Michael J Hubbard

US Patent:

6431085, Aug 13, 2002

Filed:

Dec 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/747758

Inventors:

Gregory J. Saxton - Gresham OR
John N. Niosi - Portland OR
Michael D. Hubbard - Portland OR
Daniel V. Militaru - Portland OR
Kris M. Heitmeyer - West Linn OR

Assignee:

Gunderson, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

B61D 1700

US Classification:

105355, 105404, 105416, 105422

Abstract:

A center partition or center beam railroad freight car with a bulkhead at each end and a depressed cargo-carrying floor located on each side of the center beam in an intermediate portion of the car located between respective end portions of the car having higher floors. A wide bottom plate of the center sill in the intermediate portion of the car is included as a part of the depressed cargo-carrying floor, and crossbearers are attached to the bottom of the center sill, extending laterally to side sills in the intermediate section of the car to support floor sheets that extend laterally outward from the bottom plate of the center sill. Longitudinal stringers are attached to the underside of the bottom plate of the center sill between the crossbearers. A body bolster has arms that extend diagonally upward and outward to side sills supporting the higher floors in the end portions of the car.

US Patent:

57945373, Aug 18, 1998

Filed:

Oct 3, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/943981

Inventors:

Jon B. Zaerr - Portland OR
Michael D. Hubbard - Portland OR

Assignee:

Gunderson, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

B61D 310

US Classification:

105 41

Abstract:

A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body. A hinge for a bridge for use in loading the car is adjustable to a stowage position in an edge of a deck.