Gap closing device for closing side wall gaps in auto rack cars
AssigneeZeftek, Inc.
InventorWalter J. Peach, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for closing the gap between adjacent sidewall panels in an auto rack railroad car in the form of a generally H-shaped elongated plastic member grippingly engaging the panels and closing the gap to prevent the movement of air and precipitation through the gap. The device may be made as a one-piece or two-piece unit.
Claims26
In an auto rack railroad car having opposed walls including a plurality of horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart sidewall panels defining horizontally extending gaps between adjacent upper and lower sidewall panels, each said sidewall panel having an outer face and an inwardly extending flange on the periphery thereof;
- the improvement being in means for closing the gaps between said adjacent upper and lower sidewall panels, said means comprising:
- body means for positioning in each said gap and extending substantially the entire length of said gap,
- first arm means extending from the body means for mounting said body means to said lower sidewall panel and maintaining a substantially water-tight seal therewith, said first arm means including interior and exterior arms connected to said body means,
- second arm means extending from the body means for mounting said body means to said upper sidewall panel and maintaining a substantially water-tight seal therewith, said second arm means including interior and exterior arms connected to said body means, and
- means on said first and second arm means for locking said arm means onto the flanges of said sidewall panels,
- whereby air and water are prevented from entering said car through said gap.
In an auto rack railroad car having opposed walls including a plurality of horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart sidewall panels defining horizontally extending gaps between said adjacent sidewall panels, and each said sidewall panel having inwardly extending flanges on the peripheries thereof, the improvement being in a member for closing the gaps between said adjacent sidewall panels, said member comprising:
- body means for positioning in and extending substantially the entire length of said gap and having attached interior and exterior walls,
- interior and exterior lower arms extending downwardly from the body means for mounting the member to said lower sidewall panel, and
- interior and exterior upper arms extending upwardly from the body means for mounting said body to said upper sidewall panel, said upper arms being longer than said lower arms to accommodate gaps of varying sizes,
- whereby said member prevents air and water from entering said car through said gap.
A gap closing-device closing an air gap between horizontally extending and vertically adjacent upper and lower screens of an auto rack railroad car, said screens having an outer face and an inwardly extending flange on the periphery thereof, said gap closing device comprising:
- body means disposed in and extending substantially the entire length of said gap,
- interior and exterior upper arm means extending downwardly from said body means for mounting said body means on said lower sidewall panel,
- interior and exterior upper arm means extending upwardly from said body means for mounting said body means on said upper sidewall panel and for creating a substantially water-tight seal against the outer surface of said upper sidewall panel,
- whereby air and water are prevented from entering said car through said gap.
A gap closing device closing an air gap between horizontally extending and vertically adjacent upper and lower sidewall panels of an auto rack railroad car, said panels having an outer face and an inwardly extending flange on the periphery thereof, said gap closing device comprising:
- female means for engaging said adjacent upper and lower sidewall panels, and
- male means for locking said female means on said panels,
- said female means having a body, interior and exterior lower arm means extending from said body for mounting said female means on said lower sidewall panel, interior and exterior upper arm means extending from said body for slideably mounting said female means on said upper sidewall panel and for forming a substantially water-tight seal between said female member and said upper sidewall panel, and said body formed to receive said male means, and
- said male means having interconnected locking bar means for inserting into said body of said female means to lock said female member on said upper and lower sidewall panels,
- whereby said device prevents air and water from entering said car through said air gap and wherein said device may be installed on new or existing cars.
In an auto rack railroad car having opposed walls including a plurality of horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart sidewall panels defining horizontally extending air gaps between adjacent upper and lower sidewall panels, each said sidewall panel having an outer face and in inwardly extending flange on the periphery thereof, the improvement being in means for closing the air gap between adjacent sidewall panels, said means comprising:
- an elongated plastic device closing and extending substantially the entire length of the air gap, said device being H-shaped and including a substantially box-shaped section disposed in the air gap, inner and outer upwardly extending means grippingly engaging the upper panel, and inner and outer downwardly extending means grippingly engaging the lower panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.