Patent ID: 8201503
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: B61D

Abstract:
1. A railcar diaphragm, comprising: a first plate assembly configured to be coupled to an end wall of a railcar; a second plate assembly configured to contact another railcar when that other railcar is engaged with the railcar; a bellows assembly disposed between first plate assembly and the second plate assembly; and a spring assembly including a leaf spring coupled to the second plate assembly and a pivot member coupled to a center portion of the leaf spring, the pivot member being coupled to the first plate assembly, the spring assembly having a first configuration in which the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly are separated by a first distance when the railcar is not coupled to another railcar or a second configuration in which the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly are separated by a second distance less than or equal to the first distance when the railcar is coupled to another railcar, the spring assembly and the second plate assembly configured to collectively swivel about a centerpoint associated with the pivot member when the spring assembly is in the second configuration and the railcar is in a curved portion of a track.