Movable Side Sections Patents (Class 105/378)
  • Patent number: 10906562
    Abstract: A movable side wall and opening/closing mechanism for railroad boxcars, comprising a side wall assembly (1), an end-portion opening/closing mechanism (2), a hinged rod assembly (3), a lateral door central clamping device (4), a upper transmission shaft assembly (5), a lower transmission shaft assembly (6), a upper track assembly (7) and a lower track assembly (8); upon loading/unloading cargo, the movable side wall can be opened further, so as to allow multiple forklifts of any tonnage on the ground to load/unload cargo to/from any positions of a carriage; the hinged rod assembly (3) and the central clamping device (4) are provided to keep the movable side wall reliably closed in order to ensure security and self-locking during transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: CRRC YANGTZE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Donghua Xu, Qiangjun Jiang, Haitao Liu, Fengwei Liu, Wenliang Liu, Chuanfeng Jing, Baolei Wang, Jinfa Zhang, Xunqi Zhang, Huanyun Liu
  • Patent number: 10506729
    Abstract: An electronics cabinet includes an enclosure comprising a floor, a ceiling, a rear wall, and opposed side walls configured to form an internal cavity a door assembly attached to one of the side walls. The door assembly includes: a main door pivotally connected to the enclosure, the main door including a window, the main door being movable between a closed position and an ajar position; and a plurality of door panels, the door panels pivotally connected with each other, at least some of the door panels being pivotally and slidably attached to the main door, the door panels configured to move from an unfolded position, in which the door panels are generally coplanar and block access to the window, and a folded position, in which the door panels are generally parallel and non-coplanar. The main door and door panels are configured so that the door panels cannot move from the unfolded position to the folded position unless the main door is in the ajar position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix, Danny Turner
  • Patent number: 10391845
    Abstract: A door assembly system for public transportation that includes: a public transportation vehicle having an outer shell and an inner passenger compartment; at least one door having an outer surface, an inner surface, a top, a bottom and two sides, wherein the door slides to open so that passengers can enter or exit the inner passenger compartment; a C-shaped rail, wherein the rail is coupled to the outer shell of the vehicle; and a coupling component that is coupled to the inner surface of the door and is designed to mate with or engage with the C-shaped rail in a slideable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventors: John D Guzman, Cindy Marie Guzman Reyes
  • Patent number: 9676398
    Abstract: A side entrance includes a step, a door frame, a door leaf, and a door pocket. A vertical frame included in the door frame and located close to a bogie includes: an upper vertical frame portion located above a floor surface; and a lower vertical frame portion located under the floor surface. The lower vertical frame portion is located closer to an inner side of the door frame than the upper vertical frame portion. A width of an upper step portion of the step in a car longitudinal direction is larger than a width of a lower step portion of the step in the car longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hirashima, Shirou Honma
  • Publication number: 20140013995
    Abstract: A freight car has a loading area on two bogies. At least one coil trough for steel coils is formed in the loading area. The coil trough is formed with insertion openings for insertion stakes. Wedges which are provided alongside the coil trough can be folded down into the loading area so that the coil troughs are closed by folding down the wedges to form a level loading area. Slots for stakes to be inserted along the longitudinal sides of the freight car are further provided in the loading area. Container corners are further provided distributed over the loading area, so that containers can be secured to the loading area. Retractable lashing devices are provided in the loading area for tightening tensioning straps to secure a load on the loading area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: WILHELM KUTSCHERA
  • Patent number: 8616135
    Abstract: A transit vehicle for use in the transporting of roadway vehicles whose passengers and cargo remain inside the roadway vehicle during transit, and the transporting of roadway vehicles whose passengers travel in a separate passenger area. The transit vehicle is essentially an overland ferry wherein drivers park their roadway vehicles in easy-access bays and remain inside their vehicle during commuter journeys or take a place in the passenger area on longer journeys. With rapid loading and unloading functions, and capable of high speed when powered by an appropriate motive source, the transit vehicle can reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions by transporting a substantial number of commuters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Don Clark
  • Publication number: 20130160671
    Abstract: A transit vehicle for use in the transporting of roadway vehicles whose passengers and cargo remain inside the roadway vehicle during transit, and the transporting of roadway vehicles whose passengers travel in a separate passenger area. The transit vehicle is essentially an overland ferry wherein drivers park their roadway vehicles in easy-access bays and remain inside their vehicle during commuter journeys or take a place in the passenger area on longer journeys. With rapid loading and unloading functions, and capable of high speed when powered by an appropriate motive source, the transit vehicle can reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions by transporting a substantial number of commuters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: DON CLARK
  • Patent number: 8434195
    Abstract: A covering as a part of a guide carrier on a door rail for a sliding door system of a rail car is provided. The guide carrier runs along a horizontal edge of a door opening of a car body of the rail car and has a guide device for a sliding support of a sliding door. The covering serves to cover at least the door rail and support elements on the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens AG Österreich
    Inventors: Martin Kronabeter, Markus Pollreiss
  • Patent number: 7784150
    Abstract: An improved auto-rack railroad car door pivot bolt assembly for an auto-rack railroad car including a roof having a roof stiffener and a door having a hood. The auto-rack railroad car door pivot bolt assembly ties the hood of the door of the auto-rack railroad car to the roof stiffener on the roof of the auto-rack railroad car to reduce relative movement of the hood and the roof stiffener to each other and prevents wear of the shoulder bolt, the hood, and the roof stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Standard Car Truck Company
    Inventors: John D. Anderson, Walter J. Peach
  • Patent number: 7047889
    Abstract: An articulated rail car has a plurality of rail car units joined together at articulation connections, and carried upon a number of rail car trucks that is equal to the number of rail car units plus one. At least one of the articulated connectors is located at an offset distance from the nearest rail car truck, such that the adjacent rail car has an overhang, or cantilever, between the center of the truck and the pivot center of the articulation. The truck is a two axle, four-wheel freely pivoting truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Patent number: 7025004
    Abstract: An improved door assembly has a single movable door and may have a separate movable high platform threshold. The door assembly is formed of an upper door section and a lower door section which is fixed to the upper door section. A support member may be integral with or slidably engaged with the door assembly, disposed as an angle iron fixed to the door assembly, or disposed on the side of a stairwell of a rail passenger car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: AAI Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Neugebauer
  • Patent number: 6845722
    Abstract: An auto rack rail road car has a main deck and upper deck. It is provided with a door for controlling access thereto. The door is a radial arm door, and has a ladder mounted thereon by which personnel can ascend the second deck when the door is open. A second ladder is mounted to the first deck so that when the door is open the second ladder is positioned to co-operate with the first ladder. The arcuate path of the door is free from overhanging obstructions. The door also has internal and external weld-free stiffeners member for enhancing the rigidity thereof. A roller mounted to the door permits the door to be moved between open and closed positions. The door may further include a lock. A guide member protruding from the door co-operates with a groove in the main deck which slidingly guides the door as it moves between open and closed positions to control access to the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6821065
    Abstract: A rail road car has a rail car body which includes a housing structure. The housing structure has a pair of sidewalls, a roof and at least one deck mounted to the sidewalls. An enclosed lading space is defined by the housing structure and there is at least one door for controlling access to the enclosed space. The rail road car is provided with short travel buff gear and a reduced slack, or slackless, coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6647896
    Abstract: A railway car door (10) includes a substantially planar door (14) and a pair of elongated support members (18) which are rotatably mounted to the door. A drive mechanism (50) is operatively associated with the railcar door for imparting rotational forces on the support members. A pair of greaseless crank (22b) and roller hanger assemblies (26) movably support the door member on a track (24). Each crank assembly includes a crank pin (96) having a shaft portion 100 with a peripheral recess (114) closely embraced by a self-lubricating sleeve (116). Each roller hanger assembly includes a housing (102) having a well or channel (106) with at least one self-lubricating annular member or washer (120) disposed at the bottom wall (122) thereof. The peripheral recess (114) of the crank pin shaft portion with sleeve (116) are closely rotatably received in bore or channel (106) with the outer terminal end face (124) of the crank pin shaft portion placed in engagement with the at least one annular member or washer (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: YSD Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot J. Nottingham, Robert Jackson
  • Patent number: 6637347
    Abstract: A module is provided for use with a drive mechanism particularly suited for plug-type railcar doors to prevent “overspinning” and “drifting.” The mechanism disclosed is a double brake-type mechanism and includes a first rotatably mounted member. The first member is arranged to transmit force in either direction of rotation and is connected with an input drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a rotatable pinion gear carried on a rotatable input shaft extending generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the first member. The pinion gear is connected with the shaft by means which cause it to move longitudinally of the shaft to a first or a second spaced point depending upon the direction the shaft is rotated. At each of the points, there are ratchets which are freely rotatable relative to the shaft except when the pinion gear moves to engage them at their respective points. When engaged, the ratchets permit movement of the shaft only in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Chief Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry M. Richard, Kenneth R. Graham, Roger W. Hike
  • Patent number: 6591761
    Abstract: A sliding door is provided for use on a rail car having a floor and a side wall with an opening therein along one side of the floor. The opening is defined by a pair of side posts having respective front surface and a top and bottom sill. The front surfaces of the side posts define a sealing surface lying in a common vertical sealing plane with respective sealing surfaces of the top and bottom sill. The door is slidable on rails between an open position and a closed position across the opening. Pivotal mounting members mount the door on the rails for movement of the door in the closed position transversely to the rails and inwardly toward the opening from an outer sliding position to an inner sealed position. The door includes two side beams, a top beam and a bottom beam, each having a surface within a common plane for sealing with the respective sealing surface in the common vertical sealing plane of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignees: General Electric Railcar Services Corporation, Degelman Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Degelman, Justin Tremblay, Mark Sheridan
  • Patent number: 6551039
    Abstract: An auto rack rail road car has a main deck and at least one upper deck for carrying automobiles. The auto rack rail road car is provided with short travel buff gear and a reduced slack, or slackless, coupler. Bridge plates are provided to span the space between adjacent coupled rail road cars. The bridge plates are able to remain in place during train motion. The bridge plates can be swung to a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: National Steel Car Limited
    Inventor: James W. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20030000416
    Abstract: A railcar door assembly includes a drive mechanism operably connected to elongated support members for selectively imparting rotational movement thereto, and a anti-spin/anti-drift mechanism for preventing movement of the drive mechanism beyond defined limits. The drive mechanism includes a gear segment mounted on a bearing plate, and the anti-spin/anti-drift mechanism is comprised of a shaft, a pair of ratchets at opposing ends of the shaft, and a pinion disposed on the shaft between the ratchets with the pinion engaging the gear segment. The pinion is rotated until it engages one of the ratchets for permitting the door to move to a fully opened position and preventing it from moving to a closed position. This arrangement effectively prevents undesired drifting of the door into the side of the railcar itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Applicant: YSD Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Scot J. Nottingham
  • Patent number: 6463861
    Abstract: A railcar door assembly includes a drive mechanism operably connected to elongated support members for selectively imparting rotation of movement thereto, and a retarder assembly for preventing movement of the drive mechanism beyond defined limits. The drive mechanism includes a gear segment mounted on a bearing plate, and the retarder assembly is comprised of a pin and a retarder block. The pin extends through openings in each of the retarder block and bearing plate. The gear segment is rotated until a lobe of the gear first contacts and then compresses the block, thereby preventing further rotation of the gear segment. This arrangement effectively prevents undesired drifting of a railcar door into the side of the railcar itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: YSD Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Scot J. Nottingham
  • Publication number: 20020033113
    Abstract: A sliding door is provided for use on a rail car having a floor and a side wall with an opening therein along one side of the floor. The opening is defined by a pair of side posts having respective front surface and a top and bottom sill. The front surfaces of the side posts define a sealing surface lying in a common vertical sealing plane with respective sealing surfaces of the top and bottom sill. The door is slidable on rails between an open position and a closed position across the opening. Pivotal mounting members mount the door on the rails for movement of the door in the closed position transversely to the rails and inwardly toward the opening from an outer sliding position to an inner sealed position. The door includes two side beams, a top beam and a bottom beam, each having a surface within a common plane for sealing with the respective sealing surface in the common vertical sealing plane of the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Paul Degelman, Justin Tremblay, Mark Sheridan
  • Patent number: 6220178
    Abstract: The freight car has an undercarriage and a running carriage connected to the undercarriage. A container is connected to the undercarriage. The container has side walls, positioned in the longitudinal direction of the freight car, and closed end walls extending transversely to the side walls at opposite ends of the freight car. The side walls have lateral posts and longitudinal supports connecting the end walls and the laterals posts. At least one of the side walls has a closable opening for loading and unloading goods to be transported in the freight car. The at least one opening extends over the entire length of the side wall. The at least one side wall has at least one pair of folding doors arranged in a common vertical plane for closing the opening in a closed position of the folding doors. Each one of the folding doors of the pair has a horizontal pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Railtrans S.A.
    Inventor: Dieter Jost
  • Patent number: 6142082
    Abstract: An improved guide bracket for doors on railroad cars which reduces or eliminates wear of the guide bracket and the guide member of the lower door track of the railroad car. The improved guide bracket includes a J-shaped plate and a tubular plastic wear collar or member mounted on the plate. The wear collar engages the inner surface of the guide member of the lower door track and prevents wear of the guide member when the door moves or vibrates. When worn, the wear collar may be separately replaced without replacing the entire J-plate and or track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventors: Michael K. Burke, Walter J. Peach, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5829360
    Abstract: An auto rack car has an improved door locking mechanism for heightened security in auto rack car doors which rely on upper and lower lock assemblies for security. The improved locking mechanism is lightweight and inexpensive and is adaptable for retrofit installation to lock assemblies which are currently in use on auto rack cars. The locking mechanism thus provides a commercially viable means to prevent unauthorized intrusions into the car involving unlocking of an upper lock assembly and subsequent flexure of the door while a lower lock assembly remains locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Rench, Eric M. Wrobley
  • Patent number: 5682823
    Abstract: A removable cover for encasing freight having an oversized portion of freight positioned on a bed of a freight car is shown including an interior insulated space for encasing the freight, openings through which the oversized portion of freight extends, and sidewalls having pockets of insulation shaped to receive the oversized portion of the freight. The sidewalls are movably attached to the removable cover and positioned to be moved to a closed position that covers the openings and encases the oversized portion of freight extending through said openings within the pockets of insulation. The removable cover further includes a seal that extends between the bed of the freight car and the removable cover, and the seal includes a granular insulation material in which the removable cover is imbedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene L. Tihansky, James J. Romeo, Gregory F. Paolini
  • Patent number: 5601033
    Abstract: A novel door structure is provided for each end of a railcar in an articulated train. The train includes a plurality of railcars which are coupled together and spaced apart from each other a small distance. The door structure can be easily opened and closed even though the railcars in the train are only spaced apart from each other a small distance. A first embodiment of the novel door structure includes first and second door members, each of which have first and second panels that are hingedly connected together, which are attached to each end of each railcar. The first panel of each door member is foldable relative to the second panel and the panels are movable to lie adjacent to a side wall of the railcar. Structure is provided for connecting the door members to the sides of the railcar and for allowing the panels to rotate relative to the side of the railcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Wabash National Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Ehrlich, Rodney P. Ehrlich, Francis S. Smidler, DeWayne B. Williams
  • Patent number: 5271652
    Abstract: A device in which an auxiliary force is applied to a loading deck side plate of a truck to reduce the force required for opening and closing the side plate. A spring is provided on the underside of the loading deck to pull a rod substantially horizontally. A swing link is provided below a side end portion of the loading deck, and the tip of the swing link and an outer surface of the side plate are connected together through a connecting link in such a manner that the tip of the swing link points obliquely upward or downward when the side plate is closed or fully open, respectively. The tip of the rod and an intermediate portion of the swing link are connected together through an intermediate link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Chuo-Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yosio Watanabe, Masayoshi Ohishi
  • Patent number: 5154480
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pair of truck trailers, the first of which mounts on the fifth wheel of a pull-truck and has a single axle at the rear end and the second of which has a front axle and a rear axle and connects to the rear of the first trailer. Each of the pair of trailers is convertible from a flat-bed configuration for hauling units of finished lumber into a gondola configuration for hauling wood chips. Each trailer has a body consisting of a pair of upstanding, oppositely disposed sidewalls which are hinge mounted in a frame on the trailers and move from a vertical position forming the sides of a gondola body to a flat-bed condition wherein the sidewalls pivot upwardly into an over-lapped horizontal condition and form a flat-bed body with a top over the flat-bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Inventor: Thomas J. Jones
  • Patent number: 5140912
    Abstract: A rail car end assembly comprises upper and lower tracks for guiding and stabilizing multi-panel rigid doors moving between open and closed positions. End posts are located inside the car and spaced inwardly from respective side wall end portions. The door pass between the space between the end posts and the side wall end portions when moved into the open position. A latch arrangement is provided which latches the door in the open and closed positions. The latch arrangement includes a lower pin engaging a keeper adjacent the lower track, and an upper pin engaging a keeper supported on an elevated platform in the car. The pins are joined by a cable for synchronous movement to lock and to release the doors. Each door has a follower engaging the upper track for guiding the door. In the closed position, the follower engages a stop on the track which reinforces the upper portion of the door against outward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold E. Hesch
  • Patent number: 5131713
    Abstract: A vehicle for a freight transportation system has a platform with end walls located at opposite ends. A pair of doors are pivotally connected to the end walls and are pivotal upwardly between closed and open positions. The doors are held in the closed position by a latch that includes a release member projecting laterally from the door. Upward movement of the release member releases the latch and allows the doors to be moved to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: UTDC, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. Ferrence
  • Patent number: 5031543
    Abstract: A railway car side panel assembly with upright support posts forming the side walls of the car wherein painted or galvanized panels are protected from rusting by plastic inserts positioned between the corners of the panels and metal brackets on the posts to prevent vibration-abrasion of the galvanizing or paint and of the corners to rust, the plastic inserts being of flexible plastic material and formed as envelopes pocketing the corners and fitting into the complementary brackets, the envelopes each having a side wall with a retainer bottom snapped over flange edges of the panel to hold the envelope from falling off during assembly with the brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Hart, Russell L. Long
  • Patent number: 5010825
    Abstract: A rail car end assembly comprises upper and lower tracks for guiding and stabilizing multi-panel doors moving between open and closed positions. End posts are located inside the car and spaced inwardly from respective side wall end portions. The doors pass between the space between the end posts and the side wall end portion when moved into the open position. A latch arrangement is provided which latches the door in the open and closed positions. The latch arrangement includes a lower pin engaging a keeper adjacent the lower track, and an upper pin engaging a keeper supported on an elevated platform in the car. The pins are joined by a cable for synchronous movement to lock and to release the doors. Each door has a follower engaging the upper track for guiding the door. In the closed position, the follower engaging a stop on the track which reinforces the upper portion of the door against outward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold E. Hesch
  • Patent number: 4944234
    Abstract: A rail car end assembly comprises upper and lower tracks for guiding and stabilizing mutli-panel rigid doors moving between open and closed positions. End posts are located inside the car and spaced inwardly from respective side wall end portions. The doors pass between the space between the end posts and the side wall end portion when moved into the open position. A latch arrangement is provided which latches the door in the open and closed positions. The latch arrangement includes a lower pin engaging a keeper adjacent the lower track, and an upper pin engaging a keeper supported on an elevated platform in the car. The pins are joined by a cable for synchronous movement to lock and to release the doors. Each door has a follower engaging the upper track for guiding the door. In the closed position, the follower engages a stop on the track which reinforces the upper portion of the door against outward movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold E. Hesch
  • Patent number: 4936227
    Abstract: A rail car having an end closure provided by a pair of sliding doors. Each side wall of the rail car has a main side wall portion which terminates adjacent one end of the rail car, and an upright ladder panel spaced from the main side wall portion to provide a vertical slot. The doors are guided for movement from a closed position across the end of the rail car to an open position in which the doors project through the slots. An upper ladder brace assembly mounted on the main side wall portion of each side wall is provided to support the upper end of the ladder panel. This upper ladder brace assembly has an elongated brace member which is rigidly connected to the upper ladder panel. The brace member is bowed outwardly to be entirely outside the path of the door so as not to interfere with the movement of the door to open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William R. Baker, James O. Lett, James E. Black, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4924780
    Abstract: A rail car enclosure having a bottom deck, sidewalls and a curved roof defined by at least one slope on each side connecting a flat top of the roof with the sidewalls and the deck connecting the opposite end of each sidewall to form an open end of the rail car. At least one intermediate deck extending between and connecting the sidewalls. An upper track mounted on the uppermost intermediate deck and a bottom track mounted on the bottom deck such that the upper track and bottom track curve around the sidewalls of the rail car. A plurality of panels hinged together at the marginal edges thereof to form a left and right door to slide on the upper and bottom curved tracks between a closed and stowed position. The doors parallel to the exterior of the sidewalls in the stowed position and standing substantially in one plane to fill the open end of the rail car in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Hart
  • Patent number: 4920894
    Abstract: A modular add-on unit provides (14) anti-spin protection for a gear-operated locking system (13) of plug-in railway freight car doors (12). The unit has an input shaft (26) with a handle (36) attached thereto, and an output shaft (42) with a recess (40) therein configured for direct engagement with industry standard door shafts. An anti-spin mechanism (24) disposed within a housing (17) couples the two shafts together, and the housing is attached to the outer surface (42) of the door, preferably by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Railcar Specialties, Inc.
    Inventor: Mell R. Thoman
  • Patent number: 4917021
    Abstract: A door finger guide for doors an auto rack cars to guide the upper ends of the doors along an upper track during opening and closing operations. The door finger guide includes a metal supporting member or base plate having a lower end secured to the door and an upper end in alignment with the upper door track. Plastic bearing means is secured to the upper ends of the door guides which are mounted in opposing relation for coaction with the track. The door guides and plastic bearing portions are diminished so that the tolerance with the track is minimized to reduce vibration in the door and all components associated with the door and located below the guides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Zeftek, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael K. Murphy
  • Patent number: 4913061
    Abstract: Automobiles are transported on train cars called auto racks. These auto racks are covered by galvanized steel panels that are mounted by brackets to the auto rack frame. The brackets and frame are typically formed of a metal other than galvanized steel and the interface between the two metals cause the panels to rust and crack. Applicant has solved this problem by coating the brackets with a nylon coating that prevents the panels from rusting. Brackets that are to be welded to the frame are left uncoated at their weld points but are coated elsewhere. The invention results in an auto rack panel support system that will prevent rusting of the side panels and allow them to be used for longer periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: Bernard J. Youngblood
  • Patent number: 4715291
    Abstract: A railroad car arranged to transport vehicles includes a floor, a roof, a pair of spaced side walls and at least one door assembly suspended for movement from a closed position at an end of the car to an open position adjacent a side wall for the loading and unloading of vehicles thereon. A plurality of fingers attached to the bottom edges of the door assembly straddle a rail and provide slidable movement of the door assembly relative thereto. A portion of the rail is positioned on a platform attached to an end of the railroad car a spaced distance below and in parallel relation to the floor. The upper edge of the rail on the platform does not extend above the level of the floor at least in the areas through which the tires of a vehicle pass during loading and unloading of the railroad car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Trinity Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Hart
  • Patent number: 4688490
    Abstract: A railroad car arranged to transport automobiles comprises a floor, a roof, a pair of spaced sidewalls, and at least one door assembly that is guided to a position adjacent a sidewall to enable loading and unloading of the rail car. A rail guides the lower end of the door assembly. The rail is positioned along the floor of the rail car. A plurality of fingers attached to the door assembly and extend to a sliding engagement with the rail. The rail has uninterrupted sections and extends substantially entirely across the floor between the sidewalls and has two spaced depressible sections that are pushed down by the tires of automobiles rolling thereover. Each depressible section comprises a predetermined length of guide rail, springs for biasing said guide rail upwardly, and preferably, a slotted channel through which said guide rail partially extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Greenville Steel Car Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Burleson
  • Patent number: 4686909
    Abstract: An assembly for securing a standard bridge plate to the upper deck of a railroad car arranged to carry automobiles on at least two levels, said railroad cars having a track member from which a sliding door is hung positioned adjacent the edge of the deck at the end of the railroad car comprises a fixed leaf secured to the surface of the deck and spaced gudgeons mounted to an end of said fixed leaf. A rotating leaf has spaced gudgeons mounted thereto for being positioned between the spaced gudgeons secured to the fixed leaf. Pins pass through the gudgeons and secure the leaves together such that the rotating leaf may be turned back onto the surface of the deck or may be rotated to bridge the track member from which the door is hung. The rotating leaf has an offset therein so that a portion of said rotating leaf extending away from the deck and beyond the track member is positioned downwardly of the top of said track member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Greenville Steel Car Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Burleson
  • Patent number: 4682811
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved van body which is used with a container car, a freight car, and a truck and comprises inverse L-shaped side frames located at the right and left side walls of the front and the back of the floor, said side frames being so constructed that the top right and left ends thereof can contact each other at the top center when closed and separate when opened. Shields, each bridging the inverse L-shaped side frames on the same side, provide the vane opening and closing operations at both top ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Sanyo Mikawa Body Corp.
    Inventor: Yukito Ooguro
  • Patent number: 4677918
    Abstract: A railroad car for transporting vehicles such as automobiles and trucks has a pair of door assemblies which close each end of the railroad car. The lower end of the door assemblies are guided in a track and the track has vertically retractable sections located where the vehicle tires roll so as to provide added load height when the car ends are open and vehicles are being loaded or unloaded. An embodiment with a pivotal, counterweighted Z-shaped member upon which the retractable track section is mounted is disclosed along with an embodiment utilizing a vertically displaceable tubular member and a coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William R. Baker, Walter J. Marulic, James C. Robertson
  • Patent number: 4668008
    Abstract: A trailer having a plurality of sliding side doors as well as conventional rear doors permits side access to the trailer interior, enhancing cargo loading and unloading speed and flexibility. At least one side of the trailer includes full length upper and lower tracks, each upper and lower track slidably receiving a set of trolleys which support and guide an individual door. The trolleys are coupled to the doors by pivoting arms which move between two positions. In the first, closed position, the door is in substantial vertical alignment with the tracks and may be latched to the trailer proper such that it functions as a portion of the sidewall; in the second, open position, the door is spaced laterally from the tracks and the other doors such that it may be slid along the full length of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes Company
    Inventor: Donald B. Stinson
  • Patent number: 4667604
    Abstract: A railroad car for transporting vehicles such as automobiles and trucks, comprising a floor and two side walls defining an interior space and terminating in an opening at each end; at least one elevated deck spaced above the floor and extending the length of the railroad car and terminating in an end at each of the openings; an end enclosure at each end of the car adapted to be displaced between a closed position overlying the end opening and an opened position which provides access to the entire end of the car; an elongated closure support member at each end of the car disposed within the car interior in a horizontal plane and joined to the end of the deck with the deck elevation being at least as high as that of the closure support; and bridge plate supports, for a pair of bridge plates, located at the front of the closure support member such that bridge plates removably attached thereto are at essentially the same level as the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: William R. Baker
  • Patent number: 4649831
    Abstract: A rail car having a bed, sidewalls and a curbed roof defined by at least one slope on each side connecting the flat top of the roof with the sidewalls and an end opening. Substantially symmetrical doors close the end opening. The doors are hung such that each can be moved from a position closing a portion of the end opening to a stowed position substantially along the inside of a sidewall. The doors have upper gable portions that substantially entirely fill the upper portion of the end opening. The doors, when in the closed position, substantially stand in one plane. First and second sloped end portions of the roof at each side and near the end opening are arranged with the lower edge thereof parallel to the top edge of the sidewall and spaced a short distance therefrom. When a door is moved to the stowed position it extends upwardly through the space between the sloped portion and the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Greenville Steel Car Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Burleson
  • Patent number: 4646652
    Abstract: A railroad car arranged to transport automobiles comprises a floor, a roof, a pair of spaced side walls, at least one door assembly and means for guiding the door assembly to a position adjacent a side wall to enable loading and unloading of the railroad car. A rail secures the lower end of the door assembly, the rail being positioned along the floor of the railroad car. Extensions are attached to the door assembly and are in sliding engagement with the rail. The rail has two interrupted portions through which the tires of an automobile will pass during loading and unloading. The extensions attached to the door assembly are aligned onto the rail after passing through the interrupted portions during opening and closing by a pair of rail segments. The rail segments are spaced at an angle towards the rail and away from the interrupted portions and are attached to the floor at both ends of each interrupted portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Greenville Steel Car Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Burleson
  • Patent number: 4623189
    Abstract: An open sided trailer construction in which a roof structure (4) is supported between front and rear frames (30,31) by a central fore and aft spine or web (5,21); the spine or web has lateral supports (8,26,27) extending either side of the web or spine which support a roof covering (4,28) and preferably extend to cantrails (7,20) from which hang curtains (3). The arrangement has the advantage that intermediate supports between the front and rear frame for the roof are not required and the cargo space within the trailer is easy to access and has a greater volume for a given trailer dimension than previous open sided trailer constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: York Trailer Company Limited
    Inventor: Brian Stead
  • Patent number: 4613182
    Abstract: A side sectional panel assembly for use on a trailer having side beams along the sides of the trailer bed. Each side panel section is hinged to the trailer by a hinge assembly pivotally connected to the side panel and removably connected to the side beam of the trailer to limit the swinging movement of the panel section away from the trailer bed to an upright position and permits swinging movement of the panel section onto the trailer bed. End panel connectors are provided on the adjacent panel section to bridge the gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Jack C. Stone
  • Patent number: 4587907
    Abstract: This invention relates to a railroad car for use in transporting railroad ties. A flat bed is provided with siderails which extend upwardly along each side of the bed. Each of the siderails comprises vertically extending posts and horizontally extending rails with some of the rail sections being removable to accommodate unloading of the ties. The removable rail sections are disposed so that upper and lower rails on one sidewall are removable while an intermediate rail section on the opposite sidewall is removable. This helps to insure the structural integrity of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, Inc.
    Inventor: T. L. Haney
  • Patent number: 4526417
    Abstract: A body structure, intended more particularly for trucks, comprising a lateral wall consisting of a lower part and an upper part adapted to swing up either above or below the roof, the upper part being entrained by the lower part, by means of an entraining device, either upwardly into its open position or downwardly into its closed position, the structure being improved, from the point of view of its present complex, rather unreliable, and relatively bulky entraining device, which may easily lead to injuries to the operator, in that the device consists of a rack-and-pinion drive located on each side of the lateral wall and guided on side posts, the rack being hinged by means of a lower rod part to a lever arm projecting downwardly in the closed position, from the lower part, and engaging at the top with toothing running along the outside of the hinge location of the relevant lower link, in which toothing, a pinion engages, the pinion being secured to the link axially of the bearing location thereof, the pitch
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Kurt Dinkel
    Inventors: Kurt Dinkel, Rudolf Endpess