MXPA97002749A - Metal pisco of cargo de cargo de ferrocar - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is reifered to a floor system for a rail loading cart having a frame including a central spar positioned on a longitudinal center line of the frame, a pair of side spars, a pair of end spars cooperating with the side beams to form a generally rectangular configuration, a plurality of transverse supports extending between the central bearer and the side beams, a plurality of longitudinal beams extending between the end beams and spaced laterally from each other between the central bearer and the side beams, each longitudinal beam is placed on one or more of the plurality of transverse supports, a pair of rotating carriages attached to the frame adjacent to each end, of the central beam, a body hearth extending between the side beams above each of the rotating rail cars, and a couple of c harolas of wheels attached to and extending horizontally from each body support with the wheel trays dimensioned to extend over the respective rotating rail carriages, the floor system comprises: a plurality of floor panels, each floor panel is placed on one side of another of the floor panels and extends between the side rails of the frame, each floor panel having a longitudinal center line essentially normal to the centerline of the frame and approximately parallel to the longitudinal centerline of an adjacent floor panel each panel of floor has a first floor plate with at least one first reinforcement member secured to the respective first floor plate, the at least one first reinforcement member extends longitudinally through the respective first floor plate approximately parallel with the first floor plate. the respective centerline of the floor, the at least one first reinforcement member rests on p or at least one of the longitudinal joists, the first respective floor plate has a generally rectangular configuration with a first side having a first longitudinal edge and a second side having a second longitudinal edge, the first and the second longitudinal edges extending between the first and second ends of the first respective floor plate, a section of at least one first reinforcement member is smaller than one end of the respective first floor plate, the first and second ends of the first floor plate are folded down to make contact with parts of the bastid

Description

FLOOR CARGO METAL FLOOR FLOOR? TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the modular construction of a vehicle floor and, more particularly, to a metal floor structure attached to a rail car frame for rail cars or rail cars. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Over the years, freight cars and closed wagons or railway wagons have progressed from relatively simple general purpose wood structures mounted on flat cars to more elaborate arrangements including insulated walls, cooling equipment, metal flooring, and other features for specific applications. Several types of products are currently manufactured and used freight wagons and closed freight wagons for railways. A typical rail freight car includes a closed structure mounted on a rail freight frame. The closed structure may include an outer hull and interior panels. For some cars For rail, such as refrigerated freight cars, an Ife- or more insulation layers can be placed between the outer hull and the inner panels.

The outer hull of the loading cart The rail usually has an outer surface formed of various types of metal such as aluminum or steel alloys. The interior panels are frequently formed of wood and / or metal as desired for the specific application.

'=? Sliding doors are usually provided on each '10 side of the closed structure to load and unload the load. Conventional rail freight charges can be assembled from various pieces of wood, steel and / or sheets of composite material such as fiberglass-reinforced plastic and generally require significant amounts of raw material, labor and time to complete the manufacture and assembly of each freight car.

The frame for many rail freight cars includes a center rail with a pair of stringers end and a pair of side beams arranged in a rectangular configuration that corresponds approximately to the dimensions of the floor of the loading cart. Transverse cross braces and supports are often provided to establish the desired stiffness and resistance for transmission of vertical loads to the central beam. A plurality of joists are typically provided on each ^ * f 3 J side of the center beam to support the weight of the enclosed structure. Examples of such rail loading frames are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,783,718 and 3,266,441. Both of these 5 patents are incorporated by reference for all purposes within this application.

For many years, various techniques have been used to provide nailing steel flooring for cargo wagons. railroad The Association of American Railroads (AAR) in its Manual of Mechanical Division of Standards and Recommended Practices, Description M-964-92 provides information regarding the manufacture and testing of such nailable steel floors. The patent of the United States of America number 4,224,880 entitled "Clavable Rail Car Floor" provides additional information regarding such floors. This patent is incorporated by reference for all purposes of this application.

Several types of load dividers and load securing systems have previously been used to prevent unwanted movement of the cargo contained within the enclosed structure of a rail freight car. The use of such systems is particularly important when the car load is only partially loaded. Examples of such systems are shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,370,482, entitled "Cargo Assurance System" and in U.S. Patent No. 5,386,674, entitled "Two-Piece Bulkhead Door for Trolleys. Railroad and Similar. " The above-mentioned patents 5 are incorporated by reference for all purposes within this application.

Metal nailing floors provide advantages over hardwood floors. A metal floor structure typical clavable can include multiple wood panels. However, the floor panels are typically composed of several nested metal plates. This results in a complex construction of the floor panels and in a series of grooves in each floor panel. Also a strip of metal Additional 15 must be applied through each end of the panel to "finish" the panel ends.

SYNTHESIS OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, the disadvantages and problems associated with the previous modular floors for rail freight cars have been studied. The present invention provides a floor structure without nails which can be assembled from floor panels to provide a smooth floor surface that extends through the interior of the resulting rail loading cart. The panels of - - * 5 jff * floor are preferably made of suitable metallic and / or non-metallic materials according to the teachings of the present invention prior to the assembly of the associated railroad loading carts.

One aspect of the present invention includes providing metal floor panels which can be fabricated prior to installation within a rail loading cart. For an application, the present invention * 10 provides a satisfactory metal floor structure for use on rail freight cars subjected to 60,000-pound lifting trailer axle loads. For another application, the present invention provides a satisfactory metal floor for use in rail freight cars subjected to lifting 80,000-pound trailer axle loads. In both applications, the resulting metal floor structures successfully passed the pressure, core crush, and beam resistance tests, as defined by the AAR specification M-964-92 for nailing steel floors.

Another aspect of the present invention includes providing floor panels with bent end portions for coupling the floor panels to a rail car frame and for interconnecting them with the side rails of the frame. ^ 6 Another aspect of the present invention includes the I provide floor panels which include one piece floor plates connected to one or more reinforcement members. The floor plates of the adjacent floor panels may be butted against one another and may both be connected to a common overlap reinforcement member.

The technical advantages of the present invention include providing a floor structure with a * 10 smooth metal surface while minimizing weight, and at the same time, the strength of the floor structure is maximized. The floor panels can be manufactured in accordance with the teachings of the present invention to be attached to a wide variety of rail car frames so that the The time required to install the resulting floor structure during the assembly of the associated rail car is essentially reduced. Floor panels can be manufactured prior to the assembly of the associated loading cart to minimize the total number of parts that must be handled during the assembly of the floor structure. Floor panels and floor plates incorporating the teachings of the present invention allow relatively easy access to those locations which require welding of the resulting floor structure to the associated rail car frame. Using panels standardized floor to form the floor structure in a large number of rail freight cars allows the "-. T 7 ^ reduction of both manufacturing costs and material costs associated with each floor panel and also reduces the length of time, material and work associated with the installation of each floor structure in the loading cart associated railway. A floor structure formed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is particularly adapted for use in loading carts carrying products such as paper rolls or automotive parts which are preferably shipped on a floor surface smooth.

Additional technical advantages of the present invention include providing a number of floor panels that have a generally rectangular configuration. Each The floor panel preferably includes a floor plate with a plurality of reinforcing members attached to one side of the floor plate. A reinforcing member is preferably attached to * and partially extends laterally from one edge of each floor plate so that the other edge of the floor plate The adjacent floor can be welded to the reinforcing member part. The ends of each floor plate are preferably folded downward to be used to secure the respective floor panel with parts of the rail car frame. The combination of providing a glue weld between the adjacent edges of each floor plate and folding down the opposite ends of each floor plate results in a floor structure without separations between the adjacent floor panels and around the perimeter of the resulting floor structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 5 For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in * 10 which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a rail car frame according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the rail car frame of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic of a floor system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a reinforcing member according to the first invention.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a floor panel according to a first embodiment of the present invention. '-i * 9 mm Figure 6 is an elevation of the floor panel of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a side view of a 5-floor panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view '? partial of the floor system of Figure 3 taken along 10 arrows 8-8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an isometric view of a floor panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 is an isometric view of a floor plate according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the floor system of Figure 3 taken along the arrows 11-11 of Figure 3.

Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the floor system of Figure 3 taken along the arrows 12-12 of Figure 3.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view # partial of the floor system of Figure 3 taken along the arrows 13-13 of Figure 3.

Figure 14 is an isometric view of a floor panel according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

'? Figure 15 is a side and partial view of a floor system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional and partial view of a floor system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a side and partial view of a floor panel according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of a floor system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The preferred embodiments of the present # invention and its advantages will be better understood with reference to the drawings, in which like numbers are used for the same and corresponding parts in the various drawings.

The present invention includes providing a floor system for rail cars. The floor system may include floor panels without nails consisting of one-piece floor plates. The floor plates can be attached to the reinforcing members. The floor plates can be positioned within the confines of the side rails and end rails of a rail car frame, and can be butted together in a side-by-side arrangement to provide a floor structure general for a rail car.

An example of a rail car frame 200 is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The frame 200 is an example of a frame which can be used in conjunction with the floor system of the present invention. Other types of racks can be used. The frame 200 includes the first and second end rails 285 and 283 located at the first and second ends 284 and 282, respectively, of the frame 200. The first and second side rails 243 and 245 are provided on the first and second sides 242 and 244, respectively, of the frame 200. The end rails and # the side beams cooperate to form a generally rectangular stringer arrangement. A plurality of transverse supports 216 are provided for connecting the first and second side beams 243 and 245, respectively, 5 to a center beam 215. A plurality of beams 231 are provided for floor support and extend longitudinally with respect to the frame. 200. The first wheeled trays 255 and the second wheeled trays 253 are provided on the first trailing assemblies 204 and 202, 10 respectively; a pair of assemblies 210 is provided at the opposite ends of the frame 200.

The floor structure 30 incorporating the teachings of the present invention is shown in Figure 3.

In general, the floor structure 30 can be provided on the frame 200. For the purposes of illustrating the various teachings of the present invention, the floor structure 30 will be described with respect to installation within a rail loading cart or a rail freight car.

However, the present invention can be successfully used to form a floor structure in various types of vehicles or containers and is not limited to railway loading carts or rail car frames.

During the assembly of a rail freight car or a rail freight car, the rail car frame is first generally manufactured and a closed structure is mounted on the rail car frame. The floor structure 30, as shown in Figure 3, can then be installed within the enclosed structure and securely attached to the rail car frame. The floor structure 30 is preferably welded to the selected parts of the rail car frame.

The floor panels or floor plate assemblies incorporating the teachings of the present invention can be easily modified for use with a wide variety of rail car frames and various types of rail loading carts and closed cars; while the structural design requirements of the AAR are adequately met. Among other things, the present invention allows the manufacture of floor panels, floor plates and reinforcing members with the required configuration and dimensions prior to the installation of the resulting floor structure during the assembly of the associated rail car. .

For the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 3, the floor 30 structure has a generally rectangular configuration with a general length of approximately 60.5 feet and a width of approximately 9.5 feet. The various dimensions shown on the drawings are for only one embodiment of the present invention and are not limitations of the scope of said invention. The present invention allows various floor panels, including floor plates and reinforcement members to be manufactured so that when assembled with each other, the dimensions and the configurations of the resulting floor structure will be compatible with the requirements of the associated rail car frame and the closed structure.

The center line 32 of the floor structure 30 corresponds to the center line of the associated rail freight car and the center line of the rail car frame. The floor structure 30 has a configuration generally rectangular which approximately corresponds to the configuration of the associated rail car frame. The first and second ends 34 and 36 of the floor structure 30 are positioned on one side of the end rails 285 and 283 of the frame 200 of the associated rail car. The first and second sides 38 and 39 of the floor structure 30 are placed on one side of the respective side beams 243 and 245 of the sub-frame 200 of the associated rail car.

For the modality shown in Figure 3, the The floor structure 30 preferably includes eight floor panels or floor plate assemblies 40. For the purposes of? ----- 15 describing the present invention, floor panels or floor plate assemblies can sometimes be referred to as "standard floor panels". For the embodiment shown in Figure 3, two floor panels 80 at the opposite ends 34 and 36 of the floor structure 30 are preferably secured to the rail car frame at one side of the respective end rails 285 and 283. The floor structure 30 also includes floor panels 100 and 110, along with four floor plates 120 which will be described below in greater detail. Floor panels 80, 100, and 110 can sometimes be referred to as the "modified floor panels". One of the technical benefits of the present invention includes providing modified floor panels and floor plates 15 for accommodating various types of rail car frames and / or enclosed structures as required for each specific rail loading cart.

The floor structure 30 includes the 20 floor panels 80, 100 and 110, together with the floor plates 120 to accommodate the floor clamp structure 30 to a rail car frame having the wheel trays or cover plates 253 and 255. Such cover plates are typically mounted on a central beam 215 of the rail carriage frame 25 on one side of and extending over the railway carriage to protect the bottom of the structure. associated floor 30. A cover plate 253, for example, is shown by dotted lines in Figure 12.

Floor panels 40, 80, 100 and 110 include the floor plates 42, 82, 102 and 112, respectively. For the embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 3, the floor plates 42, 102, 112 and 120 have the same generally rectangular configuration with a length which y-je--, corresponds generally to the distance between the stringers ? • 10 sides of the associated rail car frame and the width of the associated enclosed structure. For the embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 1, the length of each of the floor plates 42, 102, 112 and 120 is less than the width to accommodate a bulkhead rail system. Four plates 42, 102, 112 and 120 each have a section of approximately 100 inches and a width of approximately 80 inches.

The four plates 82 have a length of about 100 inches. However, the width of the floor plates 82 is approximately twenty-seven inches which is substantially reduced compared to the width of the floor plates 42, 102, 112 and 120. The width of the floor plates 82 is selected for accommodate the distance between the cover plates 253 or 255 and the respective end rails 283 or 285. Thus, the width of the floor plates 82 and the respective floor panels 80 can be varying depending on the location of each rotating rail carriage and its cover plates relative to the adjacent end rail of the rail car frame. The number of floor panels and floor plates used to form the floor structure 30 are selected so that the combined width of the floor plates will be '^^ approximately equal to the length of the car frame . 10 associated rail between the end rails. By forming the floor panels 40, 100 and 110 with the respective floor plates 42, 102 and 112 having approximately the same width, material costs, manufacturing costs and installation procedures for the installation can be substantially reduced. resulting floor structure 30.

The longitudinal center line of each floor plate 42, 82, 102, 112 and 120 is preferably oriented essentially normal to the centerline 32 of the floor structure. floor 30. As will be discussed in more detail below, the adjacent edges of each floor plate 42, 82, 102, 112 and 120 are preferably welded together and a respective reinforcing member 44a relocated between the adjacent edges and portions of the floor. Rack of the rail car. For some applications the floor plates 42, 82, 102, 112 and 120 can * - - »18 be formed from 10 GA steel that meets the ASTM A 604 GR 55 requirements. Each floor panel 40, 80, 100 and 110 includes one or more of the reinforcing members 44 fastened to one side of each floor panel. The reinforcing member 44 can be described generally as a U-shaped support beam or channel. As best shown in Figure 4, each reinforcing member 44 has a generally U-shaped cross section defined by the fabric 46 and the flanges or legs 48 and 50 extending from the same. The end 52 of each opposite vertical flange 48 and 50 of the web 46 preferably bends outward to provide the respective clamping surfaces 58 and 60.

For the modality shown in figure 3, each reinforcing member 44 preferably has a general length of about 8 feet and a width of about 3 inches. The height of each flange or leg 48 or 50 is * approximately 1.6 inches. The reinforcing members 44 are preferably formed of 9 GA steel satisfying the requirements of ASTM A 607 GR55 to provide a satisfactory floor structure for use on rail freight cars subject to lifting 80,000 ton trailer loads. In another embodiment described below, the floor structure 330 is described for use in cars of rail freight subject to the lifting of axial towing loads of 60,000 tons. In this case, the reinforcing members 344 are preferably formed of 10 GA steel meeting the requirements of ASTM A 604 GR55. The general structure of each modality can be used for both floors of 60,000 tons and floors of 80,000 tons. 5 The difference between floor panels 40, 80, 100 and 110 includes the number of reinforcing members 44 which are attached to one side of the respective floor plates 42, ~ ß? 82, 102 and 112, and a variation in the width of the floor plates and / or grooves that can be formed in portions of the respective floor plates. With reference to figures 5, 6, 7 and 8, the floor panel 40 will now be described in greater detail. The differences between the floor panel 40 and the floor panels 80, 100 and 110 will now be described. As best seen in Figures 7 and 8, the floor panel 40 preferably includes seven reinforcing members 44 attached to the side. 62 of the floor plate 42. The support member 44a is also attached to the side 62 along the edge 64 of the plate 42. The reinforcing member 44a is similar to the previously described reinforcing members 44, except that the metal strip 66 has been installed between the flanges 48 and 50 on one side of the respective ends 52. As shown in FIG. discussed below in more detail, the metal strip 66 prevents the flanges respectively 48 and 50 extend outwards from each other *. - 20 when a load is placed on the floor structure 30 immediately on the respective reinforcing member 44a.

The number of reinforcing members 44 and 44a, the width of the fabric 46, the spacing between the adjacent reinforcing members 44 and 44a is selected to result in each leg or flange 48 and 50 being equally spaced from each other laterally through of the width of the floor plate 42. As a result of this configuration, the loads placed on the opposite side 68 of the floor plate 42 can be distributed more evenly with respect to the associated flanges 48 and 50 to minimize any deformation of the floor plate 42. The floor plate 42 includes the first longitudinal edge 64 and the second edge longitudinal 70 which extend parallel to each other and are laterally spaced from the longitudinal center line of the floor panel 40. As best seen in Figures 5 and 6 the floor plate 42 also includes the first end 72 and the second end 74. The ends 72 and 74 are placed opposite one another with the first edge 68 and the second edge 70 extending between these.

The second longitudinal edge 70 of the floor plate 42 extends laterally from a second edge reinforcement member 44 located near the second edge longitudinal 70. A first edge reinforcement member 44a is preferably held near the first edge 64 of the # plate. ---. 21 # floor 42 with the first edge 64 positioned closely to one side of the center line of the respective core 46. As a result of this, a portion of the respective core 46 extends laterally from the first longitudinal edge 64 to provide support for the edge 70 and the adjacent portions of the floor plate 42 of a second floor panel 40. This is shown, for example, in Figure 15. Preferably, a butt weld is formed between the adjacent edges 64 and 70 extending to the length of the floor. associate reinforcement member 44a. When a load is placed on the joint between the adjacent floor panels 40, the respective legs or flanges 48 and 50 may tend to extend laterally outwardly from one another. As previously noted, the metal strip 66 is preferably secured to the respective flanges 44, 48 and 50 to prevent such spreading. The joint between the floor plates 42, 82, 102, 112 and 120 is preferably formed as shown in Figure 15.

The floor plates 42, 82, 102, 112 and 120 can be formed from a properly sized roll of steel (not shown). Preferably, plates 42, 82, 102, 112 and 120 are each one-piece plates. This results in floor panels having smooth surfaces without grooves, as will be the case for panels having plates consisting of multiple nested strips. According to one application, the floor plates can be formed from 10 GA steel by satisfying the coatings of ASTM 607 GR55 or its equivalent. The end of each floor plate is preferably bent to facilitate assembly within the associated enclosed structure. Each floor plate is preferably aligned so that the grain of the rolled steel runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the associated floor panel, so that the ends can be bent in a direction which is generally normal to the rolled steel grain . The length of the reinforcing members 44 and 44a is preferably less than the length of the associated floor plates 42, 82, 102, 112 and 120. Therefore, each end of the respective floor plate can be bent downwardly as shown. , for example in figure 6.

The first edge of a floor plate can be placed relatively close to the second edge of the adjacent floor plate and a butt weld be formed therebetween. The first end 72 and the second end 74 are bent down to contact the adjacent parts of the frame of the rail car and to help provide a leak proof seal around the perimeter of the floor structure 30.

The floor structure 30, as shown in the Figure 1 is preferably installed starting at a second end 282 and continuing towards the first end 284 of the. »- 23 frame of the associated rail car. Figure 11 is a schematic sectional drawing showing the relationship between the end beam 283 and the adjacent wheel trays 253. As noted previously, the width of the floor plate 82 for the floor panel 80 is less than the width of the floor panel 82. width of the other floor plates. Also, as best seen in Figure 14, the floor panel 80 includes only three reinforcing members 44 and a reinforcing member 44a. The reinforcing member 44a is attached to a first edge 84 of the floor plate 82 in the same manner as described previously for the first edge 64 of the floor plate 42. The second edge 90 extends laterally of the adjacent support member 44 and can be fastened to an appropriately dimensioned support surface 91 provided as part of the end member 283. between the floor panel 80, the end spar 285 and the wheel trays 255 is accomplished in a similar manner.

As best seen in Figures 11 and 12, a plurality of reinforcement members 44 may be placed on the respective wheel trays 253. Each reinforcing member 44 is preferably oriented with its associated clamping surfaces 58 and 60 in contact with the wheel trays 253 so that the respective web 46 projects vertically from the associated wheel trays 253 For an application, it preferably form a number of alternating welds longitudinally along the respective clamping surfaces 58 and 60 and adjacent parts of the wheel trays 253. For one application, each alternating weld (not expressly shown) has a length of approximately of two inches with a separation of approximately 10 5 inches between the center of the adjacent welds.

As best seen in Figure 10, each floor plate 120 is preferably formed with a plurality of grooves 121 extending therethrough. The slots are preferably arranged in columns and rows to form a grid pattern corresponding to the spacing between the reinforcing members 44 fastened to the respective wheel trays 253. For one application, a grid having six longitudinally and seven laterally grooved slots has been used satisfactorily to hold the floor plates 120 with the reinforcing members 44. Each location of each groove is selected to correspond to the center line of a respective member 44 positioned between the floor plate 120 and the wheel trays 253. A Appropriate welding can be formed inside of each slot and the part of the core 46 exposed through the slot.

As best seen in Figure 9, the floor panel 100 has a configuration and general dimensions that correspond approximately to the floor panel 40. However, the floor panel 100 preferably has only four members * -. --- reinforcement 44 and a reinforcing member 44a attached to one side of the respective floor plate 102. The part of the floor panel 100 extending from the reinforcing member 44 is essentially wider than the part extending from the member of reinforcement 44 of the floor plate 42. There are three rows of grooves preferably formed in this part and placed on the corresponding reinforcing members 44 so that they have to be fastened to the wheel trays 253. For an application, the slots in FIG. both floor plates 120 and 102 could have had a diameter of about one third of an inch and a length of about one inch.

Eight floor panels 40 can then be installed on one side of each other with the second edge 70 of a panel 40 positioned on one side of the first edge 64 of another panel 40. Each floor panel assembly 110 is similar to the floor panel 100 except for the location of the reinforcing members 44 and 44a that are reversed to accommodate the location of the trays of wheels 255. '20 The floor plates 120 are preferably placed on the reinforcing members 44 which have been welded to the wheel trays 255 on one side of the first end 284 of the rail car frame. This is achieved in a way similar to that described above for the floor plates 120 and for the wheel trays 283. The floor panel 80 is then installed between the floor plates 120 and the end railing 285 at the first end 284 of the car body frame. associated railroad. The reinforcing members 44 are preferably attached to the wheel trays 253 and 255 as shown in Figure 12 prior to the installation of the floor plates 120. For the floor panels 40, 80, 100 and 110, the access is available within the rail car frame to weld portions of each reinforcement member 44 with the adjacent parts of the rail car frame. # 10 Preferably, for the specific embodiment shown in Figure 3, the length of the floor panels 45, 80, 100 and 110 is less than the overall width between the side beams associated with the rail car frame.

This rule can be used, for example, on rail freight cars subjected to the lifting of 80,000 pound trailer axial loads. Figure 13 shows parts of the frame of the associated rail car including the center beam 215, the longitudinal beams 231, the hollow tube 236 and the side beam 243. For the particular embodiment shown in Figure 13, the hollow tube 136 extends along an essential length of the adjacent side beam 243 to provide support for a scuttle track assembly (not shown) the which can be replaced by the filling member 137. As shown in Figure 13, the adjacent end 72 of the floor panel 40 terminates before contacting the adjacent side beam 243.

The end 72 (and the end 74) preferably has a bent-step configuration. This can be achieved, for example, by bending the end of the floor plate down, and then forward, and back down again. The vertical dimension between the first and second folds is preferably relatively small. Therefore, the angle of the first and second bends is not deep and is preferably much less than 90 degrees. This angle is preferably of the order of about 5 to 40 degrees. More preferably, the angle is about the order of about 10 to 25 degrees.

Although Figure 13 shows the floor panel 40, the relationship between the floor panel and the side rail is similar for the other floor panels and / or the plates (e.g., panels 80, 100 and 110, and the plates). 120). Also, the interface between the panels and the side beam 243 is duplicated on the opposite side beam 245. For some applications, as discussed in more detail below, the length of the floor plates 42, 82, 102, 112 and 120 can increasing in such a manner that the opposite ends of the respective floor plates contact or rest on the adjacent side beam. "- c - 28 The floor structure 30 has been described with * with respect to a rail car frame having a central spar. For some applications the floor structure 30 can be formed on a rail car frame 5 which includes the slippery beams which are frequently used on conventional rail cars.

The loads placed on the floor structure 30 are transmitted by the respective floor plates 42, 82, 102, 112 and 120 through the legs or flanges 48 and 50 on the longitudinal beam 231, the transverse supports 216 and then the central beam 215. The rail car frame can include a first pair of body sills 222 and a second pair of body sills 224 placed on the cars respective railway rotaries 202 and 204. The body sills extend laterally between the central member 215 and the respective lateral side members 243 and 245.

The pair of wheel trays or cover plates 20 253 and 255 are preferably formed from relatively thick metal plates to provide a spacing for the wheels of the associated rail rotating carriages. Preferably, the wheel trays 253 and 255 are sized to accept the loads from the floor structure 30 and to transfer these loads to the center beam 215. The trays 253 and 255 can also protect the adjacent portions of the floor structure 30. of any thrown garbage * from the respective rotating rail cars.

An alternate modality is similar to that shown in Figure 3, but has certain differences as best seen in Figures 16, 17 and 18. This modality can be used, for example, in rail freight cars subjected to axial loads. of a 60,000-pound rotating car. One of the differences refers to the formation of the extremes respectively of the floor plates. As shown in Figure 16, for example, end 374 of floor plate 42 has a second bend configuration in the position to the stepped fold configuration described above for the embodiment shown in Figure 8. This configuration is also use for respective ends of other floor plates.

Also, as shown in Figure 17, a reinforcing member 44, located at the edge 364 for example, and replaced by the reinforcing member 44a. More specifically, the reinforcing member located at the transition between the plates lacks metal strip 66. This metal strip is not necessary due to the reduced load.

Another difference refers to the relationship between end 372 of the floor plate and the side rails (for example the side rail 243). This is seen in Figure 18.

In this mode, the floor plates (for example the plate of * floor 342) are of such a length that the respective ends thereof rest on the respective side beams. In this configuration, there is no hatch track and divider assembly 5, and therefore, the hollow tube 136 is also omitted. This configuration is also used for the other floor plates. It should be noted that any of the above-mentioned embodiments can be used for 60,000-pound floors, 80,000-pound floors or floors subjected to other axial loads of rotating hoist 10.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. twenty

Claims (17)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. A floor system for a rail freight car having a frame including a center stringer 5 placed on a longitudinal center line of the frame, a pair of side stringers, a pair of end stringers cooperating with the side stringers to form a generally rectangular configuration, a plurality of transverse supports extending between the central beam 10 and the side beams, a plurality of longitudinal beams extending between the end beams and spaced laterally from one another between the central bearer and the side beams , each longitudinal beam being placed on one or more of the plurality of supports 15 crosswise, a pair of rotating carriages fastened to the frame adjacent each end of the central spar, a body hearth extending between the central spar and the side spars above each of the rotating rail carriages, and a pair of trays of wheels fastened to 20 extending horizontally from each body hearth with the wheeled trays sized to extend over the respective rotating rail carriages, the floor system comprises: a plurality of floor panels, each floor panel being placed on either side of the other. floor panels and extending between the side rails of the frame, Each floor panel has a longitudinal centerline essentially normal to the centerline of the frame and approximately parallel to the longitudinal centerline of an adjacent floor panel, Each floor panel has a first floor plate with at least one first reinforcement member secured to the respective first floor plate, the at least one first reinforcing member extends longitudinally through the respective first floor plate approximately parallel to the center line of the respective floor panel, the at least one first reinforcing member 20 rests on at least one of the longitudinal joists, the first respective floor plate having a generally rectangular configuration with a first side having a first longitudinal edge and a second side having 25 a second longitudinal edge, the first and second longitudinal edges extending between the first and second ends of the respective first floor plate, a length of at least a first reinforcing member being less than a length of the respective first floor plate, the first and second ends of the respective first floor plate being bent forward to make contact with parts of the frame.

2. The floor system as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that it also comprises: A first edge reinforcement member attached to the first respective floor plate close to the first longitudinal edge with a portion of the first edge reinforcement member extending laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge; A second edge reinforcement member attached to the first respective floor plate near the second longitudinal edge, the second longitudinal edge extending laterally beyond the second edge reinforcement member, 25 wherein the part of the first edge reinforcing member extending beyond the first longitudinal edge, .-- 34 provides a support for a second longitudinal edge of a first adjacent floor plate.

3. The floor system as claimed in clause 2 characterized in that the reinforcing members have a longitudinal center line and a generally U-shaped cross section, at least one second reinforcing member 10 being placed on each of the wheeled trays, the longitudinal center line of at least one second reinforcing member extending substantially normal to the centerline of the frame and essentially parallel to the center line of the frame. a second adjacent reinforcing member, each second reinforcing member has a core with a pair of flanges extending therefrom to partially define the associated U-shaped cross section, 20 each of the flanges of at least one second reinforcing member being fastened to the respective wheel tray whereby the respective core member projects upwardly from the wheel cover; and a second floor plate being fastened to the respective core members of the opposing reinforcing members from each respective wheel tray.

4. The floor system as claimed in clause 3, characterized in that each second floor plate has a plurality of openings extending therethrough and aligned with the center line of a second reinforcing member, so that each opening can be used to form a weld between the respective second floor plate and the core of the respective second reinforcing member.

5. A floor panel for forming a floor system: a floor plate having a generally rectangular configuration with a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the edges extending between a first end and a second end, the floor plate it has a longitudinal central line that extends essentially parallel 20 and equidistant from each of the first and second longitudinal edges; a first edge reinforcement member located near the first longitudinal edge; In a second edge reinforcement member located near the second longitudinal edge, the reinforcing members are secured to one side of the floor plate, the reinforcing members extending longitudinally through the floor plate approximately parallel to the centerline. of the floor plate, each reinforcing member having a generally U-shaped cross section defined in part by a core with a pair of flanges extending therefrom, *? A core portion of the first edge reinforcement member extending laterally beyond the first longitudinal edge of the floor plate to provide support for a second longitudinal edge of an adjacent floor plate; 15 the second longitudinal edge extending laterally beyond the second edge reinforcement member.

6. The floor panel as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that the floor plate has at least At least one row of holes formed therethrough between the second edge reinforcing member and the second longitudinal edge of the floor plate, the row of holes being aligned approximately parallel to the second edge reinforcement member.

7. The floor panel as claimed in clause 5 characterized in that at least one of the reinforcing members has the first and second flanges, the flanges each having an opposite end from the respective core, Each end of the flanges is bent laterally outward to provide the first and second fastening surfaces, the first and second fastening surfaces of the flanges are fastened to the floor plate.

8. A floor system for rail car 15 having a frame, the floor system comprises: a plurality of metal floor panels without nails, each panel comprising a one piece metal floor plate having a plurality of reinforcing members fastened to one side thereof, the plurality of floor panels being arranged in a side-by-side relationship of the frame to form a floor, at least one of the reinforcing members is 25 extend along the side edges of two of the plurality of floor panels.

9. The floor system as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that each of the plurality of floor panels is welded to an adjacent one of the floor panels along the corresponding longitudinal edges thereof.

10. The floor system as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that each floor plate has the first and second ends being bent out of a plane defined by a surface of the floor plate.

11. The floor system as claimed in clause 10 characterized in that the first and second ends are bent in a stepped-bent configuration.

12. The floor system as claimed in clause 10 characterized in that the first and second ends are bent in a single bent configuration.

13. The floor system as claimed in clause 8 characterized in that the frame comprises the first and second side beams, each floor plate has the first and second ends, the floor plates extend longitudinally between the first and second side beams to form a separation between the first and second side beams and the first and second ends, respectively.

14. The floor system as claimed in clause 13, characterized in that the spacing is adapted to receive a hatchway assembly.

15. The floor system as claimed in clause 8 characterized in that the frame comprises the first and second side beams, each floor plate has the first and second ends, the floor plates extend longitudinally between and make contact with the beams »10 first and second side, respectively

16. A floor panel for use in a rail car floor system, the floor panel comprises: 15 a floor plate without metal nails and in one piece and having the first and second ends and the first and second longitudinal edges extending between the first and second ends, 20 a reinforcing edge having a fastening surface partially attached to one side of the floor plate near the first longitudinal edge, wherein a portion of the fastening surface extends laterally from the first longitudinal edge. 25

17. The floor panel as claimed in clause 16 characterized in that the floor system comprises multiple floor panels each having the first and second longitudinal edges, the laterally extending part of the clamping surface is adapted to hold a second longitudinal edge of an adjacent one of the plurality of floor panels. 10 fifteen # twenty 25 A floor structure is provided for attachment to a rail car frame. The 5-story structure is formed in part of floor panels having a floor plate and a number of reinforcement members attached to one side of each floor plate. One of the reinforcing members is preferably held along a first edge of each floor with a part of the reinforcing member extending * 10 laterally from the first respective edge. The opposite edge of the floor plate extends perfectly and laterally from the closest reinforcing member so that when the floor panels are placed side by side with the second edge of a floor plate resting on the member 15 of reinforcement extending from the first edge of an adjacent floor plate. An alternating weld is preferably formed between each adjacent first and second edge and the respective reinforcing member. The ends of the floor plates can be folded down for the connection 20 to parts of the frame. The length of the floor panels may be less than the distance between the side rails to accommodate a splitter and scotch track assembly. 25