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US 9,789,885 B2Granted
Auto-rack railcar panel bumper guard and side post guard apparatuses and methods of using the same
AssigneeHolland Company
InventorsAlexander Stiles, Erik Johnsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Bumper guard and side post guard apparatuses prevent vehicles from being damaged when stored and transported within an auto-rack railcar, such as when vehicle doors are opened, where vehicle doors may otherwise contact the side panels and side posts of the auto-rack railcar. Methods of using the same are further provided.
Claims20
A railcar sidewall bumper apparatus comprising:
- an elongated body having an attachment flange portion and a rounded bumper portion, wherein the attachment flange portion extends from a first side to a second side of the elongated body and further has a top edge and a first transition portion,
- wherein the first transition portion transitions between the attachment flange and the rounded bumper portion, and
- further wherein the rounded bumper portion extends from the first side to the second side of the elongated body and, in cross-section, has a C-shape comprising a first leg, an outer curve and a second leg, and further wherein the first leg extends from the first transition portion of the attachment flange portion and further wherein the second leg comprises a second transition portion between the second leg and a bottom edge,
- wherein the bottom edge is configured to move vertically against a railcar sidewall in response to the rounded bumper portion impacted by an object.
1 more element
A railcar sidewall bumper system comprising:
- a railcar sidewall bumper apparatus comprising an elongated body having an attachment flange portion and a rounded bumper portion, wherein the attachment flange portion extends from a first side to a second side of the elongated body and further has a top edge and a first transition portion, wherein the first transition portion transitions between the attachment flange portion and the rounded bumper portion, and further wherein the rounded bumper portion extends from the first side to the second side of the elongated body and, in cross-section, has a C-shape comprising a first leg, an outer curve and a second leg, and further wherein the first leg extends from the bottom transition portion of the attachment flange portion and further wherein the second leg comprises a second transition portion between the second leg and a bottom edge;
- and
- a railcar sidewall,
- wherein the attachment flange portion of the railcar sidewall bumper apparatus is attached to the railcar sidewall and further wherein the bottom edge is configured to move vertically against the railcar sidewall in response to the rounded bumper portion impacted by an object.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.