Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – In situ attached-type channel or trim strip
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-26
2001-04-24
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
In situ attached-type channel or trim strip
C052S676000, C052S717050, C052S802110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219987
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1.Field of the Invention
The invention is an integrally formed endcap for use in connection with composite deck beams, such as fiberglass beams. Such beams are typically arranged in parallel fashion to form a platform deck or running board of a vehicle, railcar, semi-trailer, marine vessel, or the like. These running boards typically provide a platform for an individual to stand upon while boarding or exiting such a vehicle, or during operation of the vehicle. Running boards of this type are commonly used in the railcar industry. The beams can also provide a platform for use as an industrial catwalk or any other platform application. The endcaps provide a closure for the edges of the running board formed by the terminal ends of the beams, thereby protecting the beam ends from damage and covering the exposed beam ends of the edge of the running board. In the railroad industry, the closed edge reduces risks of clothing or limbs of a railroad worker catching exposed beam ends.
2. Description of Related Art
Metal running boards and platform decks are well known in the art. Typically, endcaps for metal running boards are fastened in a variety of ways, such as by welding, bolting or riveting. Metal running boards are used primarily for their strong resistance to adverse effects caused by harsh environmental conditions. Fiberglass running boards are also known in the art as an alternative to metal running boards. Fiberglass is a relatively strong material and provides an alternative to metal. Fiberglass running boards take advantage of the properties of fiber reinforced plastic, such as the strength, economy and durability of such materials. The use of fiberglass also facilitates the use of adhesive bonding construction in lieu of weld bonding or the use of mechanical fasteners. Because fiberglass is a composite material, exposed ends of fiberglass beams have fiber ends embedded in the plastic matrix. While exterior fiberglass surfaces, when adequately coated by a gelcoat or paint, resist UV deterioration, the cured resin that bonds the glass fibers together is very prone to rapid deterioration if unprotected from UV exposure. The cured resin of fiberglass beams may be exposed at deck beam ends, especially when the deck beams have been cut. Ends of beams constructed from fiberglass rails can also form undesirable splinters and cracks when exposed to various environmental conditions or physical forces. These properties for fiberglass running boards are particularly evident in the method of manufacture known as pultrusion, whereby continuous lengths are formed through a die and cut to length. Therefore, the use of fiberglass running boards is limited by their propensity for such damage. Close tolerance adhesively bonded endcaps for fiberglass beams of a running board are not known in the prior art.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an integral endcap unit that connects to a plurality of beam ends of a running board.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a running board endcap unit that can be used with fiberglass running boards to prevent splintering or cracking of the fiberglass beams of the running board.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a running board endcap unit having a close tolerance fit to the beams of a running board to allow the endcap unit to be bonded to the ends of the running board beams instead of welded, riveted, or bolted to the beams.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an integral endcap unit having recesses at its ends to compliment adjacently connected endcap units connected to a running board having a width larger than the length of one endcap unit.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an endcap unit that can be used in conjunction with one or more endcap units, thereby facilitating replacement of damaged portions of an endcap in the field.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent after reading the specification in conjunction with the drawings.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention is an endcap particularly adapted for use on a plurality of beams that form a rail car running board. These beams are typically beams having an I-shaped cross section formed by a vertical web portion and two transversely oriented flanges centered along the top and bottom edges of the vertical web portion. The beams are arranged and connected in parallel fashion to form the running board. Beams of this type can also be used to form a platform deck or running board of a vehicle, semi-trailer, marine vessel, or the like. The beams can also provide a platform for use as an industrial catwalk or any other platform application. The endcaps are advantageous in closing the ends of running boards constructed from fiberglass reinforced plastic beams, thereby complementing the strength, economy and durability of such materials. The endcaps provide a closure for the edges of the running board formed by the terminal ends of the beams, thereby protecting the beam ends from damage and providing safety to persons from the exposed beam ends of the edge of the running board.
Each endcap comprises a generally rectangular elongated base web portion having a plurality of paired transversely projecting flange fingers of a generally rectangular planar configuration. The paired flange fingers are vertically arranged along the length of the base web portion. The paired flange fingers are parallel to each other and form a gap therebetween. Each pair of flange fingers are spaced apart from other pairs to allow corresponding engagement with each end of spaced apart beams of a running board edge. When the endcap is installed, the flange fingers are positioned such that the gaps between each flange finger pair are aligned with the vertical web portion of each I-shaped beam. Each vertical web portion of each beam slides into the gap between each flange finger pair such that each flange finger of each pair is positioned on the outside surface of the vertical web portion of each beam. Each flange finger is thereby also vertically captured between the transverse flanges of the I-shaped beam. The bottom inside edges of the flange finger pairs are beveled. This creates a gap between the beveled surface and the surface formed by the intersection of the vertical web portion and the transverse flange of the I-shaped beams when the endcap is assembled to the beams. The gap creates space and provides a surface for adhesive to effectively bond the endcap to the beams. The endcap is formed of a resilient and durable material that enables bonding with a high performance, gap filling adhesive such as an epoxy.
In an alternate embodiment, the paired flange fingers are horizontally arranged along the length of the base web portion. The paired flange fingers are parallel to each other and form a gap therebetween. A second gap is created between each pair by the equally spaced arrangement along the length of the base web portion. In this configuration, this second gap aligns with and captures the vertical web portion of the beam.
The endcaps are designed for interlocking fit with each other. Each end of the endcap has a lip of reduced material thickness along its edge, thereby creating a bearing surface offset from the surface of the base web portion. The bearing surfaces of the lips on each end of the endcap are disposed on opposites sides of the base web portion. This allows the ends of two endcaps to correspondingly mate with each other. Each endcap is positioned such that the bearing surface of the lip on each endcap faces the other, thereby positioning the base web portions of each endcap such that they are flush. Therefore, more than one endcap may be installed on running boards having a larger dimension. This facilitates replacement of damaged portions of endcaps installed along the edge of a running board.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 115247 (1939-06-01), Bonnell
patent: 4249273 (1981-02-01), Jakowicki
patent: 4769966 (1988-09-01), Petri
patent: 4971849 (19
Manley R. Michael
Trent Robert S.
Friedman Carl D.
Holland Company
Lee Mann Smith McWilliams Sweeney & Ohlson
Wilkens Kevin D.
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