Patent ID: 8056486
Filing Date: 2011-11-15
Classification: B61D

Abstract:
1. A railcar hatch cover adapted to be positioned relative to a longitudinally elongated hatch opening defined in a roof of a railroad hopper car, with said roof further including upstanding coaming arranged in surrounding relation relative to said hatch opening and provided with a rim arranged along a top edge thereof, and structure for mounting said hatch cover for movement between a closed position with respect to said hatch opening and an open position permitting access to the car through the hatch opening, said hatch cover comprising: a high strength and highly rigid laminate panel having longitudinally spaced ends and a centerline, said laminate panel including an inner aluminum member, an outer aluminum member, and a solid plastic core adhered to confronting surfaces of said inner and outer members, with said inner and outer aluminum members each having a grain extending longitudinally of said panel, and wherein a cross-section of said laminate panel includes a center section with two generally parallel and generally vertical sides depending from said center section, with one generally vertical side of said laminate panel being laterally disposed to each side of the longitudinal centerline of and extending substantially the entire length of said panel, and with each generally vertical side of said panel defining an angle ranging between 80° and about 115° relative to said center section and which is joined to the center section of the panel along a longitudinally elongated curved corner section having a radius of less than about 1.5 inches; compressible gasket structure secured to an underside of the center section of said laminate panel for engaging and pressing against the rim of said coaming to seal said hatch cover; and longitudinally spaced structure disposed inwardly from the opposed ends of and secured across said laminate panel for adding further strength and rigidity to the hatch cover.