Systems, methods, apparatuses for disconnecting a cable from a railcar

A tool for disconnecting a cable from a railcar is disclosed. The tool includes an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The tool also includes a handle portion disposed about the first end of the elongated body. Moreover, the tool includes an engagement member disposed about the second end of the elongated body. The engagement member may be configured to engage the cable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally relates to a railcar tool and more particularly relates to systems, methods, and apparatuses for disconnecting a cable from a railcar.

BACKGROUND

A railcar may be loaded with various types of cargo. The size and shape of the cargo may vary. In order to ensure that the cargo is secured within the railcar, cargo straps (such as cables or the like) may be used. For example, the cargo may be placed within the railcar, and one or more cables may be fastened about the railcar to ensure that the cargo is secured. Once the railcar reaches its destination, the cargo may be removed from the railcar by unfastening the cables. Often, the cables may be fastened about the roof of the railcar. In this manner, in order to disengage the cables from the railcar, someone typically climbs on top of the railcar to access the cables. Climbing on top of the railcar, particularly in a rail yard or other industrial setting, can be a dangerous endeavor. Accordingly, there is a need for a tool to assist in disengaging a cable from a railcar, particularly the roof of the railcar, from the ground level.

SUMMARY

Some or all of the above needs and/or problems may be addressed by certain embodiments of the systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, a tool for disconnecting a cable from a railcar is disclosed. The tool may include an elongated body having a first end and a second end. The tool also may include a handle portion disposed about the first end of the elongated body. Moreover, the tool may include an engagement member disposed about the second end of the elongated body. The engagement member may be configured to engage the cable.

Other features and aspects of the systems, methods, and apparatuses disclosed herein will be apparent or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and the detailed description. All other features and aspects, as well as other system, method, and assembly embodiments, are intended to be included within the description and are intended to be within the scope of the accompanying claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described below are embodiments of a railcar tool for disconnecting a cable from a railcar. The disclosure also describes individual components of the railcar tool. Methods of manufacturing and/or using the railcar tool are also disclosed. The railcar tool may enable a user to disconnect a cable from a railcar. For example, the user, standing at ground level, may disconnect the cable from the railcar using the railcar tool. That is, the railcar tool does not require that the user climb atop the railcar in order to disconnect the cable from the railcar.

The railcar tool may include an elongated body having a first end and a second end. A handle portion may be disposed about the first end of the elongated body, and an engagement member may be disposed about the second end of the elongated body. The engagement member may be configured to engage the cable. In some instances, the engagement member may be V-shaped. The engagement member may be any size, shape, and/or configuration suitable to engage the cable.

In some instances, the railcar tool may include a crossbar attached to the elongated body. The crossbar may be substantially transverse to the elongated body. The cross bar may extend out from one or both sides of the elongated body. In some instances, multiple crossbars may be used. The crossbar may be located nearer the first end of the elongated body than the second end of the elongated body. In this manner, the crossbar may be spaced apart from the handle portion. The crossbar may include a grip or the like. The crossbar may be detachable from the elongated body.

The handle portion may be detachable from the elongated body. Similarly, the engagement member may be detachable from the elongated body. In some instances, the elongated body may be telescopic. In this manner, the railcar tool may be disassembled and reassembled as need. In other instances, the railcar tool may be a unitary structure. For example, the elongated body and the engagement member may be welded together or the like. Any means may be used to assemble the various components of the railcar tool.

These and other embodiments of the disclosure will be described in more detail through reference to the accompanying drawings in the detailed description of the disclosure that follows. This brief introduction, including section titles and corresponding summaries, is provided for the reader's convenience and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims or the proceeding sections. Furthermore, the techniques described above and below may be implemented in a number of ways and in a number of contexts. Several example implementations and contexts are provided with reference to the following figures, as described below in more detail. However, the following implementations and contexts are but a few of many.

FIGS. 1-4schematically depict systems, methods, apparatuses for disconnecting a cable100from a railcar102. In some instances, as depicted inFIG. 1, the railcar102may be a center beam railcar or the like with a box beam top member. Any type of railcar may be used. The railcar102may be loaded with various types of cargo104. The size and shape of the cargo104may vary. In some instances, in order to ensure that the cargo104is secured within the railcar102, one or more cables100(or other types of cargo straps, wires, bands, etc.) may be used. For example, the cargo104may be placed within the railcar102, and the one or more cables100may be fastened about the railcar102to ensure that the cargo104is secured within the railcar102.

In some instances, the cables100may be fastened to the top106of the railcar102. For example, as depicted inFIG. 2, the top106of the railcar102may include a slot108, such as a keyhole slot110, configured to receive an end112of one of the cables100. Any type of fastening device may be used to secure to the cable100to the top106of the railcar102. For example, the cable100may include a chain linked end114or the like that may be positioned within the keyhole slot110. The cable100may be tightened about the railcar102by a rachtet or the like. For example, an opposite end of the cable100may be fastened to the bottom of the railcar100.

Once the railcar102reaches its destination, the cargo104may be removed from the railcar102by removing the cables100. In this manner, the chain linked end114of the cable100should be removed from the keyhole slot110at the top106of the railcar102. Access to the top106of the railcar102, however, can be difficult and/or dangerous. Accordingly, as depicted inFIG. 3, a railcar tool116is disclosed herein for disconnecting the cable100from the railcar102. The railcar tool116may enable a user to disconnect the cable100at the top106of the railcar102from the ground level. That is, the railcar tool116does not require that the user climb atop the railcar102in order to disconnect the cable100from the railcar102.

In an embodiment, the railcar tool116may include an elongated body118. The elongated body118may include a first end120and a second end122. The elongate body118may be a pole-like structure. A handle portion124may be disposed about the first end120of the elongated body118. In some instances, the handle portion124may include a grip or other type of graspable surface. In this manner, the handle portion124may be configured to be grasped by a user. The handle portion124enables the user to maneuver the railcar tool116.

The railcar tool116also may include an engagement member126disposed about the second end122of the elongated body118. The engagement member126may be configured to engage the cable100. In some instances, the engagement member may be V-shaped128. The engagement member126may be any size, shape, and/or configuration suitable to engage the cable100. For example, the engagement member126may be T-shaped, L-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped, etc. The V-shaped engagement member128may be guided by a user along the cable100. The user may press the V-shaped engagement member128against the cable100to remove the chain linked end114of the cable100from the keyhole slot110at the top106of the railcar102. For example, the user may manipulate the V-shaped engagement member128to apply a force to the chain linked end114of the cable100. The length of the elongated body118may enable the user, standing at ground level, to position and press the V-shaped engagement member128against the cable100to remove the chain linked end114of the cable100from the keyhole slot110at the top106of the railcar102.

In some instances, the user may twist the elongated body118while applying the force in order to disengage the chain linked end114of the cable100from the keyhole slot110at the top106of the railcar102. For example, the railcar tool116may include a crossbar130attached to the elongated body118. The crossbar130may be grasped by the user. The crossbar130may enable the user to apply a twisting motion (torque) to the V-shaped engagement member128. The crossbar130may be substantially transverse to the elongated body118. The crossbar130may extend out from one or both sides of the elongated body118. In some instances, multiple crossbars130may be used. The crossbar130may be located nearer the first end120of the elongated body118than the second end122of the elongated body118. In this manner, the crossbar130may be spaced apart from the handle portion124so as to enable the user to grasp the handle portion124with one hand and the crossbar130with the other. The crossbar130may include a grip or other type of graspable surface. The crossbar130may be detachable from the elongated body118. For example, the elongated body118may include an aperture that the crossbar130is slid through.

The handle portion124may also be detachable from the elongated body118. Similarly, the engagement member126may be detachable from the elongated body118. In some instances, the elongated body118may be telescopic. In this manner, the railcar tool116may be disassembled and reassembled as need. In other instances, the railcar tool116may be a unitary structure. For example, the elongated body118and the engagement member126may be welded together or the like. Any means may be used to assemble the various components of the railcar tool116.

As depicted inFIG. 4, the user may grasp the handle portion124with one hand and the crossbar130with the other hand. The user may then guide the V-shaped engagement member128along the cable100. Once the V-shaped engagement member128is positioned adjacent to the fastened chain linked end114of the cable100, the user may apply a force to the cable100by pressing the V-shaped engagement member128against the cable100to disengage the chain linked end114from the keyhole slot110. The user also may apply a twisting motion using the crossbar130to further assist in disengaging the chain linked end114from the keyhole slot110. In this manner, the user, standing on the ground, may disengage the cable100from the railcar102.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described, numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respect to a particular device or component may be performed by another device or component. Further, while specific device characteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.