Abstract:
Cover assemblies for railroad cars are disclosed. In some embodiments, the cover assemblies include a cover pivotably movable between closed and open positions. The cover assemblies additionally include a lid stop assembly including a release handle positioned adjacent to a cover handle and a first locking element operatively connected to the release handle. The lid stop assembly additionally includes a second locking element attached to, or formed with, the housing. The first locking element moves between a locking position in which the first locking element engages the second locking element to secure the cover in the open position, and a releasing position in which the first locking element is spaced from the second locking element allowing the cover to be moved from the open position toward the closed position. The release handle allowing the user to move the first locking element between the locking and releasing positions.
Abstract:
A door operating mechanism for operating longitudinal doors of a railroad hopper car. The mechanism includes operating members that are coupled to ends of the doors. These operating members are each actuated by a separate actuating device that is coupled to a top surface of a sill of the hopper car. Door supports have one end coupled to a door and an opposite end coupled for rotation to an actuating device. When a power cylinder coupled to the operating member is activated, the actuating devices are rotated. This rotation causes the door supports to shift in opposite directions and to open the longitudinal doors.
Abstract:
According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises an underframe, a pair of sidewall assemblies, a pair of end wall assemblies, and one hopper bay formed between the pair of sidewall assemblies and the pair of end wall assemblies. The one hopper bay includes a longitudinal discharge opening extending the length of the hopper bay. The one hopper bay may extend the length of the railcar. The railcar may further comprise one or more longitudinal discharge gates coupled to the hopper bay and configured to cover the longitudinal discharge opening. The one or more longitudinal discharge gates are movable away from the longitudinal discharge opening, thereby allowing lading within the hopper to discharge through the longitudinal opening.
Abstract:
A door operating assembly for a railcar includes an actuating device. The railcar includes a railcar container and a lower portion coupled to the railcar container. The railcar container includes two opposing sidewalls and at least one door coupled to the lower portion. The railcar defines a longitudinal axis extending therethrough. The door operating assembly also includes at least one door operating mechanism coupled to the actuating device. At least a portion of the at least one door operating mechanism extends longitudinally along one sidewall of the two opposing sidewalls. The door operating assembly further includes at least one axial drive member coupled to the at least one door operating mechanism. The door operating assembly also includes at least one door drive assembly coupled to the at least one axial drive member. The at least one door drive assembly is coupled to the at least one door.
Abstract:
A mechanism for controlling opening of doors on a hopper car underside. The mechanism includes a pair of stationary hook assemblies located outboard of a discharge opening and having a proximal end affixed to the hopper car and a distal free end. Each hook assembly includes a locking cavity bounded by a cam locking surface and a distal slide surface. Included also is a pair of locking cam assemblies having an upper and lower cam surface matable with the hook cam locking assembly and having a slot. An elongate member has ends affixed to the pair of locking cam assemblies and extends through each of the annular end bearings. A pair of annular end bearings is disposed adjacent to the locking cam assemblies and each affixed to a door.
Abstract:
A lower cover for a bottom discharge outlet structure of a hopper, particularly for a covered hopper railway car, positioned beneath a butterfly valve which controls the discharge of lading from the hopper. A locking arm is pivotally carried from the underside of the cover and a cam type lock is effected between the ends of the locking arm which extend beyond the cover and coacting lugs on the adjacent housing whereby upon rotation of the arm in one direction when the cover is beneath the bottom discharge opening the cover is drawn tightly against the housing in generally air-tight relation to releasably lock the cover in position. Upon rotation of the locking arm in an opposite direction, the cover is released and may be pivoted to an open position remote from the discharge opening to permit the gravity unloading of lading.
Abstract:
A railroad boxcar having fixed sidewalls at each end of the car and an open central portion enclosed by movable sidewalls and rollingly mounted platforms movable from each end to the central openable portion of the car, stop means retaining each of two platforms in its respective end position or selectively holding each of the platforms in the open central portion, the stop means, including three evenly spaced stop sets in the central portion for holding each of the platforms between two of each stop sets, each stop set including a pair of laterally spaced stop structures for limiting movement of a platform in either direction, each stop structure including a pair of longitudinally spaced pivotally mounted stops recessed within the car floor and having stop plate opposed to the stop platform plate of the other stop, and clutch means on each of the stops for simultaneously moving each stop plate from an elevated platform obstructing position to a lowered unobstructing position of the platform and shaft means interconnecting the stop of one stop structure with the stop of the other stop structure for conjunctive pivoting of each stop wherein each of the interconnected stops have their stop platform plates facing in the same direction in obstructing and unobstructing platform positions.