.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/12 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating dampers
• B61F 3/02 - Types of bogies with more than one axle
• B61F 5/06 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating metal springs

Goods & Services

Railway cars; railway car trucks; Structural parts for railway car trucks, namely, railway car sideframes, bolsters, dampers, bearing adapters, and bearing adapter guides

Goods & Services

(1) Railway cars; railway car trucks, namely railway car sideframes, bolsters, dampers, bearing adapters, and bearing adapter guides

Abstract

A railroad freight car has an underframe that includes a center sill and lateral cross-members such as bolsters, cross-bearers and cross-ties. Side sills run along the edges of the car. A floor sheet is welded to the center sill and side sills and above the cross-members. Floor stringers are welded to the top side of the floor sheet. A surface covering is mounted on top of the stringers. Thermal insulation may be installed between the surface covering and the floor sheets.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/10 - Floors
• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures
• B61D 17/18 - Internal lining, e.g. insulating

Abstract

A railroad freight car has an underframe that includes a center sill and lateral cross- members such as bolsters, cross-bearers and cross-ties. Side sills run along the edges of the car. A floor sheet is welded to the center sill and side sills and above the cross- members. Floor stringers are welded to the top side of the floor sheet. A surface covering is mounted on top of the stringers. Thermal insulation may be installed between the surface covering and the floor sheets.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures

Abstract

There is a damper wedge for a railroad car truck. It has a friction member that rides on the wear plate of the side frame column of the railroad car truck. It has a non-metallic wear surface; a spring seat that, in use, engages a spring of the railroad car truck; and an inclined damper wedge surface having a primary angle, alpha, and a secondary angle, beta. The spring seat has an axial centerline. The inclined damper wedge surface has a curvature. The curvature has a working point. The damper wedge has a datum plane that is normal to said non-metallic wear surface and that contains said axial centerline. The axial centerline meets said inclined damper wedge surface at an intersection point that is the center of a contact patch. The working point is located in a central region of the contact patch, or working surface patch.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/34 - Wedge mechanisms for adjusting clearance between underframes and axles

Abstract

There is a damper wedge for a railroad car truck. It has a friction member that rides on the wear plate of the side frame column of the railroad car truck. It has a non-metallic wear surface; a spring seat that, in use, engages a spring of the railroad car truck; and an inclined damper wedge surface having a primary angle, alpha, and a secondary angle, beta. The spring seat has an axial centerline. The inclined damper wedge surface has a curvature. The curvature has a working point. The damper wedge has a datum plane that is normal to said non-metallic wear surface and that contains said axial centerline. The axial centerline meets said inclined damper wedge surface at an intersection point that is the center of a contact patch. The working point is located in a central region of the contact patch, or working surface patch.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/34 - Wedge mechanisms for adjusting clearance between underframes and axles

Abstract

A damper wedge for a railroad car truck includes a friction member that rides on the wear plate of the side frame column of the railroad car truck and a non-metallic wear surface; and a spring seat that, in use, engages a spring of the railroad car truck. The inclined damper wedge surface has a primary angle alpha, and a secondary angle beta. The spring seat has an axial centerline. The inclined damper wedge surface has a curvature. The curvature has a working point. The damper wedge has a datum plane that is normal to the non-metallic wear surface and that contains the axial centerline. The axial centerline meets the inclined damper wedge surface at an intersection point that is the center of a contact patch. The working point is located in a central region of the contact patch, or working surface patch, downslope of the intersection point.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/12 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating dampers
• B61F 5/06 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating metal springs

Abstract

A gondola car has a door and an associated door frame the end. The door hangs hingedly from the header of the frame. The header runs across the top of the door opening and is connected to the top chords at either side. The door posts are positioned inside the side sheets and tie into the header at each upper corner. The side sheets lap onto the door posts to allow longitudinal adjustment of the side assemblies and the door frame relative to each other, at assembly. The side posts are connected to the header with a tie plate that is bolted to both members. The car may also have a tarp dome at each end. The tarp dome has non-welded connections that have play to permit the tarp dome to accommodate movement of the top chords.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 39/00 - Wagon or like covers; Tarpaulins; Movable or foldable roofs
• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans
• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 17/06 - End walls
• B61D 19/00 - Door arrangements specially adapted for rail vehicles

Abstract

A railroad hopper car has a hopper carried between two trucks, and has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a rectangular frame. The bottom discharge is lower than the center sill. The car has a flat bottom discharge having multiple arrays of louvers. All of the lading discharges through the flat bottom. The side sheets extend downwardly beyond the side sills, so that the side slope sheets terminate below the side sills. The car has laterally extending shear force transfer members that provide a shear connection between the side walls of the car. The shear force transfer members have openings to permit lading from the main containment volume of the car to pass therethough to the lading discharges. The louvers are joined to move together. Alternatively, the gate may include two opposed sliding doors separated by a beam that runs under the center sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/22 - Sealing means thereof

Abstract

A railroad hopper car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a flat bottom discharge. It has a rectangular frame at least half as wide as the car, and at least half as great as the truck center distance. The car capacity is over 5000 cu. ft. The bottom discharge is lower than the center sill. There are ring frames having a bottom cross-member that passes clear under the center sill. The car has flat bottom discharge gates having multiple arrays of louvers. The side sheets extend downwardly beyond the side sills, so that the side slope sheets terminate at a transition below the side sills. The louvers have curved edges. The louvers move together. The gate may include two opposed sliding doors separated by a beam that runs under the center sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/16 - Closure elements for discharge openings
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B65D 88/28 - Construction or shape of discharge section

Abstract

A railroad hopper car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a flat bottom discharge. It has a rectangular frame at least half as wide as the car, and at least half as great as the truck center distance. The car capacity is over 5000 cu. ft. The bottom discharge is lower than the center sill. There are ring frames having a bottom cross-member that passes clear under the center sill. The car has flat bottom discharge gates having multiple arrays of louvers. The side sheets extend downwardly beyond the side sills, so that the side slope sheets terminate at a transition below the side sills. The louvers have curved edges. The louvers move together. The gate may include two opposed sliding doors separated by a beam that runs under the center sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/16 - Closure elements for discharge openings
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B65D 88/28 - Construction or shape of discharge section

Abstract

A railroad hopper car has a hopper carried between two trucks, and has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a rectangular frame. The bottom discharge is lower than the center sill. The car has a flat bottom discharge having multiple arrays of louvers. All of the lading discharges through the flat bottom. The side sheets extend downwardly beyond the side sills, so that the side slope sheets terminate below the side sills. The car has laterally extending shear force transfer members that provide a shear connection between the side walls of the car. The shear force transfer members have openings to permit lading from the main containment volume of the car to pass therethough to the lading discharges. The louvers are joined to move together. Alternatively, the gate may include two opposed sliding doors separated by a beam that runs under the center sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/16 - Closure elements for discharge openings
• B65D 88/28 - Construction or shape of discharge section

Abstract

A railroad hopper car has a hopper carried between two trucks, and has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a rectangular frame. The bottom discharge is lower than the center sill. The car has a flat bottom discharge having multiple arrays of louvers. All of the lading discharges through the flat bottom. The side sheets extend downwardly beyond the side sills, so that the side slope sheets terminate below the side sills. The car has laterally extending shear force transfer members that provide a shear connection between the side walls of the car. The shear force transfer members have openings to permit lading from the main containment volume of the car to pass therethough to the lading discharges. The louvers are joined to move together. Alternatively, the gate may include two opposed sliding doors separated by a beam that runs under the center sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/16 - Closure elements for discharge openings
• B65D 88/28 - Construction or shape of discharge section

Abstract

A railroad hopper car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a flat bottom discharge. It has a rectangular frame at least half as wide as the car, and at least half as great as the truck center distance. The car capacity is over 5000 cu. ft. The bottom discharge is lower than the center sill. There are ring frames having a bottom reinforcement that passes clear under the center sill. The car has flat bottom discharge gates having multiple arrays of louvers. The side sheets extend downwardly beyond the side sills, so that the side slope sheets terminate at a transition below the side sills. The louvers have curved edges. The louvers move together. The gate may include two opposed sliding doors separated by a beam that runs under the center sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/20 - Closure elements for discharge openings sliding
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms

Abstract

A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 23/00 - Construction of steps for railway vehicles
• B61D 3/20 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for forwarding containers
• E06C 5/02 - Ladders characterised by being mounted on undercarriages or vehicles; Securing ladders on vehicles with rigid longitudinal members
• E06C 5/22 - Ladders characterised by being mounted on undercarriages or vehicles; Securing ladders on vehicles with rigid longitudinal members capable of being elevated or extended by, or with the assistance of, springs
• E06C 7/04 - Hand-operated extending means carried by the ladder
• E06C 7/18 - Devices for preventing persons from falling

Abstract

A gondola car has a body for lading carried on an underframe. The underframe includes a center sill and cross-bearers. The car has deep side beams having top chords, side sills, and side sheets. The lower portion of the car includes tubs that seat between the cross-bearers. The car may have an internal volume of more than 8000 cu. ft. The car may have rotary dump claw sockets. The car has opposed internal and external stiffeners aligned at the longitudinal stations of the cross-bearers. The internal stiffeners may be triangular cantilevers extending upwardly inside the side sheets. The side sheet lies intermediate the stiffeners and their flanges. The top chords may be wider in cross-section than the side sills. The side sills may define torque tubes that co-operate with the sidewall stiffeners and the top chords to resist lateral deflection. The car may include a false deck, or dog-house at one end to accommodate the brake reservoir and brake valve, such that the car is longitudinally asymmetric.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/00 - Construction details of vehicle bodies
• B61F 1/12 - Cross bearers
• B61D 17/08 - Sides
• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans
• B61D 9/00 - Tipping wagons

Abstract

A rail road car truck has a bolster having the form of a hollow beam that has a deep central portion and shallow ends. The bolster has a top flange, a bottom flange and internal and external webs extending between, intersecting and merging with the top and bottom flanges. A center plate bowl is located in the middle of the top flange, and brake rod passages are defined transversely through the bolster. In some embodiments, transverse ribs run underneath the center plate bowl. The ribs may be curved. The ribs may be flush with the brake rod openings in the various webs. There may be upwardly standing ribs running transversely across the bottom flange. Those lower ribs may terminate upwardly flush with the brake rod openings. Alternatively, the bottom portion of the bolster may by cast with a greater thickness, up to the bottom of the break rod openings. In other embodiments, the bolster may have partial or fully tubular brake rod opening liners or tubes that extend across the bolster beneath the center plate.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/52 - Bogie frames

Abstract

A rail road car truck has a bolster having the form of a hollow beam that has a deep central portion and shallow ends. The bolster has a top flange, a bottom flange and internal and external webs extending between, intersecting and merging with the top and bottom flanges. A center plate bowl is located in the middle of the top flange, and brake rod passages are defined transversely through the bolster. In some embodiments, transverse ribs run underneath the center plate bowl. The ribs may be curved. The ribs may be flush with the brake rod openings in the various webs. There may be upwardly standing ribs running transversely across the bottom flange. Those lower ribs may terminate upwardly flush with the brake rod openings. Alternatively, the bottom portion of the bolster may by cast with a greater thickness, up to the bottom of the break rod openings. In other embodiments, the bolster may have partial or fully tubular brake rod opening liners or tubes that extend across the bolster beneath the center plate.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/52 - Bogie frames
• B61F 5/04 - Bolster supports or mountings

Abstract

A rail road car truck has a bolster having the form of a hollow beam that has a deep central portion and shallow ends. The bolster has a top flange, a bottom flange and internal and external webs extending between, intersecting and merging with the top and bottom flanges. A center plate bowl is located in the middle of the top flange, and brake rod passages are defined transversely through the bolster. In some embodiments, transverse ribs run underneath the center plate bowl. The ribs may be curved. The ribs may be flush with the brake rod openings in the various webs. There may be upwardly standing ribs running transversely across the bottom flange. Those lower ribs may terminate upwardly flush with the brake rod openings. Alternatively, the bottom portion of the bolster may by cast with a greater thickness, up to the bottom of the break rod openings. In other embodiments, the bolster may have partial or fully tubular brake rod opening liners or tubes that extend across the bolster beneath the center plate.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/52 - Bogie frames
• B61F 5/04 - Bolster supports or mountings

Abstract

A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 23/00 - Construction of steps for railway vehicles
• E06C 5/02 - Ladders characterised by being mounted on undercarriages or vehicles; Securing ladders on vehicles with rigid longitudinal members
• B61D 3/20 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for forwarding containers
• E06C 5/22 - Ladders characterised by being mounted on undercarriages or vehicles; Securing ladders on vehicles with rigid longitudinal members capable of being elevated or extended by, or with the assistance of, springs
• E06C 7/04 - Hand-operated extending means carried by the ladder
• E06C 7/18 - Devices for preventing persons from falling

Abstract

A railroad freight car may have external fittings, such as trackside-accessible ladder fittings that permit personnel to climb onto the decks and walkways of the car. Several embodiments of movable ladder assemblies are described that provide an extended or deployed or raised position of a handhold, and a retracted or lowered, or stored position. In other embodiments, the assembly is provided with a compliant member that allows the handhold resiliently to flex when encountered by solid objects such as shipping containers.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 23/00 - Construction of steps for railway vehicles

Abstract

A railroad hopper car body includes a set of hopper and hopper discharges. Egress of lading from the discharges is governed by movable doors that swing between a closed position and an open position. The motion is driven by a mechanical transmission that is itself driven by an actuator. Each pair of doors is driven by a single actuator. The actuator is mounted to act through the center sill. A portion, or substantially all, of the actuator may be mounted in a predominantly squat, vertical orientation within the center sill. In alternate embodiments, the transmission output may be bifurcated. The center sill bottom flange may be narrower adjacent to the doors. The mechanism may have a secondary lock. The mechanism may have an auxiliary manual release.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• E05F 15/53 - Power-operated mechanisms for wings using fluid-pressure actuators for swinging wings
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted

Abstract

A railroad hopper car body includes a set of hopper and hopper discharges. Egress of lading from the discharges is governed by movable doors that swing between a closed position and an open position. The motion is driven by a mechanical transmission that is itself driven by an actuator. Each pair of doors is driven by a single actuator. The actuator is mounted to act through the center sill. A portion, or substantially all, of the actuator may be mounted in a predominantly squat, vertical orientation within the center sill. In alternate embodiments, the transmission output may be bifurcated. The center sill bottom flange may be narrower adjacent to the doors. The mechanism may have a secondary lock. The mechanism may have an auxiliary manual release.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/16 - Closure elements for discharge openings
• B61D 7/24 - Opening or closing means

Abstract

A railroad tank car may have external fittings, such as brake fittings. A low mount brake fitting is located in a recess formed in the end sill of the car or in the side sill of the car between the main bolster and the end sill. Where an end sill installation is used, the end sill may be asymmetric, with the recess being formed to one side of the center sill. Alternatively, the end sill may be offset longitudinally away from the striker, and a spacer inserted.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 5/00 - Tank wagons for carrying fluent materials
• B61H 13/02 - Hand or other personal actuation
• B61H 13/34 - Actuating rail-vehicle brakes - Details

Abstract

A railroad tank car may have external fittings, such as brake fittings. A low mount brake fitting is located in a recess formed in the end sill of the car or in the side sill of the car between the main bolster and the end sill. Where an end sill installation is used, the end sill may be asymmetric, with the recess being formed to one side of the center sill. Alternatively, the end sill may be offset longitudinally away from the striker, and a spacer inserted.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 5/00 - Tank wagons for carrying fluent materials
• B61H 13/02 - Hand or other personal actuation
• B61D 17/10 - Floors
• B60T 7/10 - Disposition of hand control

Abstract

A gondola car has a door and an associated door frame the end. The door hangs hingedly from the header of the frame. The header runs across the top of the door opening and is connected to the top chords at either side. The door posts are positioned inside the side sheets and tie into the header at each upper corner. The side sheets lap onto the door posts to allow longitudinal adjustment of the side assemblies and the door frame relative to each other, at assembly. The side posts are connected to the header with a tie plate that is bolted to both members. The car may also have a tarp dome at each end. The tarp dome has non-welded connections that have play to permit the tarp dome to accommodate movement of the top chords.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 19/00 - Door arrangements specially adapted for rail vehicles
• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans
• B61D 39/00 - Wagon or like covers; Tarpaulins; Movable or foldable roofs
• B61D 17/06 - End walls
• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted

Abstract

A gondola car has a door and an associated door frame the end. The door hangs hingedly from the header of the frame. The header runs across the top of the door opening and is connected to the top chords at either side. The door posts are positioned inside the side sheets and tie into the header at each upper corner. The side sheets lap onto the door posts to allow longitudinal adjustment of the side assemblies and the door frame relative to each other, at assembly. The side posts are connected to the header with a tie plate that is bolted to both members. The car may also have a tarp dome at each end. The tarp dome has non- welded connections that have play to permit the tarp dome to accommodate movement of the top chords.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 19/00 - Door arrangements specially adapted for rail vehicles

Abstract

An autorack railroad car has decks that are movably reconfigurable between tri-level and bi-level configurations. They are also movable to permit greater vertical clearance room for loading the main deck. The decks may be constrained to a single degree of freedom of motion, namely in the vertical direction, by guides that run along the vertical side posts of the car. The decks may include a passive counterbalance transmission linking the mid-level and upper level decks, such that the decks counterbalance each other when the decks are moved between the various positions. There is a separate, independent drive provided to move the decks. The drive may include scissor jacks. More than one scissor jack may share a common drive axis and shafting arrangement. The drive is operable from a trackside accessible drive distribution point. A secondary lock system is provided to prevent the decks from moving inopportunely.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/04 - Wagons or vans with movable floors, e.g. rotatable or floors which can be raised or lowered
• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans
• B61D 3/02 - Wagons or vans with multiple deck arrangements
• B61D 3/18 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for vehicles
• B60P 3/08 - Multilevel-deck construction carrying vehicles

Abstract

An autorack railroad car has decks that are movably reconfigurable between tri- level and bi- level configurations. They are also movable to permit greater vertical clearance room for loading the main deck. The decks may be constrained to a single degree of freedom of motion, namely in the vertical direction, by guides that run along the vertical side posts of the car. The decks may include a passive counterbalance transmission linking the mid-level and upper level decks, such that the decks counterbalance each other when the decks are moved between the various positions. There is a separate, independent drive provided to move the decks. The drive includes a height adjustment drive transmission with a first array of threaded output shafts mounted to drive motion of the first deck and a second array of threaded output shafts mounted to drive motion of the second deck. The drive is operable from a trackside accessible drive distribution point.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/02 - Wagons or vans with multiple deck arrangements
• B61D 3/04 - Wagons or vans with movable floors, e.g. rotatable or floors which can be raised or lowered

Abstract

A railroad tank car may have external fittings, such as a bottom opening valve, that protrude from the bottom of the tank car tank. In a derailment the tank car tank may meet the ground. A tank skid plate assembly has an accommodation in which to shelter such fittings. The skid plate assembly has a shell with tapered ramps at either end. It mounts to tank reinforcement structure, such as reinforcing bars. Reinforcements may be mounted in the lee of the shell. Those reinforcements may be mounted to the shell only, without welding connection to the tank car tank. The reinforcements may be, or combine with the shell to define either a bridge or a truss that spans the space between the reinforcement bars. The assembly may have an access passageway, such as for admitting a heating pipe. The assembly may include lateral and longitudinal internal webs for providing crush resistance.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 5/00 - Tank wagons for carrying fluent materials
• B65D 90/00 - Component parts, details or accessories for large containers

Abstract

A railroad tank car may have external fittings, such as a bottom opening valve, that protrude from the bottom of the tank car tank. In a derailment the tank car tank may meet the ground. A tank skid plate assembly has an accommodation in which to shelter such fittings. The skid plate assembly has a shell with tapered ramps at either end. It mounts to tank reinforcement structure, such as reinforcing bars. Reinforcements may be mounted in the lee of the shell. Those reinforcements may be mounted to the shell only, without welding connection to the tank car tank. The reinforcements may be, or combine with the shell to define either a bridge or a truss that spans the space between the reinforcement bars. The assembly may have an access passageway, such as for admitting a heating pipe. The assembly may include lateral and longitudinal internal webs for providing crush resistance.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 5/00 - Tank wagons for carrying fluent materials
• B61D 49/00 - Other details

Abstract

A bottom discharge open topped hopper car has a center sill with a bottom flange having laterally protruding edges. A shed plate assembly is provided to discourage accumulation of product on the exposed upwardly facing shelf otherwise presented by the bottom flange protrusions. The shed plate assembly may be mounted to the center sill in a manner that avoids impairment of the stress performance of the flanges of the center sill, whether by mechanical fastenings to other objects, or welding to objects that are not the center sill. The shed plate assembly may have walls having upper margins that are higher than the upper extremity of the hopper discharge opening such that the shelf of the center sill bottom flange is in the lee of, or sheltered by, the shed plate. The lading may thereby move under the influence of gravity past the shed plate to its desired unloading receptacle.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/04 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms the openings being above axle level during discharge
• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/24 - Opening or closing means

Abstract

A bottom discharge open topped hopper car has a center sill with a bottom flange having laterally protruding edges. A shed plate assembly is provided that may tend to discourage accumulation of product on the exposed upwardly facing shelf otherwise presented by the bottom flange protrusions. The shed plate assembly may be mounted to the center sill in a manner that avoids impairment of the stress performance of the flanges of the center sill, whether by mechanical fastenings to other objects, or by welding to objects that are not the center sill. The shed plate assembly may have walls having upper margins that are higher than the upper extremity of the hopper discharge opening such that the shelf of the center sill bottom flange is in the lee of, or sheltered by, the shed plate. The lading may thereby tend instead to move under the influence of gravity past the shed plate to its desired unloading receptacle.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/14 - Adaptations of hopper elements to railways
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms

Abstract

A railroad gondola car may have stake pockets in which to mount stakes to permit a greater vertical envelope to be occupied by lading. The stake pockets are collapsible from a deployed position to a storage position. The stake pockets are mounted on doublers that mount to the side walls of the car in line with the side wall stiffeners and their associated cross-bearers. The connection between the stake pocket and the doubler is deliberately made weaker than the connection between the doubler and the side wall such that under abusive loading conditions the stake pocket may tend to shear off the doubler, and may tend thereby to leave the side wall less damaged than might otherwise be the case.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans
• B61D 45/00 - Means or devices for securing or supporting the cargo, including protection against shocks

Abstract

A railroad gondola car may have stake pockets in which to mount stakes to permit a greater vertical envelope to be occupied by lading. The stake pockets are collapsible from a deployed position to a storage position. The stake pockets are mounted on doublers that mount to the side walls of the car in line with the side wall stiffeners and their associated cross-bearers. The connection between the stake pocket and the doubler is deliberately made weaker than the connection between the doubler and the side wall such that under abusive loading conditions the stake pocket may tend to shear off the doubler, and may tend thereby to leave the sidewall less damaged than might otherwise be the case.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 45/00 - Means or devices for securing or supporting the cargo, including protection against shocks

Abstract

A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by movable closure members. The hopper car has a plurality of hoppers of which two hoppers share a common ridge assembly. The ridge assembly forms a common mating and fit up location for the upper margins of the slope sheets of two lengthwise adjacent hoppers. The ridge assembly includes an horizontal center section and two end plates that angle upwardly outboard toward the top chords of the side walls. The ridge assembly stands proud of the upper margin of the respective adjacent slope sheets. A gusset is mounted between the adjacent slope sheets below the ridge plate such that the slope sheets and gusset form a reinforcement tube running across the car, the end plates forming the stems of a vertical T-section attached to the side wall and overlapping the top chord.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/04 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms the openings being above axle level during discharge
• B61D 7/22 - Sealing means thereof
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures
• B61D 17/08 - Sides

Abstract

A hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The doors are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door. The doors are driven by a longitudinal shaft that is mounted within the center sill. It drives a set of single input, double output bell cranks that drive adjacent pairs of doors, and that employs an over-center toggle to hold the doors in the closed position when the car is laded. The actuators may be mounted in shelters midway along the car, and may be offset from the centersill. The actuators may be mounted predominantly vertically such that gravity may obviate the need for a secondary lock. The doors of a transverse car need not all be of the same size. The over center may include a manual release having a fulcrum with a progressive decrease in mechanical advantage.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/26 - Opening or closing means mechanical
• B61D 7/04 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms the openings being above axle level during discharge
• B61D 7/14 - Adaptations of hopper elements to railways
• B61D 7/32 - Means for assisting charge or discharge

Goods & Services

Structural parts for railway car trucks, namely, bearing adapters and sub-components thereof in the nature of guides

Goods & Services

All structural parts for railway car trucks, namely, railway car sideframes, bolsters, dampers, bearing adapters, and bearing adapter guides

Goods & Services

All structural parts for railway car trucks, namely, railway car sideframes, bolsters, dampers, bearing adapters, and bearing adapter guides

Goods & Services

(1) Railway car trucks, namely railway car sideframes, bolsters, dampers, bearing adapter, and bearing adapter guides

Goods & Services

(1) Railway car trucks, namely railway car bearing adapters

Abstract

A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/26 - Opening or closing means mechanical
• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic

Abstract

A drop-center railroad freight car may have a gondola body for carrying lading, which may have end sections and a deep central section therebetween. The body may include a decking or floor structure, and longitudinally extending side beams bordering the floor structure. The car may have U-shaped bending-moment transmitting cross-bearers. The cross- bearers and side beam stiffeners may have inner and outer flange continuity such as to transmit a bending moment. The car may have stub sills. The stub sills may each have an inboard goose-neck that extends downward and inboard. The goose-neck may have a longitudinally extending portion that connects to the endmost cross-bearer of the central portion of the car. The main shear plate may lap the side sills, and may be bent downwardly to mate with the end margins of the side sheet lower portion to form a converging box-like truncated pyramidal structure.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans
• B61D 17/10 - Floors

Abstract

A drop-center rail road freight car may have a gondola body for carrying lading, which may have end sections and a deep central section therebetween. The body may include a decking or floor structure, and longitudinally extending side beams bordering the floor structure. The car may have U-shaped bending-moment transmitting cross-bearers. The cross-bearers and side beam stiffeners may have inner and outer flange continuity such as to transmit a bending moment. The car may have stub sills. The stub sills may each have an inboard gooseneck that extends downward and inboard. The gooseneck may have a longitudinally extending portion that connects to the endmost cross-bearer of the central portion of the car. The main shear plate may lap the side sills, and may be bent downwardly to mate with the end margins of the side sheet lower portion to form a converging box-like truncated pyramidal structure.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 9/00 - Tipping wagons
• B61D 3/16 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads
• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures
• B61F 1/00 - Underframes
• B61F 1/14 - Attaching or supporting vehicle body structure

Abstract

A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by movable closure members. The hopper car has a plurality of hoppers of which two hoppers share a common ridge assembly. The ridge assembly forms a common mating and fit up location for the upper margins of the slope sheets of two lengthwise adjacent hoppers. The ridge assembly includes an horizontal center section and two end plates that angle upwardly outboard toward the top chords of the sidewalls. The ridge assembly stands proud of the upper margin of the respective adjacent slope sheets. A gusset is mounted between the adjacent slope sheets below the ridge plate such that the slope sheets and gusset form a reinforcement tube running across the car, the end plates forming the stems of a vertical T-section attached to the sidewall and overlapping the top chord.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/04 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms the openings being above axle level during discharge
• B61D 7/22 - Sealing means thereof
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures
• B61D 17/08 - Sides

Abstract

A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans
• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
• B61D 7/26 - Opening or closing means mechanical

Abstract

A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/00 - Hopper cars
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted

Abstract

A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms

Abstract

RAILROAD CAR AND DOOR MECHANISM THEREFOR Ab stract A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages. Date Recue/Date Received 2020-04-15

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms

Abstract

A railroad hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members (or doors) are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door during opening and closing. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator may be mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in amid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/26 - Opening or closing means mechanical
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic

Abstract

A railroad car truck includes a bolster mounted cross-wise between a pair of sideframes, with the sideframes supported on wheelsets. The bolster and the sideframes are steel castings. The interface between the sideframes and the wheelsets may include self-steering apparatus. Friction dampers are mounted at the interface between the bolster and the sideframes. The friction dampers have non-metallic friction surfaces that bear against the sideframe columns. The sideframes columns may be of a width for single dampers contact; double-damper side-by-side contact; or double-dampers separated by a land contact. The sideframe column bearing surfaces are permanent, and may be formed as part of the sideframe castings. The sideframes do not have removable, replaceable wear plates. Where double dampers are used, the damper edges may have both primary and secondary damper wedge angles.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/52 - Bogie frames
• B61F 5/14 - Side bearings
• B61F 5/26 - Mounting or securing axle-boxes in vehicle or bogie underframes
• B61F 5/38 - Arrangements or devices for adjusting or allowing self-adjustment of wheel axles or bogies when rounding curves, e.g. sliding axles, swinging axles

Abstract

A railroad freight car has lifting apparatus at the body bolsters of the car. In addition it has lifting interface members mounted to underlie the side sills near the wheel-well cut-outs of the side beams. The lifting interface members stand downwardly proud of adjacent structure and fasteners heads, such that when lifting apparatus, such as a hydraulic lift, is brought to bear it contacts the lifting interface member first, rather than damaging adjacent structure, be it the side sills themselves, lateral cross-members such as cross-bearers and cross-ties, or diagonal struts. It may also tend to prevent consequent damage to the end bulkheads. The lifting interface members may permit the replacement of wheelsets in the field. The lifting members may be sacrificial, such that they may be replaced when worn or damaged.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/20 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for forwarding containers
• B61D 17/00 - Construction details of vehicle bodies

Abstract

A railroad freight car has lifting apparatus at the body bolsters of the car. In addition it has lifting interface members mounted to underlie the side sills near the wheel-well cut-outs of the side beams. The lifting interface members stand downwardly proud of adjacent structure and fasteners heads, such that when lifting apparatus, such as a hydraulic lift, is brought to bear it contacts the lifting interface member first, rather than damaging adjacent structure, be it the side sills themselves, lateral cross-members such as cross-bearers and cross-ties, or diagonal struts. It may also tend to prevent consequent damage to the end bulkheads. The lifting interface members may permit the replacement of wheelsets in the field. The lifting members may be sacrificial, such that they may be replaced when worn or damaged.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 1/08 - Underframes - Details
• B61K 5/00 - Apparatus for placing vehicles on the track; Derailers; Lifting or lowering rail vehicle axles or wheels

Abstract

A railroad freight car has lifting apparatus at the body bolsters of the car. In addition it has lifting interface members mounted to underlie the side sills near the wheel-well cut-outs of the side beams. The lifting interface members stand downwardly proud of adjacent structure and fasteners heads, such that when lifting apparatus, such as a hydraulic lift, is brought to bear it contacts the lifting interface member first, rather than damaging adjacent structure, be it the side sills themselves, lateral cross-members such as cross-bearers and cross-ties, or diagonal struts. It may also tend to prevent consequent damage to the end bulkheads. The lifting interface members may permit the replacement of wheelsets in the field. The lifting members may be sacrificial, such that they may be replaced when worn or damaged.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures

Abstract

An autorack railroad car has a housing surmounting an underframe. The underframe defines a first or main deck. The housing, or “rack” defines at least one additional deck spaced upwardly from the main deck. The housing has end doors. The end doors may be folding end doors, such as a tri-fold hinged door. When closed, the door may be secured by latches at top and bottom. The car may have a movable sill-step, or foot-hold that is movable between a deployed or extended position, and a stowed or retracted position. The movable step may be mounted to a panel of the door. The movable step may be biased away from any position between the stowed and retracted positions. The movable step may be free of springs that may break, and free of pins or other items requiring careful removal and replacement. The movable parts of the step assembly may be captured by the stationary parts to prevent them from coming loose or falling off.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 23/00 - Construction of steps for railway vehicles
• B60R 3/00 - Arrangements of steps, e.g. running-boards
• B61D 23/02 - Folding steps for railway vehicles
• B61D 3/18 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for vehicles
• B61D 19/00 - Door arrangements specially adapted for rail vehicles
• B61F 1/02 - Underframes with a single central sill

Abstract

An autorack railroad car has a housing surmounting an underframe. The underframe defines a first or main deck. The housing, or “rack” defines at least one additional deck spaced upwardly from the main deck. The housing has end doors. The end doors may be folding end doors, such as a tri-fold hinged door. When closed, the door may be secured by latches at top and bottom. The car may have a dynamic response member, such as a damper, or stop, mounted between one or more panels of the door and the adjacent end of the deck. The dynamic response member may function either to provide damping to the door in vibration, or may function to define a vibration nodal point intermediate the main deck and the roof, or both.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 25/00 - Window arrangements peculiar to rail vehicles
• B61D 3/18 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for vehicles

Abstract

- 3 1 - MOVABLE SUPPORT FITTING FOR RAILROAD CAR Ab stract An autorack railroad car has a housing surmounting an underframe. The underframe defines a first or main deck. The housing, or "rack" defines at least one additional deck spaced upwardly from the main deck. The housing has end doors. The end doors may be folding end doors, such as a tri-fold hinged door. When closed, the door may be secured by latches at top and bottom. The car may have a movable sill-step, or foot-hold that is movable between a deployed or extended position, and a stowed or retracted position. The movable step may be mounted to a panel of the door. The movable step may be biased away from any position between the stowed and retracted positions. The movable step may be free of springs that may break, and free of pins or other items requiring careful removal and replacement. The movable parts of the step assembly may be captured by the stationary parts to prevent them from coming loose or falling off Date Recue/Date Received 2020-09-10

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 23/00 - Construction of steps for railway vehicles
• B61D 3/18 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for vehicles

Abstract

An autorack railroad car has a housing surmounting an underframe. The underframe defines a first or main deck. The housing, or "rack" defines at least one additional deck spaced upwardly from the main deck. The housing has end doors. The end doors may be folding end doors, such as a tri-fold hinged door. When closed, the door may be secured by latches at top and bottom. The car may have a dynamic response member, such as a damper, or stop, mounted between one or more panels of the door and the adjacent end of the deck. The dynamic response member may function either to provide damping to the door in vibration, or may function to define a vibration nodal point intermediate the main deck and the roof, or both.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/18 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for vehicles
• B61D 19/00 - Door arrangements specially adapted for rail vehicles

Abstract

An autorack railroad car has an underframe having a main deck, and a rack mounted to the underframe. The rack supports one or more decks above the main deck, and also supports, or defines, an enclosure that protects the automobiles carried as lading. One way to prolong the life of the rack is to delay corrosion. Corrosion may start in locations that are difficult to clean, or that have not been cleaned prior to painting. Autorack upper decks may use longitudinally extending stringers. A stringer of closed section may be less prone to facilitating early corrosion, and may be less prone to drip rust-filled water on automobiles carried as lading. In some embodiments the stringer may be placed at a slope discontinuity in the lading deck, and may overlap that slope discontinuity.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/10 - Floors
• B61D 3/18 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for vehicles

Abstract

An autorack rail road car has an underframe having a main deck, and a rack mounted to the underframe. The rack supports one or more decks above the main deck, and also supports, or defines, an enclosure that protects the automobiles carried as lading. One way to prolong the life of the rack is to delay corrosion. Corrosion may start in locations that are difficult to clean, or that have not been cleaned prior to painting. Autorack upper decks may use longitudinally extending stringers. A stringer of closed section may be less prone to facilitating early corrosion, and may be less prone to drip rust-filled water on automobiles carried as lading. In some embodiments the stringer may be placed at a slope discontinuity in the lading deck, and may overlap that slope discontinuity.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/18 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for vehicles
• B61D 3/02 - Wagons or vans with multiple deck arrangements
• B61D 17/00 - Construction details of vehicle bodies
• B61D 17/10 - Floors
• B61F 1/02 - Underframes with a single central sill

Abstract

A hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The doors are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door. The doors are driven by a longitudinal shaft that is mounted within the center sill. It drives a set of single input, double output bell cranks that drive adjacent pairs of doors, and that employs an over-center toggle to hold the doors in the closed position when the car is laded. The actuators may be mounted in shelters midway along the car, and may be offset from the centersill. The actuators may be mounted predominantly vertically such that gravity may obviate the need for a secondary lock. The doors of a transverse car need not all be of the same size. The over center may include a manual release having a fulcrum with a progressive decrease in mechanical advantage.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/24 - Opening or closing means
• B61D 7/26 - Opening or closing means mechanical
• B61D 7/04 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms the openings being above axle level during discharge

Abstract

An autorack railroad car has an underframe that, in contrast to the prior art, has a straight-through center sill that is shallower, and of diminished geometry-based sectional properties generally, in the middle portion between the trucks than at the end portions at either the draft sills at the draft gear or at the truck centers. The bottom flange of the center sill is carried at a constant height from end to end, and is free of kinks in elevation. In the mid-span portion of the car, from truck center to truck center, the center sill is shallower in section than the side sills. The bottom flange of the center sill is carried at a height that corresponds to, or is higher than, the height of the lower flanges of the side sills, such that the cross-bearer arms are shallow, and the bottom flanges of the cross-bearer arms are substantially level.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans

Abstract

An autorack railroad car has an underframe that, in contrast to the prior art, has a straight-through center sill that is shallower, and of diminished geometry-based sectional properties generally, in the middle portion between the trucks than at the end portions at either the draft sills at the draft gear or at the truck centers. The bottom flange of the center sill is carried at a constant height from end to end, and is free of kinks in elevation. In the mid-span portion of the car, from truck center to truck center, the center sill is shallower in section than the side sills. The bottom flange of the center sill is carried at a height that corresponds to, or is higher than, the height of the lower flanges of the side sills, such that the cross-bearer arms are shallow, and the bottom flanges of the cross-bearer arms are substantially level.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures
• B60P 3/07 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying vehicles for carrying road vehicles

Abstract

AUTORACK RAILROAD CAR AND UNDERFRAME THEREFOR Abstract An autorack railroad car has an underframe that, in contrast to the prior art, has a straight-through center sill that is shallower, and of diminished geometry- based sectional properties generally, in the middle portion between the trucks than at the end portions at either the draft sills at the draft gear or at the truck centers. The bottom flange of the center sill is carried at a constant height from end to end, and is free of kinks in elevation. In the mid-span portion of the car, from truck center to truck center, the center sill is shallower in section than the side sills. The bottom flange of the center sill is carried at a height that corresponds to, or is higher than, the height of the lower flanges of the side sills, such that the cross-bearer arms are shallow, and the bottom flanges of the cross-bearer arms are substantially level. Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-24

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/04 - Construction details of vehicle bodies with composite, e.g. metal and wood, body structures
• B60P 3/07 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying vehicles for carrying road vehicles

Abstract

A hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The doors are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator is mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages. The drive train includes longitudinally extending torque tubes that transmit drive to both fore and aft ends of the door assemblies. The car also has a lost motion secondary lock system, an alternate manual drive door opening and closing drive train, and abnormally high side sills and a center sill that passes clear through the discharge sections at a height clearly lower than the upper margin of the discharge sections.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans

Abstract

A hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The doors are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door. The doors are driven by a transverse drive linkage that is driven by a transversely mounted actuator. The actuator is mounted in an accommodation in the lee of slope sheets between adjacent hoppers in a mid-span portion of the car. Drive from the actuator is carried to a pair of symmetrically mounted doors through drive train linkages. The drive train includes longitudinally extending torque tubes that transmit drive to both fore and aft ends of the door assemblies. The car also has a lost motion secondary lock system, an alternate manual drive door opening and closing drive train, and abnormally high side sills and a center sill that passes clear through the discharge sections at a height clearly lower than the upper margin of the discharge sections.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/24 - Opening or closing means
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic

Abstract

A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by movable closure members. The hopper car has a plurality of hoppers of which two hoppers share a common ridge assembly. The ridge assembly forms a common mating and fit up location for the upper margins of the slope sheets of two lengthwise adjacent hoppers. The ridge assembly includes an horizontal center section and two end plates that angle upwardly outboard toward the top chords of the sidewalls. The ridge assembly stands proud of the upper margin of the respective adjacent slope sheets. A gusset is mounted between the adjacent slope sheets below the ridge plate such that the slope sheets and gusset form a reinforcement tube running across the car, the end plates forming the stems of a vertical T-section attached to the sidewall and overlapping the top chord.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans

Abstract

A multi-unit articulated rail road cars has inter-body connections that include side bearings for the male and female ends of the car bodies to either side of a shared truck. The properties of those side bearings are different on the male side of the connection from on the female side of the connection. Those inter-body connections may be used in a multi-unit railroad car has an odd number of railcar units joined end to end by articulated connectors supported by railcar trucks. The railroad car has a transverse centerline. The arrangement of articulated connectors about the transverse centerline is symmetrical.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61G 5/02 - Couplings not otherwise provided for for coupling articulated trains, locomotives and tenders, or the bogies of a vehicle; Coupling by means of a single coupling bar; Couplings preventing or limiting relative lateral movement of vehicles
• B61G 3/00 - Couplings comprising mating parts of similar shape or form which can be coupled without the use of any additional element or elements

Abstract

A swing motion rail road freight car truck is provided that has a truck bolster and a pair of side frames, the truck bolster being mounted transversely relative to the side frames. The side frames have spring seats for the groups of springs. The springs seats may be rigidly mounted in the side frames. Friction dampers are provided in inboard and outboard pairs. The biasing force on the dampers urges then to that act between the bolster ands and sideframes to resist parallelogram deflection of the truck. The bearing adapters and sideframe pedestal seats interact on a rolling linear contact interface that has a relatively small radius of curvature.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61F 5/30 - Axle-boxes mounted for movement under spring control in vehicle or bogie underframes
• B61D 3/18 - Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for vehicles
• B61F 5/06 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating metal springs
• B61F 5/12 - Bolster supports or mountings incorporating dampers

Abstract

A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism includes a primary lock in the form of an over center lever arrangement, and a compact secondary lock that acts sideways rather than lengthwise. The sidewalls of the car include vertical stiffeners and side sheets. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/00 - Hopper cars
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
• B61D 19/00 - Door arrangements specially adapted for rail vehicles
• B61G 7/10 - Mounting of the couplings on the vehicle

Abstract

A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism includes a primary lock in the form of an over center lever arrangement, and a compact secondary lock that acts sideways rather than lengthwise. The sidewalls of the car include vertical stiffeners and side sheets. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/00 - Hopper cars
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
• B61D 19/00 - Door arrangements specially adapted for rail vehicles
• B61G 7/10 - Mounting of the couplings on the vehicle

Abstract

A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism includes a primary lock in the form of an over center lever arrangement, and a compact secondary lock that acts sideways rather than lengthwise. The sidewalls of the car include vertical stiffeners and side sheets. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/00 - Hopper cars
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
• B61D 19/00 - Door arrangements specially adapted for rail vehicles
• B61G 7/10 - Mounting of the couplings on the vehicle

Abstract

A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism includes a primary lock in the form of an over center lever arrangement, and a compact secondary lock that acts sideways rather than lengthwise. The sidewalls of the car include vertical stiffeners and side sheets. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/00 - Hopper cars
• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms
• B61D 7/18 - Closure elements for discharge openings pivoted
• B61D 7/28 - Opening or closing means hydraulic or pneumatic
• B61D 19/00 - Door arrangements specially adapted for rail vehicles
• B61G 7/10 - Mounting of the couplings on the vehicle

Abstract

A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The linkages run generally parallel to the slope sheet. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation panel. There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission. The main lever is bifurcated, and straddles the pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism includes a primary lock in the form of an over center lever arrangement, and a compact secondary lock that acts sideways rather than lengthwise. The sidewalls of the car include vertical stiffeners and side sheets. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/00 - Construction details of vehicle bodies

Abstract

A railroad freight car may have a body for carrying lading. The body may be a gondola car body. The car body may include a decking or floor structure, and may include longitudinally extending side beams bordering the floor structure. The connection of the side beams to the floor structure may be may without the use of a dedicated side sill. The car body structure may include cross-bearers and side beam stiffeners that are joined together by structural knees. The car body may also include clean out ports to facilitate cleaning of the lading receptacle.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/00 - Construction details of vehicle bodies

Abstract

A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by movable closure members. The hopper car has a plurality of hoppers of which two hoppers share a common ridge assembly. The ridge assembly forms a common mating and fit up location for the upper margins of the slope sheets of two lengthwise adjacent hoppers. The ridge assembly includes an horizontal center section and two end plates that angle upwardly outboard toward the top chords of the sidewalls. The ridge assembly stands proud of the upper margin of the respective adjacent slope sheets. A gusset is mounted between the adjacent slope sheets below the ridge plate such that the slope sheets and gusset form a reinforcement tube running across the car, the end plates forming the stems of a vertical T-section attached to the sidewall and overlapping the top chord.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 3/00 - Wagons or vans
• B61D 17/00 - Construction details of vehicle bodies

Abstract

A rail road car has draft sills, and draft gear mounted in the draft sills, by which loads are passed along the train line of cars. The draft gear is mounted to the drafts sill webs between front and rear draft stops. The front and rear draft stops have portions that protrude beyond the plane of the inner face of the draft sill webs. The rear draft stops have a boss that extends past the plane of the inside face of the draft sill web, such that the peripheral weld about the boss may tend to be placed in stress in the plane of the web.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61G 9/00 - Draw-gear
• B61G 9/24 - Linkages between draw-bar and framework

Abstract

A railroad freight car may have a body for carrying lading. The body may be a gondola car body. The car body may include a decking or floor structure, and may include longitudinally extending side beams bordering the floor structure. The connection of the side beams to the floor structure may be may without the use of a dedicated side sill. The car body structure may include cross-bearers and side beam stiffeners that are joined together by structural knees. The car body may also include clean out ports to facilitate cleaning of the lading receptacle.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/00 - Construction details of vehicle bodies

Abstract

A rail road car such as a double tub coal gondola car has a center sill that is narrow in the middle between the two tubs, and wider at the draft arms. The center sill has a transition section that provides a smooth, gradual transition between the respective bottom flange portions of the two without sharp changes in direction in the stress fields in tension and compression, and with little or no out of plane eccentricities in load path, and with a tendency to minimize or avoid local stress concentrations. The center sill includes a set of access apertures and corresponding bridges or ties that maintain the lateral halves of the center sill flange main portion in appropriate relationship to each other with respect to resistance to buckling. The tubs fasten mechanically to the sides of the center sill.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/00 - Hopper cars
• B61D 17/00 - Construction details of vehicle bodies

Abstract

A hopper car discharge outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The doors are hingeless, being mounted on four bar linkages, such that the distal edge of the doors sweeps predominantly horizontally while the proximal edge of the door moves predominantly upwardly. The doors move through noncircular arcs, such that the size of the vertically projected door opening is abnormally large compared to the clearance heights of the door. The doors are driven by a longitudinal shaft that is mounted within the center sill. It drives a set of single input, double output bell cranks that drive adjacent pairs of doors, and that employs an over-center toggle to hold the doors in the closed position when the car is laded. The actuators may be mounted in shelters midway along the car, and may be offset from the centersill. The actuators may be mounted predominantly vertically such that gravity may obviate the need for a secondary lock. The doors of a transverse car need not all be of the same size. The over center may include a manual release having a fulcrum with a progressive decrease in mechanical advantage.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 7/02 - Hopper cars with discharge openings in the bottoms

Abstract

A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The door closing mechanism is a mechanical transmission that includes a set of linkages running from the door to a reciprocating pneumatic cylinder. The linkages run generally parallel to the slope sheet. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation panel. There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission. The main lever is bifurcated, and straddles the pneumatic cylinder. The mechanism includes a primary lock in the form of an over center lever arrangement, and a compact secondary lock that acts sideways rather than lengthwise. The sidewalls of the car include vertical stiffeners and side sheets. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61D 17/00 - Construction details of vehicle bodies

Abstract

A railroad gondola car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a pair of longitudinal doors. The car has a very short draft installation that includes a removable coupler carrier bar, and the main shear plate has a removable draft gear installation cover. The rear draft stop extends longitudinally inboard past the truck center. The couple arrangement includes an AAR Type E shank with an AAR Type F coupler There is a machinery space above the end section shear plate. It is overhung by the slope sheet that is substantially unobstructed by any other primary structure. The pneumatic cylinder is mounted on an angle in this unobstructed machinery space, oriented longitudinally over the draft sill beneath the main drag link of the mechanical transmission, and above the main pivot of the driving input lever of the transmission. The main lever is bifurcated, and straddles the pneumatic cylinder. The lower portion of the side sheets lies laterally inboard of the stiffener web, while the upper portion lies laterally outboard of the stiffener web. The side slope sheet of the hopper meets the sidewall at the transition of the sidewall sheet from the inside-the-post to the outside-the-post condition.

IPC Classes  ?

• B61G 7/10 - Mounting of the couplings on the vehicle