The invention relates to a tarpaulin structure for an understructure, such as a truck, trailer, semi-trailer, railway car, dump truck or container, comprising a folding-top frame (16) and a tarpaulin (12) made of weather-resistant material, the folding-top frame (16) includes a plurality of struts (34); at the end, each of the struts has a carriage (32) that is movable along a guide (20), at least one bracket (36) is selectively pivotally connected to a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) of the strut or to the strut (34); said bracket (36) forming a tarpaulin folding aid along with a bracket (26; 36) of an adjacent strut (34), of a pair of opposite carriages (32; 32) or of a stationary part (24) of the folding-top frame (16). In order to create a light-weight tarpaulin structure that allows an understructure to be reliably covered, according to the invention, the adjacent brackets (26, 36) are coupled to each other by means of a kinematic connecting rod assembly (38) that folds when the folding-top frame (16) is collapsed.

An opening and closing method and mechanism is adapted for a convertible movable top cover of a railway freight wagon including first and second convertible movable top covers; a belt driving mechanism is arranged on the wagon. One end of the first convertible movable top cover is connected with one side of a driving belt in the belt driving mechanism and a first outer convex portion; one end of the second convertible movable top cover is connected with the other side of the driving belt in the belt driving mechanism and a second outer convex portion. A moving direction of one side of the driving belt is opposite to that of the other side of the driving belt. First and second stopper devices are arranged on the ground. When the wagon moves, the first stopper device contacts the first outer convex portion or the second stopper device contacts the second outer convex portion.

A roller tarp system for covering a truck bed includes a first pivot arm assembly pivotally coupled to one side of the truck bed and a second pivot arm assembly pivotally coupled to an opposite side of the truck bed. A generally hollow and cylindrical tarp spool extends along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends. The tarp spool is rotatably coupled between the first and second pivot arm assemblies for rotatably supporting a flexible tarp cover. A drive assembly is housed within the tarp spool adjacent one of the first and second ends. The drive assembly is operatively coupled between one of the first and second pivot arm assemblies and the tarp spool for selectively rotating the tarp spool and actuating the tarp system between an open position uncovering the truck bed and a closed position covering the truck bed.

A roller tarp system for covering a truck bed includes a first pivot arm assembly pivotally coupled to one side of the truck bed and a second pivot arm assembly pivotally coupled to an opposite side of the truck bed. A generally hollow and cylindrical tarp spool extends along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends. The tarp spool is rotatably coupled between the first and second pivot arm assemblies for rotatably supporting a flexible tarp cover. A drive assembly is housed within the tarp spool adjacent one of the first and second ends. The drive assembly is operatively coupled between one of the first and second pivot arm assemblies and the tarp spool for selectively rotating the tarp spool and actuating the tarp system between an open position uncovering the truck bed and a closed position covering the truck bed.

A cover apparatus for selectively covering the open top of a container may include a pair of tracks for mounting on the sides of the container, a cover movably mounted on the pair of tracks. The cover may include a pair of cover assemblies movable toward each other to produce a closed condition and movable away from each other to produce an open condition. Each of the cover assemblies may be positionable at an end of the container and have a portion movable toward a center of the open top. A cover movement assembly may be configured to move the cover assemblies on the tracks toward each other into the closed condition and away from each other into the open condition.

A wagon and a car body assembly thereof are provided. The car body assembly includes at least two bogies, an underframe and a car body both supported on the two bogies, the car body includes a middle car body, and a discharge opening of the middle car body is arranged between the two bogies, and at least one end of the middle car body is further provided with an end car body, and a predetermined space is defined above the respective bogie by adjacent end walls of the middle car body and the end car body.

The present railway car hatch cover latch assembly includes a latch plate. One end of the latch assembly rod is affixed to a bracket, with the adjustable end usually comprising an eye at the end of a threaded shaft. The threaded shaft is received in a keeper. The keeper in turn supports and holds a coil spring between the eye and the keeper cap. A bent hooking rod has two upturned ends that hold the end of the coil spring nearest the eye. The center of the bent hooking rod extends from the keeper to form a receiver. A latch plate includes a pivot rod that extends through the receiver of the bent hooking rod. The latch paddle itself contacts and holds the hatch cover is a compressively closed position against the railway car hatch ring.

A system and method for loading railcars of a train wherein the railcars are provided with upper lids having latches for securing the lids in a closed position. The system comprises at least one sensing system for determining the position of the latches and the lids in order for one or more robot arms to perform operations such as unlatching, latching, lid opening and lid closing. At least one velocity sensor measures individual railcar velocity rather than overall train speed to enable engagement of the one or more robotic arms, as adjacent railcars may move at differing velocities due to slack in the connections between them.

Disclosed is a railway hopper car comprising a car body (6), a top cover (1, 2), a bogie (24), a braking device (21), a coupler buffer device (22), and a bottom door (25, 28) and a bottom door opening and closing mechanism (23) mounted at a discharge port at the bottom of a chassis. The railway hopper car further comprises a longitudinal saddle (31) disposed in the center of the car body (6) in the length direction thereof and arranged along the longitudinal direction of the car body (6). By providing the longitudinal saddle (31), the sequential requirement to close the left bottom door (25) and the right bottom door (28) is eliminated, thereby simplifying the structure of the linkage bottom door opening and closing mechanism and reducing manufacture and maintenance costs thereof.

A convertible wheel is described that is interchangeably used with at least two different car plate designs and tracks. In particular, there is provided a wheel for use with a bearing and a car plate in a tarpaulin system. The wheel comprises a cylindrical body with a groove, first face, an opposed second face, and a central cavity positioned therebetween for receiving the bearing therein. The first face has a first opening with a first diameter, and the second face has a second opening with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter. Either the first face or the second face can be positioned facing the car plate.