Patent ID: 7921783
Filing Date: 2011-04-12
Classification: B61D

Abstract:
1. A rail road hopper car having a receptacle for lading carried by rail road car trucks, said receptacle for lading having at least one hopper discharge, said discharge defining a discharge outlet; said receptacle for lading having a depth Z; said discharge having a throat, said throat having an hydraulic diameter, D H , Z being greater in magnitude than D H ; egress of lading from said discharge outlet being controlled by a door, said door having a door panel movable relative to said discharge outlet to a closed position to obstruct passage of lading through said discharge; said door having a lading dislodgement apparatus mounted thereto and being moved relative to said discharge outlet when said door panel moves relative to said discharge outlet; in said closed position of said door said lading dislodgement apparatus extending upwardly and away from said door panel within said hopper discharge beyond said throat; and any one of (a) in said closed position of said door, said lading dislodgement apparatus extends upwardly beyond said throat a distance greater than one half of said hydraulic diameter; and (b) said discharge outlet has a stationary opening, said stationary opening has side edges, each side edge has a length, said door panel mates with said stationary opening, and said lading dislodgement apparatus having a distal portion extending a distance away from said door panel, said distance having a greater magnitude than said side edge length.