US3520257A - Telescopic car covers - Google Patents

Description

July 14; 179 R. EJAMES TELESCOPIC cm covms 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 15, 196'? njvsmoa Roberf E James a H slouch A TTOR NEY July 14, 1970 R. E. JAMES TELESCOPIC CAR COVERS 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 15, 1967 INVENTOR Roberf E. James W J. H. SLOUGH ATTORNEY July 14, N76 R. E. JAMES 3,529,257

TELESCOPIC CAR COVERS Filed March 15, 1967 a Sheets-Sheet s u M N l WW II I] i I I II. |l|||| j ATTORN M 114; mm K R. E. JAMES 3,520,251

TELESCOPIC CAR COVERS Filed March 15, 1967 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTO R Robe/v idam's BY WW H. SLOUGH A T7'OR/VE Y July 14, 1970 R. E. JAMES TELBSCOPIC CAR COVERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 15. 1967 H 5 Z w m o- N e W m m MM July 14, 1970 R. E. JAMES 'I'ELESCOPIC CAR COVERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 15, 1967 f 'lko 1.....!

.Fufiy M, R. E. JAMES TELESCQPIC CAR COVERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 15, 196'? m T N E V m Robe/f E. James J, H. 5/. ou H ,4 77'7'OR Y United States Patent Office 3,520,257 Patented July 14, 1970 3,520,257 TELESCOPIC CAR COVERS Robert E. James, Parma Heights, Ohio, assignor to The Shunk Manufacturing Company, Inc., Bucyrus, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Mar. 15, 1967, Ser. No. 623,452 Int. Cl. B61d 39/00 US. Cl. 105--377 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A telescoping hood structure for a railroad car in which the hood structure comprises a plurality of sections capable of being telescoped relative to each other. The sections have wheels and are mounted upon tracks for movement lengthwise of the car, and means are disclosed for locking the endmost section and for preventing any section from moving lengthwise when the endmost sections are so locked.

My invention relates to improvements in railway car covers and relates more particularly to improvements in sectioned sliding covers or hoods therefor.

An object of my invention is to provide a railway car cover or hood for gondola type cars, fiatcars and opentop cars, special construction cars, etc. wherein longitudinal sections of the cover or hood and sides are adapted to be slidably moved, selectively and easily, to expose any desired portion or end of the car for loading or unloading.

Another object of my invention is to provide a railway car cover or hood of the type referred to which may be readily moved manually with but a minimum of effort and which may be safely secured in a desired position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a railway car cover or hood of the type referred to which will have all sections thereof weather-sealed.

A further object of my invention is the provision of improvements in stop means adapted to limit the sliding movement of various cover or hood sections relative to other sections.

A still further object of my invention is to provide maximum loading space by the provision of an improved sectioned cover or hood and the relative positioning of the sections thereof.

Yet a further object of my invention is to provide a railway car cover or hood of the type referred to which will be composed of but few parts, inexpensive to manufacture, and highly efficient in use.

Still further objects of my invention and the invention itself will become more readily apparent from a perview of the appended description, in which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a gondola type railway car constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, the sliding sectional cover or hood of the invention being shown in closed position, certain underlying portions being shown in dotted lines;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, similar to that of FIG. 1, but showing sections of the cover or hood in telescoped position at one end of the car, the remainder of the car being exposed for loading or unloading;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the car and cover or hood of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken from the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing end views of the overlapped cover sections;

FIG. 5 is a section taken along the line 55 of FIG. 3 showing the overlapped sections of the cover or hood in the fully extended position of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, showing the sections of the cover or hood in the retracted position of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of a locking device adapted to be employed in my invention;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned end view of the device of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a fiatcar constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the sliding sectional cover or hood being shown in closed position;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 9, but showing sections of the cover or hood in telescoped position at one end of the car, the remainder of the car being exposed for loading or unloading;

FIG. 11 is a transverse section taken along the line 1111 of FIG. 10;

"FIG. 12 is an enlarged sectional detail taken along the line 1212 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a still further enlarged, longitudinal section taken along the line 1313 showing the overlapped sections of the cover or hood;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the flatcar as seen from the left-hand end of FIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the flatcar as seen from the right-hand end of FIG. 9;

FIG. 16 is a horizontal section, substantially enlarged, taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 14 showing a top view of a locking mechanism; and

FIG. 17 is a front view of the locking mechanism of FIG. 16.

Referring now to the drawings, in all of which like parts are designated by like reference characters, and referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive, a railroad car generally designated at 10 and shown in these figures is of the open gondola type used in the rail shipment of large coils or rolls of sheet metal. The car is provided with side walls 20, end walls 21, a platform base 30 and a hood structure 31.

The hood structure 31, with which the present invention is concerned, comprises five slidably telescoping, transversely arched hood like sections, preferably made of steel, and respectively designated 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. The two end sections 11 and 15 and adjacent sections 12 and 14 respectively are, as shown, the same length, and the central or intermediate section 13 is, as shown, substantially twice the length of the said other cover sections. The hood structure is adapted to open, as will be hereinafter more fully described, to expose two-thirds of the car, if necessary. It can also, as described, open to expose one-third of the car, and either end of the car can be exposed, as desired. The end sections 11 and 15 of the hood are provided with devices 16, best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, wherefore either or both ends of the hood section may be locked to prevent movement thereof.

Each of the sides 20 of the car 10 is provided with an L-shaped or I-shaped reinforcing member or beam 17 surmounted by a base plate 17a welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto to which three rail supports are mounted: an outermost rail support 18a, an intermediate rail support 18b, and an inner rail support 18c, said rails supports 18a, 18b, 18c, carry vertical rails 19a, 19b, and 19c, respectively. Said vertical rails extend the length of the car 10 and support double flanged roller bearing wheels 24 mounted on depending brackets 25 and 25' of the hood structure sections 11-15.

It might be observed that the hood sections 11 and 15 are of the same and relatively greatest height, that the sections 12 and 14 are of the same heighth, relatively less than the heighth of the sections 11 and 15, and that the central section of greatest length, i.e. the section 13, is relatively of least height whereby the said hood sections may be slidably telescoped and/or disposed in abutting engagement as shown in the various figures of drawings. Both end sections may be locked in their end position or only one locked in such position, and the other moved in abutting engagement therewith. The remaining sections, as for example, section 12 and 14 and/ or 13 may be disposed within either or both end sections when the same are in abutting or telescoped relation, as shown in FIG. 2. It will be understood that sections 11 and 15 are adapted to telescope over sections 12, 13 and 14, and that sections 12 and 14 may abut and telescope over section 13.

Adjacent the end sections 11 and 15, when these are locked in their end positions, are positioned stationary end bulkheads 32 which extend into close proximity with end walls 21 of the car, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, and said bulkheads 32 are secured as by welding or providing other suitable fastening means to secure purlin angle bars 33 to the upper edges of the ends of the car. Bracing angle bars 32 support the said end bulkheads 32. At the uppermost edges of the bulkheads 32, an L- shaped purlin angle bar 34 acts as stop and weather sealing means for the end sections 11 and 15 of the cover, each said angle bar having a horizontal flange 34 overlapping the outermost ends of said end sections.

The hood sections 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are generally of skeletal frame construction substantially identical in form except for the sizes of the different sections. As best shown in FIG. 4, the smallest scetion 13 comprises a plurality of transversely disposed, longitudinally spaced rib weldments 35 (FIG. 1) of generally inverted angle-shaped form. Each weldment 35 comprises upwardly converging, angle-shaped struts 36 mounted at their lower ends upon the wheel carrying brackets and joined at the upper ends thereof by a horizontal brace 37. Gussets 38 reinforce the juncture between the struts 36 and the brace 37, and gussets 39 reinforce the mounting of said struts to the brackets 25. The struts 36 and brace 37 are further provided with generally angle-shaped reinforcement members 36 intermediate the ends thereof. A floor plate or catwalk 40 is carried on the upper surfaces of the horizontal braces 37 and forms a closure at the top of the section 13. Sheet side plates 41 are carried on the outer surfaces of the struts 36, and L-shaped side covers 42 are carried on the outer side surfaces of the brackets 25 and extend below and under the rail 18c to additionally provide safety means to prevent the section 13 from leaving its track.

The hood structure sections 14 and 15 are constructed of parts corresponding to those described in connection with section 13, said sections 14 and 15 having rib weldments a and 35b, respectively (FIG. 1) comprising upwardly converging side struts 36a and 36b, horizontal upper braces 37a and 37b, upper reinforcing gussets 38a and 38b, lower reinforcing gussets 39a and 39b, upper catwalk covers 40a and 40b, side plates 41a and 41b, side covers 42a and 42b, and reinforcement, angle-shaped members 36a and 36b intermediate the ends of the struts and horizontal braces. The lowermost ends of the rib weldments 35a and 35b are mounted upon wheel carrying brackets 25.

It will be understood that the hood section 12 is composed of the same parts as the hood section 14 and that the hood section 11 is likewise composed of parts identical with the hood section 15 wherefore said hood sections 11 and 12 will not be herein described in detail.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 5 of the drawings, the rib weldment 35b of each of the sections 11 and 15 which is disposed outwardly adjacent to an end bulkhead 32 is provided with a horizontally directed, channel-shaped extension 43 which extends along both of the struts 36b and across the horizontal brace 37b. The channel extensions 43 are adapted to abut the angle bar 34 of the bulkhead 32 with and under a flange 34' of said angle bar, which said flange extends up the converging sides and across the top of said end bulkhead. The innermost end weldments 35b of the end sections 11 and 15 carry downwardly and laterally inwardly directed flanges 44 which are adapted to overlap the edges of backwardly turned flanges 45 carried by the adjacent end rib weldment 35a of the section 12 or 14, respectively. The adjacent end weldment 35a carries a channeled extension 46 which projects into the section 11 or 15 and carries an angle-shaped member 47 having the aforesaid flange 45 for abutting the flange 44.

The center hood structure section 13 carries channel extensions 48 at either end thereof, said channel extensions 48 being similar to the channel extensions 46 and having angled-shaped members 49 which include backwardly turned flanges 50. The inner or centrally directed ends of the sections 12 and 14 are, in turn, provided with downwardly and laterally inwardly directed flanges 51 like the flanges 44, said flanges 51 downwardly and inwardly overlapping the ends of the backwardly turned flanges 50.

From the foregoing it will be readily appreciated that in the fully extended position, portions of the larger sections 11 and 15 overlap and interengage portions of the relatively smaller sections 12 and 14 in such manner as to prevent rain, dust, or other foreign elements from entering into the hood and that a similar overlapping arrangement is provided between said sections 12 and 14 and the relatively smaller section 13. It will also be observed that when the largest sections 11 and 15 are in the position of FIG. 1 adjacent to the end bulkheads 32, and if secured in such position, none of the sections 12, 13 and 14 can move longitudinally along the rails since the section 13 is held captive by the interengaging flanges 50 and 51 and the sections 12 and 14 are similarly held with respect to the sections 11 and 15 by the interengaging flanges 44 and 45. Thus it is not necessary to lock each section separately in use of the hood of this invention, but is only necessary to lock the largest sections 11 and 15 in order to secure all sections against movement in use of the hood structure 31.

Locking devices for securing the end sections 11 and 15 are provided on both sides of both of said sections and are all identical in form and operation wherefore only one such locking device will be described. Referring particularly to FIGS. 7 and 8, each said locking device comprises an elongated latch 53 pivoted at one end upon a shaft 54 carried by a housing 55 mounted to a side wall 20 of the railroad car 10. Each said latch 53 is directed away from the adjacent end bulkhead 32, the distal end thereof being provided with a tapered hook 56 adapted to engage a depending catch member 57 carried by one of the end sections 11 or 15. The latch 53 also has a depending arm 58 disposed adjacent to the shaft 54 and adapted to engage spring means 59 which biases the tapered hook 56 downwardly in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 7.

An eccentric cam 60 is pivotally mounted upon a shaft 61 below an intermediate portion of the elonagted latch 53, said shaft 61 also carrying a handle 62. When the handle 62 is directed downwardly, the latch 53 rests upon the low point of the cam 60 and is maintained in a substantially horizontal position, whereby when the associ ated end section is moved toward the adjacent bulkhead 32, the tapered hook 56 can enter the catch member 57 and snap over the edge of a bottom, horizontal wall 57a thereof. It will be noted that at the entrance end of the catch 57, said bottom wall 57a is provided with a bevel 57b to facilitate the entrance of the tapered hook 56. To disengage the end sections 11 and 15 to allow sliding movement thereof, the handle 62 of each locking device 16 is rotated upwardly whereby the high point of the cam 60 is brought against the latch 53 to pivot the same upwardly as shown in broken lines in FIG. 7. This raises the tapered book 56 above the bottom wall 57a of the catch member 57 thereby releasing the sections. After the end section 11 or 15 is moved away from the locking devices 16, the handle is then rotated downwardly to its full line position whereby said locking device is in a position to automatically engage the associated hood structure section when said section is again moved toward the end of the car 10.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that in the present invention, according to the first embodiment thereof, a pair of relatively short, intermediate sec tions 12 and 14 of the hood structure are adapted to be separately overlapped by separate end sections 11 and 15, said end sections being approximately the same length as said intermediate sections; and that said intermediate sections are adapted to overlap a relatively longer middle section which, when exposed within an end section and one of said intermediate sections, is adapted to project outwardly therefrom; this projecting portion is then adapted, in turn, to be overlapped by a second of said intermediate sections and the opposite end sections, as shown in FIG. 6. It will be readily understood that the telescoped hood structure 31 in its most compact condition may be disposed in the middle one-third of the car thereby leaving the end thirds open or exposed for loading and unloading.

Referring now to the second embodiment of the invention and particularly to FIGS. 9 and 10, a railroad car generally designated at 70 is of the type generally referred to as a fiatcar. The fiatcar 70 of FIGS. 9 and differs from the gondola type railroad car shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that said car 70 has only a flat bed 71 and no side or end Walls of its own.

The fiatcar 70 carries a hood structure generally indicated at 72 which comprises three slidably telescoping, hood-like sections made of steel or the like and designated by the numerals 73, 74, and 75. Each said section extends slightly more than one-third of the length of the car 70 and said sections are stepped in size for telescoping within each other with the section 73 being the largest section, the section 74 being the intermediate size section, and the section 75 being the smallest section. As in the first embodiment, the hood structure 72 is adapted to open to expose as much as two-thirds of the car, if necessary, by telescoping all sections together i.e., telescoping section 75 into section 74 and telescoping both sections 74 and 75 into section 73. In the fully closed position of FIG. 9, the left-hand end of the large section 73 .is adapted to abut an end bulkhead 76 and the small section 75 is adapted to abut an end bulkhead 77. FIG. 10 illustrates the manner in which all of the sections are telescoped together to their most compact form and position adjacent to the end bulkhead 77 thereby exposing substantially two-thirds of the fiatcar 70 for loading and unloading. It will be obvious that the positioning may be reversed, all sections being moved to the opposite end bulkhead 76.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, the fiatcar 70 is provided with parallel, laterally spaced supporting I-beams 78 each of which has a laterally outwardly directed extension 78a welded or otherwise suitably secured thereto to which three rails are mounted, an outermost rail 80a, an intermediate rail 80b, and an innermost rail 80c. Said rails 80a, 80b, and 800 are generally U-shaped in section, the webs 79a, 79b, 79c respectively, thereof being disposed vertically and the flanges 81a, 81b, and 810 thereof projecting laterally outwardly with respect to the centerline of the car 70. The lowermost flanges 81a, 81b and 81c are preferably welded to the extensions 78a, and the uppermost of said flanges extend the full length of the fiatcar 70 and support roller bearing wheels 83 mounted on longiutdinally extending, tubular frame members 84 of the hood structure sections 73-75. Said frame members 84 include depending extensions 82 which are disposed on either side of each rail to maintain the wheels 83 against lateral movement off the said rails.

The small section 75 comprises a plurality of transversely disposed, longitudinally spaced ri-b weldments '85 (FIG. 9), each said weldment comprising vertical supports 86 projecting upwardly from and secured to the frame members 84, upwardly converging struts 87 connected at their lower ends to the upper ends of said vertical supports 86, and horizontal brace 88 connected across the upper ends of said converging struts 87. The rib weldments 85, other than the endmost rib weldment 85 normally disposed adjacent to the end bulkhead 77, are further provided with diagonal braces 89 (FIG. 11). The outer surfaces of the converging stmcts 87 and the horizontal braces 88 support a shett covering 90, and over the inner surfaces of the vertical supports '86 there are provided sheet plates 91 (FIG. 9) whereby the section is completely enclosed. It will be further noted that side covers 92, similar in purpose to the side covers 42 of the first embodiment, are provided on the outersides of all of the tubular members 84 whereby the covering of all of the sections is effective to a point below the upper flanges 81a, 81b, and 81a of the rails a, 80b, and 80c, respectively.

Hood section 75 is also provided with outer bracing 65 at the end thereof adjacent to the end bulkhead 77 '(FIGS. 9 and 11). Said outer bracing comprises vertical struts 66 which project upwardly as extensions of the adjacent endmost vertical supports 86, the upper ends thereof being connected to horizontal braces 67 which are extensions of the adjacent horizontal braces '88. Triangular gussets 68 are disposed at the corners formed by the juncture between the struts 66 and the braces 67.

The hood structure sections 74 and 73 are constructed in substantially the same manner as the section 75, said sections 74 and 73 comprises rib weldments 85a and 85b (FIG. 9) having vertical supports 86a and 86b, upwardly converging struts 87a and 87b, and horizontal upper braces 88a and 8812, respectively. The rib weldment 85a of the section 74 which is disposed at the end of said section facing the end bulkhead 76 is also provided with diagonal braces 89a similar to the diagonal braces 89*. The outer surfaces of the upwardly converging struts 87a and 87b and the horizontal braces 88s and 88b support sheet coverings 90a and 90b, responsively (FIG. 9). Sheet plates 91a are provided over the innermost surfaces of the vertical supports 86a, and sheet plates 9112 are provided over the vertical supports 86b.

Hood section 74 is provided with outer bracing 65a at the end thereof disposed adjacent to section 75, said bracing 65a comprising vertical struts 66a, horizontal braces 67a, and reinforcing gussets 68b. All of the outer bracing serves to strengthen the associated hood sections and also aids in the manipulation thereof as will herein after become apparent.

FIG. 13 shows in detail the manner in which the sections overlap and are made substantially weatherproof. The end bulkheads 76 and 77 are provided with peripheral angle shaped members 94 having flanges 95 projecting inwardly of the car 70. The endmost rib weldment 85b of the section 73 facing the end bulkhead 76, and the endmost weldment 85 of the section 75 facing the end bulkhead 77, are preferably made of box members, and the flanges 95 are so positioned as to be spaced slightly inwardly from the inner surfaces of said box members. Vertical flanges 95a of the members 94 carry resilient sealing lips 96 disposed in a vertical plane and projecting upwardly and laterally inwardly whereby the sides of the said sealing lips abut and seal against the boxlike framework of said end weldments disposed adjacent to said end bulkheads. Therefore, when the sections 73 and 75 are moved against the end bulkheads 76 and 77, respectively, with the box members of the endmost rib weldments 86b and 85 disposed closely adjacent to said end bulkheads, the sealing lips 96 abut the outwardly directed surfaces of said end weldments to provide a weather seal around the edges of said end bulkheads.

The end of the intermediate section 74 which faces the end bulkhead 77 is provided with an inturned lip 97 carried by the adjacent endmost rib weldment 85a and connected thereto by angled support brackets 98. The inner end rib weldment '85 of the small section 75 projects slightly into the intermediate section 74 and carries a radially outwardly projecting stop portion 99 which is generally an inverted L-shaped and affords a vertical face 100 adapted to abut the inner face of the inturned lip 97. In a similar manner, the end weldment 85b of the large section 73 which faces in the direction of the end bulkhead 77 has an inturned lip 101 carried by support brackets 102 and adapted to abut a vertical face 104 of a stop portion 103 carried by the adjacent end of the intermediate section 74. From the foregoing, it will be readily seen that when the end sections 73 and 75 are locked in the position shown in FIG. 9, the intermediate section 74 is held captively in place, the inturned lip 97 and the stop portion 99, preventing it from rolling in a left-hand direction, as illustrated, and the inturned lip 101 and the stop 103 preventing it from rolling in a righthand direction. Therefore, as in the first embodiment of the invention, only the end sections need to be locked in place to secure all of the sections against rolling during use.

The means for locking the sections 73 and 75 t the end bulkheads 76 and 77, respectively, is best understood by referring to FIGS. 16 and 17. Said last mentioned figures illustrate a locking device 105 which is used in connection with bulkhead 76 and is identical in form and function with a similar lock 105 provided at the end bulkhead 77 (FIG. 11) with the exception of obvious adjustments in size due to the fact that the end bulkhead 77 is smaller than the end bulkhead 76 (see FIGS. 14 and 15).

The locking device 105 comprises a lever 106 suitably pivoted intermediate the ends thereof to the wall of the end bulkhead 76 by means of a short shaft 107. Elongated, horizontally disposed bars 108a and 108b are pivotally connected at upwardly and downwardly angled end portions thereof to upper and lower ends of the lever 106 by suitable pins 106a and 106b, respectively. The arms 108a and 108k project in opposite directions through suitable openings in frame members 109 and supporting guides 109a and are provided with horizontally disposed connector members 110a and 11% which are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the outer ends thereof. The end bulkhead 76 carries mounting brackets 125a and 125b which are disposed adjacent to the outer ends of said arms 108a and 108]), respectively, and pairs of C-shaped latch members are pivoted to said mounting brackets at one end of said latch members for pivoting in a horizontal plane whereby the distal ends thereof can be pivoted laterally outwardly into outwardly formed pockets 112a and 11211 in the side wall of the adjacent end of the large section 73. The pockets 112a and 112b are provided with wear plates 113a and 1131), respectively, against which end surfaces 127a and 127b of the latch members 111a and 111k are adapted to abut to hold the section 73 snugly against the end bulkhead 76. The latch members 111a and 111b are pivoted intermediate their pivoted and distal ends to the connector members 110a and 110b, respectively, by pivot pins 128a and 12% whereby lateral reciprocating motion of the arms 108a and 108b causes said latch members to pivot into and out of the pockets 112a and 1121) against and away from the wear plates 113a and 113i). Horizontal centering members 129a and 12912 are carried by the pockets 112a and 112b, respectively, which said members are so positioned that each pair of latch members 111a and 111b is disposed with one of the pair above the level of said centering members and one therebelow. Said centering members prevent vertical movement of the end sections and assist in guiding said end sections into contact with the end bulkhead.

The shaft 107 carries a handle 114 having a hand grip 114a which said handle and grip are disposed on the outside of the end bulkhead 76 whereby the lever 106 can 8 be rotated from the dotted line position in FIG. 17 in a clockwise direction as seen in that figure to retract the latch members 111a and 111k and release the end section 73 for movement lengthwise of the car 70. In the locked position, the handle 114 is pivoted downwardly to a substantially horizontal position and is retained in said position by a generally pie-shaped retainer 116 which is pivoted about a small shaft 117 above the level of said handle. The shaft 117 is positioned near the apex of the pie-shaped retainer 116 and so positioned that when the retainer hangs generally downwardly, it retains the handle 114 in the horizontal or locked position. For this purpose, the outer edge 116a is made in the form of a cam which cams the handle 114 downwardly thereby forcing the latch members 111a and 111b tightly into the pockets 112a and 112b, respectively, and against the wear plates 113a and 11315. The further the retainer is pivoted downwardly the more tightly it looks the section 73 to the end bulkhead 76.

Pivoting the retainer 116 upwardly away from the handle 114 frees the handle whereby it can be raised manually to unlock the section 73, said handle being adapted to be held in the released position by propping it against the cam surface or edge 116a in the manner shown in dotdash lines in FIG. 17.

An angle-shaped stop 130 carried by the end bulkhead 76 is disposed adjacent to said retainer allowing said retainer to pivot only far enough upwardly to allow clearance for pivoting the handle 114. The stop 130 prevents the retainer from being pivoted counterclockwise a sufficient distance to swing away from the handle 114 and assures that the major portion of its mass is disposed toward the right-hand side of its pivot shaft 117, as shown in FIG. 17, whereby said retainer will always tend to fall toward said handle.

When the hood section 73 is unlocked, it is then free to be moved along the rails 80a in the direction of the end bulkhead 77. Referring now to FIG. 11, it will be noted that the gussets 68b of the outer bracing 65b of section 73 overlap the corners of the outer bracing 65a of section 74 and that the gussets 68a of said Outer bracing 65a overlap the corners of the outer bracing 65 of section 75. Therefore, when section 73 is moved to the right as illustrated in FIG. 9, outer bracing 65 will abut outer bracing 65a and cause section 74 to move to the right also. If section is not closely adjacent to the end bulkhead 77, outer bracing 65a will abut outer bracing 65 and cause section 75 to move toward said bulkhead 77.

It will be readily apparent that the outer bracing works in the reverse direction whereby if the section 75 is moved to the left, the succeeding sections will be carried along with it until all sections are disposed at the left-hand end of the car 70. The sections may be moved manually by grasping vertical hand rails 123, 123a and 1231) of the sections 75, 74, and 73, respectively, or by mechanical means such as hooking an overhead crane to one of the outer bracings of the section.

It will be further noted with respect to FIG. 16 that the end bulkhead 76 is provided with a suitable horizontal hand rail 119 and a laterally outwardly directed vertical hand rail 120. FIG. 15 illustrates the manner in which the end bulkhead 77 is similarly provided with a horizontal hand rail 121 and a vertical hand rail 122.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention, in either embodiment thereof, provides a hood structure adaptable for mounting on a railroad car of either the gondola type or the fiatcar type wherein a plurality of telescoping hood sections provide top and side protections for cargo carried by the railroad car. It will be further seen that these sections can be moved at a single level or in a single plane to a compact condition wherein substantially two-thirds of the car is uncovered for loading or unloading or to a fully extended position wherein the entire car is completely closed and the cargo protected against weather, or other damaging elements.

In either case, all of the sections involved can be retained against sliding movement by locking of the end sections only with respect to the end bulkheads or the car, Further, the hood structure of this invention provides not only a roof covering but also extends along the sides of the car thereby becoming, in effect, a telescoping portion of the car body itself.

Although I have described the present invention in connection with two embodiments thereof, I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made therefrom without however departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A telescoping hood structure for a railroad car comprising a plurality of hood sections each of which is movable lengthwise of said car at a constant level throughout the movement thereof; each said section having means extending transversely of said car and enclosing the top and sides of said car; said hood structure including end sections of like size adapted to be positioned adjacent to the ends of said car when said hood structure is in closed position; a pair of intermediate hood sections of like size disposed inwardly from the ends of said car, said intermediate sections being telescopic with respect to said end sections; a middle hood section disposed generally between said intermediate sections; said sections having an aggregate length enclosing the entire car in closed position; said middle section extending substantially one-third of the length of said car and each pair of said intermediate and end sections, in end-to-end position, respectively, extending substantially one-third of the length of said car whereby all of said sections can be moved to an overlapped, open position whereby substantially two-thirds of said car is uncovered for loading and unloading, said end sections being relatively the largest of said sections in transverse section; said intermediate sections being smaller than said end sections in transverse section and adapted to telescope within said end sections; and said middle section being relatively the smallest of said sections in transverse section and adapted to telescope within said intermediate sections.

2. A telescoping hood structure for a railroad car comprising a plurality of hood sections each of which is movable lengthwise of said car at a constant level throughout the movement thereof; each said section having means extending transversely of said car and enclosing the top and substantial portions of the sides of said car; said hood structure including end sections of like size adapted to be positioned adjacent to the ends of said car when said hood structure is in closed position; a pair of intermediate hood sections of like size disposed inwardly from the ends of said car, said intermediate sections being telescopic with respect to said end sections; a middle hood section disposed generally between said intermediate sections and being telescopic with respect to said intermediate sections; said sections having an aggregate length enclosing the entire car in closed position; said middle section extending substantially one-third of the length of said car and each pair of said intermediate and end sections, in end-to-end position, respectively, ex-

tending substantially one-third of the length of said can whereby all of said sections can be moved to an overlapped, open position whereby substantially two-thirds of said car is uncovered for loading and unloading thereof, said end sections being relatively the largest of said sections in transverse section; said intermediate sections being smaller than said end sections in transverse section and adapted to telescope within said end sections; and middle section being relatively the smallest of said sections in transverse section and adapted to telescope within said intermediate sections, each end of each said section which projects into another section having a flange directed backwardly toward the section to which it is attached and disposed outwardly beyond said section; and each end of each said section which projects over another section having a flange directed inwardly in overlapping relation to said first mentioned flange whereby said telescoped sections are retained against lengthwise disengagement from each other, said means for securing said end sections comprising at least one elongated latch member pivotally mounted with respect to the railroad car; a catch member carried by at least one said end section having a catch portion; said latch member having a tapered hook portion adapted to engage said catch member by hooking over said catch portion when said one end section is moved adjacent to an end of the railroad car; an end bulkhead carried by the car for stopping endwise movement to said one end section; means biasing said latch member into engagement with said catch member; and means for moving said latch member out of engagement with said catch member.

3. A telescoping hood structure for a railroad car comprising a plurality of hood sections each of which is movable lengthwise of said car at a constant level throughout the movement thereof; each said section having means extending transversely of said car and enclosing the top and substantial portions of the sides of said car; said hood structure including first and second end sections adapted to be positioned adjacent to the ends of said car when said hood structure is in closed position; an intermediate section disposed substantially between said end sections, said intermediate section being telescoped within said first end section and telescoped over said second end section; said sections having an aggregate length enclosing the entire car in closed position; each said section extending substantially one-third of the length of said car whereby all of said sections can be moved to an overlapped, open position whereby substantially twothirds of said car'is uncovered for loading and unloading thereof, said intermediate section having means interengaging with means carried by said end sections whereby adjacent sections remain partially telescoped in said closed position to provide continuous cover throughout the length of said car and holding said intermediate section against lengthwise movement in closed position; and means for securing said end section adjacent to the ends of said car whereby all of said sections are secured against lengthwise movement in said closed position, said sections having outer bracing means projecting outwardly from an end of each said section; the bracing means of said second end section being carried at the end thereof disposed adjacent to its associated end of the railroad car, and the bracing means of said other sections; said bracing means of said first end section overlapping the bracing means of said intermediate section transversely of said hood structure, and said bracing means of said intermediate section overlapping the bracing means of said second end section transversely of said hood structure whereby when said first end section is moved toward said second end section, said bracing means of said first end section engages the bracing means of said intermediate section and causes said intermediate section to move over said second end section.

4. A telescoping hood structure for a railroad car comprising a plurality of hood sections each of which is movable lengthwise of said car at a constant level throughout the movement thereof; each said section having means extending transversely of said car and enclosing the top and substantial portions of the sides of said car; said hood structure including first and second end sections adapted to be positioned adjacent to the ends of said car when said hood structure is in closed position; an intermediate section disposed substantially between said end sections, said intermediate section being telescoped within said first end section and telescoped over said second end section; said sections having an aggregate length enclosing the entire car in closed position; each said section extending substantially one-third of the length of said car whereby all of said sections can be moved to an overlapped, open position whereby substantially two-thirds of said car is uncovered for loading and unloading thereof, said intermediate section having means interengaging with means carried by said end sections whereby adjacent sections remain partially telescoped in said closed position to provide continuous cover throughout the length of said car and holding said intermediate section against lengthwise movement in closed position; and means for securing said end section adjacent to the ends of said car whereby all of said sections are secured against lengthwise movement in said closed position, said hood structure including at least one end bulkhead carried adjacent to an end of the railroad car against which said one end section abuts in closed position; said means for securing said end sections comprising at least one locking device carried by said one said end bulkhead, said locking device having laterally projecting arms projecting toward the side edges of said one end bulkhead; latch members pivotally mounted adjacent to said side edges of said one end bulkhead by a first pivot means for pivoting laterally outwardly in the direction of said side edges; a second pivot means pivotally displaced relative to said first pivot means; means for projecting said arms laterally whereby said latch members are pivoted in the direction of said side edges; said one end section having means defining opening therein adapted to receive said latch members to lock said one end section in closed position.

5. A telescoping hood structure for a railroad car comprising a plurality of hood sections each of which is movable lengthwise of said car at a constant level throughout the movement thereof; each said section having means extending transversely of said car and enclosing the top and substantial portions of the sides of said car; said hood structure including first and second end sections adapted to be positioned adjacent to the ends of said car when said hood structure is in closed position; an intermediate section disposed substantially between said end sections, said intermediate section being telescoped within said first end section and telescoped over said second end section; said sections having an aggregate length enclosing the entire car in closed position; each said section extending substantially one-third of the length of said car whereby all of said sections can be moved to an overlapped, open position whereby substantially two-thirds of said car is uncovered for loading and unloading thereof, said intermediate section having means interengaging with means carried by said end sections whereby adjacent sections remain partially telescoped in said closed position to provide continuous 'cover throughout the length of said car and holding said intermediate section against lengthwise movement in closed position; and means for securing said end section adjacent to the ends of said car whereby all of said sections are secured against lengthwise movement in said closed position, said hood structure including at least one end bulkhead carried adjacent to an end of the railroad car against which said one end section abuts in closed position; said means for securing said end sections comprising at least one locking device carried by said one said end bulkhead, said locking device having laterally projecting arms projecting toward the side edges of said one end bulkhead; latch members pivotally mounted adjacent to said side edges of said one end bulkhead by a first pivot means for pivoting laterally outwardly in the direction of said side edges; a second pivot means pivotally connecting said arms to said latch members at a point radially displaced relative to said first pivot means; means for projecting said arms laterally whereby said latch members are pivoted in the direction of said side edges; said one end section having means defining opening therein adapted to receive said latch members to lock said one end section in closed position, said first pivot means having vertical axes whereby said latch members pivot in a horizontal plane; one end of each said latch member being mounted upon one first pivot means and one of second pivot means being disposed intermediate the ends of each said latch member; said latch members having distal end portions adapted to pivot into said openings.

6. A telescoping hood structure as set forth in claim 5: said latch members being generally C-shaped and said distal end portions being adapted to engage said pockets in locked position whereby said one end section is held against said one end bulkhead.

7. A telescoping hood structure as set forth in claim 5: said means for projecting said arms comprising a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said one end bulkhead; means pivotally connecting inner ends of said arms to respective ends of said lever whereby pivoting of said lever causes endwise movement of said arms; a handle mounted rigidly with respect to said lever for pivoting said lever and pivotably to a generally horizontal position for moving said latch members into a locked position; a retainer member having off-center pivot means pivotally mounting it to said end bulkhead above said handle in locked position whereby the major portion of said retainer member hangs downwardly over said handle; said retainer member having a lower edge portion in its depending position adapted to abut said handle and hold said locking device in locked position.

'8. A telescoping hood structure as set forth in claim 7: said lower edge portion 'being in the form of a cam whereby said handle is cammed downwardly into locked position.

9. A telescoping hood structure as set forth in claim 8: a stop member carried by said one end bulkhead in the path of movement of said retainer member limiting pivotal movement of said retainer member away from said handle whereby said retainer member always tends to pivot downwardly toward said handle by force of gravity.

10. A locking device for an end bulkhead member for securing side edges of a movable enclosure member thereto, said locking device comprising laterally projecting arms projecting toward the side edges of the bulkhead member; C-shaped latch members pivotally mounted at one of the ends of said latch members adjacent to the side edges of the bulkhead member by a first pivot means; said first pivot means having generally vertical axes whereby said latch members pivot in generally horizontal planes; a second pivot means pivotally connecting said arms to said latch members at points radially displaced relative to said first pivot means; means for projecting said arms laterally whereby distal end portions of said latch members are pivoted outwardly in the direction of said side edges; said enclosure having means defining openings therein adapted to receive the distal end portions of said latch members to lock said enclosure member against said bulkhead member.

11. A locking device as set forth in claim 10: said means for projecting said arms comprising a lever pivoted intermediate its ends to said bulkhead member; means pivotally connecting inner ends of said arms to respective ends of said lever whereby pivoting of said lever causes endwise movement of said arms; a handle mounted rigidly with respect to said lever for pivoting said lever and pivotable to a generally horizontal position for moving said latch members into a locked position; a retainer member having off-center pivot means pivotally mounting it to said bulkhead member above said handle in locked position whereby the major portion of said retainer member hangs downwardly over said handle; said retainer member having a lower edge portion in its depending position adapted to abut said handle and hold locking device in locked position.

12. A locking device as set forth in claim 11: said lower edge portion being in the form of a cam whereby said handle is cammed downwardly into locked position.

13. A locking device as set forth in claim 12: a stop member carried by said bulkhead member in the path of movement of said retainer member limiting pivotal movement of said retainer member away from said handle 1 3 whereby said retainer member always tends to pivot down- 1,015,146 1/ 1912 Davis et a1 105-377 wardly toward said handle by force of gravity. 1,099,361 6/1914 Hartland 105377 1,258,314 3/1918 Bruce 105377 References Cited 5 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 337,831 3/1886- Good et a1. 105377 571,577 11/1896 Richards 105-377 R. A. BERTSCH, Assistant Examiner

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