US3772997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gondola and hopper cars with improved corner wall construction
Assignee: Thrall Car Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1972-01-24
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1992-01-24
Abstract
Abstract Improvement in a railroad gondola or hopper car having metal end walls and metal side walls of metal plate, comprising horizontal tubular metal top chords at the outside top edges of the end walls and side walls, a hollow tubular corner connection having a quarter circle ring section, at each of the four corners of the car with one end portion of each connection joined to the end of a side wall tubular chord and the other end portion of the connection joined to the end of an end wall tubular chord, said corner connection between the ends of the chords joined thereto being at least as large externally in lateral section as the chord ends, and said chords and corner connection being rectangular in lateral cross-section.
Inventors
- 👤 J Heap
- 👤 L Shils
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:06
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D17/00; B61D17/04; B61D17/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a railroad gondola or hopper car having metal end walls and metal side walls of metal plate, the improvement comprising: horizontal tubular metal top chords at the outside top edges of the end walls and side walls; a hollow tubular corner connection, having a quarter circle ring section, at each of the four corners of the car, with one end portion of each connection joined to the end of a side wall tubular chord and the other end portion of the connection joined to the end of an end wall tubular chord; the inner vertical face of the corner connection joining each of the chords in essentially the same plane as the inner vertical faces of the chords; said corner connection between the ends of the chords joined thereto being at least as large externally in lateral section as the chord ends; and said chords and corner connection being rectangular in lateral cross-section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a railroad gondola or hopper car having metal end walls and metal side walls of metal plate, the improvement comprising: horizontal tubular metal top chords at the outside top edges of the end walls and side walls; a hollow tubular corner connection, having a quarter circle ring section, at each of the four corners of the car, with one end portion of each connection joined to the end of a side wall tubular chord and the other end portion of the connection joined to the end of an end wall tubular chord; the inner vertical face of the corner connection joining each of the chords in essentially the same plane as the inner vertical faces of the chords; said corner connection between the ends of the chords joined thereto being at least as large externally in lateral section as the chord ends; and said chords and corner connection being rectangular in lateral cross-section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a railroad gondola or hopper car having metal end walls and metal side walls of metal plate, the improvement comprising: horizontal tubular metal top chords at the outside top edges of the end walls and side walls; a hollow tubular corner connection, having a quarter circle ring section, at each of the four corners of the car, with one end portion of each connection joined to the end of a side wall tubular chord and the other end portion of the connection joined to the end of an end wall tubular chord; the inner vertical face of the corner connection being spaced inwardly from each of the chord ends a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the metal side wall and end wall plates; a curved corner plate contacting and joined to the corner connection inner face and overlapping and lap welded to the side wall and end wall plates; said corner connection between the ends of the chords joined thereto being at least as large externally in lateral section as the chord ends; and said chords and corner connection being rectangular in lateral cross-section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
187 words
In a railroad gondola or hopper car having metal end walls and metal side walls of metal plate, the improvement comprising: horizontal tubular metal top chords at the outside top edges of the end walls and side walls; a hollow tubular corner connection, having a quarter circle ring section, at each of the four corners of the car, with one end portion of each connection joined to the end of a side wall tubular chord and the other end portion of the connection joined to the end of an end wall tubular chord; the inner vertical face of the corner connection being spaced inwardly from each of the chord ends a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the metal side wall and end wall plates; a curved corner plate contacting and joined to the corner connection inner face and overlapping and lap welded to the side wall and end wall plates; said corner connection between the ends of the chords joined thereto being at least as large externally in lateral section as the chord ends; and said chords and corner connection being rectangular in lateral cross-section.
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) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |