Patent US3831792A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3831792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Railroad car construction
Assignee: Otter Trail Power Co
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Filing: 1973-01-22
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-01-22
Abstract
Abstract An open top gondola or hopper car construction is provided, the car having a plurality of hinged cover doors which are lifted to permit loading as the car is moved continuously along a track. When the loading of a car is completed, the cover doors are returned to closed position in which they are latched until the car arrives at a discharge station where again, with the car moving, the latch is released and the cover is raised a small amount by springs to permit unloading of the car as the car is rotated in a rotary dumper of known construction.
Inventors
- 👤 F Waterman
- 👤 T Katyll
- 👤 C Eldridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:15
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D39/00; B61D39/001; B61D7/00; B61D7/14; B61D7/16; B61D7/24; B61D7/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
252 words
Means for effecting loading of a material into a rail car as the car is moved continuously over a track section past a chute discharging the material into the car, a cover on the car hinged along one side thereof to one side of the car, a latch on the other side of the cover and car for holding the cover in closed position over the car, latch engaging means positioned along side of the track adjacent the path of movement of said other side of the car for engaging and releasing the latch as the car moves therepast, means for raising the cover to a position in which the top of the car is exposed for filling of the car with the material, the raising means including an upright mast secured at a lower end thereof to the cover adjacent said other side thereof and extending upwardly from the cover and having a rail engaging member at an upper end thereof extending substantially parallel to the plane of the cover, and rail means supported adjacent the path of travel of the car in a position for engaging the underside of the member and pulling the member upwardly and away from the car first to pull the cover from a closed position to an open position to permit filling of the car as the car traverses the track and for thereafter lowering the cover from its open position to a closed position in which position the cover is retained by the latch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
252 words
Means for effecting loading of a material into a rail car as the car is moved continuously over a track section past a chute discharging the material into the car, a cover on the car hinged along one side thereof to one side of the car, a latch on the other side of the cover and car for holding the cover in closed position over the car, latch engaging means positioned along side of the track adjacent the path of movement of said other side of the car for engaging and releasing the latch as the car moves therepast, means for raising the cover to a position in which the top of the car is exposed for filling of the car with the material, the raising means including an upright mast secured at a lower end thereof to the cover adjacent said other side thereof and extending upwardly from the cover and having a rail engaging member at an upper end thereof extending substantially parallel to the plane of the cover, and rail means supported adjacent the path of travel of the car in a position for engaging the underside of the member and pulling the member upwardly and away from the car first to pull the cover from a closed position to an open position to permit filling of the car as the car traverses the track and for thereafter lowering the cover from its open position to a closed position in which position the cover is retained by the latch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
99 words
In the means of claim 1 wherein the rail means comprises a pair of spaced rails which extend over the track section from a first position in which the rails extend parallel to the track and are spaced apart vertically to a second position from which the rails curve away from the track to a third position in which the rails extend parallel to the track, the rails changing their relationship between the second position and the third position from one in which the rails are spaced apart vertically to one in which the rails are spaced apart horizontally.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
In the means of claim 2 wherein the rails extend from the third position to a fourth position spaced along the track from the third position, the chute for discharge of the material being at the fourth position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the means of claim 3 wherein the rails beyond the fourth position are provided in a mirror image position of the rail positions between the first and fourth positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
In the means of claim 4 wherein the rails beyond the fourth position terminate at a point in advance of that position wherein the car is in closed position to permit the cover to fall into closed position to engage the latch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
In the means of claim 1, wherein the mast includes a base secured to an upper surface of the cover and extending substantially perpendicular to the cover, an inclined midportion extending angularly upwardly from the base, and said member connected to the upper end of the inclined midportion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
In the means of claim 6, wherein the member comprises a roller mounted for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the plane of the cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
In the means of claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of covers on each car, each cover constructed to cover only a portion of the length of the open top of the car, said plurality of covers arranged end-to-end from one end of the car to the other end thereof and adapted to selectively expose and cover substantially the entire open top of the car.
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) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |