Gondola Bulkhead

Abstract

A bulkhead arrangement that may be used in gondola cars for bracing freight during transit. Two embodiments of locking mechanisms for the bulkhead are shown. Each embodiment includes a pivotally supported locking member that coacts with a car mounted rail for locking the bulkhead assembly in position. A lifting lug is associated with each locking member and affords a means for attachment of a hook or other device for lifting the bulkhead assembly. The lifting lugs are pivotally supported and are interconnected with the locking members for moving the locking members from a locked position to a released position when the lifting lugs pivot in response to the exertion of a lifting force.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a gondola bulkhead and more particularly to an improved locking mechanism for such a bulkhead.

Bulkhead assemblies are employed for bracing freight in various types of freight transporting vehicles such as highway trailers and railroad cars. Normally the bulkhead assembly is movable to a plurality of freight bracing positions and has a locking structure for locking the bulkhead assembly in such positions. Heretofore separate operating mechanisms have been provided for moving the locking structure between its locked position and a released position whereby the bulkhead assembly may be moved to a different position. In certain applications, the bulkhead assembly is supported for movement along a fixed path by means of a supporting track and trolley arrangement. In other types of bulkhead assemblies, the bulkhead assembly is lifted by a crane or other similar device for its movement between various positions. In each type of bulkhead assembly, it has been the common practice to provide a separate release mechanism for the locking structure. This separate release mechanism adds some cost to the bulkhead assembly.

It is, therefore, a principle object for this invention to provide an improved locking structure for a bulkhead assembly that does not require a separate release mechanism.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a bulkhead assembly wherein the lifting structure for permitting movement of the bulkhead assembly also incorporates an automatic release mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A freight bracing bulkhead assembly embodying this invention is adapted to brace freight at preselected positions in a cargo area. The bulkhead assembly is comprised of a freight bracing member, locking means carried by the freight bracing member and lifting means carried by the freight bracing member. The locking means is movable between a released position and a locked position in which latter position the locking means cooperates with a cargo area locking means for retaining the bracing member in position. The lifting means provides means for attachment of a hook or the like whereby the bracing member may be lifted and moved to a different position. The lifting means is supported for movement from a first position to a second position when a lifting force is exerted upon it. Means interconnecting the lifting means with the locking means for moving the locking means from its locked position to its released position in response to movement of the lifting means from its first position to its second position.

A further feature of this invention is adapted to be embodied in a locking mechanism for a bulkhead assembly or the like. Such a locking mechanism includes a pivotally supported locking member that is movable between a released position and a locked position. The lifting lug is adapted to be operatively connected to the associated bulkhead assembly and provides means for attachment of a lifting hook or the like thereto. The lifting hook is movable from a first position to a second position in response to the exertion of a lifting force upon it. Means interconnect the lifting lug to the locking member from pivoting the locking member from its locked position to its released position in response to movement of the lifting lug from its first position to its second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, with a portion broken away, of a railway car embodying this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged elevational view taken generally in a direction of the arrow 2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in Figure 2.

FIG. 4 is a view, in part similar to Figure 3, showing the locking mechanism in a released position as it appears when the bulkhead assembly is being moved.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 5--5 in Figure 2.

FIG. 6 is a view, in part similar to Figure 3 and on a larger scale, showing another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to the embodiment of Figures 1 through 5 and specifically to Figure 1, a railway freight car embodying this invention is identified generally by the reference numeral 11. The call 11 is of the gondola type and includes spaded side walls 12 and 13 and spaced end walls 14 and 15 that defined an open topped cargo receiving area, indicated generally by the reference numeral 16. It is to be understood that, although this invention is described by reference to a gondola railroad car, the invention is susceptible of use in other types of railroad cars and other types of freight carrying vehicles. This invention, however, has particular utility in connection with open topped cargo areas, for a reason which will become apparent as this description proceeds.

One or more bulkhead assemblies, indicated generally by the reference numeral 17 are adapted to be supported and locked within the cargo area 16 at spaced positions along the length of the car 11 for holding cargo against movement during shipment. The bulkhead assembly 17 is supported at its lower ends and is held against longitudinal movement relative to the car 11 by a locking structure, to be described, that coacts with pairs of spaced floor mounted tracks 18 and 19. A locking structure, also to be described, carried at the upper end of the bulkhead assembly 17 coacts with wall mounted tracks 21 and 22 for holding the bulkhead assembly 17 against longitudinal and vertical movement. In this way the bulkhead assembly 17 will be firmly held in the desired bracing position against movement in any direction.

Referring now to the remaining figures in addition to Figure 1, the bulkhead assembly 17 includes a freight bracing member that may be comprised of a structural frame assembly 23, which may be of any known type, and to which is affixed facing panels 24 and 25 that provide the load engaging faces of the bulkhead assembly 17.

The floor mounted tracks 18 and 19 each comprise channels 28 that are adapted to be recessed in the floor of the car 11 (Figures 1, 2 and 5). Centrally disposed in the longitudinally extending channels 28 are longitudinally extending rack like members 29 that have upstanding projections or teeth 31 with gaps 32 being formed between adjacent of the teeth 31.

Affixed to the lower corners of the bulkhead frame structure 23 are a pair of fixed locking pins 33. The locking pins 33 have a plurality of depending teeth 34 that are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the recesses 32. The teeth 34 are adapted to be received in the recesses 32 for holding the lower end of the bulkhead assembly 17 against any movement longitudinally of the car 11 under impacted loadings.

The upper track structures 21 and 22 (Figures 1 through 4) are comprised of angles 35 that are affixed to the respective side walls 12 or 13 and which have horizontally disposed legs 36. Supported upon the upper side of the legs 36 is a rack like locking member 37 that has upwardly extending teeth or projections 38 that define spaced recesses 39.

A locking structure, indicated generally by the reference numeral 41 is provided at the upper corners of the bulkhead assembly 17 for coaction with the tracks 21 and 22 to lock the bulkhead assembly 17 against movement longitudinally relative to the car 11 and vertically relative to the car. Each locking structure 41 includes a corner casting 42 that is fixed to the respective corner of the bulkhead frame 23. The corner casting 42 has an upwardly and outwardly extending projection 43 that, in part, is adapted to overlie the respective locking member 37. Secured to the underside of the projection 43 is a locking pin 44 that has downwardly extending projections 45 that are adapted to enter into the recesses 39 of the locking member 37 for holding the upper end of the bulkhead assembly against longitudinal movement.

A movable locking member 46 is supported in a recess in the casting 42 and is supported for pivotal movement by means of a pivot pin 47. The movable locking member 46 has a hook like projection 48 that is adapted to underlie the track leg 36 when the locking member 46 is in a locked position as shown in Figures 1 through 3.

Associated with each locking structure 41 is a generally U-shaped lifting lug or clevis 49 that is pivotally supported at its lower end on the respective corner casting 42 by means of a pivot pin 51. The lifting lug 49 defines a recess 52 that is adapted to receive a hook 53 that is connected by means of a cable 54 to an overhead crane or the like (not shown).

Each lifting lug 49 has an embossment 55 that is connected by means of a pivot pin 56 to one end of an actuating rod 57. The opposite end of the actuating rod 57 is connected to the pivotal locking member 46 by means of a pivot pin 58. The coil spring 59 encircles the actuating rod 57 and bears against a washer 61 that is affixed to the rod 57 and a plate 62 that is affixed to the corner casting 42. The spring 59 exerts a bias on the pivotal locking member 46 that tends to pivot it in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 47 into its locked position. At the same time, the spring 59 exerts a bias on the lifting lug 49 that biases it in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 51 to a first position as shown in Figure 3. In this position, the lifting lug 49 engages the upper edge of the plate 62 to prevent further pivotal movement of the lifting lug 49 and pivotal locking member 46.

Figures 1 through 3 and 5 show the bulkhead assembly 17 in a locked freight bracing position within the car 11. When it is desired to move the bulkhead assembly 17, hooks 53 are positioned in engagement with the lifting lugs 49. A lifting force is exerted upon the bulkhead assembly 17 through the cables 54 and hooks 53. As the cables 54 are tightened, the lifting lugs 49 will be pivoted about the pivot pins 51 from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 4. During this pivotal movement the actuating rod 57 exerts a force on the locking member 46 that pivots it about its pivot pin 47 to its released position so that it is freed from beneath the track leg 36. At this time, the springs 59 are compressed.

The bulkhead assembly 17 is now permitted to be moved vertically with respect to the tracks 18, 19, 21 and 22. When the bulkhead assembly 17 is moved upwardly, the locking pin projections 34 and 35 are freed from between the track recesses 32 and 39 and the bulkhead assembly 17 may be moved to a new position.

When in this new position the bulkhead assembly 17 is lowered until the projections 34 and 35 enter a new set of the recesses 32 and 39. The bulkhead assembly 17 will then be held against longitudinal movement. The tension in the cables 54 is released and the springs 59 will pivot the lifting lugs 49 and pivotally supported locking members 46 back to the position shown in Figure 3. As the hooks 48 move beneath the track legs 36, the bulkhead assembly 17 will be again locked against vertical movement. The hooks 53 can then be released from engagement with the lifting lugs 49.

Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment of locking structure that may be employed at the upper corners of the bulkhead assembly. This locking structure is identified generally by the reference numeral 81. Where the components of this assembly are the same as those of the previously described embodiment, they have been identified by the same reference numerals. Since only the locking structure 81 differs in this embodiment, only the locking structure and associated components have been illustrated and will be described.

In this embodiment the wall mounted track comprises a structural angle 82 having a leg 83 that is affixed to the side wall of the car. The other angle leg 84 is disposed horizontally and is formed with a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 85, only one of which appears in the drawings.

The corner casting 86 is affixed to the upper corner of the bulkhead frame assembly 23. The corner casting 86 has an upwardly and outwardly extending projection 87 that overlies the track leg 84. The projection 87 has one or more depending pin portions 88 that are adapted to enter into a like number of the apertures 85 for holding the associated bulkhead assembly against movement longitudinally of the car.

A locking member 89 is supported for pivotal movement on the upper end of the projection 87 by means of a pivot pin 91. A locking member 89 has a hook like shape and includes a surface 92 that is adapted to be positioned on the underside of the angle leg 84 when the locking member 89 is in a locked position as shown in the solid line view of Figure 6. In this position, the locking member 89 precludes the bulkhead assembly from any substantial vertical movement with respect to the rails 82 and associated car.

A generally U-shaped lifting lug 93 is pivotally supported at the other end of the corner casting 86 on an upstanding boss 94 by means of a pivot pin 95. The lifting lug 93 is movable between first and second positions as shown in the solid and broken line views, respectively, of this Figure. The lifting lug 93 has an embossment 96 that carries a pivot pin 97. The pivot pin 97 interconnects the lifting lug 93 with an actuating link 98. The opposite end of the actuating link 98 is interconnected with the locking member 89 by means of a pivot pin 99 so as to move the locking member 89 from its locked position to a released position, as shown in the dotted line view, upon movement of the lifting lug 93 from its first position to its second position. In the released position, the locking member surface 92 is spaced from the angle 82 so as to permit vertical movement of the bulkhead assembly with respect to the angle 82.

A coil compression spring 101 encircles the actuating link 98. One end of the spring 101 bears against a washer 102 that is fixed to the actuating link 98. The other end of the spring 101 bears against a washer 103 that is slidable on the link 98 and which is abuttingly engaged with a bifurcated member 104 that is affixed to an upstanding projection 105 formed on the corner casting 86. The bias of the spring 101 normally urges the lifting lug 93 to its first position and the locking member 89 to its locked position.

The operation of the embodiment of Figure 6 is the same as the operation of the embodiment previously described. That is, when a lifting force is exerted upon the lifting lug 93 it will be pivoted from its first position to its second position and the locking member 89 will pivot from its locked position to its released position. Upon release of the lifting force, the spring 101 will urge the locking member 89 back to its locked position.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is only that of preferred embodiments and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A freight bracing bulkhead assembly adapted to brace freight at preselected positions in a cargo area comprising a freight bracing member, locking means carried by said freight bracing member, said locking means including a first member supported for pivotal movement between a released position and a locked position, said first member cooperating with cargo area locking means when in its locked position for retaining said freight bracing member against movement in a first direction relative to the cargo area, lifting means carried by said freight bracing member, said lifting means providing means adapted to receive a hook or the like for lifting of said freight bracing member, said lifting means being movable relative to said freight bracing member from a first position to a second position in response to the exertion of a lifting force thereupon, means interconnecting said lifting means with said first member of said locking means for moving said first member from its locked position to its released position in response to movement of said lifting means from its first position to its second position and a fixed locking member carried by said bracing member and cooperable with the cargo area locking means for precluding relative movement of said bracing member in a second direction.

2. A freight bracing bulkhead assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fixed locking member comprises a pin adapted to engage a hole in the cargo area locking means.

3. A freight bracing bulkhead assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the fixed locking member includes a plurality of teeth adapted to engage cooperating teeth formed on the cargo area locking means.

4. A freight bracing bulkhead assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lifting means is supported for pivotal movement between its first and its second positions.

5. A freight bracing bulkhead assembly as set forth in claim 4 further including biasing means for urging the locking means to its locked position.

6. A freight bracing bulkhead assembly adapted to brace freight at preselected positions in the open topped cargo area of a railway gondola car comprising a freight bracing member adapted to be supported in the car in a vertically oriented position, locking means carried by said freight bracing member at its respective uppermost corners, each of said locking means comprising a locking member movable between a released position and a locked position, said locking members cooperating with locking means carried by the gondola car when said locking members are in their locked position for retaining said freight bracing member in a selected position in the gondola car cargo area, a pair of lifting means carried by said bracing member at the uppermost corners thereof, each of said lifting means providing means adapted to receive a hook or the like for lifting of said freight bracing member, each of said lifting means being movable relative to said freight bracing member from a first position to a second position in response to the exertion of a lifting force thereon, and means interconnecting each of said lifting means with a respective of said locking members for moving said locking members from their locked position to their released position in response to movement of said lifting means from their first position to their second position.

7. A freight bracing bulkhead assembly as set forth in claim 6 further including fixed locking members carried at the respective lower corners of the bulkhead assembly and cooperable with cooperating cargo area locking means.

8. A locking mechanism for a bulkhead assembly or the like comprising a corner casting adapted to form a portion of the bulkhead assembly, a first locking member, means supporting said first locking member upon said corner casting for pivotal movement between a locked position and a released position, said first locking member being adapted to coact with a cooperating locking member carried by a freight carrying vehicle when in its locked position for restraining the bulkhead assembly in a bracing position within the freight carrying vehicle, a lifting lug, said lifting lug having a portion adapted to receive a hook or the like for lifting of the associated bulkhead assembly, means supporting said lifting lug for pivotal movement upon said corner casting from a first position to a second position in response to the exertion of a lifting force upon said lifting lug, means interconnecting said lifting lug and said first locking member for moving said first locking member from its locked position to its released position in response to movement of said lifting lug from its first position to its second position, and a fixed locking member carried by said corner casting and cooperable with said first mentioned locking member for holding the associated bulkhead assembly in position.

9. A locking mechanism as set forth in claim 8 wherein the means interconnecting the lifting lug and the locking member comprises an actuated rod pivotally connected to said lifting lug and to said locking member.

10. A locking mechanism set forth in claim 9 further including biasing spring means energizing said actuating rod and biasing said lifting lug to its first position and biasing said locking member to its locked position.