Patents by Inventor Jerry W. Vande Sande
Jerry W. Vande Sande 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).
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Publication number: 20230399032Abstract: According to some embodiments, a longitudinal door system comprising one or more longitudinal doors for a railcar and a longitudinal operating beam coupled to the one or more longitudinal doors via one or more struts. A translation of the longitudinal operating beam is coupled to an opening and closing of the one or more longitudinal doors. The door system further comprising a gearbox coupled to the longitudinal operating beam and a first capstan receptacle. The gearbox is operable to translate a rotational movement of the first capstan receptacle to a linear movement of the longitudinal operating beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Daniel G. CORTEZ, Lee A. REITZ, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Carter R. ANDREWS, Kenneth W. HUCK, Craig J. STEVENS, William F. DEAKYNE
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Patent number: 11738783Abstract: According to some embodiments, a longitudinal door system comprising one or more longitudinal doors for a railcar and a longitudinal operating beam coupled to the one or more longitudinal doors via one or more struts. A translation of the longitudinal operating beam is coupled to an opening and closing of the one or more longitudinal doors. The door system further comprising a gearbox coupled to the longitudinal operating beam and a first capstan receptacle. The gearbox is operable to translate a rotational movement of the first capstan receptacle to a linear movement of the longitudinal operating beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLCInventors: Daniel G. Cortez, Lee A. Reitz, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Carter R. Andrews, Kenneth W. Huck, Craig J. Stevens, William F. Deakyne
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Publication number: 20220371629Abstract: A railcar comprises a hopper coupled to a discharge assembly. The discharge assembly comprises a discharge gate, a sloped side sheet, a gasket bracket, and a seal gasket. The sloped side sheet longitudinally extends above the discharge gate when the discharge gate is closed. The gasket bracket coupled to the sloped side sheet. The gasket bracket extends longitudinally along a bottom end of the sloped side sheet. The seal gasket is positioned between the sloped side sheet and the gasket bracket. The seal gasket has a straight section and a rounded section, such that a portion of the round section of the seal gasket is left beyond the bottom end of the sloped side sheet. The seal gasket creates a seal between the sloped side sheet and the discharge gate such that the weight of a lading increases the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, Carter Ray Andrews, Brant R. McGhee, Andrew Brown, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 11465657Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first well component supported by a first railcar truck and a second railcar truck. The first well component is disposed between the first railcar truck and the second railcar truck. The length of the first well component is restricted to transport an intermodal shipping container no longer than twenty feet in length. In particular embodiments, the first well component is configured to transport a double stack of twenty-foot intermodal shipping containers. Each twenty-foot shipping container of the double stack may be loaded to maximum weight of 67,000 pounds. Particular embodiments include an articulated railcar with two or more twenty-foot well components.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, John W. Coulborn
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Patent number: 11167777Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a retaining catch and a latch. The retaining catch is attached at a first end of a bridge plate kit of the railcar. The latch is disposed on a deck of the railcar. The latch includes a stationary portion attached to the deck and a pendulum portion rotationally coupled to the stationary portion. The pendulum portion rotates about an axis in and through the stationary portion. The pendulum portion includes a stop preventing rotation of the pendulum portion through the stationary portion beyond a stop angle. The retaining catch causes the pendulum portion to rotate from a first position to a second position away from the bridge plate kit. The pendulum portion rotates back to the first position after the bridge plate kit has been flipped over. The pendulum portion in the first position retains the bridge plate kit in the flipped over position.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLCInventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, Kyle R. Coston, Robert J. Cencer
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Patent number: 11124206Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first deck, and a second deck. The second deck is positioned within the railcar above the first deck. The second deck includes a first portion, a second portion coupled to a first end of the first portion, and a third portion coupled to a second end of the first portion opposite the first end. The second and third portions can move towards a center of the first portion such that the first portion is positioned above or beneath the second and third portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston
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Patent number: 11084508Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises an underframe and at least one hopper. The hopper is configured to transport a lading material. A longitudinal sliding gate assembly is coupled to the hopper and comprises: a pair of side walls coupled to a pair of end walls forming a discharge opening; a pair of tracks, one coupled to each end wall; a sliding gate slidably coupled to the pair of tracks; and a threaded drive screw coupled to the sliding gate and to the pair of side walls. Rotation of the threaded drive screw in a first direction moves the sliding gate along the tracks to an open position that permits the lading material to discharge, and rotation of the threaded drive screw in an opposite direction moves the sliding gate along the tracks to a closed position that restricts the lading material from discharging.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, Aubra D. McKisic, Joseph T. Float, Michael James Madden, Joseph L. Gagliardino
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Patent number: 11077868Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Brant R. McGhee
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Publication number: 20210197870Abstract: According to some embodiments, a longitudinal door system comprising one or more longitudinal doors for a railcar and a longitudinal operating beam coupled to the one or more longitudinal doors via one or more struts. A translation of the longitudinal operating beam is coupled to an opening and closing of the one or more longitudinal doors. The door system further comprising a gearbox coupled to the longitudinal operating beam and a first capstan receptacle. The gearbox is operable to translate a rotational movement of the first capstan receptacle to a linear movement of the longitudinal operating beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2020Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Daniel G. Cortez, Lee A. Reitz, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Carter R. Andrews, Kenneth W. Huck, Craig J. Stevens, William F. Deakyne
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Patent number: 11007920Abstract: A system for restraining a vehicle includes a deck of a transport. The deck includes one or more grated panels. The system also includes a vehicle restraint assembly configured to secure a vehicle to the deck of the transport. The vehicle restraint assembly includes an anchor coupled to a first end of a strap. The anchor includes a first plurality of hooks configured to couple the anchor to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels. The vehicle restraint assembly further includes a ratchet coupled to a second end of the strap. The ratchet includes a second plurality of hooks configured to couple the ratchet to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLCInventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, Robert J. Cencer, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 10766506Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a railcar door for accessing an interior of the railcar, and a storage box comprising an access opening. The storage box is disposed such that when the railcar door is in a closed position, the railcar door prevents access to the storage box access opening, and when the railcar door is in an open position, the storage box access opening is accessible. In some embodiments the railcar door comprises a double door, and the storage box comprises a first portion coupled to a first door and a second portion coupled to a second door and adjacent to the first portion of the storage box. The first portion of the storage box prevents access to the second portion when the double doors are in a closed position. In some embodiments, the storage box is recessed into the railcar floor beneath the railcar door.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: TRINITY RAIL GROUP, LLCInventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Jerry W. Vande Sande
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Publication number: 20200276991Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a retaining catch and a latch. The retaining catch is attached at a first end of a bridge plate kit of the railcar. The latch is disposed on a deck of the railcar. The latch includes a stationary portion attached to the deck and a pendulum portion rotationally coupled to the stationary portion. The pendulum portion rotates about an axis in and through the stationary portion. The pendulum portion includes a stop preventing rotation of the pendulum portion through the stationary portion beyond a stop angle. The retaining catch causes the pendulum portion to rotate from a first position to a second position away from the bridge plate kit. The pendulum portion rotates back to the first position after the bridge plate kit has been flipped over. The pendulum portion in the first position retains the bridge plate kit in the flipped over position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2019Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, Kyle R. Coston, Robert J. Cencer
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Publication number: 20200180662Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston, Brant R. Mc Ghee
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Patent number: 10661814Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Brant R. McGhee
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Patent number: 10597046Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston, Brant R. McGhee
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Publication number: 20200062281Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Andrew Brown, Carter Ray Andrews, Ross E. Hill, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Hiten Mehta, Christopher Crisafulli, Kenneth W. Huck
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Publication number: 20190375435Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Brant R. McGhee
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Publication number: 20190315263Abstract: A system for restraining a vehicle includes a deck of a transport. The deck includes one or more grated panels. The system also includes a vehicle restraint assembly configured to secure a vehicle to the deck of the transport. The vehicle restraint assembly includes an anchor coupled to a first end of a strap. The anchor includes a first plurality of hooks configured to couple the anchor to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels. The vehicle restraint assembly further includes a ratchet coupled to a second end of the strap. The ratchet includes a second plurality of hooks configured to couple the ratchet to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, Robert J. Cencer, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 10442445Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston, Brant R. McGhee
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Patent number: 10435040Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Brant R. McGhee