US3190238A - Hatch cover for railway cars - Google Patents

Description

June 22, 1965 J. CARNEY. JR.. EIAL HATCH COVER FOR RAILWAY CARS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 19, 1963 w. a l4 VIM/E g FIG.7.

INVENTORS. JOHN L. CARNEY JR.

BERNARD ATRdMPETER AGENT June 22 1965 NEY, JR; ErIAL 3,190,238

A HATCH COVER FOR RAILWAY CARS QN NM u 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' United States. Patent 3,190,238 HATCH COVER FOR RAILWAY CARS John L. Carney, Jr., St. Louis, and Bernard A. Trompeter,

OFallon, Mo., assignors to ACE Industries Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed June 19, 1963, Set. No. 289,005 12 Claims. (Cl. 105-377).

This invention relates to hatch covers for openings in the roofs of railway cars and particularly to such hatch covers which are moved toward and away from elongate hatch openings in a direction generally transversely of the car.

Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of a hatch cover and associated hatch opening which will permitthe loading of a railway car in a continuous uninterrupted operation without the shut-off or stopping of the loading means until the car-is filled or loaded; the provision of such a hatch cover and associated hatch opening in which the hatch opening may be easily uncovered and the car filled in a mannerto utilize the maximum amount ofspace within the car and to minimize pyramiding of the loaded material; the provision of such a hatch cover which maybe moved transversely of the car between open and closed positions with a minimum of force being applied to the hatch cover; and the provision of such a hatch cover and associated opening which is simple in operation and economical in construction.

In general, the above objects are accomplished by an elongate hatch cover positioned over an elongate hatch opening in the roof of a railway car and mounted in guideways extending generally transversely of the car for movement between open and closed positions relative to the hatch opening. More specifically, anti-friction means secured to the hatch cover move back and forth in the guideways when the hatch cover is opened and closed, thereby to permit such opening and closing with a minimum of eflort. Other objects of this invention may be in partapparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings; in whichseveral possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a railway car in accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a plurality of elognate hatch covers Ring mounted over a plurality of elongate hatch openings spaced longitudinally along the roof of a hopper car; FIGURE 2 is a partial plan of URE 1, an intermediate hatch cover being shown in open position permitting access to the hatch opening;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken 'in which a removable stop is illustrated for stopping and retaining the hatch cover in its fully open position; and.

FIGURE 7 is a plan of an additional embodiment of 1 this invention in which a single elongate hatch cover is .j. illustrated extending substantiallythe length of the car.

Referringnow to the drawings, a hopper car generally designated C has a tubular tank-shaped body B supported for the hatch cover.

the railway car of FIG- generally along line 3--3 of FIGURE 2, the broken line :1

3,199,238 Patented June 22, 1965 adjacent each end on trucks T. Body B comprises a cylindrical tank shell L supported on side sills S. Shell L acts as a longitudinal beam and eliminates the necessity of a center sill, thereby to provide a smooth clean bore interior within shell L for facilitating the unloading and cleaning of the hopper car. It is to be understood that suitable bottom discharge openings (not shown) are provided for unloading the contents of the car.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 2 and 3, the roof of the hopper car is indicated at 10. Bulkheads or transverse partitions 12 separate the car into separate compartments and each compartment has a separate elongate hatch opening 14 through the roof of the car and arranged centrally of the width of the car. Surrounding the hatch openings 14 and mounted on roof 10 is a horizontal platform 16 forming a running board for the car. Platform 16 has a rectangular opening 18-extending longitudinally along the roof of the 'car to permit access to hatch openings 14. Supporting platform16 are struts 20 welded to shell L at their lower ends.

' Surrounding each hatch opening 14 along its perimeter is a frame 22 welded to the adjacent edge 24 of shell L which defines hatch opening 14. 'Each hatch frame 22 extends upwardly from its respective opening 14 and has an outturned curved upper flange 26 forming a substantially horizontal seat for a hatch cover generally designated 28. Anintermediate hatch cover 28 and associated hatch' opening 14 are of a length greater than the length of end hatch covers28 and associatedhatch openings 14. Each hatch cover 28 and associated opening 14 is elongate in shape and is substantially identical except for dimenslons.

. Each hatch cover 28 comprises a generally fiat body plate 30 having an integral downturned circumferential flange 32. A resilient gasket 34 is secured to the underside of plate 30 and is adapted to seat in sealing relation on flange 26 when the hatch cover is closed.' Mounted at intervals along the length of each hatch cover 28 are downwardly opening channels 36 constituting cover supports extending transversely of the car as well as stifieners The outer ends of channels 36 are slotted at 37 (FIGURE 3). Clip angles 38 (see FIGURE 4) connect roller brackets or arms 40 to channels 36 Roller-arms 40 extend outwardly from each channel 36 and downwardly from the adjacent flange 32 of hatch cover 28. H

Mounted on a roller axle 41 fixed through the extending end of each roller arm 40 is a pair of upper rollers 42,

-struts 52 are secured at their lower ends to support angle 56. It is noted that the upper surface of platform 16 and the upper surface of channels 48 are in substantially the same horizontal plane.

Aslot 58 extends longitudinally along the upper side "of box channel 48 and receives roller arm 40 for back and forth movement upon the opening and closing of hatch cover 28. The dimensions of box channel 48 are such that the distance between the upper and lower inner surfaces are sufliciently greater than the diameter of rollers 42 and 46 to permit rollers 42 to contact the upper inner surface and rollers 46 to contact the lower inner surface, the hatch cover 28 clearing hatch frame 22 as indicated by the intermediate broken line position of hatch cover SI 28 illustrated in FIGURE 3 when rollers 42 and 46are so positioned and the cover is moved between open and closed positions. This arrangement allows hatch cover 28 to be supported by rollers 42, 46 within box channels 48 during movement between open and closed. positions,

channels 48 constituting guideways for thehatch cover.

A downturned fl-angetl. at the outer end of each channel 48 constitutes a stop for rollers .42 as illustrated by the outer broken line position of hatch cover 28 in FIGURE 3,.rollers 42 abutting flange 69 in the fully opened position of-the hatch cover. Retaining hatohcover 28 in its outer end position against stop 60'is a slot or recess 61 receiving rollers 42. Rollers 42'are, easily remouedfrom recess61 V by a slight upward tilting of the hatch cover. For re moval of hatch cover 28, an, outer end. portion of the lower side of channel 48 is cutaway as indicated at 62. Upon tilting of hatch cover 28 upwardlyrollers 42' and 46 will drop out of cutaway portions 62. At the innerend of each channel'48, a recess-64 receives rollers 42 as illus: trated in the-solid line position ofha-tch cover 28 in FIG-' URE 3." This permits the hatch cover to tilt downward to seat on hatch frame 22. Box channels 48 and roller arm assemblies (for-med by roller arm'40 and rollers 42, f

46) constitute guideways and associated guides for the hatch cover.

Forsecuring hatch cover 28in closed position, hand Wheels 66 are spaced at intervals along the length of each cover 28. Each hand wheel has a hub 68 internally threaded and receiving an externally threaded swing bolt 70. The lower end of bolt 70 is bifurcated to form-yoke arms 72. Bracket 74 secured to the car fits between arms 72 and a bolt .76 extending through suitable openings mounts swing bolt 70 for pivotalv swinging movement to- Ward and away from hatch coverfl28. Slot .37 in 'channel 36 is adapted to receive bolt 70 in the secured position of the hatch cover with hand wheel 66drawn tight against the upper surface ofthe'associated channel- 36;

The operation isas follows:.Beginning with thehatch cover in closed position,'hand wheels are loosened and swing along with swing bolts 70 awayfrom ithehatch cover, as indicated in brokenlines in FIGURE 3. Then, the hatch cover is lifted or tilted'slightly from the edge adjacent the hand wheelsto remove rollers 42-15mm recess'es 64. 'In this position, the. hatch cover is pushed transversely of the car 'to move rollers 42,,46 along the guideways formed by box channels 48; When. stop60 is engaged by rollers 42, the hatch cover is in its fully opened position, rollers 42 being received in recesses61. To return hatch cover 28 to closed'position, the cover istilted slightly toremove rollers 42 from slots 61, then the cover 7 is pulled transversely of the car until rollers 42 are received byrecesses 64 permit-ting hatch cover 28 to tilt downward into engagement with hatch frame 22. Swing bolts 70 are next moved Within slots -37 and hand wheels 66 are drawn tight against channels 36 to secure the hatch cover. It is to be understood that the number of hand wheels will normally depend on the length of the cover.

roof and hatch opening for loading the car. 'Also, it is to be understood that two hatch covers maybeemployed Referring to FIGURE7, a single elongate hatch cover 28A on a railway car is illustrated as an embodiment of this invention and extends substantially the length; of the car. Hatch cover 28A is mounted similarly to hatch covers ,28 illustrated in FIGURES 1-5. It is to be under- While the hatch cover is illustrated on a hopper cantit may be employed on any desired type of freight car having a I 4 stood that any desired number of hatch covers maybe positioned along the length of the railway car. a

- i In view of the above, it will be seen'that the several 7 objects-of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

" As various'changes could be made in the above con- "structions without departing from the scope of the .inven-.

tion, it is intended that all matter'contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1. In a railway hopper car, a' roof covering the hopper car, an elongated hatch opening extending lengthwise longitudinally of. the car, a hatch frame surrounding the hatchtopening an elongate hatch cover over the hatch opening slidable transversely of the car between open and closed positions, said hatch cover being seated on the hatclii frame in thelclosed position and being removed from the hatch opening in the open position to permit access. to the hatch opening, an arm secured adjacent onelfside,

of'therelongate hatch cover and extending laterally from the hatch cover over the adjacent roof transversely of the car, a guideway mounted on the roof and extending trans-f versely of the car generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm, anti-friction means on the extending end of the arm engaging the guideway for sliding movement back and forthtransvrselyof the. car upon openingand closing of the cover, and releasable means tosecure the hatch cover in closed position onto the hatch frame and to release the hatch cover from the hatch frame for sliding movement transversely of the car.

2.In a railway car asset fOI IiLlII claim 1,;said guideway comprising a box-shaped channel member havi san upwardly opening slot receiving the arm for movement of therhatch cover back and forth, the anti-friction means i on the extending end of the arm comprising a rollerfit-y ting within the box-shaped channel.

3. ha railway'hopper car, a roof covering the hopper, car, an elongate hatch opening extending lengthwise l'ongitudinally of the car, an elongate hatch cover over the hatch opening slid able. transversely of the car between openand closed positions, guidemeans securedto one side of thev elongated hatch'cover extending outwardly'and downwardly from said one side, a su'pport for the guide means secured to the roof and extending transversely of the oar, and rreleasa ble means to secure the hatch coverv a in closed position and to release the hatch cover for slid: ing movement along the support transversely of the car-'1 to open position, the supportmounting the guide m eansand hatch cover for back and forth sliding movement transversely of the car;

4. In a railway hopper car as set forth in claim 3, said 5 guide means comprising an arm secured tothehatch cover and at least one roller mounted for rotation on the extending end of said arm, saidsupport comprising a box-shaped channel extending transversely of the car and having an.

upper slot therein receiving the arm, the roller fittingwithin the channel for rotation upon back and forth movement of the hatch cover between open and closed positions.

5xArailway hopper car having a roof covering. the.

hopper car, an elongate hatch opening extending length- .wise longitudinally of the car, 'ahatch framesurroundin'g the hatch opening, an elongate hat-ch cover over the hatch opening having at least a pair of arms extending outwardly and downwardly'from one side thereof, a pair of rollers mounted on each of the arms and offsettfirom eachother,

a guideway for the rollers secured to the roof andreceiv 7 mg the rollers for movement back and forthtransversely of the car, said guideway having an upper roller suppor-t surface and a lower roller support surface, .one'of the rollers contacting the upper support surfiace and the other roller contact-ing the lower. support surface for supporting the hatch cover when moved between open and closed position, the cover, being cantilevered from'the arms and biasing the rollers into engagement-with the respective support surfaces upon movement between opened and closed positions relative to the hatch opening, and releasable means adjacent the other opposite side of the cover to secure the cover in closed position. a V

6. The railway hopper car as defined in claim 5 wherein a stop adjacent each end of the guideway limits the movement of the cover transversely of the car.

7. The railway hopper car as defined in claim 5 wherein said hatch cover has an outwardly opening slot on the side thereof opposite said one side, the releasable means being a swing bolt pivotally mounted adjacent the opposite side of the cover for movement between a position received within the slot and a position removed from the slot, an end of the bolt projecting from the cover when the bolt is received within the slot, and means on the projecting end of the bolt adapted to be drawn tight against the adjacent surface of the hatch cover when the bolt is within the slot thereby to secure the hatch cover in a closed position. a

8. The railway hopper car as defined in claim 5 wherein means are disposed at the opened position of the hatch cover and at the closed position of the hatch cover to retain the hatch cover in such positions, the hatch cover being removed from the opened and closed retained positions thereof by til-ting in a generally vertical plane extending transversely of the car,

9. A railway hopper car having a roof covering the hopper car, an elongate hatch opening extending lengthwise longitudinally of the car for substantially the entire length thereof, a hatch frame surrounding the hatch opening, an elongate hatch cover over the hatch opening and adapted to be seated on the hatch frame in a closed position, at least a pair of roller arms secured to one side of the hatch cover, a pair of rollers mounted on each of the arms and being offset from each other, a generally box-shaped channel adjacent each arm extending transversely of the car and in transverse alignment with the associated arm for receiving the rollers, each box-shaped channel-being slotted to receive the associated arm, one of the rollers engaging the bottom of the channel and the other roller engaging the top of the channel for supporting the cover for back and forth movement, a stop adjacent each end of each channel to limit the movement of the rollers and hatch cover, the channels being arranged to permit a limited pivoting movement of the hatch cover and rollers in a generally vertical plane when the hatch cover is positioned over the hatch frame at its closed position thereby to provide a clearance between the hatch cover and hatch frame when the hatch cover is moved to open position, and releasable means to secure the hatch cover in closed position.

10. In a hatch cover assembly adapted to be mounted on the roof of a railway hopper'car, an elongate hatch cover having a pair of roller arms secured to one side thereof and extending outwardly from said one side, a pair of rollers mounted on each of the arms and being offset from each other, a generally box-shaped channel adjacent each arm and in alignment with an associated arm for receiving the rollers therein, each box-shaped channel being slotted longitudinally to receive its associated arm, one of the rollers of each pair engaging the bottom of the channel and the other roller engaging the top of the channel for supporting the cover for back and forth movement, and a stop adjacent each end of each channel to limit the movement of the hatch cover.

11. In a railway hopper car, a roof covering the hopper car, an elongate hatch opening extending lengthwise longitudinally of the car, an elongate hatch cover over the hatch opening adapted to move transversely of the car between open and closed positions, a guide on one side of the elongate hatch cover extending outwardly and downwardly from said one side, a fixed guideway for the guide mounted on the roof and extending transversely of the car to support the guide and hatch cover for back and forth movement transversely of the car, said guide comprising an arm secured to the hatch cover and a pair of rollers on the arm ofiest vertically from each other, said guideway receiving the rollers and having upper and lower surfaces engaging and guiding the movement of the rollers, one of the rollers engagingthe upper 7 surface and the other roller engaging the lower surface,

the weight of the cover exerting a torque on said arm when supported by the arm and associated rollers for a movement back and forth in the guideway, and releasable means to secure the hatch cover in closed position and to release the hatch cover for movement transversely of the car to open position. 7

12. In a railway hopper car, a roof covering the hopper car and having an elongate hatch opening therein, an elongate hatch cover over the hatch opening and slidable relative to the car between open and closed positions in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the opening, a pair of spaced generally parallel arms mounted on one side of the elongate hatch cover and extending outwardly and downwardly from said one side, a separate support for each arm secured to the roof and extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said elongate hatch cover, separate means carried by each arm engaging the associated support at spaced apart positions and mounting the arms and hatch cover for sliding movement along the supports between open and closed positions, the cover being cantilevered by said arms and moving over the supports when moved between closed and open positions, and releasable means to secure the hatch cover in closed position and to release the hatch cover for sliding movement along the supports to open position,

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 401,758 4/89 Reade 29646 2,006,760 7/35 Francket al 50l4 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A RAILWAY HOPPER CAR, A ROOF COVERING THE HOPPER CAR, AN ELONGATED HATCH OPENING EXTENDING LENGTHWISE LONGITUDINALLY OF THE CAR, HATCH FRAME SURRONDING THE HATCH OPENING, AN ELONGATE HATCH COVER OVER THE HATCH OPENING SLIDABLE TRANSVERSELY OF TH E CAR BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, SAID HATCH COVER BEING SEEATED ON THE HATCH FRAME IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND BEING REMOVED FROM THE HATCH OPENING IN THE OPEN POSITION TO PERMIT ACCESS TO THE HATCH OPENING, AN ARM SECURED ADJACENT ON SIDE OF THE ELONGATE HATCH COVER AND EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM THE HATCH COVER OVER THE ADJACENT ROOF TRANSVERSELY OF THE CAR, A GUIDEWAY MOUNTED ON THE ROOF AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF THE CAR GENERALLY PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE ARM, ANTI-FRICTION MEANS ON THE EXTENDING END OF THE ARM ENGAGING THE GUIDEWAY FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT BACK AND FORTH TRANSVERSELY OF THE CAR UPON OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE COVER, AND RELEASABLE MEANS TO SECURE THE HATCH COVER IN CLOSED POSITION ONTO THE HATCH FRAME AND TO RELEASE THE HATCH COVER FROM THE HATCH FRAME FOR SLIDING MOVEMENT TRANSVERSELY OF THE CAR.

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