Anti-theft device for a transport railcar grating

Abstract

A security device, such as an anti-theft device, for a transport vehicle, such as a railcar, grating hinge connector includes a plate and a cup. The hinge connector has a first portion secured to the deck surface by a fastener with a head, and a second portion coupled to the grating. The cup has a base and a wall forming a cavity sized and shaped to receive the plate. The wall forms an opening that is sized and shaped to receive the plate for insertion into the cavity. The base is positioned on the hinge connector and has another opening sized and shaped to receive the fastener with the head positioned in the cavity. The insertion of the plate in the cavity secures the head of the fastener within the anti-theft device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for securing a grating of a transport railcar, the grating including a plurality of transversely coupled rods that form a plurality of grating openings therebetween, the device comprising:
 a body including a first end coupled to a surface of the railcar, and a second end projecting through a grating opening, the second end including a flange extending transversely to a rod forming the grating opening.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flange has a width greater than the size of the grating opening. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the flange is positioned to engage the rod forming the grating opening when the device is lifted from the grating, to prevent removal of the device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener, and wherein the first end of the body is coupled to the surface of the railcar by the fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the fastener comprises a head and a shank, and the first end of the body includes an opening that is sized and shaped to receive the shank. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the first end includes a base and a wall that define a cavity, the base including a first opening that is sized and shaped to receive the shank of the fastener and retain the head within the cavity, the wall having an outer surface including a first side that forms an obtuse first angle relative to the railcar surface. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the wall outer surface includes a second side forming a second angle relative to the railcar surface that is different from the first angle. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the second angle is an obtuse angle relative to the railcar surface. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the second angle is a right angle relative to the railcar surface. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the second side has an opening in the wall of the cup. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a plate;   and wherein the wall has a rim defining a second opening into the cavity, the second opening sized and shaped to receive the plate, and the cavity sized and shaped to contain the plate and fastener head when the plate is fully inserted through the second opening.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the plate is disk shaped and the rim is circular. 
     
     
         13 . The anti-theft device of  claim 11 , wherein the rim is sized and shaped to receive the plate by snap fit insertion into the cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the rim has a lip, the plate has a side extending around the perimeter of the plate, and the lip and the side are substantially the same shape and at least a portion of the side is slightly larger than the lip, and wherein the lip can flex to receive the plate.