The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 19, 1994
Filed:
Jul. 12, 1993
Laurence E Culligan, Portage Des Sioux, MO (US);
Paul J Dumser, St. Charles, MO (US);
ACF Industries, Incorporated, Earth City, MO (US);
Abstract
An underbody structure (10) supporting an end of a railway car body (B, B') cradled in a cradle pad (12, 12'). A center sill assembly (16) has first and second spaced apart side plates (18, 20) spaced to either side of the longitudinal centerline of the car body. A top plate (28) extends along the center sill assembly, the width of the top plate corresponding to the width between the side plates. The top plate is attached to the side plates to form part of the center sill assembly. A weld support (50) is installed on both sides of the assembly. Part of the respective side plates and top plate are cut-away at the junction formed between to form a pocket (56) in which welding material pools. Weld support members (52, 54) are attached to the top plate adjacent the pockets. The weld supports provide a substantial contact surface between the center sill assembly and the cradle pad. Each weld support helps dam the pooled welding material so it is available to effect a strong and durable weld between the cradle pad and center sill assembly. This allows the tank car to carry heavier loads than could previously be carried.