Railway rolling stock – Car framing and structure – Freight
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-26
2001-09-18
Schwartz, Christopher P. (Department: 3613)
Railway rolling stock
Car framing and structure
Freight
C105S283000, C105S284000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289822
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to railway cars, and more particularly to a railway car for carrying automotive vehicles.
One problem addressed by the invention is to reduce the quantities of dust, metal particles, and other airborne contaminants that may be admitted to the interior of the car through the gaps and perforations in the sides and ends of the cars. Conventional doors do not completely enclose the ends. It has been estimated that in a typical conventional auto rack car, over 6 percent of the end area is open.
To prevent accumulation of unacceptable levels of automobile exhaust gases in the railway car interior as a result of operation of automobile engines during loading and unloading operations and to admit light, it is generally thought to be desirable that openings be provided in the side walls of the car. Conventional auto rack cars widely used in the United States, Canada and Mexico at present typically have side wall panels which are perforated, and which are separated from each other and from adjacent structural components by gaps. It has been estimated that about 18 percent of side surface area is open in most auto racks.
It is a general object of the invention to provide a railway car for carrying automobiles which provides adequate ventilation without permitting unacceptably high inflow of particulates.
Another problem addressed by the invention is to improve security. While the side panels and doors on conventional auto racks provide a reasonable degree of security, unauthorized persons may nevertheless gain entry to conventional cars using crowbars or the like to widen gaps between doors and/or other structural components.
Another problem addressed by the invention is to provide an interior with fewer obstructions. Clearance is needed to permit the doors of vehicles to be opened to permit drivers to enter and exit in the course of loading and unloading operations. In conventional auto rack cars, internal knee braces and gussets may, to some extent, restrict opening of automobile doors and workers in the car interior. Another problem addressed by the invention is to provide an economical way to reduce potential damage to vehicle doors caused by accidental contact between the vehicle doors and interior side wall components of the railway car when the vehicle doors are opened.
Another problem addressed by the invention is to increase the life of the corrugated galvanized steel roofs which are used on railway cars for carrying motor vehicles. While the use of galvanized steel provides a significant advantage over the use of uncoated steel, it is a general object of the invention to further increase the roof life.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a railway car for transportation of motor vehicles which has improved end doors. The end doors may be improved both with respect to reduction of inflow of airborne contaminants through the ends of the car and with respect to improved security by providing upper portions on the doors which partially overlie portions of the roof of the railway car, and which may be pivotally connected to the roof. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations, grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level, with remaining portions of the side walls being imperforate, thereby providing sufficient passive light and ventilation for the interior of the railway car, while substantially reducing admission of airborne particulates as compared with prior auto rack railway cars.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, internal obstructions may be reduced by the use of a “clean bore” interior design, wherein obstructions in the car interior are reduced or eliminated by employing load-bearing side walls having structural components which are positioned to avoid protruding unnecessarily into the car interior. To this end, load bearing shear plates may be used as side wall panels for the car.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, protection for the doors of automobiles carried in the railway car may be provided on each level of the railway car by a plurality of door edge protection strips of a resilient material attached in parallel to one another and vertically spaced from one another along the inside of each side wall. The door edge protection strips may be positioned at a range of elevations on each level to enable them to absorb impacts from doors of vehicles of various sizes ranging from small compact automobiles to large sport utility vehicles.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a protective, corrosion resistant coating may be provided on a galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof. A coating may be applied on both the interior and exterior of the roof.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a flexible enclosure may be provided to enclose the space between car units in an articulated railway car. The enclosure may be made of a flexible, resilient elastomeric material or the like, and may have internal reinforcement provided by a wire mesh or by other reinforcing material to provide resistance to cutting for improved security.
Additional features and advantages of the invention are disclosed in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and in the accompanying drawings.
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Three photographs of “Trailer Train Company Prototype 156′ Articulated Bi-Level Auto Rack Car” (undated).
Information Sheet entitled “Trailer Train Company Prototype 156′ Articulated Bi-Level Auto Rack Car” Photograph of Safe-Pak Car.
Progressive Railroading, Dec. 1998, pp. 40-41.
Railway Age, Mar. 1999, pp. 30-31.
Progressive Railroading's 1996-1997 Car & Locomotive Yearbook and Buyers' Guide, 1996, pp. 5, 24, and 64.
The Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia of American Practices, Sixth Edition, 1997, pp. 7-20.
Whitehead & Kales Company, Drawing No. A 239-241, Dec. 16, 1972.
Black, Jr. James E.
Eaker Andrew B.
Litherland Mark L.
Rench Michael J.
Robertson James C.
Bartz C. T.
Fitch Even Tabin & Flannery
Schwartz Christopher P.
Thrall Car Manufacturing Company
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