# US 11,077,868 B2 · Auto rack car conversions and deck adjustments

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- Number: US 11,077,868 B2
- Document ID: US11077868B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/550,635
- Filed: 2019-08-26
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Granted: 2021-08-03
- Earliest claimed: 2016-02-01
- Assignees: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.
- Applicants: Trinity North American Freight Car, Inc.
- Inventors: Kenneth W. Huck; Jerry W. Vande Sande; Brant R. McGhee
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077868B2

## CPC

- B61D 3/04: with movable floors, e.g. rotatable or floors which can be raised or lowered
- B61D 3/005: {convertible (B61D3/04, B61D3/06, B61D15/04 take precedence)}
- B61D 3/02: with multiple deck arrangements (for carrying vehicles B61D3/18)
- B61D 3/18: for vehicles {(vehicles adapted to carry other vehicles, in general, B60P3/06)}
- B61D 3/187: {Details, e.g. bridges for floor connections}
- B61D: BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES (vehicles in general B60; adaptation of vehicles to special systems B61B; underframes B61F)

## Abstract

An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a panel coupled to a side screen of a railcar, the panel separated from the side screen by a washer, the panel defining a cavity, the panel extending vertically along the side screen;
a first fastener configured to engage the panel through the cavity, wherein a vertical position of the first fastener on the panel is adjustable by moving the first fastener within the cavity; and
a first cushion coupled to the first fastener, the first fastener extending through the cushion, the first cushion configured to:
extend from the panel towards the interior of the railcar; and
prevent the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar, wherein a vertical position of the first cushion is adjusted when the vertical position of the first fastener in the cavity is adjusted.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a second fastener configured to engage the panel through the cavity, a vertical position of the second fastener on the panel is adjustable by moving the second fastener within the cavity; and
a second cushion coupled to the second fastener, the second fastener extending through the cushion, the second cushion positioned vertically above the first cushion on the panel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second fastener configured to couple the panel to the side screen.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a third fastener configured to couple the panel to the side screen, the third fastener positioned vertically lower than the second fastener.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a second panel coupled to the side screen, the second panel defining a second cavity;
a second fastener extending through the cushion, the second fastener configured to engage the second panel through the second cavity.