Beam isolator

A beam isolator for a railroad car comprising:

• a first isolating pad including a first end and a second end, said first isolating pad defining an opening;
• a second isolating pad including a first end and a second end, said second isolating pad defining an opening, said second isolating pad being rotatably connected to the first isolating pad by a hinge including a first hinge member and a second hinge member connected to the first ends of the first and second isolating pads;
• a first lip attached to and transversely projecting from the second end of the first isolating pad;
• and
• a second lip attached to and transversely projecting from the second end of the second isolating pad,
• wherein when the first isolating pad is rotated towards the second isolating pad and positioned substantially adjacent to the second isolating pad, the first lip and the second lip project in substantially opposing directions and the opening defined by the first isolating pad substantially aligns with the opening defined by the second isolating pad.

In a railroad car having a plurality of walls, a mounting bracket attached to at least one of the walls and a beam connected to the mounting bracket, the improvement being a beam isolator inserted into the end of the beam which is connected to the mounting bracket to stabilize the beam during the movement of the railroad car, said beam isolator comprising:

• a first isolating pad defining an opening;
• a second isolating pad defining an opening;
• a hinge connected to a first end of the first isolating pad and a first end of the second isolating pad;
• a first stopping member attached to and transversely projecting from a second end of the first isolating pad, said first stopping member engaging a first edge of the beam;
• and
• a second stopping member attached to and transversely projecting from a second end of the second isolating pad, said second stopping member engaging a second edge of the beam,
• wherein when the first isolating pad is positioned substantially adjacent to the second isolating pad by moving the first isolating pad towards the second isolating pad about the hinge, the first stopping member and the second stopping member project in substantially opposing directions and the opening defined by the first isolating pad substantially aligns with the opening defined by the second isolating pad.

In a railroad car having a plurality of walls, a mounting bracket attached to at least on of the walls and a beam connected to the mounting bracket, the improvement being a beam isolator inserted into the end of the beam which is connected to the mounting bracket to stabilize the beam during the movement of the railroad car, said beam isolator comprising:

• a first isolating pad including a first end and a second end, said first isolating pad defining an opening;
• a second isolating pad including a first end and a second end, said second isolating pad defining an opening, said second isolating pad being connected to the first isolating pad;
• a first lip attached to and transversely projecting from the second end of the first isolating pad;
• and
• a second lip attached to and transversely projecting from the second end of the second isolating pad,
• wherein when the first isolating pad is positioned substantially adjacent to the second isolating pad, the first lip and the second lip project in substantially opposing directions and the opening defined by the first isolating pad substantially aligns with the opening defined by the second isolating pad.

In a railroad car having a plurality of walls, a mounting bracket attached to at least one of the walls and a beam connected to the mounting bracket, the improvement being a beam isolator inserted into the end of the beam which is connected to the mounting bracket to stabilize the beam during the movement of the railroad car, said beam isolator comprising:

• a first isolating pad defining an opening;
• a second isolating pad defining an opening, said second isolating pad having a first end connected to a first end of the first isolating pad;
• a first stopping member attached to and transversely projecting from a second end of the first isolating pad, said first stopping member engaging a first edge of the beam;
• and
• a second stopping member attached to and transversely projecting from a second end of the second isolating pad, said second stopping member engaging a second edge of the beam,
• wherein when the first isolating pad is positioned substantially adjacent to the second isolating pad, the first stopping member and the second stopping member project in substantially opposing directions and the opening defined by the first isolating pad substantially aligns with the opening defined by the second isolating pad.