Abstract: An assembly for selectively closing a pneumatic discharge outlet is disclosed. Such assembly includes a closure cap which, in a closed position, fits about and partially along to cover a free end of the discharge outlet and which is movable to an open position relative to the free end of the discharge outlet. Structure connects the closure cap to one side of the free end of the discharge outlet in a manner permitting pivotal and sliding movements of the closure cap relative to the free end of the discharge outlet, and wherein the sliding movements of said closure cap are limited to a fixed path of travel relative to the discharge outlet. A manually operated lock assembly attached at an opposite side of the free end of the discharge outlet cooperates with the structure in releasably maintaining the closure cap in the closed position while allowing for one-handed operation to move the closure cap to an open position.

Abstract: A discharge gate assembly for a railroad hopper car is disclosed. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening and a gate or first element slidably carried on the frame for controlling the discharge of material from the hopper car through the discharge opening. The gate assembly further includes a second slidable element carried by the frame in vertically spaced relation relative to the first element and extending across the discharge opening. A first drive mechanism including a first operating shaft assembly is mounted on the gate frame for slidably moving the first element relative to the frame. A second drive mechanism including a second operating shaft assembly is also mounted on the gate frame for slidably moving the second element relative to the gate frame. The operating shaft assemblies are mounted for rotation about independent fixed axes and in horizontally adjacent relation relative to each other.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an energy absorption apparatus including an elastomeric spring for a railroad car. The method involves the step of creating a predetermined wear condition in the elastomeric spring for the energy absorption apparatus preferably prior to the energy absorption apparatus being arranged in operable combination with the railroad car. A conditioning process effects permanent deformation of the elastomeric spring while maintaining the preload force developed for the energy absorption apparatus to remain at a substantially stabilized level whereby simulating a predetermined wear condition for the energy absorption apparatus.

Abstract: A brake system for rail cars which contains an air powered fluid system, a means for providing a separate source of brake force, and a manifold connected to the air powered fluid system and the means for providing a separate source of brake force; the manifold simultaneously delivers pressurized fluid to two movable cylinders under certain conditions and in response to fluid flow from either the air powered fluid system or the means for providing a separate source of brake force; but when both the means for providing a separate source of brake force and the air powered fluid system are delivering fluid flow to the manifold, the brake system contains means for means for terminating the pressure from the separate source of brake force.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling discharge of material from a bottom dump railroad car having a centersill defining a longitudinal axis for the hopper car is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of longitudinally mounted discharge door assemblies. Each door assembly comprises a pair of longitudinally mounted discharge doors disposed to opposite lateral sides of the longitudinal axis of the car for movement between open and closed positions relative to respective discharge openings on a bottom of the car. Each discharge door is mounted for movement about an axis disposed adjacent and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the car. A door operating mechanism including a positively driven actuator is carried on the hopper car for operating at least one of the discharge door assemblies independently of at least one other discharge door assembly on the car.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a railroad hopper car is disclosed. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening, a slidable door mounted on the frame for movement between a closed position, wherein the door closes the discharge opening, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned to allow commodity to pass through the discharge opening. Either of two modular components can be arranged in combination with the door on the gate assembly to allow the gate assembly to be conditioned for either pneumatic and/or gravitational discharge or gravitational discharge only of commodity from the gate assembly. A drive mechanism including an apparatus for selectively engaging either the door or either of the modular elements arranged in association with the door is mounted on the frame of the gate assembly, with the apparatus of the drive mechanism preferably being lost motion connected to the door.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a railroad hopper car is disclosed. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening, a slidable door mounted on the frame for movement between a closed position, wherein the door closes the discharge opening, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned to allow commodity to pass through the discharge opening. Either of two modular components can be arranged in combination with the door on the gate assembly to allow the gate assembly to be conditioned for either pneumatic and/or gravitational discharge or gravitational discharge only of commodity from the gate assembly. A drive mechanism including an apparatus for selectively engaging either the door or either of the modular elements arranged in association with the door is mounted on the frame of the gate assembly, with the apparatus of the drive mechanism preferably being lost motion connected to the door.

Abstract: A brake system for rail cars which contains an air powered fluid system, a device for providing a separate source of brake force, and a manifold connected to the air powered fluid system and the device for providing a separate source of brake force; the manifold simultaneously delivers pressurized fluid to two movable cylinders under certain conditions and in response to fluid flow from either the air powered fluid system or the device for providing a separate source of brake force; but when both the device for providing a separate source of brake force and the air powered fluid system are delivering fluid flow to the manifold, the brake system contains a device for terminating the pressure from the separate source of brake force.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a railroad hopper car is disclosed. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening, a slidable door mounted on the frame for movement between a closed position, wherein the door closes the discharge opening, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned to allow commodity to pass through the discharge opening. Either of two modular components can be arranged in combination with the door on the gate assembly to allow the gate assembly to be conditioned for either pneumatic and/or gravitational discharge or gravitational discharge only of commodity from the gate assembly. A drive mechanism including an apparatus for selectively engaging either the door or either of the modular elements arranged in association with the door is mounted on the frame of the gate assembly, with the apparatus of the drive mechanism preferably being lost motion connected to the door.

Abstract: A compressible spring or shock attenuating apparatus is disclosed for axial insertion within an elongated hollow receptacle having a predetermined inner diameter. The compressible spring of the present invention comprises an elastomer body having an outer diameter and a pair of axially spaced ends. A series of substantially equal annular crests are axially disposed relative to each other on the elastomer body between the spaced ends, with a periphery of the crests defining an outer diameter for the elastomer body. The elastomer body is specifically configured such that the outer diameter of the elastomer body remains substantially constant even when the ends of the spring are compressed toward each other. According to the present invention, each crest of the elastomer body has a closed annular ring fixed and extending thereabout to promote maintaining the outer diameter of said body substantially constant as the ends move toward each other while defining a predetermined outer diameter for the spring.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for releasably and positively locking a hinged door of a railroad hopper car in a releasably closed position or condition is disclosed. The locking mechanism for each hinged door on the hopper car includes a lock carried on the hopper car adjacent a discharge opening, a pivotal locking element carried by the discharge door and movable therewith into releasable but positive locking engagement with the lock when the door is swung into a closed position or condition, and a door release mechanism for controllably releasing the locking element from engagement with the lock thereby permitting the discharge door to swing to an open condition or position. When a series of doors are arranged in end-to end relation along a bottom of the car, the door release mechanisms for the discharge doors are operated substantially simultaneously thereby opening substantially an entire bottom of the hopper car.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an elastomeric spring adapted for use in combination with a railroad car energy absorption apparatus. The method of the present invention involves the step of stabilizing the elastomeric spring prior to insertion of the energy absorption apparatus on the railroad car. Stabilization of the elastomeric spring is effected by submitting the elastomeric member to a predetermined repetitive compression pattern comprised of a series of individual compression cycles. Cyclically compressing the elastomeric member in the predetermined repeat pattern prior to installation of the energy absorption apparatus on the railroad car effects permanent deformation of the elastomeric member while maintaining the preload force developed for the energy absorption apparatus to remain at a substantially constant maximized level simulating a predetermined wear condition for the energy absorption apparatus.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a hopper car having an enclosure for holding and transporting particulate matter and a plurality of openings along a bottom of the car through which particulate matter is discharged. The gate assembly is designed to allow for either pneumatic discharge of the particulate matter as a result of pressure differentials applied to the outlet on the hopper car or gravitational discharge of the particulate matter through a covered discharge plenum depending from a discharge opening defined by the frame of the gate assembly. The gate assembly further includes seal structure and a gate mounted on the frame for elevational movements between sealed and unsealed conditions and for sliding movements between open and closed positions. The gate assembly further includes a mechanism for arranging the frame, the gate and the seal structure in sealed relationship relative to each other such that a gage pressure of up to 15 psig.

Abstract: A railroad car side bearing is disclosed. The railroad car side bearing includes a housing, an upper member arranged in spaced relation relative to the housing, an elastomeric spring disposed between the housing and the upper member, and a thermal insulator for restricting heat transfer between the upper member of the railroad car side bearing and the elastomeric spring.

Abstract: A hinge structure for interconnecting a swing door to a trailer body or the like and which allows the door to breakaway form the trailer body when an excessive shear force is applied to the hinge indicative of the door impacting against a surface or improperly engaging an adjacent trailer body.

Abstract: A discharge door assembly for a bottom dump covered railroad hopper car is provided. The discharge door assembly includes a plurality of longitudinally mounted discharge doors arranged in end-to-end relation across a bottom of the hopper car; with each discharge door being movable between open and closed positions about a pivot axis disposed parallel to and adjacent a longitudinal axis of the hopper car. A door operating mechanism including a single powered actuator operates all of the discharge doors substantially simultaneously to effect rapid discharge of matter from the hopper with significantly less operator involvement. The door operating mechanism further includes a lock for releasably holding the discharge doors in a closed position. A venting system inhibits imploding of the walls of the hopper car upon discharge of particulate matter from the car.

Abstract: An improved seal or boot for inhibiting contaminants from interfering with operation of a mechanism having two flexibly interconnected components which axially extend from opposite ends of the seal. The seal is formed as a one-piece hollow and elongated body defining an enclosed cavity wherein the pivotal connection of the mechanism is arranged and having first and second annular mounting ends. The first and second annular mounting ends are configured to allow the components of the mechanism protected by the seal to axially extend therefrom. To permit flexural movement of the seal and the interconnected components of the mechanism protected by the seal, a plurality of bellow-like configurations are disposed along a major length of the seal between the first and second mounting ends. Each bellow-like configuration on the seal has predetermined root and crest diameters with wall sections of a predetermined material thickness extending therebetween.

Abstract: A compression spring formed from an elastomer member having a ratio of plastic strain to elastic strain that is greater than 1.5 to 1 is disclosed. The elastomer spring member defines an elongated axis between opposed ends of the spring and has a molecular structure. A periphery of the elastomer member has a series of axially spaced annular portions of increased cross-sectional area with an annular waistline portion disposed between adjacent annular portions of increased cross-sectional area to provide the elongated member with a series of axially spaced hourglass configurations arranged in end-to-end relation relative to each other. The hourglass configurations along the periphery of the elastomer member allowing the elastomeric spring to collapse upon itself during compression thereof while maintaining a substantially constant outside diameter for the areas of increased cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A composite elastomeric spring having a predetermined final shape and including a first member of elastomeric material having a first durometer hardness and a second member of elastomeric material having a second durometer hardness is disclosed. The second member has a predetermined initial shape complimentary to an initial shape of the first member. The second member is positioned adjacent and in circumferential surrounding relation relative to the first member to define a preform composite spring member. After the second member is positioned about the first member, a force is applied to the preform composite spring member sufficient to simultaneously compress the first member and the second member thereby permanently changing the initial shapes of the first member and second member are permanently changed from their respective predetermined initial shape such that the first and second members are thereafter maintained in captured relationship relative to each other.

Abstract: An improved seal or boot for inhibiting contaminants from interfering with operation of a mechanism having two flexibly interconnected components which axially extend from opposite ends of the seal. The seal is formed as a one-piece hollow and elongated body defining an enclosed cavity wherein the pivotal connection of the mechanism is arranged and having first and second annular mounting ends. The first and second annular mounting ends are configured to allow the components of the mechanism protected by the seal to axially extend therefrom. To permit flexural movement of the seal and the interconnected components of the mechanism protected by the seal, a plurality of bellow-like configurations are disposed along a major length of the seal between the first and second mounting ends. Each bellow-like configuration on the seal has predetermined root and crest diameters with wall sections of a predetermined material thickness extending therebetween.