Patent ID: 6704991
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: B61D,B61F,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for attaching one end of a first structural member to a selected portion of a second structural member, the second structural member comprising a structural member of a railcar and the first structural member extending at an angle of approximately ninety degrees relative to the second structural member comprising:forming at least two holes in the second structural member at the selected portion with the holes spaced from each other and sized to receive respective mechanical fasteners; forming an end plate with a width larger than the one end of the first structural member; forming a first enlargement and a second enlargement on the end plate spaced from each other with a recess disposed between the first enlargement and the second enlargement; forming the recess with dimensions and a configuration selected to accommodate forming a weld between the end plate and the selected portion of the second structural member; forming a respective hole in each enlargement of the end plate with each hole having dimension and a configuration corresponding respectively with one of the holes formed at the selected location in the second structural member; attaching the end plate to the one end of the first structural member; placing the first structural member adjacent to the second structural member with the holes in the enlargements of the end plate respectively aligned with the holes in the second structural member; inserting respective mechanical fasteners through the holes to connect the end plate and the first structural member to the selected portion of the second structural member; and forming at least one weld in the recess of the end plate to further connect the end plate and the first structural member to the selected portion of the second structural member.