Ireco, Inc.

Brian G Maki

Jace H Frechette

A universal chain tie down assembly includes an anchor base and an associated turret, with a cannon pivotally connected to the turret. The proximal portion of a tensioning rod is associated with the cannon. The tensioning rod further includes a distal portion associated with a hub, along with a tool attachment portion that is configured for engagement by a tool for rotation of the tensioning rod. First and second arms of a constant tensioning device extend from proximal ends associated with the hub to distal ends spaced distally of the hub. A chain is associated with a distal end of the constant tensioning device, such as by being linked to the curved portion of a U-bolt of the constant tensioning device. A tension lock assembly and/or an anti-vibration assembly may be employed to prevent a vibration-induced change in the tension in the universal chain tie down assembly.

Tension lock assembly for chain tie down assembly

A hatch lock cover includes inner and outer flanges, with a keeper and a handle positioned between the flanges. The handle is rotatable with respect to the flanges to move a batten bar contacting surface into and out of engagement with a batten bar or a hatch cover tab of a hatch cover. A downwardly extending portion of an arm of the keeper may define an aperture and/or include a projection for securing an adjustment plate or extension piece to the arm to provide an alternative batten bar contacting surface. Alternatively, a mounting bracket may be provided to secure the hatch cover lock to a railcar, with the mounting bracket accommodating the hatch cover lock in different positions having different elevations. Such configurations allow the hatch cover lock to be adjusted for use with a batten bar or hatch cover tab having a gasket that has become worn out.

Adjustable hatch cover locks

Universal chain tie down assembly

An uncoupling lever for a railcar has first, second, and third lever members slidably connected to each other for relative motion along their lengths. The second and third lever members are urged apart from one another along their lengths with a biasing member. The uncoupling lever has a handle configured for manual operation of the uncoupling lever, and a hook configured for actuating a lock of a coupler of the railcar. One of the handle and hook is operatively connected to the first lever member and the other of the handle and hook is operatively connected to the third lever member.

Uncoupling lever for rail car with biasing member

Railway hose support bracket

A railway car air brake hose support bracket has an upper portion with first and second attachment members, a lower portion and an air hose connector. The first attachment member enters into and engages a portion of an accessible compartment of an uncoupling mechanism housing below the coupler head, and the second attachment member is secured to an air brake hose support lug of the railway car coupler. The air brake hose connector engages an air brake hose assembly and suspends this hose assembly from the railway coupler at a predetermined distance above the rail bed. A method of installing the hose support bracket includes positioning the first and second attachment members, securing them in place, and attaching one or more railway brake hose units to the air hose connector, either before or after this positioning and securing of the upper portion of the bracket.

Air brake hose support bracket

A spring-style railway hose support has a retraction-biased extension unit of a longitudinally compressible spring and a pair of oppositely directed internal wireforms within the longitudinally compressible spring. The internal wireforms engage respective ends of the longitudinally compressible spring, and a closed end of each is configured to allow it to project beyond a respective end of the longitudinally compressible spring. The retraction-biased extension unit is adapted to be directly or indirectly connected to a railway brake hose and to a railway car component that is positioned above the hose on a railway car.

Growing community of inventors

Wood Dale, IL, United States of America

Brian G Maki