US3715053A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cap locking device for pneumatic hopper outlets
Assignee: ACF Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-09-10
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1991-09-10
Abstract
Abstract Mechanism for locking an end cap on each end of the rotary lading discharge tube of a pneumatic hopper outlet of a railway car includes a bail pivoted to the end cap on a transverse axis, and having arms extending inwardly from the pivots and provided with catches for engaging lugs fixed to the rotary tube. The outermost portion of the pivoted bail has a transversely extending lever mounted thereon provided with camming lugs adapted to bear against the top of the end cap. When the camming lever is turned down, the bail is held tightly against the end cap with the catches at the other end thereof forcefully pressed against the lugs on the rotary tube. Thus the end cap is securely latched to the rotary tube. Simply raising the camming lever permits the bail to be unlatched to ready the end cap for removal.
Inventors
- 👤 J Carter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:51
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D90/00; B65D90/54; B65D90/545
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A closure for the rotatable tube of a pneumatic outlet of a railway car hopper; comprising an end cap adapted to fit on the end of said tube; a locking member spanning the cap, said locking member having a pair of arms extending along opposite sides of said cap and a portion interconnecting said arms, said arms being pivotally mounted intermediate their length on said opposite sides of the cap; a catch on the inner end of each arm adapted to engage a lug fixed on either side of said rotatable tube when said locking member is pivoted toward the rotatable tube; and camming means mounted at the outer end of the locking member on the connecting portion thereof for camming the locking member against the cap for securing said locking member in its locking position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A closure for the rotatable tube of a pneumatic outlet of a railway car hopper; comprising an end cap adapted to fit on the end of said tube; a locking member spanning the cap, said locking member having a pair of arms extending along opposite sides of said cap and a portion interconnecting said arms, said arms being pivotally mounted intermediate their length on said opposite sides of the cap; a catch on the inner end of each arm adapted to engage a lug fixed on either side of said rotatable tube when said locking member is pivoted toward the rotatable tube; and camming means mounted at the outer end of the locking member on the connecting portion thereof for camming the locking member against the cap for securing said locking member in its locking position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
136 words
A closure for the rotatable tube of a pneumatic outlet of a railway car hopper; comprising an end cap adapted to fit on the end of said tube; a locking member spanning the cap, said locking member having a pair of arms extending along opposite sides of said cap and a portion interconnecting said arms, said arms being pivotally mounted intermediate their length on said opposite sides of the cap; a catch on the inner end of each arm adapted to engage a lug fixed on either side of said rotatable tube when said locking member is pivoted toward the rotatable tube; and camming means mounted at the outer end of the locking member on the connecting portion thereof for camming the locking member against the cap for securing said locking member in its locking position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
136 words
A closure for the rotatable tube of a pneumatic outlet of a railway car hopper; comprising an end cap adapted to fit on the end of said tube; a locking member spanning the cap, said locking member having a pair of arms extending along opposite sides of said cap and a portion interconnecting said arms, said arms being pivotally mounted intermediate their length on said opposite sides of the cap; a catch on the inner end of each arm adapted to engage a lug fixed on either side of said rotatable tube when said locking member is pivoted toward the rotatable tube; and camming means mounted at the outer end of the locking member on the connecting portion thereof for camming the locking member against the cap for securing said locking member in its locking position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A closure according to claim 1, wherein said camming means includes a lever pivoted on an axis parallel to the axis of the rotatable tube and having a cam portion adapted to engage the cap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A closure according to claim 2, wherein a pair of diametrically opposed handles are affixed to said rotatable tube and the lugs are integral with said handles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A closure according to claim 3, wherein each handle has a bore parallel to the axis of the rotatable tube and said cap has a pair of bolts positioned to enter the bores when the cap is in closed position, whereby the handles are locked to the cap against rotation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A closure according to claim 4, including means for supporting said rotatable tube on the outlet, said supporting means being adjustable to permit limited rotation of the rotatable tube by said handles when said cap is locked to the rotatable tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |