Abstract: A bar lock assembly including a lock rod having first and second lock rod portions and defines a rotational axis. A second lock rod portion section telescopically extends from the first lock rod portion when the bar lock assembly is in a first condition. The second lock rod portion is substantially retracted within the first lock rod portion when the bar lock assembly is in a second condition. An elongated handle having opposed ends extends from the first lock rod portion. One handle end is pivotally connected to the first lock rod about a fixed axis. Linkage between the handle and the second lock rod portion telescopically moves the second lock rod portion. This lock bar assembly is configured such that an angle of about 45° is established between the handle and a generally horizontal plane when in the first position to enhance ergonomic operation of the bar lock assembly.

Abstract: A mechanism for operating a discharge gate assembly mounted on a railcar. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening, a door slidably positioned on the frame for a generally horizontal range of movements between a closed position and an open position. An operating shaft assembly is mounted on the frame for rotation about a fixed axis and is operably coupled to the door such that the door moves in response to rotation of the operating shaft assembly. The mechanism for operating the discharge gate assembly includes a mount carried by and with the railcar and an actuator carried by the mount outside a range of travel of the slidable door. A force transfer mechanism is operated by the actuator for rotating the operating shaft assembly to slidably move the door between the closed and open positions in response to operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A mechanism for conjointly operating a plurality of gate assemblies mounted on a hopper car having an elongated car body with sides and ends, and a bottom defining a discharge area comprised of a plurality of discharge openings. Each gate assembly includes a slide door arranged in operable association with one of the discharge openings. The mechanism operates the slide door on all the gates conjointly relative to each other. Methods for controlling the gravitational discharge of material from a hopper car are also disclosed.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car discharge gate assembly has first and second elements arranged in vertically stacked relationship relative to each other for controlling discharge of material from a hopper car. First and second drive mechanisms move the first and second elements, respectively, between closed and open positions. A lock assembly including first and second locks serve to maintain the first and second elements, respectively, in a closed position. The gate assembly also includes a mechanical system for positively removing the first and second locks from a locked condition relative to their respective element upon rotation of either drive mechanism. A method for controlling discharge of material through an opening defined by the railroad hopper discharge gate assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A railcar brake beam assembly including a brake beam formation having a tension member, a compression member and strut, and with the strut defining an axis for the brake beam assembly. First and second brake head assemblies are disposed to opposite lateral sides of the axis, with each brake head assembly being operably carried by the brake beam formation and includes a guide member extending in a direction away from the axis. The first and second brake head assemblies are generally centered laterally relative to the axis of the brake beam assembly. A distal end of the guide member on the first brake head assembly is disposed a different lateral distance from the axis of the brake beam assembly than is a distal end of the guide member on the second brake head assembly to minimize lateral shifting movements while maintaining adequate clearances for permitting reciprocal moments of the brake beam assembly during application of braking forces.

Abstract: A mechanism for operating one or more hinged doors on a hopper car including an elongated operating shaft having a fixed axis of rotation and a linkage system for operably connecting the operating shaft to the hinged doors on the railroad hopper car. The linkage system includes an actuating link operably connected to and rotatable with the operating shaft and a connecting link for operably connecting the actuating link to each door. The linkage system links includes a primary lock for holding each door in the closed position. A selectively operated secondary lock is rotatable about a fixed axis disposed above the fixed axis of the operating shaft assembly. The secondary lock rotates between a first condition, wherein a stop engages with at least one link of the linkage assembly, and a second condition, wherein each door is permitted to move to the open position.

Abstract: A method for influencing gravitational discharge of material from a railcar gate assembly is arranged in material receiving relation relative to a hopper on the railcar. The gate assembly defines a discharge opening and includes a slide gate for controlling the discharge of material from the hopper car. A first portion of the gate assembly is operably disposed above the slide gate and a second portion of the gate assembly is disposed below the slide gate. An adapter is releasably suspended below the discharge opening for influencing the discharge of material from the second portion of the gate assembly.

Abstract: A low profile discharge gate assembly having a frame defining a discharge opening and including a gate slidably mounted on the frame for controlling the discharge of commodity through the gate assembly. Structure carried by and extending inwardly from three sides of the frame is arranged beneath a lower surface on the gate and boot flanges defined by the gate assembly frame further restrict the flow of commodity from the gate assembly. Less than 7.5 vertical inches separates a lower surface on the boot flanges from an upper surface on the mounting flanges of the gate assembly frame. An operating shaft assembly selectively controls movement of the gate between open an closed positions. Support structure further enhances rigidity and support for an end frame member through which the gate slidably moves.

Abstract: A low profile discharge gate assembly including a rigid frame defining a generally rectangular discharge opening and a gate slidably mounted on the frame for controlling discharge of commodity from the gate assembly. Structure carried by and extending inwardly from the frame is arranged between a lower surface on the gate and boot flanges defined by the gate assembly frame for restricting the flow of commodity from the gate assembly. A vertical distance of less than 7.5 inches separates the boot flanges from mounting flanges on the gate assembly frame whereby permitting a conventional unloading sled to fit under the gate assembly to discharge commodity therefrom. An operating shaft assembly selectively controls movement of the gate between open and closed positions. A lock assembly is also provided for inhibiting inadvertent movement of the gate from the closed position toward the open position.

Abstract: A railroad freight car brake beam with a strut having a pair of generally parallel and joined side walls disposed to opposite sides of an axis of the strut and having a central hollow portion along with a longitudinally elongated slot adapted to be inclined a predetermined number of degrees from vertical for accommodating an elongated brake lever extending through the strut. Each side wall of the strut defines a bore opening to the hollow center portion and to an exterior of the strut. The bores defined by the strut are aligned relative to each other to accommodate at least a lengthwise portion of a brake lever pivot pin extending through the strut and serving to connect the brake lever to the strut. The aligned bores in the strut also define a pivot axis for the brake lever. The strut further includes a pair of bushings which journal the brake lever pivot pin. One bushing is accommodated in each bore defined by the strut.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a railroad freight car brake beam strut assembly including the steps of: providing a railroad strut having an elongated slot defined between first and second sides of the strut, with each side of the strut defining a bore opening to the slot and to an exterior of the strut. The bores defined by the strut are aligned relative to each other along an axis. The methodology of the present disclosure further includes the step of: pressing a brake pin bushing into each bore of the strut in a direction extending away from the longitudinal axis of the strut with each brake pin bushing having first and second ends, and wherein a periphery of each bushing has a frusto-conical surface configuration. A railroad freight car strut assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A locking assembly for a swinging door of a container. The locking assembly includes an axially elongated lock rod having cam structure at opposed ends thereof. The lock rod is provided, toward each end thereof, with axially spaced radial projections which are axially fixed relative to the lock rod and define a channel therebetween. The locking assembly further includes a pair of guide plates; with each guide plate rotatably accommodating a lengthwise portion of the lock rod between the plate and the door. Each guide plate further includes structure for allowing each plate to be fastened to the door. After each guide plate is fastened to the door, a portion of each plate is entrapped between the axially spaced radial projections on the lock rod whereby inhibiting axial shifting movements of the lock rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the discharge of materials from a railcar having a hopper carried on a mobile frame. The hopper defines a longitudinally disposed discharge opening. The railcar has a door pivotally mounted for movement between an open position and a closed position relative to the discharge opening. The apparatus for controlling the discharge of materials from the railcar includes an operating shaft and a drive operably coupled between the door and the operating shaft for causing the door to move from the closed position toward the open position in response to rotation of the operating shaft. The drive also includes a lost motion connection for protecting the operating shaft as the door freely pivots toward the open position during collapsing movement of the lost motion connection and after the operating shaft has been rotated a predetermined amount to open the door.

Abstract: A lock-protecting hasp apparatus for use on a container having a door movable between closed and open positions and including a first hasp, mounted to an exterior surface of the door, and a second hasp. Each hasp has a mounting portion and a hasp portion connected to and extending away from the mounting portion of the respective hasp. Each hasp portion defines openings for accepting and accommodating a shackle of a lock. Each hasp further includes a shackle guard secured to and extending generally coextensive with the hasp portion of each hasp. Each shackle guard also defines openings to allow the lock shackle to pass therethrough and secure the hasps to each other. A lengthwise portion of each shackle guard vertically extends beyond the hasp portion of each hasp and defines a third opening for accommodating a security seal passing therethrough.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a railroad freight car brake beam strut assembly including the steps of: providing a railroad freight car brake beam strut having an axially aligned slot defined between first and second sides of the strut, with each side of the strut defining a bore opening to the slot and to an exterior of the strut, with the bores defined by the strut being aligned relative to each other along an axis extending generally normal to a longitudinal axis of the strut. The methodology of the present disclosure further includes the step of: pressing a brake pin bushing into each bore of the strut in a direction extending away from the longitudinal axis of the strut. A railroad freight car strut assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A railcar brake head having an upper end, a lower end, and a pair of sides. The brake head further includes an elongated concave keyway defining an elongated axis and opening to the upper and lower ends of the brake head. At least a portion of the keyway is defined between a rear wall and spaced transversely extending upper and lower lugs. A front surface of each lug is adapted for mounting engagement with a brake shoe. The longitudinal spacing between the centralized upper and lower lugs is such that a keybridge extending from a rear face of the brake shoe is received and accommodated therebetween whereby inhibiting endwise movement of the brake shoe relative to the brake head.

Abstract: A railcar operating shaft assembly mounted on a gate assembly frame for moving a gate between closed and open positions. The operating shaft assembly includes an operating shaft and a capstan assembly provided at each end of the operating shaft. Each capstan assembly includes first and second axially aligned and conjoined but separate members. The first member is releasably coupled in non-rotatable relation relative to a free end of the operating shaft and is mountable on the gate assembly frame for rotation about a fixed axis. The second member of each capstan assembly is releasably conjoined in non-rotatable relation relative to the first member such that rotational movements imparted to the second member are transferred to the first member and to the operating shaft coupled thereto.

Abstract: A railcar operating shaft assembly including an operating shaft having first and second ends with a capstan provided at each end of the operating shaft. Each capstan defines an axis about which the capstan rotates and has first and second axially aligned end portions. One end portion of each capstan is releasably connectable to one end of the operating shaft. The second end portion of each capstan defines a socket opening to a terminal end of the second end portion of the capstan. The socket defined at the free end of the second end portion of the capstan is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the capstan. An insert is configured for non-rotatable accommodation within the socket defined at the second end portion of each capstan. The insert defines a bore axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the capstan and has a closed and non-circular marginal edge extending axially inward from the terminal end at the second end portion of the capstan.

Abstract: A method for replacing a damaged brake beam on a railcar having a car body supported on a railcar truck. The railcar truck includes a wheel and axle assembly mounted between a pair of laterally spaced side frames. The side frames include structure, on an inboard side thereof, for guiding and supporting the brake beam, and with the structure on the side frame members defining a predetermined lateral distance therebetween.