Patents by Inventor James D. Batchelor

James D. Batchelor 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: 9114813
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James D. Batchelor
  • Publication number: 20140130707
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventor: James D. Batchelor