US 2016/0046304 A1 · Railcar Cover Systems

Abstract

A cover assembly for an open top railcar, the assembly having semi-rigid cover reversibly movable between a closed position atop the railcar and an open position alongside the railcar or separate from it. The cover may be connected to the railcar with hinge-latches or linkage arms which permit the cover to be held flat alongside the railcar in an open position, or removed from the railcar during loading and unloading. A load grooming device shapes the load of a loaded railcar to a selected contour. Opening and closing of covers may be continuous and automated, using curved tracks, cranes or mechanical arms to engage and open covers, and conveying devices or vehicles to handle covers during loading and unloading of railcars.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A cover assembly for a railcar of the type having a top opening and first and second sides, the cover assembly comprising:

a semi-rigid cover having opposed first and second side edges;
first and second linkage means, first linkage means connecting first side edge to first side, and second linkage means connecting second side edge to second side;
wherein cover is reversibly movable between a closed position atop the railcar and an open position alongside either the first or the second side of the railcar, and the linkage means comprise one or more pairs of arm linkages, each arm linkage pivotally connected at a first end to the cover and at a second end to the railcar and each arm linkage having a length greater than half the width of the cover.

A hinge-latch for a cover for an open top railcar, wherein the hinge-latch comprises a car sub-component mounted on the railcar, and a cover sub-component mounted on the cover, wherein the car sub-component of the hinge-latch includes at least one hinge rod receptacle having a selectively shaped receiving plate and a groove for receiving a hinge rod, the groove selectively shaped to permit entry and egress of the hinge rod of the cover sub-component in only a selected range of directions, and the corresponding cover sub-component of the hinge-latch comprises a plate attached to the external surface of the cover, opposing parallel brackets extending perpendicularly from opposing edges of the plate, and a hinge rod extending between the parallel brackets, wherein the hinge rod is reversibly and pivotally engageable with the groove of the receiving plate wherein the force of the tension of the cover in the closed position maintains the bar of the car sub-component within the notch of the cover sub-component without another hinge-latch lock mechanism.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Railcar Cover Systems

Life of this patent

Railcar Cover Systems

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18