US3707919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Railroad hopper car with flexible hatch cover
Assignee: Pullman Standard Inc
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Filing: 1970-12-16
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Granted: 1973-01-02
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Expires: 1990-12-16
Abstract
Abstract A railway hopper car includes a roof structure having an elongated hatch opening through which the car is loaded. A cover for the opening includes a pair of elongated flexible sheets having outer edges connected to the roof around the peripheral edges of the hatch opening and inner edges of the flexible sheets in adjacent relation are provided with slide fastener means permitting the cover to be opened to expose the entire length of the hatch and operable to close the hatch opening with the cover in sealed relation. The fastener means includes a pair of slide members which may be moved longitudinally along the cover to provide a limited access to the interior of the car in spaced locations along the length of the cover.
Inventors
- 👤 F Adler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:28
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D5/00; B61D5/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A railway hopper car having a roof structure including a roof sheet having an opening through which materials are directed for loading said car, the improvement comprising: a cover for said opening, said cover including a pair of flexible sheet members having outer edges connected to said roof sheet around the peripheral edge of said opening, said sheet members having inner edges disposed in coextending adjacent relation, said inner edges being adapted to be relatively spread apart for uncovering said opening to provide access therethrough, slide fastener means interconnecting said inner edges to close said opening, said slide fastener means including interlocking means on said inner edges, and a pair of slidable members, each being engageable with said interlocking means during movement in one direction for interengaging said interlocking means and in an opposite direction for disengaging said interlocking means, said slidable members being movable in opposite directions for uncovering substantially said entire opening, and movable in the same direction while relatively longitudinally spaced apart to provide limited access at a plurality of locations along said adjacent inner edges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A railway hopper car having a roof structure including a roof sheet having an opening through which materials are directed for loading said car, the improvement comprising: a cover for said opening, said cover including a pair of flexible sheet members having outer edges connected to said roof sheet around the peripheral edge of said opening, said sheet members having inner edges disposed in coextending adjacent relation, said inner edges being adapted to be relatively spread apart for uncovering said opening to provide access therethrough, slide fastener means interconnecting said inner edges to close said opening, said slide fastener means including interlocking means on said inner edges, and a pair of slidable members, each being engageable with said interlocking means during movement in one direction for interengaging said interlocking means and in an opposite direction for disengaging said interlocking means, said slidable members being movable in opposite directions for uncovering substantially said entire opening, and movable in the same direction while relatively longitudinally spaced apart to provide limited access at a plurality of locations along said adjacent inner edges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, said opening being of elongated configuration and said inner edges being substantially coextensive therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1, including sealing means overlapping said inner edges for covering said slide fastener means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention in accordance with claim 3, said sealing means including an elongated flap of resilient material connected to one of said inner edges and being substantially coextensive therewith, said flap and said other inner edge having interengaging disconnectable interlocking means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-02 | 1976-07-03 | 1977-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-02 | 1980-07-03 | 1981-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-02 | 1984-07-03 | 1985-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |