US3718803A

US3718803A - Apparatus and method for fabricating a container

Info

Publication number: US3718803A
Application number: US00151395A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Evans
Original assignee: ACF Industries Inc
Current assignee: ACF Industries Inc
Priority date: 1971-06-09
Filing date: 1971-06-09
Publication date: 1973-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-27

Abstract

Apparatus and method for folding railway hopper car sides in a curved relation about transverse bulkheads for welding by welders supported on collapsible scaffolds within the hopper car, which also hold the bulkheads in position for welding. Rollers are mounted on carriages on vertical frames and the height of each carriage is manually controlled by the welder. The rollers are positioned on the outer surface of the car sides directly opposite the position along the bulkheads being welded. The rollers exert pressure against the car sides to press the car sides tightly against the curved bulkheads when the bulkheads are being welded to the sides.

Description

[ 1 Feb.27,1973

United States Patent Evans 3,009,201 ll/l96l Hansen...............................72/2l5X 2,679,278 5/1954 Clark 72/2l7X Florissam, Primary Examiner-William i-l. Beha, Jr.

Attorney-Samuel J. Snyder and Eugene N. Riddle [73] Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated, New

York, NY. ABSTRACT Apparatus and method for folding railway hopper car sides in a curved relation about transverse bulkheads for welding by welders supported on collapsible scaf- [22] Filed: June 9, I971 [2]] Appl. No.: 151,395

folds within the hopper car, which also hold the bulkheads in position for welding. Rollers are mounted on carriages on vertical frames and the height of each carriage is manually controlled by the welder. The rollers are positioned on the outer surface of the car 77. 9 40 9 1/193 2874 [2 i n w l. 2 2 u w IU/ 9M7 7 9.. 4 02] I2 9 .16 ZIHQJMI s6k ,8 45 5 2 9 4.] 1B 89 92 l n 2 2m m m u I I C l o mu k U IF 1 1] 2 8 5 55 .l .l.

sides directly opposite the position along the bulkheads being welded. The rollers exert pressure against Rehrenc" the car sides to press the car sides tightly against the UNITED STATES PATENTS curved bulkheads when the bulkheads are being welded to the sides. 3/1968 2/1938 712/215 36 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures 3,374,528 Bowcutt et al. 2,108,27l Samuel...............

3,094,958 6/1963 Gruetjen 3,373,594 3/1968 Lane pmmmrmzmrs 3 SHEET 1 or 7 INVENTOR WILLIAM R. EVANS;

.. gm as? ATTORNEY PATENTEUFEBZWB 3,718,803

SHEET 2 [IF 7 APPARATUS AND METI'IGD FOR FABRICATING A CONTAINER SUMMARY INVENTION A preassembly of the hoppers, bulkheads, and end floor sections of a covered hopper car is assembled with the car sides in alarge steel frame structure. Hoists on the frame structure areadapted todrop a foldable or collapsible scaffold into each hopper for supporting one or more welders. Vertical frames or racks are disposed on the outer side of each car side. Hydraulic pressure cylinders move and fixedly hold the racks against the car sides, and pneumatic cylinder'pushers disposed along the side sills on the bottom of the car sides press the side sills against the bulkheads. Rollers on the vertical racks resiliently but tightly press the ear sides against the bulkheads as the rollers are raised by :steel frame structure .to its next assembly position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is-a top plangeneral view'o'f a-car assembly arrangement according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line2--2 of'F-IG. 1. FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG.4 is a front-plan of one'end rack. FIG. 5 is a partial side view of an end-rack. v FIG. 6 is afront planof'an'intermediate rack. FIG. 7 is a side view of a frame and its rack.

FIG.- 8 is a side view of the scaffolds and their as- 'sociated structures, with'the retracted position of the scaffolds shown-in dashed'lines. v

FIGS. 9 and 10 are enlarged views of portions of th scaffolds.

FIG. 1 1 is a side view'of'one: of the side sill pushers.

FIGS. 12 and 14 are diagrams of portions of the hydraulic circuits. I

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating thecontrolof one of the rollers.

FIGS. 15 and 16-are schematics ofportions of the air pressure supply apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENT Assembly andwelding of majorportions of a hopper carh'aving curved sidesareperformed in asteel frame structure- 10 having "six rectangular sub-frames 12.

.Eachsub-frame includes

vertical beams

13, 14 and horizontal beams 15, -16, :partly imbeddedrin areinforc'edconeretefloor 1.8. Longitudinal beams 20 and suitable strengthening members22 tie sub-frames 12 together. Three intermediate roller supported

racks

24, 25,26 and two end racks 27, '28 are-arrangedralong eachside, of the carbody .-Racks24to '26 are connected-to fixed" frames 32, 33 by four

toggles

34, 35 on each'frame. These togglesare opened and closed by

hydraulic cylinders

36, 37. On the floor are tracks 38 for dollies (not shown) on either side of a pit 39.

Scaffolds

40, 41 are supported by chains 42 connected to long beams 43 and raised and lowered by hoists 44 having cables 46 connected to the lower portions of the scaffolds. The scaffolds are formed by a number of pivotally connected sections 48-53 and bifurcated sections 54 adapted to slip over bulkheads 56, to hold them in place when

scaffolds

40, 41 are lowered into operative position. Horizontal sections 50 are provided with floor boards 58 for supporting a worker so as to enable him to weld bulkheads 56 and

end plates

60, 61 to car sides64, 66. When the'collapsible scaffolds are raised to position 62, they fold generally in the manner indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 8. The hoppers are formed by

end plates

60, 61, slope sheets 63 and

carsides

64, 66.

Car sides

64, 66 have side sills 67, 68 and upper reinforcing

members

69, 70, and are brought in suspended from an overhead crane (not shown) adapted to ride on rails 72. Four clamps 76 .at spaced points along each side sill 67, 68 includepushers 78 having a contour 80.

matching the sills. Pushers 78 are pivotally mounted on piston rods 82 extending into air cylinders 84'fixed to frame structure 10. Alignment and support bars 86 may be fixed to pushers 78 and journaled in sleeves 88.

Intermediate racks 24-26 include a frame 90 having rollers 92. Carriage assembly 94- includes plate 96 having pulleys 97, 98 for a rope or cable 99 of hoist 100. Assembly 94 includes three roller units each having sides 101', 102 connected by rotatable rods 103406. Crank 108 is pivoted at 110, has a pressure roller 112, and is connected to piston rod. 114 of air cylinder 116. Thus, carriage assembly 94 is moved up by hoist 100, and rollers 112 are pressed against

side sheets

64, 66 when piston rods 114 move downward. The lower portions of racks 24-26 each have two side sill clamps 117, 118, similar to clamps 76, and including a pusher 120 and air cylinder 123.v v

-

End racks

27, 28 are generally similar to intermediate racks-24-2 6,-being' mounted on rollers 130,

having three air-pressure operated side sill pushers 132 ment with

bottom end plates

60 and 61. The toggles'for moving end racks 27and 28 are operated by

hydraulic cylinders

154 and 156. A

Referring to FIG; 13, rollers 1.12 and 137 on both sides of the car are operated individually by control switch pendants in

scaffolds

40, 41. Air cylinder 116 iscontrolled 'by-solenoid valve 162 having

vents

163, 164 and connected to air line 165. The power circuit for solenoid 166includes a source of power (not shown) in series with pendant switch 160, so that, upon the closure of this switch, valve 162 admits compressed air to the top of air cylinder 1 16 to move roller 1 12 outwardly. When the solenoid circuit is opened and the valve moves to its other position, air pressure is applied intermediate racks 24-26 is shown schematically in FIG. 12, and a similar circuit for cylinders 154, 155 of two

end racks

27, 28 is shown in FIG. 14. A similar circuit for the other two end racks on the other side is provided. Reversible fluid flow is provided by any suitable

high pressure sources

156, 157, which may include gear pumps. The hydraulic cylinders are connected in parallel, so that the upper and lower toggles of all intermediate racks 24-26 move in unison, and the upper and lower toggles of

end racks

27 and 28 also move in unison. Since the hydraulic liquid is incompressible, the racks remain firmly fixed in their extended positions.

Circuits for supplying air pressure are shown in FIGS. and 16. As already mentioned, cylinders 116 for moving rollers 112 are controlled by solenoid valves 162 from air supply line 165. Another air line 201 supplies air pressure to cylinders 123 through solenoid valve 202, which is designated P to indicate that it is controlled at a central switch panel, in contrast to W solenoid valves, which are controlled by the welder 'on the scaffold. It will be noted that the pusher or clamp actuating cylinders 123 are controlled in unison, while roller actuating cylinders 116 are controlled individually. FIG. 16 shows that

cylinders

135 and 146 are controlled by welder operated solenoid valves 206 individually, and side pusher actuating cylinders 133 are controlled by a single switch panel operated valve 204.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The hoppers, bulkheads and

side assemblies

64, 66

are brought into place in structure 10.

Scaffolds

40 and 41 arelowered into position with portions 54 thereof spanning partitions 56 to hold them in place. Lower side sills 67, 68 are then pushed in by pressurizing the four pushers 76 on each side. This is done by energizing a solenoid valve (not shown) associated with each air cylinder 84 in the same manner as are solenoids P in FIGS. 15 and 16.

Hydraulic cylinders

36, 37 are then pressurized to expand

toggles

34, 35 and thereby move racks 24-28 against

side assemblies

64, 66.

Air cylinders

123 and 133 are then pressurized through solenoid valves 202 and 204 to force clamps or

pushers

120 and 132 against side sills 67,, 68. Then hoists 100 are operated individually by each worker on one of the scaffolds to raise carriage assembly 94 or 134, and rollers 112 and 137 are moved against

side assemblies

64, 66 by pressurizing cylinders116 and 135. On racks 24-26 the center roller 112 only is first moved against the

side sheet

64 or 66 and brought about half way up while that side sheet is tack welded to a bulkhead 56. Then carriage assembly 94 is lowered, all three rollers of the roller carriage are forced against the side sheet and the carriage assembly is raised while the side sheet is continuously welded to the bulkhead from bottom to top with welds about 6 inches long with 6-inch gaps, the final continuous welds being made at another station. On end racks 27 and 28

pushers

142 and 144 are pressed against

side sheets

64, 66 by

air cylinders

146, 148, controlled by solenoid valves 206, and the side -car body is then placed on dollies (not shown) on tracks 38 for movement to the next station.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for fabricating the body of a railway hopper car by forming flat side sheets into curved sides and pressing them against transverse bulkheads having similarly curved edges during welding, comprising an open fixed frame structure; means on said structure for placing the hoppers and bulkheads of said car in properly aligned and spaced positions; a plurality of collapsible scaffolds; hoists on said frame structure for positioning said scaffolds between the bulkheads, said scaffolds being dimensioned to position and hold the bulkheads in place; a plurality of vertical racks along the outside of each side sheet; fluid pressure means for moving the racks inwardly; a carriage on each rack and a horizontal roller on each carriage; means for moving said rollers inwardly to press the side sheets against the edges of the bulkheads; means for moving said carriages vertically with the rollers pressed against the side sheets; and means at each scaffold for controlling the vertical movement of said carriages; means for pressing side sills on the lower edges of the side sheets against the bulkhead, whereby upon upward movement of the rollers the side sheets are tightly pressed against the curved edges of the bulkheads for welding thereto by a welder on the scaffold.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rollers are pressed against the side sheets resiliently by air pressure operated means to permit the rollers to yield as they traverse the curved side sheets.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means for moving said racks and rollers, respectively, are capable of retracting said racks and rollers.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said racks include means for clamping the side sills against the bulkheads.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of said racks includes three horizontally aligned rollers, one of said rollers being opposite a bulkhead, and the others being on either side of the bulkhead.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said scaffolds include a plurality of pivotally connected members arranged to fold together when lifted by the hoists.

7. Apparatus for forming a railway hopper car having curved sides from flat sheets having bottom side sills and welding them to transverse bulkheads having similarly curved edges, comprising an open rectangular fixed frame structure for housing the hoppers and bulkheads of said car in properly aligned and spaced positions; a plurality of vertical racks along the outside of each car side; fluid pressure means for moving the racks inwardly; a carriage on each rack in alignment with each bulkhead and a horizontal roller on each rack; air pressure means for moving said rollers inwardly to press the side sheets against the curved bulkheads; means for moving said carriages vertically with the rollers pressed against the side sheets; and means for individually controlling the vertical movement of said carriages, whereby upon upward movement of the rollers the car sides are tightly pressed against the curved edges of the bulkheads for welding thereto.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, including welder support means and means for positioning said support means between adjacent bulkheads and moving said support means vertically.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said means for controlling the vertical movement of the carriages is adjacent saidsupport means for accessibility to a welder thereon.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, including fluid pressure actuated clamps at opposite sides of said frame structure and means for actuating said clamps in unison for pressing the side sills into their assemblied position. 1

11. A method of fabricating the body of a railway hopper car having a plurality of hoppers, bulkheads between the hoppers, and sides which are curved in the vertical direction, comprising placing flat side plates adjacent the bulkheads on either side thereof, each side plate having a side sill along'the" bottom edge thereof and a support plate along the top "edge thereof, simultaneously clamping the side sills" at both sides against the bulkheads, tightly pressing a roller against the outer side of a side plate and moving the. roller vertically along the edge of abulkhead while welding that bulkhead to the side plate pressed thereagainst, whereby the side plates are folded into conformity with the bulk heads and fixed thereto.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein three aligned rollers are pressed against the side plates at each bulkhead, a'first of said rollers spanning a bulkhead and the other two rollers being located on either side of the first roller.

' .13.The method of claim 12, wherein said rollers are resiliently pressed against the side plates.

14. The method according to claim' 11, including the I step of lowering scaffolds into the hoppers for supporting welders thereon, the movement of said rollers being controlled individually by the welders on the scaffolds.

15. The method according to claim 14, including the step of holding the bulkheads properly spaced by means of the scaffolds.

16. The method according to claim 15, including the step of collapsing and lifting the scaffolds out of the car body to facilitate its removal.

17. Apparatus for fabricating a container having transverse support structure and spaced apart sides comprising:

A. frame structure housing generally vertical guide means spaced outwardly from said transverse structure on at least one side thereof;

B. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on at least one of said guidemeans; C. means for moving said guide means inwardly adjacent said transverse support structure;

D. means for moving said roller inwardly to press a sheet which at least partially defines one of said apaced apart sides into engagement with a portion of said transverse support structure;

E, means for moving said roller vertically along said generally vertical guide means with said roller pressed against said sheet whereby upon generally vertical movement of the rollers said sheet is tightly pressed against said transverse support structure;

F. and means for welding said sheet to a portion of said transverse support structure.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 including at least one scaffold mounted for vertical movement within said transverse support structure.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17 including means for holding at least one reinforcing member in engagement with at least one of said sheets.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19 including means for holding at least one additional reinforcing member in engagement with at least one of said sheets.

21. Apparatus for fabricating a container having transverse support structure and spaced apart sides comprising:

I A. frame structure housing generally vertical guide means spaced outwardly from said transverse structure on both sides thereof;

13. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on at least one of said guide means;

C. means for moving said guide means inwardly adjacent said transverse support structure;

D. at least one scaffold mounted for vertical movement within said transverse support structure;

E. means for moving saidroller inwardly to press a I sheet which at least partially defines one of said spaced apart sides into engagement with a portion of said transverse support structure;

F. means for movingsaid rollers vertically along said generally vertical guide means with said roller.

pressed against said sheet whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller said sheet is tightly pressed against said transverse support structure; 3

G. and means for welding said sheet to a portion of said transverse support structure.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 including means for holdingat least one reinforcing member in engagement with at least one of said sheets.

23. Apparatus for fabricating a container having transverse support structure with curved edges and spaced apart sides comprising: I I

B. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on at least one of said guide means;

D. means for moving said roller inwardly to press a sheet which at'least partially defines one of said spaced'apart sides into engagement with at least a portion of at least one of said curved edges;

E. means for moving said roller vertically along said generally vertical guide means with said roller pressed against said sheet whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller said sheet is tightly pressed against at least one of the curved edges on said transverse support structure;

24. Apparatus for fabricating a container having transverse support structure and spaced apart sides comprising:

A. frame structure'housing generally vertical guide means spaced outwardly from said transverse structure on both sides thereof;

E. means for moving said roller inwardly to press a sheet which partially-defines one of said spaced apart sides into engagement with a portion of said transverse support structure;

F. means for urging at least one reinforcing member in engagement with said sheet;

G. means for moving said roller vertically along said generally vertical guide means with said roller pressed against said sheet whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller said sheet is tightly pressed against said transverse support structure;

H. and means for welding said sheet to a portion of said transverse support structure and for welding said reinforcing member to said sheet.

25. Apparatus according to claim 23 including means for holding at least one additional reinforcing member in engagement with said sheet and means for welding the same to said sheet.

26. Apparatus for fabricating a railway car having curved sides and transverse bulkheads comprising:

A. frame structure housing the bulkheads and side sheets for said car in properly aligned and spaced positions;

B. generally vertical guide means spaced from said bulkheads on at least one side thereof;

C. means for moving said guide means inwardly;

D. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on said guide means; 7 v

E. means for moving said roller inwardly to press said sheets against said bulkheads;

F. means for moving said roller vertically, whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller the car sides are tightly pressed against the bulkheads for welding thereto.

27. Apparatus for fabricating a railway car having curved sides and transverse bulkheads comprising:

B. scaffold means mounted for vertical movement within said bulkheads;

C. generally vertical guide means spaced from said bulkheads on both sidesthereof;

D. means for moving said guide means inwardly;

E. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on said guide means;

F. means for moving said roller inwardly to press said sheets against said bulkheads;

G. means for moving said roller vertically, whereby upon generally vertical movement of the rollers the car sides are tightly pressed against the bulkheads;

H. means for moving said scaffold vertically with said rollers pressed against the side sheets;

I. and means for individually controlling the vertical movement of said scaffold whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller the car sides are tightly pressed against the bulkheads for welding thereto.

28. Apparatus for fabricating a railway car having hoppers, curved sides and transverse bulkheads comprising:

B. scaffold means mounted for vertical movement within said bulkheads;

C. generally vertical guide means spaced from said bulkheads on both sides thereof;

D. means for moving said guide means inwardly;

E. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on said guide means;

F. means for urging at least one support member into thereto;

G. means for moving said rollers inwardly to press said sheets against said bulkheads;

H. means for moving said scaffold means vertically with said rollers pressed against the said side sheets;

I. means for individually controlling the vertical movement of said scaffold means, whereby upon generally vertical movement of the rollers the car sides are tightly pressed against said bulkheads;

.I. and means for welding said sheets to said bulkheads.

29. A method of fabricating a container having transverse support structure and sides affixed thereto comprising:

placing at least one sheet adjacent the transverse support structure on at least one side thereof;

placing at least one generally vertical guide means spaced from said transverse support structure adwith the transverse support structure and is welded thereto.

30. A method according to claim 29 including holding at least one reinforcing member in engagement with said sheet, and welding said member to said sheet.

31. A method according to claim 29.including positioning a scaffold within said transverse support structure and regulating the movement of said roller from the scaffold.

32. A method of fabricating-a container having transverse support structure'and sides affixed thereto comprising:

placing side sheets adjacent the transverse support structure on either side thereof;

placing at least one generally vertical guide means adjacent but spaced from said transverse support structure;

tightly pressing at least one roller against the outer side of said side sheets; I

ing at least one reinforcing member in engagement with said side sheets and welding the reinforcing member to said side sheets.

34. A method of fabricating a container having transverse support structure and sides affixed thereto comprising:

placing side sheets adjacent the transverse support structure on either side thereof; placing at least one generally vertical guide means adjacent but spaced from said transverse support structure;

tightly pressing a roller against the outer side of said sheet; positioning a scaffold within said transverse support structure between said sheets;

regulating the vertical movement of said rollers along said vertical guide means to urge said side sheets into engagement with said transverse support structure; holding at least one reinforcing member against said side sheets and welding the reinforcing member to the side sheet;

and welding at least a portion of the transverse support structure to the sheet pressed thereagainst, whereby the sheets are folded into conformity with the transverse support structure and fixed thereto.

35. A method according to claim 29 wherein said container is a wheeled vehicle.

36. A method according to claim 35 wherein said wheeled vehicle is a railway car.

Claims

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said means for controlling the vertical movement of the carriages is adjacent said support means for accessibility to a welder thereon.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, including fluid pressure actuated clamps at opposite sides of said frame structure and means for actuating said clamps in unison for pressing the side sills into their assemblied position.

11. A method of fabricating the body of a railway hopper car having a plurality of hoppers, bulkheads between the hoppers, and sides which are curved in the vertical direction, comprising placing flat side plates adjacent the bulkheads on either side thereof, each side plate having a side sill along the bottom edge thereof and a support plate along the top edge thereof, simultaneously clamping the side sills at both sides against the bulkheads, tightly pressing a roller against the outer side of a side plate and moving the roller vertically along the edge of a bulkhead while welding that bulkhead to the side plate pressed thereagainst, whereby the side plates are folded into conformity with the bulkheads and fixed thereto.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein three aligned rollers are pressed against the side plates at each bulkhead, a first of said rollers spanning a bulkhead and the other two rollers being located on either side of the first roller.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said rollers are resiliently pressed against the side plates.

14. The method according to claim 11, including the step of lowering scaffolds into the hoppers for supporting welders thereon, the movement of said rollers being controlled individually by the welders on the scaffolds.

17. Apparatus for fabricating a container having transverse support structure and spaced apart sides comprising: A. frame structure housing generally vertical guide means spaced outwardly from said transverse structure on at least one side thereof; B. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on at least one of said guide means; C. means for moving said guide means inwardly adjacent said transverse support structure; D. means for moving said roller inwardly to press a sheet which at least partially defines one of said apaced apart sides into engagement with a portion of said transverse support structure; E. means for moving said roller vertically along said generally vertical guide means with said roller pressed against said sheet whereby upon generally vertical movement of the rollers said sheet is tightly pressed against said transverse support structure; F. and means for welding said sheet to a portion of said transverse support structure.

21. Apparatus for fabricating a container having transverse support structure and spaced apart sides comprising: A. frame structure housing generally vertical guide means spaced outwardly from said transverse structure on both sides thereof; B. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on at least one of said guide means; C. means for moving said guide means inwardly adjacent said transverse support structure; D. at least one scaffold mounted for vertical movement within said transverse support structure; E. means for moving said roller inwardly to press a sheet which at least partially defines one of said spaced apart sides into engagement with a portion of said transverse support structure; F. means for moving said rollers vertically along said generally vertical guide means with said roller pressed against said sheet whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller said sheet is tightly pressed against said transverse support structure; G. and means for welding said sheet to a portion of said transverse support structure.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21 including means for holding at least one reinforcing member in engagement with at least one of said sheets.

23. Apparatus for fabricating a container having transverse support structure with curved edges and spaced apart sides comprising: A. frame structure housing generally vertical guide means spaced outwardly from said transverse structure on at least one side thereof; B. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on at least one of saiD guide means; C. means for moving said guide means inwardly adjacent said transverse support structure; D. means for moving said roller inwardly to press a sheet which at least partially defines one of said spaced apart sides into engagement with at least a portion of at least one of said curved edges; E. means for moving said roller vertically along said generally vertical guide means with said roller pressed against said sheet whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller said sheet is tightly pressed against at least one of the curved edges on said transverse support structure; F. and means for welding said sheet to a portion of said transverse support structure.

24. Apparatus for fabricating a container having transverse support structure and spaced apart sides comprising: A. frame structure housing generally vertical guide means spaced outwardly from said transverse structure on both sides thereof; B. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on at least one of said guide means; C. means for moving said guide means inwardly adjacent said transverse support structure; D. at least one scaffold mounted for vertical movement within said transverse support structure; E. means for moving said roller inwardly to press a sheet which partially defines one of said spaced apart sides into engagement with a portion of said transverse support structure; F. means for urging at least one reinforcing member in engagement with said sheet; G. means for moving said roller vertically along said generally vertical guide means with said roller pressed against said sheet whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller said sheet is tightly pressed against said transverse support structure; H. and means for welding said sheet to a portion of said transverse support structure and for welding said reinforcing member to said sheet.

26. Apparatus for fabricating a railway car having curved sides and transverse bulkheads comprising: A. frame structure housing the bulkheads and side sheets for said car in properly aligned and spaced positions; B. generally vertical guide means spaced from said bulkheads on at least one side thereof; C. means for moving said guide means inwardly; D. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on said guide means; E. means for moving said roller inwardly to press said sheets against said bulkheads; F. means for moving said roller vertically, whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller the car sides are tightly pressed against the bulkheads for welding thereto.

27. Apparatus for fabricating a railway car having curved sides and transverse bulkheads comprising: A. frame structure housing the bulkheads and side sheets for said car in properly aligned and spaced positions; B. scaffold means mounted for vertical movement within said bulkheads; C. generally vertical guide means spaced from said bulkheads on both sides thereof; D. means for moving said guide means inwardly; E. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on said guide means; F. means for moving said roller inwardly to press said sheets against said bulkheads; G. means for moving said roller vertically, whereby upon generally vertical movement of the rollers the car sides are tightly pressed against the bulkheads; H. means for moving said scaffold vertically with said rollers pressed against the side sheets; I. and means for individually controlling the vertical movement of said scaffold whereby upon generally vertical movement of the roller the car sides are tightly pressed against the bulkheads for welding thereto.

28. Apparatus for fabricating a railway car having hoppers, curved sides aNd transverse bulkheads comprising: A. frame structure housing the bulkheads and side sheets for said car in properly aligned and spaced positions; B. scaffold means mounted for vertical movement within said bulkheads; C. generally vertical guide means spaced from said bulkheads on both sides thereof; D. means for moving said guide means inwardly; E. at least one roller mounted for vertical movement on said guide means; F. means for urging at least one support member into engagement with said side sheets for welding thereto; G. means for moving said rollers inwardly to press said sheets against said bulkheads; H. means for moving said scaffold means vertically with said rollers pressed against the said side sheets; I. means for individually controlling the vertical movement of said scaffold means, whereby upon generally vertical movement of the rollers the car sides are tightly pressed against said bulkheads; J. and means for welding said sheets to said bulkheads.

29. A method of fabricating a container having transverse support structure and sides affixed thereto comprising: placing at least one sheet adjacent the transverse support structure on at least one side thereof; placing at least one generally vertical guide means spaced from said transverse support structure adjacent said sheet; tightly pressing a roller against the outer side of said sheet and moving the roller vertically along said guide means to urge said side sheet into engagement with said transverse support structure while welding at least a portion of the transverse support structure to the sheet pressed thereagainst, whereby the side sheet is folded into conformity with the transverse support structure and is welded thereto.

31. A method according to claim 29 including positioning a scaffold within said transverse support structure and regulating the movement of said roller from the scaffold.

32. A method of fabricating a container having transverse support structure and sides affixed thereto comprising: placing side sheets adjacent the transverse support structure on either side thereof; placing at least one generally vertical guide means adjacent but spaced from said transverse support structure; tightly pressing at least one roller against the outer side of said side sheets; positioning a scaffold within said transverse support structure between said sheets and regulating the vertical movement of said rollers along said guide means to urge said side sheets into engagement with said transverse support structure; and welding at least a portion of the transverse support structure to the sheet pressed thereagainst, whereby the side sheets are folded into conformity with the transverse support structure and fixed thereto.

33. A method according to claim 32 including holding at least one reinforcing member in engagement with said side sheets and welding the reinforcing member to said side sheets.

34. A method of fabricating a container having transverse support structure and sides affixed thereto comprising: placing side sheets adjacent the transverse support structure on either side thereof; placing at least one generally vertical guide means adjacent but spaced from said transverse support structure; tightly pressing a roller against the outer side of said sheet; positioning a scaffold within said transverse support structure between said sheets; regulating the vertical movement of said rollers along said vertical guide means to urge said side sheets into engagement with said transverse support structure; holding at least one reinforcing member against said side sheets and welding the reinforcing member to the side sheet; and welding at least a portion of the transverse support structure to the sheet presSed thereagainst, whereby the sheets are folded into conformity with the transverse support structure and fixed thereto.

35. A method according to claim 29 wherein said container is a wheeled vehicle.