Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a railcar coupler key in position to releasably secure a railcar coupler shank to a yoke accommodated in a sill of a railcar. The railcar coupler key retainer apparatus includes an elongated key stop adapted to be releasably secured against an interior surface of a sill side wall defining an elongated slot. The key stop is configured with a flange portion which projects beyond an exterior surface of the sill side wall defining the slot. The flange portion defines a through bore having a closed margin. A retainer is mounted to the exterior surface of the sill side wall defining the elongated slot and defines a through bore which aligns with the through bore in the flange portion of the key stop when the key stop abuts with a closed end of the elongated slot defined by the side wall of the sill.

Abstract: An energy absorption system for a railcar having an elongated sill with front and rear stops defining a pocket therebetween. To facilitate use of known railcar structures, the energy absorption system can be used in combination with a railcar also having a sill with center stops disposed between the front and rear stops. A coupler having a head portion and a shank portion is arranged in operable combination with the energy absorption system. The energy absorption system also includes a first cushioning assembly positioned in the sill pocket. A first follower is urged toward and engageable with the front stops under the influence of the first cushioning assembly and is operably engageable with a free end of the shank portion of the coupler. A second cushioning assembly is positioned in generally axial alignment with first cushioning assembly. A second follower is positioned and normally urged by the energy absorption system toward and configured to engage with the center stops.

Abstract: An energy absorption system for a railcar having an elongated sill with front and rear stops defining a pocket therebetween. To facilitate use of known railcar structures, the energy absorption system can be used in combination with a railcar also having a sill with center stops disposed between the front and rear stops. A coupler having a head portion and a shank portion is arranged in operable combination with the energy absorption system. The energy absorption system also includes a first cushioning assembly positioned in the sill pocket. A first follower is urged toward and engageable with the front stops under the influence of the first cushioning assembly and is operably engageable with a free end of the shank portion of the coupler. A second cushioning assembly is positioned in generally axial alignment with first cushioning assembly. A second follower is positioned and normally urged by the energy absorption system toward and configured to engage with the center stops.

Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member and a movable second member carried by the first member. A spring resiliently urges the cap members toward railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on the housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap. An apparatus, carried by the cap members, allow the cap members to horizontally slide relative to each other while limiting vertical separation of the cap members relative to each other during operation of the constant contact side bearing assembly.

Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member and a movable second member carried by the first member. A spring resiliently urges the cap members toward railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on the housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap. An apparatus, carried by the cap members, allow the cap members to horizontally slide relative to each other while limiting vertical separation of the cap members relative to each other during operation of the constant contact side bearing assembly.

Abstract: A railroad car hatch cover including a high strength and highly rigid laminate panel having an inner aluminum member, an outer aluminum member, and a solid plastic core. A cross-section of the laminate panel includes a center section with two generally parallel and generally vertical sides. Each generally vertical side of the panel is joined to center section of the panel along a longitudinally elongated curved corner having a radius of less than 1.5 inches. Moreover, compressible gasket structure is secured to an underside of the center section of the laminate panel in the vicinity of each corner for engaging and pressing against a top rim of railcar coaming to seal the hatch cover whereby inhibiting contaminants from passing between the closed clover and the coaming on the railcar. Additionally, the laminate panel is provided with longitudinally spaced structure, arranged inwardly from the opposed ends of and secured across the laminate panel, for adding further strength and rigidity to the hatch cover.

Abstract: A railroad car hatch cover including a high strength and highly rigid laminate panel having an inner aluminum member, an outer aluminum member, and a solid plastic core. A cross-section of the laminate panel includes a center section with two generally parallel and generally vertical sides. Each generally vertical side of the panel is joined to center section of the panel along a longitudinally elongated curved corner having a radius of less than 1.5 inches. Moreover, compressible gasket structure is secured to an underside of the center section of the laminate panel in the vicinity of each corner for engaging and pressing against a top rim of railcar coaming to seal the hatch cover whereby inhibiting contaminants from passing between the closed clover and the coaming on the railcar. Additionally, the laminate panel is provided with longitudinally spaced structure, arranged inwardly from the opposed ends of and secured across the laminate panel, for adding further strength and rigidity to the hatch cover.

Abstract: A corner protector for cabinets, furniture and the like includes outside corner protecting panels joined at a corner edge and inside corner resilient members for holding the protector on the cabinet, with the resilient members spaced from the corner and having one or more points of contact with the furniture or cabinet on which the protector is installed.

Abstract: A bumper device for use in muffling or deadening the sound created by a door closing against a cabinet includes a bumper device body defining a base, a ring-shaped portion, and a concentrically positioned, conical shaped center portion that further defines an indentation at a top end. A channel is formed between the ring-shaped portion and the conical center portion. In use, the indentation at the top end of the conical shaped center portion and the channel serve to trap the sound created by the door closing against the cabinet, thereby reducing if not eliminating the undesirable noise created by the door closing against the cabinet. The shape and configuration of the ring-shaped and center portions prevent the door from contacting the cabinet even when the door is closed with a considerable amount of force.

Abstract: A bumper device for use in muffling or deadening the sound created by a door closing against a cabinet includes a bumper device body defining a base, a ring-shaped portion, and a concentrically positioned, conical shaped center portion that further defines an indentation at a top end. A channel is formed between the ring-shaped portion and the conical center portion. In use, the indentation at the top end of the conical shaped center portion and the channel serve to trap the sound created by the door closing against the cabinet, thereby reducing if not eliminating the undesirable noise created by the door closing against the cabinet. The shape and configuration of the ring-shaped and center portions prevent the door from contacting the cabinet even when the door is closed with a considerable amount of force.