Abstract: A plug-type railcar door (10) includes a substantially planar wall of sheeting (14) reinforced with horizontal channels (16). The door includes plural elongated support members (18) rotatably mounted thereto and selectively rotated by a drive mechanism (50). The support members are mounted to the door via greaseless and oil-free fulcrums (F). The fulcrums include a self-lubricating fulcrum insert (100) substantially surrounding a portion of the associated support member. The insert is made from a high-density polyethylene material. A filler (110) and a cover (126) are dimensioned to substantially surround or encapsulate the fulcrum insert. Mounting flanges on the fulcrum filler and fulcrum cover include openings for receiving fasteners to secure the fulcrum to one of the horizontal reinforcing channels of the railcar door.

Abstract: An anti-spin or stop mechanism for a railway car door includes a rotatable ratchet wheel having radially outward extending teeth on the outer circumferential surface, and first and second pawls mounted in side-by-side relation on a common pivot pin for engaging the ratchet wheel teeth. The ratchet wheel is commonly mounted on a shaft with a lever or handle used to activate a drive mechanism for partially opening or fully closing the door. The pawls are continuously urged toward engagement with the ratchet wheel so that one of the pawls is always disposed in engagement with a ratchet wheel tooth while the other pawl rests against a land between two adjacent teeth. Each tooth has a leading edge and a trailing edge configured so that the pawls may act against the teeth trailing edges to prevent movement of the ratchet wheel in one direction of rotation while permitting rotation over the leading edges in the other direction of rotation.

Abstract: A railway car door (10) includes a substantially planar door (14) and a pair of elongated support members (18) which are rotatably mounted to the door. A drive mechanism (50) is operatively associated with the railcar door for imparting rotational forces on the support members. A pair of greaseless crank (22b) and roller hanger assemblies (26) movably support the door member on a track (24). Each crank assembly includes a crank pin (96) having a shaft portion 100 with a peripheral recess (114) closely embraced by a self-lubricating sleeve (116). Each roller hanger assembly includes a housing (102) having a well or channel (106) with at least one self-lubricating annular member or washer (120) disposed at the bottom wall (122) thereof. The peripheral recess (114) of the crank pin shaft portion with sleeve (116) are closely rotatably received in bore or channel (106) with the outer terminal end face (124) of the crank pin shaft portion placed in engagement with the at least one annular member or washer (120).

Abstract: A railcar door assembly includes a drive mechanism operably connected to elongated support members for selectively imparting rotational movement thereto, and a anti-spin/anti-drift mechanism for preventing movement of the drive mechanism beyond defined limits. The drive mechanism includes a gear segment mounted on a bearing plate, and the anti-spin/anti-drift mechanism is comprised of a shaft, a pair of ratchets at opposing ends of the shaft, and a pinion disposed on the shaft between the ratchets with the pinion engaging the gear segment. The pinion is rotated until it engages one of the ratchets for permitting the door to move to a fully opened position and preventing it from moving to a closed position. This arrangement effectively prevents undesired drifting of the door into the side of the railcar itself.

Abstract: A railcar door assembly includes a drive mechanism operably connected to elongated support members for selectively imparting rotation of movement thereto, and a retarder assembly for preventing movement of the drive mechanism beyond defined limits. The drive mechanism includes a gear segment mounted on a bearing plate, and the retarder assembly is comprised of a pin and a retarder block. The pin extends through openings in each of the retarder block and bearing plate. The gear segment is rotated until a lobe of the gear first contacts and then compresses the block, thereby preventing further rotation of the gear segment. This arrangement effectively prevents undesired drifting of a railcar door into the side of the railcar itself.