US2543402A - Threshold plate for railway cars - Google Patents

Description

DOKE 2,543,402

2 Sheets-Sheet l THRESHOLD PLATE FOR RAILWAY CARS Feb. 27, 1951 Filed March 15, 1946 Feb. 27 1951 E. G. DOKE THRESHOLD PLATE FOR RAILWAY CARS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1946 mmmmm Patented Feb. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFlCE THRESHOLD PLATE FOR RAILWAY CARS Ernest G. Hoke, Winnetka, 111., assignor to Mac- Lean-Fogg Lock Nut Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 15, 1946, Serial No. 654,545

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to threshold plates for railway cars, and more particularly to such threshold plates adapted to installation on railway freight cars including those having channel type side sills.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 559,365, filed October 19, 1944, now Patent Number 2,429,182, dated October 14, 1947, and entitled Threshold Plates for Railway Cars.

Variations of structural details of different standard types of railway cars make desirable the provision of threshold plates and installations therefor which are well suited to application and use on those car structures without the necessity of modifications or revisions. In the present instance, the disclosed forms of threshold plates are adapted materially to strengthen the side sill structure of the car at the mid-portion of its span where other reinforcement is minimized because of the door opening.

As one of its aspects, my present invention has for an object the provision of improved threshold plates which may be permanently attached to the side sills of railway cars without alteration of the side sill structures, and which threshold plates are well adapted to use with channel type side sills.

' It is another object of the invention to provide improved threshold plate sectional shapes which, when utilized in conjunction with railway cars having channel type side sills and permanently attached thereto, provide strong tubular reinforcements for the side sill extending across the doorway.

A further object of my invention is to provide threshold plates of the type referred to which have sectional shapes such that they do not overlap or otherwise interfere with the mounting or removal of the floor boards of a railway car to which they are attached.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are two sheets:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical section taken transversely of a standard railway freight car equipped with a threshold plate embodying a preferred form of my invention, the section being taken at the lower portion of the doorway and substantially at the position indicated by line l-l Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the structure depicted in Fig. 1 with parts of the railway car structure shown in section, the section in this instance being taken substantially on the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 1 and illustrating the adaptation of a threshold plate, of the general type shown in Fig. 1, to a standard railway freight car of somewhat diiferent construction;

.Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view showing the adaptation of a modified form of my threshold plate to a railway car structure in which the side sill flange is narrow;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view in which is depicted the adaptation of another modified form of my threshold plate to a railway car structure having a narrow side sill flange and wherein an angle bracket is utilized for the support of the threshold plate;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view wherein I have illustrated a modified form of my threshold plate which is suited to use with car structures having long floor boards and narrow side sill angle flanges; 1

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view depicting a modification of m threshold plate suited to adaptations similar to those of the form shown in Fig; 6, but which does not require removal of the floor boards for the installation of the threshold plate; and

Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, are similar transverse sectional views of further modified forms of my threshold plate wherein they are depicted in their adaptations to cars having side sill flanges of different widths and floor boards of different lengths.

In the exemplary embodiment of my present invention which is depicted in Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown a standard freight car construction which includes a channel type through running side sill 15 which has upper and lower flange portions 16 and I1, respectively, extending inwardly of the car structure from an integral intervening web portion l8. A side doorway 19 for the car is defined longitudinally of the car by opposed and spaced door posts 20 which extend upwardly from positions along the outer surface of the web portion 18 of the side sill I5. A lower door track is provided by a longitudinally extending bracket 22 secured to and projecting outwardly from the outer surface of the side sill. The door opening 19 is closed by a door (not shown) mounted for.

sliding movement longitudinally along the outer surface of the car to a position of abutment with a conventional door stop 23. The side wall and sheathing construction of the car is of a type generally known in railway car construction.

In the embodiment of my invention which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, floor boards 24 opposite the door opening are secured in position against the upper surface of the upper side sill flange 16 by bolted floor board clips 25, which clips have end portions underlying the inner margin of the upper side sill flange I6.

It will be understood as the description progresses that in some instances the inner end portion of the threshold plate is extended inwardly beyond the inner end of the upper flange .of the side sill and the clips 25 which hold the floor boards in place underlie that inwardly extending portion of the threshold plate, rather than the upper flange of the side sill. This form, one embodiment of which is shown in Fig. 4, is adaptable to threshold plates of the type shown in Fig. l, as well as many of. the others which are depicted in the various views of the drawings, and is uti lized where additional support for the ends of the floor boards is desired. In some instances the floor boards adjacent the door opening are covered by a metal floor plate, such as 26.

My improved threshold plate 2'1, in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, includes a top web 28, an inner vertical flange 2:9, and an inwardly and downwardly extending outer flange 38, all of which are desirably formed integrally by the bending of sheet metal stock. In its mounted position, the substantially plane upper surface of the top web 28 is horizontal longitudinally and transversely of the car. The length of the threshold plate is such that it fits between the door posts 20, while its width is such that it overlaps an outer side portion of the side sill and extends outwardly thereof to the outer surface of the door post structure.

To obviate the difficulties-of floor board removal which accompany the overlapping of the floor boards by the inner end portion of a usual type of threshold plate, the vertical inner flange 29 provides a non-overlapping abutment for the end surfaces of the floor boards Ed in addition to supporting the inner edge of the threshold plate from the upper flange E6 of the side sill. When the threshold plate is formed'from sheet stock and theradius of curvature of the inner edge of the top web 28 causes the formation of a crack at the ends of the floor boards, that crack may be filled, as shown at 32 in Fig. l, by suitable material, such as car cement.

.For securing the threshold plate of Figs. 1 and 2 in place, vI prefer a welded seam, such as 33, along the inner edge of the abutting surfaces of the vertical inner flange 29 of the threshold plate and the upper side sill flange it. :Also, the downwardly and inwardly extending outer flange 39 of the threshold :plate is disposed in acute angular relationship to the top web 28 and has an end surface which abuts and is welded'to the outer surface of the side sill web is below the general plane of the upper side sill flange 16, as depicted at 34. To further strengthen and mutually brace the threshold plate and car structures, I prefer to weld the outer end portions of the top web 28 and outer flange 38 to the outer door post structure, as shown at and 36, respectively.

In this and in other illustrative formsof my improved threshold plate shown herein, the welded seams 33 and 34 serve securely to hold and support the threshold plate. The welded seams may be continuous or intermittent to provide joints such that a laterally closed tubular reinforcing structure extends longitudinally of the side sill at the door opening. Such reinforcement is particularly desirable at the door opening because of its usual location near the midportion of the side sill span and because of the lack of other reinforcing structure at the door opening.

Fig. 3 illustrates the adaptation of a threshold plate, of substantially the same type as that shown in Fig. 1, to a freight car structure in which the floor boards extend to positions aligned with the inner surface of the car wall 37. As in the instance of the previously described threshold plate, a threshold plate 38 in Fig. 3 has a top web 39, an inner vertical flange l9 and an outer flange '42 which extends inwardly and downwardly from the outer edge of the top web 39. The end surface of the vertical flange ill rests against the upper side sill flange l5 and the inner end of the outer flange 3.2 abuts the web portion 18 of the side sill. Both flanges of the threshold plate are secured to the side sill by welded seams 43 and M which extend longitudinally along the adjacent surfaces. In addition, the ends of the top web 39 are welded to the door posts by seams, such as 35, and the ends of the outer flange 42 are welded to the door posts by seams, such as 45. When secured in the position described, the top web 39 of the threshold plate is substantially horizontal and practically flush with the floor board surraces.

The vertical inner flange 4c is substantially flush with the inner surface of the carwall and provides a non-overlapping abutment for the, ends of the floor boards 24. As in the instance of the previously described threshold plate assembly, a substantially continuous and tubular reinforcing structure is provided between the door posts by the threshold plate and a corner portion of the channel type side sill.

For the purpose of illustrating the remaining modifications of my present invention, certain portions of the details of the freight car structure have been eliminated from the various views, since they do not-seem essential to the understanding of the use and adaptations of the various threshold plate sections described. It may be understood that the threshold plate in each instance is disposed at the door opening and extends between the door posts of the car. Also, the ends of the top webs and flanges of the threshold plates may be welded to the door post structures of the car if such weld is desirable and if the door posts present metal surfaces which permit such welding.

The form of my threshold p1ate,'which is depicted in Fig. 4, is shown in its adaptation to a car structure in which a side sill "57 of the channel type has a web portion 48 and a relatively narrow upper flange portion E9. A threshold plate 50 includes a top web 52, an inner vertical flange 53, and an inwardly and downwardly extending outer flange 54. Both flanges 53 and 54 rest against the upper surface of the upper side sill flange i9 near the inner and outer edges thereof to support the threshold plate. However, in this instance, and due to the relatively short inward extent of the upper side sill flange 59, the vertical flange 53 of the threshold plate is bent inwardl to provide an inwardly extending horizontal extension 55 for supporting the ends of the floor boards 24. The threshold-plate is secured in position by welded seams 56 and 51 extending longitudinally along the inner and outer edges of the upper side sill flange 49.

Again, the threshold plate, together with a portion of the channel type side sill, forms a tubular reinforcement extending between the door posts.

In order to maintain the flush relationship of the floor boards at the door with the rest of the floor boards of the car, the ends of those floor boards are desirably notched, as at 58, to provide a recess into which the horizontal extension 55 projects. Since the lower surface of the horizontal extension is substantially flush with the lower surface of the floor boards, substantially flat clips 59 are used to secure the floor boards in position. As in the previous forms, the vertical flange 53 provides an abutment for the ends of the floor boards and the upper surface is substantially flush with the horizontal top web of the threshold plate.

In Fig. 5, I have illustrated an adaptation of my threshold plate to a railway car structure in which a channel type side sill 59 has a vertical web portion 62 and a narrow upper flange portion 63, and in which a longitudinally extending support angle 64 is secured to the side sill web so that its upper surface projects outwardly flush with the upper flange. The floor boards, in this instance, normally extend outwardly to or beyond the edge of the angle flange. However, in adapting this car structure to my threshold plate, the flOOr board length is limited to the extent that they overlap the side sill only enough to provide adequate support at their ends. The remainin space above the side sill and supporting angle is covered by the threshold 7 plate.

A threshold plate 65 has a top web 66 and integrally formed inner and outer flanges 67 and 63, respectively. The inner flange 67, as in previously described forms, is substantially vertical and provides an abutment for the ends of threshold plate is firmly secured in position and forms a part of a reinforcing structure of tubular section.

The top web 66 presents a substantially plane upper surface which is horizontally disposed and substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the floor boards 24!. As in the forms disclosed in Figs. 1 and 3, the floor boards are clamped to the marginal portion of the upper side sill flange by bolted clips 25.

The modified form of my threshold plate, which is depicted in Fig. 6, ma be utilized in instances similar to those in which the threshold plate of Fig. 5 is adaptable, except that it does not necessitate the use of the longitudinally extending supporting angle 64. A side sill 12 of the channel type has a vertical web 13 and an integral inwardly extending upper flange portion '74. The floor boards 2 being long, there is only a very small space for the mounting of the threshold plate along the outer edge of the upper side sill flange.

A threshold plate 15 has a horizontally disposed top web 16 and an inner vertical flange H, the lower edge of which rests against the narrow outer edge portion of the upper side sill flange. Thus, as in previous instances, the inner vertical flange provides a non-overlapping abutment for the ends of the floor boards and the horizontal top web is substantially flush with the upper floor board surfaces.

At its outer edge the threshold plate 15 is bent downwardly to provide an inwardly and downwardly extendin outer flan e 18. The latter flange is bent to provide a vertical extension 19 which abuts the outer surface of the side sill web portion 13 and is secured thereto by fastening means, such as rivets 80, although it may be welded along its lower edge to the side sill web portion. The threshold plate is additionally secured to the side sill by a welded seam 82 exteding along the inner surface of the vertical flange 11. In this form the substantially tubular transverse reinforcing section is provided by the threshold plate itself although the edges thereof are secured together through the side sill angle.

In the modified form of my invention, which is depicted in Fig. '7, the structure is quite similar to that shown in Fig. 6 and similar reference numerals refer to like parts. This form, however, permits the mounting of thethreshold plate on a railway car without necessarily requiring the removal of the floor boards.

A threshold plate 83 has a horizontal outwardly, extending top web 84, from the inner edge of which a vertical flange 85 extends downwardly and overlaps the outer side sill web portion 73. It is secured to that web portion by fastening means, such as rivets 89, although it may be welded in place. An inwardly and downwardly extending outer flange 8-3 formed integrally with the outer portion of the top web 84 has an end surface abutting the outer surface of the vertical flange 85. The flanges are secured together to form a closed tubular structure by a welded seam 81. Since the floor boards 24 do not extend to the outer edge of the side sill and the vertical flange of the threshold plate is flush with that outer edge of the side sill, the space between the ends of the floor boards and the vertical flange of the threshold plate is desirably fllled at 88 with a material such as that commonly known as car cement.

The modified form of my threshold plate which is disclosed in Fig. 8, is adapted to mounting upon a side sill structure, such as that illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7, although it is shown in association with floor boards which are somewhat shorter so that they leave a space between their ends and the outer edge of the upper side sill flange portion 14.

A threshold plate 89 has a horizontally disposed top web 90 substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the floor boards 24, and an inner vertical flange 92 depending from the inner edge of the top web to provide an abutment for the ends of the floor boards. Along the outer edge of the top web 90, a downwardly and inwardly extending outer flange 93 includes angularly disposed portions 94 and 95 which, in the particular form disclosed, present a substantially rectangular section. From the inner portion of the outer flange 93 an integral downwardly extending flange portion 96 abuts the outer surface of the side sill web portion I3 and is secured thereto by fastening means, such as rivets 80. The inner vertical flange 92 is secured to the upper side sill flange M by a welded seam 9 t asaeg roe The tubular transverse section, in this form, is provided by portions of both the threshold plate and the side sill. As in theforms of my threshold plates shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the inner vertical flange provides a floor board abutment spaced inwardly of the outer edge of the upper side sill flange portion.

In Fig. 9, I have disclosed a modified form of my invention which is adapted to use on car structures having a relatively wide upper side sill flange. A side sill 98 of the channel type has a vertical web portion 99 and a relatively wide upper flange IE6. The lateral extent of the floor boards is such that room is provided at the outer end of the upper side sill flange'lfifl for the mounting of the threshold plate. In addition, the upper side sill flange provides a support for the outer ends of the floor boards, although such support might be provided by an inner extension of the threshold plate, as shown in Fig. 4.

A. threshold plate I02 has a substantially horizontal top web I03, at the inner edge of which is a depending vertical flange EM. In this form, as in others, the vertical flange I 84 is secured to the upper side sill flange portion I50 by a longitudinally extending welded seam I05 and serves as an abutment for the of the floor boards 24. Along, and depending from its outer edge, a downwardly and inwardly extending outer flange I06 serves as an outer support for the threshold plate. The form of the outer flange I66 might be varied to other shapes, such as that indicated in dot and dash lines at IllC-a. At its inner end the outer flange I33 has a horizontal extension IE3! which rests against the upper surface of the upper side sill flange portion. A longitudinally extending welded seam I88 secures the lower portion of the outer flange I 93 to the outer edge of the upper side sill flange portion I80.

As a variation of the forms of my invention, depicted in Figs. 8, and 9, that shown in Fig. 10 is adapted to use with short floor boards and provides a floor board supporting extension so that it may be used with a side sill having a relatively narrow upper flange. As illustrated, a channel type side sill IE9 has a vertical web portion I It and an inwardly extending upper flange portion i I2.

A threshold plate H3 has a horizontally disposed top web H4, at the edges of which are integral outer and inner vertical flanges HE and I I6, respectively, and which outer vertical flange II5 carries an integral and inwardly extending base portion I I3 adapted to rest against the upper surface of the upper side sill flange portion H2. The extent of the base portion H8 is such that it crosses the end of the inner vertical flange H6 and projects beyond the inner end of the upper side sill flange to provide a'floor board support. At its inner end, the base portion H3 may be stiffened longitudinally by the addition of a downwardly formed edge flange, as indicated in dotted lines at I20.

As an alternative form, the shape of the outer flange H5 may be varied, as indicated in dot and dash lines at Iifia. In either instance, the threshold plate is secured to the side sill by a longitudinally extending welded seam I22 along the outer edge of the upper side sill flange portion II2. Preferably, the inner vertical flange III is secured to the base portion IIS by a welded seam I23 extending along the lower edge of that inner flange.

Like the form shown in Fig. 9, that shown in Fig. 11 is adapted to use in car structures having a relatively wide upper side sill flange and floor boards which are relatively short. A channel type side sill I24 has a vertical web portion I25 and an inwardly extending upper flange portion I26. A threshold plate I21 includes a horizontal top web I28 return bent at its outer edge to provide a projecting lip I29, from the inner edge of which lip a downwardly extending flange I30 overlaps the upper margin of the side sill web portion I25. At the inner edge of the top web I28 is a depending vertical flange I32, the lower portion of which is formed to provide an inwardly projecting horizontal extension I33 providing a floor board support. Welded seams I34 and I35 extending along the lower edge of the downwardly extending flange I30 and along the inner edge of the upper side sill flange portion I26, respectively, serve to secure the threshold plate to the side sill.

In the installation of the various forms of threshold plates disclosed, it is also desirable that the inward extent of the threshold plates shall be such that standard or uniform lengths of floor boards are used throughout the cars upon which they are installed. Thus, with the variations in railway car structures which are encountered, various forms of threshold plates are desirable in different instances to suit the car structures and the desired results of installation.

Thus, in instances such as those depicted in Figs. 1 and '3, in which the door posts project outwardly of the side sill, it is desirable that the threshold plate extend outwardly to the lateral limit of the door posts as well as extending inwardly to provide an abutment for the ends of the floor boards. In such instances the proportions and dimensions of the threshold plate are so related that the outward extent of the threshold plate is greater than the portion thereof which ove'rlaps the side sill. The height of the threshold plate in each instance is desirably such that its upper surfaces are substantially flush with the As has been pointed out with respect to the various forms of my threshold plate, I have provided, in each instance, a threshold plate which not only serves as a non-overlapping abutment for the floor boards, but also permits the use of floor clips such that the floor boards may be removed or replaced without disturbing the threshold plate. As has also been pointed out, each of the disclosed threshold plates provides or serves as a part ofa tubular reinforcing section which extends across the door opening, where such reinforcement is particularly desirable.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A threshold plate for application to a railway car structure including floor boards of pre determined thickness extending laterally of the car between channel type side sills each having upper and lower flange portions extending inwardly of the car from an integral vertical web, and door openings defined longitudinally of the car by-door posts extending vertically from the side sills, and said threshold plate comprising, in combination, a web portion, an integral flange depending from the inner edge of the web portion in substantially right angular relationship thereto and of a height substantially equal to the thickness of the floor boards, and an outer edge flange integral with the web portion and extending inwardly and downwardly therefrom, said web portion of the threshold plate being of a length to fit between said door posts, and also having a width so related to the width and disposition of the outer edge flange that when the inner flange rests against the upper surface of said upper flange of the side sill and the outer edge flange abuts the side sill at a position separated from the inner flange the web portion is horizontally disposed and extends outwardly be yond said vertical Web of the side sill, and said threshold plate when secured to the side sill in the position defined forms therealong a reinforcement of tubular section extending between the door posts.

2. A threshold plate for application to a, railway car structure including floor boards of predetermined thickness extending laterally of the car between channel type side sills each having upper and lower flange portions extending inwardly of the car from an integral vertical web, and door openings defined longiiudinally of the car by door posts extending vertically from the side sills, and said theshold plate comprising, in combination, a web portion, an integral flange depending from the inner edge of the web portion in substantially right angular relationship thereto and of a height substantially equal to the thickness of the floor boards, and an outer edge flange integral with the web portion and having angularly disposed portions extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom, said web portion of the threshold plate being of a length to extend across said door opening between said door posts, the width of said web portion of the threshold plate and the width and extent of said outer edge flange being such that with the depending inner flange abutting the upper surface of the upper flange of the side sill the outer edge flange abuts the web of the side sill when the web of the threshold plate is substantially horizontal, said threshold plate and side sill when secured together in the position defined forming a reinforcement of tubular section across the door opening.

3. The combination with a railway car structure including floor boards of predetermined thickness extending laterally of the car between channel type side sills which each have upper flange portions extending laterally of the car from an integral vertical web, and door openings defined longitudinally of the car by door posts extending vertically with respect to the side sills, of a threshold plate along the side sill from one door post to the other and comprising a horizontal top web substantially flush with the top of the floor boards and overlying a portion of said upper flange, said top web extending outwardly beyond the web portion of the side sill and having along its outer edge a flange pcrtion extending angularly, downwardly and inwardly therefrom, and a vertical flange depending from the inner edge of said top web and providing support means through which the inner edge of the threshold plate is supported from the upper flange portion of the side sill, said vertical flange also providing an abutment for the ends of the floor boards, said outer flange portion of the threshold plate providing means through which the outer edge of the threshold plate is supported, and said top web, vertical flange and outer flange portion of the threshold plate forming parts of a single and laterally open tubular reinforcing structure for the side sill between the door posts.

4. The combination with a railway car structure including floor boards of predetermined thickness extending laterally of the car between channel type side sills which each have upper and lower flange portions extending inwardly of the car from an integral vertical web, and door openings defined longitudinally Of the car by door posts extending vertically from the side sills, on a theshold plate along the side sill from one door post to the other and comprising a horizontal top web substantially flush with the top of the floor boards and overlying a portion of said upper flange, said top web extending outwardly beyond the web portion of the side sill and having along its outer edge a flanged portion extending downwardly and inwardly, and a vertical flange depending from the inner edge of said top web and providing support means through which the inner edge of the threshold plate is supported from the upper flange portion of the side sill, said vertical flange also providing an abutment for the ends of the floor boards and having thereon an integral horizontal flange projecting inwardly of the upper flange portion of the side sill to provide a support for the ends of floor boards, said outer flange portion of the threshold plate providing support means through which the outer edge thereof is supported from a portion of the side sill, separated laterally of the side sill from said vertical flange, and said top web, vertical flange and outer flange portion of the threshold plate forming parts of a tubular reinforcing structure for the side sill between the door posts.

ERNEST G. DOKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Greenwell et al. Sept. 29, 1942

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