US3913267A

US3913267A - Railway car door control mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3913267A
Application number: US389933A
Authority: US
Inventors: Willis H Knippel; Walter J Marulic
Original assignee: Pullman Inc
Current assignee: Pullman Standard Inc; Pullman Inc
Priority date: 1973-08-20
Filing date: 1973-08-20
Publication date: 1975-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-21
Also published as: USB389933I5

Abstract

A railway car door of the laterally movable and slidable type is provided with a control mechanism including cams which sequentially are movable to first open locking bolts and then laterally move the door to an open position. The mechanism includes manual control means which are shiftable to selectively engage a force multiplying device movable engagement with anchoring means on the car body so as to provide a power-assist in sliding the door relative to the door opening.

Description

United States Patent Knippel et 21.

Oct. 21, 1975 l lB RAILWAY CAR DOOR CONTROL MECHANISM Inventors: Willis H. Knippel, Palos Park, 111.;

Walter J. Marulic, Gary, lndi Assignee: Pullman Incorporated, Chicago, 111.

Filed: Aug. 20, 1973 Appl. No.: 389,933

Published under the Trial Voluntary Protest Program on January 28, 1975 as document no. B 389,933.

U.S. Cl. .i 49/220; 49/281; 49/358; 49/360 lnt. Cl. .i EOSD 15/10 Field of Search 49/214-220, 49/358, 279-281, 360

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Ottinger 49/281 X 2,553,511 5/1951 Casey Sr. 49/358 2,843,375 7/1958 Lesage 49/220 3,750,335 3/1973 Marshm. 49/220 Primary ExaminerKenneth Downey Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard J. Myers [57] ABSTRACT A railway car door of the laterally movable and slid able type is provided with a control mechanism in cluding cams which sequentially are movable to first open locking bolts and then laterally move the door to an open position. The mechanism includes manual control means which are shiftable to selectively en gage a force multiplying device movable engagement with anchoring means on the car body so as to provide a power-assist in sliding the door relative to the door opening.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures US. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,913,267

U.S. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet2of4 3,913,267

US. Patent 0a. 21, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,913,267

US. Patent 0m 21, 1975 Sheet 4 on 3,913,267

RAILWAY CAR DOOR CONTROL MECHANISM CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED PATENT This invention is an improvement over and is related to US. Pat. No. 3,750,335 granted Aug. 7, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to railway car plug doors of a type which are slidingly supported on a track and are movable from a closed position within a door opening to an open position laterally outward of and to one side of the door opening.

2. Description of the Prior Art The invention is primarily directed to a mechanism which is associated with and operated by a door operating mechanism for the purpose of providing power to slide the plug door between opened and closed positions. Such devices are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,468,062, 9/23/69; 3,468,063, 9/23/69; 2,553,511, /15/51; 3,636,658, 1/25/72.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention resides in a railway car plug door wherein a door control mechanism includes a pair of cams manually and selectively operable to sequentially open locking bolts and then laterally force the door outwardly relative to the door opening. The combination includes a force multiplying device which upon shifting of certain elements is actuated by the operator for effecting power assistance in slidably moving the door from a position over the door opening to a position at one side of the door opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially in section, showing an improved plug door in closed position over the door opening of a railway car side;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of a door operating mechanism;

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

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view through an operating mechanism taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a sprocket and associated gear mechanism;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a gear detail;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view in detail ofa cam actuator; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view in detail of a gear.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a railway car side 10 includes a rectangular door frame 11 consisting of laterally spaced door posts 12 defining a door opening 13. The door frame 11 also includes a top plate structure 14 and a lower side sill structure 15. The horizontal track 16 is supported on the side sill structure 15. A door generally designated at 17 is shown in a closed position within the door opening 15, said door being of the plug and sliding type conventional in the railway car field.

The door 17 comprises upper and lower transverse

structural members

18 and 19 suitably connected to laterally spaced vertical members 20. Metal sheathing 20' is secured to the transverse members 18-19 and vertical members 20. A roller support and swivel structure assembly 21 is provided at one lower end of the door, the said roller structure being slidably supported on the track 16. An upper swivel and roller support 22 is provided at the upper left hand portion of the door. as shown in FIG. 1. A roller support 23 at the lower right hand side ofthe door is slidingly supported on the track 16 in conventional fashion. The roller support 23 also has associated therewith a lower crank arm 24 in conventional manner. The upper right hand end of the door is also provided with a roller support assembly 25 and an upper crank arm 25'. A rotatable vertical pipe is connected to the roller support assemblies 23 and 25 for pivotal movement about its vertical axis. The door includes a vertical locking bolt linkage assembly 27 and a horizontal locking bolt assembly 28. The

locking bolt assemblies

27 and 28 are slidable relative to the door between open and closed positions, the vertical assembly 27 engaging the lower side sill structure in locking relation and the horizontal assembly 28 engaging one of the door posts 12 in locking relation.

A door actuating mechanism is generally designated at 30 and, as best shown in FIG. 5, includes a rear plate 3I suitably connected to the sheathing 20'. A front plate 31' forms with said rear plate 31 a housing generally designated at 29. The housing 29 supports for rotation a shaft 32 to which a manual hand wheel 33 is con' nected. The shaft 32 is supported at its front end in a bearing 34 supported within the front plate 31'. The

plates

31 and 31 are enclosed by a suitable sheet metal housing designated at 29. The shaft 32 is also supported at its rear end within a bearing 35 in turn supported by the rear plate 31. A gear element 36, as best shown in FIGS. 5, 8 and 9, is keyed to the front end of the shaft 32. The gear element includes gear teeth 37. The gear element 36 is engageable with a camming actuator 38, as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. The camming actuator 38 comprises a pair of spaced arms 39, having sup ported at one end cylindrical camming means 40. The lower arm 39, as shown in FIG. 5, is provided with splined apertures 41 which are adapted to be suitably engaged by the gear teeth 37, as best shown in FIG. 8. A sprocket 42 is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 32 for relative rotation. The sprocket 42 comprises a hub 43 also having internal splined apertures 44, as best shown in FIG. 6, within which a gear 45 having gear teeth 46 is engageable. The arms 39 are also supported on the shaft 32 but are relatively rotatable with respect thereto.

The actuating mechanism 30 is more specifically shown and described in the above referenced patent. It comprises generally a cam 47 pivotally connected to a shaft 48 and an associated cam 49 pivotally connected to a shaft 50, both of said shafts being supported on the plates 31 and 31'. The

cams

47 and 49 are, respectively, provided with

recesses

50 and 51. A pivot connection 52 pivotally connects the cam 49 to the vertically locking bolt linkage assembly 27. Similarly. the cam 49 is pivotally connected to the horizontal locking bolt linkage assembly 28 by means of a pivot connection 52'. A link 53 by means of a pivot connection 53 is suitably connected to the cam 47. The linkage assembly 53 is connected to a pivot bracket 54 anchored on the pipe 26 whereupon horizontal movement of the linkage assembly 53, the pipe 26 is rotated for the purpose of moving the door laterally inwardly and outwardly relative to the door openingv As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the sprocket 42 is connected to an endless chain 55 which in turn is trained about a sprocket 56 as shown in FIG. 3 which is rotatably mounted about a shaft 57 connected to a pivot bracket 58 supported on the sheathing The sprocket 56 is connected to a drum 59 about which a cable 60 is wound and which extends to a first pulley 61. The cable 60 extends around pulley 61 and to the right as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and one end 65 of the cable 60 is suitably anchored on an adjustable spring tension anchoring element 66 supported on the top plate 14. The cable 60 on drum 59 also extends around pulley 61' and to the left as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and left end 64 is anchored by means ofan adjustable spring tension anchoring element 66 supported on the top plate 14. A bracket 63 supports both pulleys 61 and 61' on door 17.

THE OPERATION FIG. 1 shows the door 17 in the closed position with the

locking bolt assemblies

27 and 28 in locked position. An operator now will rotate the shaft 32 in a counterclockwise direction whereupon the arms 39 are moved in counterclockwise direction and the camming means 40 within the slot causes the cam 49 to pivot about the shaft 50 in a clockwise direction, thereby withdrawing the

locking bolt assemblies

27 and 28 from the locked position, To effectuate this rotation of the arms 39, the shaft 32 has been moved axially from the position shown in FIG, 5 inwardly, whereupon the gear teeth 37 are in engagement with the splined apertures 41, as shown in FIG. 8. Continued movement of the arms 39 in a counterclockwise direction provides for disengagement of the camming means 40 with respect to the slot 51 and its subsequent engagement with the camming slot 50, whereupon the cam 47 is rotated in a clockwise direction, thereupon horizontally moving the link 53, thereby rotating the rod 26 about its axis. Rotation of the rod 26 causes pivotal movement of the cranks 24 and thereby moving the door laterally outwardly from the right hand side of the door opening, the left hand side of the door being pivoted about the swivel and

roller structures

21 and 22. The door now is in position for sliding movement to one side of the door opening.

In order to power-assist and move the door to an open position on one side of the door opening, the operator now moves the shaft 32 axially outwardly into the position shown in FIG. 5 wherein the gear teeth 46 are in engagement with the splined apertures 44 of the hub 43 and simultaneously the gear teeth 37 are disengaged from splined aperture 41 of arm 39. Rotation of the hand wheel now is effective to provide for rotation of the sprocket 42 which in turn provides for rotation of the drum 59 about which the cable 60 is wound. Since the cable ends 64 and 65 are anchored on the car structure, or extensions of the top plate, rotation of the sprockets and associated part provides for a power drive of the door to move laterally in sliding relation to one side of the opening. By virtue of the arrangement of the sprockets, hand wheel, and associated cable ar rangement, a force multiplying factor is achieved so that the door moves easily to the desired position, To

return the door to its closed position the operation is, of course, reversed.

What is claimed is:

l. A vehicle door movable laterally between a position closing the opening in a door frame and a position over the door opening and slidably movable between a position over the opening and a position on one side of said opening, a rod rotatably connected to said door, crank arms on said rod rotatably connected to said door frame to provide for said lateral movement, locking bolt means slideably connected to said door and movable into and out of locking relation relative to said door frame, the improvement comprising,

a door operating means including a shaft mounted on said door for rotatable and axial movement relative to said door,

means on said shaft for rotating and axially moving the shaft relative to said door,

actuating means associated with said shaft moveably mounted on said door,

first linkage means connected to said actuating means and to said rod for rotating the same in response to movement of said actuating means,

second linkage means connected to said bolt means and to said actuating means for sliding said bolt means in response to movement of said actuating means,

a mechanism for moving said door to one side of said opening including a tension member anchored to said frame on opposite sides of said opening,

a rotatable member connected to said tension member and said door whereupon rotation of said rotatable member said door is moved from a position over the door opening to a position on one side of said door opening, and

keying means on said shaft and being selectively movable upon axial movement of said shaft into operative engagement with said rotatable member for rotating the same so as to effect slidable movement of said door.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said tension member comprising a flexible member and said rotatable member being associated with a drum about which said tension member is wound.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2, said actuating means comprising,

a first cam rotatably supported on said door and connected to said first linkage means,

said actuating means including a second cam rotatably supported on said door and connected to said second linkage means, and

camming means connected to said shaft and being movable into sequential engagement with said first and second cams for sequentially actuating said first and second linkage means.

4. The invention in accordance with claim I,

said shaft extending perpendicular to the vertical plane of said door and being movable axially inward and outward of said door, and

key engageable means on said rotatable member being engaged by said keying means upon axial movement of said shaft.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 2, said actuating means comprising:

said actuating means including a second cam rotatably supported on said door and connected to said second linkage means,

camming means connected to said shaft and being movable into sequential engagement with said first and second cams for sequentially actuating said linkage means,

said shaft extending perpendicular to the vertical plane of said door and being axially movable inwardly and outwardly relative to said door so as to provide for selective engagement of said keying means on said shaft with said rotatable member, and

said camming means is disengaged from said first and second cams.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5, said keying means on said shaft comprising a gear, and

driven means on said rotatable member having means engageable by said gear during axial movement of said shaft.

7. A railway car having a side including a frame and a door opening, a door slideable relative to said opening from a closed position to an open position on one side of said opening, locking bolt means on said door movable into engagement with said frame in the closed position, a shaft rotatably mounted on said door and extending laterally outwardly of said door, an actuating means connected to said bolt means for engaging and disengaging the same from said frame, the improvement comprising:

a mechanism for moving said door between open and closed positions, including:

an anchoring member supported on said frame,

a force multiplying member rotatably mounted on said door and connected to said anchoring memher.

said shaft being mounted on said door for axial movement, keying means on said shaft selectively engageable with said force multiplying member upon axial movement of said shaft whereby during rotation of said shaft said force multiplying member is rotated so as to effect sliding movement of said door, and means on said shaft being operably disengaged from said actuating means during selective engagement of said keying means on said shaft with said force multiplying member, 8. The invention in accordance with claim 7, said anchoring member comprising a cable anchored to said frame on opposite sides of said door.

said force multiplying member comprising a sprocket,

a rotatable drum connected to said door and to said cable, and

flexible drive means connecting said sprocket to said drum.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 8,

said shaft being axially movable for effecting selective disengagement of said means on said shaft from said actuating means, and

driven means on said sprocket adapted to be engaged by said keying means during selective engagement of said keying means with said driven means upon axial shifting of said shaft.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9,

said actuating means including a cam,

linkage means connecting said cam to said bolt means, and

camming means on said shaft for effecting selective engagement with said cam during axial movement of said shaft to disengage said keying means from said driven means.

Claims

1. A vehicle door movable laterally between a position closing the opening in a door frame and a position over the door opening and slidably movable between a position over the opening and a position on one side of said opening, a rod rotatably connected to said door, crank arms on said rod rotatably connected to said door frame to provide for said lateral movement, locking bolt means slideably connected to said door and movable into and out of locking relation relative to said door frame, the improvement comprising, a door operating means including a shaft mounted on said door for rotatable and axial movement relative to said door, means on said shaft for rotating and axially moving the shaft relative to said door, actuating means associated with said shaft moveably mounted on said door, first linkage means connected to said actuating means and to said rod for rotating the same in response to movement of said actuating means, second linkage means coNnected to said bolt means and to said actuating means for sliding said bolt means in response to movement of said actuating means, a mechanism for moving said door to one side of said opening including a tension member anchored to said frame on opposite sides of said opening, a rotatable member connected to said tension member and said door whereupon rotation of said rotatable member said door is moved from a position over the door opening to a position on one side of said door opening, and keying means on said shaft and being selectively movable upon axial movement of said shaft into operative engagement with said rotatable member for rotating the same so as to effect slidable movement of said door.

3. The invention in accordance with claim 2, said actuating means comprising, a first cam rotatably supported on said door and connected to said first linkage means, said actuating means including a second cam rotatably supported on said door and connected to said second linkage means, and camming means connected to said shaft and being movable into sequential engagement with said first and second cams for sequentially actuating said first and second linkage means.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 1, said shaft extending perpendicular to the vertical plane of said door and being movable axially inward and outward of said door, and key engageable means on said rotatable member being engaged by said keying means upon axial movement of said shaft.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 2, said actuating means comprising: a first cam rotatably supported on said door and connected to said first linkage means, said actuating means including a second cam rotatably supported on said door and connected to said second linkage means, camming means connected to said shaft and being movable into sequential engagement with said first and second cams for sequentially actuating said linkage means, said shaft extending perpendicular to the vertical plane of said door and being axially movable inwardly and outwardly relative to said door so as to provide for selective engagement of said keying means on said shaft with said rotatable member, and said camming means is disengaged from said first and second cams.

6. The invention in accordance with claim 5, said keying means on said shaft comprising a gear, and driven means on said rotatable member having means engageable by said gear during axial movement of said shaft.

7. A railway car having a side including a frame and a door opening, a door slideable relative to said opening from a closed position to an open position on one side of said opening, locking bolt means on said door movable into engagement with said frame in the closed position, a shaft rotatably mounted on said door and extending laterally outwardly of said door, an actuating means connected to said bolt means for engaging and disengaging the same from said frame, the improvement comprising: a mechanism for moving said door between open and closed positions, including: an anchoring member supported on said frame, a force multiplying member rotatably mounted on said door and connected to said anchoring member, said shaft being mounted on said door for axial movement, keying means on said shaft selectively engageable with said force multiplying member upon axial movement of said shaft whereby during rotation of said shaft said force multiplying member is rotated so as to effect sliding movement of said door, and means on said shaft being operably disengaged from said actuating means during selective engagement of said keying means on said shaft with said force multiplying member.

8. The invention in accordance with claim 7, said anchoring member comprisinG a cable anchored to said frame on opposite sides of said door, said force multiplying member comprising a sprocket, a rotatable drum connected to said door and to said cable, and flexible drive means connecting said sprocket to said drum.

9. The invention in accordance with claim 8, said shaft being axially movable for effecting selective disengagement of said means on said shaft from said actuating means, and driven means on said sprocket adapted to be engaged by said keying means during selective engagement of said keying means with said driven means upon axial shifting of said shaft.

10. The invention in accordance with claim 9, said actuating means including a cam, linkage means connecting said cam to said bolt means, and camming means on said shaft for effecting selective engagement with said cam during axial movement of said shaft to disengage said keying means from said driven means.