Bi-tri-level deck system for a railcar

US5685228A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Wabash National Corporation · US

Inventors

• Donald J. Ehrlich · Lafayette, US
• Rodney P. Ehrlich · Wolcott, US
• Francis S. Smidler · Lafayette, US
• DeWayne B. Williams · Lafayette, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 27, 1995
• Grant date: Nov 11, 1997
• Expiry date: Sep 27, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B61D3/18
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A railcar which forms part of an articulated train includes a novel deck system and a novel, low-level, low-profile, no slack coupler. The railcar is formed from a floor, upstanding side walls which are connected to the floor and a top to form an enclosure. The deck system includes an upper deck and a lower deck which are connected together and are counterbalanced against each other. The decks are movable to a first position wherein the decks abut against each other so that cargo, such as automobiles, general freight and the like, can be loaded onto the upper deck and onto the floor. The decks are movable to a second position wherein the decks are spaced apart from each other so that cargo can be loaded onto the upper deck, the lower deck and the floor. In several embodiments of the novel deck system, the decks can be moved relative to the floor when the decks are in the first and second positions. The novel coupler attaches the railcars together and takes the form of a socket on a rear end of the railcar and a tongue on the front end of the railcar. A plurality of windows are provided on the top wall and in the decks to allow light to enter into the interior of the enclosure.