Rapid discharging hopper car automatic door latch

Abstract

Automatic latch means for the door-actuating beam of a hopper car of the type having a plurality of hopper doors arranged in opposed pairs and swingable between a closed position and a downwardly depending open position when the door-actuating beam is shifted longitudinally by the piston of a fluid cylinder between a retracted door-closing position and an extended door-opening position. The latch means comprises a catch asembly mounted on the hopper car frame and a pivotable hook operatively attached to the door-actuating beam. When the door-actuating beam is in its door-closing position the catch assembly will be engaged by the hook and means are provided to maintain this engagement under all dynamic conditions of the hopper car. As a consequence, movement of the door-actuating beam to open the hopper doors is prevented and the hopper doors are thus locked in their closed positions. The cylinder piston is provided with a clevis operatively connected to the door actuating beam. The hook is configured to be contacted and pivoted out of engagement with the catch assembly by the clevis as the clevis is advanced by the cylinder piston to shift the door-actuating beam to its door-opening position. The operative connection between the piston clevis and the door actuating beam is such that, as the clevis is advanced by the piston, it will disengage the hook from the catch assembly before it will begin to shift the door-actuating beam to its door-opening position. Means are also provided to prevent disengagement of the hook from the catch assembly and shifting of the door-actuating beam toward its door-opening position when impacted inertia tends to advance the piston and clevis.