Patents Assigned to TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.
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Patent number: 11801876Abstract: According to some embodiments, an articulated railcar comprises a first railcar and a second railcar coupled via an articulated railcar truck. The first railcar and the second railcar each comprise a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2020Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Shaun Richmond, Brant R. McGhee, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 11654942Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
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Patent number: 11465657Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first well component supported by a first railcar truck and a second railcar truck. The first well component is disposed between the first railcar truck and the second railcar truck. The length of the first well component is restricted to transport an intermodal shipping container no longer than twenty feet in length. In particular embodiments, the first well component is configured to transport a double stack of twenty-foot intermodal shipping containers. Each twenty-foot shipping container of the double stack may be loaded to maximum weight of 67,000 pounds. Particular embodiments include an articulated railcar with two or more twenty-foot well components.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Jerry W. Vande Sande, John W. Coulborn
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Patent number: 11273851Abstract: A railcar system that includes a railcar with a discharge opening and a longitudinal gate positioned adjacent to the discharge opening. The system further includes a driving system connected to the longitudinal gate that is configured to move the longitudinal gate between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a controller connected to the driving system that causes the driving system to position the longitudinal gate in the closed position, position the longitudinal gate in the open position, and position the longitudinal gate to remain an at least partially open position. The longitudinal gate is less than fully open when the longitudinal gate is in the at least partially open position.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Andrew Brown, Lee A. Reitz, Anthony R. Hiatt, Amy D. Brown, Daniel G. Cortez, Christopher C. Harkey
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Patent number: 11124206Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first deck, and a second deck. The second deck is positioned within the railcar above the first deck. The second deck includes a first portion, a second portion coupled to a first end of the first portion, and a third portion coupled to a second end of the first portion opposite the first end. The second and third portions can move towards a center of the first portion such that the first portion is positioned above or beneath the second and third portions.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston
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Patent number: 11077868Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Brant R. McGhee
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Patent number: 10889306Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel. The center panel and the intermediate panel comprise generally straight panels coupled together at an angle. In particular embodiments, the first longitudinal side further comprises an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second end.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Shaun Richmond, Brant R. McGhee, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 10696310Abstract: A system for transporting vehicles includes a railcar, a deck, a fastener, a screw, and a travelling nut. The deck is positioned within the railcar and is for supporting a plurality of vehicles. The fastener is coupled to the deck and operable to couple the deck to a wall of the railcar. The fastener prevents a vertical position of the deck within the railcar to be adjusted when the deck is coupled to the wall by the fastener. The screw is coupled to the railcar and the travelling nut is operably coupled to the screw. The travelling nut is operable to adjust a vertical position of the deck within the railcar as a position of the travelling nut on the screw changes when the screw is turned.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious
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Patent number: 10676109Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Huck, Christopher C. Harkey, Lee Reitz, Kyle R. Coston
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Patent number: 10661814Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Brant R. McGhee
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Patent number: 10597046Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston, Brant R. McGhee
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Patent number: 10486718Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a hopper with a sloped sheet and a discharge door. A first end of the discharge door is coupled to the railcar and pivots the discharge door between closed and open positions. The sloped sheet comprises a discharge end that is in contact with the discharge door when in the closed position. A second end of the discharge door extends beyond the discharge end of the sloped sheet when in the closed position. The discharge door comprises a lip disposed at its second end that extends generally perpendicular to the discharge door and parallel to the sloped sheet when the discharge door is in the closed position. The sloped sheet comprises a gasket coupled to its exterior portion. The lip of the discharge door contacts the gasket when in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Caglar Ozerdim, Lee A. Reitz, Aubra D. McKisic, George Creighton
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Patent number: 10449975Abstract: A railcar system that includes a railcar with a discharge opening and a longitudinal gate positioned adjacent to the discharge opening. The system further includes a driving system connected to the longitudinal gate that is configured to move the longitudinal gate between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a controller connected to the driving system that causes the driving system to position the longitudinal gate in the closed position, position the longitudinal gate in the open position, and position the longitudinal gate to remain an at least partially open position. The longitudinal gate is less than fully open when the longitudinal gate is in the at least partially open position.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Andrew Brown, Lee A. Reitz, Anthony R. Hiatt, Amy D. Brown, Daniel G. Cortez, Christopher C. Harkey
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Patent number: 10442445Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston, Brant R. McGhee
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Patent number: 10435040Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Brant R. McGhee
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Patent number: 10414413Abstract: A system for transporting vehicles includes a railcar, a deck, a fastener, a screw, and a travelling nut. The deck is positioned within the railcar and is for supporting a plurality of vehicles. The fastener is coupled to the deck and operable to couple the deck to a wall of the railcar. The fastener prevents a vertical position of the deck within the railcar to be adjusted when the deck is coupled to the wall by the fastener. The screw is coupled to the railcar and the travelling nut is operably coupled to the screw. The travelling nut is operable to adjust a vertical position of the deck within the railcar as a position of the travelling nut on the screw changes when the screw is turned.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious
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Patent number: 10343701Abstract: A railcar security system that includes a railcar, a first sensor having a first sensor type and a first sensor location with respect to the railcar, a second sensor having a second sensor type and a second sensor location with respect to the railcar, a first lighting group linked with the first sensor, a second lighting group linked with the second sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an arming signal, receive a trigger signal indicating a sensor of the plurality of sensors has been triggered, determine a sensor type and a sensor location for the sensor based on the trigger signal, activate the first lighting group when the determined sensor type and the determined sensor location correspond with the first sensor, and activate the second lighting group when the determined sensor type and the determined sensor location correspond with the second sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kyle R. Coston, Hiten Y. Mehta, Brant R. McGhee, Caglar Ozerdim, Victor M. Mankarious, Christopher C. Harkey, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 10328953Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel. The center panel and the intermediate panel comprise generally straight panels coupled together at an angle. In particular embodiments, the first longitudinal side further comprises an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second end.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Shaun Richmond, Brant R. McGhee, Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 10328954Abstract: A railcar system that includes a first railcar comprising a first plurality of decks and a first plurality of end doors adjacent to a respective deck of the first plurality of decks. The railcar system further comprises a second railcar comprising a second plurality of decks and a second plurality of end doors adjacent to a respective deck of the second plurality of decks. Each of the first plurality of end doors and the second plurality of end doors is configurable between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. The railcar system is further configured such that when a first end door of the first plurality of end doors of the first railcar is in its horizontal orientation it aligns with a second end door of the second plurality of end doors of the second railcar when the second end door is in its horizontal orientation.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventor: Kenneth W. Huck
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Patent number: 10266185Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first deck, and a second deck. The second deck is positioned within the railcar above the first deck. The second deck includes a first portion, a second portion coupled to a first end of the first portion, and a third portion coupled to a second end of the first portion opposite the first end. The second and third portions can move towards a center of the first portion such that the first portion is positioned above or beneath the second and third portions.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: TRINITY NORTH AMERICAN FREIGHT CAR, INC.Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck, Victor M. Mankarious, Jerry W. Vande Sande, Caglar Ozerdim, Christopher C. Harkey, Hiten Y. Mehta, Kyle R. Coston