Abstract:
A lading tie anchor for use in a railway boxcar having an interior metal lining, the lining having an aperture or indentation formed therein for receipt of the anchor, with the anchor comprising a one-piece body adapted to be received or seated in the opening or indentation in the metal lining. The anchor has at least two opposed edge portions that define a central opening, with the edge portions engaging the metal lining. A continuous, vertically-orientated anchoring post spans the central opening, the post including an aperture or drain hole in its lower portion to facilitate the transportation of liquid from the anchor into the aperture or indentation in the metal lining.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention generally relates to lading tie anchors typically used in the interior of railroad boxcars, moving vans, and the like, to facilitate securing the cargo carried therein and, more particularly, to an improved lading tie anchor that reduces the likelihood of water and rust damage to the cargo and anchor.  
           [0002]    Products that are shipped by railway boxcars are often secured to the sidewalls or linings and/or floor that define the interior of the boxcar by means of lading straps or other flexible cargo binding elements. To this end, the interior of the boxcar is often fitted with anchoring devices, commonly called lading tie anchors, for receiving the lading straps. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,179,068, which is incorporated herein by reference. This patent shows a freight car construction employing a plurality of one-piece lading tie anchors that have a central opening and an anchoring post extending either partially or fully across the central opening. The anchors are applied to the wall of the freight car, with a lading strap being capable of being wrapped around and secured to the post.  
           [0003]    Such lading tie anchors may be retrofitted to existing freight cars or installed during the original manufacture of the freight car (commonly called “OEM” application). Retrofitting typically requires forming a hole in the interior steel lining of the boxcar, with the hole generally opening into a channel formed by a reinforcing side post secured to the exterior of the lining. The anchors are then fitted into the hole in the steel lining. In OEM (and occasional retrofit) applications, the lining typically includes an indentation or deformation stamped into it for seating the anchor. In either case, the anchor is typically welded in place to the steel lining.  
           [0004]    While such lading tie anchors function well for securing cargo within the boxcars, the configuration of these anchors is such that moisture due to condensation and the like may collect in the anchor, leading to rust and corrosion of the anchor. The rust may be transferred to the cargo secured by means of the anchors, thus discoloring or otherwise spoiling the cargo. This has been a particular problem in the transportation of paper pulp. Such pulp is shipped “wet”. Consequently, a significant amount of moisture may form on the interior of the railway cars used to ship the pulp due to condensation. This condensation collects in the lading tie anchor, promoting rust, which is then transferred to the pulp. The paper pulp is then generally unsuitable for its intended use.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a lading tie anchor that is less likely to transfer rust or other contaminants to the cargo secured thereby.  
           [0006]    It is a further object to provide a lading tie anchor that is for both retrofit and OEM applications to a freight car.  
           [0007]    It is a still further object to provide a lading tie anchor that is adapted to direct any moisture away from the interior of the freight car.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    These objects, as well as other that will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, are accomplished by a lading tie anchor for use in a railway boxcar having an interior metal lining, the lining having an aperture (for retrofit application) or indentation (for OEM application) formed therein for receipt of the anchor, with the anchor comprising a one-piece body adapted to be received or seated in the opening or indentation in the metal lining. The anchor has at least two opposed edge portions that define a central opening, with the edge portions engaging the metal lining. A continuous, vertically-orientated anchoring post spans the central opening, the post including an aperture or drain hole in its lower portion to facilitate the transportation of liquid from the anchor into the aperture or indentation in the metal lining.  
           [0009]    In a preferred embodiment, the lading tie anchor includes a backing plate secured to the body that defines, in conjunction with the anchoring post a slot for receiving a lading tie. The backing plate may include a hole or series of holes to further promote moisture transfer. The anchor may also include a continuous outer edge with a lip formed therein for receiving the edge of the metal lining defined by the aperture typically encountered in retrofit application of the anchor.  
           [0010]    In a second embodiment particularly suited for OEM applications, the anchor has a “dog bone” configuration, with the opposed edge portions each comprising a pair of flanges that provide a surface for welding the anchor to the lining. The anchor includes a drainage hole at each end, between each of the two mounting flanges, to permit liquid to escape from the indentation typically found in OEM applications in which the anchor is mounted. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a view of the inside of a freight car, partly broken away showing a vertical plan of one part of the car sidewall, including the doorway on the right and a portion of the end wall on the left;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view in front elevation and on an enlarged scale showing a part of the interior lining of a freight car with a hole cut into it for receipt of lading tie anchor;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view in front elevation and on an enlarged scale showing one of the lading tie anchors according to the present invention in the car sidewall of FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a horizontal section taken along line  5 - 5  of FIG. 4;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken along line  6 - 6  of FIG. 4;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7A is a front elevation of a backing plate that forms part of the lading tie anchor of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7B is a top view of the backing plate of FIG. 7A;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8A is a top view of the body portion of the lading tie anchor according to the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8B is a front elevation of the body portion of the lading tie anchor of FIG. 8A;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIGS. 8C, 8D and  8 E are sectional views taken generally along lines  8 C- 8 C,  8 D- 8 D and  8 E- 8 E of FIG. 8B;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8F is a back elevation of the body portion of the lading tie anchor;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8G is a sectional view taken along line  8 G- 8 G of FIG. 8F;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a second embodiment of a lading tie anchor according to the present invention with the anchor located in an indentation in the lining of the freight car;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 10 is a vertical section taken along line  10 - 10  of FIG. 9;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 11 is a front elevation of a third embodiment of a lading tie anchor according to the present invention with the anchor located in an indentation in the lining of the freight car;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 12 is a vertical section taken along line  12 - 12  of FIG. 11;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 13 is a fragmentary view in front elevation showing a fourth embodiment of a lading tie anchor according to the present invention in the car sidewall of FIG. 1;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 14 is a horizontal section taken along line  14 - 14  of FIG. 13;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 15 is a vertical section taken along line  15 - 15  of FIG. 13;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 16A is a front elevation of a backing plate for use in conjunction with the lading tie anchor of FIG. 13;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 16B is a top view of the backing plate of FIG. 16A;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 17A is a top view of the body portion of the lading tie anchor of FIG. 13;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 17B is a front elevation of the body portion of the lading tie anchor of FIG. 13;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIGS. 17C, 17D and  17 E are sectional views taken generally alone lines  17 C- 17 C,  17 D- 17 D and  17 E- 17 E of FIG. 17B;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 17F is a back elevation of the body portion of the lading tie anchor of FIG. 13; and  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 17G is a sectional view taken along line  17 G- 17 G of FIG. 17F. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0038]    With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the general environment for the present invention is shown. In these figures, a portion of the interior wall of a freight boxcar, indicated generally by  10 , includes a door opening  12  at the right which is located between upstanding metallic door posts  14  and  16 . The wall  10  extends upwardly from a floor  18  to a top  20 . Intermediate metallic car side posts  22  are positioned in vertical spaced relationship along the wall  10  between the door post  14  and a metallic corner post  24  to which an end wall section  26  is joined at a right angle to the side wall.  
         [0039]    Referring to FIG. 5, each side post  22  is generally channel-shaped or hat-shaped in cross section. The side post  22  has a flat rearwall  28  and side walls  30 , the distal ends of which have out-turned flanges  32 . It is conventional to form the car side post  22  of {fraction (3/16)}-¼ inch thick sheet steel.  
         [0040]    Attached to the posts  22  and joined at opposite ends to the door post  14  and corner post  24  is a wall plate or steel lining  34  which is secured by welding to the flanges  32  of the side posts  22 . The wall plate  34  and posts  22  combine to provide one of the interior walls of the freight car.  
         [0041]    In retrofit and some OEM applications, vertical strips or rows of cutouts  36  (best seen in FIG. 3) are formed in the wall plate  34  for receipt of a lading tie anchor in those portions of the steel lining  34  that overlie a side post  22 . Alternatively, for many OEM applications, a vertical strip or row of a generally hexagonally deformed indentations  37  (see FIGS.  9 - 12 ) is formed in a known manner in the wall plate  34  such as by a suitable die, the indentation being sized to seat the lading tie anchor.  
         [0042]    With reference to FIGS.  4 - 8 A-G, the lading tie anchor  38  includes a one-piece body portion  40  that is sized to be received in the cutout  36  in the metal wall plate  34  that forms the interior lining of the boxcar. The one-piece body  40  includes two pairs of opposed edge portions  42 A,  42 B and  44 A,  44 B. These edges engage the wall plate  34  at the cutout  36  to properly locate and mount the anchor in the hole. To insure proper orientation of the anchor in the cutout  36 , the anchor preferably is asymmetrical about a horizontal axis. Specifically, the anchor includes a tab  46  on edge  42 A. This tab  46  mates in a notch  48  in the cutout  36 , thus insuring the proper orientation of the anchor.  
         [0043]    Preferably, the body  40  is formed with a lip  45  in the opposed edges  42 A,  42 B,  44 A,  44 B that help to nest the anchor in the cutout  36 . The lip  45  on opposed edges  42   a,    42   b  is preferably formed with a sloping shoulder  45   a  (see, e.g., FIG. 8E) that assists in locating the anchor in the cutout  36 . The shoulder  45   a  preferably forms an angle of approximately 45° with respect to the lip.  
         [0044]    Further, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the anchor is properly affixed to the wall plate  34 , it does not extend out into the interior of the car. It is substantially recessed within the opening and presents a generally flush surface. This prevents, or at least minimizes the likelihood of, the anchor from coming into damaging contact with any of the contents transported within the car.  
         [0045]    The opposed edges  42 A,  42 B,  44 A,  44 B of the body portion define a central opening  52  in the body that is bridged by a continuous, vertically-orientated anchoring post  54 . The anchoring post  54  is adapted to receive a lading tie, by means of wrapping a lading tie around the post or a webbing tie support clip.  
         [0046]    In keeping with the invention, the body portion  40  permits the drainage of any condensation that may form in the anchor away from the anchor, thus reducing the likelihood of anchor corrosion and rusting. To this end, the body portion  40  includes a drainage hole  56  at the bottom of the anchor post  54  where it connects into edge  42   b  of the body. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 6, the drainage hole  56  is disposed on the interior of the channel defined by the side post  22 , thus permitting any liquid to be directed away from the interior of the freight car.  
         [0047]    In keeping with a further aspect of the invention, the anchor  38  may be provided with a backing plate  58 . The backing plate  58  in combination with the anchoring post  54  defines a slot  60  (best seen in FIG. 6) for receiving the lading tie. The backing plate  58  also effectively closes the central opening  52  to guide the lading tie under and around the anchoring post  54  and prevents the lading tie from being misdirected into the channel defined by the side post  22 .  
         [0048]    The backing plate  58  may also be provided with an opening or with a series of perforations  62 . When provided, such opening or perforations further permit the transfer of any moisture or condensation away from the anchor and into the side post. As best seen in FIG. 7A, the perforations  62  are in staggered alignment. Preferably each of the perforations  62  is approximately {fraction (3/16)} inch in diameter. The body portion  40  may also be formed with a series of projections  50  extending from the backside of the body. These projections locate and secure the backing plate onto the anchor body. Specifically, during assembly a coin die may be used to crimp these projections onto the backing plate. Alternatively, the backing plate may be tack welded to the body.  
         [0049]    The body of the anchor may be made of drop forged steel, stainless steel, cast steel, or the like, while the backing plate may be made of galvanized steel or plastic. The anchor may also be coated with an anti-rust and weld spatter compound after its assembly.  
         [0050]    With reference to FIGS.  9 - 12 , two similar alternate embodiments for a lading tie anchor, designated  64 , according to the present invention are shown in connection with a side wall or metal lining for an OEM application. Instead of a cutout being made in the lining (as shown in FIG. 3), a hexagonally-shaped dimple or indentation  37  is formed in the lining, the lading tie anchor being located in the dimple so as to be flush with the remainder of the metal liner. This is achieved by providing the back side of the anchor with a series of projections or stand-off legs  66  that protrude from the back side of the anchor. These stand-off legs may take different configurations. For example, in FIGS. 9 and 10, the stand-off legs are triangularly shaped; in FIGS. 11 and 12, the stand-off legs are peg-shaped.  
         [0051]    In these embodiments, the anchor takes a “dog bone” shape with the anchoring post  68  having a pair of mounting ears or flanges  70   a,    70   b  and  72   a,    72   b  on each end that provide a welding surface  74  for securing the anchor to the dimple or indentation. As with the FIG. 4 embodiment, the anchor is preferably made of drop forged steel.  
         [0052]    To facilitate the drainage of condensation that may form in the dimple behind the anchor, the anchoring post is cut out at  76  between each pair of the mounting flanges  70   a,    70   b  and  72   a,    72   b . This cutout  76  provides a drainage port for any moisture trapped behind the anchor. While the cutout  76  is shown being arcuate in shape, it may take various other shapes, such as U-shaped or V-shaped. Note that the stand-off legs  66  are positioned astride the cutout  76  so that they do not inhibit any flow of liquid through the cutout. As can be appreciated, because the anchor has a drainage cutout  76  at each end, it has no “top” or “bottom.” Thus it cannot be installed “upside down,” with the drainage hole only at the top of the dimple.  
         [0053]    A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.  13 - 17 A-G. This embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment of FIGS.  4 - 8 A-G, and the same reference numerals are used to denote the corresponding parts of the anchor. The primary differences in the two embodiments reside in the configuration of the locating tab  46 , the shape of the perforations  62  in the backing plate  58 , and the extent of the sloping shoulder  45   a  about the periphery of the anchor body  40 .  
         [0054]    Specifically, the locating tab  46  comprises forming the entire edge portion  42   a  in an arcuate shape. As with the FIG. 4 embodiment, the tab  46  assures proper orientation of the anchor  38  in a correspondingly-shaped cutout due to its asymmetry about its horizontal axis. Further, the perforations  62  in the backing plate  58  are in the shape of elongated slots and are two in number. Finally, the lip  45  has a sloping shoulder on each of the opposed edges  42   a,    42   b  and  44   a,    44   b.    
         [0055]    Thus, a lading tie anchor has been provided that meets all the objects of the present invention. While the anchor has been described in terms of certain specific embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to the same. Instead, the invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.