Walter J Peach

US Patent:

6553917, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Sep 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/951488

Inventors:

Michael K. Burke - Wheaton IL
John D. Anderson - Aurora IL
Walter J. Peach - South Elgin IL

Assignee:

Zeftek, Inc. - Montgomery IL

International Classification:

B61D 4500

US Classification:

105355, 105404

Abstract:

An auto rack sidewall bumper guard device for auto rack railroad cars eliminates contact between a vehicle door and the sidewalls. The bumper guard device includes a mounting plate and a plurality of horizontally extending vertically spaced-apart relatively low profile bumpers extending from the mounting plate. The mounting plate is adapted to cover the sidewall panel and part of each adjacent vertical posts to prevent the vehicle doors from contacting the sidewall panels and vertical posts.

US Patent:

6561740, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Sep 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/948305

Inventors:

Michael K. Burke - Wheaton IL
John D. Anderson - Aurora IL
Walter J. Peach - South Elgin IL

Assignee:

ZefTek, Inc. - Montgomery IL

International Classification:

B60P 716

US Classification:

410 87, 410 4, 410 26, 410117

Abstract:

The present invention reveals an auto rack sidewall panel bumper guard for auto rack railroad cars which eliminates contact between the vehicle door and the sidewall panel even in extreme heat. The bumper guard includes a pair of opposed mounting bases, a pair of extension arms connected to the mounting bases and a contact member connected to the arms opposite the mounting bases. The contact member has a lesser thickness than the arms to absorb the forces of the vehicle door.

US Patent:

6708625, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Jun 29, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/606735

Inventors:

Michael K. Burke - Wheaton IL
John D. Anderson - Aurora IL
Walter J. Peach - Aurora IL

Assignee:

ZefTek, Inc. - Montgomery IL

International Classification:

B61D 300

US Classification:

105355, 292137, 292168, 384273, 384296, 384299

Abstract:

A greaseless door lock for doors on railroad cars which eliminates the need to lubricate the door locks. The greaseless door lock includes a C-shaped bracket having a side wall and spaced apart end walls attached to the side wall wherein the end walls include aligned aperatures for slidably receiving a locking pin. The greaseless door lock includes at least one bushing mounted in each aperature to prevent the locking pin from engaging the end walls. Two semi-clyindrical bushings or one cylindrical bushing may be mounted in each aperature.

US Patent:

6786160, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

May 2, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/428526

Inventors:

Walter J. Peach - South Elgin IL
John D. Anderson - Aurora IL

Assignee:

ZefTek, Inc. - Montgomery IL

International Classification:

B61D 1700

US Classification:

105404, 1054061, 105411

Abstract:

A beam isolator which is inserted into at least one end of a tubular beam in a railroad car to minimize the movement of the beam during movement of the railroad car. The beam isolator includes first and second isolating pads, each defining openings. A hinge connects the first and second isolating pads at a first end of said first and second isolating pads. A stopping member is attached to and transversely projects from a second end of the first and second isolating pads. The first and second isolating pads are closed or folded about the hinge until the first and second isolating pads are substantially adjacent to each other, which substantially aligns the openings defined by the first and second isolating pads. The beam isolator is then inserted into at least one end of the beam until the stopping members engage the edges of the end of the beam.

US Patent:

6805523, Oct 19, 2004

Filed:

Mar 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/386742

Inventors:

Michael K. Burke - Wheaton IL
John D. Anderson - Aurora IL
Walter J. Peach - Aurora IL

Assignee:

ZefTec - Montgomery IL

International Classification:

B60P 716

US Classification:

410 87, 410 4, 410 26, 410117

Abstract:

The present invention reveals an auto rack sidewall panel bumper guard for auto rack railroad cars which eliminates contact between the vehicle door and the sidewall panel even in extreme heat. The bumper guard includes a pair of opposed mounting bases, a pair of extension arms connected to the mounting bases and a contact member connected to the arms opposite the mounting bases. The contact member has a lesser thickness than the arms to absorb the forces of the vehicle door.

US Patent:

6926480, Aug 9, 2005

Filed:

Aug 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/644294

Inventors:

John D. Anderson - Aurora IL, US
Walter J. Peach - South Elgin IL, US
Michael K. Burke - Wheaton IL, US

Assignee:

ZefTek, Inc. - Montgomery IL

International Classification:

B60P003/075

US Classification:

410 30, 410 9, 410 19, 410 49

Abstract:

A supplemental restraint for a primary vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which reduces or eliminates movement of the vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The supplemental restraint is adapted to be positioned on a grating between the tire of the vehicle and the primary restraint. One embodiment of the supplemental restraint includes a body and an expander connected to the body. After the primary restraint is locked in place on the grating, the expander of the supplemental restraint is expanded. The expansion causes a more secure engagement between the tire and the primary restraint. This causes a high level of engagement between the tire and the primary restraint system indirectly through the supplemental restraint. The supplemental restraint also maintains a higher contact area on the tire regardless of the position of the primary restraint.

US Patent:

6964233, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Aug 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/926761

Inventors:

Walter J. Peach - South Elgin IL, US
John D. Anderson - Aurora IL, US

Assignee:

ZefTek, Inc. - Montgomery IL

International Classification:

B65D059/00

US Classification:

1054061, 16 21, 105404, 105411

Abstract:

A beam isolator which is inserted into at least one end of a tubular beam in a railroad car to minimize the movement of the beam during movement of the railroad car. The beam isolator includes first and second isolating pads, each defining openings. A hinge connects the first and second isolating pads at a first end of said first and second isolating pads. A stopping member is attached to and transversely projects from a second end of the first and second isolating pads. The first and second isolating pads are closed or folded about the hinge until the first and second isolating pads are substantially adjacent to each other, which substantially aligns the openings defined by the first and second isolating pads. The beam isolator is then inserted into at least one end of the beam until the stopping members engage the edges of the end of the beam.

US Patent:

7004696, Feb 28, 2006

Filed:

Jul 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/184113

Inventors:

John D. Anderson - Aurora IL, US
Walter J. Peach - South Elgin IL, US
Michael K. Burke - Wheaton IL, US

Assignee:

ZefTek, Inc. - Montgomery IL

International Classification:

B60P 3/06

US Classification:

410 30, 410 9, 410 19, 410 49

Abstract:

A supplemental restraint for a primary vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which reduces or eliminates movement of the vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. The supplemental restraint is adapted to be positioned on a grating between the tire of the vehicle and the primary restraint. One embodiment of the supplemental restraint includes a body and an expander connected to the body. After the primary restraint is locked in place on the grating, the expander of the supplemental restraint is expanded. The expansion causes a more secure engagement between the tire and the primary restraint. This causes a high level of engagement between the tire and the primary restraint system indirectly through the supplemental restraint. The supplemental restraint also maintains a higher contact area on the tire regardless of the position of the primary restraint.