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US 6,283,040 B1Granted
Adjustable height rail car
OwnerHenry B. Lewininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A railroad car with adjustable floor and roof sections that allow a user to convert the car from a bi-level to a tri-level car. The overall height of the car can be reduced, which results in reduced costs because the need to stockpile bi-level and tri-level cars for use on routes with different height restrictions is eliminated.
Claims16
An adjustable, multi-level railroad car for transporting automotive vehicles, the car having a pair of spaced trucks and a sill structure extending between the trucks, the invention comprising:
- a plurality of adjustable support members fixed to the sill structure and extending vertically upward therefrom, each of the adjustable support members including apparatus for adjusting at least the vertical height of the support members;
- a roof structure coupled to the top of the support members and movable therewith for adjusting the height of the roof structure with respect to the sill structure;
- and
- at least one intermediate deck member positioned in the car between the sill structure and the roof structure, the intermediate deck member being adjustably supported on the support members and adapted to be vertically adjustable independently of the roof structure for adjusting spacing between the sill structure and the roof structure to enable supporting a plurality of different height automotive vehicles for transport within the railroad car.
1 more element
An adjustable height rail car comprising:
- a sill structure;
- a pair of spaced trucks supporting said sill structure for rail operation;
- a pair of opposite side walls fixed to said gill structure and extending upwardly therefrom;
- a roof structure overlaying said side walls and adjustably connected to said rail car such that said roof can be raised and lowered with respect thereto, said roof structure includes integrally connected, downwardly extending side panels arranged to overlap, in general sliding relationship, at least an upper portion of each of said side walls;
- a plurality of support columns extending upwardly from said sill structure, said roof structure being adjustable mounted to said support columns;
- and
- a plurality of cargo support decks positioned in said rail car and adjustably connected to said support columns.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.