Shield assembly for railroad tank car

Abstract

A shield for protecting an exterior wall of a railroad car during a lifting operation includes a body having a first face for engaging that exterior wall. The first face may have a radius of curvature to substantially match the radius of curvature of the tank car.

1 . A method of protecting an exterior wall of a railroad tank car while lifting said tank car, comprising:
 connecting a hoist to said tank car; and   providing a shield between said exterior wall of said tank car and any element or rigging of said hoist that would otherwise engage said exterior wall.   
     
     
         2 . The method of claim  26 , wherein said shield has a radius of curvature that substantially matches the radius of curvature of an exterior wall of the railroad tank car. 
     
     
         3 . The method of claim  26 , wherein a face of said shield has a radius of curvature of between about 30.0 inches and about 95.0 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The method of claim  26 , wherein the shield has a resilient liner. 
     
     
         5 . The method of claim  26 , wherein the body includes a lift element. 
     
     
         6 . A method of protecting an exterior wall of a railroad tank car while lifting said tank car, comprising:
 placing a shield assembly over at least a portion of said exterior wall of said tank car;   attaching at least one hoist to said tank car so that said shield is between said exterior wall and any element or rigging of said hoist that would otherwise engage said exterior wall; and   lifting said tank car with said hoist.   
     
     
         7 . The method of claim  31 , wherein said placing a shield assembly comprises placing a shield having a first body having a first face for engaging said exterior wall along a first portion of said tank car and a second body having a second face for engaging said exterior wall along a second portion of said tank car. 
     
     
         8 . A device for lifting a railroad car with a hoist, comprising:
 a hook;   a shield carried on said hook.   
     
     
         9 . The device of claim  33 , wherein the shield is welded to the hook. 
     
     
         10 . The device of claim  33 , wherein the shield has a face having a radius of curvature of between about 30.0 and about 95.0 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The device of claim  35 , wherein said face includes a resilient liner.