US3776401A

US3776401A - Clamp mechanism for rotary car dumper

Info

Publication number: US3776401A
Application number: US00252635A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Ouska
Original assignee: FMC Corp
Current assignee: FMC Corp
Priority date: 1971-04-21
Filing date: 1972-05-12
Publication date: 1973-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-04

Abstract

A railroad car is secured for dumping in a rotary car dumping cradle by gravity lowered clamp beams which engage the top of the car and are locked in place by a gravity actuated, infinitely variable locking mechanism that grasps tension members connected to the side of the car dumper.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Ouska CLAMP MECHANISM FOR ROTARY CAR DUMPER [75] Inventor: Ralph C. Ouska, Hinsdale, Ill.

[7 3] Assignee: FMC Corporation, San Jose, Calif.

[22] Filed: May 12, 1972 211 App]. Nb; 252,635

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 135,960, April 21, 1971, Pat.

52 Us. (:1. .1214/55 51 1m. (:1. 865g 67/54 581 Field of Search 214/55, 56

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,606,453 11/1926 Simpson 214/55 1 Dec. 4, 1973 l,609,420 12/1926 Norris 214/55 Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan AttorneyFrancis W. Anderson et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A railroad car is secured fordumping in a rotary car dumping cradle by gravity lowered clamp beams which engage the top of the car and are locked in place by a gravity actuated, infinitely variable locking mechanism that grasps tension members connected to the side of the car dumper.

6 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures PATENTED 41975 3.776.401

SHEET 10F 8 Ymi PATENTED 41m 3.776.401

SHEET 2 CF 8 w 4 \AAMX O mm WWW v rm. oo. mm.

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m m-HF-HI PAIENTEU DEC 75 SHEET 5 OF 8 PATENTED 3.776.401

SHEET 7 UP 8 CLAMP MECHANISM FOR ROTARY CAR DUMPER This application is a division of US. application Ser. No. 135,960 filed Apr, 21, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,719,292.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention relates to clamping devices for a rotary railroad car dumper. More particularly the present invention relates to mechanisms for automatically positioning and locking a railroad car clamping device in a rotary car dumper.

Modern systems for bulk handling of various material such as coal, coke, wood chips or the like generally make use of a car dumper machine for rapidly unloading railraod cars individually, in groups or by the train. Railroad siding tracks pass through the machine to enable a single car or group of cars to be stopped and held inside a cradle that can be rotated to turn the railroad car over and empty its contents into a hopper below.

Various clamp mechanisms have been employed to hold the car from falling away from the track and supporting table while it is being turned over. Many combinations of cable, sheaves, racks, drums, chains, band brakes, hooks, ratchets and pawls have been employed to lift and hold clamping beams and hooks in contact with the railroad car body. Gravity, electric motors, hydraulic cylinders and the motion of the car dumper have been used to provide I power to operate these mechanisms.

One device presently in use, which is described in US. Pat. No. 1,606,453 to Simpson, includes a car dumper having individually actuated hook members that slide downwardly into engagement'with the sides of a railroad car under the influence of a sheave and rope arrangement. Once the car is engaged, the hooks are individually locked by locking mechanisms comprised of alternate friction plates and clamp bars that are forced into frictional locking engagement during dumper rotation by the coaction of a series of wedges and rollers actuated by a counterweight. Another mechanism for clamping a railroad car in a rotary car dumper, as described in US. Pat. No. 1,609,420 to Norris, utilizes gravity lowered clamping books which are locked into engagement with a railroad car by a locking mechanism having jaws forced together by toggle-linkage to grasp a vertical bar. The toggle-linkage of this device is actuated by a cable and sheave arrangement.

In all cases, positive operation of the locking clamps is an object of high priority because of the possible disastrous results if the clamps are not firmly locked as the loaded cars are inverted. This problem is particularly acute in some environments. For example, the contents of coal or ore cars operating in extremely cold climates sometimes freeze solid to the body of the car and will not dump when inverted. This places the gross weight of the loaded car, a weight of perhaps 200 to 300 tons directly onto the locking clamps. Thus, while safe locking clamps are an absolute requirement for all rotary car dumpers, the attainment of a safe locking clamp system without directly or indirectly applied power actuation has heretofore been limited to car dumpers which operate under conditions more favorablethan extremely cold climate use where counterweighted locking clamps might be prone to malfunction.

The car clamp systems now in use have either all or many of the following disadvantages. They are complex mechanisms, subject to jamming, which are difficult and costly to build and install and which require frequent maintenance and adjustment. Some require auxiliary power, while some require duplicate or back up components to assure safety under severe load conditions.

Accordingly, a general object of the present invention is to provide locking clamps which are automatically operable and safe in all, including sub-zero, temperatures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamping arrangement with less complex structural and mechanical components, with less wear and less need for adjustments and with no requirements for auxiliary power.

Another object of the invention is to provide a positive means of lowering a clamping mechanism into engagement with a railroad car.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means within a railroad car clamping mechanism for relief of forces created by the compression in railroad car truck springs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, a car clamp is provided which is positioned and locked only by gravitational forces. These forces are exerted during rotation of the cradle without reliance on auxiliary power or force transmitting cable and with minimum linkages. In the preferred form of the invention, beam clamps initially held in elevated position by a stationary post, are lowered along guides by the action of gravity during the dumping cycle to hold a railroad car in place in a rotary car dumper cradle. As the dumper is rotated, the beam clamps drop into contact with the top of the car, and once in place atop the car, the clamps are locked in that position. The locking mechanism utilized to lock the clamps in place is activated by the action of gravity, as are the clamps, so that no power source, other than that used to rotate the cradle, is necessary. An actuating weight mounted at the end of a lever, which changes its moment direction as the dumper is rotated, supplies the force necessary to actuate the lock. A clamp bar assembly of the lock mechanism is defined by a series of spaced plates interspersed between a series of parallel spaced metal strips that are connected to the side of the cradle and are slidable relative to the spaced plates when the lock mechanism is unlocked. As the cradle is rotated beyond 35 of rotation toward the dHin iHg os'iiib'fiih'weighi 555cm shifteausid a series of toggle links, which are interconnected with the actuating weight lever, to extend. The extension of the toggle links forces the plates of the lock mechanism into very tight locking contact with the strips of the clamp bar assembly to hold the beam clamps in position on top of the car during the dumping cycle. Thus, the clamp is always lowered and locked by gravity forces, and there are no cables to break or jam.

A further feature of this invention incorporates positive lowering of the beam clamps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective of one type of rotary car dumper incorporating the clamping means of the present invention with portions being broken away.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic perspective illustrating one of the two beam clamps shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic end elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the near circular cradle end removed.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective of the locking mechanism of the present invention with parts removed.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along line 55 of FIG. 2 showing the upper guide rollers of the clamp hook assembly.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along line 66 of FIG. 2 as viewed from below showing the guide rollers on one side of the clamp assembly.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the locking mechanism of the present invention with portions being broken away.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section of the locking mechanism taken along line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a vertical section of the locking mechanism taken along line 99 of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 10, 1 1, 12 and 13 are diagrammatic end elevations of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in four operational positions.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are fragmentary diagrammatic end elevation of a second embodiment showing the positive clamp lowering mechanism in two operational positions.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic perspective of the clamping mechanism incorporating positive clamp lowering with parts removed.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary plan view of the clamping mechanism of FIG. 16.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is shown the general organization of the preferred form of the invention in which a railroad car R is supported within a rotatable cradle structure of a rotary car dumper 32. The open-top car R is held for rotation within the cradle structure 30 by two clamp mechanisms 34. The cradle structure 30 is rotated by a drive system 36 into position to dump the contents of the railroad car down a chute 31.

More specifically, the cradle 30 of the rotary car dumper 32 is an essentially U-shaped structure. The U- shaped cradle 30 is constructed of longitudinal

horizontal beams

38, 40 and 42 that are rigidly secured between a pair of circular ends 44 and 46,

vertical beams

48 and 48a and

diagonal members

50 and 50a secured between the horizontal members to give structural rigidity to the cradle structure, and cross beams 52 that extend transversely between the lower horizontal members 42. A platform 54 that extends the length of the cradle structure and through openings 58 in the circular ends is supported on parallel support beams 56 that overlie the transverse beams 52. The ends of the platform 54 are contiguous to walls 60 of a pit 62 in which the car dumper is disposed. Rails 64 overlie the platform 54 and support the car R for movement into and out of the cradle through the openings 58. The rails 64 are in linear alignment with rails 66 on the surface inlet and discharge sides of the pit.

Cradle 30 is supported for rotation on four rollers 68 which are rotatively supported on support members 70 anchored in the base of the pit. Tracks 71 extend partially about the periphery of each of the circular ends 44 and 46 and mate with the rollers 68 that support the cradle in rotation.

Power for rotating the cradle 30 is supplied by a reversible electric motor-gear reducer unit M (FIG. 1) which has power shafts 72 each of which tenninates near one of the cradle ends 44 and 46. A pinion gear (not shown) at the end of each shaft 72 drives a large ring gear (not shown) which is part of a cable winch 74. A cable 76 of each winch is spirally wound on a drum 78 of the winch 74 and has ends secured by anchors 79 to the respective cradle ends 44 and 46 for rotation of the cradle 30 to the dumping position, and for the return of the cradle from the dumping position, as the motor unit M is energized.

The clamping mechanisms 34 are supported within the cradle 30 by two vertical support members or trusses 82 which are secured to the

horizontal beams

38, 40 and 42 near each of the circular ends 44 and 46. Each of the support members 82 is constructed of beams 820 secured together in a spaced parallel orientation to present a slot 84 (FIG. 8) therebetween.

Each of the clamping mechanisms or car securing members 34 is identical in structure to the other and functions independently of the other. Each clamping mechanism includes a carriage 88 having an upright member 90 (FIG. 2) mounted for endwise movement on a pair of rails 86, an upper transverse member 92 rigidly secured to the upright member 90 and extending inwardly of the cradle, a lower transverse member or lift beam 94 rigidly attached to the upright member 90 and extending outwardly from the cradle through the slot 84 in the vertical support member 82, and a clamp beam 96 suspended from the upper transverse member, a clamping element 98 (FIG. 7) secured at either end to the truss 82 and extending vertically in the slot 84 of vertical support member 82, and a vertically extending post or lift member 100 secured to the surface adjacent the cradle structure.

The upright member 90 (FIGS. 2, 6 and 7) is an elongated rectangular structure that engages the rails 86. A combination of rollers and bearing bars attached to the upright member 90 contact the rails 86 and guide movement of the upright member 90 relative to the rails 86. The rollers are positioned for maximum contact with the rails 86 as the cradle overturns. At the top of the upright member 90 one pair of rollers 102 is positioned (FIGS. 2 and 5) such that they contact the inner edges of rails 86. A second pair of rollers 104, attached near the top of the upright member 90, is positioned to engage the rear surfaces 86a of the rails. A pair of bearing bars 106 secured to the upright member abut the opposite or front faces 86b of the rails 86 and provide a secondary contact surface as the upright member moves relative to the rails 86.

A pair of rollers 108 (only one being shown in FIGS. 2 and 6) secured to the lower end of the upright member 90 engage the front faces 86b of the rails 86. Another pair of rollers 110 (FIGS. 2 and 6), mounted on brackets 112 at the lower end of the upright member 90, follow the outer edges of rails 86. Bearing bars or shoes 1 14, (FIG. 6) which are secured to the lower portion of the upright member 90, contact the back faces 86a of rails 86.

The upper transverse arm 92 is constructed of spaced parallel plates 92a (FIG. 2) which are rigidly secured at one end to the upright member 90. At the other end of the transverse arm 92, clamp beam 96 is disposed in a slot between the plates 92a on a pivot pin 116 that extends through the plates 92a. Pivot pin 116 is retained at the ends by collars 116a secured to the plates 92a and to the pin 116. The clamp beam 96 which is pivoted at its center on pin 116 includes a horizontal center portion 96a and arms 96b extending diagonally downwardly from the horizontal portion.

Clamp pads

118 and 120 are secured to arms 96b for engagement with the sides of an open-top car R. Vertically disposed channel members 122 (FIG. 1), which are secured to the cradle opposite the vertical support members 82, serve to guide the outer contact pads 120 as the-clamp beam 96 moves up or down relative to the cradle 30.

The lower transverse arm 94 includes a pair of beams 94a (FIGS. 2 and 8) rigidly secured in spaced, parallel relationship. A roller or cam 124 is secured for rotation on a shaft 126 between the outer ends of the beams 94a. The roller 124 contacts an inclined upper surface of the vertical post 100 when the cradle is in the upright position. I

A locking mechanism 128 that engages the clamping element 98 is secured between a pair of clamp brackets 134 (FIG. 9) that overlie the beams 94a. The clamp brackets 134 are rigidly secured to the upper surfaces of the beams 94a. Hold down brackets 135 are secured between the clamp brackets 134 and the upright member 90 to add structural rigidity.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 the locking mechanism or gripping memeber 128 is illustrated in its preferred form. In general the locking mechanism consists of interconnected linkage 129 which is actuated during cradle rotation by the change of position of actuating weight 130 to force a series of spaced pressure plates 132 into frictional locking engagement with a series of elongated strips 98a of the clamping element bar assembly 98. v

More specifically, locking mechanism 128 which is contained within the clamp brackets 134, includes the series of spaced pressure plates or second contact members 132 that are interspersed between elongated strips or first contact members 98a of the clamp bar assembly 98 as illustrated by FIGS. 4 and 7. The elongated strips 98a are permanently spaced at the upper and lower points of connection by spacers 136 (FIG. 3) which are placed between alternate strips 98a on connection shafts 137. The pressure plates 132, which are slidable relative to the strips 98a when the locking mechanism 128 is unlocked, are held and restrained from movement relative to the lock mechanism by the clamp brackets 134 (FIG. 9). A spacer or pressure block 138, (FIG. 4), which is a rectangular block bolted between clamp brackets 134, maintains the spacing of the clamp brackets134 and provides a fixed abutment against which the pressure plates 132 and strips 98a are forced during clamp locking.

The toggle linkage 129 (FIGS. 4 and 7), which is actuated to force the pressure plates 132 and strips 98a into locking engagement, includes a pivot block 140 that is pivotally anchored on shaft 142 to clamp brackets 134. Shaft 142 is retained at its ends by keys 142b that are secured to the clamp brackets 134. Four fingers 140a of the pivot block 140 extend to the left (FIGS. 4 and 8) and pivotally interdigitate with a pair of toggle links 144 and lever link 146 which are on a common shaft 148. Shaft 148 is retained at its ends by the machined inner surfaces of the clamp brackets 134. A stop member 150 of shock cushioning material limits the upward travel of the toggle linkage when the lock mechanism is in the released position of FIG. 7.

The left ends (FIGS. 4, 7 and 8) of the two links 144 extend into parallel slots 152a in pressure block 152. The pressure block 152 is a rectangular metal block having a machined exterior and having an indentation l52b formed in one face to receive a pressure plate 154 that is bolted to the pressure block 152. The ends of links 144 which extend into slots 1520 are rigidly secured to a shaft 156 that extends through the pressure block 152 and is bushed for rotation therein. Pressure block 152 is retained by the machined inner surfaces of clamp brackets 134 which provide a bearing surface for sliding movement of the pressure block 152. The ends of shaft 156 are also retained by the inner surfaces of clamp brackets 134.

The lower end of link 146 (FIGS. 4 and 7) is pivotally connected to an actuating lever 158 to which the actuating weight or element 130 is attached. Lever 158, which is constructed of spaced parallel plates 158a (FIG. 4), is pivoted on a shaft 160 that is anchored to lift beam 94 by means of keys 160a (FIG. 2). Link 146 is disposed for movement in the slot between the parallel plates 158a and is pivoted on shaft 162 which is fixed at its ends to plates 158a.

Having thus described the structure of the preferred embodiment of the invention, its operation can now be explained. When the dumper 32 is in its initial upright position (FIG. 10) with the railroad car R upright, the clamp beam 96 is held up clear of the railroad car. The roller 124 at the end of beam 94 is in contact with the inclined upper surface of the lift post when the dumper is in this initial position and the clamp locking mechanism 128 is unlocked. Once the railroad car R is positioned properly inside the dumper cradle 30 the dumper motor M is energized causing the cradle to rotate in a counterclockwise direction about a longitudinal rotational axis L towards the dumping position. As rotation proceeds the carriage 88 holding the clamp beam 96, which is above and clear of the car (FIG. 10), begins to drop by its own weight due to the force of gravity. The clamping mechanism 34 continues to drop uniformly with the roller 124 in contact with lift post 100 until the clamp beam 96 contacts the top edges of the car sides, whereupon clamp lowering stops. Rotation continues and the roller 124 loses contact with the lift post 100. At about 35 cradle rotation (FIG. 1 1) the center of gravity of the clamp lock actuating weight passes directly over the pivot point of the actuating lever 158 with a consequent change in the moment direction of the weight 130 from a clockwise to a counterclockwise direction. As the moment direction of weight 130 changes, tension is placed on the lever link 146. The lever link 146 in turn transfers the actuating weight moment to shaft 148 tending to bring the fingers a of pivot block 140 and the toggle links 144 to a more linear orientation. This causes the extended toggle links 144 to force pressure bracket 152 to the left (FIGS. 4 and 7), transmitting pressure to the pressure plates 132, the clamp bar assembly 98 and the pressure block 138. The pressure plates 132 and the strips or bars 98a of the clamp bar assembly 98 are thus forced into a very tight frictional engagement which stops the sliding motion of the pressure plates 132 relative to the clamp bar assembly 98a and locks the clamp beam 96 against the top edge of the car R.

As the dumper continues to rotate the actuating weight 130 moment keeps the lock tightly engaged. Material in the car begins to fall out (FIG. 12) as the car overturns and the dumping process is usually completed by the time the dumper has rotated to the 160 position. The material falling from the car drops into chutes 31 below the cradle which conduct the material to below ground conveyors. After all material has been dumped, or when 180 rotation (FIG. 13) is reached, the dumper motor M is reversed. The car springs which were originally compressed by the load'of the material on the car are now held in compression by the clamps 96 which are locked in place. As the 35 point is approached on the return cycle, the actuating weight moment diminishes, reducing the clamp locking pressure to the point at which the pressure plates 132 will again slip in relation to the bars 98a of the clamp bar assembly 98 and gradually release the compression of the railroad car springs. Below 35 of rotation, the clamp lock 128 is fully released as the roller 124 again contacts the upper face of the lift post 100. With roller 124 in contact with post 100, as the cradle rotates to the starting position, the carriage 88 is urged upwardly relative to support member 82, and the clamp beam 96, which is swung from the carriage 88, is lifted out of contact with car R. As the upright position is again reached, rotation and upwward lifting of the clamp mechanism 80 stops and the railroad car R is ready to be moved out of the dumper 32. If the dumper 32 is to be rotated without a car R in place, all operations are the same except that the clamp 96 travels to a stop at a minimum car height and the lift roller 124 moves off of the lift post 100 at about 35 rotation of the cradle.

A further embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17) incorporates a positive clamp lowering mechanism 170 into a clamp mechanism 172 equivalent to that described previously. The positive clamp lowering mechanism is utilized to positively lower the clamping mechanism in case it should jam. The clamping mechanism 172 of this embodiment includes a carriage 174 having an upright member 176 mounted in a manner identical to that of the previous embodiment, an upper transverse member 178 from which a clamp beam 180 is suspended extending inwardly of the cradle from the upright member, a lift beam 182 and a lock mechanism identical to that described previously, and the positive clamp lowering mechanism 170.

The clamp beam 180 of this embodiment (FIG. 16) is pivotally swung on a pivot pin 184 between parallel arms 178a of transverse member 178. The pin 184, which is rigidly secured to the clamp beam, is disposed for vertical travel relative to arms 178a in slots 178b. The pin 184 also extends through two parallel spaced arms 186a of lock lever 186. The spaced arms 186a are pivoted at their left ends (FIG. 14) to the transverse member 178 on pins 188. A depending curved member 186b of lock lever 186 is secured between the right ends (FIG. 14) of arms 186a.

Another lever, lock arm or hook 190, (FIGS. 14 and is pivotally mounted on a common shaft 192 with a roller 194 at the end of lift beam 182. A U-shaped slot 190a is formed near the lower end of lock arm 190 for engagement with a horizontal pin or lock stud 196 that extends fromlift post 198. A flexible cable 200 attached to the lower end of the curved member 186b of lock lever 186 extends through the central portion of upright member 176 and along lift beam 182 to lock arm 190 to which the cable is pivotally connected. A vertically depending rod 202 is also connected to the lower end of member 186b and extends downwardly through upright member 176 and beyond the lower end of the upright member 176.

In operation a railroad car R is moved into position within the rotary car dumper. The dumper motor is energized and the dumper begins to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (FIGS. 14 and 15). At the start of rotation, pivot pin 184 is at the bottom of the slot 178b in which it is disposed and lock lever 186 is in the position of FIG. 14. At this point the lock arm 190 is in locked engagement with the pin 196 (FIG. 14) extending from lift post 198.

As rotation proceeeds, clamp beam 180, which is above and clear of car R, is lowered as the carriage 174, to which the clamp beam 180 is connected, lowers on its guides under the force of gravity. However, if the clamp mechanism hangs up and doesnt lower properly, lock arm 190, which is in engagement with pin 196, will prevent the roller 194 from leaving contact with the lift post 198 and the clamp mechanism will be positively lowered. Clamp lowering, with lock ann 190 in engagement with pin 196, continues until the clamp beam 180 contacts the top edge of the car sides and stops. The upright member 176 from which transverse arm 178 extends continues to drop as pivot pin 184, which is rigidly attached to both the clamp beam 180 and lock lever 186, moves upwardly in the slots 17812 in transverse member 178. Lock lever 186 is thus pivoted upwardly or in a counterclockwise direction (FIGS. 14 and 15) about pins 188. The motion of lever 186 is transmitted through cable 200 to the lock arm or hook 190 which is pulled by the cable in a counterclockwise direction (FIGS. 14 and 15) about shaft 192 and out of engagement with pin 196. When pivot pin 184 reaches the top of slots 1781;, the upright member 176 stops its downward movement and the now freed roller 194 leaves contact with lift post 198. As rotation continues the locking mechanism locks the clamp beam in contact with the top of the rail car R exactly as described in the previous embodiment and the car is rotated to the dump position.

After the contents of the rail car have been dumped and the car dumper is on the return phase of the dump cycle, the locking mechanism 170 disengages as the car reaches a point that is 35 from the upright position, as explained in the previous embodiment. Roller 194 again contacts lift post 198 as rotation continues and the clamping mechanism 172 is urged upwardly. The clamp beam 180 remains in contact with the top of car R until pivot pin 184 reaches the bottom of slots 178b in the transverse member 178. As pin 184 travels downwardly in the slots 178b, lock lever 186 retraces its original path and rotates clockwise to the position of FIG. 14. Cable 200 imparts a clockwise motion (FIGS. 14 and 15) also to lock arm which is rotated again into locking engagement with pin 196.

If a car dumper, incorporating the positive clamp lowering mechanism, is rotated without a railroad car in place, the lock arm 190 will still disengage from lock stud 196 even though the clamp beam doesn't come in contact with the top of a rail car. As the clamp mechanism is lowered to a position equivalent to a minimum car height, the lock release rod 202 contacts a stop or cam 204 which pivots the lock lever 186 counterclockwise to disconnect the lock arm 190 from pin 196 in the exact sequence as described above, except that the lock lever is actuated by rod 202 rather than pin 184. As the cradle is returned to the starting position (FIG. 14) with carriage 174 being raised upwardly, lock lever 186 drops to the position of FIG. 14 with the disengagement of rod 202 from stop 204 causing lock arm 190 to swing back into engagement with stud 196.

Although the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been herein shown and described, it will be apparent that modification and variation may be made without departing from what is regarded to be the subject matter of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a rotary car dumper having a rotatable cradle to support a car and a drive system for rotation of the cradle through a dump cycle between a starting position and a dump position, the improvement comprising, in combination, a car securing member having a clamp beam for engagement with the car, said car securing member being slidably supported in the cradle, a stationary lift member adjacent the cradle, said lift member being engaged by the car securing member until the clamp beam of the car securing member is lowered into contact with the car on rotation-of the cradle toward the dump position and said lift member being engaged by the securing member for raising the clamp beam of the car securing member up from the car on return of the cradle to the starting position, elongated strips on the cradle, pressure plates on the car securing member interspersed with the elongated strips, an actuating element in the cradle, means responsive to movement of the actuating element at a predetermined angle of cradle rotation for forcing the strips and plates together to lock the clamp beam in position on the car, a lock member on the car securing member and a lock member on the lift member, and means to effect cooperattacts the car.

3. In a rotary car dumper having a rotatable cradle to support a car in rotation between an upright position and a dump position, the improvement comprising in combination, a car securing member having a clamp beam for engagement with the car, said car securing member slidably supported in the cradle, a stationary lift member adjacent the cradle, said lift member being engaged by the car securing member until the clamp beam of the car securing member is lowered into contact with the car on rotation of the cradle to the dump position and said lift member being engaged by the securing member for urging the securing member up from thecar on return of the cradle to the upright position, a lock member on the car securing member and a lock member on the lift member, and means to effect cooperating engagement of said lock members when the car securing member is disengaged from the car for positively lowering the car securing member with the clamp beam into engagement with the car.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lock member on the car securing member comprises a hook operatively connected between the securing member and the lift member to hold the securing member in contact with the lift member as the cradle rotates and wherein a lever is interconnected between the clamp beam and the hook for disengagement of the hook from the lift membr as the clamp beam contacts the car.

5. In a rotary car dumper having a rotatable frame and having means secured to the frame to support a railroad car, a clamp mechanism slidable with respect to the frame and having a clamp member to engage the railroad car when not lifted, a stationary lift member adjacent the rotatable dumper frame for engagement with the clamp mechanism on rotation of the car dumper frame in a predetermined direction to raise the clamp member from the car and for disengagement from the clamp mechanism on rotation of the car dumper frame in the opposite direction to lower the clamp member toward the car, a lock member operable to secure the clamp mechanism to the lift member, and means responsive to engagement of the clamp member with the car to release the lock member and free the clamp mechanism from the therefor lift member.

' 6. In a rotary car dumper having a rotatable frame and having means secured to the frame to support a railroad car, a clamp mechanism slidable on the frame and having a clamp member connected thereto through a lost motion connection to engage the railroad car when not lifted, a stationary lift member adjacent the rotatable frame for engagement with the clamp mechanism on rotation of the frame in a predetermined direction to raise the clamp member from the car and for disengagement from the clamp mechanism on rotation of the frame in the opposite direction to lower the clamp member toward the car, a lock member operable when actuated in one direction to secure the clamp mechanism to the lift member and operable when actuated in the opposite direction to release the clamp mechanism from the lift member, and means including an actuating member connected between the lock member and the clamp member to actuate the lock member in said one direction when the clamp member is shifted with respect to the clamp mechanism on disengagement of the clamp member from the car and to actuate the lock member in the opposite direction when the clamp member is shifted oppositely with respect to the clamp mechanism on engagement of the clamp member with the car.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 1 3,776,401

DATED December 4, 1973 INVENTOR(S) Ralph C. Ouska It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

0 Col. 1, line 5, change "Apr, 21" to --Apr. 2l. Col. 5, line 33, change "memeber" to --member--. Col. 7, line 30, change "upward." to -upward--. Col. 8, line 19, change "proceeeds" to proceeds. Col. 10, line 18, change "membr" to -member;

Col. 10, line 34, delete "therefor" Signed and Sealed thus second Day Of September 1975 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (vmmr'ssr'vnvr ofParenls and Trademarks D

Claims

1. In a rotary car dumper having a rotatable cradle to support a car and a drive system for rotation of the cradle through a dump cycle between a starting position and a dump position, the improvement comprising, in combination, a car securing member having a clamp beam for engagement with the car, said car securing member being slidably supported in the cradle, a stationary lift member adjacent the cradle, said lift member being engaged by the car securing member until the clamp beam of the car securing member is lowered into contact with the car on rotation of the cradle toward the dump position and said lift member being engaged by the securing member for raising the clamp beam of the car securing member up from the car on return of the cradle to the starting position, elongated strips on the cradle, pressure plates on the car securing member interspersed with the elongated strips, an actuating element in the cradle, means responsive to movement of the actuating element at a predetermined angle of cradle rotation for forcing the strips and plates together to lock the clamp beam in position on the car, a lock member on the car securing member and a lock member on the lift member, and means to effect cooperating engagement of said lock members when the car securing member is disengaged from the car for positively lowering the car securing member to the car.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said lock members comprises a hook operatively connected between the car securing member and the lift member to hold the car securing member in contact with the lift member as the cradle rotates and wherein a lever is interconnected between the clamp beam and the hook for disengagement of the hook as the clamp beam contacts the car.

3. In a rotary car dumper having a rotatable cradle to support a car in rotation between an upright position and a dump position, the improvement comprising in combination, a car securing member having a clamp beam for engagement with the car, said car securing member slidably supported in the cradle, a stationary lift member adjacent the cradle, said lift member being engaged by the car securing member until the clamp beam of the car securing member is lowered into contact with the car on rotation of the cradle to the dump position and said lift member being engaged by the securing member for urging the securing member up from the car on return of the cradle to the upright position, a lock member on the car securing member and a lock member on the lift member, and means to effect cooperating engagement of said lock members when the car securing member is disengaged from the car for positively lowering the car securing member with the clamp beam into engagement with the car.

6. In a rotary car dumper having a rotatable frame and having means secured to the frame to support a railroad car, a clamp mechanism slidable on the frame and having a clamp member connected thereto through a lost motion connection to engage the railroad car when not lifted, a stationary lift member adjacent the rotatable frame for engagement with the clamp mechanism on rotation of the frame in a predetermined direction to raise the clamp member from the car and for disengagement from the clamp mechanism on rotation of the frame in the opposite direction to lower the clamp member toward the car, a lock member operable when actuated in one direction to secure the clamp mechanism to the lift member and operable when actuated in the opposite direction to release the clamp mechanism from the lift member, and means including an actuating member connected between the lock member and the clamp member to actuate the lock member in said one direction when the clamp member is shifted with respect to the clamp mechanism on disengagement of the clamp member from the car and to actuate the lock member in the opposite direction when the clamp member is shifted oppositely with respect to the clamp mechanism on engagement of the clamp member with the car.