Railcar cover plate

Abstract

A metal cover plate includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a first end and an outer perimeter. The outer perimeter includes a termination end. The termination end is generally opposite the first end. The first section defines a hole. The second section includes a first end and an outer perimeter. The second section is coupled at the first end of the second section to the first end of the first section and extends from the first end of the first section in a direction generally opposite the termination end of the first section. The metal cover plate is welded to a railcar along the outer perimeter of the first section and the outer perimeter of the second section.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a railcar; and   a metal cover plate welded to the railcar, the metal cover plate comprising:
 a first section comprising a first end and an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter comprising a termination end, wherein:
 the termination end is generally opposite the first end; and 
 the first section defines a hole; and 
 
 a second section comprising a first end and an outer perimeter, the second section is coupled at the first end of the second section to the first end of the first section and extends from the first end of the first section in a direction generally opposite the termination end of the first section, the metal cover plate is welded to the railcar along the outer perimeter of the first section and the outer perimeter of the second section. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a perimeter of the hole is curved in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the hole is circular in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first section comprises:
 a third section comprising the first end, a second end, and a taper, the second end generally opposite the first end, the taper between the first end and the second end; and   a fourth section comprising a third end and the termination end, the fourth section coupled at the third end of the forth section to the second end of the third section and extending from the second end of the third section in a direction generally opposite the first end of the third section, the termination end comprising a rounded termination.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the hole is located within the fourth section. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the metal cover plate is less than a length measured from the first end of the first section to the termination end of the first section. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a flexible seal is provided around the perimeter of the hole. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 forming a metal cover plate comprising:
 a first section comprising a first end and an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter comprising a termination end, wherein:
 the termination end is generally opposite the first end; and 
 the first section defines a hole; and 
 
 a second section comprising a first end and an outer perimeter, the second section is coupled at the first end of the second section to the first end of the first section and extends from the first end of the first section in a direction generally opposite the termination end of the first section; and 
   welding the metal cover plate to a railcar along the outer perimeter of the first section and the outer perimeter of the second section.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a perimeter of the hole is curved in shape. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the hole is circular in shape. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first section comprises:
 a third section comprising the first end, a second end, and a taper, the second end generally opposite the first end, the taper between the first end and the second end; and   a fourth section comprising a third end and the termination end, the fourth section coupled at the third end of the forth section to the second end of the third section and extending from the second end of the third section in a direction generally opposite the first end of the third section, the termination end comprising a rounded termination.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the hole is located within the fourth section. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a thickness of the metal cover plate is less than a length measured from the first end of the first section to the termination end of the first section. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising applying caulking around the perimeter of the hole. 
     
     
         15 . A railcar comprising:
 a side sill; and   a metal cover plate comprising:
 a first section comprising a first end and an outer perimeter, the outer perimeter comprising a termination end, wherein:
 the termination end is generally opposite the first end; and 
 the first section defines a hole; and 
 
 a second section comprising a first end and an outer perimeter, the second section is coupled at the first end of the second section to the first end of the first section and extends from the first end of the first section in a direction generally opposite the termination end of the first section, the metal cover plate is welded to the side sill along the outer perimeter of the first section and the outer perimeter of the second section. 
   
     
     
         16 . The railcar of  claim 15 , wherein a perimeter of the hole is curved in shape. 
     
     
         17 . The railcar of  claim 15 , wherein the first section comprises:
 a third section comprising the first end, a second end, and a taper, the second end generally opposite the first end, the taper between the first end and the second end; and   a fourth section comprising a third end and the termination end, the fourth section coupled at the third end of the forth section to the second end of the third section and extending from the second end of the third section in a direction generally opposite the first end of the third section, the termination end comprising a rounded termination.   
     
     
         18 . The railcar of  claim 17 , wherein a portion of the hole is located within the fourth section. 
     
     
         19 . The railcar of  claim 15 , wherein a thickness of the metal cover plate is less than a length measured from the first end of the first section to the termination end of the first section. 
     
     
         20 . The railcar of  claim 15 , wherein a flexible seal is provided around the perimeter of the hole.