Patents by Inventor D. Bruce Fetterman
D. Bruce Fetterman has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8915194Abstract: Hopper cars both open and covered and discharge control systems are disclosed. Each hopper car may include at least one hopper and a center sill which defines in part a longitudinal axis of the hopper car. At least one discharge opening may be formed proximate a lower portion of each hopper. A respective door assembly may be pivotally mounted adjacent to each discharge opening to control the flow of lading from the respective discharge opening. Each discharge control system may include a common linkage and associated secondary linkages operable to move associated door assemblies between a first position and a second position. A power source including a motor, an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder may be disposed on the railway car to move the common linkage. For other hopper cars a wayside drive system may be releasably engaged with a capstan operable coupled to the common linkage.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: George S. Creighton, D. Bruce Fetterman, Robert J. Barry
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Patent number: 7891304Abstract: A railcar with discharge control system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a railway car includes an underframe and at least one hopper for transporting lading. The railway car further including the underframe including a center sill which defines in part a longitudinal axis of the railway car. A discharge opening formed proximate to a lower portion of the hopper. A respective door assembly pivotally mounted adjacent to the discharge opening to control the flow of lading from the hopper. The door assembly operable for movement between a first, closed position and a second, open position relative to the discharge opening. A discharge control system operable to move the door assembly between the first position and the second position. The discharge control system operably moves generally longitudinally along the axis of the railway car to move the door assemblies between the first, closed position and the second, open position.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: John C. Herzog, D. Bruce Fetterman, Robert J. Cencer, Joseph M. Sindelar, George S. Creighton
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Publication number: 20100275811Abstract: Hopper cars both open and covered and discharge control systems are disclosed. Each hopper car may include at least one hopper and a center sill which defines in part a longitudinal axis of the hopper car. At least one discharge opening may be formed proximate a lower portion of each hopper. A respective door assembly may be pivotally mounted adjacent to each discharge opening to control the flow of lading from the respective discharge opening. Each discharge control system may include a common linkage and associated secondary linkages operable to move associated door assemblies between a first position and a second position. A power source including a motor, an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder may be disposed on the railway car to move the common linkage. For other hopper cars a wayside drive system may be releasably engaged with a capstan operable coupled to the common linkage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: George S. Creighton, D. Bruce Fetterman, Robert J. Barry
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Patent number: 7735426Abstract: Hopper cars both open and covered and discharge control systems are disclosed. Each hopper car may include at least one hopper and a center sill which defines in part a longitudinal axis of the hopper car. At least one discharge opening may be formed proximate a lower portion of each hopper. A respective door assembly may be pivotally mounted adjacent to each discharge opening to control the flow of lading from the respective discharge opening. Each discharge control system may include a common linkage and associated secondary linkages operable to move associated door assemblies between a first position and a second position. A power source including a motor, an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder may be disposed on the railway car to move the common linkage. For other hopper cars a wayside drive system may be releasably engaged with a capstan operable coupled to the common linkage.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: George S. Creighton, D. Bruce Fetterman, Robert J. Barry
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Patent number: 7681507Abstract: A railcar with discharge control system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a railway car includes an underframe and at least one hopper for transporting lading. The railway car further including the underframe including a center sill which defines in part a longitudinal axis of the railway car. A discharge opening formed proximate to a lower portion of the hopper. A respective door assembly pivotally mounted adjacent to the discharge opening to control the flow of lading from the hopper. The door assembly operable for movement between a first, closed position and a second, open position relative to the discharge opening. A discharge control system operable to move the door assembly between the first position and the second position. The discharge control system operably moves generally longitudinally along the axis of the railway car to move the door assemblies between the first, closed position and the second, open position.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: TRN Business TrustInventors: John C. Herzog, D. Bruce Fetterman, Robert J. Cencer, Joseph M. Sindelar, George S. Creighton
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Publication number: 20080236438Abstract: A railcar with discharge control system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a railway car includes an underframe and at least one hopper for transporting lading. The railway car further including the underframe including a center sill which defines in part a longitudinal axis of the railway car. A discharge opening formed proximate to a lower portion of the hopper. A respective door assembly pivotally mounted adjacent to the discharge opening to control the flow of lading from the hopper. The door assembly operable for movement between a first, closed position and a second, open position relative to the discharge opening. A discharge control system operable to move the door assembly between the first position and the second position. The discharge control system operably moves generally longitudinally along the axis of the railway car to move the door assemblies between the first, closed position and the second, open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2008Publication date: October 2, 2008Inventors: John C. Herzog, D. Bruce Fetterman, Robert J. Cencer, Joseph M. Sindelar, George S. Creighton
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Patent number: 7305923Abstract: A universal boxcar is provided with exterior metal surfaces and load carrying capabilities of a conventional uninsulated boxcar and thermal transfer ratings of an insulated boxcar. The boxcar may be formed with interior dimensions corresponding generally with interior dimensions of an uninsulated boxcar without high cost, high performance insulation. The boxcar may include a double side doors slidably mounted on the exterior of each sidewall assemble. A load restraint system may be provided with improved load carrying capabilities and performance characteristics. The load restraint system may have increased load carrying capacity, increased service life, and reduced maintenance costs. All or portions of the load restraint system may be used in uninsulated boxcars or temperature controlled railway cars.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: George S. Creighton, Robert J. Barry, D. Bruce Fetterman
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Patent number: 7261044Abstract: A boxcar and load restraint system are provided with improved load carrying capabilities and performance characteristics of uninsulated boxcars and insulated boxcars. An insulated boxcar with the load restraint system may have increased load carrying capacity, increased service life, and reduced maintenance costs as compared to conventional insulated boxcars. All or portions of the load restraint system may be used in uninsulated boxcars.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: George S. Creighton, D. Bruce Fetterman, Guy W. Steeves, Robert J. Barry
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Patent number: 7210413Abstract: A universal boxcar is provided with load carrying capabilities of a conventional uninsulated boxcar and temperature ratings of an insulated boxcar. The insulated boxcar may be formed with interior dimensions corresponding generally with interior dimensions of an uninsulated boxcar without requiring the use of high cost, high performance insulation. The insulated boxcar may be formed at a reasonable cost and selling price with increased load carrying capacity, increased service life, and reduced maintenance costs as compared to conventional insulated boxcars.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: May 1, 2007Assignee: TRN Business TrustInventors: Robert J. Barry, Guy W. Steeves, George S. Creighton, D. Bruce Fetterman
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Patent number: 7051661Abstract: A railcar with discharge control system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a railway car includes an underframe and at least one hopper for transporting lading. The railway car further including the underframe including a center sill which defines in part a longitudinal axis of the railway car. A discharge opening formed proximate to a lower portion of the hopper. A respective door assembly pivotally mounted adjacent to the discharge opening to control the flow of lading from the hopper. The door assembly operable for movement between a first, closed position and a second, open position relative to the discharge opening. A discharge control system operable to move the door assembly between the first position and the second position. The discharge control system operably moves generally longitudinally along the axis of the railway car to move the door assemblies between the first, closed position and the second, open position.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: TRN Business TrustInventors: John C. Herzog, D. Bruce Fetterman, Robert J. Cencer, Joseph M. Sindelar, George S. Creighton
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Patent number: 7004080Abstract: A boxcar and load restraint system are provided. Various features of the load restraint system may be used with uninsulated boxcars and insulated boxcars. Such boxcars may include a roof assembly, a floor assembly, a pair of sidewall assemblies and a pair of endwall assemblies. The load restraint system may include a floor anchor system and a sidewall anchor system.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: TRN Business TrustInventors: George S. Creighton, D. Bruce Fetterman, Guy W. Steeves, Robert J. Barry
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Patent number: 5562046Abstract: A crossbearer connection (32) and method of forming a crossbearer connection (32) are disclosed, including a support bracket (34) angled to rest against an interior surface of a vertical and horizontal flange (54, 56) of the side sill (20) of a railway car (12), a projecting member (70) formed integral to the support bracket (34) having a male portion (78) and female portion (80), and where in the projecting member (70) extends through an opening (72) in the side wall (28), an exterior support member (76) having a base portion (90) and a male portion (98) which is sized to mate with the female portion (80) of the projecting member (70) and with the base (90) portion disposed against a portion of the exterior surface of the vertical flange of the side sill (20), and the male portion (78) of the projecting member (70) mating with a portion of the side stake (30) of the railway car (12), and a plurality of fasteners (106-120) for securing the support bracket (34) to the side sill (20) and the exterior support meType: GrantFiled: August 30, 1994Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: D. Bruce Fetterman, Stephen W. Smith
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Patent number: 5341747Abstract: A rotary dump railway gondola car that includes troughs which extend downwardly from the midpoint of the car toward the trucks. End members for the troughs extend at an enlarged angle relative to the car's center sill to increase the carrying capacity of the car. The end members have been further modified to include a bracket which attaches each end member to the center sill. A chamfer is located near the lower portion of each end member to allow drainage from the associated trough. Sections of the floor in the car adjacent to the troughs have been modified to increase load carrying capacity. The troughs may also include a longitudinal radius to further increase the load carrying capacity of the car.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1993Date of Patent: August 30, 1994Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.Inventors: D. Bruce Fetterman, Stephen W. Smith