US3822650A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control ballast door for hopper cans
Assignee: Morrison Knudsen Co Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-24
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1993-08-24
Abstract
Abstract An improved discharge control door over that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,872 is described controlling flow of material from railway hopper cars or other containers holding material. The improved discharge control door includes curved discharge plates allowing better and greater material flow therethrough when in the open position, counterweight means keeping the door in its normally closed position covering the discharge opening and a spring biased friction element bearing against the side walls of the discharge control door which, in the absence of a force other than the material flowing over the discharge plates, keeps the door in a set open position.
Inventors
- 👤 J Fearon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:34
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D7/00; B61D7/14; B61D7/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
In a discharge control door covering a discharge opening wherein the discharge control door is supported for rotation about a pivotal axis parallel to and beneath the discharge opening to cover the discharge opening, the discharge control door including: (1) an arcuate member extending parallel to and covering the discharge opening when the door is in the closed position and rotatable about the pivotal axis to uncover the discharge opening an amount depending upon the degree of rotation thereof, (2) a pair of opposed discharge plates secured at one end to and extending downwardly from the arcuate member to direct material being discharged through the discharge opening (3) means to rotate the discharge control door about its pivotal axis, and (4) friction brake means acting against the discharge control door to apply a force sufficient to equalize the rotative force on the door exerted by the weight of material being discharged and the weight of the discharge door tending to return the discharge door to the closed position, the brake maintaining the door in the open position until the equalizing force is overcome, the improvements comprising: providing adjustable elements along the entire length of the terminating edges of the discharge opening for adjustment of the clearance between the arcuate member and the edges of the discharge opening, providing a friction brake including an adjustable spring biased friction element bearing against the discharge control door, and securing a counterweight in the lower portion of the door beneath the pivotal axis thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
In a discharge control door covering a discharge opening wherein the discharge control door is supported for rotation about a pivotal axis parallel to and beneath the discharge opening to cover the discharge opening, the discharge control door including: (1) an arcuate member extending parallel to and covering the discharge opening when the door is in the closed position and rotatable about the pivotal axis to uncover the discharge opening an amount depending upon the degree of rotation thereof, (2) a pair of opposed discharge plates secured at one end to and extending downwardly from the arcuate member to direct material being discharged through the discharge opening (3) means to rotate the discharge control door about its pivotal axis, and (4) friction brake means acting against the discharge control door to apply a force sufficient to equalize the rotative force on the door exerted by the weight of material being discharged and the weight of the discharge door tending to return the discharge door to the closed position, the brake maintaining the door in the open position until the equalizing force is overcome, the improvements comprising: providing adjustable elements along the entire length of the terminating edges of the discharge opening for adjustment of the clearance between the arcuate member and the edges of the discharge opening, providing a friction brake including an adjustable spring biased friction element bearing against the discharge control door, and securing a counterweight in the lower portion of the door beneath the pivotal axis thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The control member of claim 1 wherein the opposed discharge plates of the discharge control door are curved inwardly relative to one another beginning at their connection to the arcuate member and then curved outwardly relative to one another to allow better flow of material and a wider opening between the edges of the discharge opening and discharge plate for discharge of materiaL therethrough when in the open position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The discharge control door of claim 1 wherein the counterweight is concrete.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The discharge control door of claim 1 wherein the friction element is a nylon friction element.
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) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |