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Abstract

Top side chord attachment for the sides of bottom-discharge, open-top railroad hopper cars of the type with which top shakers may be used. Each car side comprises a vertically oriented side sheet, affixed at its bottom edge to a bottom chord in the form of the car frame side sill and affixed at its top edge to a top chord. A plurality of side posts having lateral flanges are arranged vertically along the car side exterior in parallel spaced relationship. Each side post is affixed to the bottom chord, to the top chord, and along its lateral flanges to the side sheet. The top chord comprises a beam-like member extending substantially the length of the side sheet and having a horizontal portion terminating at its longitudinal in-board edge in a downwardly depending leg lying along the inside surface of the upper edge of the side sheet. A pair of gussets are located to either side of the upper end of each side post, overlying the side post flanges and the adjacent portions of the side sheet. The gussets have upper edges in abutment with the horizontal portion of the top chord. The gussets enable fastening means passing therethrough and through the side post flanges, the side sheet and the in-board leg of the top chord to be in double shear for additional strength and rigidity of said top chord attachment.

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