Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Converting
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-06
2003-08-26
Hong, John C. (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Converting
C029S402060, C029S402070
Reexamination Certificate
active
06609284
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of converting a railcar. More specifically, the present invention relates to converting a railcar having a sliding door into a railcar having a plug door. The method generally entails reconfiguring the sealing surface of the railcar door to accept the plug-type door thereby allowing a door mechanism that may seal to protect the contents of the rail car. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method of increasing the storage capacity and the clear door opening of the box car by raising the roof of the railcar.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is generally known to provide railcars for the storage and/or transport of goods, products and/or commodities across distances via rail lines. These goods may require protection from the elements, such as, for example, heat, water, cold or other like damaging phenomena. Further, it is also known to provide railcars having sliding door mechanisms that may be openable and closeable and may provide access to the interior of the railcar. A railcar having a sliding door may be latchable so as to provide a means for keeping the sliding door closed for the security of the goods, products and/or commodities stored therein. Typically, a box car may utilize a sliding door for closing over a door opening to keep goods, products and/or commodities therein.
Moreover, it is further known to provide railcars having plug doors. Plug doors are typically similar to sliding doors and may be openable and closeable so as to provide access to the interior of the railcar. However, a plug door may translate toward the railcar to seal the plug door against a sealing surface on the railcar. Plug doors typically allow for enhanced security of the goods, products and/or commodities that may be stored within the railcars, since the plug-type door mechanism seals against the railcar. Moreover, plug doors may be utilized in railcars that must maintain a constant atmospheric condition, such as, for example, coldness, heat or humidity so as to protect the goods, products and/or commodities contained therein. Further, the plug door may keep the goods, products and/or commodities secure from dirt, dust, mud and moisture.
Many railcars, especially older railcars, are typically constructed with a sliding door mechanism that may cover an entry or opening in the railcars. These railcars may be utilized within the industry to transport goods, products and/or commodities across distances or otherwise may be used to store these goods, products and/or commodities. However, as noted above, these sliding doors do not provide an effective seal around the perimeter of the entry or opening to keep undesirable materials out of the railcar, such as moisture, sunlight, air, dust or other materials. Therefore, a plug door is necessary to create a sealing surface around the perimeter of the entry or opening. However, it is difficult to build a railcar completely from scratch, especially when there are many railcars having sliding doors that can be converted into railcars having plug doors.
Moreover, the door opening on a railcar, otherwise known as the clear door opening (“CDO”), is defined by the inside surfaces of the door posts and the top and bottom sills. Typically the CDO of a railcar is constructed to allow a specific amount of goods, products and/or commodities to move into and out of the railcar. Specifically, goods, products and/or commodities may be contained on a pallet having a specific dimension that may fit within the CDO of a typical railcar. However, many railcars that require a plug door may add a flange around the perimeter of the door opening to create a sealing surface thereby substantially decreasing the CDO of the railcar. This flange may typically be attached to the inside surface of the door posts that define the width of the CDO. The flange may therefore decrease the CDO of the railcar. This may adversely affect the movement of certain sized pallets into and out of the railcar. Moreover, adding a flange around the perimeter of the door opening requires a modification or movement of the door posts, if the CDO is desired to be retained. This typically entails significant expenditures of time and money.
In addition, many railcars have been built having a relatively low height, which decreases the amount of storage space within the railcar. A method of converting a railcar is necessary, therefore, to raise the roof of existing railcars to add height to the railcars thereby increasing the storage volume of the railcars. Moreover, raising the roof of the railcar may further add to the CDO of the railcar, thereby allowing for the movement of larger pallets, or other units, of goods, products, and/or commodities into and out of the railcar.
Of course, railcars are built from scratch, and many require a door opening that may require a plug door to be sealed thereon to protect the good, product and/or commodity that may be contained therein. However, many railcars are built having a flange or other type of material attached to the inside surface of the door posts and top and bottom sills extending inwards toward the center of the door opening. This may require additional material to provide a sealing surface for the plug door to seal against. Moreover, the door opening may be reduced due to the inwardly disposed flange.
A method of converting a railcar is therefore necessary that overcomes the deficiencies as noted above. The present invention, therefore, provides a method of converting a railcar. Specifically, the method entails converting a railcar having a sliding door to a railcar having a plug door. Further, the present invention provides a method of converting a railcar thereby giving the railcar added height and, consequently, added storage volume. Moreover, the method overcomes the deficiencies as noted above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of converting a railcar. More specifically, the invention provides a method of converting a railcar having a sliding door that may be used to cover an entry or an opening in a railcar having a plug door that may create an effective seal around a perimeter of the railcar. Further, the present invention provides a method of converting a railcar to add height and, therefore, storage volume to the railcar.
Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, a method of converting a railcar from having a sliding door to having a plug door is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a railcar having a sliding door disposed on top and bottom tracks for covering a door opening wherein the top and bottom tracks are connected to a side of the railcar; removing the sliding door; removing the top and bottom sliding door tracks; removing material from the box car that would interfere with the proper operation of a plug door disposed on the railcar for covering the door opening; providing door posts disposed on opposite sides of the door opening wherein the front surfaces of the door posts provide a sealing surface for the plug door; and installing top and bottom tracks for engaging with a plug door.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the steps of: providing a perimeter around the door opening; and installing a top and a bottom sealing surface around the perimeter of the door opening wherein the surface of the top and the bottom sealing surfaces are coplanar with the front surfaces of the door posts.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises the steps of: providing a perimeter around the door opening; providing a sliding door sealing surface at the bottom of the perimeter of the door opening; removing the sliding door sealing surface at the bottom of the perimeter of the door opening; and adding a plug door sealing surface at the location where the sliding door sealing surface was removed from the bottom of the perimeter of the door opening wherein the plug door sealing surface is coplanar with the front surfaces of the door posts.
In an embodiment of the pres
Kloster Dick
Reid Jim
Sheridan Mark
Smith Darrin
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