Abstract: A bar lock assembly including an elongated operating shaft and a pair of bracket assemblies for securing the operating shaft to a generally flat panel. Cam structure is adapted to be secured to each end of the operating shaft. Each bracket assembly includes a series of components including bearing structure disposed about and intermediate the first and second ends of the shaft and a mounting bracket configured for operable association with the bearing structure to allow for free rotation of shaft about a fixed axis. A coupling maintains the components of the bracket assembly together as a preassembled unit. A method for assembling such a bar lock assembly to a panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cargo container door lock assembly including a resiliently biased door locking member movable between locked and unlocked conditions and adapted to be mounted to an interior surface of a cargo door on a cargo container including a rigid door frame. The door frame defines an opening configured to receive and accommodate a portion of the door locking member when the cargo container door is moved into a closed position. The opening in the door frame has a closed margin which interengages with the door locking member, when the cargo door is moved to a closed position, to prevent movement of the cargo door toward an open position. With the cargo container door in the closed position, the resiliently biased door locking member is accessible to being moved into an unlocked condition, thus allowing said cargo door to be moved to the open position, only from an underside of the door locking member.

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 bar lock assembly including an elongated operating shaft and a pair of bracket assemblies for securing the operating shaft to a generally flat panel. Cam structure is adapted to be secured to each end of the operating shaft. Each bracket assembly includes a series of components including bearing structure disposed about and intermediate the first and second ends of the shaft and a mounting bracket configured for operable association with the bearing structure to allow for free rotation of shaft about a fixed axis. A coupling maintains the components of the bracket assembly together as a preassembled unit. A method for assembling such a bar lock assembly to a panel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bar lock mechanism for releasably securing a pivoted door in a closed position relative to an opening in a walled enclosure and including an elongated shaft structure connected to the walled enclosure and defining an axis of rotation for the bar lock mechanism. A locking handle is connected to the shaft structure for rotating the shaft structure and securing the door in the closed position. A pair of axially spaced hinge pieces are adapted to be disposed at opposed end portions of the shaft structure. Each hinge piece has a base portion for allowing securement of the hinge piece to the walled enclosure and an integral portion spaced from the base portion for journalling a respective end of the shaft structure for rotation about its axis whereby allowing the bar lock mechanism to move relative to the walled enclosure.

Abstract: A bar lock assembly for securing closed a swingably movable door relative to an opening in a body of a vehicle or container. The bar lock assembly includes a one-piece member for selectively interconnecting a pair of axially spaced pivots fixedly secured to the body of the vehicle with the movable door whereby securing the door in the closed position. The one-piece member includes a mounting portion, a handle mounting portion, and a web portion. The mounting portion extends along one edge of the member for operable association with the pivots on the vehicle body whereby allowing the bar lock assembly to move between latched and unlatched conditions. The handle mounting portion of such one-piece member is provided at an opposed edge of the member for mounting a manually operated handle for movement in a plane extending generally parallel to an outer surface on the door. The web portion is formed integral with and extends between the mounting portion and the handle mounting portion.

Abstract: A door control mechanism including a latching member for aligning and latching a pivotal door on a cargo container. The latching member includes a single tine or locking tongue formed integral with and extending from a head portion of the latching member. A distal end of the locking tongue has a tapered configuration to promote introduction of the tine into latching relation relative to a keeper member.

Abstract: A bar lock mechanism for releasably securing a pivoted door in a closed position relative to an opening in a walled enclosure is disclosed. The bar lock mechanism includes an elongated shaft structure connected to the walled enclosure and defining an axis of rotation for the bar lock mechanism. A locking handle is connected to the shaft structure for rotating the shaft structure and securing the door in the closed position. A pair of axially spaced hinge pieces are adapted to be disposed at opposed end portions of the shaft structure. Each hinge piece has a base portion for allowing securement of the hinge piece to the walled enclosure and an integral portion spaced from the base portion for journalling a respective end of the shaft structure for rotation about its axis whereby allowing the bar lock mechanism to move relative to the walled enclosure.

Abstract: A bar lock assembly for securing closed a swingably movable door relative to an opening in a body of a vehicle or container is disclosed. The bar lock assembly includes a one-piece member for selectively interconnecting a pair of axially spaced pivots fixedly secured to the body of the vehicle with the movable door whereby securing the door in the closed position. The one-piece member includes a mounting portion, a handle mounting portion, and a web portion. The mounting portion extends along one edge of the member for operable association with the pivots on the vehicle body whereby allowing the bar lock assembly to move between latched and unlatched conditions. The handle mounting portion of such one-piece member is provided at an opposed edge of the member for mounting a manually operated handle for movement in a plane extending generally parallel to an outer surface on the door. The web portion is formed integral with and extends between the mounting portion and the handle mounting portion.

Abstract: A door control mechanism for aligning and latching a pivotal door on a cargo container is disclosed. A latching member forms part of the door control mechanism. The latching member includes a single tine or locking tongue formed integral with and extending from a head portion of the latching member. A distal end of the locking tongue is tapered to promote introduction of the tine into latching relation relative to a keeper member.

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 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 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.