Gondola Patents (Class 105/406.1)
  • Patent number: 11702115
    Abstract: A reinforced railcar side stake configured to be mounted to the underframe of a rail car and extend upwardly therefrom, the side stake comprises: a main body which is a U shaped channel that includes a flat back generally parallel to the side wall and a pair of legs extending generally perpendicular to the back and the side wall structures, the legs of the main body having cutouts at a lower portion thereof; a connection plate coupled to the side sill main body within the cutouts wherein the connection plate surface is flush with the upper ends of the legs above the cutouts; and a reinforcing plate within the interior of the main body near the coupling of the side stake to the underframe wherein the reinforcing plate overlaps the area of the connection plate by extending both below and above the cutouts in the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: JAC OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael H. Kress, Stephen T. Ling
  • Patent number: 10737705
    Abstract: A reinforced railcar side stake configured to be mounted to the underframe of a rail car and extend upwardly therefrom, the side stake comprises: a main body which is a U shaped channel that includes a flat back generally parallel to the side wall and a pair of legs extending generally perpendicular to the back and the side wall structures, the legs of the main body having cutouts at a lower portion thereof; a connection plate coupled to the side sill main body within the cutouts wherein the connection plate surface is flush with the upper ends of the legs above the cutouts; and a reinforcing plate within the interior of the main body near the coupling of the side stake to the underframe wherein the reinforcing plate overlaps the area of the connection plate by extending both below and above the cutouts in the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: JAC OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael H. Kress, Stephen T. Ling
  • Patent number: 10710612
    Abstract: A gondola railcar cleanout door is configured to be coupled to a side plate of a railcar adjacent a railcar floor wherein the side plate and floor each have an opening therein. The cleanout door includes a frame mountable to the railcar side plate structure, adjacent the side plate structure opening; and a door assembly coupled to the frame and moveable between an open position in which the openings in the floor and the side plate may be used to clean out the interior of the railcar, and a closed position substantially closing the openings in the side plate and the floor, wherein the door assembly includes a door side wall member configured to substantially close the opening in the side plate in the closed position and a door floor member configured to substantially close the opening in the floor in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: JAC OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Dave Single
  • Patent number: 10017191
    Abstract: A gondola railcar cleanout door is configured to be coupled to a side plate of a railcar adjacent a railcar floor wherein the side plate and floor each have an opening therein. The cleanout door includes a frame mountable to the railcar side plate structure, adjacent the side plate structure opening; and a door assembly coupled to the frame and moveable between an open position in which the openings in the floor and the side plate may be used to clean out the interior of the railcar, and a closed position substantially closing the openings in the side plate and the floor, wherein the door assembly includes a door side wall member configured to substantially close the opening in the side plate in the closed position and a door floor member configured to substantially close the opening in the floor in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: JAC OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Dave Single
  • Patent number: 9821698
    Abstract: A dump both for a working machine includes two main plates for creating a load receiving surface. The two main plates are joined to each other by a weld joint. The dump body includes a backing plate arranged on the two main plates at the inside of the dump body. The backing plate covers the weld joint and is joined to the two main plates by the weld joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventor: Lars Bolin
  • Patent number: 9346472
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: Ken Black, James Batchelor, James W. Forbes, Damon King Quan
  • Patent number: 9108648
    Abstract: A supporting device for a floor of a rail vehicle includes an elongate floor rail which is composed of a first metallic material and is divided into a plurality of longitudinal portions or sections, so as to form at least one joint. The floor rail is supported on a rail vehicle shell which is composed of a second metallic material. The floor rail is connected in the region of the joint to an intermediate profile which is provided for interconnecting the mutually adjoining longitudinal sections of the floor rail in a flexurally rigid fashion. A sliding fit or seat is formed between the longitudinal portions or sections of the floor rail and the intermediate profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Xiaomeng Li
  • Publication number: 20150068425
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: Ken BLACK, James BATCHELOR, James W. FORBES, Damon King QUAN
  • Patent number: 8550010
    Abstract: A wagon has two side walls, two end walls and a base. At least a portion of one or each side wall has two side wall parts in the form of panels. Each panel has a respective constant wall thickness and is joined together. In some embodiments, the panels can be integrally formed. The side wall panels are also each of a different material thickness. A bridging member in the form of an angled bracket is arranged to interconnect the respective side wall panels by being separately connected to each side wall panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bradken Resources Pty Limited
    Inventor: Douglas Gordon Cummings
  • Publication number: 20130160670
    Abstract: A open top railcar comprises a railcar body supported on the spaced trucks, the body comprising side and end structures on the railcar, and a top chord extending the length of the side structures and the width of the end structures, wherein the top chord includes an inwardly sloped top surface for discharging lading toward the railcar interior. The railcar may further include corner cap, or end cap members, including inwardly sloped lading discharging top surfaces. The railcar may be a hopper railcar having discharge chutes forming body pockets opening into the interior with pneumatic doors having manual override for each door. The railcar may include a nonmetallic touch pad housing secured to the side structures and including a plurality of touch plates mounted in the housing configured for operating selective individual doors and combination of doors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: FREIGHTCAR AMERICA, INC.
  • Patent number: 8468954
    Abstract: The present invention provides a side wall of railway wagon and a boxcar of railway wagon. The side wall of the railway wagon comprises an upper side plate, a lower side plate, an inner side stake and an outer side stake, wherein the said inner side stake is arranged at the inner side of the said upper side plate and the said lower side plate, and the said outer side stake is arranged at the upper part of the said side wall of railway wagon and is arranged at the outer side of the said upper side plate. By applying the side wall in the form of internal stakes, the side wall of railway wagon and the boxcar of railway wagon of the present invention can make full use of the width space between the outer surface of the side plate and the outer surface of the side stake on the basis that the external dimension of the railway wagon is not changed, thereby effectively improving the volume of the railway wagon and the transporting capability of the train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd., Dalian Qiche Railway Rolling Stock Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junfeng Han, Yongji Zhao, Yuebin Yu, Haipeng Liu, Xin Zhang
  • Patent number: 8342105
    Abstract: A open top railcar comprises a body on pair of spaced trucks, and a top chord extending the length of the side and the width of the end of the railcar, wherein the top chord includes an inwardly sloped top surface configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar further includes corner cap members that have inwardly sloped top surfaces configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar has a plurality of discharge chutes including a plurality of doors operated through a pneumatic door operating system and a manual door operating override for each door. The railcar also includes a nonmetallic touch pad housing provided with a plurality of touch plates for operating selective doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Freightcar America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A Selapack, Christopher S Wissinger, Todd L Lydic
  • Patent number: 8240256
    Abstract: A rail car with a double longitudinal tub floor. The car may comprise a car body supported on a frame, the principal element of the frame being a longitudinal center sill assembly. The frame is in turn supported on a pair of wheel trucks. The car body includes a pair of generally vertical end wall assemblies joined to a pair of generally vertical side assemblies. The box is closed on the bottom by a floor assembly. The floor assembly includes a pair of longitudinal tubs. The longitudinal tubs are divided into tub segments and supported by cross-bearer assemblies. The cross-bearer assemblies are joined to the center sill assembly. The longitudinal tubs are supported primarily by the center sill assembly, both directly by joining each tub's lateral inboard edge to the center sill, and indirectly by joining the tub's chord end edges to the cross-bearer assemblies. Diagonal braces may be attached to the cross bearer assemblies and the side assemblies to help prevent bowing of the sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corp
    Inventor: Bryan M. Nutt
  • Patent number: 8166892
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Marcus Thiesen, Dave Keats
  • Patent number: 8132515
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Marcus Thiesen, Dave Keats
  • Patent number: 8025014
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Patent number: 7878125
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Publication number: 20110017095
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Publication number: 20100275812
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Patent number: 7784411
    Abstract: A rail road freight car, which may be a gondola car, may have a flat deck, and a peripheral wall structure. The peripheral wall structure may include arcuate sidewalls and arcuate endwalls. The car body may include internal stiffeners having an arcuate outside sidewall profile. Those stiffeners may be lined up with cross-bearers and bolsters, such that large spring-like frames are formed. The car may include stations at which there are cross-bearers, but no corresponding upstanding wall reinforcement posts mounted outside the car walls. The end top chords may be curved and may be pin jointedly connected to the side top chords. The side top chords may have a central portion that has a substantially greater second moment of area for resisting lateral deflections than adjacent end portions. The arcuate form of the endwalls may provide additional space in which to mount safety appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Patent number: 7757611
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Publication number: 20100101447
    Abstract: A rail car with a double longitudinal tub floor. The car may comprise a car body supported on a frame, the principal element of the frame being a longitudinal center sill assembly. The frame is in turn supported on a pair of wheel trucks. The car body includes a pair of generally vertical end wall assemblies joined to a pair of generally vertical side assemblies. The box is closed on the bottom by a floor assembly. The floor assembly includes a pair of longitudinal tubs. The longitudinal tubs are divided into tub segments and supported by cross-bearer assemblies. The cross-bearer assemblies are joined to the center sill assembly. The longitudinal tubs are supported primarily by the center sill assembly, both directly by joining each tub's lateral inboard edge to the center sill, and indirectly by joining the tub's chord end edges to the cross-bearer assemblies. Diagonal braces may be attached to the cross bearer assemblies and the side assemblies to help prevent bowing of the sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Progress Rail Services Corp.
    Inventor: Bryan M. Nutt
  • Publication number: 20100011987
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20100006000
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Publication number: 20090211485
    Abstract: A bulk material transport container in the form of a railway wagon 10 is disclosed. The wagon 10 comprises two side walls 24, two end walls 25 and a base 29. At least a portion of one or each side wall 24 comprises two side wall parts in the form of panels 26, 28, each panel 26, 28 having a respective constant wall thickness and being joined together. In some embodiments, the panels 26, 28 can be integrally formed. The side wall panels 26, 28 are also each of a different material thickness. A bridging member in the form of an angled bracket 36 is arranged to interconnect the respective side wall panels 26, 28 by being separately connected to each side wall panel 26, 28.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Douglas Gordon Cummings
  • Patent number: 7559284
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Patent number: 7527002
    Abstract: A cableway cabin, having supporting elements including a base frame, a roof frame and at least four corner columns connecting the base frame to the roof frame. All these parts are formed only from tubular sections having a circular inner cross-section. The parts are which has three connecting pieces, at least one of which is conical and one of which in each case is pressed into one of the three tubular sections forming a corner. Unless all three connecting pieces are conical, it is expedient to make the non-conical connecting piece or connecting pieces cylindrical and to provide them with a constriction extending over more than 60% of their length and filled with a resilient adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: CWA Constructions S.A.
    Inventor: Georg Riser
  • Publication number: 20090031919
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Patent number: 7461600
    Abstract: A rail road 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Patent number: 7434519
    Abstract: A rail road 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Tomasz Bis, Mohammed Al-Kaabi
  • Patent number: 7424854
    Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented central beam structure. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon in which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a top chord mounted to run between two end bulkheads. The deck has a central portion and end portions. The end portions of the deck are carried at a greater height than the center portion, the difference in height corresponding to the height of a bundle of lumber. The car has a center sill having a depth corresponding to the depth of the step in the deck. The end portion of the center sill has an internal plate defining a draft gear pocket upper wall. The medial portion of the center sill is narrower than the end portion, and of deep section, such that it has a high aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20070277696
    Abstract: A rail road freight car, which may be a gondola car, may have a flat deck, and a peripheral wall structure. The peripheral wall structure may include arcuate sidewalls and arcuate endwalls. The car body may include internal stiffeners having an arcuate outside sidewall profile. Those stiffeners may be lined up with cross-bearers and bolsters, such that large spring-like frames are formed. The car may include stations at which there are cross-bearers, but no corresponding upstanding wall reinforcement posts mounted outside the car walls. The end top chords may be curved and may be pin jointedly connected to the side top chords. The side top chords may have a central portion that has a substantially greater second moment of area for resisting lateral deflections than adjacent end portions. The arcuate form of the endwalls may provide additional space in which to mount safety appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: NATIONAL STEEL CAR LIMITED
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6978720
    Abstract: A gondola railcar having a plurality of side posts connected to the underframe for a high strength construction. The underframe includes a plurality of cross-bearing members having an upper flange, a lower flange and at least one vertical web connecting the two flanges. The upper flange has an opening disposed therein that receives the side post such that the side post abuts with the upper flange inside the opening. The side post also abuts with an end of the vertical web, and an end portion of the side post abuts with the lower flange of the cross-bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Kent N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6964233
    Abstract: A beam isolator which is inserted into at least one end of a tubular beam in a railroad car to minimize the movement of the beam during movement of the railroad car. The beam isolator includes first and second isolating pads, each defining openings. A hinge connects the first and second isolating pads at a first end of said first and second isolating pads. A stopping member is attached to and transversely projects from a second end of the first and second isolating pads. The first and second isolating pads are closed or folded about the hinge until the first and second isolating pads are substantially adjacent to each other, which substantially aligns the openings defined by the first and second isolating pads. The beam isolator is then inserted into at least one end of the beam until the stopping members engage the edges of the end of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: ZefTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. Peach, John D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6877440
    Abstract: A container for transporting bulk material including two side walls, two end walls, and a base; the side walls including a plurality of vertical reinforcing members spaced along the length of the side wall, wherein the side wall between at least one adjacent pair of the reinforcing members includes at least one internal ridge running therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Lynx Engineering Consultants Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Kris Kilian, Vladimir Mazur
  • Patent number: 6786160
    Abstract: A beam isolator which is inserted into at least one end of a tubular beam in a railroad car to minimize the movement of the beam during movement of the railroad car. The beam isolator includes first and second isolating pads, each defining openings. A hinge connects the first and second isolating pads at a first end of said first and second isolating pads. A stopping member is attached to and transversely projects from a second end of the first and second isolating pads. The first and second isolating pads are closed or folded about the hinge until the first and second isolating pads are substantially adjacent to each other, which substantially aligns the openings defined by the first and second isolating pads. The beam isolator is then inserted into at least one end of the beam until the stopping members engage the edges of the end of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: ZefTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter J. Peach, John D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6659017
    Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented central beam structure. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a top chord mounted to run between two end bulkheads. The deck has a central portion and end portions. The end portions of the deck are carried at a greater height than the center portion, the difference in height corresponding to the height of a bundle of lumber. The car has a center sill having a depth corresponding to the depth of the step in the deck. The end portion of the center sill has an internal plate defining a draft gear pocket upper wall. The medial portion of the center sill is narrower than the end portion, and of deep section, such that it has a high aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6601522
    Abstract: The railcar includes modified side top chord members which allow for increased hauling capacity. Additionally, the side top chord member is designed to improve the loading characteristics of this member. The end top chord members and corner cap member have been designed to minimize the fabrication and assembly process. The end top chord members have been designed to improve the stress distribution through this member. All of these characteristics combine to form an improved top chord structure for the railcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: JAC Patent Company
    Inventor: Robert J. Roxby
  • Patent number: 6494146
    Abstract: A flatbed railcar is provided which may be utilized for the transport of relatively lightweight bulky articles, as well as relatively heavy articles such as steel beams. The railcar includes a number of components which cooperate to allow such diversity of uses. A rectangular base structure is provided. A substantially planar deck is secured to the upper surface of the rectangular base structure. A plurality of rail wheel assemblies are coupled to the lower surface of the base structure. The rail wheel assemblies are adapted for engaging a railroad. A first bulkhead member is coupled to a first end of the base structure. A second bulkhead member is coupled to the second end of the base structure. A vertical center partition member is also provided. The vertical center partition member is substantially perpendicular to the base structure. It is located along a longitudinal centerline relative to the base structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company
    Inventors: Scott C. Landrum, Robert J. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6330863
    Abstract: A railcar includes a pair of car tubs on opposite sides of a center sill. Each car tub includes a cross-section to increase carrying capacity. Each car tub includes a longitudinal semi-circular floor plate formed by a cold-formed process. Additionally, each car plate includes a one-piece composite tub closure at each end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: JAC Patent Company
    Inventors: Todd L. Lydic, William E. Kurtz
  • Patent number: RE39777
    Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented central beam structure. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a top chord mounted to run between two end bulkheads. The deck has a central portion and end portions. The end portions of the deck are carried at a greater height than the center portion, the difference in height corresponding to the height of a bundle of lumber. The car has a center sill having a depth corresponding to the depth of the step in the deck. The end portion of the center sill has an internal plate defining a draft gear pocket upper wall. The medial portion of the center sill is narrower than the end portion, and of deep section, such that it has a high aspect ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventors: James W. Forbes, Mohamed A. Khattab