Patent ID: 7497170
Filing Date: 2009-03-03
Classification: B61D

Abstract:
1. An operating shaft assembly for a railcar, said operating shaft assembly being mountable for rotation on a railcar gate assembly frame, said operating shaft assembly comprising: an operating shaft having first and second ends; a capstan provided at each end of said operating shaft and mountable for rotation on said gate assembly frame, with each capstan defining an elongated axis about which said capstan rotates and having first and second axially aligned end portions, with one end portion of each capstan being releasably connectable to one end of said operating shaft, and with the second end portion of each capstan defining a socket opening to a terminal end of the second end portion of said capstan, and wherein said socket is axially aligned with said longitudinal axis of said capstan; an insert non-rotatably accommodated at the second end portion of each capstan, with said insert defining a bore which axially aligns with the longitudinal axis of the capstan after said insert non-rotatably accommodated at the second end portion of each capstan, and wherein said insert defines a closed and non-circular marginal edge in surrounding relation relative to said bore and extending axially inward from the terminal end at the second end portion of said capstan; and a locking apparatus for positively securing said insert relative to said capstan so as to inhibit inadvertent separation of said insert from said capstan.