Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A railway hopper car has a hatch opening defined by its upper deck surface. A hatch cover is adapted to close the hatch opening. A hinge arrangement is connected with the upper deck surface and a locking arm extends from the hinge arrangement and across the hatch cover, being connected to the hatch cover. The hinge arrangement has a stop thereon which supports the hatch cover when it is pivoted open. The locking arm has a hatch engagement portion on the end opposite the hinge arrangement which is engaged by a latch structure connected with the upper deck surface. The latch structure includes a pivoting latch holder and latch which may be engaged with the latch engagement portion and rotated in one direction to seal the hatch cover and rotated in the opposite direction to unseal the cover. When the latch is rotated to unseal the cover, any excess pressure in the car causing the hatch cover to rise will rotate the latch holder into an extended position where the hatch cover is retained loosely over the hatch opening, and the pressure is allowed to escape. The link has a pivotal connection with the coaming bracket to provide for complete disengagement of the cover from the hatch. The pivotal connection is eccentrically mounted in a cylindrical adjustment member secured by a set screw. Selective rotation of the cylindrical member adjusts the tightness of the hatch cover seal over the hatch opening.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim