US3588181A

US3588181A - End cap and locking mechanism for pneumatic discharge arrangement

Info

Publication number: US3588181A
Application number: US846106A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ernest J Nagy
Original assignee: Pullman Inc
Current assignee: PULLMAN LEASING Co A DE CORP; Pullman Inc
Priority date: 1969-07-30
Filing date: 1969-07-30
Publication date: 1971-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-28

Abstract

A PNEUMATIC DISCHARGE OUTLET FOR THE HOPPER OF A RAILWAY CAR COMPRISES A CUP-SHAPED CAP ADAPTED TO FIT OVER THE END OF A PNEUMATIC TUBE FOR CLOSING THE SAME. A RAIL-SHAPED MEMBER IS HINGEDLY CONNECTED ADJACENT THE END OF THE PNEUMATIC TUBE AND HAS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED THERETO THE CAP WHICH IN THE CLOSED POSITION IS IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH A GASKET SUPPORTED ON A FLANGE CONNECTED TO THE PNEUMATIC TUBE ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF. A LOCKING ARRANGMENT IS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE FLANGE OF THE PNEUMATIC TUBE AND IS ADAPTED

TO ENGAGE END PORTIONS OF THE BAIL-SHAPED MEMBER TO LOCK THE SAME IN THE CLOSED POSITION AND ALSO TO EXERT A PRESSURE ON THE CAP WHICH WILL COMPRESS THE GASKET TO PROVIDE FOR EFFECTIVE SEALING BETWEEN THE CAP AND THE END OF THE PNEUMATIC TUBE. THE LOCKING MECHANISM INCLUDES A MANUALLY ACTUATED CAMMING ELEMENT OPERABLE OPERABLE TO EXERT PRESSURE FOR EFFECTIVELY SEALING THE CAP RELATIVE TO THE END OF THE PNEUMATIC TUBE.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor Ernest J. Nagy Munster, Ind.

[2l] Appl. No. 846,106

[22] Filed July 30, 1969 [45] Patented June 28, 1971 [73] Assignee Pullman Incorporated Chicago, Ill.

[54] END CAP AND LOCKING MECHANISM FOR PNEUMATIC DISCHARGE ARRANGEMENT 6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 302/52, 220/57 [5l] Int. Cl 865g 53/40 [50] Field of Search 302/52; 292/259, 256; 220/57, 55.7;160/(Inquired); 49/(Inquired) [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,l08,238 2/1938 Strelow 292/259 Primary ExaminerAndres I-l. Nielsen Attorneys-Hilmond O. Vogel and Wayne Morris Russell ABSTRACT: A pneumatic discharge outlet for the hopper of a railway car comprises a cupshaped cap adapted to fit over the end of a pneumatic tube for closing the same. A bailshaped member is hingedly connected adjacent the end of the pneumatic tube and has pivotally connected thereto the cap which in the closed position is in sealing engagement with a gasket supported on a flange connected to the pneumatic tube adjacent one end thereof. A locking arrangement is pivotally connected to the flange of the pneumatic tube and is adapted to engage end portions of the bail-shaped member to lock the same in the closed position and also to exert a pressure on the cap which will compress the gasket to provide for effective sealing between the cap and the end of the pneumatic tube. The locking mechanism includes a manually actuated camming element operable to exert pressure for effectively sealing the cap relative to the end of the pneumatic tube.

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26 f VA m1 I NVE NTOR ERNEST J. NAGY AZ /Q VW ATT 'X END CAP ANI) LOCKING MECHANISM FOR PNEUMATIC DISCHARGE ARRANGEMENT SUMMARY In pneumatic discharge arrangements for hoppers a pneumatic tube conventionally extends transversely underneath a railway hopper car. The tube is provided with opposite open ends which are normally closed by means of conventional cupshaped end caps supported on bail-shaped members hingedly supported adjacent the ends of the pneumatic tube so that closure cap can be moved between open and closed positions. It is particularly important that the end caps effectively perform their sealing function so as to prevent the contamination and loss of comminuted materials during transit of the hopper car.

The present invention provides an improved mechanism for locking the end cap over the end of the pneumatic tube and to exert a positive pressure against a resilient gasket provided on the circumferentially extending flange disposed in proximity adjacent the end of the pneumatic tube. The mechanism includes a rotatable cam which has a camming surface urging the bail-shaped member to maintain the cap in effective sealing engagement. The camming arrangement also provides effective locking means so that the bail-shaped member is in a locked and closed position achieving effective sealing required for over-the-rail operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevational view of a portion of a railway hopper having at its lower end a pneumatic discharge arrangement;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view, with portions broken away disclosing means for looking a closure cap in its closed position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view taken substantially along the line 5-5 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view of an end portion of a pneumatic duct and sealing cap therefor, taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The lower portion of a hopper structure 10 is disclosed in FIG. 1. The hopper structure 10 comprises a plurality of sloping walls 11 which are suitably supported on a rectangular frame 12 in turn suitably supported underneath a conventional railway hopper car (not shown). The structure 10 is provided at its lower end with a pan 13 which, as shown in FIG. 1, is provided with a chamber 14 adapted to receive and discharge material by pneumatic means from the hopper structure 10. The pan 13 includes a tubular conduit 15 which is open on opposite sides and is adapted to be connected to a suitable pneumatic system whereby material within the hopper may be discharged and conveyed through a pneumatic conveying system. The tubular conduit 15 is provided adjacent its open end with a gasket 17. Only one side of the tubular conduit 15 and related structure is disclosed since the sides are symmetrical. The gasket 17 of resilient construction, such as rubber, plastic, etc., is suitably bonded to the circumferential flange 16. As best shown in FIG. 2, and as indicated at 18, the end of the tubular conduit 15 is open.

A closure cap and lock mechanism is generally designated at 19 and comprises a cup-shaped cap 20 including a cylindrical wall 21 and an end wall 22. The end of the cylindrical wall 21 is provided with a peripheral flange 23 adapted, as best shown in FIG. 2, to be seated against the gasket 17 in the closed position of the cap 20. The cap 20, as shown in FIG. 4, is provided with opposite outwardly extending hinge members 24 which cooperate with the bail-shaped member generally designated at 25. The bail-shaped member 25 comprises a pair of arms 26 straddling the cap 20, said arms 26 including converging portions 27 which are connected to parallel end portions 28. The arms 26, as shown in FIG. 4, are provided with openings 29 which are engaged by the hinge members 24 to permit limited swiveling movement of the cap 20 relative to the arms 26. As best shown in FIG. 6, pins 30 extend through ends of arms 26, are rigidly connected thereto and are also welded to links 31. A collar 24' acts as a spacer between the cap 20 and the lower arm 26 to support the cap thereon for relative swiveling movement. Elements 31' also overlap portions of the arms 26 and links 31, as best shown in FIG. 6, in relative welded relation to provide a rigid L-shaped connection between the links 31 and the arms 26.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, hinge members 32 are rigidly secured to the circumferential flange 16 encircling the tubular conduit 15. As best shown in FIG. 4, the flange 16 has its outer edges of relative rectangular configuration. Each hinge member 32 has connected thereto washers 33 in relative spaced relation. The washers 33 are suitably welded to the hinge members 32 and disposed therebetween are the links 31 which are pivotal relative to the hinge members 32 which extend through bores 34 provided in said links 31.

As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, a crossmember 35 is suitably connected to the ends of the parallel end portions 28 of the bail-shaped member 25. A locking bail is generally designated at 36 and includes a pair of parallel arms 37 which are hingedly mounted on hinge pins 38 suitably supported by a plate 39 on the circumferential flange 16. As best shown in FIG. 7, the lower ends of the arms 37 have connected thereto in parallel and spaced relation a pair of plates 40 which rotatably support therebetween a cylindrical cam 41 having a cam surface 42. The cam 41 is rotatable on a pivot pin 43 suitably carried on the spaced plates 40. The cam 41 also includes a bore 44 which has fixed therein a pin 45 adapted, as shown in FIG. 7, to engage the inner surface 46 of one of the crossmembers 35. The cam 41, as best shown in FIG. 4, includes an arm 47 to which a tab 48 is connected. As best shown in FIG. 5, one of the plates 40 is provided with an opening 49 adapted to register with a similar opening (not shown) in the arm 47 within which a suitable car seal may be inserted which prevents hinging movement of the arm 47 and rotation of the cam 41 thus maintaining the cap 20 in the locked position shown in FIG. 2.

THE OPERATION When the railway car has reached its destination, end caps 20 are removed and one end of the tubular conduit 13 is connected to a suitable pneumatic discharge arrangement for withdrawing materials from the hopper 10. To move the cap 20 to the open position the car seal is removed from the openings and the operator then manually grasps the tab 48 moving the arm 47 in a direction outwardly from the pan l3 whereupon the camming surface 42 is disengaged from the crossmember 35 and the pin 45 is disengaged from the edge 46 of the member 35 whereupon the bail-shaped member 36, as best shown in FIG. 7, may be pivoted outwardly and the bail-shaped member 25 carrying the cap 20 may be moved to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2. In this position the tubular conduit has its open end available for connection to a suitable pneumatic discharge arrangement. After the discharge of material has been effected the cap 20 is returned to its closed position, shown in FIG. 2, and the bail-shaped member 36 is moved into position straddling the end portions 28 whereupon rotation of the cam M is again effected and the camming surface 42 applies a pressure forcing the ends 28 toward the pan 13, in turn causing the flange 23 of the cap 20 to engage the gasket 17 in tight sealing relation. When the pin is in the position shown in FIG. 7 against the surface 46 hinging movement of the bail 36 is prevented and the cap 20 is securely locked in position whereupon a suitable car seal again may be inserted.

An effective end-cap-sealing arrangement and locking means therefore has been disclosed and described.

I claim: 1. A closure mechanism for the pneumatic duct of a hopper discharge arrangement comprising:

a cup-shaped cap in the closed position being in nested rela tion over the open end ofa tubular portion of said duct, means hingedly connecting said cap to said duct including a bail having a pair of arms straddling said cap,

means on said cap and arms providing for swiveling movement of said cap relative to said bail,

a transverse member connecting end portions of said arms,

a locking assembly including a pair of transversely spaced straps hingedly connected to said duct and being hingedly movable to a locked position straddling the end portions of said arms,

a bracket connecting said straps, and

camming means rotatably mounted on said bracket, said camming means being movable into camming relation with said transverse member to maintain said cap in a closed and locked position.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1,

said transverse member including one side engaged by said camming means in said camming relation, and a projecting member on said camming means engaging a second side of said transverse member.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2,

said bracket comprising a pair of parallel supports between which said camming means is mounted.

4B. The invention in accordance with claim 3,

said camming means comprising a cylindrical cam and an actuating finger connected thereto.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4,

said finger and bracket including means accommodating a locking seal.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5,

said means hingedly connecting said cap comprising a pair of extension elements connected to said arms in L-shaped relation, and

hinge members on said duct hingedly connected to said extension elements.