Railcar Cover Systems

Abstract

A cover assembly for an open top railcar, the assembly having semi-rigid cover reversibly movable between a closed position atop the railcar and an open position alongside the railcar or separate from it. The cover may be connected to the railcar with hinge-latches or linkage arms which permit the cover to be held flat alongside the railcar in an open position, or removed from the railcar during loading and unloading. A load grooming device shapes the load of a loaded railcar to a selected contour. Opening and closing of covers may be continuous and automated, using curved tracks, cranes or mechanical arms to engage and open covers, and conveying devices or vehicles to handle covers during loading and unloading of railcars.

1 . A cover assembly for a railcar of the type having a top opening and first and second sides, the cover assembly comprising:
 a semi-rigid cover having opposed first and second side edges;   first and second linkage means, first linkage means connecting first side edge to first side, and second linkage means connecting second side edge to second side;   wherein cover is reversibly movable between a closed position atop the railcar and an open position alongside either the first or the second side of the railcar.   
     
     
         2 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage means comprise one or more pairs of arm linkages, each arm linkage pivotally connected at a first end to the cover and at a second end to the railcar. 
     
     
         3 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the linkage means comprise one or more pairs of hinge-latches, a first hinge-latch of each pair reversibly connecting the first side edge of the cover to the corresponding side of the railcar, and a second hinge-latch of each pair connecting the second side edge of the cover to the corresponding side of the railcar. 
     
     
         4 . The cover assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each hinge-latch comprises a car sub-component mounted on the railcar, and a cover sub-component mounted on the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The cover assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the car sub-component of the hinge-latch includes at least one hinge rod receptacle having a selectively shaped receiving plate and a groove for receiving a hinge rod, and the corresponding cover sub-component of the hinge-latch comprises a plate attached to the external surface of the cover, opposing parallel brackets extending perpendicularly from opposing edges of the plate, and a hinge rod extending between the parallel brackets, wherein the hinge rod is reversibly and pivotally engageable with the groove of the receiving plate. 
     
     
         6 . A hinge-latch for a cover for an open top railcar, wherein the hinge-latch comprises a car sub-component mounted on the railcar, and a cover sub-component mounted on the cover, wherein the car sub-component of the hinge-latch includes at least one hinge rod receptacle having a selectively shaped receiving plate and a groove for receiving a hinge rod, and the corresponding cover sub-component of the hinge-latch comprises a plate attached to the external surface of the cover, opposing parallel brackets extending perpendicularly from opposing edges of the plate, and a hinge rod extending between the parallel brackets, wherein the hinge rod is reversibly and pivotally engageable with the groove of the receiving plate. 
     
     
         7 . The hinge-latch of  claim 6 , wherein the groove of the receiving plate is selectively shaped to permit entry and egress of the hinge rod of the cover sub-component in only a selected range of directions. 
     
     
         8 . The cover assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end closure door at a first longitudinal end of the cover and a second end closure door at an opposing second longitudinal end of the cover, each end closure door pivotable about a lower straight edge and about an apex. 
     
     
         9 . The cover assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each end closure door is convertible between a position co-planar to the cover when the cover is in an open position and a non-planar raised position when the cover is in a closed position. 
     
     
         10 . A cover system for an open top railcar, comprising a flexible cover and connection means for connecting the cover to an open top railcar, wherein the cover is reversibly convertible between an planar configuration in a relaxed open position alongside the railcar, and a convex configuration in a closed position under tension atop the railcar. 
     
     
         11 . The cover system of  claim 10 , wherein the connection means comprise a plurality of pairs of the hinge-latches of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         12 . The cover system of  claim 11 , wherein the force of the tension of the closed position maintains the bar of the car sub-component within the notch of the cover sub-component. 
     
     
         13 . A cover system for open top railcars comprising:
 cover means for reversibly covering the open top of the railcar;   cover attachment means for reversibly attaching the cover means to an open top rail car;   cover lifting means for moving cover means from a closed position to an open position;   cover engagement means for releasably connecting cover lifting means to cover means; and   support means for positioning and guiding the cover lifting means.   
     
     
         14 . The cover system of  claim 13 , further comprising cover transport means for moving cover means from a railcar unloading location to a railcar loading location. 
     
     
         15 . The cover system of  claim 13 , wherein the cover means is a unitary cover convertible between a convex closed position atop the railcar and a flat open position. 
     
     
         16 . The cover system of  claim 13 , wherein the cover means comprises a plurality of covers, each cover covering a portion of the opening of the railcar. 
     
     
         17 . The cover system of  claim 13 , wherein the cover attachment means comprises a plurality of the hinge-latches of  claim 6 . 
     
     
         18 . The cover system of  claim 13 , wherein the cover attachment means comprises a plurality of arm linkages, each arm linkage pivotally connected at a first end to the cover and at a second end to the railcar. 
     
     
         19 . The cover system of  claim 13 , the cover system further comprising receiving means, wherein the cover lifting means comprises a stationary opening mechanism at a railcar loading facility, the opening mechanism having engaging means for engaging the receiving means of the cover system and lifting the cover as the railcar moves past the opening mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The cover system of  claim 13 , the cover system further comprising receiving means, wherein the cover lifting means comprises one or more arms for engaging the receiving means of the cover system and lifting the cover. 
     
     
         21 . The cover system of  claim 20 , wherein the arms are multiple joint arms. 
     
     
         22 . The cover system of  claim 13 , the cover system further comprising receiving means, wherein the cover lifting means comprises a crane apparatus for engaging the receiving means of the cover system and lifting the cover. 
     
     
         23 . The cover system of  claim 19 , wherein the cover lifting means further comprises a fixed helical guide which engages the cover and lifts the cover as the railcar moves past the guide. 
     
     
         24 . The cover system of  claim 13 , wherein the support means comprises an overhead structural frame. 
     
     
         25 . The cover system of  claim 13 , wherein the support means comprises a ground based curved track above and around a string of railcars. 
     
     
         26 . A method for reversibly opening a cover from each of the railcars of a string of open top railcars, comprising the steps of:
 a. moving the string of railcars along a track until the first railcar is in a cover opening position;   b. opening the cover;   c. moving the string of railcars further along the track until the next railcar is in the cover opening position;   d. repeating steps b and c until all covers have been opened; and   e. closing each open cover as it reaches a cover closing position along the track.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein step b further comprises temporarily removing the cover from the railcar. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein step b further comprises transporting the removed cover from the cover opening position to the cover closing position. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the removed cover is transported by a mechanical conveyance device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the mechanical conveyance device is a conveyor belt. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the removed cover is transported by vehicle. 
     
     
         32 . A load grooming device for shaping the top side of a load in an open top railcar, the load grooming device comprising a selectively contoured member reversibly positionable above a loaded railcar, whereby relative movement of the railcar past the contoured member shapes the load according to the selected contour. 
     
     
         33 . The load grooming device of  claim 32 , further comprising sensor means for detecting the height of a railcar load.