Patent · US Expired

Auto rack panel gap sealing device

US5579697A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
12References
54Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 29, 1995
Grant dateDec 3, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 29, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T24/45775
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An improved gap sealing device for covering the gaps between horizontally extending and vertically spaced apart sidewall panels on auto rack railroad cars and between sidewall panels and supporting members. The gap sealing device is a single piece of extruded plastic having a head attachable to a flange of a sidewall panel and a tail or flap for biasing against the vertically adjacent sidewall panel, and a body that covers the gap to prevent air passage. The head includes inside and outside walls where the inside wall is hingedly attached to the outside wall by a live hinge and movable between open and closed positions to facilitate attachment of the head to the flange of the sidewall panel. A spring clip is placed over the inside and outside walls of the head to maintain and lock the gap sealing device on the flange of the sidewall panel. The gap sealing device may also be used to close the gaps between the sidewall panels and the roof, the floor, and vertical posts of the auto rack railroad car.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.