SECURITY DEVICE FOR SHIPPING CONTAINER RAILROAD CARS

Abstract

The disclosure directed to a security device. The disclosure is further directed to a security device for use on railroad cars, including those that carry shipping containers. The security device prevents the opening of the container doors while the containers are in railroad transit. The security device is secured to the railroad well car on either end with a clearance distance between the security device and the shipping container doors to allow for loading and unloading. The security device may be configured to be removable or adaptable for different shipping containers. The security device may be added to existing well cars or incorporated into the design of new well cars.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure is directed to a security device. The disclosure is further directed to a security device for use on railroad cars, including those that carry shipping containers.

2. Description of the Background

The global economy has transformed cargo movement. Due to the configuration of the planet Earth, land masses are separated by vast oceans. The most efficient way to move cargo from one land mass to another is not by air, but by ship—on the surface of those oceans.

It has been some decades since cargo movement by ship was transformed by the invention of the shipping container. Previously, cargo was individually boxed or crated, or shipped in some wrapper or tarpaulin—and hauled into the cargo hold of a ship in one port and removed in another. This type of cargo movement had gone unchanged for centuries, if not millennia. The shipping container or “containerized” shipping, changed that forever.

Shipping containers allow for all types of cargo to be secured inside, away from the weather, and lifted by crane onto a freighter. The containers are designed to interconnect, allowing stacks of containers both in the hull of cargo ships (“freighters”) and on the decks of them as well. These containers can hold one large item, such as a motor vehicle, or many smaller items, such as flat-screen televisions, computers, furniture, and so forth.

Shipping containers are typically constructed in rectangular shapes, or boxes, with a set of doors on at least one end. The number of openings is limited for security and also to increase the weather-tightness of the containers. The doors typically interlock, so that one door is required to be open first, and afterwards the opposing door may be opened. The latching mechanism typically secures the doors to the top and bottom of the container, though other types of locking mechanisms for the doors are possible and contemplated.

Once the container is loaded with cargo, the doors are closed and secured. The devices used to secure the doors may include a wire tamper-proof device, a padlock, or other device. The security of a shipping container is somewhat unique, in that more than party besides the shipper (and the receiver, of course) may need at some point to gain access to the interior of the container. For example, the container may pass into a port loading area. The loading company may need to inspect the contents. Similarly, an export control arm of a government may want to inspect the contents. When the container arrives at its destination port (or perhaps an intermediary port as well), other government entities such as import customs, military or other entities may need to inspect the contents of the container. Due to this situation, a key-lock or combination lock is not practicable. Thus, a wire or other replaceable (and easily defeated) security device is used to secure the container doors.

This leads to a problem. Once the container clears customs and is loaded on a railroad car that is specifically designed to receive containers (a “well car”), the container can be vulnerable to theft and/or unauthorized access while in rail transport. Even if theft is not the object of the unauthorized entry, the contents of the container may be damaged by the elements or destroyed by vandalism (e.g., fire). The same security device that makes it easy to inspect the contents of the container also provides little to no protection while in rail transport, particularly while the well car is stationary during its time from the port to the receiver. For example, trains often sit on sidings, waiting for the track ahead to be clear. Trains also sit for periods of time during shift changes, repairs, weather, and other reasons. Rail cars may sit in rail stock yards, or in other locations for periods of time before they are unloaded. During those stationary periods, thieves can approach the well cars, easily defeat the security device, open the container doors, and steal/damage/destroy the contents.

What is needed then is a security device to be used with a well car that provides improved security to the container and its contents. The security device prevents the doors of the shipping container from being opened while the container is on board the rail car, until it is unloaded by a crane. The security device may be added to existing rail cars, or incorporated into the design of new rail cars.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure overcomes the problems and disadvantages associated with current strategies and designs and provides new tools and methods for a security device for shipping container railroad cars.

One embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device that secures one or more shipping containers.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including a security beam having an elevated security component and a planar security component, where the security beam is configured to selectively engage one of more deck ends of the railroad well car and one or more shipping containers.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including where the security beam is configured to selectively engage one or more deck ends of the railroad well car adjacent to at least one shipping container well of the railroad well car.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including where the security beam is configured to intersect one or more arcs of rotation of one or more doors of at least one shipping container onboard the railroad well car.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including a gusset to selectively engage one or more deck ends of the railroad well car.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including at least one spacer with at least one hinge to rotatably engage at least one shipping container onboard the railroad well car.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including where the hinge defines a rotational movement of the at least one spacer from a first position to a second position, where the second position is distant from the first position.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including where the at least one spacer is configured to intersect one or more arcs of rotation of one of more doors of at least one shipping container onboard the railroad well car.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including at least one base member selectively attached to a deck portion of the railroad well car, where the deck portion is adjacent to a container well of the railroad well car; and at least one beam attached at one end to the at least one base member, where the beam selectively engages with at least one door of a shipping container.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including at least one brace attached to the deck portion and the at least one beam.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including at least one brace attached to the at least one base member and the at least one beam.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including a hinged member, the hinged member selectively attached to the beam, where the hinged member is rotatable to selectively engage at least one door of a shipping container.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including where the hinged member includes a locking mechanism, where the locking mechanism secures the hinged member in a plurality of positions relative to the beam.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including where the device includes a plurality of securing mechanisms to selectively attach the device to the deck portion of the shipping container.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including a frame selectively secured to a deck portion of the railroad well car adjacent to a container well of the railroad well car, where the frame includes a base plate selectively secured to the deck portion and at least one beam having one end secured to the base plate.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including where the at least one beam is positioned on the base plate such that the at least one beam is adjacent to the container well.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including the frame further including at least one brace attached to the base plate and the at least one beam.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including the frame further including a top member attached to at least one of the beam and the at least one brace.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including at least one cross member selectively attached to at least one of the at least one beam and the at least one brace.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including further including a rotatable element, where the rotatable element selectively engages at least one door of at least one shipping container.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car including where the rotatable element includes a plurality of positions to engage the at least one door of the at least one shipping container.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device that secures one or more shipping containers placed on a railroad car.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to at least one security device that secures one or more shipping containers placed on a railroad car.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device that secures one or more shipping containers placed on a railroad car by preventing the opening of one or more doors of the shipping container(s).

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to a security device added to existing railroad cars that secures one or more shipping containers placed on a railroad car.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to at least one security device added to existing railroad cars that secures one or more shipping containers placed on a railroad car.

Another embodiment of the disclosure is directed to at least one security device incorporated into railroad cars that secures one or more shipping containers placed on a railroad car.

Other embodiments and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in part in the description, which follows, and in part, may be obvious from this description, or may be learned from the practice of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The disclosure is described in greater detail by way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a railroad well car holding a pair of shipping containers;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a railroad well car holding a pair of shipping containers;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a railroad well car holding a pair of shipping containers;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a railroad well car with a pair of shipping containers suspended above;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a railroad well car holding a pair of shipping containers;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a railroad well car holding a pair of shipping containers, with the doors of the upper container partially open;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a railroad well car holding a pair of shipping containers, with the doors of the upper container partially open;

FIG. 14 is a top view of a railroad well car of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a top view of a railroad well car of an embodiment of the present disclosure also showing a crane loading a second container into the well car;

FIG. 16 is a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 17 is a side view of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

As embodied and broadly described herein in the Figures, the present disclosure is directed to a security device for a shipping container railroad cars (“security device”) 10.

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, security device (“SD”) 10 may be configured in a plurality of forms, shapes, and designs to prevent the opening of one or more doors 12 of an upper shipping container 14 and/or a lower shipping container 16 stowed in a well 18 of a railroad car (“well car”) 20. SD 10 may be positioned on one or both deck ends 22 of the well car 20 having railroad trucks 24.

SD 10 may be configured to engage one or more doors 12 of the upper container 14 and/or lower container 16, when the doors 12 are opened while still stowed on the well car 20 (see, e.g., FIGS. 12-13). The doors 12 may be opened when the well car 20 is stopped at some point on its travel via railroad from its arrival port to its destination. However, the placement of SD 10 in close proximity to the doors 12 limits the swing opening range of the doors 12. The SD 10, therefore, prevents thieves from accessing the contents of the upper container 14 and/or lower container 16.

According to at least one embodiment, SD 10 may include one or more members, or elements. SD 10 may include one of more of the following: a base member 100, a side member 102, and a top element 104. It should be understood that SD 10 may incorporate all of these elements into a single element, such as a box as shown in FIGS. 16-17, a panel, or other shape that can be formed into or added to construct SD 10.

Referring now to FIG. 7, for example, SD 10 may be formed in a generally letter-shaped “A” shape, or “A-frame”. It should be understood that the exemplary configuration shown in the Figures is not limiting and other configurations are contemplated. These configurations may include other shapes and/or combination of shapes to engage the well car 20 and containers 14, 16.

In embodiments, SD 10 may include one of more upright or side members (i.e., beams) 102. One of more beams 102 are positioned (i.e., secured, fastened, selectively fastened) on well car 20 in proximity to the doors 12 of containers 14, 16. The proximity of beams 102 of SD 10 to the doors 12 of containers 14, 16 is configured to allow the loading and unloading of containers 14, 16 from the well car 20 but limits the ability of doors 12 to be opened while containers 14, 16 are stored in/on well car 20. By so limiting the ability of doors 12 to be opened, the cargo contained within containers 14, 16 may be kept secure from unauthorized access and/or theft. SD 10 may also include a top element 104 that may join, secure, other otherwise reinforce the beams 102.

In embodiments, a single beam 102 may be configured to limit the ability of doors 12 to be opened while containers 14, 16 are stored in well car 20. It is understood that in the environment of the present disclosure, railroad cars, for example, weight and cost are important constraints. As such, SD 10 may be configured to achieve one its functions (the limitation of opening doors 12) using such materials and configurations that omit one or more components disclosed herein. Such configurations are included in this disclosure, the descriptions herein are therefore only exemplary and not limiting of the scope of the present disclosure.

In other embodiments, more than one beam 102 may extend from the well car 20 in proximity to doors 12. A joining or top element 104 may be configured to secure ends of beams 102. Top element 104 may allow for additional spacing of beams 102 to further limit the movement of doors 12. Top element 104 may also be configured to assist a crane C (see, e.g., FIG. 15) in the loading and/or unloading of containers 14, 16 from well car 20. The configuration of top element 104 may include sloped edges, such as a ramp or beveled edge. Top element 104 may aid in the placement and/or removal or containers 14, 16, such as using crane C.

SD 10 may also be configured with one or more crossbars 106. Crossbars 106 may extend from the well car 20 to engage one or more beams 102. In some embodiments, crossbars 106 may be secured to well car 20 as beams 102 are secured. For example, and without limitation, beams 102 and/or crossbars 106 may be welded, bolted, or a combination thereof to well car 20. In embodiments, beams 102 may be secured to crossbars 106 in a similar fashion, or using other mechanical devices or combination thereof. It is also understood that other configurations are possible. For example, and without limitation, some or all of SD 10 may be configured in materials such as polymers.

In embodiments, SD 10 may be configured using additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing), molding in a single or multiple components, or other manufacturing methods as may be developed.

Crossbars 106 provide additional support to beams 102. In operation, well car 20 may move at a high rate of speed. It is common for freight trains in the United States, for example, to exceed speeds of 60 MPH (˜100 KPH). In some embodiments, beams 102 may be subjected to aerodynamic loads that may put undesired strain on the attachment points of beams 102 to well car 20. This may be particularly the case when the well car 20 is traveling empty or partially-filled (i.e., with one container lower container 14). Crossbars 106 may be configured to engage beams 102 and well car 20 to permit access to the well car 20 and operation of other systems of well car 20, such as, but not limited to, the brake and couplers of well car 20.

In embodiments, one of more braces 108 may be configured to engage beams 102, top element 104, and/or crossbars 106 of SD 10 and/or well car 20. Braces 108 may provide additional support and/or strength to SD 10. Braces 108 may also be configured to further limit access to doors 12 of containers 14, 16. In embodiments, braces 108 may be configured with one or more crossbars 106 to limit access to doors 12 of containers 14, 16.

SD 10 may be mounted to one or both deck ends (ends) 22 of the well car 20. It should be understood that SD 10 may be securedly fixed to end(s) 22, such as by welding, bolts, rivets, adhesives, for example and without limitation. SD 10 may also be mounted so as to be selectively removable, such as by bolts or other fastening systems, such as but not limited to, gusset pins 116.

SD 10 may also include one or more side members or beams 102 joined to or formed with base 100. Beams 102 are configured to prevent and/or minimize the opening of the doors 12 while also allowing the loading and unloading of the containers 14, 16 via crane C, forklift or other suitable device via distance X.

SD 10 may include a top element 104, as shown in FIG. 7, for example. Top element 104 may be positioned to prevent the opening of the doors 12 of the upper container 14. As such, top element 104 may only extend above the bottom of the upper container 14 as a small portion as needed to prevent the opening of the doors 12 of the upper container 14. SD 10 may also include one or more crossbars 106 that provide strength to SD 10 and may also be configured to prevent the opening of the doors 12 or upper container 14 and/or lower container 16.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment including a spacer 110 for use when a shorter (in length) lower container 16 is positioned in the well 18 to secure the doors 12 of the lower container 16. SD 10 may also include one or more beams 102 (not shown) to secure the doors 12 of the upper container 14. In embodiments, spacer 110 may be secured to SD 10 by one or more hinges 112 or other mechanical devices to allow spacer 110 to move and selectively engage containers 16 that do not fully extend the full length of well 18 of well car 20.

In embodiments, spacer 110 may be configured as a part of beams 102 and/or crossbars 106. Spacer 110 may therefore be configured to rotate upward to align with the upper container 14 when upper container 14 is present. When upper container 14 is absent, spacer 110 may be rotated downward (toward the well car 20) to further secure lower container 16. Spacer 110 may be secured using pins, detents, or other mechanical devices to allow spacer 110 to move from one or more position as the arrangement of containers 14, 16 presents.

In another embodiment, SD 10 is shown with a base 100, a pair of beams 102, a top member 104, and a crossbar 106. In this embodiment, crossbar 106 extends downward to, and forms part of base 100 to provide additional structural support and security by preventing the opening of the doors 12 as shown in FIG. 9 (upper container 14), by only allowing the opening of the door by distance X.

In embodiments, gusset 114 may be configured to engage SD 10 and/or the well car 20. In this embodiment, gusset 114 allows for SD 10 to be attached to well car via the gusset 114. Gusset 114 may also provide additional strength to SD 10 also. Gusset 114 may be configured to be easily added/removed/attached to well car 20.

In another embodiment of SD 10, gusset 114 and gusset pin 116 of SD 10 is shown with well car 20. In embodiments, gusset pin 116 may be configured as a single pin or multiple pins. Via one or more holes in well car 20, gusset pin 116 selectively engages well car 20. Gusset pin 116 may be configured with a securing mechanism (e.g., locking mechanism) that selectively secures SD 10 to well car 20. In this way, SD 10 may be removed from well car 20 if desired. Additionally, well cars 20 may be easily reconfigured to accept SD 10, using the gusset pin 116 of SD 10. For example, and without limitation, gusset pin 116 may include one or more spring loaded ball bearings that engage receptables in the hole(s) of well car 20. In other embodiments, locking bolts or other fasteners or fastening devices may be used.

FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment of the disclosure. A crane C is lowering container 14 onto container 16. Container 16 is secured in well 18 of well car 20. Crane C can move container 14 between SD 10s located on either side of the well 18 of well car 20. Distances X between container 14 and SD 10s allows crane C to move container 14 between SD 10s yet still provides limits on the opening of doors 12 of containers 14, 16. Removal of containers 14, 16 is the opposite of the lowering of containers 14, 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-17, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, SD 10 may be configured as a single beam 102, shown here such that SD 10 may include internal support or be formed of a single component. In this embodiment, beam 102 may be configured in a plurality of shapes and incorporate other components described in other embodiments of SD 10 herein.

For example, and without limitation, SD 10 may be molded, stamped, or otherwise formed without subcomponents as described elsewhere herein. Such a configuration of SD 10 may be desirable in order to reduce costs, assembly, and/or weight. Any additional weight added to the well car 20 could be considered weight not devoted to the cargo capacity of the well car 20 and the train in general. Beam 102 may be secured using gusset 114 and/or gusset 116.

In other embodiments, SD 10 may be configured out of sheet metal, such as similar to those used to construct the well car 20. Railroad cars, including well cars 20, are constructed of metal of sufficient quality and durability to last many years, some railcars 20 are still in service decades after being built.

In some embodiments, SD 10 may be integrated with (made concurrently with) well car 20. For example, SD 10 may not be an “add-on” security feature to an existing well car 20. The ends 22 of the well car 20 may include SD 10, and SD 10 may or may not be removable from well car 20, in this embodiment. In order to conserve weight, SD 10 may include negative space (be open from the bottom) of well car 20. This configuration allows for SD 10 while minimizing additional weight added to well car 20.

In some embodiments, SD 10 may be configured of recycled components, such as railroad rails that are aged out of service. In one embodiment of the disclosure, SD 10 may be configured at least partially with used rails. Rails are known for their strength and are widely available to railroads.

In some embodiments, portions or parts of shipping containers (14, 16) may be used to form SD 10. It is known that there exists an abundance of shipping containers in many locations around the world, such as the United States. The nature of shipping is such that it is not cost effective to ship empty containers back to their destination, leaving many containers stranded in the US. By recycling these containers, also known for their strength, into SD 10, surplus containers or portions thereof are recycled and well car security is also enhanced.

In some embodiments, SD 10 may be formed, at least partially, of well/rail car 20. As well car 20 includes a number of panels, portions, and/or elements, it is understood that SD 10 may be structurally a portion of well car 20. For example, SD 10 may be extended through the well car 20 such that SD 10 may be hollow while still providing well car 20 with strength and structure to support one or more shipping containers 14, 16. In this example, SD 10 may include a false or open bottom when integrated into well car 20. By having a false bottom in this embodiment, SD 10 would require less material than if SD 10 were added to well car 20, though this embodiment is also contemplated, particularly for well cars 20 that SD 10 is added to at a later date.

For well cars 20 that include SD 10 from original manufacture, in other words, including SD 10 in the design and manufacture of new well cars 20, using an embodiment of SD 10 that minimizes weight is an important design consideration, along with strength. Thus, if SD 10 in one embodiment, only had an upper surface but a false bottom, together with a pair of sides and a front and a back surface, weight savings are achieved while still providing strength to the well car 20.

The preceding examples illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, but should not be viewed as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

Other embodiments and uses of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. All references cited herein, including all publications, U.S. and foreign patents and patent applications, are specifically and entirely incorporated by reference. The term comprising, where ever used, is intended to include the terms consisting and consisting essentially of. Furthermore, the terms comprising, including, and containing are not intended to be limiting. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only with the true scope and spirit of the disclosure indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car comprising: a security beam having an elevated security component and a planar security component, wherein the security beam is configured to selectively engage one of more deck ends of the railroad well car and one or more shipping containers.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the security beam is configured to selectively engage one or more deck ends of the railroad well car adjacent to at least one shipping container well of the railroad well car.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the security beam is configured to intersect one or more arcs of rotation of one or more doors of at least one shipping container onboard the railroad well car.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a gusset to selectively engage one or more deck ends of the railroad well car.

5. The device of claim 4 further comprising at least one spacer with at least one hinge to rotatably engage at least one shipping container onboard the railroad well car.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the hinge defines a rotational movement of the at least one spacer from a first position to a second position, wherein the second position is distant from the first position.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one spacer is configured to intersect one or more arcs of rotation of one of more doors of at least one shipping container onboard the railroad well car.

8. A security device for shipping containers in a railroad well car comprising: at least one base member selectively attached to a deck portion of the railroad well car, wherein the deck portion is adjacent to a container well of the railroad well car; andat least one beam attached at one end to the at least one base member, wherein the beam selectively engages with at least one door of a shipping container.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising at least one brace attached to the deck portion and the at least one beam.

10. The device of claim 8, further comprising at least one brace attached to the at least one base member and the at least one beam.

11. The device of claim 8, further comprising a hinged member, the hinged member selectively attached to the beam, wherein the hinged member is rotatable to selectively engage at least one door of a shipping container.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the hinged member includes a locking mechanism, wherein the locking mechanism secures the hinged member in a plurality of positions relative to the beam.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the device includes a plurality of securing mechanisms to selectively attach the device to the deck portion of the shipping container.

14. A security device for railroad well car comprising a frame selectively secured to a deck portion of the railroad well car adjacent to a container well of the railroad well car, wherein the frame includes a base plate selectively secured to the deck portion and at least one beam having one end secured to the base plate.

15. The security device of claim 14, wherein the at least one beam is positioned on the base plate such that the at least one beam is adjacent to the container well.

16. The security device of claim 15, the frame further comprising at least one brace attached to the base plate and the at least one beam.

17. The security device of claim 16, the frame further comprising a top member attached to at least one of the beam and the at least one brace.

18. The security device of claim 17, further comprising at least one cross member selectively attached to at least one of the at least one beam and the at least one brace.

19. The security device of claim 14, further comprising a rotatable element, wherein the rotatable element selectively engages at least one door of at least one shipping container.

20. The security device of claim 19, wherein the rotatable element includes a plurality of positions to engage the at least one door of the at least one shipping container.