Modular Coil Railcar
AssigneeTrinity Rail Group, LLC
InventorsSuman Gachhadar, Christopher Crisafulli, Aubra D. McKisic, Konstantin I. Khenokh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular railcar includes a modular top system that is configured to hold one or more coils of material, and a railcar underframe that supports the modular top system. The modular top system includes a pair of side sills and one or more troughs disposed between the pair of side sills. Each side sill of the pair of side sills extends a longitudinal length of the modular top system. Each trough of the one or more troughs is configured to hold a coil of the one or more coils of material. The underframe includes one or more coupling apparatuses that are configured to detachably engage the modular top system when the modular top system is positioned on top of the underframe.
Claims8
A railcar configured to hold one or more coils of material comprising:
- a pair of side sills, each side sill of the pair of side sills extending a longitudinal length of the railcar;
- and
- one or more troughs disposed between the pair of side sills, each trough of the one or more troughs configured to hold a coil of the one or more coils of material;
- and
- wherein a side sill of the pair of side sills comprises a scalloped upper edge defining one or more indentations;
- each support member of the plurality of support members extends in a transverse direction between the pair of side sills;
- and
- each indentation of the one or more indentations is associated with a trough of the one or more troughs, wherein a position of a center of the indentation along the length of the railcar generally corresponds to a position of a center of the associated trough along the length of the railcar.
(canceled)
7-20. (canceled)
A method comprising:
- unloading each coil of one or more coils of material from a railcar configured to hold the one or more coils of material, the railcar comprising:
- a pair of side sills, each side sill of the pair of side sills extending a longitudinal length of the railcar;
- and
- one or more troughs disposed between the pair of side sills, each trough of the one or more troughs configured to hold a coil of the one or more coils of material;
- wherein a side sill of the pair of side sills comprises a scalloped upper edge defining one or more indentations;
- each support member of the plurality of support members extends in a transverse direction between the pair of side sills;
- and
- each indentation of the one or more indentations is associated with a trough of the one or more troughs, wherein a position of a center of the indentation along the length of the railcar generally corresponds to a position of a center of the associated trough along the length of the railcar;
- and
- unloading a coil of the one or more coils of material from the railcar comprises accessing a central longitudinal axis of the coil through the indentation associated with the trough of the one or more troughs in which the coil is held, wherein a height of the central longitudinal axis of the coil is greater than the minimum height of the side sill and less than the maximum height of the side sill.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.