The present invention relates to bumper guard and side post guard apparatuses for use with an auto-rack railcar side panel. The bumper guard and side post guard apparatuses prevent vehicles from being damaged when stored and transported within an auto-rack railcar, such as when vehicle doors are opened, where vehicle doors may otherwise contact the side panels and/or side posts of the auto-rack railcar. Methods of using the same are further provided.
Auto-rack railroad cars have been utilized for many years to transport automobiles, light trucks, and other like vehicles over great distances via the railroads. Specifically, the auto-rack railroad car generally is compartmentalized, having at least one level, but in many cases two or three levels, where automobiles may be parked for transport of the same. Typically, to protect the automobiles transported therein, auto-rack railroad cars typically have perforated metal side panels and a roof thereover. Doors for loading and unloading of vehicles are typically found on opposite ends thereof The levels on which the vehicles sit are typically decks containing a means for securing the vehicles to the decks. An example of a deck for this purpose is a metal floor grating system, and the vehicles' wheels typically rest on the decks, as illustrated in
Oftentimes, the auto-rack railroad cars provide a relatively small space to hold and transport vehicles. In many cases, vehicles may be placed relatively close to the mesh or perforated side panels and side posts of the railcars. Typically, these side panels and side posts may be made of metal or other like hard structural material. After vehicles are driven into the auto-rack railroad cars, the driver must open the vehicle. Moreover, vehicle doors are opened when drivers must remove the vehicles from the auto-rack railroad cars after transporting the same. However when the doors of the vehicles are opened while inside an auto-rack railroad car, there is a high risk that the doors will contact the metal side panels and/or side posts causing scratches, gouges, dents, or other like damage to the vehicle doors. In many cases, brand new vehicles are transported using auto-rack railroad cars, and damage to the doors caused in this manner typically require repairing of the damage, causing delays. Therefore, a need exists for preventing damage to vehicles transported using auto-rack railroad cars.
Several solutions have been attempted to protect vehicle doors from damage when storing and/or transporting in auto-rack railroad cars. These solutions have included straps, rubber hoses, adhesive tape, spray on foam, and other like elements that are placed on or adjacent the side panels and/or side posts in an attempt to prevent the doors from contacting the side panels. These solutions typically do not provide adequate protection and in many cases the doors may still come into contact with the side panels and/or side posts causing damage to the doors. A need, therefore, exists for improved protection against damage to vehicle doors that may be caused by the contact of the vehicle doors with the side panels and/or side posts of an auto-rack railroad car.
Another solution has been to mount a plastic or rubber, preformed bumper guard onto the side panels and/or side posts of the auto-rack railroad cars to present an alternate contacting surface for the vehicle doors that will not damage the vehicle doors if contacting the same. Prior art bumper guards are shown in
It is often difficult to utilize prior art bumper guards universally on side panels of auto-rack railroad cars. Auto-rack railroad cars are not standardized, and the side panels may be made of a mesh or perforated metal sheet. Thus, side panels may come in several types, with varying mesh patterns, perforations or the like, that may make it difficult to mount the bumper guards thereto. A need, therefore, exists for improved bumper guard apparatuses and methods of using the same that may be utilized in a plurality of different side panel types. More specifically, a need exists for improved bumper guard apparatuses and methods of using the same having mounting bases having mounting holes that easily align with mesh or perforations of side panels of auto-rack railroad cars.
Moreover, side panels further are typically not merely metal sheets covering the sides of the auto-rack railroad cars, but may further consist of several frame pieces that together form the side panels, and these elements may not include apertures or holes that may be used to mount something thereto. For example, side panels may include metal members that may form L-shaped flanges that may extend from the side panel, forming spaces between adjacent members. These L-shaped flanges may not include apertures or holes for mounting bumper guards thereto. A need exists, therefore, for bumper guards that may be mountable in locations without apertures or holes for mounting the same thereon.
Moreover, bumper guards are typically required to be placed on side panels in strategic locations to present a contact surface for the vehicle doors if opened. Vehicles are manufactured in many shapes and sizes, and vehicle door size and placement may be different from vehicle to vehicle. Because of this, vehicle doors may not open uniformly, and may potentially contact side panels of auto-rack railroad cars in different locations. Therefore, a need exists for bumper guard apparatuses for auto-rack railroad cars that may be easily placed and mounted in different locations on side panels and/or side posts thereof Further, a need exists for bumper guard apparatuses for auto-rack railroad cars that may quickly and easily be removed and replaced when necessary.
In addition, typical bumper guard apparatuses may be relatively thin and may not provide adequate protection, especially when utilized in extreme temperatures, such as extreme heat and/or extreme cold. A need exists for bumper guard apparatuses that may easily withstand the elements and extreme temperature changes. For example, bumper guards are typically required to withstand a temperature range of between −40° F. and 130° F.
The present invention relates to bumper guard and/or side post guard apparatuses for use with an auto-rack railcar side panel. The bumper guard apparatuses prevent vehicles from being damaged when stored and transported within an auto-rack railcar, such as when vehicle doors are opened, where vehicle doors may otherwise contact the side panels and/or side posts of the auto-rack railcar. Specifically, bumper guard apparatuses of the present invention may be utilized on perforated metal walls of auto-rack railcars, such as on A-deck, B-deck, as well as on C-deck. Moreover, side post guards of the present invention may be utilized on side posts, cross-members, or other structural features of side walls and/or frames. Methods of using the same are further provided.
To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a railcar sidewall bumper apparatus is provided. The railcar sidewall bumper apparatus comprises: an elongated length having an attachment flange portion and a rounded bumper portion, wherein the attachment flange portion extends from a first side to a second side of the elongated length and further has an top edge and a bottom transition portion, wherein the bottom transition portion transitions between the attachment flange and the rounded bumper portion, and further wherein the rounded bumper portion extends from the first side to the second side and, in cross-section, has an elliptical C-shape comprising a first leg, an outer curve and a second leg, and further wherein the first leg extends from the bottom transition portion of the attachment flange portion and further wherein the second leg comprises a curved bottom edge.
In an embodiment, the railcar sidewall bumper apparatus further comprises: a plurality of apertures in the attachment flange portion for attaching the railcar sidewall bumper to a railcar sidewall.
In an embodiment, the railcar sidewall bumper apparatus further comprises: a raised portion around each of the plurality of apertures.
In an embodiment, the plurality of apertures are oval slots.
In an embodiment, the railcar sidewall bumper apparatus is made from a material having a consistent thickness at all points in the sidewall bumper apparatus.
In an embodiment, the bottom transition portion of the attachment flange portion is curved.
In an embodiment, the first leg and the second leg are curved.
In an embodiment, the top edge of the attachment flange portion has a clip element.
In an embodiment, the clip element comprises a nub running from the first side to the second side of the railcar sidewall bumper apparatus.
In an embodiment, the attachment flange portion extends upwardly from the first leg at roughly a ninety degree angle.
In an embodiment, the attachment flange portion extends upwardly from the first leg at less than a ninety degree angle.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a railcar sidewall post guard apparatus is provided. The railcar sidewall post guard apparatus comprises: a main body portion, and first and second wings extending from first and second sides of the main body portion, the main body portion having a plurality of undulations therein, each undulation having a peak portion and a trough portion.
In an embodiment, the plurality of undulations near the first and second wings are larger than the plurality of undulations near the center of the main body portion.
In an embodiment, the plurality of undulations are the same size.
In an embodiment, the railcar sidewall post guard apparatus further comprises: a first aperture in the first wing and a second aperture in the second wing.
In an embodiment, the railcar sidewall post guard apparatus further comprises: a first raised portion around the first aperture and a second raised portion around the second aperture.
In an embodiment, the first and second raised portions extend from the first and second wings, respectively onto adjacent undulations on the main body portion.
In an embodiment, the main body portion comprises first and second angled edges extending from the first wing and first and second angled edges extending from the second wing.
In an embodiment, the railcar sidewall post guard apparatus further comprises: a plurality of ribs disposed within at least one trough portion of the main body.
In an embodiment, the railcar sidewall post guard apparatus is made from a material selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoset polymer.
It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to prevent damage to vehicles transported using auto-rack railroad cars.
Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide improved protection against damage to vehicle doors that may be caused by the contact of the vehicle doors with the side panels and/or side posts of an auto-rack railroad car.
In addition, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide improved bumper guard and side post guard apparatuses and methods of using the same that may be utilized in a plurality of different side panels, side post types, cross-beams and/or auto-rack railcar configurations.
More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide improved bumper guard and/or side post guard apparatuses and methods of using the same having mounting bases having mounting holes that easily align with mesh or perforations of side panels of auto-rack railroad cars.
And, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide improved bumper guard and/or side post guard apparatuses that may be mountable in locations without apertures or holes for mounting the same thereon.
Further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide bumper guard and/or side post guard apparatuses for auto-rack railroad cars that may be easily placed and mounted in different locations on side panels thereof.
Still further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide bumper guard and/or side post guard apparatuses for auto-rack railroad cars that may quickly be removed and relocated based on the type and contact placement of doors of vehicles contained therein.
In addition, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide improved bumper guard and/or side post guard apparatuses that may easily withstand the elements and extreme temperature changes.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.
The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
The present invention relates to bumper guard and/or side post guard apparatuses for use with an auto-rack railcar side panel. The bumper guard and/or side post guard apparatuses prevent vehicles from being damaged when stored and transported within an auto-rack railcar, such as when vehicle doors are opened, where vehicle doors may otherwise contact the side panels and/or side posts of the auto-rack railcar. Methods of using the same are further provided.
Now referring to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts,
The bumper guard 50 may further have the previously described C-shaped section 62 having the contacting surface 52 on an outside thereof, extending outwardly from an end of the flat leg portion 56 forming the C-shape and terminating at a second clip leg portion 64. As illustrated in
Because of the resiliency of the bumper guard 50, and the material it is made from, such as, preferably, thermoplastic material, the bumper guard 50 may easily retain its shape and “spring back” when deformed by contact with a car door. The bumper guard 50 may preferably be made from a material that is resilient to temperature extremes, such as extreme heat or extreme cold, and may function in either temperature, or in any other weather condition. Contact by a car door on the bumper guard 50 may prevent damage to the car door, as opposed to contact from a side wall or side post of the railcar. In a preferred embodiment, the thermoplastic may have additives, such as, preferably, calcium carbonate, for example, blended therein to add stiffness and aid in the extrusion process.
The flat leg portion 106 and the clip portion 114 may be disposed on a first side of the C-shaped section 112. Disposed on the other side of the C-shaped section 112 may be a curved leg portion 118 which may freely hang and may remain unattached to the side wall 104. The curved portion 118 may move downwardly when C-shaped section 112 is contacted by a car door due to the spring action of the C-shaped section 112 without catching on any protruding parts of the side wall 104 when deforming due to contact with a car door.
The bumper guard 150 may further have a leg portion 156 extending from one side of the C-shaped section 162. The leg portion 156 may have a raised platform 157 that may be utilized to allow a bolt, clip or other fastening means to be disposed therethrough for attaching the same to a side wall (not shown). The raised platform may provide a tighter fit of the leg portion 156 with a bolt, clip or other fastening means.
A clip portion 164 may extend from the leg portion 156 to attach to a termination point 166 of a side wall 154, and may be clipped via a clip 155, as shown in
Moreover, the bumper guard 150 may have a curved portion 168 extending from the second side of the C-shaped section, which may freely hang and remain unattached to the side wall 154, allowing for slight deformation of the bumper guard 150 when contacted by a car door.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Moreover, the side post guard 400 may have a plurality of ribs 424 disposed within each trough of each wave, as illustrated in
As with the bumper guards, disclosed above and shown in
It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.
The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 61/979,718, titled “Auto-Rack Railcar Panel Bumper Guard and Side Post Guard Apparatuses and Methods of Using the Same”, filed Apr. 15, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61979718 | Apr 2014 | US |