Gate assembly for a railroad hopper car

Abstract

A discharge gate assembly for a railroad hopper car is disclosed. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening and a gate or first element slidably carried on the frame for controlling the discharge of material from the hopper car through the discharge opening. The gate assembly further includes a second slidable element carried by the frame in vertically spaced relation relative to the first element and extending across the discharge opening. A first drive mechanism including a first operating shaft assembly is mounted on the gate frame for slidably moving the first element relative to the frame. A second drive mechanism including a second operating shaft assembly is also mounted on the gate frame for slidably moving the second element relative to the gate frame. The operating shaft assemblies are mounted for rotation about independent fixed axes and in horizontally adjacent relation relative to each other. A single lock assembly is also provided for releasably but separately holding the first and second element in a closed position. The second slidable element is preferably configured as an open top pan assembly having outlet tubes extending laterally therefrom. A closure assembly including an end cap or cover is provided in combination with a free end of each outlet tube allowing for one-handed operation of the closure assembly.