Patent ID: 7814842

Claim:
A hopper car gate for discharging cargo from a hopper car having a length greater than its width, said car comprising a hopper having an opening and a rim surrounding said opening, said gate comprising: opposed generally upright side walls; opposed generally upright end walls coupled with said side walls, wherein said coupled side and end walls present a top opening, a bottom opening, and an upper surface surrounding said top opening, wherein said upper surface is adapted to be joined to the rim of the car; a rail extending between and coupled with said side walls adjacent said bottom opening; a door supported on said rail and moveable in a direction that is perpendicular to the length of the car between a closed position which blocks said bottom opening and an open position which allows the cargo to exit through said bottom opening; a gear rack mounted on said door, said rack extending in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said door; a first drive shaft extending in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of said door; a second drive shaft coupled with and extending in a direction perpendicular to said first drive shaft; and a gear mounted on said second drive shaft and engageable with said gear rack.