Patent Application
20250178652
The present invention relates to cargo protection devices useful for railway cars carrying cargo, and more particularly to protectors in the form of bumpers or guards for autorack railway vehicles that are used to transport automobiles, methods for their production, and railway autorack cars.
Railway cars are often used to carry cargo. There are specially designed railway cars that are used to transport automobiles, such as, for example, cars, trucks, vans, SUV's. The autorack railway cars typically have vertical sidewalls and may have multiple levels, such as two or three stacked levels that can contain vehicles, the levels depending on the rail clearances and the heights of the vehicles being transported. A number of vehicles may be transported in one railway car, from as few as two, to ten or more, and there are guidelines for loading vehicles. In some instances, the railroads purchase the rack structures, and the rack structures are installed on a flatcar of the railroad converting the flat car to an autorack car. In other instances, the autorack railway car may be a self-contained car having a structure of levels. In most cases, the autorack cars will typically have exposed support posts that are vertically disposed at intervals along each lateral side of the car. The autorack railway cars generally have screens on each side thereof which are the sidewalls. The screens have a plurality of holes provided therein for air and light, and are designed to protect against objects and debris that could otherwise damage the automobiles in transit.
The posts or struts that support the walls of an autorack railway car present a potential danger to the automobiles therein. Often, automobiles are loaded onto an autorack by a human driver who drives them onto the platform or level within the railway car (typically on a ramp leading to the autorack cargo entrance). In order to do this, the driver must open the door to exit the vehicle. This can present a problem should the door swing too far and contact the autorack sidewall or more likely the side post. Even where a driver is careful and does not open the door into a sidewall or post, in other situations, the automobile vehicle door may become dislodged and open during transport. In any situation where a door contacts the post or other structure of the autorack, there is usually damage, and repair costs can be substantial as the vehicles typically are new vehicles. While the new automobiles being transported usually have a protective wrap covering their exterior surfaces, the wrap does not protect the vehicle from engagement with the autorack interior structures.
A number of attempts to protect the automobile cargo traveling in an autorack railway car have been made. Some prior devices may be time-consuming to install and can be expensive to mount. Since typically a large number of autorack railway cars are configured at once, any delays in configuring them has the potential to hold-up loading operations, or require advanced efforts to install the protections. Some prior art devices may provide some protections, but still fail to protect some areas of the autorack railway car, leaving some structure exposed (such as a post or sidewall) and likely to cause damage to an automobile should an automobile door inadvertently contact the autorack structure sidewall or support. In addition, the existing door edge protection systems typically are placed in what are considered to be optimal locations to protect against as many different car door profiles as possible. While this type of general placement attempts to accommodate a number of door profiles, the prior art devices have been known to prove inadequate for some vehicles where an outermost contact point of the vehicle door is at an unprotected location and beyond the protections offered by the current devices.
Some examples of prior art devices and attempts to provide protections include US Patent application US 2002/067970 A1, which discloses a “Door Edge Protection System for Conventional Autorack Railcars”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,823 which discloses a “Bumper Seal For Auto Rack Car”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,001 which discloses a “Door Edge Protector”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,139 which discloses a “Vehicle Door Protection System; U.S. Pat. No. 10,676,113 which discloses a “Projected magnetic fastening system”; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,823 which discloses a “Bumper seal for auto rack car”. U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,139 discloses a “Vehicle door protection system” using foam on a sidewall supported on a mounting bracket. US Patent application US 2010/0104391 discloses an “Auto-Rack Railroad Car Vehicle Positioning And Damage Prevention System” that includes a mirrored surface coating for viewing an automobile tire to enable a loader to determine the distance between the vehicle the loader is driving. US Patent application US 2003/0170089 discloses an “Auto Rack Railroad Car Panel Bumper Guard” that has a bumper that transversely extends from two mounting bases. U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,825 discloses a “Gap closing device for closing sidewall gaps in auto rack cars” having a bumper with a straight section extending from a body at a perpendicular angle and an arcuately shaped second section connected to the straight section. U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,650 also discloses a “Gap closing device for closing gaps in auto rack car side walls”. U.S. Pat. No. 9,789,885 discloses an “Auto-rack railcar panel bumper guard and side post guard apparatuses and methods of using the same”. U.S. Pat. No. 11,077,868 discloses “Auto rack car conversions and deck adjustments” where a cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar as a way to prevent the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.
A need exists for devices and methods that can provide protection for automobiles being carried in an autorack railway car and which may be readily attached to and removed from an autorack railway car, and can be adjusted or positioned over the railway car structures and which can provide improved coverage areas.
Protectors that are removably installable on a railway vehicle are provided. The protectors are designed for use in a railway vehicle, and more particularly, in an autorack railway vehicle or rail car that has been configured with one or more levels and sidewalls to form an interior designed to receive and transport automobiles. The inventive protectors include a body with a mounting area that is configured to attach the protector to the rail car side screen or sidewall. The protector includes at least one and preferably a pair of bumpers that are connected to the body and are disposed outwardly of the body to provide a barrier between the cargo space and the sidewall. According to some embodiments, the protector includes a body and at least one bumper, which may be a single bumper. The bumper preferably is horizontally disposed, but according to alternate embodiments, may be configured to be vertically disposed, wherein a plurality of vertically disposed bumpers may be adjacently spaced apart from each other, horizontally, or even vertically, depending on the protection desired. According to preferred embodiments, the protectors are configured comprising a body and a plurality of bumpers attached to the body and disposed outward of the body.
The protectors are configured in a rolled form with a rolled portion that is designed to roll onto itself to act as a bumper, reinforcing with further deformation. The protectors of the invention allow for more coverage of the protection area or zone, while using less material. The protectors may be produced using any suitable method, including, for example, being rolled/thermoformed, or constructed from an extruded polymer.
According to preferred embodiments, the bumper or bumpers of the protectors are formed from a material that is resilient. The bumpers preferably have a rolled configuration, so that the bumper may roll upon itself when it receives an impact from an object, such as a vehicle or other cargo carried in the railway car that the bumper is designed to protect.
The bumpers are spaced apart and provide protection by defining a zone or zones of protection when the bumper remain free of contact with an object and when the bumper is contacted by an object. In embodiments where the protector includes a single rolled bumper, there is a zone of protection that is defined by the outwardly disposed bumper. According to preferred embodiments, where a plurality of bumpers are provided, such as for example, a pair of bumpers, then there is a zone of protection that encompasses the bumpers and the potential range when the bumper is engaged by an object and translates its position upward or downward. Each bumper provides an engagement point that is inward from the sidewall or side screen.
According to some preferred embodiments, the protector is formed having a plurality of bumpers that are connected by a connecting portion of the protector. For example, according to some preferred embodiments, the protector comprises a first bumper and a second bumper that are connected at a connecting portion. The protector therefore provide a single mounting area that will connect the protector to a structure, such as the side screen or sidewall, which will mount both bumpers.
The protectors are secured to the rail car sidewall or side screen typically using a fastener. According to preferred embodiments, protectors are configured with one or more apertures therein that allow a fastener to pass through and anchor the protector to the sidewall or side screen to secure the protector. Typically, the sidewalls of the autorack railway cars are formed from side screen panels having arrangements of apertures therein, and the respective fasteners are inserted through the respective protector apertures and into respective apertures of the side screen to hold the protectors in place.
For example, the protectors may be secured to the autorack interior structures using separate fasteners (including commercially available fasteners). According to some embodiments, installation may be carried using fasteners that attach the protector or portions of the protector to the sidewall or other structure of the autorack. The prorectors preferably may be installed and arranged end to end, to provide continuous coverage over a span where protection is desired. Where a post is present in a rail car, then a post type guard may be provided to cover the post while the protectors may be installed between the post or between other post type guards. According to some embodiments, the protectors may be configured with integral mounting elements, such as for example, snap-legs, or a fastener that is pre-installed on the protector for snap or press fit installation into a side screen.
Preferred embodiments provide improved coverage areas of protection relative to the location at which the protector is installed or fastened to the rail car structure, such as to a side screen of an autorack rail car. The protector bumpers are connected to the protector body portion and are provided to deflect when engaged by an object, such as a vehicle door panel (e.g., of a vehicle being loaded/unloaded or transported by the rail car). According to preferred embodiments, the protectors may unravel or unfold, still keeping the protector bumper surface between the engaging object and the sidewall or side screen. The protector bumpers also may deflect upward or downward depending on the force and direction from which the object engages the protector, and in some instances a protector bumper may deflect upward or downward and also unroll or roll onto itself. The protection provided by the protector spans one or more zones of deflection, so that even when the bumpers are moved or are moving from their initial position, they afford protection.
Preferred embodiments of the present protectors and protector systems allow removal and/or repositioning of the protector and components to provide protection at a suitable or desired location, allowing tailoring of the system and protectors to desired locations or relative heights along the sidewall. For example, the protectors may be secured with fasteners, and the fasteners can be released (preferably from the opposite side of the sidewall) to allow the removal of the protectors. The protectors shown and described herein preferably are installed in a horizontal orientation, and are designed to protect against an object (such as a vehicle door panel) being abraded or dented by direct contact with the sidewall of the rail car. The protectors may be used in conjunction with other protectors, including, for example, protectors that install over the side posts, or roof rails, or even other protectors that install on the sidewalls.
Embodiments of the protectors are constructed from a material that if contacted by an automobile will not abrade or damage the door, paint finish, or other structure of the automobile. Preferred embodiments are constructed from a plastic material, and may be molded or extruded. Other suitable non-abrading materials may be used to construct the protector. Protectors also are suitably strong, but yet have some resilience, so that the underlying structure of the autorack that the protector covers, such as, for example, a side screen wall, will not be able to damage the vehicle, or, any potential damage will be minimized. The protector bumpers, according to some preferred embodiments are constructed from a rigid material that retains its shape as a rolled structure and is biased when deflected or unrolled to return to its rolled structure condition.
Preferred embodiments may be constructed to meet the requirements for door edge protection systems set forth in AAR specification M-991, or exceed these requirements where minimum thresholds are provided. For example, embodiments of the protectors and protector systems, including the fastening components or features, preferably are constructed from materials that if inadvertently contacted will not damage the painted door surface of an automobile, nor transfer any color or material to the vehicle door. In addition, the protectors preferably have longevity and are designed to last for a duration of at least 10 years while remaining full functionality to provide protection. The protectors also are removable, and preferred embodiments provide replaceability for conservation and reuse of materials. Embodiments may be constructed from recycled materials and may themselves be recyclable, and which preferably pose no environmental hazards, nor any harm to the health or safety of personnel installing or operating near the devices. As a further safety aspect, the protectors preferably are configured without sharp edges, in order to minimize the potential to catch on clothing of personnel and/or injure personnel passing or working nearby. The present protectors also allow easy repairs or replacement should that be necessary, which can be done on site, or at shop or pool loading locations. According to some embodiments, fewer numbers of protectors may be used to cover a large span, as the bumpers are resilient and provide coverage along one or multiple vertical displacement zones. Protector embodiments that comprise a pair of bumpers provide for coverage in both an upward and downward span or zone when engaged by an object. For example, the object may engage one of the bumpers, or both. The protectors also are designed and constructed to have sufficient strength to withstand expected contact with vehicle doors and/or personnel without becoming damaged or misaligned. The protectors preferably are sufficiently strong so that they can have a minimal thickness that provides protection to the vehicles, while at the same time, being flexible to absorb impacts and provide deflection when engaged by a door panel. In addition, embodiments of the protectors are designed to maximize the protective area, or zone or zones of protection, while minimizing potential intrusion into the cargo space of the rail car where the vehicle is loaded. For example, preferred embodiments may provide a bumper having a protective surface that has a vertical protective span that is greater than the height of the protector itself.
The protector may be configured with bumpers that project away from the autorack structure providing a contacting surface that sits in front of the autorack structure (e.g., in front of a sidewall). Each bumper preferably comprises a rolled structure, such as a rolled material, that is configured and formed to return to its rolled condition or position, once it has been deflected. The inventive protectors allow some resilience or rebound when the protector is engaged by a vehicle part, such as an automobile door. For example, the resilience slows down the door by absorbing some or all of the force and transferring that force to the movement of the protector surface or surfaces to deflect the bumper roll that is impacted. The bumper displacement preferably is vertical, but also could be inward or downward, and causes the rolled material forming the bumper to uncoil or unravel, with an upper bumper roll being deflected so that it unravels vertically upwardly and inward toward the sidewall or where the upper bumper roll deflects upward or downward or even inward where it ravels onto itself, or combinations of these deflections. The lower bumper roll being deflected so that it unravels vertically downward and inward toward the sidewall or where the lower bumper roll deflects upward or downward or even inward where it ravels onto itself, or combinations of these deflections. Other deflections may involve the terminal bumper edge engaging the rear surface, and then having the bumper move and compress, which may include upward, downward, inward or outward movements.
According to some preferred embodiments, the protector is constructed having at least one, and preferably includes a pair of bumpers that are configured as bumper rolls. The bumpers preferably span a horizontal length of the protector, although they may be intermittent (spaced apart) or segmented, according to some alternate embodiments. Each bumper preferably is connected to the protector body at one edge (the joining end) and has a free end that is within the coiled bumper structure. The protector bumpers may be displaced by an engaging object so that one or both bumpers move upward or downward from the central body, and inward (toward the sidewall) to provide a zone of protection and prevent the engaging object, such as a door panel, from directly contacting the rail car sidewall. According to some preferred embodiments, the inventive protectors provide an expansive zone or zones of protection coverage while minimizing or reducing the amount of material needed to cover an area that is to receive the protection. The invention therefore promotes conservation of resources as well as economics, as embodiments of the protectors may be constructed using less material to cover the same or even a greater coverage area than prior protectors. The protectors therefore can provide protective coverage with lesser weight than traditional apparatus.
According to some embodiments, the protective devices are provided so that they may be configured to meet the needs for the particular autorack railway vehicle, and/or satisfy the demand for the railroad, the customer, the installer, or other person or entity that needs to procure and install the protective devices. For example, according to some embodiments, the protectors comprise or are supplied in, different lengths.
The protectors are configured to mount on the autorack interior, and preferably are mounted on the sidewall. Suitable mounting hardware, such as a press-fit fastener, may be used to secure the protector in place on the sidewall. The protector preferably has one or more apertures formed in the body that allow the stem of a fastener to pass through, while the fastener head remains stopped by the body surface.
The protectors may be formed from a suitable method, including molding and/or extrusion. For example, a protector may be extruded to a longer length and then cut into multiple sections to form a plurality of protectors. The apertures for mounting may be formed in the protector or may be cut or formed after the protector is extruded. The extrusion may be provided with mounting apertures at locations along its length to provide suitable locations for mounting. The bumper coil may be formed by rolling the bumper onto a form, and allowing it to form, or by treating the rolled material with heat or vacuum process, prior to, during or after being rolled. According to some preferred implementations, the method may employ a vacuum process for forming the protector, in particular to maintain the shape of the protector. The vacuum process also may include thermoforming the protector over a mold and allowing the protector or portions thereof to set through the application of removal of heat, or applied cooling to the item.
Embodiments of the invention also provide an autorack railway car configured with protectors arranged to protect the automobiles transported therein from damage due to inadvertent contact with an interior structure of the autorack car (such as a post or sidewall). The protector provides a barrier between the post or sidewall and the automobile door, so that in the event a door is swung open too widely, it will contact the protector and damage will be prevented or minimized.
These and other advantages are provided by the invention. Features that are described and shown in connection with an embodiment may be used in conjunction with another embodiment.
Protective devices comprising guards for use in an autorack railway vehicle to provide protection for the cargo, typically, automobiles such as cars, trucks and vans loaded into and carried therein are shown and described herein according to preferred embodiments illustrating the invention. Methods for producing the devices and for installing the devices also are provided.
Referring to
As illustrated in
The second bumper 114 is shown configured similar to the first bumper 113 and in the orientation depicted represents a lower bumper, where the first bumper 113 represents an upper bumper. The second bumper 114 is shown connecting with the body wall 112 at the lower or second joining location 116. The second bumper 114 includes a curved and preferably rolled body portion 131 having a free end 132. The rolled body portion 131 includes a forward surface 133, which provides the leading portion of the bumper 114. According to some preferred embodiments, the device 110 is configured so that the leading portion of the bumper 114 that leads into the cargo space of the railway vehicle preferably comprises a horizontal tangent along the rolled body portion 131 that is furthest from the body wall 112 and defines the forward surface 133.
As illustrated according to a preferred embodiment, the device 110 is shown in
Referring to
Alternatively, the deflections of the bumpers 113, 114 may involve movement of the bumper rolled portion relative to the bumper joining portion, where the bumper 113 may be deflected upward or downward along the joining location.
In the protector 110, the front surfaces, including the joining portions 115, 116, the bumper rolls 113, 114, and front surface 112a of the rear wall 112 are provided to form a barrier between the sidewall and an object such as a vehicle door panel, to provide protection over the entire front surface area of the protector 110. Referring to
As shown in
When one of the bumpers 113, 114 is deflected, it may remain in a deflected position while the object is impacting or engaging the bumper 113, 114 (that is, when the force load is no longer applied to the bumper 113, 114 from the engaging object), upon which the bumper 113, 114 then returns to its initial condition (113, 114). Both bumpers 113, 114 may be impacted and deflected, or a single bumper 113 or 114 may be impacted and deflected, depending on the location of the engaging object, and the mounting location of the protector 110.
According to some embodiments, the protector 110 may be mounted to a railcar structure, such as the sidewall or side screen via the rear wall 112, and, in some embodiments, the rear wall 112 may be configured to provide some flexure at the joining locations 115, 116 or along the wall 112 to increase the resilience of the protector 110.
The protector 110 is configured to be flexibly constructed so that when one or both of the bumpers 113, 114 is engaged, the bumpers 113, 114 will deflect to undergo a displacement that unrolls, compresses, or moves the bumper 113, 114. The deflection may maximize out when one or both of the respective bumper free edges 122, 132 is substantially vertically oriented (see e.g.,
According to some embodiments, the rear wall 112 may be flexibly constructed so that the protector 110 may continue to be held on the rail car sidewall (e.g., at the fastening point or locations), even while stresses are placed on the joining locations 115, 116, when the respective bumpers 113, 114 undergo a deflective movement. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the rear wall 112 is provided having ribbing 112c over its surface. As depicted in the side view in
According to preferred embodiments, each surface of the bumpers 113, 114 is rounded, and the free ends 121, 131 according to preferred embodiments are is disposed so that they are oriented inward or rearward toward the rear wall 112 when the device 110 is installed on a sidewall of a rail car. This minimizes or eliminates the potential for the edges 121, 131 to catch on a structure, such as a vehicle door, or the clothing or tools of personnel loading and unloading the vehicles.
Preferably, the fasteners used to secure the protector 110 to a sidewall of the rail car (such as the autorack car) are constructed from a non-abrasive material, such as a plastic or nylon or other suitable materials, which if contacted also will not damage the vehicle panel. A fastener (such as for example, the fastener 250 shown in see
The protectors may be produced using any suitable method for their production, including injection molding, extrusion, printing, die cutting, heat treating, and other methods. According to a preferred implementation, a method for production of a protector is provided and involves forming an extruded body using a suitable materials, such as a plastic, nylon, ABS, or other material. The extruded body may be formed as a workpiece having body with a wall, and a pair of bumpers. Each bumper may be provided as a bumper portion, so that the workpiece includes the body portion and one or preferably two bumper portions. The bumper portions may be planar with the body portion when the workpiece is formed, and then may be manipulated by further formation to effect the final configuration of the bumpers, such as the rolled configuration. For example, the formed first bumper portion and second bumper portion may each be rolled and heated, cooled, or subjected to another treatment that will form the bumper roll configuration. The bumper rolls preferably are formed to provide each bumper of the bumper pair joining with and extending outwardly from the body wall, and including a first bumper connected to the body wall, and a second bumper connected to the body wall. The body wall preferably is configured to remain or be formed as a planar or substantially flat structure or portion that can be attached to a mounting surface such as the side screen of a railway car (autorack car). The bumpers preferably are formed into a rolled configuration, and are treated to that they are biased to remain in the rolled configuration, while the body portion to which the roll pairs are joined remains flat. The bumpers are configured so that they maintain their respective rolled configurations of the first bumper and second bumper to produce respective rolled bumpers which when deflected from their respective rolled configurations, are biased to return to their respective rolled configurations. In preferred implementations, apertures may be formed in the body portion to facilitate mounting (e.g., using a fastener to attach the protector to the side screen).
According to some embodiments, the protectors may be produced by extrusion, vacuum forming, or combinations thereof. A sheet or extrusion of material may be positioned on a mold designed to provide the profile and portions of the protector, such as a body or rear wall, and the roll bumpers. The protector may be thermoformed from the sheet material. According to some implementations, the sheet, which may be an extruded or formed sheet, may be positioned on a mold having the form to produce the protector body and bumpers. Heating is applied to the material or sheet on the mold, and the material takes the form of the mold, producing the bumper rolls. The sheet material used to form the protector may be clamped into position on the mold. A suitable heater or heat generating apparatus is used to apply heating to the material on the mold. Some examples of heaters include infra-red elements mounted within an aluminum reflector plate, as well as, quartz heaters, and any suitable heat producing apparatus. Preferably, the heating is done uniformly over the surface of the sheet or material being molded. Multiple heating apparatus may be used to provide uniformity across the material. The production of the protectors also may be facilitated using a process control system which is configured to sense the temperature of the material or sheet during the forming process, and manipulate the process control to increase or decrease temperature. Another step in the process may be an optional air injection if the material should sag, so as to place the material back to a desired position. One or more sensors positioned at locations on the mold may be used to monitor and detect the material condition, so if it should sag or distend from its desired position, the movement is detected, and air is actuated to inject into the sagging area. Once the material is suitably pre-stretched on the mold, a vacuum may be applied to facilitate the further formation of the sheet or material and its conformance to the mold profile. A suitable vacuum pump may be used for drawing the air trapped between the material and the mold. A vacuum pump with a reservoir may be used where capacity is needed. The vacuum is applied while the material is thermally plastic, so that the vacuum can draw the material into engagement with the mold structure, and reduce any air between the material and the mold structure. The formation of the protector rolls may be carried out by thermally forming the roll bumpers on a mold. When the formation of the protector and roll bumpers is made, then the heat is removed, and preferably cooling may be applied to set the material into the configuration desired where the resiliently formed bumper rolls are produced. Cooling apparatus, such as forced or directed air or gasses from nozzles or fans may be used once the part is formed. In some applications, a mist of chilled water may be applied onto the thermoformed sheet, and in some instances both a stream of air or gasses is applied with a water mist. The material may be removed from the mold and cut and finished, for example, to provide mounting apertures, to remove excess material or remove connecting material where adjacent protectors are produced and require separation. Alternatively, one or more portions, such as the roll bumpers 113, 114 (or 213, 214) may be vacuum processed to impart the rolled configuration, and maintain the rolled configuration in the final protector. The methods preferably may extrude the protector to produce an elongated workpiece which is then subjected to processing steps to other features of the protector, such as for example, the roll bumpers and mounting apertures.
The protector 110 may be provided in different lengths, and protectors 110 may be mounted horizontally adjacent to each other or another protector 110 to provide a horizontal zone of protection along a wall area of the rail car (such as an autorack rail car). The protector 110 provides protection along the horizontal length at the location on the sidewall at which it is installed, and also provided a range of vertical protection along the horizontal length of installation.
The protector 110 preferably is constructed from material that is suitable to withstand the elements of weather and corrosion. The protector 110 preferably is constructed from materials that if inadvertently contacted will not damage the painted door surface of an automobile, nor transfer any color or material to the vehicle door. In addition, preferably the protectors have longevity and can last for a duration of at least 10 years while remaining full functionality to provide protection. The protectors also are removable, and preferred embodiments provide replaceability for conservation and reuse of materials. Embodiments may be constructed from recycled materials and may themselves be recyclable, and which preferably pose no environmental hazards, nor any harm to the health or safety of personnel installing or operating near the devices.
Embodiments of the invention also include a railcar configured with one or more levels to receive automobiles therein, and transport automobiles via the rails. The railcar is fitted with the protectors 110 shown and described herein, and may include other protectors (such as post protectors and/or roof rail protectors). The railcars that transport automobiles are often referred to as autorack railway cars, or just simply autoracks, and typically are flat cars that have sidewalls and roof covers installed on them to protect the cargo in the interior space. The railcar also has one or more wheelsets, one or more decks for the automobiles (e.g., single level, bi-level, or tri-level). Automobiles are loaded into the autorack railway car (typically they are driven in) and the autorack transports the automobiles on the railway to a destination. The sidewalls of the autorack car are formed from a panel, such as a screen having apertures therein to which the protectors 110 may be mounted. The autorack car includes a plurality of supporting posts that provide structure to the railway car, and which also support the sidewalls. The railcar interior structure is formed by a plurality of upstanding posts extending from the railcar frame. The railcar has sidewalls and a roof that protect the contents by blocking out debris and some weather elements. The upstanding posts are located on opposite lateral sides of the railcar and the sidewalls are also located on opposite lateral sides. An interior space for receiving the vehicles, and where the one or more decks are located, is provided between the lateral sides of the railway car, with the posts being disposed on each lateral side of the interior space, and sidewalls also being disposed on each lateral side of the interior space. The roof preferably covers the interior space. The protectors 110 of the invention discussed herein, are installed on the railcar interior to provide protection for automobiles to be transported. The protectors 110 are mounted to cover portions of the sidewalls and preferably are installed at pre-determined heights and positions to provide a barrier to unexpected contact with an automobile (e.g., such as a door swinging open). According to preferred embodiments, the protectors are mounted by attaching them to the sidewalls. The protectors 110 provide one or more zones of protection, which are more expansive in coverage than the initial protector area, as the protector bumper portions are deflected and increase the zone or zones of protection above and below the initial installation position of the protector.
As illustrated in
The protector 110 allows for a central mounting of the protector 110 via the rear wall 112 to secure the protector 110 to the sidewall to provide coverage for the initial and expanded zones of protection (see e.g., Z1 and Z2 of
An alternate embodiment of a prorector 210 is shown in
An exemplary embodiment of a railcar 500, configured as an autorack car is depicted in
The protectors 110 may be installed by securing the protector with a fastener, such as the fastener 250. The fastener shaft 251 preferably is inserted into an aperture 150, 151 of the protector 110 (preferably in the rear wall 112) and into an aperture of the side screen wall that is aligned therewith. The fastener cap 252 is larger than the protector apertures 151, 152, so the fastener 250 does not pass entirely through. Although the protector 110 is shown with two apertures, preferred embodiments may contain a plurality of apertures, such as those 150, 151 spaced apart to provide alternate mounting arrangements for facilitating mounting and positioning, and to limit or prevent lateral shifting of the protectors 110 when mounted on the side screen wall 506.
The protectors provide a barrier between the automobile and the interior rail car structures. The protectors may be installed to cover a sidewall, and provide a protective surface or structure between the sidewall and an automobile in order to limit damage caused by an automobile door that may swing out, which, instead, may contact the protector. According to preferred embodiments, the autorack is configured with a plurality of protectors which are disposed at heights suitable to protect the automobiles from direct contact with the sidewall by providing a protective barrier between the automobile door and the sidewall. According to preferred embodiments, the protector has a resilient surfaces, such as the rolled bumpers, that are designed to absorb shock and forces to prevent damage to the paint finish and/or structure of an automobile, such as the automobile door that is swung open toward a sidewall. The autorack may include protectors that have different lengths (which, for example, may be mounted horizontally along the sidewall), so that the height above the floor or floor level at which protection is required can be accommodated. Protectors may be installed at different heights to provide protection at different vertical heights along the sidewall, provides one or more zones of protection vertically as well as horizontally along the sidewall. Also, while described and shown in conjunction with the bumpers moving similarly, each bumper may react and encounter different forces and therefore there may be skewed or torsional movement of the bumpers, and their movements may be independent of each other depending on the force and/or load encountered and handled by each bumper.
The protectors shown and described preferably are constructed from a suitable material which may be a polymer having resistance to heat, cold and extreme weather conditions, as well as corrosion and UV radiation. The protectors shown and described herein may be injection molded, and/or extruded, or produced using a combination of extrusion and injection molding. In addition, the apertures may be formed using a suitable process, such as dies, cutters, punches, or other suitable devices and procedures.
It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention. Numerous other changes, substitutions, variations, alterations and modifications may be ascertained by those skilled in the art and it is intended that the present invention encompass all such changes, substitutions, variations, alterations and modifications as falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
