Abstract: A gravity outlet (10) for discharging lading from a railway car (C). An outlet assembly is attached to a discharge opening in the railcar. The assembly includes an upper end attached to the discharge opening, and sidewalls (14a, 14b) and endwalls (16a, 16b) sloping downwardly and inwardly from the upper end. A bottom portion of the sidewalls and endwalls define a discharge outlet (D) through which lading flows, by gravity, when it is discharged from the railcar. An outlet gate (22) is positioned beneath the assembly and is movable relative to the discharge outlet between respective open and closed positions to open and close the outlet. A latch assembly (26) latches the outlet gate in its closed position, when the gate is closed, to prevent inadvertent opening of the gate and spillage of lading. A gate operating mechanism (34) moves the gate between its open and closed positions. The mechanism automatically unlatches the latch when the gate is to be moved from its closed to its open position.

Abstract: A gravity outlet (10) for discharging lading from a railway car (C). An outlet assembly attached to a discharge opening in the railcar includes an upper end attached to the opening and sidewalls (12a, 12b) and endwalls (14a, 14b) whose bottom portion defines an outlet (D) through which lading flows, by gravity, when discharged from the railcar. An outlet gate (34) positioned beneath the outlet assembly moves relative to the discharge outlet between respective open and closed positions. A latch mechanism (36) includes a latch (50a, 50b) pivotally attached to the gate to latch the gate in its closed position and prevent inadvertent opening of the gate and spillage of lading. A gate operating mechanism (38) includes a rack (40) attached to the gate and a pinion (42) engaging the rack for moving the rack and the gate. A capstan (46) is connected to an operating shaft (44), as is a coupling member (64). Rotation of the capstan by yard personnel effects movement of gate between its open and closed positions.