Patents by Inventor Christopher Crisafulli

Christopher Crisafulli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11465655
    Abstract: A side wall for a railcar includes a plurality of integrated side sheets. Each of the integrated side sheets includes a sheet of metal having a top side edge and a bottom side edge extending from a first end to a second end of the sheet of metal. The sheet of metal further includes a flat area portion extending a first distance from the first end towards the second end between the top side edge and the bottom side edge. The sheet of metal further includes a side post portion adjacent to the flat portion, the side post portion comprising a plurality of bends forming a recess. The plurality of bends forming the recess includes at least a first bend, a second bend, a third bend, and a fourth bend. Adjacent integrated side sheets may be coupled together to form the side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Crisafulli, Matthew Gabriel Westlake, Suman Gachhadar, Percy Elavia
  • Publication number: 20220105967
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar extension for extending the width of a railcar comprises: a top portion for attaching to a railcar support; a first side portion coupled to the top portion, the first side portion comprising two parallel transverse walls connected by a longitudinal wall all extending perpendicular from the top portion and the two transverse walls are for attaching to the railcar support; a second side portion coupled to the first side portion, the second side portion comprising two parallel transverse walls connected by a longitudinal wall all extending downward from the first side portion and the two transverse walls are for attaching to the railcar support, and wherein the second side portion pivots with respect to the first side portion to conform to the railcar support; and a bottom portion coupled to the second side portion, the bottom portion for attaching to the railcar support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Kyle R. COSTON, Justin W. HOLLOW HORN, Stephen L. UHRIK, George A. NELLE, Konstantin I. KHENOKH, Christopher CRISAFULLI
  • Publication number: 20210261172
    Abstract: A modular railcar includes a modular top system that is configured to hold one or more coils of material, and a railcar underframe that supports the modular top system. The modular top system includes a pair of side sills and one or more troughs disposed between the pair of side sills. Each side sill of the pair of side sills extends a longitudinal length of the modular top system. Each trough of the one or more troughs is configured to hold a coil of the one or more coils of material. The underframe includes one or more coupling apparatuses that are configured to detachably engage the modular top system when the modular top system is positioned on top of the underframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Suman Gachhadar, Christopher Crisafulli, Aubra D. McKisic, Konstantin I. Khenokh
  • Patent number: 10690260
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an adapter assembly for a bottom outlet valve comprises an apparatus configured to be coupled to a stem of the bottom outlet valve of the railroad car. The stem of the bottom outlet valve is aligned generally with a longitudinal axis of the railroad car. The apparatus comprises a coupler configured to be coupled to the stem of the bottom outlet valve and a primary gear coupled to the coupler. The primary gear is configured to be coupled to a handle assembly extending from either side of the railroad car. The handle assembly is configured to operate the bottom outlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Trinity Rail Group, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Bogusky, Christopher Crisafulli, Samuel Nash, Dipen K. Shah
  • Publication number: 20200094856
    Abstract: A side wall for a railcar includes a plurality of integrated side sheets. Each of the integrated side sheets includes a sheet of metal having a top side edge and a bottom side edge extending from a first end to a second end of the sheet of metal. The sheet of metal further includes a flat area portion extending a first distance from the first end towards the second end between the top side edge and the bottom side edge. The sheet of metal further includes a side post portion adjacent to the flat portion, the side post portion comprising a plurality of bends forming a recess. The plurality of bends forming the recess includes at least a first bend, a second bend, a third bend, and a fourth bend. Adjacent integrated side sheets may be coupled together to form the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Crisafulli, Matthew Gabriel Westlake, Suman Gachhadar, Percy Elavia
  • Publication number: 20200062281
    Abstract: A multimodal platform is provided for a railcar. The multimodal platform includes a first underframe, a second underframe, a loading platform, and rail wheels. The first underframe carries a first container and the second underframe carries a second container. The second underframe is coupled to the first underframe and coupling the first underframe and the second underframe provides an articulation point. The loading platform is disposed above the articulation point and between a first end of the first container proximate the second container and a second end of the second container proximate the first container. The rail wheels are disposed under the loading platform and coupled to the first underframe and the second underframe. The rail wheels are configured to transport the multimodal platform on rails of a railway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew Brown, Carter Ray Andrews, Ross E. Hill, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Hiten Mehta, Christopher Crisafulli, Kenneth W. Huck
  • Publication number: 20200041032
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments, an adapter assembly for a bottom outlet valve comprises an apparatus configured to be coupled to a stem of the bottom outlet valve of the railroad car. The stem of the bottom outlet valve is aligned generally with a longitudinal axis of the railroad car. The apparatus comprises a coupler configured to be coupled to the stem of the bottom outlet valve and a primary gear coupled to the coupler. The primary gear is configured to be coupled to a handle assembly extending from either side of the railroad car. The handle assembly is configured to operate the bottom outlet valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: James A. Bogusky, Christopher Crisafulli, Samuel Nash, Dipen K. Shah
  • Patent number: 8602231
    Abstract: A draft sill with special rear draft lug for a railcar is disclosed. In some embodiments, a rear draft lug comprises a metallic body. The rear draft lug further comprises a boss extending along a transverse portion of the metallic body. The boss is configured to be coupled to a first vertical reinforcement plate. The rear draft lug also comprises an overhang portion extending from the boss along the transverse portion. The overhang portion configured to be coupled to the first vertical reinforcement plate. In some embodiments, the boss and the overhang portion are configured to be coupled to the first vertical reinforcement plate with a weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, Shaun Richmond, Christopher Crisafulli
  • Publication number: 20120043292
    Abstract: A draft sill with special rear draft lug for a railcar is disclosed. In some embodiments, a rear draft lug comprises a metallic body. The rear draft lug further comprises a boss extending along a transverse portion of the metallic body. The boss is configured to be coupled to a first vertical reinforcement plate. The rear draft lug also comprises an overhang portion extending from the boss along the transverse portion. The overhang portion configured to be coupled to the first vertical reinforcement plate. In some embodiments, the boss and the overhang portion are configured to be coupled to the first vertical reinforcement plate with a weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen W. Smith, Shaun A. Richmond, Christopher Crisafulli
  • Patent number: 7478600
    Abstract: A composite box structure mounted on and attached to a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled railway car. The composite box structure defined in part by an exterior metal surface, interior side stakes and at least one layer of fiber reinforced material attached to the side stakes. Insulating material may be disposed between the side stakes, the exterior metal surface and the at least one fiber reinforced layer of fiber reinforced material. The insulating materials provide resistance to heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of the composite box structure. A primary floor assembly and a secondary floor assembly may be mounted on the railway car underframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert A. Beers, Stephen W. Smith, Christopher Crisafulli, Shaun Richmond, Ricky A. Cribbs
  • Publication number: 20070234927
    Abstract: A composite box structure mounted on and attached to a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled railway car. The composite box structure defined in part by an exterior metal surface, interior side stakes and at least one layer of fiber reinforced material attached to the side stakes. Insulating material may be disposed between the side stakes, the exterior metal surface and the at least one fiber reinforced layer of fiber reinforced material. The insulating materials provide resistance to heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of the composite box structure. A primary floor assembly and a secondary floor assembly may be mounted on the railway car underframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Albert Beers, Stephen Smith, Christopher Crisafulli, Shaun Richmond, Ricky Cribbs
  • Patent number: 7228805
    Abstract: A composite box structure mounted on and attached to a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled railway car. The composite box structure defined in part by an exterior metal surface, interior side stakes and at least one layer of fiber reinforced material attached to the side stakes. Insulating material may be disposed between the side stakes, the exterior metal surface and the at least one fiber reinforced layer of fiber reinforced material. The insulating materials provide resistance to heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of the composite box structure. A primary floor assembly and a secondary floor assembly may be mounted on the railway car underframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert A. Beers, Stephen W. Smith, Christopher Crisafulli, Shaun Richmond, Ricky A. Cribbs
  • Publication number: 20050178285
    Abstract: A composite box structure mounted on and attached to a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled railway car. The composite box structure defined in part by an exterior metal surface, interior side stakes and at least one layer of fiber reinforced material attached to the side stakes. Insulating material may be disposed between the side stakes, the exterior metal surface and the at least one fiber reinforced layer of fiber reinforced material. The insulating materials provide resistance to heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of the composite box structure. A primary floor assembly and a secondary floor assembly may be mounted on the railway car underframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Albert Beers, Stephen Smith, Christopher Crisafulli, Shaun Richmond, Ricky Cribbs