Container system for railway cars

March 9, 1965

J. E. GUTRIDGE ETAL

3,172,371

CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY CARS

<img file="US3172371A_D0001.tif" />

March 9, 1965

J. E. GUTRIDGE ETAL

CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY CARS

3,172,371

Filed June 14, 1962

Sheets-Sheet 2

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INVENTORS JACK E. GUTRIDGE EARL L.THOMPSON

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ATTYS.

March 9, 1965

3,172,371

J. E. GUTRIDGE ETAL

CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY CARS

Sheets-Sheet 3

Filed June 14, 1962

<img file="US3172371A_D0004.tif" />

ATTY'S.

March 9, 1965

J. E. GUTRIDGE ETAL

3,172,371

CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY CARS

<img file="US3172371A_D0005.tif" />

ATTYS.

March 9, 1965 j. _E. gutridge etal 3,172,371

CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY CARS

Filed June 14, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 5

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<img file="US3172371A_D0007.tif" />

ATTYS.

March 9, 1965 j. _E. gutridge etal 3,172,371

CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY CARS

Filed June 14, 1962 ₆ Sheets-Sheet 6

<img file="US3172371A_D0008.tif" />

3,172,371

Patented Mar. 9, 196S

United States Patent Office

2

3,172,371

CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY CARS

Jack E. Gutridge, Dyer, Ind., and Earl L. Thompson, Chicago, Ill,, assignors to Pullman Incorporated, Chicago, 5 BL, a corporation of Delaware

Filed June 14, 1962, Ser. No. 202,471

Claims. (Ci. 105—366)

The invention is directed to a new and improved container mounting and locking arrangement in the form of a special small box container system for vehicle piggyback operations and particularly adapted for use in railway car design.

With the advent of container piggyback operations in jg the railroad industry, considerations have been given to container mounting and locking arrangements for efficient utilization of the available deck space of a railway car. A number of complexities arise in attempting to design container locking means capable of efficient- 20 ly releasably fixing a flat bottom container to the deck of a railway car. Locking means utilized normally project upwardly from the deck surface for engagement with edge portions of the containers for positive attachment thereof to the car. The presence of upwardly 25 projecting locking means requires controlled movement and positioning of the container during the loading and unloading operations to prevent snagging of the containers on the projecting locking means and possible damage to the containers. Furthermore, the flat deck portion of 30 the car is not readily available for use in piggyback operation with other types of lading as the upwardly projecting locking means interrupt the surface continuity of the deck.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new 33 and improved container mounting and locking arrangement for vehicle application, particularly railway cars, the arrangement including uniquely designed containers and container mounting and locking means capable of enhancing the overall utility of the vehicle. 40

Another object is to provide a new and improved small box container system for vehicle piggyback operation, the system involving the use of specially designed container-type bins including supporting legs which cooperate with special support and locking means forming 45 a part of the vehicle, the supporting legs permitting elevated support of each bin during use thereof separate from the system.

Still a further object is to provide a new and improved vehicle, such as a railway car, including a special deck ⁵⁰portion having as a part thereof a unique container mounting and locking arrangement permitting efficient mounting and locking of containers on the vehicle and unimpeded use of the deck portion when the vehicle is not involved in container piggyback service. ³³

Still a further object is to provide a new and improved positive acting container mounting and locking arrangement which involves the combination of a specially designed container and locking means, the locking means being recessed in the deck portion of a vehicle, such as ⁶⁰a railway car, and the container including depending means received in the recessed locking means.

Other objects not specifically set forth will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made in conjunction with the accompanying ⁶³drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a railway car including as a part thereof the container system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse half section of the center portion of the car illustrating a portion of the deck thereof and the mounting of the deck on the underframe;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating an end portion of the car and a variation in the deck mounting arrangement;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the deck of the car illustrating the arrangement of the locking means thereon;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective of one of the centrally located locking means;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the central locking means of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary exploded perspective of a portion of the locking means and a cooperating depending leg of a container constituting a part of the system;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, partly sectioned elevation of the locking means cooperating with legs of adjacent containers;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of a modified form of locking means; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective of a modified container adapted for use with the locking means of FIG. 9.

The present invention in its preferred form, involves the combination of recessed locking means formed in a flat deck portion, the recesses being adapted to receive therein depending legs of a container-type bin and releasably lock the bins in upright position on the deck by engagement between specially formed and arranged locking flanges constituting a part of the locking means. The recessed locking means are arranged along the deck to receive therein adjacent legs of adjacent bins thus providing for close spacing of the bins along the deck. With the arrangement described, the deck is completely clear from upwardly projecting members which would interfere with its full use in the support of other types of lading.

FIG. 1 illustrates a railway car 10 having as a part thereof the container system of the invention. The car 10 includes a main underframe 11 which is basically a center sill structure of fishbelly configuration having a deep center portion and shallow opposite end portions supported by wheel trucks 12. Preferably the underframe 11 is of reduced height as compared to the height of a standard flat car to thus permit the use therewith of higher containers or bins 13 providing increased cargo space. To permit coupling of the car 10 to cars of standard height, the underframe 11 is provided at opposite ends thereof with raised coupler housings 14 receiving in the outer ends thereof standard couplers 15 which project above the top surface of the underframe 11. A longitudinally continuous flat deck 16 is mounted on the underframe 11 and extends substantially the full length thereof terminating at opposite ends adjacent the raised coupler housings 14. As will be described in greater detail, the deck 16 is preferably mounted on the underframe 11 for controlled longitudinal movement relative thereto in response to operational forces in buff and draft, the interconnection between the deck 16 and underframe 11 being made through known types of cushioning devices (not shown) involving as a part thereof energy absorbing hydraulic cylinders or rubber cushions which provide for controlled travel of the deck 16 relative to the underframe 11 to protect the lading, such as the bins 13, and the contents thereof.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the manner in which the deck 16 is mounted on the underframe 11 for relative travel therebetween. FIG. 2 illustrates a half section of the deep center sill portion of the car 10 with the underframe 11 being formed basically from a pair of vertical side plates 17 having attached thereto a transverse bottom plate 18

3,172,371 portions 38 and a bottom plate 39. The compartment is subdivided into four compartment areas by inwardly projecting block-like partitions 40. Depending upon the desired shape of the recessed locking means 36, the partitions - 40 may be of different effective length as best shown in FIG. 4. The partitions, extend inwardly toward the center of the locking means 36 and are located centrally of the side walls thereof.

The center area of the locking means 36 has mounted therein a pivotal or rotatable lock member 41 of spokelike configuration having a depending central hub portion 42 (FIG. 8) and a plurality of radially outwardly projecting locking flanges 43. The flanges are dimensioned to terminate just short of the inner ends of the partitions 40 and FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the lock members in their container unlocking position. The half locking means 37 as best shown in FIG. 4 are of the same general configuration as the full locking means 36 with the exception that only two compartment areas are provided and a lock member 44 is mounted outwardly of the compartment areas centrally of block-like inwardly projecting partitions 45 and includes just a pair of locking flanges 46.

FIGS. 6-8 illustrate operational use of the recessed locking means of the invention. Referring first to FIG. 7, each container or bin 13 is formed with four corner located depending legs 47 each being of similar configuration. Preferably the legs 47 are of oval configuration and in the outer end portions thereof the legs are formed with recessed locking slots 48 which extend horizontally and diagonally and are dimensioned to receive a locking flange 43 therein. The legs 47 are dimensioned to be received in the compartment areas of the recessed locking means 36 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6. One leg of each of four adjacent bins 13 is received in a corner compartment area of a single locking means 36, the preferred oval shape of each , leg 47 permitting ready centering and insertion in a compartment area.

Upon proper positioning of the bins 13 .with the legs thereof in their respective compartment areas of the individual full and half recessed locking means, the lock members 41 and 44 are operated into, their locking positions. This is brought about by rotation or pivoting of the lock members with the locking flanges thereof being received, in the locking slots 48 of the legs 47. The locking position of the lock member. 41 of a full recessed locking means 36 is shown in FIG. 6 in solid lines and the locking flanges 43 extend substantially into the adjacent locking slots 48. By reason of the preferred oval configuration of the legs 47, the locking slots 48 provide a rather substantial locking ledge surface for contact with the bottom surface of a locking flange 43. With this arrangement it is possible to safely and adequately lock bins 13 on the deck 16 even in the event that the lock members are not completely rotated into their .full lock3 and top plate 19. At spaced intervals longitudinally of the underframe 11 throughout the deep center portion thereof, the side plates 17 have attached thereto a plurality of outrigger structures formed basically from a top Ibeam 20 and a diagonal bracing I-beam 21 suitably interconnected adjacent their outer ends. The beam 20 is recessed inwardly of its outer end and provided with transverse plates 22 which: mount therebetween a roller 23 supported on a pin 24. The roller 23 projects above the top surface of the beam 20 and is engaged with the bottom surface of an I-beam 25 in the form of a rail member which extends longitudinally of the car 10 and is fixedly attached to the deck 16. Suitable tiedown brackets 26 are mounted on the beam 20 and overextend the bottom flange of the rail member 25 to retain the same in sliding sup- _lgported engagement with the roller 23. A plurality of such outrigger structures support the deck throughout the length of the car 1®.

The deck 16 may be formed in any suitable manner such as including a plurality of longitudinally spaced, ₂θ transversely extending I-beams 27 interconnected along their outermost ends by inwardly opening longitudinally continuous channel beams 28. The top surface of the deck 16 is formed by a plurality of wooden planks 29 suitably interconnected and attached to the channel beams _2g28 by bracket members 30. The top surface of each rail member 25 is suitably attached to the transverse I-beams 27 thus providing for movement of the deck 16 relative to the underframe 11 longitudinally thereof in response to operational forces developed in buff and draft. ₃q

FIG. 3 illustrates the mounting of the deck 16 adjacent the opposite ends of the underframe 11, these ends being of reduced depth to accommodate the wheel trucks 12 thereunder. The top plate 19 of the underframe 11 has attached thereunder a specially shaped outrigger beam 31 ₃₅which inwardly of its outermost end is vertically recessed and mounts therein a pair of transverse plates 32. A roller 33 is mounted between the plates 32 by a pin 34 and projects above the top surface of the beam 31. Suitable tie-down brackets 26 maintain the bottom surface of 40 the rail member 25 in contact with the roller 33. To provide clearance between the deck 16 and the raised coupler housings 14, the center end portions of the deck 16 are provided with recessed areas directly below the planks 29. Each recess is defined by longitudinally extending channel 45 beams 35 which interconnect the endmost transverse Ibeams 27 to each side of the coupler housings 14. With this arrangement the deck 16 is free to move longitudinally of the underframe 11 over the coupler housings 14 without interference therewith. As previously described, any 50 suitable cushioning device (not shown) may be used in the known manner to further interconnect the deck 16 to the underframe 11 to provide for controlled travel of the deck 16 relative to the underframe 11.

The bins 13 may be loaded or unloaded operating along the deck 16. Preferably, additional centrally located rollers 33' are attached between the longitudinal beams 35 and cooperating channel beams 35' and engage support I-beams 25' mounted on the top plate 19 to either side of the coupler housings 14. These addi- 60 tional rollers 33' provide lift truck wheel load support in the recessed central end portions of the deck 16 overextending the coupler housings 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the deck 16 is formed with a plurality of spaced full and half recessed locking means 36 and 37 respectively. The full locking means are aligned centrally of the car and spaced longitudinally thereof and the half locking means are aligned longitudinally of the car and spaced along opposite edges of the deck 16. The half locking means 37 are also transversely aligned on 70 either side of a centrally located full locking means 36 thus providing a series of aligned locking means extending both longitudinally and transversely of the car. FIG. 5 illustrates a full locking means 36 comprising a generally rectangular recessed compartment defined by side wall 75 by lift trucks 55 ing position through inadvertence.

The design also provides for complete clearance of the locking flanges 43 from the locking slots 48 when the lock members are rotated into their inoperative positions as shown in broken lines in FIG. 6. The particular configuration of the lock member 41 including the arcuate surfaces extending between adjacent locking flanges 43 provides for closing off the compartment areas in conjunction with the partitions 4® when the lock members are in their inoperative positions. Thus the lock members and partitions cooperate 65 to confine the compartment areas thus further permitting proper centering of the legs 47 therein when the bins 13 are lowered into supported position on the deck 16.

.FIG. 8 illustrates the tight clamping locking action of the locking flanges 43 in the locking slots 48. Preferably, the bottom surfaces 49 of the locking flanges .43 are convex to provide a camming action during movement of the flanges over the locking ledge portion of the locking slots 48 to tightly clamp and hold down the bins 13 against the deck 16. Operation of the lock members 41 and 44 is brought about by the connection of a single transverse

3,172,371 operating lever 50 to the transversely aligned full and half recessed locking means 36 and 37 along the deck 16. As best shown in FIG. 8, each lock member includes a fixed depending spindle 51 suitably journaled in the bottom plate 39 of each locking means and projecting below the deck 16. As best shown in FIG. 6, each spindle 51 has fixed thereto a transverse operating arm 52 which is pivotally attached at its outermost end to the operating lever 50. FIG. 4 illustrates the various operating levers 50 as projecting outwardly beyond the side edges of the deck 16 to define handle means 53 readily available for grasping from either side of the car 10. The handle means 53 may extend through suitable apertures in the rail members 25 or be otherwise exposed. With this arrangement each transverse series of locking means can be simultaneously operated quite readily from either side of the car 10. One longitudinal series of half lock members is reversed relative to the other as shown in FIG. 4 to accommodate simultaneous operation.

With the use of the locking arrangement described it will be appreciated that the bins 13 are arranged in two longitudinally extending rows with pairs of bins aligned in side-by-side arrangement. The innermost legs 47 of each bin will be received in compartment areas of adjacent full locking means 36 and the outermost legs will be received in compartment areas of adjacent half locking means 37. By reason of the legs being received in the recessed locking means, the bins are held against longitudinal or lateral movement relative to the deck 16. Upon operation of the lock members 41 and 44 into their locking positions, the bins are clamped against vertical displacement. The bin-type containers 13 are readily adapted for loading and unloading to and from the car 10 and the legs 47 thereof are useful in maintaining the contents in elevated position during use of the bins 13 when the same are not being transported on the car 10. Additionally, the top surface of the deck 16 is not interrupted by upwardly projecting lock members and the car 19 is adapted for use in transporting other types of lading without interference from the lock members and without the necessity of removing lock elements.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a modified type of locking arrangement utilizing dual compartment recessed locking means 54. Each locking means includes recessed compartment areas 55 arranged in opposed relation and subdivided by inwardly projecting, oppositely positioned partitions 56. Mounted between the partitions 56 is a lock member 57 provided with a pair of oppositely projecting locking flanges 58 which in their locking position, as shown in FIG. 9, project into the compartment areas 55. Each lock member 57 includes a depending spindle 59 fixed to a radially extending operating arm 60 which at its outermost end is pivotally attached to an operating lever 61 below the deck 16 and including operating handles (not shown) exposed on opposite sides of the deck 16.

A modified bin 62 is partially shown in FIG. 10 and the legs 63 thereof include in an outer side surface a centrally located, longitudinally extending locking slot 64 in which the locking flanges 58 are received to lock the bins 62 to the deck 16. The particular locking means 54 described are arranged in series of four similar locking means transversely of the deck 16.

While the different types of locking arrangements described above are illustrated in specific series arrangement in the deck 16 of the car 10, it will be understood that variations in the positioning of the locking means can be readily made to accommodate different shapes and configurations of containers or the like. Container legs of different shape, such as the oval legs 47 and rectangular legs 63, may be used with the locking means of the invention.

Obviously certain modifications and variations of the invention as hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.