US4354781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Double deck securing means for railroad car
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-02-05
•
Granted: 1982-10-19
•
Expires: 2000-02-05
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is an improved railroad flatcar having means for securing shipping containers in a double deck configuration comprising a frame assembly with vertical members having retractable and extendable bullet-shaped or cylindrical securing members.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:45
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61D; B61D45/00; B61D45/007; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In a railroad flatcar, means for securing shipping containers in a doubledeck configuration, said shipping containers having corner castings with side holes and bottom holes, the improvement comprising a frame assembly, said frame assembly having four L-shaped vertical members, at least two of said vertical members having retractable and extendable substantially cylindrical securing members, said securing members positioned on said vertical members so as to be aligned with the side holes of the corner castings of the upper shipping container and adapted to extend into the side holes of said upper shipping container corner casting prior to and during movement of said flatcar so as to secure the upper shipping container during movement of said flatcar, and to retract for unloading and reloading shipping containers on said flatcar so as to permit quick and efficient unloading and loading.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a railroad flatcar, means for securing shipping containers in a doubledeck configuration, said shipping containers having corner castings with side holes and bottom holes, the improvement comprising a frame assembly, said frame assembly having four L-shaped vertical members, at least two of said vertical members having retractable and extendable substantially cylindrical securing members, said securing members positioned on said vertical members so as to be aligned with the side holes of the corner castings of the upper shipping container and adapted to extend into the side holes of said upper shipping container corner casting prior to and during movement of said flatcar so as to secure the upper shipping container during movement of said flatcar, and to retract for unloading and reloading shipping containers on said flatcar so as to permit quick and efficient unloading and loading.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Railroad flatcar in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing members are extended and retracted by means of electrical motors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Railroad flatcar in accordance with claim 2 further including electrical signal means to signify the extended or retracted status of each of said securing members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Railroad flatcar in accordance with claim 2 wherein said electrical motors are connected to said securing members by means of worm gears.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Railroad car in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vertical members are steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Railroad flatcar in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vertical members have receiving flanges at the top adapted to guide and align the shipping containers during loading so as to further facilitate quick and efficient loading of said containers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
Railroad flatcar in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing members are extended and retracted by means of electrical motors, said vertical members are steel, plastic, or a combination thereof, said vertical members have receiving flanges at the top, and said flatcar includes electrical signal means to signify the extended or retracted status of each of said securing members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
Railroad flatcar in accordance with claim 1 further including means to prevent accidental or unauthorized changes in the extended status of said securing members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
Railroad flatcar in accordance with claim 1 further including at least one bullet shaped fixed alignment member extending upwardly from the floor of said flatcar and aligned so as to engage a hole at the bottom of the corner casting of the lower shipping container.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
Railroad flatcar in accordance with claim 9 further including a contact switch adapted to turn off the electrical motor when the securing member is fully retracted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
Railroad flatcar in accordance with claim 1 wherein said securing members are hydraulically extended and retracted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
Railroad car in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vertical members are plastic.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
Railroad car in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vertical members are a combination of steel and plastic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-10-18 | 1986-04-19 | 1986-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-18 | 1990-04-19 | 1990-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-18 | 1994-04-19 | 1994-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |