Abstract: A vented hatch cover for a container having an opening defining a hatch and a coaming on the container's exterior surrounding the hatch opening. The cover has an outer shell and an inner shell, each shell having a main body and a flanged portion. The bodies are sized to fit over and enclose the hatch opening. The flanged portions are bonded together and extend radially outwardly from the corresponding bodies to fixedly couple and hold the bodies of the inner and outer shells in a spaced relationship to present an air chamber therebetween. Balsa reinforcement members are spaced apart and fixed between the shells in a radial pattern within the air chamber to provide support to the cover without interfering with the air flow. Air inlets are formed through the flange and body of the inner shell to allow air flow from the container's exterior into the container via the air chamber.

Abstract: A paneling system includes a first upper or outer plate having a plurality of outwardly extending tabs unitarily and integrally formed therewith and a second, lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate to present a void therebetween. The tabs span the void and join with the second plate to fixedly secure the plates together to form the panel construction. The free ends of the tabs may be welded within slots formed in the second plate to secure the plates together. Alternatively, the tabs may be L-shaped to present a flange in parallel relation to the plates. The flanges are welded to the second plate to secure the plates together. The tabs may present anchor holes in the first plate for securing a load in place. The first plate may include a raised portion at the periphery of the anchor holes to help prevent skidding.

Abstract: A double hinge locking system mounts and secures a series of two-way opening covers or similar members. Each hinge/lock component of the system provides a combination hinge pivot and associated lock that operate on a common axis, and includes a locking device in which fixed and rotary locking parts are presented by fixed and movable saddles coaxial with the hinge axis and relatively rotatable about such axis between locked and unlocked conditions. An interlock mechanism interconnects locking devices on opposite sides of the hinged member to prevent double unlocking. Additionally, a passive safety lock is provided by the cooperating saddles to prevent separation of the member from its mounts in the event that double unlocking inadvertently occurs.

Abstract: A hatch cover assembly for railcars. The assembly includes a series of hatch covers aligned end to end to cover an opening in a railcar. Each of the hatch covers has an overlapping end section which seats upon an adjacent cover to provide a seal. The end of each hatch cover having this overlap is common such that the covers may be opened sequentially from one end of the railcar to the other without requiring the operator to backtrack. The overlapping section may be formed as a separate element mounted upon the cover. The overlapping element can be mounted for movement between a closed position in which it overlaps the adjacent cover, and an open position in which it is spaced from the adjacent cover. The covers may additionally or alternatively be connected together such that the opening of a cover assists in the opening of an adjacent cover.

Abstract: A hatch cover system for a railroad car employs a longitudinally extending series of end-to-end main hatch covers wherein each adjacent pair of covers has proximate, concave ends defining a circular port that permits access to the interior of the car when the covers are in their closed positions. A relatively small, circular cover is provided for each port and, in its closed and locked position over the associated port, also serves as a batten to hold the adjacent main covers closed. For operations not requiring that the entire hatch be open, the ports provide easy access to the interior of the car without the need to raise the heavy main covers and swing them to their open positions. The number of hinges required by the cover system is significantly reduced by the use of a special hinge device adjacent each port that serves as a mount for the associated port cover and both of the adjacent main covers.

Abstract: A battenless hatch cover assembly for railcars. The assembly includes a series of hatch covers aligned end to end to cover an opening in a railcar. Each of the hatch covers is hinged along one side to the railcar, with this one side being common among the hatch covers. In an alternative embodiment, appropriate mechanisms could be used to selectively hinge the covers along both sides. The typical cover includes one longitudinal end having a male portion in the form of an upstanding lateral lip. The other longitudinal end is provided with a female portion in the form of a laterally extending downward directed channel. This female portion is adapted to overlie the male portions in a substantially mating configuration. A seal material is provided on the underside of the female portion to engage the male portion and provide an effective seal, and the female portion is sufficiently rugged to apply a sealing pressure upon the male portion.

Abstract: A waste container cover which can be vertically raised and lowered to open and close the container and rolled to either side from the open position. The cover has special tracks which ride on rollers to allow side to side movement of the cover. When the cover is above the opening, notches in the tracks are in registration with the rollers. A sliding plate in each track can be slid until inclined slots in the plate register with the notch and allow the cover to lower onto the container to tightly seal it closed. Crank and screw mechanisms operate the sliding plates. The cover can be tipped alongside either side of the container and is then supported in a vertical position by hook shaped levers which bear on pins on the container top.

Abstract: Apparatus for enclosing open end portions of railway hopper cars in order to reduce the aerodynamic drag. Each corner area of each end is provided with a shroud which includes a side plate and an end plate. The side plate covers the open side area at the end of the car and also covers the first vertical rib on the car side. The end plate covers the part of the end of the car adjacent the corner. Each shroud is shaped in an aerodynamically efficient configuration to minimize air resistance.

Abstract: A latch for holding down the hinged hatch covers of railroad hopper cars. A hinge latch plate can be swung out of the way when not in use and is provided with a latch opening for receiving a tongue projecting from the hatch cover. A pivotal latch bar engages the tongue to hold it in the latch opening. The latch bar is shaped and mounted to provide an over center effect requiring it to be swung through a pivot arc greater than 90.degree. before it releases the hatch cover. A heavy duty form of the latch has double latch plates and double latch bars and includes a roller which facilitates the latching and release operations. The latch is useful to hold down the main hatch covers and also porthole hatch covers of the type found on sugar cars.