Patents by Inventor Mark L. Litherland

Mark L. Litherland 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).

  • Patent number: 7275488
    Abstract: A railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Black, Jr., Andrew B. Eaker, Mark L. Litherland, Michael J. Rench, James C. Robertson, Ralph H. Schorr
  • Publication number: 20010035109
    Abstract: A railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James E. Black, Andrew B. Eaker, Mark L. Litherland, Michael J. Rench, James C. Robertson, Ralph H. Schorr
  • Patent number: 6289822
    Abstract: A railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James E. Black, Jr., Andrew B. Eaker, Mark L. Litherland, Michael J. Rench, James C. Robertson, Ralph H. Schorr
  • Patent number: 5765486
    Abstract: A railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James E. Black, Jr., Andrew B. Eaker, Mark L. Litherland, Michael J. Rench, James C. Robertson, Ralph H. Schorr