Patent ID: 8065964

Claim:
A ridge structure for a railroad hopper car, the hopper car having first and second lengthwise running sidewalls and first and second hoppers located between the sidewalls, the first hopper being lengthwise next adjacent to the second hopper, each of the sidewalls having an upper margin and a top chord running therealong, the first hopper including a first slope sheet, the second hopper including a second slope sheet, each of the first and second slope sheets having a respective upper margin running cross-wise between the sidewalls of the hopper car, the first and second slope sheets being inclined upwardly toward each other such that their respective upper margins are mutually proximate, the slope sheets then defining flanks sloped toward an apex at which said ridge structure is located, and wherein said ridge structure comprises: first and second end portions for mounting to the first and second sidewalls respectively; and a central portion extending cross-wise between said first and second end portions; said central portion having an upper edge, said upper edge being lower than the top chords; said upper margin of said first slope sheet being mated to said central portion; said upper margin of said second slope sheet being mated to said central portion; said central portion extending upwardly proud of said upper margin of said first slope sheet and said upper margin of said second slope sheet; and said first and second end portions each having an upper margin extending upwardly and laterally outwardly from said central portion to the first and second sidewalls respectively.