Patent US3993203A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3993203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for unloading a railroad car containing bulk cargo
Assignee: International Paper Co
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Filing: 1975-11-07
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Granted: 1976-11-23
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Expires: 1995-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for unloading bulk cargo from a railroad car that is enclosed within a receiver box which is, in turn, movably mounted within a rotating frame. The car is rotated approximately 180° while selectively attached to the frame to place the cargo within the receiver box. The receiver box is thereafter moved from its car enclosing position and a cover placed thereon. Rotation of the frame, car and covered receiver box approximately 180° places the apparatus in a position to discharge the cargo from the receiver box and the car from the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas S. Bartley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:56
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G67/00; B65G67/02; B65G67/24; B65G67/32; B65G67/48; B65G67/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A railroad car unloading apparatus comprising: a. a rotatably mounted frame having railroad track mounted thereon for supporting a railroad car containing bulk cargo; b. a drive means for rotating said frame from a car supporting position at least about 180° about the longitudinal axis of said frame to a discharge position to thereby discharge by gravity bulk cargo from a railroad car on the track; c. clamping means mounted on said frame for holding said railroad car on said track during rotation of said frame and said railroad car; d. a receiver box for receiving bulk cargo from the railroad car, said receiver box having interior dimensions greater than the exterior dimension of a railroad car to be unloaded, said receiver box being movably mounted on said frame; e. a receiver box cover for covering the top of said receiver box when said frame is being rotated from its discharge position to its car supporting position; and f. positioning means for cyclicly moving said receiver box i. to permit entry of a railroad car onto said frame, ii. to enclose the top and sides of the railroad car with the receiver box, and iii. to move said receiver box away from said railroad car to permit placement of said receiver box cover on said receiver box before rotation of said frame back to its car-supporting position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
227 words
A railroad car unloading apparatus comprising: a. a rotatably mounted frame having railroad track mounted thereon for supporting a railroad car containing bulk cargo; b. a drive means for rotating said frame from a car supporting position at least about 180° about the longitudinal axis of said frame to a discharge position to thereby discharge by gravity bulk cargo from a railroad car on the track; c. clamping means mounted on said frame for holding said railroad car on said track during rotation of said frame and said railroad car; d. a receiver box for receiving bulk cargo from the railroad car, said receiver box having interior dimensions greater than the exterior dimension of a railroad car to be unloaded, said receiver box being movably mounted on said frame; e. a receiver box cover for covering the top of said receiver box when said frame is being rotated from its discharge position to its car supporting position; and f. positioning means for cyclicly moving said receiver box i. to permit entry of a railroad car onto said frame, ii. to enclose the top and sides of the railroad car with the receiver box, and iii. to move said receiver box away from said railroad car to permit placement of said receiver box cover on said receiver box before rotation of said frame back to its car-supporting position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 where said frame includes a plurality of circular circumferential rails that support said frame on trunnion bearings to allow said frame to rotate about its longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 in which the said track is aligned with track leading to said apparatus when said frame is in the car receiving position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said clamping means engages the sills of said railroad car.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 where said clamping means engage the couplings on said railroad car.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said positioning means comprises driven chains that raise and lower said receiver box.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said receiver box includes a bottom, a load bearing sidewall capable of supporting the rail car and its cargo during rotation of said frame, a second sidewall, and a removable endwall; and including discharge means for discharging the cargo from said receiver box when said removable endwall is removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including a cover support structure positioned adjacent said frame, and cover positioning means for moving said cover into and out of engagement with said receiver box.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which the interior sidewalls of said receiver box each include a longitudinally-extending slot for receiving said cover.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which said discharge means comprises a piston mounted on said receiver box opposite said removable endwall, for movement along the longitudinal axis of said receiver box to discharge the cargo out the end of said receiver box from which said removable endwall has been removed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 including conveying means positioned to receive cargo discharged from the end of said receiver box.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of unloading a railroad car containing bulk cargo comprising the steps of: a. affixing said car on a portion of railroad track, said track affixed to a rotatable frame; b. lowering a receiver box also affixed to said rotatable frame over said railroad car; c. rotating said rotatable frame, said car and said receiver box 180° about their longitudinal axis to discharge the bulk cargo into the receiver box; d. lowering said receiver box containing said cargo; e. placing a receiver box cover on said receiver box; f. rotating said frame, said receiver box and said railroad car 180°;and g. discharging said cargo from said receiver box.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of unloading a railroad car containing bulk cargo comprising the steps of: a. affixing said car on a portion of railroad track, said track affixed to a rotatable frame; b. lowering a receiver box also affixed to said rotatable frame over said railroad car; c. rotating said rotatable frame, said car and said receiver box 180° about their longitudinal axis to discharge the bulk cargo into the receiver box; d. lowering said receiver box containing said cargo; e. placing a receiver box cover on said receiver box; f. rotating said frame, said receiver box and said railroad car 180°;and g. discharging said cargo from said receiver box.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 12 including the step of removing said car from beneath said receiver box while cargo is discharging from said receiver box.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 in which discharging said cargo includes the steps of removing one end of the receiver box, and pushing the cargo out said one end.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1639487A
Cited
US758191A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-23 | 1980-05-24 | 1980-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-23 | 1984-05-24 | 1984-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-23 | 1988-05-24 | 1988-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |