Adapter for bottom operable tank car valve

Claim 1

An adapter for use with a bottom operable tank car valve assembly comprising: a hollow body portion defining a main body opening; at least one spout extending radially outwardly from said body portion; said spout being hollow and having a spout opening in communication with said main body opening; said body portion including an upper adapter attachment portion having adapter attachment means including a quick connect-disconnect fitting including a plurality of arms, each having an overcenter cam surface for removably attaching the adapter to a bottom operable tank car valve assembly; resilient means for maintaining said arms in said overcenter position; closure means located in the lower portion of the adapter closing said main body opening; said closure means having mounted therein an adapter operator assembly including an operator having a lower connection portion adapted to be engaged by a suitable loading and unloading tool, and a vertical extension extending upwardly within said main body opening, said extension having means at the upper portion thereof for attachment to a tank car valve operator located within said tank car valve operator assembly for opening and closing the tank car valve; said spout including a spout groove at its outer end portion and a removable adapter cap having a quick connect-disconnect fitting including at least one cap arm having an overcenter cam surface adapted to engage said groove to hold said cap in place; said quick connect-disconnect adapter attachment means enabling said adapter to be quickly attached to a tank car valve assembly at an unloading site to quickly load and unload lading; and whereby said adapter and said quick connect-disconnect cap fitting enables quick removal of said cap and quick attachment and removal of an unloading conduit.