Importance

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Abstract

A gravity outlet (10) for discharging lading from a railway car (C). An outlet assembly attached to a discharge opening in the railcar includes an upper end attached to the opening and sidewalls (12a, 12b) and endwalls (14a, 14b) whose bottom portion defines an outlet (D) through which lading flows, by gravity, when discharged from the railcar. An outlet gate (34) positioned beneath the outlet assembly moves relative to the discharge outlet between respective open and closed positions. A latch mechanism (36) includes a latch (50a, 50b) pivotally attached to the gate to latch the gate in its closed position and prevent inadvertent opening of the gate and spillage of lading. A gate operating mechanism (38) includes a rack (40) attached to the gate and a pinion (42) engaging the rack for moving the rack and the gate. A capstan (46) is connected to an operating shaft (44), as is a coupling member (64). Rotation of the capstan by yard personnel effects movement of gate between its open and closed positions. A blocking bar (62) is engaged by the coupling member to lock the gate in its closed position. A lost motion connection between the pinion and the coupling member enables the gate to be unlocked prior to movement of the rack by the pinion, and locked in its closed position subsequent to movement thereto by the rack and pinion. The arrangement produces a desired sequence of gate operations (unlocking, opening, closing, relocking) which occur automatically.

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First Claim