System and Method for Modularization of a Schnabel Car

Abstract

An improved Schnabel car is described herein. Specifically disclosed is an improved Schnabel car comprising two Schnabel sections connectable to and capable of supporting a load. The Schnabel sections can comprise said Schnabel a Schnabel arm comprising an arm base and an arm end connectable to a load. The improved Schnabel car can also additionally comprise a load spreader having a spreader apex and a plurality of spreader bases, where the spreader apex connects the arm base to the spreader apex. Furthermore, the improved Schnabel car can comprise span bolsters having a bolster apex, each of which can be connected to at least one of the spreader bases, and bolster bases, each of which can be connected to bolster rail cars with bolster rails together comprising more than 36 axles.

1 . A modular Schnabel car comprising
 two Schnabel sections, each said Schnabel section connectable to a load, said Schnabel sections together capable of supporting said load, said Schnabel sections each comprising
 a Schnabel arm comprising an arm base and an arm end, said end connectable to said load; 
 a load spreader having a spreader apex and a plurality of spreader bases; 
 a first quick connect system that connects said arm base to said spreader apex. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular Schnabel car of  claim 1 , wherein said load spreader comprises a span bolster. 
     
     
         3 . The modular Schnabel car of  claim 2 , wherein said modular Schnabel car further comprises a plurality of railcars connected to said span bolster. 
     
     
         4 . The system in  claim 1 , wherein said first quick connect system comprises
 a first connector connected to said arm base; and   a second connector attached to a spreader apex, said first connector mateable with said second connector.   
     
     
         5 . The modular Schnabel car of  claim 4  further comprising a pin passing through apertures in said first connector and said second connector. 
     
     
         6 . The modular Schnabel car of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of span bolsters, each of said span bolsters comprising a bolster apex connected to at least one of said spreader bases. 
     
     
         7 . The modular Schnabel car of  claim 6  further comprising a second quick connect system that connects at least one of said spreader bases to said bolster apex. 
     
     
         8 . The modular Schnabel car of  claim 6  further comprising a plurality of bolster rail cars connected to said span bolsters. 
     
     
         9 . The modular Schnabel car of  claim 8 , wherein each of said bolster rail cars comprises ten axles. 
     
     
         10 . The modular Schnabel car of  claim 8 , wherein each of said bolster rail cars comprises twelve axles. 
     
     
         11 . The modular Schnabel car of  claim 8 , wherein two of said bolster rail cars comprise ten axles and two of said bolster rail cars comprises twelve axles. 
     
     
         12 . A method for disassembling for transport a modular Schnabel car comprising
 disconnecting a first quick connect system that initially connects an arm base of a Schnabel arm to a spreader apex of a load spreader; and   removing said Schnabel arm from said load spreader.   
     
     
         13 . The method in  claim 12 , wherein said load spreader comprises a span bolster. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps
 disconnecting a second quick connect system that initially connects a spreader base of said load spreader to a bolster apex of a span bolster; and   removing said load spreader from said span bolster.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein disconnecting said first quick conect system comprises removing a first pin. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein disconnecting said second quick connect system comprises removing one or more second pins. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of setting said Schnabel arm on a rail car. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of setting said load spreader on a rail car.