Patent Publication Number: US-10760314-B1

Title: Boxcar plug door roller alignment system

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates roller systems, and more specifically, to a boxcar plug door roller alignment system. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Boxcars are well known in the art and are effective means to transport goods via the railway system.  FIG. 1  depicts a side view of a boxcar  101  having a frame  103  that forms an inner area for storing goods therein. Access to the inner area is achieved via a movable door  105  slidingly engaged with a rail rigidly attached to the side of the frame  103 . The door  105  rest on the rail via one or more roller assemblies  107 ,  103  that provide means for the door to roll along the rail. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a front cross-sectional view of the roller assembly  107  having a frame  201  that forms two housings  202 ,  204  that wheels  205  fit therein. The wheels  205  are rotatably attached to the frame  201  via bearings  207  rotatably attached to shafts  203  rigidly attaches to the frame  201 . 
     One of the problems commonly associated with conventional roller assemblies is that the rods and/or roller bearings tend to deteriorate over time, which in turn creates pivoting play in the wheel alignment over time. Such play could cause failure and/or increase difficult in sliding the door  105  relative to the rails. 
     Although great strides have been made in the area of railcar brake assemblies, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a conventional box car; 
         FIG. 2  is a roller assembly of the box car of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an oblique view of a roller system for a box car in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectionals side view of the system of  FIG. 4  taken at V-V; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top oblique view of the system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a roller system for a box car in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectionals side view of the system of  FIG. 8  taken at VIII-VIII. 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-7  depict various views of a roller system  301  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system  301  overcomes one or more problems commonly associated with conventional roller assemblies for box cars. 
     In the preferred embodiments, the systems discussed herein are utilized with box cars; however, it will be appreciated that the features disclosed could be utilized with other types of vehicles and should not be narrowly tailored to protect only box cars. 
     In the contemplated embodiment, system  301  includes one or more of a frame  301  that forms two housings  302 ,  304  with inner areas configured to receive wheels  305  therein. Two openings  306 ,  308  extend through respective housings  302 ,  304  and are axially aligned with respective openings  310 ,  312  of the bearings  309  associated with each wheel  305 . 
     A rod  307  extends through the openings of the housing and wheels and engage with the bearings. During use, the wheels rotate within the inner areas formed by the housing about the rods  307 . 
     One of the unique features believed characteristic of the present invention is the use of a plurality of abrasive protrusions  501 ,  503 , and  505  extending from inner surfaces  500  and  502  of respective housings  302 ,  304 . When assembled, the wheels rest in a position between the protrusions and the inner surface of the housing walls. During use, pivoting play in the wheels when come into contact with the protrusion, which in turn will keep the wheels in a general desired alignment. In one embodiment, the protrusions can be removably attached to the inner walls for ease of maintenance. In yet another embodiment, it is contemplated having a continuous protrusion disposed between the inner wall of the housing and the side of the wheel. Such features are found in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
     System  801  is substantially similar in form and function to system  301  and incorporates one or more of the features discussed above. In the contemplated embodiment, the system  801  includes a frame  803  with the protrusions  805  extending from inner surfaces  900 ,  902  of the housings. It should be appreciated that in the contemplated embodiment the protrusion are disc shaped in lieu of the separated protrusions discussed above. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.