Patent ID: 6435101
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: B21F,B61D,E06B

Abstract:
A flexible connection system for extending between two adjacent railroad car sections, the adjacent car sections being spaced apart by a first distance, each railroad car section having an end disposed between a first side and a second side, each car section further having a top, the connection system comprising:a first side panel extending between the first sides of the adjacent car sections, the first side panel having a length that is greater than the first distance; a second side panel extending between the second side of the adjacent car sections, the second side panel having a length that is greater than the first distance; at least one top panel extending between the top of the adjacent car sections, the at least one top panel having a length that is greater than the first distance; each of the first side, second side and top panels being fabricated from a puncture resistant polymer material comprising a flexible interwoven skeleton structure embedded in said polymer material wherein the skeleton structure includes a plurality of adjacent links interconnected by a plurality of parallel and spaced apart cross-members; each link in the form of a continuous triangular wave defining a plurality of generally linear link elements interconnected to one another at transverse arcuate folds spaced alternately along opposing first and second sides the link; and each cross-member in the form of a generally linear strand that extends between adjacent link elements nested in the transverse arcuate folds along the first side of one link and the second side of an adjacent link to connect the adjacent links.