Patent ID: 7559283

Claim:
A system for simultaneously closing multiple hopper doors on a rail car, the system positioned in fixed association with a section of track on to which the rail car may be moved, the system comprising: a plurality of closer arm assemblies positioned in fixed association with at least one rail of the section of track and rotationally operable to make contact with and close the hopper doors when the rail car is positioned on the section of track, the plurality of closer arm assemblies each comprising left hand and right hand opposing closer arms; a linkage assembly connecting the closer arm assemblies together and linearly operable to direct the rotational movement of the closer arm assemblies in concert, the linkage assembly comprises a plurality of rigid rods extending between automatic compressible slack adjusting end connectors, the automatic compressible slack adjusting end connectors pivotally connected to the closer arm assemblies; a bell crank assembly connected to the linkage assembly and rotationally operable to direct the linear movement of the linkage assembly; and a linear actuator connected to the bell crank assembly and linearly operable to direct the rotational movement of the bell crank assembly.