Abstract: A gravity outlet (10) for discharging lading from a railway car (C). An outlet assembly is attached to a discharge opening in the railcar. The assembly includes an upper end attached to the discharge opening, and sidewalls (14a, 14b) and endwalls (16a, 16b) sloping downwardly and inwardly from the upper end. A bottom portion of the sidewalls and endwalls define a discharge outlet (D) through which lading flows, by gravity, when it is discharged from the railcar. An outlet gate (22) is positioned beneath the assembly and is movable relative to the discharge outlet between respective open and closed positions to open and close the outlet. A latch assembly (26) latches the outlet gate in its closed position, when the gate is closed, to prevent inadvertent opening of the gate and spillage of lading. A gate operating mechanism (34) moves the gate between its open and closed positions. The mechanism automatically unlatches the latch when the gate is to be moved from its closed to its open position.

Abstract: A gravity outlet (10) for discharging lading from a railway car (C). An outlet assembly attached to a discharge opening in the railcar includes an upper end attached to the opening and sidewalls (12a, 12b) and endwalls (14a, 14b) whose bottom portion defines an outlet (D) through which lading flows, by gravity, when discharged from the railcar. An outlet gate (34) positioned beneath the outlet assembly moves relative to the discharge outlet between respective open and closed positions. A latch mechanism (36) includes a latch (50a, 50b) pivotally attached to the gate to latch the gate in its closed position and prevent inadvertent opening of the gate and spillage of lading. A gate operating mechanism (38) includes a rack (40) attached to the gate and a pinion (42) engaging the rack for moving the rack and the gate. A capstan (46) is connected to an operating shaft (44), as is a coupling member (64). Rotation of the capstan by yard personnel effects movement of gate between its open and closed positions.

Abstract: A sliding gate type gravity outlet (10) is for use on railcars (C) for discharging a lading. A pan assembly (12) defines an outlet pan (14) having a flange (18) attached to the discharge opening and sidewalls (20) sloping downwardly from the flange. A bottom portion of the sidewalls defines a discharge outlet (22) into which lading flows. An outlet gate (24) is movable relative to the opening to open and close the outlet. Lading to be discharged bears upon the gate when it is in its closed position. A rack and pinion gear arrangement (36) is used to move the gate back and forth between these positions, and a rod (62) guides movement of the gate. The gate sealingly abuts against a seal (32) when the gate is closed to prevent loss of lading. The guide mechanism sits at an angle (X1) with respect to the outlet, and the gate is set at a second and greater angle (X2) with respect thereto. As the gate moves from its closed to its open position, it is drawn away from the seal and does not slide over it.

Abstract: A railway hopper car (H) has a bottom outlet (B). An outlet assembly (A) is attached to the outlet for lading to be discharged into the outlet. An outlet flange (OF) at the bottom of the hopper defines the lading discharge outlet. A mating flange (F1) is formed on the outlet assembly for attaching the outlet assembly to the railcar. Fasteners (L) are used to mount the outlet assembly to the hopper bottom. A gasket (3) installed between the respective flanges effects a seal between the hopper outlet and outlet assembly. The gasket extends circumferentially about the opening. One of the flanges has a circumferential groove (9) and the gasket has a raised portion (15) extending circumferentially of the gasket and sized to be received in the groove. This arrangement aligns the gasket with the flanges so when the outlet assembly is mounted to the bottom of the hopper, no cavities are formed in the between the hopper outlet and the outlet assembly.

Abstract: A weld support (50) for use with a center sill assembly (16) for supporting a cradle pad (12) used to support the end of a railway tank car body (B). The center sill assembly includes first and second spaced apart side plates (18, 20) spaced to either side of the car body, and a top plate (28). The weld support comprises first and second support members (52, 54) installed on opposite sides of the assembly. A pocket (56) is formed in the center sill assembly on each side thereof. A respective weld support member is attached to the top plate adjacent the respective pockets, for the weld support members to extend above the upper surface of the top plate. The weld support members each provide a substantial contact surface with the cradle pad. Each weld support member also helps pool welding material in the respective pockets to effect a strong weld between the cradle pad and center sill assembly.

Abstract: An underbody structure (10) supporting an end of a railway car body (B, B') cradled in a cradle pad (12, 12'). A center sill assembly (16) has first and second spaced apart side plates (18, 20) spaced to either side of the longitudinal centerline of the car body. A top plate (28) extends along the center sill assembly, the width of the top plate corresponding to the width between the side plates. The top plate is attached to the side plates to form part of the center sill assembly. A weld support (50) is installed on both sides of the assembly. Part of the respective side plates and top plate are cut-away at the junction formed between to form a pocket (56) in which welding material pools. Weld support members (52, 54) are attached to the top plate adjacent the pockets. The weld supports provide a substantial contact surface between the center sill assembly and the cradle pad.

Abstract: A limp, porous membrane (18) is formed from a flexible sheet material (20). The membrane is used with a fluidized hopper outlet (10) containing a pulverant, particulate lading which is fluidized and unloaded via the outlet. A valve installed in the outlet, when open, extends substantially through the outlet and allows fluidized lading to be unloaded through the outlet. The outlet has a frame (12) for securing the outlet to the hopper, an outlet opening (14) in which the valve is positioned, and intersecting outlet walls (16) extending between the frame and the opening. An outer margin (54) of the membrane is secured to the frame. An inner margin (18) of the membrane, which defines an opening for the lading, is attached to a boot (36). The boot is secured to the top of an outlet pan (P), adjacent the outlet opening, by a retainer ring (50). The ring locks the boot in place so the opening in membrane is secured adjacent to the outlet opening for the lading to flow into the outlet through the valve.

Abstract: An improved brake linkage system for a railway car, especially a hopper car, having an air cylinder actuated to move a cylinder lever. The cylinder lever is directly connected to a floating operating lever by a slack adjuster which can be made substantially shorter, lighter and less expensive than slack adjusters of prior art systems. With respect to the prior art, the present invention permits use of less linkages, shorter linkages and lighter linkages, thus making the overall linkage system lighter, less expensive and more efficient.

Abstract: A gravity outlet valve (10) is for use on a railway car for discharge of lading from the car. The valve has sloping sidesheets connected together to form sidewalls (12a, 12b) and endwalls (14a, 14b) of the valve. An outlet (O) is defined by the lower end of the sidesheets and endsheets. A gate (16) is located beneath the outlet and is slidably movable from a valve closed to a valve open position. A seal (34) is used for sealing the valve and preventing loss of lading. The seal is a multi-ply seal having an inner core (36) of a spring-like material, and an outer covering (38) of a wear resistant material. The outer covering is contacted by the gate as it moves between its positions. The inner core forces the outer covering into this contact whereby a seal is effected between the outer covering and the gate.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic outlet (10) is for use on a railcar (C) for discharging a lading from a hopper (H) of the railcar. The outlet comprises an integrally formed bottom cover (12) extending the length of the outlet. A pair of outlet valves (50A, 50B) are installed in the cover. The valves are mounted on respective valve shafts (54A, 54B) and are installed in the cover in a diagonal arrangement. Accordingly, each valve allows discharge of lading from one side of the hopper. A bulkhead (40) is also installable in the cover and supports an inner end of the respective valve shafts. The cover is severable into two sections (36A, 36B). One of the sections is reversible with respect to the other section. Thereafter, the two sections are joined together to form a unified cover through which lading flows during discharge. The bulkhead fits within the reunified cover such that no gaps or other deformities are present which would collect material that may contaminate a lading.

Abstract: A pneumatic outlet (10) is for use on a railcar (C) for discharging a lading from a hopper (H) of the railcar. An improvement to the outlet comprises a bottom cover (16) extending the length of the outlet. This cover is severable into two sections (44A, 44B) one of which is reversible with respect to the other. The two sections are joined together to form an integral cover through which lading flows during discharge. A bulkhead divider (48) is installed in the cover at the juncture between the two cover sections. A pair of outlet valves (12A, 12B) are installed in the cover. The valves are mounted on respective valve shafts (54A, 54B) which are installed in the cover with the inner end of each valve shaft being removably mounted on the divider. An end closure (64A, 64B) is installed at each end of the outlet, and the outer end of each valve shaft is located adjacent a respective closure. Each end closure is pivotally mounted to an end wall (90A, 90B) of the outlet.

Abstract: A method of creating a weld joint between two metal members (B1, B2). The members have coincidentally configured abutting edges (E1, E2), first surface (1A, 1B) which are adjacent to and on one side of the edges, and second surfaces (2A, 2B) which are adjacent to and on the other side of the edges. The method includes chamfering the corners of the respective edges and first surfaces to create a generally V-shaped groove (4) between the first surfaces. A gasket (5) of weld filler material is placed between the edges. The gasket is held between the edges and extends both into the groove and outwardly beyond the second surfaces. The groove is next filled with additional weld filler material (7), and the gasket is then melted and fused with this additional material. The portion of the gasket extending outwardly beyond the respective second surfaces is melted and fused with the edges to form a smooth, continuous surface (8) with the second surfaces.

Abstract: An improved railway car underbody support structure and method for economically constructing same. The structure includes a center sill assembly having a pair of vertically disposed side plates spaced equidistant from the longitudinal center line of the car body and extending from a coupler longitudinally inboard to a wheeled truck assembly. The truck assembly carries two laterally spaced side bearing members for bearing the load of the car body during lateral tilting of the car body. One of the improved features is a unitary metal member cut from an economically patterned metal plate. The unitary members, which are themselves free of any weld lines which may crack under the extreme loads exerted on railway cars, are welded to the underside edge of a respective side plate and welded together beneath the center line of the car body.

Abstract: A hatch cover assembly includes a vent passageway through a hatch cover for venting the interior of a railroad hopper car, or the like, to the environment. The hatch cover is held in closed position by a locking strap, and the vent passageway is located directly beneath the locking strap to help prevent rain and other environmental contaminants from passing through the vent passageway. An inexpensive baffle assembly is releasably clipped into the vent passageway beneath the locking strap and is comprised of a two piece molded plastic structure with a mesh screen held therebetween to further protect the vent passageway from contaminants.

Abstract: A trailer sensor (83) for use on a retractable railcar trailer hitch (1) is disclosed. The hitch has a hitch head (3) for capturing a kingpin (K) of a trailer (T), a locking mechanism (35) for latching the hitch in its erect position, and a manually operable release mechanism (67) for retracting the hitch. A movable sensing element (85) carried on the hitch head senses the presence or absence of a trailer. A rod (93) moves the sensing element in response to operation of the release mechanism. If a trailer is supported by the hitch, the assembly blocks movement of the sensor and prevents retraction of the hitch. If no trailer is supported by the hitch, the sensing element allows the release mechanism to unlock the hitch so it can retract.

Abstract: A bottom outlet valve for a tank on a vehicle, especially for a railway tank car. The valve comprises a valve body including a valve seat, a valve stem spring biased toward the closed position against the seat and an operator assembly for mechanically opening and closing the valve stem. The operator assembly may be removed from the valve body in an improved facile manner by means of bolts all located exterior of the operator housing. A lost motion linkage allows the stem to seat under spring pressure even though the stem seals have become worn. The assembly has been uniquely designed to permit easier and safer installation and maintenance of the valve due in part to an improved stem cage assembly.

Abstract: An improved bolster assembly (21) is for use on a railway tank car (T). The assembly comprises a vertical web member (23) the upper end of which is formed to fit about the outer surface of the shell (S) forming the tank. The member has a lifting hook opening (41) formed therein adjacent the outer end of the member. The size and orientation of the opening conform to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) design specifications for devices used in vertically lifting the car. Reinforcement plates (45a, 45b) are attached to at least one side of the web member, at the upper end thereof, to reinforce the member. The reinforcement plates are spaced from the opening and not adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A covered hopper railway car (10) for transporting difficult-to-unload ladings includes a pair of parallel, spaced apart side walls (12a, 12b) and opposed end walls (14a, 14b). A roof (16) covers the car and has an opening (18) therein for loading lading into the car. The bottom has outlets (24a-24g) attached thereto for discharging lading from the car. Each outlet comprises a drop-bottom outlet whose length and width are sufficient so as to substantially prevent lading from bridging over the outlet thereby facilitating discharge of the lading.

Abstract: A trailer hitch (1) for use on a railcar (C) is movable between an erect position and a retracted position. A first strut (9) has its lower end pivotally mounted to the railcar. A second strut (25) has its lower end movable in a horizontal direction relative to the railcar. A hitch head (3) is carried on the upper ends of the struts for engaging a trailer loaded on the railcar to hold it in place. A cushioning unit (49) is carried by the second strut to cushion the trail from impacts. A latching mechanism (57) automatically latches the hitch in its erect position and maintains it there. The latching mechanism also allows for a safe release of the hitch so it can be retracted.