Patent ID: 6067911
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: B21F,B61D,E06B

Abstract:
A flexible connection system for linking 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 linking 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 linking the second sides of the adjacent car sections, the second side panel having a length that is greater than the first distance,at least one top panel linking the tops of the adjacent car sections, the at least one top panel having a length that is greater than the first distance,each of said first side, second side and top panels being fabricated from a material comprising a flexible wire skeleton structure embedded in a layer of a polymer material, the wire skeleton structure comprising a plurality of parallel and adjacent links interconnected by a plurality of cross members and embedded in a layer of a polymer material,each link forming a helix comprising a plurality of flat loops with arcuate ends portions spaced alternatingly along opposing first and second sides of the link,two adjacent links being connected to each other by a cross member that extends through the arcuate end portions disposed along the first side of one link and the second side of an adjacent link.