Patent Publication Number: US-9840259-B2

Title: Railway car window assemblies and assembly methods

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to window assemblies for railroad cars, and in particular to efficiently assembled and dis-assembled frames for such window assemblies. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Trains which include one or more railway cars are widely used for transportation of goods and passengers throughout the United States and abroad. A typical train includes a plurality of railways cars which are connected together for travel. Each car includes a plurality of specially designed wheels for traveling along a vast infrastructure of railway tracks. 
     Many railway cars, including passenger cars, locomotive cars, caboose cars, etc., include windows. Windows can be included in the body of the car and/or the door of the car, and may generally allow passengers and/or the operator in the railway cars to see outside of the cars. 
     One particular disadvantage of currently known window designs, however, is the difficulty of installation and removal of the window for, for example, maintenance or replacement work. To remove a presently known window, the entire main frame assembly in which the window is installed must be removed from the railway car body. Molding, wiring, interior materials, and other components of the main frame assembly must then be removed in order to access and remove the window. The process of removing and replacing a window in a railcar is thus extremely inefficient, potentially requiring the railway car to be out of service for on the order of 3 days or longer. 
     Accordingly, improved window designs and methods for assembling (and removing) windows of railway cars are desired. In particular, window designs and methods that facilitate efficient and cost-effective removal and replacement would be advantageous. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention are set forth below in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a window assembly for a railway ear is provided. The window assembly includes a first frame portion, the first frame portion defining a first frame side, a portion of a third frame side, and a portion of a fourth frame side, the first frame portion including a first body which defines a first outer channel. The window assembly further includes a second frame portion, the second frame portion defining a second frame side, a portion of the third frame side, and a portion of the fourth frame side, the second frame portion including a second body which defines a second outer channel. The window assembly further includes a first wear bar at least partially disposed within the first outer channel, and a second wear bar at least partially disposed and resiliently adjustable within the second outer channel. The first frame portion and the second frame portion together define a frame aperture therebetween. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a door for a railway car is provided. The door includes a door body, a window aperture defined in the door body, and a window assembly disposed within the window aperture. The window assembly includes a first frame portion, the first frame portion defining a first frame side, a portion of a third frame side, and a portion of a fourth frame side, the first frame portion including a first body which defines a first outer channel. The window assembly further includes a second frame portion, the second frame portion defining a second frame side, a portion of the third frame side, and a portion of the fourth frame side, the second frame portion including a second body which defines a second outer channel. The window assembly further includes a first wear bar at least partially disposed within the first outer channel, and a second wear bar at least partially disposed and resiliently adjustable within the second outer channel. The first frame portion and the second frame portion together define a frame aperture therebetween. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for assembling a railway car window assembly is provided. The method includes connecting a first frame portion and a second frame portion to form a frame which defines a frame aperture. The first frame portion defines a first frame side, a portion of a third frame side, and a portion of a fourth frame side. The second frame portion defines a second frame side, a portion of the third frame side, and a portion of the fourth frame side. The method further includes inserting a window glazing within the frame aperture. 
     Those of skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof to one skilled in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is side view of a railway car in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective exploded view of a window assembly for a railway car in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a window assembly for a railway car in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view, along the lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , of a window assembly for a railway car in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view, along the lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 , of a window assembly for a railway car in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of a window assembly for a railway car being assembled in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and letter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the invention. As used herein, the terms “first”, “second”, “third” and “fourth” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. 
     Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Referring now to the figures,  FIG. 1  provides a train  10 , and specifically a railway car  12  of the train  10 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Train  10  may include any number of railway cars  12 , and the cars  12  may be linked together to form the train  10  as is generally understood. Any suitable trains, including for example, long-distance trains, short-distance trains, commuter trains (such as subway trains), high-speed trains, monorail trains, etc., and utilized for passengers, freight, both, etc., are within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Further, a railway car  12  may be any suitable car within a train  10 , such as a locomotive, passenger car, freight car, caboose, etc. 
     Car  12  may generally include a body  14  and a rail chassis  16  on which the body  14  is disposed. Chassis  16  may include various components for facilitating movement of the car  12  on one or more railway tracks, such as wheels  18 , as is generally understood. Further, in some embodiments, one or more doors  20  may be included. The doors  20  may slide or rotate to allow the entrance and exit of passengers, freight, etc. Additionally, one or more window apertures  22  may be defined in car  12 , such as in the body  14  and/or the door body  21  of a door  20 . Further, a window assembly  24  may be disposed within each window aperture  22  to, for example, allow a passenger to view exterior to the train  10  from inside the car  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 through 6 , embodiments of window assemblies  24  in accordance with the present disclosure are provided. Window assemblies  24  in accordance with the present disclosure are advantageously efficient and cost-effective to assemble and dis-assemble, and thus install and remove in a railway car  12 . For example, removal and replacement of a window assembly  24  in accordance with the present disclosure can in some cases be performed in a matter of hours, rather than days. Additionally, removal of the main frame assembly in which the window assembly  24  is installed, such as of the door  20  or body  14 , is advantageously not required. 
     As shown, window assembly  24  may advantageously include a first frame portion  32  and a second frame portion  34  which together may form a frame  30  and define a frame aperture  31  therebetween. First frame portion  32  includes a body  36  which may include various sections of the frame, and second frame portion  34  includes a body  38  which may include various other sections of the frame. For example, first frame portion  32  may include a first frame side  42 , a portion of a third frame side  46 , and a portion of a fourth frame side  48 . Second frame portion  34  may include a second frame side  44 , a portion of the third frame side  46 , and a portion of the fourth frame side  48 . The frame  30  and frame sides thereof may generally have a rectangular or rounded rectangular shape, with the first and second frame sides  42 ,  44  spaced apart (such as along a vertical axis V) and generally parallel and the third and fourth frame sides  46 ,  48  spaced apart (such as along a lateral axis L) and generally parallel. First frame side  42  may for example be a left side or a right side, and second frame side  44  may for example, be the other of the left side or right side. Third frame side  46  may be a top side, and fourth frame side  48  may be a bottom side. 
     Notably, the coordinate system which includes vertical axis V and lateral axis L additionally includes transverse axis T, and these axes V, L, T are mutually orthogonal. 
     As further illustrated, first frame portion  32  may include a first outer channel  52  which is defined in the body  36  of the first frame portion  32 , such as in an outer peripheral edge of the body  36 . The channel  52  may extend peripherally through the entire body  36  (including the entire first, third and fourth sides  42 ,  46 ,  48 ) or a portion thereof. Second frame portion  34  may include a second outer channel  54  which is defined in the body  38  of the second frame portion  34 , such as in an outer peripheral edge of the body  38 . The channel  54  may extend peripherally through the entire body  38  (including the entire second, third and fourth sides  44 ,  46 ,  48 ) or a portion thereof. 
     As discussed, the frame portions  32 ,  34  generally define a frame aperture  31 . This frame aperture  31  may accommodate one or more window glazings  60  therein. As shown, for example, a window glazing  60  may be disposed between the first frame portion  32  and the second frame portion  34  within the frame aperture  31 . Window glazing  60  may be formed from a suitable material such glass or plastic, and in exemplary embodiments is transparent or translucent. Window glazing  60  may, when assembled within frame  30 , contact an inner peripheral edge or portions thereof of the bodies  36 ,  38 . 
     To facilitate mounting, assembly, and adjustment of the window assembly  24  within window aperture  22 , window assembly  24  may include various additional components which may interact with the frame portions  32 ,  34 . For example, window assembly  24  may include a first wear bar  70  and a second wear bar  72 . The first wear bar  70  may be at least partially disposed within the first outer channel  52 , such on the first frame side  42 , while the second wear bar  72  is at least partially disposed within the second outer channel  54 , such as on the second frame side  44 . The wear bars  70 ,  72  may generally contact surfaces defining the window aperture  22  when the window assembly  24  is assembled within the window aperture  22 , and may facilitate a proper fit of the window assembly  24  within the window aperture  22 . 
     In some embodiments, wear bar  70  may, for example, be connected to the first body  36 . For example, one or more suitable mechanical fasteners  71 , such screws (as shown), rivets, nails, nut/bolt combinations, etc., may be utilized to connect the wear bar  70  and first body  36  together. Alternatively, wear bar  70  may be welded, brazed, bonded or otherwise affixed to first body  36 . 
     Wear bar  72 , on the other hand, may in some embodiments be resiliently adjustable within the second channel  54 , and thus may not be connected to the second body  38 . Accordingly, wear bar  72  may be movable relative to second channel  54 . For example, second wear bar  72  may be resiliently adjustable along lateral axis L. In exemplary embodiments as shown, one or more biasing members  73  may facilitate the resilient adjustability of the wear bar  72 . Biasing members  73  may be, for example, spring plungers (as shown), springs, or other suitable devices which provide a biasing force to an associated component. Each biasing member  73  may be disposed at least partially within the second outer channel  54 , such as between wear bar  72  and body  38 . In embodiments wherein spring plungers are utilized, for example, the spring plungers may be screwed into the second body  38  and may extend into the second channel  54 , and wear bar  72  may contact the spring plungers. 
     The resilient adjustability of the wear bar  72  advantageously allows for the window assembly  24  to be fit within window apertures  22  having varying sizes, without the requirement for exceedingly tight tolerances on the window aperture  22  sizes. During assembly of a window assembly  24  within a window aperture  22 , the resilient adjustability of the wear bar  72  may allow for contact between a surface defining the window aperture  22  and the wear bar  72  despite variations in the window aperture  22  size. 
     In exemplary embodiments, wear bars  70 ,  72  are formed from a suitable polymer such as polyoxymethylene. In other embodiments, wear bars  70 ,  72  may be formed from other suitable materials such as metals, etc. 
     It should be understood that in alternative embodiments, either or both of wear bars  70 ,  72  may be connected to the respective bodies  36 ,  38  or resiliently adjustable within their respective outer channels  52 ,  54 . 
     Window assembly  24  may further include a guide bar  80 . Guide bar  80  may facilitate alignment and connection of the frame portions  32 ,  34  during assembly of the window assembly  24 . As shown, when assembled, guide bar  80  may be disposed partially within first channel  52  and partially within second channel  54 , such as on the fourth frame side  48 . The guide bar  80  may further be connected to the first body  36  and second body  38 . For example, suitable mechanical fasteners  81  (such as screws as shown) may be utilized to connect the guide bar  80  to the first body  36  and/or second body  38 , and/or the guide bar  80  may be affixed to the first body  36  and/or second body  38 . In the embodiment shown, for example, guide bar  80  is affixed to the second body  38 , and mechanical fasteners  81  are utilized to connect the guide bar  80  to the first body  36 . 
     Additional components may be utilized to further align and connect the frame portions  32 ,  34  during assembly of the window assembly  24 . For example, referring now to  FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, window assembly  24  may include a coupling member  90 . Coupling member  90  may, when assembled, be disposed at least partially within first channel  52  or an auxiliary channel  92  extending therefrom into body  36 , and disposed at least partially within second channel  54  or an auxiliary channel  94  extending therefrom into body  38 , such as on the third frame side  46 . The coupling member  90  may further be connected to the first body  36  and second body  38 . For example, suitable mechanical fasteners  91  (such as screws as shown) may be utilized to connect the coupling member  90  to the first body  36  and/or second body  38 , and/or the coupling member  90  may be affixed to the first body  36  and/or second body  38 . In the embodiment shown, for example, mechanical fasteners  91  are utilized to connect the coupling member  90  to the first body  36  and second body  38 . 
     In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , first body  36  may include one of an overhang portion  102  (as shown) or undercut portion (not shown), and second body  38  may include the other of an overhang portion (not shown) or undercut portion  104 . The overhang portion  102  and undercut portion  104  may, for example, extend from the respective third frame sides  46 . Overhang portion  102  and undercut portion  104  may together define an outer channel  106  therebetween, which may when assembled be considered to be part of first outer channel  52 , second outer channel  54 , or a channel between the first and second outer channels  52 ,  54 . The overhang portion  102  and undercut portion  104  may be connected together when the window assembly  24  is assembled, to facilitate alignment and connection of the first frame portion  32  and second frame portion  34 . For example, suitable mechanical fasteners  107  (such as screws as shown) may be utilized to connect the overhang portion  102  and undercut portion  104 , and/or the overhang portion  102  and undercut portion  104  may be affixed together. 
     Window assembly  24  may further include additional components for facilitating use of the window assembly  24  in a railway car. For example, channel weather stripping  110  may be disposed at least partially within at least portions of channels  52 ,  54 , such as at least on the third and fourth frame sides  46 ,  48 . Exterior weather stripping  112  may additionally be included, which may extend around a side surface of the bodies  36 ,  38 . Weather stripping  110  and  112  may, for example, be formed from neoprene. An outer glazing  114  may additionally be included, which may extend around an opposing side surface of the bodies  36 ,  38 . Outer glazing  114  may additionally, for example, be formed from neoprene. 
     The present disclosure is further directed to methods for assembling window assemblies  24 , such as within window apertures  22  of railway cars  12 . A method may include, for example, the step of connecting first frame portion  32  and second frame portion  34  together to form a frame  30  which defines a frame aperture  31 , as discussed herein. Method may further include for example, inserting one or more window glazings  60  within the frame aperture  31 , as discussed herein. Insertion of window glazings  60  may occur, for example, before, during, or after connecting the first frame portion  32  and second frame portion  34  together. 
     In some embodiments, a method in accordance with the present disclosure may further include the step of connecting or otherwise disposing first wear bar  70  at least partially within first outer channel  52 , as discussed herein. Additionally, in some embodiments, a method in accordance with the present disclosure may further include the step of positioning or otherwise disposing second wear bar  72  at least partially within second outer channel  54 , as discussed herein. Further, in some embodiments, a method in accordance with the present disclosure may include the step of inserting a biasing member  73  at least partially within the second outer channel  74 , as discussed herein. 
     The connecting step may include, for example, the step of inserting a guide bar  80  at least partially within first channel  52  and/or partially within second channel  54 , such as on the fourth frame side  48 , as discussed herein. Further, guide bar  80  may be coupled to body  36  and body  38 , such as via a connection and/or affixation as discussed herein. 
     The connecting step may additionally or alternatively include, for example, the step of inserting a coupling member  90  at least partially into a channel defined in the first body  36  and/or at least partially into a channel defined in the second body  38 , such as on the third frame side  46 , as discussed herein. For example, the channels could be first and second channels  52 ,  54  or auxiliary channels  92 ,  94 . Further, coupling member  90  may be coupled to body  36  and body  38 , such as via a connection and/or affixation as discussed herein. Alternatively, the connecting step may additionally or alternatively include, for example, overlapping an overhang portion  102  and an undercut portion  104 , as discussed herein. Further, overhang portion  102  and undercut portion  104  may be coupled together, such as via a connection and/or affixation as discussed herein. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.