US1942702A - Control mechanism for hopper car doors - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 9, 1934. w, J. HQsCErr 1,942,702

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR HOPPER CAR DOORS Filed Nov. 14, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l Nr fu s Ul l l #u I o i l l :Il I I\l| 'Il l if: G l Us *5 l Jan. 9, 1934. w J 'HOSCEH- 1,942,702

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR HOPPER CAR DOORS Filed Nov. 14, 1931 3 Sheets-Shet 2 Jan. 9, 1934. w. Jv. HoscE|T 1,942,702

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR HOPPER CAR DOORS Filed Nov. 14, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 .n gull/01111. /7///////////////.

f i' l@ 3a G n 3l /f` C) 'G Patented Jan. 9, 1934 UETED STATES PATENT OFFICE ORS William J. Hosceit, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Rodger Ballast Car Company, Chicago, Ill., a

corporation of Maine Application November 14, 1931 Serial No. 574,949

18 Claims.

|lhis invention relates to a new and improved control mechanism for the doors of railway hopper cars and is particularly designed for the inner doors of hopper cars having longitudinally disposed V-shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sill, each provided with a pair of discharge doors pivoted on an axis located at the apex of the V defining the contour of the hoppers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide operating and control mechanism for the inner hopper doors of a car of the above described type, which is positive in both the opening and closing movements, whereby the control mechanism will impart a positive opening movement to start the opening of the doors o without reliance upon the force of gravitation exerted by the lading carried in the car.

Control mechanisms heretofore employed for this use have had a positive7 moving force exerted in the closing direction only, and have relied on the weight of the lading in the car for effecting the opening movement of the door. This type of mechanism has been found imperfect in performance due to the fact that the doors in some instances become stuck so that they will not move automatically in the opening direction` under the gravitational force of the lading when the operating means is released.

It is accordingly another object of this invention to provide a door operating means, the use of which will eliminate any sticking of the door in the objectionable manner above referred to.

lt is further an object of this invention to provide a door operating mechanism which is simple in construction and yet positive and efficient in operation and which may be actuated by means readily accessible to the operator for quick and positive discharge of the lading of the car.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a mechanism which is adapted for installation in the limited space provided therefor in cars of standard construction and which is adapted for combination with the structural parts now constituting the standard A. R. A. car understructures.

These and other objects not specifically enumerated, will readily appear to one 4skilled in the art as the following description proceeds.

The present disclosure is merely given by way of example and should not be considered as limiting the invention in any respect as the scope of the invention should be determined from the appended claims and an appreciation of the with door control mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the car shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed view partly in cross section, showing a fragment of the car and the door control mechanism as seen from the side;

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse view, partly in cross section, disclosing the car center sill, theinner hopper doors in closed position, and the door operating mechanism therefor, and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, with the doors in open position.

By referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the present invention is disclosed as applied to a hopper car 10, having the usual understructure 1l and body 12, provided with a center sill 13. The bottom of the car body is provided l with sloping floors or shedding surfaces 14 and 15 which form with the outer hopper doors 16 and inner hopper doors 17 a pair of longitudinally disposed V-shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sills. The inner and outer doors of each hopper are mounted for pivotal movement on axes 18 located at the apex of the V dening the contour of the hoppers so that the doors move downwardly in opening for discharge of the lading. In cars of this character, it is customary to provide separate door control means for the inside hopper doors and the outside hopper doors, and no change is made in this customary arrangement by the present invention.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the outside doors are provided with suitable operating mechanism of any usual satisfactory construction so that they may be opened and closed in the customary manner. It is also usual in this type of car to provide door control mechanism for the inner doors of a type that actuates both doors simultaneously.

It is the mechanism which is employed for operating the inner doors that constitutes the subject matter of this invention. The control mechanism of this invention comprises a long shaft 20, disposed below the center sills and mounted for rotation in brackets 21 and 22 secured to the under side of the center sill. There are preferably two such shafts similarly mounted for the entire car, each shaft extending the length of the two co-extensive hoppers located throughout one-half the length of the car.

In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, each inside door is provided with three duplicate mechanisms by which the opening and closing movement is imparted to the door and all of which are operated from the same shaft 20. For brevity, only one of these mechanisms will be described in detail, as the description for one will apply to all.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, it will be noted that each door 17, is provided with a longitudinal reinforcement 23, near the outer edge thereof attached to the under-side and to which is secured the elongated bracket 24. This bracket is preferably of the shape shown and its primary function is to provide an element rigid with the door having a pivot 25 to which the operating mechanism is pivotally attached.

This bracket is also important from the standpoint of locating the attaching pivot 25 in substantially the manner shown with respect to the position of the door in the open and closed positions, the door pivots 18 and the location of the shaft 20. The significance of this arrangement will be appreciated from the following description of the mechanism connecting the shaft 20 and the door which is constructed and arranged to impart a positive thrust to the door in the opening and closing directions,

As shown in Figures 3 to 5 inclusive, each of 35 the duplicate operating mechanisms mounted on struction, more clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5 and is provided with a radially extending fork member 28 having a bearing 29 at the end adapted to mount the bolt 30 and link 31 of the door operating chain. Disposed at other points on the circumference of the hub 26, are radially extending projections or teeth 32 having a step 33 in the outer end thereof. Stepped teeth are arranged in pairs and are adapted to cooperate with the shoulders 34 of each link 31 of the door operating chain. In addition to the teeth, a tooth-like lug 35 is provided on the hub as shown in Figures 3 and 4 for cooperative engagement with the lug 36 carried on the elongated thrust link 37 for a purpose hereinafter more fully described.

It will be observed however, that each 0f the.

links which are pivoted together to form a chain, is adapted to be wound on the hub as shown in Figure 4 when the doors are in closed position with each link disposed in cooperative engagement with its shoulders in abutment with the stepped teeth of the hub. It will further appear that upon rotation of the shaft 26, in clockwise direction, a rotary movement will be imparted to the hub and the chain unwound with a positive thrust imparted to each link whereby door moves in the opening direction.

The elongated thrust link 37 constitutes the connecting means between `the end link of the chain and the bracket 24 so that by initial movement of the door actuating means, a positive thrust is imparted to the door in the opening direction, by means of cooperating lugs 35 and 35 above described. This mechanism, attached for actuation on the hub 26, fixed to AVV the shaft 20, is serviceable for opening the door the for one hopper only, disposed on that side of the center sill where the rotation of the shaft 20 will impart the desired movements thereto. However, it will be clear that the actuation of the opposite door through the instrumentality of a similar mechanism will involve a reverse rotation of the hub which is provided for in the present invention as follows:

` The bracket 22 mounted on the under side of the center sill, is provided with a vertically disposed stub shaft 40 on which is mounted a bevelled gear 41. This gear is in mesh with a bevelled gear 42 which is formed as an integral part of or is rigidly attached to the hub 26, keyed to the shaft 2G. On the opposite side of the bracket 22, from the hub 26, a similar but reversely arranged hub 42 is provided having a bevelled gear 43 formed as an integral part thereof or keyed thereto, in mesh with the bevelled gear 4l. The hub 42 is loosely mounted on the shaft for independent rotation and is held against axial movement by the bracket 22, in one direction and the collar 44 in the other direction.

This hub is likewise provided with a yoke, stepped teeth and lug connected to a chain and thrust link of similar construction for actuating the opposite door.

lt will thus be appreciated that the rotation of shaft 20 in a direction to properly actuate one door and the mechanism therefor, will serve to rotate the other hub 42 in the opposite directionwhich is proper for actuation of the opposite door. The rotary movement of the shaft may be imparted through any suitable mechanism but it is preferred to provide a worm gear 50, disposed between the brackets 2l and nxed to rotate with the shaft 20, which worm gear is in mesh with a worm 5l, keyed to the shaft 52, disposed transversely of the car as shown. These parts can be mounted in any suitable manner but as here illustrated, the shaft 52 extends through the center sill 13, which provides suitable bearings therefor. This shaft preferably extends to the side extremity of the car where it terminates in a position readily accessible for operation from either side of the car. The shaft may be constructed or provided with means whereby it may be readily rotated. This of course, may be accomplished by crank, lever or other suitable device commonly used for this purpose,

In operation, when it is desired to open the inside doors, the operator is free to actnate the shaft 52 from either side of the car. Rotary movement of the shaft 52 operates through the v worm and worm gear to impart a rotary movement to the shaft 20 and in turn, hub 26. At this point, it is important to notice that when the door is in closed position, the elongated link 37 is disposed in a position tangential to the hub 26 so that the initial rotation of the hub may be imparted through the cooperating lugs 35 and 36 to exert a thrust on the attaching pivot 25, carried by the door. The attaching pivot 25 is so positioned by means of bracket 24, that the opening thrust will be effective to immediately start the door in its opening movement. This force positive in its effect, whereby the opening movement of the door is inescapable irrespective of tendency to stick, or for any cause, to remain in its closed position. After the preliminary movement, cooperating lugs 35 and 36 pass out of contact, whereby the thrust is imparted directly by the Vadjacent link of the chain.

The movement of this link, is positive, due to the cooperative contact between the link and the stepped tooth on the hub. Accordingly, the door moves to a further open position. Likewise, each succeeding link cornes into operation and serves to lower the door to a further extent until finally the parts are in the position shown in Figure 5. Here it will be noted the thrust link assumes a position which underlies the door so that the outer end thereof which is connected to the chain, lies in a position adjacent the outer edge of the door.

As shovn in Figure 5, when the door is in open position, the chain is disposed approximately at a tangent to the arc of movement of the outer end of the door, whereby a maximum closing movement is provided immediately upon rotation of the shaft 20 in the closing direction.

Furthermore, by the rotation of the shaft 20, and the action of the bevelled gears 42, 4l and 43, the freely rotatingr hub 42 is given a reverse but similar movement for actuating the opposite door 17 in the manner above described.

When the doors are in closed position, the shaft 20 and the hubs thereon are locked against accidental rotation, by means of the worm gear and worm 5l and the extension links 37 constitute a positive locking means extending between the hubs and the doors for supporting the weight of the lading carried on the upper surfaces of the closed doors.

I claim:

l. In combination with a hopper car having longitudinal V-shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sill and inside doors for said hoppers pivoted at the location of the apices of said hoppers, control mechanism for each of said doors comprising a longitudinal shaft disposed between said doors having toothed hubs thereon, link means connected between said hubs and doors each including a single rigid thrust link extending between a tooth on said hub and said door when the latter is in closed position.

:2. In combination with a hopper car having a V-shaped hopper and a door therefor pivoted at its lower edge at the apex of said hopper, control means for said door comprising a toothed hub mounted for rotation on an axis parallel to the axis of said door and link means secured to said hub and door adapted for engagement with the teeth and winding on said hub, including a single rigid thrust link extending between a tooth on said hub and said door when the latter is in said closed position.

3. In combination with a hopper car having a hopper and door therefor, control means for said door comprising a sprocket mounted for pivotal movement on an axis parallel to the hinge of said door and an element comprising a plurality of pivoted links, some of which are adapted for winding engagement on said sprocket and a single thrust link extending between a tooth on said sprocket and said door when the door is in closed position.

e. In combination with a hopper car having a hopper and hinged door therefor, control means for said door comprising a toothed hub mounted for rotation on an axis parallel to the hinge of said door and an element connected between said iub and said door comprising a plurality of pivoted links, one of said links being constructed as a single rigid thrust link of sufficient length to extend between tooth on said hub and said door when the latter is in closed position and the remaining links being adapted to be wound on said hub, the teeth of said hub and all of said links having cooperating contacting surfaces for imparting a positive thrust to said links in the opening direction.

5. In combination with a hopper car having a longitudinal V-shaped hopper and inner door therefor hinged at its lower edge at the location of the apex of said hopper, control means for said door comprising a hub mounted for rotation on an axis parallel to the hinge of said door to one side of and between the hinge and upper edge thereof and means connecting said hub and door comprising a plurality of pivoted links, one of said links comprising an elongated thrust link extending between said hub and a bracket rigidly secured to said door, said bracket extending downwardly from said door to provide a point of connection for said thrust link, safely below the dead center line between said hub and the hinge of said door.

6. In combination with an inclined door, hinged at its lower edge, control means therefor comprising a hub mounted for rotation on an axis parallel with the hinge of said door to one side of said door between the hinge and upper edge thereof, means connecting said hub and door constructed to impart an initial thrust to said door in an opening direction. said means being pivotally connected to said door through the instrumentality of a bracket rigidly secured to said door and extending downwardly to locate the point of attachment below the dead center line between said door hinge and hub.

7. In combination with an inclined door, hinged at its lower edge, control means therefor comprising a hub mounted for rotation on an axis Yparallel with the hinge of said door to one side of said door between the hinge and upper edge thereof, a plurality of pivoted links connecting said hub and door comprising an elongated thrust link extending between said hub and door when the latter is in closed position, said thrust link being connected to said door through the instrumentality of an elongated bracket rigidly secured to said door and extending downwardly providing the point of connection safely below the dead center line between said hub and the hinge of said door.

8. In combination with an inclined door hinged at its lower edge, control means therefor comprising a hub mounted for rotation on an axis parallel with the hinge of said door to one side of said door between the hinge and upper edge thereof, a plurality of pivoted links connecting said hub and door comprising an elongated thrust link extending between said hub and door when the latter is in closed position, said thrust link being connected to said door through the instrumentality of an elongated bracket rigidly secured to said door and extending downwardly providing the point of connection safely below the dead center line between said hub and the hinge of the door, said thrust link being adapted to underlie said door and project beyond and support the outer edge thereof when the door is in open position.

9. In combination with a hopper car having a longitudinally disposed V-shaped hopper to one side of the center sill and an inside door therefor pivoted at its lower edge at the apex of said hopper, control means for said door comprising a longitudinal shaft disposed below the center sill at a level between the hinge and top of said door and a rotatable sprocket mounted on the axis of said shaft to be driven thereby and a plurality of pivoted links extending between said sprocket and a bracket rigidly secured to said door, one of said links constituting an elongated thrust link extending between said sprocket and bracket in engagement with a tooth of said sprocket to impart a thrust to said door in the opening direction and the remaining links being adapted for winding and unwinding on said sprocket in engagement with the teeth of said sprocket for imparting positive unwinding movement to each link of said chain.

10. In combination with a hopper car having a longitudinally disposed V-sha-ped hopper to one side of the center sill and an inside door therefor pivoted at its lower edge at the apex of said hopper, control means for said door comprising a longitudinal shaft disposed below the center sill at a level between the hinge and top of said door and a rotatable sprocket mounted on the axis of said shaft to be driven thereby and a plurality of pivoted links extending between said sprocket and a bracket rigidly sec red to said door, one of said links constituting an elongated thrust link extending between said sprocket and bracket in engagement with a tooth of said sprocket to impart a thrust or" said door in the opening direction and the remaining links being adapted for winding and unwinding on said sprocket in engagement with the teeth of said sprocket for imparting positive unwinding movement to each link of said chain, said bracket extending downwardly from said door to locate the point of attachment for said thrust link safely below the dead centerline between the hinge or" said door and said sprocket.

1l. In combination with a hopper car having longitudinal il-shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sill and inner doors for said hoppers pivoted at their lower edges at the apices o1 said hoppers, control means therefor comprising a longitudinal shaft located below the center sill and a plurality of sprockets mounted on said shaft, means connecting one sprocket to one door and the other sprocket to the other door and means securing one sprocket for rotation with said shaft in one direction and means drivingly co acting said other sprocket to. said shaft for rotation in the opposite direction.

l2. In combination with a hopper car having a pair of longitudinal tl-shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sill and inner doors for said hoppers, control means for said doors cornprising a longitudinal shaft, a sprocket fixed for rotation with said shaft and a second sprocket loose on said shaft and gear means connecting said sprockets whereby said loose sprocket is driven by said shaft in the reverse direction, link means connecting one oi said sprockets to one door and similar means connecting the other of said sprockets to the other door.

13. In combination with a hopper having a pair oi longitudinal V -shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sill and inner doors for said hoppers, control means for said doors coniprising a longitudinal shaft, a sprocket fixed for rotation with said shaft and a second sprocket loose on said shaft and gear means connecting said sprockets whereby said loose sprocket is driven by said shaft in the reverse direction, link means connecting one ci said sprockets to one` door and similar means connecting the other of said sprockets to the other door, said link means each including an elongated thrust link adapted to extend between its sprocket and door when the latter is in closed position.

14. In combination with a hopper car having longitudinal V-shaped hoppers on opposite sides o the center sill and inside doors for said hoppers pivoted at the location of the apices of said hoppers, control mechanism for each of said doors comprising a longitudinal shaft disposed between said doors having toothed hubs thereon, link means connected between said hubs and doors each including a single rigid thrust link extending between a tooth on said hub and said door when the latter is in closed position, and means for imparting rotation oi said shaft but resisting accidental rotation thereof.

l5. In combination with a hopper car having longitudinal V-shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sill and inside doors for said hoppers pivoted at the location of the apices of said hoppers, control mechanism for each of said doors comprising a longitudinal shaft disposed between said doors having toothed hubs thereon, link means connected between said hubs and doors each including a single rigid thrust link extending between a tooth on said hub and said door when the latter is in closed position and a second shaft adapted for manual rotation having a worm and worm gear connection with said rst shaft.

16. In combination with a hopper car having longitudinal V-shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sill and inside doors for said hoppers pivoted at the location of the apices of said hoppers, control mechanism for each of said doors comprising a longitudinal shaft disposed between said doors having toothed hubs thereon, link means connected between said hubs and doors each including a single rigid thrust link extending between a tooth on said hub and said door when the latter is in closed position and a second shaft extending transversely of said car for manual rotation from either side thereof having a worin and worm gear connection with said ii `st shaft.

17. In a railroad car oi the hopper type having longitudinal V-shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sill and inside doors for said hoppers pivoted at the apices of said hoppers and adapted to open downwardly, control means for said doors for positively and simultaneously moving said doors in an opening direction at only the start of said opening movement and for controlling the further opening movement of said doors as eiected by gravity, and for positively and simultaneously closing said doors.

18. In a railroad car of the hopper type having longitudinal V-shaped hoppers on opposite sides of the center sill, and inside and outside doors for said hoppers pivoted at the apices of said hoppers and adapted to open downwardly, control means for said outside doors and control means for said inside doors for positively and simultaneously moving said inside doors in an opening direction at only the start of said opening movement and for controlling the further opening movement of said inside doors as effected by gravity, and for positively and simultaneously closing said inside door.

WILLIAM J HOSCEIT.

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