US2190742A - Railway car - Google Patents

Railway car Download PDF

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US2190742A
US2190742A US205377A US20537738A US2190742A US 2190742 A US2190742 A US 2190742A US 205377 A US205377 A US 205377A US 20537738 A US20537738 A US 20537738A US 2190742 A US2190742 A US 2190742A
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Prior art keywords
opening
tread
door
removable
side wall
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US205377A
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Sigvald F Udstad
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ACF Industries Inc
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American Car and Foundry Co
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Priority to US205377A priority Critical patent/US2190742A/en
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61RAILWAYS
    • B61DBODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
    • B61D23/00Construction of steps for railway vehicles
    • B61D23/02Folding steps for railway vehicles, e.g. hand or mechanically actuated

Definitions

  • a further object of the invention is the provision of a movable skirting which may be lowered away from the side door through an opening in the lower rigid step tread.
  • a still further object of the invention is the provision of a movable skirting which is shifted in 'unison with the trap door in order to clear the step well.
  • V l Ayet further object of the invention is the provision of amovable skirting which may be retracted from a position in alignmentwith the car side wall in order toclear a rigid part of the car structure and then lowered to a supporting position where a portion thereof forms at least a part of a step tread.
  • Figure 1 is a broken sectional view taken through the step well with the retractable skirt in line with the car wall and trap door closed;
  • Fig. 2 is a broken horizontal sectional view taken through the step well with parts in the position shown in Figure 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1;
  • Fig. 4 is a broken sectional view similar to 5 Figure 1 but showing the skirting lowered and the trap door raised in order to clear the step well for use;
  • Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the retractable skirting section as viewed from inside the step well
  • i Fig. 7 is .a detail view showing a slight modification in the linkage connectingthe trap door 55 and skirting.
  • the invention has been-shown as applied to a railway car having curved side walls 2 suitably braced by side posts l which j are connected at their lower ends to a flanged 5 channel sill 6 forming the lower chord of the side wall. Since the floor level is substantially above the side sill and the car is intended for use without platforms, it is necessary that the side sills be terminated at the step wells necessitating the 10 carrying of the side wall loads past the step well; This is accomplishedin the present instanceby rigidly securing a structural member 8 of .Z or other form to the side sills, which member is deflected downwardly from the sill and across the 15 step well thusin effect continuing thelower chord directly past the step well (Figs.
  • the step well itself is formed by transversely extending plates l0 rigidly secured tovthe side walls by angular shaped members T2 inwardly of the edges of the door opening and these plates ,and edges of the door opening areconnectedtogether and braced by means of W section door posts 14 whichin effect produce box sectionposts having opposed flanges defining the door .open- 25 ing and providing ledges I6 against which'the side door may seal.
  • the transverse plates l'fl have step treads I8 and risers 20 securelyattached thereto by any suitable means and are braced at their lower edges by angle membefZZ 0 secured to the lower chord 8 and to thecente'r sill.
  • the bottom or lowermost tread in the step well is preferably formed of a plurality of plates l8; as shown in Fig. 5, arranged to provide an opening for a purpose hereinafter set forth.
  • the outer edge of one of the plates rests upon a pressed angle form member having one leg 24 thereof directed outwardly beyond the edge of the tread, while the other piece of tread rests upon and is secured to the chord member 8, the latter. being 40 additionally braced at the step well by an angle member having one leg 2'6 thereof extended inwardly beyond the edge of the tread'part, thus providing, together with the leg 24, ledges upon which a removable section of tread (later to be alignment with the car side wall skirting.
  • the outer plate is deflected inwardly along its side edges as at 56, thus providing an offset flange t2 adapted to seat against resilient sealing means M (Fig. 2).
  • the offset flanges d2 are connected by an inner finish plate 46, thus forming a rigid lower skirting section tothe upper edge of which is attached on the inner side pan like pressings 38 adapted to rigidly support a section of tread plate 59 which is movable with the retractable skirt.
  • This movable section of tread plate has its inner edge supported upon angle member 52 connecting the pan shaped pressings, while its outer edge is supported upon an outwardly directed flange 5 formed on the upper edge or the movable skirting and is adapted to engage with and seal against a downwardly and outwardly directed flange 53 formed on the loweredge of the side door.
  • a pair of triangular shaped pressings 58 are secured to the lower side edges thereof and to which the outer portion of a rigid operating arm fill may be rigidly secured.
  • the rigid operating arms are formed with a substantially fiat surface (ii on their lower face which merges into a downwardly and outwardly curved surface 62 which in turn merges into an outwardly directed curved surface 63 terminating at a rounded point 66 formed between surfaces and an upwardly curved surface 66 formed therebelow.
  • the inner end of the curvedsurface 65 merges into a reversely curved surface 61 which in turn merges into the flat surface 88 forming the shank portion of the operating arm. It is thus seen that each rigid operating arm is. provided on its lower side with a plurality of curved and straight cam.
  • each rigid operating arm is pivotally connected as at 13 to bellcrank lever 14 keyed or otherwise secured to a transverse shaft 15 journaled as at 18 in; the side plates of the step well.
  • transverse shaft is extended beyond its journal bearing for a rigid connection to bell crank arm 11 pivotally connected at one end to a thrust rod 18, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a thrust rm 19 rigidly secured to a pipe or other means 80 forming the customary pivot mounting for trap door BI pivotally carried by one of the plates forming the step well side.
  • the thrust arm 19 extends through-the step well side plate, thus causing a downward movement of the thrust rod 18 when the trap door is lifted.
  • the downward movement of the pivotal connection 13 will also be accompanied with an inward movement since the bellstructure above the pivotal connection and toward the center of the car.
  • the operating arm 66 will act as a lever causing the upper portion of the movable skirt to tilt inwardly slightly away from the side door, also causing the flat portion 6
  • the movable .skirtis tilting it will also be moving downwardly and inwardly under control of the rollers and 18.
  • the weight of the movable skirt assembly is suiilcient to insure proper movements thereof, but in case an extremely light construction is used it may be advisable to extend the rigid operating arm beyond the pivotal connecsurfaces of the'movable ski rt assembly and the controlling rollers on ,thecar structure.
  • the movable skirt is moved inwardly or retracted from the car side wall during the first part of its movement, after which it is lowered to the, final positionin which a part thereof, namely, the treadsurface, forms a partof the lower tread of the steps.
  • the movable tread portion 50 may be increased or decreased within reasonable limits to form any desired portion of the lower step tread and it will also be evident that the form oi the cam surfaces onthe rigid operating arm may be changed to cause slightly differing movements of the movable skirt assembly.
  • a body having aside wall, a side door in said side wall, a floor for said body having a cutaway portion opposite said door, a plurality of steps securedto the body in the cutaway-portion to provide a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step having a fixed'tread section and. a removable tread section, saidfixed tread section having an opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread,.and meansto raise-l said removable tread section to an inoperative position in spaced relation tothe fixedtread, saidremovabletread section forming in part closure means for the wall opening beneath said door.
  • a body havingaside wall, a side doorin said side wall, a floor for said bodyhaving a cutaway portion opposite said door, a plurality of steps secured to the bodyin the cutaway portion to provide a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step having a fixed tread section and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread section tocomplete the tread, said removable tread section being se- ⁇ 1 cured ,to a movable portion of the side wall adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door, and means connected to said movable portion of the side wall and removable tread section to move the latter to an inoperative position 9 in spaced relation to the fixed tread section and to i move the former substantially into alignment with the side wall.
  • a body having a side wall, a side door in said side wall, a floor, for said body having a cutaway portion opposite: said side door, a trap door adapted when closed to cover the cutaway portion and to lie substantially flush with the floor, a plurality of stepssecured to the body-in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to-a lower step having a fixed'tread section and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening thereinadapted' to receive the removable tread section to complete thetread, and means 1r1ovable treadsection forming in part closure means for the wall opening beneath said doors 4.
  • a body having a side wall, a side-door inxsaid side wall, a floor for saidbody having a cutaway portion opposite said side door,
  • aftrap door adapted whenclosed to cover the cutaway portion and to lie substantially flush with the'floor, a plurality of steps secured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step having a fixed tread section and a removable tread section, said f xed tread section havi g an opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, andjlmeans connecting said removable tread section and trapdoor together for movement in unison, aid removable'tread section forming inpart closure means for the wall opening beneath said door, said meansbeing so constructed and arranged as to cause lowering of the removable during raising of the trap. door to an inoperative positions l '15.
  • a ,body having a side wall, a sidedoor said side wall, a floor'for said body having acutaway portion opposite said side door, Ta'trap door adapted when closed to cover the cutaway portion'and to lie substantially flush with the floor, a plurality of steps secured to the body in thejcutaway portion thereby providing a flight offlstep'sjleading downwardfrom the floor to a lowerstep having a fixed tread section and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, said removable tread being secured to a movable portion of the side wall adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door, and means connecting said movable wall portion and removabletread section to the trap door for movement in unison but in opposite directions.
  • a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an'opening therein at the cut- "away floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of theopening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to position in spaced relation to the fixed tread,
  • a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a sidewall having an opening therein at thecutaway floor portion and having a sidedoor closing at least the .upper portion of, theopening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously fromend to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of steps secured-to the body in the cutaway portion therebyproviding a fiight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section secured to the lower chord in the/wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, said removable tread section being secured to a movable portion of the side wall to form a unit adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door, and means connected to said unit so constructed and arranged as to move the unit past the
  • a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of steps secured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section secured to the lower chord in the wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to cover the flight of steps and to lie substantially flush with the floor, and means connecting the trap door and removable tread section, said removable tread section forming in part closure means for the wall opening beneath said door, said means being so constructed and arranged as to cause lowering of the removable tread section to an operative position inward of the lower chord
  • a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with alower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of steps secured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps lead ing downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section s-ecure-:2 to the lower chord in the wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an openin therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, said removable tread section being secured to a movable portion of the ide wall to form a unit adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door and above the lower chord, a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to'cover the flight of steps and to lie substantially flush with the floor, and means connecting the trap
  • a body having a floor with a cutaway'portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of stepssecured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section secured to the lower chord in the wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to cover the flight of steps and to lie substantially flush with the floor, and means connecting the trap door and removabletread section, said removable tread section forming in part closure means for thewall opening beneath said door, said means being so constructed and arranged as to cause lateral inward movement of the removable tread section prior to lowering thereof
  • a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of steps-secured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section secured to the lower chord in the wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the'tread, said removable tread section being secured to a movable portion of the side wall to form a unit adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door and above the lower chord, a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to cover the flight of steps, and means connecting the trap door and unit for movement in unison, said means being so constructed and
  • a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereoi, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening adjacent the lower edge of the opening, a plurality of steps secured to the body in the cutaway portion with the lower step tread secured to the top chord, said lower tread being formed of relatively fixed plates with an opening there'm to receive a removable plate, said removable plate being secured to a removable wall section adapted to close the opening between the lower step tread and side door, said removable wall section normally positioned substantially in the plane of the side wall with the removable tread plate in spaced relation to the fixed tread plate, and means connected to the removable wall section to cause lateral inward movement tim f16'.”
  • a body havingalside walllwith 1 sameprior to the lowering thereof through the opening in the fixed tread plate, said means finally positioning
  • a body having a side wall with an opening therein, a floor positioned above the lower edge" of the" sidewall, a plurality of steps secured to the body and extending from the floor substantially to the lower edge of the side wall at the opening, a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to the side wall and extendling substantially from end to end of the car and across the said opening beneath the lowermost step, a removable wall section normally located in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the side wall for closing the remainder of the opening between the side door and lower chord, and means connected to the removable wall section to move the same to an. out-of-use position inward of and below the lower chord.
  • a body having a side wall with an opening therein, a floor positioned above the lower edge of theside Wall, a plurality of steps secured to the body and extending from the floor to a lower step substantially at the lower edge of the side wall adjacent the opening, aside door closing the upper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to the side wall andextending substantially from end to end of the car and across the said opening beneath the lower step, a removable wall section normally located in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the side wall for closing the remainder of the opening between the side door and lower chord and blocking access to the steps from the exterior of the vehicle, a trap door normally located in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the floor for blocking access to the steps from the vehicle interior, and means interconnectin'gth e trap door and removable wall section whereby the latter is moved to an out-of-use position inward of and below the lower chord during raising of the trap door to out-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use.
  • a trap door normally located in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the floor for blocking access to the steps from the vehicle interior, and means intercom-- nesting the trap door and removable wall section whereby the latter is moved to an- Out-of-use position inward of the lower chord during raising of the trap door to out-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use, said means including a plurality of cam surfaces whereby the removable wall section is moved laterally inward and then lowered through the lower step.
  • a floor positioned above the lower edge of the side wall, a plurality of steps secured to the body and .extendingfrom the floor 1 to a'lower step substantially at the lower edge door closing theupper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to the side wall and extendingsubstantially from end' to end of the car and across thesaid opening beneath thel'owerstep, a removable wall section normally located in an in-use position substantiallyin alignment with of-use position inward of the lower chord during raising of the trapdoor to out-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use, said means including a plurality of cam surfaces cooperating with body carried cam elements whereby the removable wallsection is moved laterally inward from the side wall and then lowered through an 1'7.
  • a body having a sidewall with an opening therein, a floor positioned above the lower edge of the side wall, a plurality of 'of ,the side wall adjacent the opening; aside steps secured to the body and extending from the floor, to a lower step substantially at the lower edge of the side wall adjacent the opening, a side door closing the upper portion of the open-,
  • Y extending substantially from end to end of the car and across the side opening beneath the lower step, a removable wallsection normally located in an in-us'e position substantially in alignment withthe side wall for closing the remainder of the opening between the side door and lower chord and blocking access to the steps from the exterior of the vehicle, a trap door normallylocated in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the floor for blocking access to the steps from the vehicle interior, and means interconnecting the trap door and removable wall secl tionwhereby the latter ismoved to an out-of-use position inwardof the lower chord during raising of the trap door to out-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use, said means including a plurality of cam surfaces cooperating with body carried cam elements whereby the removable wall section is moved laterally inwardfrom the side wall and then lowered through an opening in the lower step, and said removable wall section having a section of step tread secured thereto adapted to close the opening in the lower stepwhen the removablewall section is fully lowered.
  • step well a flight of steps securedfto the body in said step well Y and having a lower step positioned below and in spaced relation to said door, retractable closure means for closing the side of the step well below said door, said lower step having an opening U therein, a removable tread section secured toland forming part of said closure means and adapted to be received in said opening to complete said lower step, and means for moving said closure means substantially into alignment with said side wall to close the step well, said removable,
  • tread, section being so formed and arranged as I of steps secured to the body in said step well and having a lower step positioned below and in spaced relation to said door, said lower step having a fixed tread section and a removable tread section, said removable tread section being se- 10 cured to retractable closure means for closing the side of the step well below said door, and
  • said removable tread section being adapted when in one position to form a seal between the retractable closure means and said door and in another position to engage said fixed tread section and cooperate therewith to complete said lower step.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
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Description

Feb. 20, 1940. F, T D
RAILWAY CAR Filed April 30, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 szygnld jg z iad M 1/. MA
ATTORNEY Feb. 20, 1940. s, F. UDSTAD RAILWAY CAR Filed April 30, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 lll'lllllllllllll'lllllllll & INVENTOR AS Zy V dZd ff zzsiad a RNEY' ATTO Feb. 20, 1940. s. F. UDSTAD RAILWAY CAR Filed April so} less 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ill! I I'll lls 7 INVENTOR d/TZ/dsiad Szy v aZ ATTORN EY Feb. 20, 1940. s, F. UDSTAD RAILWAY CAR Fild April 30, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 NEY INVENTOR BY Zd EUasZad ATTZQ yak Sign 5 sheetsssh e et 5 EEEI-EEZ-l-E RAILWAY CAR Filed April so, less.
s. F. UDSTAD Feb. 20, 1940.
INVENTOR ald FMisZad Patented Feb.2o,194o
UNITED STATE PATENT o1=1=1ce RAILWAY CAR Sigvald F. Udstad, Berwick, Pa., assignor to American Car and Foundry Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 30, 1938, Serial No. 205,377 7 v 19 Claims. (01. 105-427) v l This invention relates to railway cars in general and in particular to railway cars of the streamlined type wherein the step wells are closed by movable skirting. Previous constructions 5 using folding steps and movable skirting have required the carrying of the load past the step well necessitating very heavy reinforcements to transmit the side wall loads to the center sill at the step well which resulted in a much heavier car than otherwise required.
It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide a movable lower section of skirting which is so arranged and operated as to permit the lower side wall chord to be carried directly past the step well thus obviating the use of heavy braces extended to the center sill.
A further object of the invention is the provision of a movable skirting which may be lowered away from the side door through an opening in the lower rigid step tread. r I
"A still further object of the invention is the provision of a movable skirting which is shifted in 'unison with the trap door in order to clear the step well. V l Ayet further object of the invention is the provision of amovable skirting which may be retracted from a position in alignmentwith the car side wall in order toclear a rigid part of the car structure and then lowered to a supporting position where a portion thereof forms at least a part of a step tread.
These andother objects of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from a study of the following description and accom- 35, panying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a broken sectional view taken through the step well with the retractable skirt in line with the car wall and trap door closed;
Fig. 2 is a broken horizontal sectional view taken through the step well with parts in the position shown in Figure 1;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 1;
Fig. 4 is a broken sectional view similar to 5 Figure 1 but showing the skirting lowered and the trap door raised in order to clear the step well for use;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
5 Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the retractable skirting section as viewed from inside the step well, and i Fig. 7 is .a detail view showing a slight modification in the linkage connectingthe trap door 55 and skirting.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, it
- will be seen that the invention has been-shown as applied to a railway car having curved side walls 2 suitably braced by side posts l which j are connected at their lower ends to a flanged 5 channel sill 6 forming the lower chord of the side wall. Since the floor level is substantially above the side sill and the car is intended for use without platforms, it is necessary that the side sills be terminated at the step wells necessitating the 10 carrying of the side wall loads past the step well; This is accomplishedin the present instanceby rigidly securing a structural member 8 of .Z or other form to the side sills, which member is deflected downwardly from the sill and across the 15 step well thusin effect continuing thelower chord directly past the step well (Figs. 1 21154). The step well itself is formed by transversely extending plates l0 rigidly secured tovthe side walls by angular shaped members T2 inwardly of the edges of the door opening and these plates ,and edges of the door opening areconnectedtogether and braced by means of W section door posts 14 whichin effect produce box sectionposts having opposed flanges defining the door .open- 25 ing and providing ledges I6 against which'the side door may seal. The transverse plates l'fl have step treads I8 and risers 20 securelyattached thereto by any suitable means and are braced at their lower edges by angle membefZZ 0 secured to the lower chord 8 and to thecente'r sill. The bottom or lowermost tread in the step well is preferably formed of a plurality of plates l8; as shown in Fig. 5, arranged to provide an opening for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The outer edge of one of the plates rests upon a pressed angle form member having one leg 24 thereof directed outwardly beyond the edge of the tread, while the other piece of tread rests upon and is secured to the chord member 8, the latter. being 40 additionally braced at the step well by an angle member having one leg 2'6 thereof extended inwardly beyond the edge of the tread'part, thus providing, together with the leg 24, ledges upon which a removable section of tread (later to be alignment with the car side wall skirting. To accomplish this the outer plate is deflected inwardly along its side edges as at 56, thus providing an offset flange t2 adapted to seat against resilient sealing means M (Fig. 2). The offset flanges d2 are connected by an inner finish plate 46, thus forming a rigid lower skirting section tothe upper edge of which is attached on the inner side pan like pressings 38 adapted to rigidly support a section of tread plate 59 which is movable with the retractable skirt. This movable section of tread platehas its inner edge supported upon angle member 52 connecting the pan shaped pressings, while its outer edge is supported upon an outwardly directed flange 5 formed on the upper edge or the movable skirting and is adapted to engage with and seal against a downwardly and outwardly directed flange 53 formed on the loweredge of the side door. In order that the movable'skirting may be operated a pair of triangular shaped pressings 58 are secured to the lower side edges thereof and to which the outer portion of a rigid operating arm fill may be rigidly secured. The rigid operating arms are formed with a substantially fiat surface (ii on their lower face which merges into a downwardly and outwardly curved surface 62 which in turn merges into an outwardly directed curved surface 63 terminating at a rounded point 66 formed between surfaces and an upwardly curved surface 66 formed therebelow. The inner end of the curvedsurface 65 merges into a reversely curved surface 61 which in turn merges into the flat surface 88 forming the shank portion of the operating arm. It is thus seen that each rigid operating arm is. provided on its lower side with a plurality of curved and straight cam. surfaces, certain of which cam surfaces are adapted to engage upper and lower spaced rollers ill and 1| carried by a casting 12 rigidly secured to the lower chord member 8 at the sides of the step well. In order to operate the movable skirting the inner end of each rigid operating arm is pivotally connected as at 13 to bellcrank lever 14 keyed or otherwise secured to a transverse shaft 15 journaled as at 18 in; the side plates of the step well. One end of the transverse shaft is extended beyond its journal bearing for a rigid connection to bell crank arm 11 pivotally connected at one end to a thrust rod 18, the other end of which is pivotally connected to a thrust rm 19 rigidly secured to a pipe or other means 80 forming the customary pivot mounting for trap door BI pivotally carried by one of the plates forming the step well side. As clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 8 the thrust arm 19 extends through-the step well side plate, thus causing a downward movement of the thrust rod 18 when the trap door is lifted.
The operation of the mechanism is as follows and assuming the parts to be in their running position, namely, that shown'in Figs. 1, 2 and 3: When it is desired to clear the step well for use of passenger'sl sliding bolt 32 will be lifted recrank arm 14 is pivoted to the car leasing the movable skirting, after which the trap door will be unlocked and lifted in exactly the same way as is now done. During lifting of the trap door arm 19 will move downwardly causing thrust rod 18 to move downwardly and in turn rotating bellcranks 11 and i l downwardly, thus causing the pivotal connection 13 to move downwardly on an are a predetermined amount dependent upon the relative lengths of the varic'us bellcrank levers. The downward movement of the pivotal connection 13 will also be accompanied with an inward movement since the bellstructure above the pivotal connection and toward the center of the car. At the start of the downward and inward movement of pivotal connection 13 the operating arm 66 will act as a lever causing the upper portion of the movable skirt to tilt inwardly slightly away from the side door, also causing the flat portion 6| to assume a slightly inclined position instead of the horizontal position shown in Figure 1. At the same time that the movable .skirtis tilting it will also be moving downwardly and inwardly under control of the rollers and 18. .While the pivotal connection 13 is moving downwardly and inwardly the roller will move first along reversely curved surface 51, then along, the upwardly curved surface 66 until such time as the roundedtip M is about to move off the roller ll. As soon as the tip 64 starts to move off the top of the roller H, the end of the fiat surface (ii is also ready to move oif the roller 16 (line and dash position Fig. 4). Continued movement of therpivotal connection '33 causes the outer surface of flange 42 of the skirt to roll along rollers ill and15 until such time as the trap door-is fullyraised and the angle 52 and flange fi l of the movable skirt have engaged the legs 24 and 28 respectively of the angles adjacent the opening. in the lower tread plate (full line position Fig. 4) In this final position it is seen that the movable tread plate 58 is rigidly supported upon the angles and forms a continuation of the rigid lower tread plate. With the parts in this position the side door may be swung inwardlyoverlapping the step well side wall and passengers may freely enter or leave the vehicle. In closing the step well the side door will first be closed, after. which the trap door will be lowered and during its lowering will through the linkage cause an upward and outwardthrust to be applied at the pivotal connection 13. This upward and outward thrust willcause the movable skirt to first roll along roller 19 then rollers 19 and H together until such time as upwardly curved surface 66 and flat portion 5! assume control. As soon as these portions have assumed control the skirt will move substantially laterally of the vehicle, while at the same time tilting slightly until it has assumed its operative position, after which bolt 32 may he slid downwardly locking the door and skirt together. It is evident from the above description and drawings that the center of gravity of the movable skirt assembly is at a considerable distance outward from the pivotal connection lt and accordingly the assembly tends to rotate outwardly but is prevented by the rollers 1i! and 1! which cooperate with the cam surfaces of the skirt and operating arm to control the movements of the assembly.
Ordinarily the weight of the movable skirt assembly is suiilcient to insure proper movements thereof, but in case an extremely light construction is used it may be advisable to extend the rigid operating arm beyond the pivotal connecsurfaces of the'movable ski rt assembly and the controlling rollers on ,thecar structure.
It is evident from the'preceding description that the movable skirt is moved inwardly or retracted from the car side wall during the first part of its movement, after which it is lowered to the, final positionin which a part thereof, namely, the treadsurface, forms a partof the lower tread of the steps. It will be evident that the movable tread portion 50 may be increased or decreased within reasonable limits to form any desired portion of the lower step tread and it will also be evident that the form oi the cam surfaces onthe rigid operating arm may be changed to cause slightly differing movements of the movable skirt assembly.
While the invention: has been described more orless in detail, it is obvious that variousmodifications and rearrangementslof parts, other than thosementioned above, will be apparent to per sons skilled in the art and allsuch modifications and rearrangements of parts arecontemplated as fall within the scope of the following claims. What is claimed is: a
1. In a vehicle, a body having aside wall, a side door in said side wall, a floor for said body having a cutaway portion opposite said door, a plurality of steps securedto the body in the cutaway-portion to provide a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step having a fixed'tread section and. a removable tread section, saidfixed tread section having an opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread,.and meansto raise-l said removable tread section to an inoperative position in spaced relation tothe fixedtread, saidremovabletread section forming in part closure means for the wall opening beneath said door. v v 1 i 2. In a vehicle, a body havingaside wall, a side doorin said side wall, a floor for said bodyhaving a cutaway portion opposite said door, a plurality of steps secured to the bodyin the cutaway portion to provide a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step having a fixed tread section and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread section tocomplete the tread, said removable tread section being se- {1 cured ,to a movable portion of the side wall adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door, and means connected to said movable portion of the side wall and removable tread section to move the latter to an inoperative position 9 in spaced relation to the fixed tread section and to i move the former substantially into alignment with the side wall. a
3. In a vehicle, a body having a side wall, a side door in said side wall, a floor, for said body having a cutaway portion opposite: said side door, a trap door adapted when closed to cover the cutaway portion and to lie substantially flush with the floor, a plurality of stepssecured to the body-in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to-a lower step having a fixed'tread section and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening thereinadapted' to receive the removable tread section to complete thetread, and means 1r1ovable treadsection forming in part closure means for the wall opening beneath said doors 4. In a vehicle,1a body having a side wall, a side-door inxsaid side wall, a floor for saidbody having a cutaway portion opposite said side door,
aftrap dooradapted whenclosed to cover the cutaway portion and to lie substantially flush with the'floor, a plurality of steps secured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step having a fixed tread section and a removable tread section, said f xed tread section havi g an opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, andjlmeans connecting said removable tread section and trapdoor together for movement in unison, aid removable'tread section forming inpart closure means for the wall opening beneath said door, said meansbeing so constructed and arranged as to cause lowering of the removable during raising of the trap. door to an inoperative positions l '15. In a vehicle, a ,body having a side wall, a sidedoor said side wall, a floor'for said body having acutaway portion opposite said side door, Ta'trap door adapted when closed to cover the cutaway portion'and to lie substantially flush with the floor, a plurality of steps secured to the body in thejcutaway portion thereby providing a flight offlstep'sjleading downwardfrom the floor to a lowerstep having a fixed tread section and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, said removable tread being secured to a movable portion of the side wall adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door, and means connecting said movable wall portion and removabletread section to the trap door for movement in unison but in opposite directions. 1 j 6. In a vehicle, a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an'opening therein at the cut- "away floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of theopening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to position in spaced relation to the fixed tread,
said removable tread section forming in part closure means for thewall opening beneath said .0 H l v ,7 In a vehicle, a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a sidewall having an opening therein at thecutaway floor portion and having a sidedoor closing at least the .upper portion of, theopening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously fromend to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of steps secured-to the body in the cutaway portion therebyproviding a fiight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section secured to the lower chord in the/wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, said removable tread section being secured to a movable portion of the side wall to form a unit adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door, and means connected to said unit so constructed and arranged as to move the unit past the lower chord and portions thereof into substantial alignment with either the side wall or fixed'tread section.
8. In a vehicle, a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of steps secured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section secured to the lower chord in the wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to cover the flight of steps and to lie substantially flush with the floor, and means connecting the trap door and removable tread section, said removable tread section forming in part closure means for the wall opening beneath said door, said means being so constructed and arranged as to cause lowering of the removable tread section to an operative position inward of the lower chord during raising of the trap door to an inoperative position thereby placing the flight'of steps in condition for use.
9. In a vehicle, a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with alower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of steps secured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps lead ing downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section s-ecure-:2 to the lower chord in the wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an openin therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, said removable tread section being secured to a movable portion of the ide wall to form a unit adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door and above the lower chord, a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to'cover the flight of steps and to lie substantially flush with the floor, and means connecting the trap door and unit for movement in unison, said means being so constructed and arranged as to move the unit past the lower chord and portions thereof into substantial alignment with either the side wall or fixed tread section during lowering and raising of the trap door.
10. In a vehicle, a body having a floor with a cutaway'portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of stepssecured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section secured to the lower chord in the wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the tread, a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to cover the flight of steps and to lie substantially flush with the floor, and means connecting the trap door and removabletread section, said removable tread section forming in part closure means for thewall opening beneath said door, said means being so constructed and arranged as to cause lateral inward movement of the removable tread section prior to lowering thereof in order to clear the lower chord during the raising of the trap door to an inoperative position.
'11. In a vehicle,'a body having a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereof, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening, a plurality of steps-secured to the body in the cutaway portion thereby providing a flight of steps leading downward from the floor to a lower step tread, said lower step having a fixed tread section secured to the lower chord in the wall opening and a removable tread section, said fixed tread section having an opening therein inward of the lower chord adapted to receive the removable tread section to complete the'tread, said removable tread section being secured to a movable portion of the side wall to form a unit adapted to close the wall opening beneath the side door and above the lower chord, a trap door hinged to the body and adapted when closed to cover the flight of steps, and means connecting the trap door and unit for movement in unison, said means being so constructed and arranged as to cause movement of the unit laterally inward to clear the lower chord prior to the lowering of the unit, said movement being accomplished during the raising of the trap door to an inoperative position thereby placing the flight of steps in condition for use.
12. In avehicle, a bodyhaving a floor with a cutaway portion intermediate the ends thereoi, a side wall having an opening therein at the cutaway floor portion and having a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, said side wall being constructed with a lower chord extending substantially continuously from end to end thereof and across the wall opening adjacent the lower edge of the opening, a plurality of steps secured to the body in the cutaway portion with the lower step tread secured to the top chord, said lower tread being formed of relatively fixed plates with an opening there'm to receive a removable plate, said removable plate being secured to a removable wall section adapted to close the opening between the lower step tread and side door, said removable wall section normally positioned substantially in the plane of the side wall with the removable tread plate in spaced relation to the fixed tread plate, and means connected to the removable wall section to cause lateral inward movement tim f16'."In a vehicle, a body havingalside walllwith 1 sameprior to the lowering thereof through the opening in the fixed tread plate, said means finally positioningjthe removable tread plate substantially in alignment with the fixed tread plate with the removable wall section projecting therebelow. t
13. In a vehicle, a body having a side wall with an opening therein, a floor positioned above the lower edge" of the" sidewall, a plurality of steps secured to the body and extending from the floor substantially to the lower edge of the side wall at the opening, a side door closing at least the upper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to the side wall and extendling substantially from end to end of the car and across the said opening beneath the lowermost step, a removable wall section normally located in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the side wall for closing the remainder of the opening between the side door and lower chord, and means connected to the removable wall section to move the same to an. out-of-use position inward of and below the lower chord.
14. In a vehicle, a body having a side wall with an opening therein, a floor positioned above the lower edge of theside Wall, a plurality of steps secured to the body and extending from the floor to a lower step substantially at the lower edge of the side wall adjacent the opening, aside door closing the upper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to the side wall andextending substantially from end to end of the car and across the said opening beneath the lower step, a removable wall section normally located in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the side wall for closing the remainder of the opening between the side door and lower chord and blocking access to the steps from the exterior of the vehicle, a trap door normally located in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the floor for blocking access to the steps from the vehicle interior, and means interconnectin'gth e trap door and removable wall section whereby the latter is moved to an out-of-use position inward of and below the lower chord during raising of the trap door to out-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use. i c l5. In a vehicle, abody having a side wall with an opening therein, a floor positioned above the,
lower edge of the side wall, a plurality of steps secured to the body and extending from the floor to a lower step substantially at the lower edge of the side wall adjacent the opening, a side door closing the upper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to the side wall andextending substantially from end to end of the, car and across the said opening beneath the lower step, a removable wall section normally located in, an inno position substantially in alignment with the side w .l for closing the, remainder of the opening between the side door and lower chord and blocking access to thesteps from. the exterior of the vehicle, a trap door normally located in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the floor for blocking access to the steps from the vehicle interior, and means intercom-- nesting the trap door and removable wall section whereby the latter is moved to an- Out-of-use position inward of the lower chord during raising of the trap door to out-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use, said means including a plurality of cam surfaces whereby the removable wall section is moved laterally inward and then lowered through the lower step.
7 opening in the lower step.
an opening therein, a floor positioned above the lower edge of the side wall, a plurality of steps secured to the body and .extendingfrom the floor 1 to a'lower step substantially at the lower edge door closing theupper portion of the opening, a lower chord secured to the side wall and extendingsubstantially from end' to end of the car and across thesaid opening beneath thel'owerstep, a removable wall section normally located in an in-use position substantiallyin alignment with of-use position inward of the lower chord during raising of the trapdoor to out-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use, said means including a plurality of cam surfaces cooperating with body carried cam elements whereby the removable wallsection is moved laterally inward from the side wall and then lowered through an 1'7. In a vehicle, a body having a sidewall with an opening therein, a floor positioned above the lower edge of the side wall, a plurality of 'of ,the side wall adjacent the opening; aside steps secured to the body and extending from the floor, to a lower step substantially at the lower edge of the side wall adjacent the opening, a side door closing the upper portion of the open-,
ing, a lower chord secured to the side wall and,
Y extending substantially from end to end of the car and across the side opening beneath the lower step, a removable wallsection normally located in an in-us'e position substantially in alignment withthe side wall for closing the remainder of the opening between the side door and lower chord and blocking access to the steps from the exterior of the vehicle, a trap door normallylocated in an in-use position substantially in alignment with the floor for blocking access to the steps from the vehicle interior, and means interconnecting the trap door and removable wall secl tionwhereby the latter ismoved to an out-of-use position inwardof the lower chord during raising of the trap door to out-of-use position thereby clearing the steps for use, said means including a plurality of cam surfaces cooperating with body carried cam elements whereby the removable wall section is moved laterally inwardfrom the side wall and then lowered through an opening in the lower step, and said removable wall section having a section of step tread secured thereto adapted to close the opening in the lower stepwhen the removablewall section is fully lowered.
18. In a vehicle, a body having a side wall, a
side door in said side wall, astep well, a flight of steps securedfto the body in said step well Y and having a lower step positioned below and in spaced relation to said door, retractable closure means for closing the side of the step well below said door, said lower step having an opening U therein, a removable tread section secured toland forming part of said closure means and adapted to be received in said opening to complete said lower step, and means for moving said closure means substantially into alignment with said side wall to close the step well, said removable,
tread, section being so formed and arranged as I of steps secured to the body in said step well and having a lower step positioned below and in spaced relation to said door, said lower step having a fixed tread section and a removable tread section, said removable tread section being se- 10 cured to retractable closure means for closing the side of the step well below said door, and
-means for moving said retractable means and removable tread section, said removable tread section being adapted when in one position to form a seal between the retractable closure means and said door and in another position to engage said fixed tread section and cooperate therewith to complete said lower step.
SIGVALD F. UDSTAD.
US205377A 1938-04-30 1938-04-30 Railway car Expired - Lifetime US2190742A (en)

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4175495A (en) * 1976-05-11 1979-11-27 Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg Aktiengesellschaft Entrance step arrangement for a short distance transport vehicle
US6863000B2 (en) 1999-07-08 2005-03-08 Aai Corporation Passenger rail car sliding door with high platform threshold
US20060004971A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-05 Kim Jin-Hyuk Incremental merge methods and memory systems using the same

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4175495A (en) * 1976-05-11 1979-11-27 Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg Aktiengesellschaft Entrance step arrangement for a short distance transport vehicle
US6863000B2 (en) 1999-07-08 2005-03-08 Aai Corporation Passenger rail car sliding door with high platform threshold
US20050076804A1 (en) * 1999-07-08 2005-04-14 Aai Corporation Passenger rail car sliding door with high platform threshold
US20050081743A1 (en) * 1999-07-08 2005-04-21 Aai Corporation Passenger rail car sliding door with high platform threshold
US7025004B2 (en) 1999-07-08 2006-04-11 Aai Corporation Passenger rail car sliding door with high platform threshold
US8028629B2 (en) 1999-07-08 2011-10-04 Aai Corporation Passenger rail car sliding door with high platform threshold
US8413591B2 (en) 1999-07-08 2013-04-09 Aai Corporation Passenger rail car sliding door with high platform threshold
US20060004971A1 (en) * 2004-06-30 2006-01-05 Kim Jin-Hyuk Incremental merge methods and memory systems using the same

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