HOPPER RAILROAD CAR HAVING PARTITION AND/OR FRAME ASSEMBLIES FLEXIBLY CONNECTED TO THE SIDE WALLS AND/OR ROOF

Abstract

A hopper railroad car with partition and/or frame assemblies that reduce the likelihood of damage to the liners on such partition and/or frame assemblies, and specifically wherein the hopper railroad cars partition and/or frames assemblies are flexibly connected to the side walls and/or roof of the hopper railroad car to reduce the likelihood of damage to the liners on such partition and/or frame assemblies.

Claims

1. A hopper railroad car comprising: a frame; a first side wall supported by the frame; a first side wall supported by the frame; a roof supported by the first side wall, the second side wall, and the frame; and a partition assembly positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall and partially forming multiple compartments of the hopper railroad car, the partition assembly including: an upright panel having an upper section and a lower section, the upright panel flexibly connected to the first side wall by a first channel and flexibly connected to the second wall by a second channel, a first lower angled panel having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section of the first lower angled panel connected to the lower section of the upright panel, and a second lower angled panel having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section of the second lower angled panel connected to the connected to the lower section of the upright panel.

2. The hopper railroad car of claim 1, wherein the first channel is formed by a first side wall attachment portion of the upright panel and a first side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel, and wherein the second channel is formed by a second side wall attachment portion of the upright panel and a second side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel.

3. The hopper railroad car of claim 2, wherein the first side wall attachment portion of the upright panel is formed with multiple bends, and wherein the first side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel is formed with multiple bends.

4. The hopper railroad car of claim 3, wherein the second side wall attachment portion of the upright panel is formed with multiple bends, and wherein the second side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel is formed with multiple bends.

5. The hopper railroad car of claim 1, wherein the first channel is formed by two first side wall partition channel attachments connected to the upright panel, and wherein the second channel is formed by two second side wall partition channel attachments connected to the upright panel.

6. The hopper railroad car of claim 1, wherein the first channel is formed by a panel attachment wall, a first attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall, and a second attachment wall is connected to and extends outwardly from the panel attachment wall and is spaced apart from the first attachment wall.

7. The hopper railroad car of claim 1, wherein the first channel is formed with multiple bends, and wherein the second channel is formed with multiple bends.

8. The hopper railroad car of claim 1, wherein the upper section of the upright panel is flexibly connected to the roof by a third channel and a fourth channel, wherein the third channel is spaced apart from the fourth channel.

9. The hopper railroad car of claim 1, wherein upright panel is flexibly connected to the roof by a third channel, and flexibly connected to the roof by fourth channel, wherein the third channel is spaced apart from the fourth channel.

10. A hopper railroad car comprising: a frame; a first side wall supported by the frame; a first side wall supported by the frame; a roof supported by the first side wall, the second side wall, and the frame; and a frame assembly positioned between the first side wall and the second side and positioned in one compartment of the hopper railroad car, the frame assembly including: an upright panel having an upper section, wherein the upright panel is: flexibly connected to the first side wall by a first channel, flexibly connected to the second side wall by a second channel, flexibly connected to the roof by a third channel, and flexibly connected by the roof by fourth channel, wherein the third channel is spaced apart from the fourth channel.

11. The hopper railroad car of claim 10, wherein the first channel is formed by a first side wall attachment portion of the upright panel and a first side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel, and wherein the second channel is formed by a second side wall attachment portion of the upright panel and a second side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel.

12. The hopper railroad car of claim 10, wherein the first channel is formed by two first side wall partition channel attachments connected to the upright panel, and wherein the second channel is formed by two second side wall partition channel attachments connected to the upright panel.

13. The hopper railroad car of claim 10, wherein the first channel is formed by a panel attachment wall, a first attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall, and a second attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall and spaced apart from the first attachment wall.

14. The hopper railroad car of claim 10, wherein the first channel is formed with multiple bends, and wherein the second channel is formed with multiple bends.

15. The hopper railroad car of claim 10, wherein the third channel is formed by a first roof attachment portion of the upright panel and a first roof partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel, and wherein the fourth channel is formed by a second roof attachment portion of the upright panel and a second roof partition channel attachment.

16. The hopper railroad car of claim 10, wherein the third channel is formed by two first roof partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel, and wherein the fourth channel is formed by two second roof partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel.

17. The hopper railroad car of claim 10, wherein the third channel is formed by a panel attachment wall, a first attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall, and a second attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall and spaced apart from the first attachment wall.

18. The hopper railroad car of claim 10, wherein the third channel is formed with multiple bends, and wherein the fourth channel is formed with multiple bends.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a known hopper railroad car configured to transport a variety of bulk materials shown with the roof and one of the side walls thereof removed to partially show two partition assemblies thereof.

[0010] FIG. 1B is a perspective view one of the partition assemblies removed from the known hopper railroad car of FIG. 1A.

[0011] FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of a hopper railroad car configured to transport a variety of bulk materials, and shown with the roof thereof removed to partially show the example partition assemblies and frame assemblies thereof in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of the hopper railroad car of FIG. 2A, shown with the roof and one of the side walls thereof removed to partially show the example partition assemblies and frame assemblies thereof.

[0013] FIG. 2C is a perspective view of one of the partition assemblies of the hopper railroad car of FIG. 2A, shown removed from the hopper railroad car.

[0014] FIG. 2D is a perspective view of the upper portion of the partition assembly of FIG. 2C, shown removed from the hopper railroad car of FIG. 2C and detached from the lower portion of the partition assembly.

[0015] FIG. 2E is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the partition assembly of FIG. 2C, shown removed from the hopper railroad car and detached from the lower portion of the partition assembly.

[0016] FIG. 2F is an enlarged fragmentary view of a first part of the partition assembly of FIG. 2C, shown removed from the hopper railroad car.

[0017] FIG. 2G is an enlarged fragmentary view of a second part of the partition assembly of FIG. 2C, shown removed from the hopper railroad car.

[0018] FIG. 2H is an enlarged end view of part of the partition assembly of FIG. 2C, shown removed from the hopper railroad car.

[0019] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the upper portion of a partition assembly of an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, shown removed from a hopper railroad car.

[0020] FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the partition assembly of FIG. 3A, shown removed from the hopper railroad car.

[0021] FIG. 3C is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of part of the upper portion of the partition assembly of FIG. 3A, shown removed from the hopper railroad car.

[0022] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of part of one of the frame assemblies of the hopper railroad car of FIG. 2A, shown removed from the hopper railroad car.

[0023] FIG. 4B is an exploded perspective view of the frame assembly of FIG. 4A, shown removed from the hopper railroad car.

[0024] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the various alternative configurations for certain sections of the partition assemblies of the hopper railroad car in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] While the features, devices, and apparatus described herein may be embodied in various forms, the drawings show and the specification describe certain exemplary and non-limiting embodiments. Not all of the components shown in the drawings and described in the specification may be required, and certain implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components; the shapes, sizes, and materials of the components; and the manners of connections of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims. Unless otherwise indicated, any directions referred to in the specification reflect the orientations of the components shown in the corresponding drawings and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Further, terms that refer to mounting methods, such as coupled, mounted, connected, and the like, are not intended to be limited to direct mounting methods but should be interpreted broadly to include indirect and operably coupled, mounted, connected and like mounting methods. This specification is intended to be taken as a whole and interpreted in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure and as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0026] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hopper railroad car with one or more partition assemblies that each reduce the likelihood of damage to the panels and liners of such partition assemblies. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a hopper railroad car partition assembly that reduces the likelihood of damage to the panels and liners of such partition assembly. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more of the panels are steel and are partially flexibly connected to the side walls and/or roof of the hopper railroad car to reduce the likelihood of damage to such steel panels and the liners on such steel panels. In various embodiments, the panels are connected to the side walls and/or roof by flexible channels. In various embodiments, the flexible channels are formed from separate members connected to the panels. In various embodiments, the flexible channels are formed from certain portions of the panels.

[0027] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hopper railroad car with one or more frame assemblies that each reduce the likelihood of damage to the panels and liners of such frame assemblies. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a hopper railroad car frame assembly that reduces the likelihood of damage to the panels and liners of such frame assembly. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more of the panels are steel and are partially flexibly connected to the side walls and/or roof of the hopper railroad car to reduce the likelihood of damage to such steel panels and the liners on such steel panels. In various embodiments, the panels are connected to the side walls and/or roof by flexible channels. In various embodiments, the flexible channels are formed from separate members connected to the panels. In various embodiments, the flexible channels are formed from certain portions of the panels.

[0028] Turning now to the Figures, FIGS. 1A and 1B partially illustrate an example known hopper railroad car 10. The illustrated hopper railroad car 10 includes: (1) a frame 12; (2) spaced apart trucks (not shown) configured to support the frame 12; (3) a plurality of wheels (not shown) that support the trucks; (4) a first steel side wall 20 connected to and supported by the frame 12; (5) a second steel side wall (not shown) connected to and supported by the frame 12; (6) a first steel end wall 24 connected to and supported by the frame 12; (7) a second steel end wall 26 connected to and supported by the frame 12; and (8) a steel roof (not shown) connected to and/or supported by the side walls, the end walls, and the frame. The first and second side walls are spaced apart. The first and second end walls are also spaced apart.

[0029] This illustrated known hopper railroad car 10 includes a plurality of partition assemblies including partition assembly 50. The partition assembly 50 includes: (1) a single corrugated steel upright panel 60 (wherein the single panel 60 has an upper section 61 and a lower section 64; (2) a single first steel angled lower panel 70 (wherein the single panel 70 has an upper section 72 and a lower section 74); and (3) a single second steel angled lower panel 80 (wherein the single panel 80 has an upper section 82 and a lower section 84). The lower section 64 of the panel 60 is welded to the upper section 72 of the first lower panel 70 and is also welded the upper section 82 of the second lower panel 80. The corrugated panel 60 includes two opposing side edges 66 and 67 that are each respectively welded and thus rigidly connected to the respective opposing inner surfaces (not shown or labeled) of the respective spaced apart opposite side walls of the hopper railroad car 10. In certain such known hopper railroad cars, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connections between each side edge and the respective side wall to form a rigid connection between the panel 60 and the respective side wall. Likewise, the upper section 61 of the corrugated panel 60 includes two upper edges 62 and 63 that are each welded and thus rigidly connected to the inner surfaces of the respective sections of the roof. In certain such known hopper railroad cars, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between each upper edge and the roof to form the rigid connection between the upper section 61 of the panel 60 and the respective portion of the roof. When an impact occurs on one of the side walls or roof of this railroad hopper car 50, the forces thereof are immediately transferred due to these rigid connections to the panel 60 and can cause the panel 60 to buckle. Such buckling can cause the liner on the panel(s) thereon to crack and thus need to be repaired or replaced. Impact loads can also come through the coupler and draft sill of the hopper railroad car, then be transfer to the side walls and the roof of the hopper railroad car, and then transfer into the partition assemblies (and the commodity inside the hopper railroad car). These forces can transferred due to the rigid connections to the panel 60 can also cause the panel 60 to buckle.

[0030] Generally, the present disclosure solves these issues by providing certain flexible connections between the panels and the side walls and/or roof to reduce the likelihood of such buckling of the panels of the partition and/or frame assemblies and the cracking of the liners thereof.

[0031] FIGS. 2A and 2B partially illustrate an example hopper railroad car 100 in accordance with one example embodiment of the present disclosure. The illustrated example hopper railroad car 100 generally includes: (1) a frame 112; (2) spaced apart trucks (not shown) configured to support the frame 112; (3) a plurality of wheels (not shown) that support the trucks; (4) a first steel side wall 120 connected to and supported by the frame 112; (5) a second steel side wall 122 connected to and supported by the frame 112; (6) a first steel end wall 124 connected to and supported by the frame 112; (7) a second steel end wall 126 connected to and supported by the frame 112; and (8) a roof (not shown) connected to and/or supported by the side walls 120 and 122, the end walls 124 and 126, and the frame 112. The first and second side walls 120 and 122 are spaced apart. The first and second end walls 124 and 126 are also spaced apart. The hopper railroad car 100 generally includes a first end (not labeled) and a second end (not labeled).

[0032] The hopper railroad car 100 includes two interior partition assemblies 200 and 200A between the first end and the second end and three interior frame assemblies 600, 600A, and 600B between the first end and the second end. The frame 112, the side walls 120 and 122, the end walls 124 and 126, the roof, and the two interior partition assemblies 200 and 200A define three interior compartments C1, C2, and C3. The roof (not shown) of the hopper railroad car 100 includes a top hatch cover assembly (not shown) that enables each of the three compartments C1, C2, and C3 to be filled with bulk materials. The hopper railroad car 100 also includes three bottom discharge chute assemblies (not shown) that enable the bulk materials in each of the three compartments C1, C2, and C3 to be unloaded. It should be appreciated that the configuration and size of the hopper railroad car can vary in accordance with the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the quantities of partition assemblies, frame assemblies, compartments, hatch assemblies, and discharge chute assemblies can also vary in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0033] The two interior partition assemblies 200 and 200A are identical and thus only partition assembly 200 is described herein in detail for brevity with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, and 2H.

[0034] An alternative example interior partition assembly 1200 in accordance with the present disclosure is also described herein with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0035] The three interior frame assemblies 600, 600A, and 600B are identical and thus only frame assembly 600 is described herein in detail for brevity with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0036] Further example alternative partition assembly configurations and particularly different channels configuration for the partition assemblies and/or frame assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure are described herein with reference to FIG. 5A.

[0037] More specifically, as best shown in FIGS. 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, and 2H the partition assembly 200 includes: (1) a single panel 210 (that has an upper section 212 and a lower section 214; (2) a first side wall partition channel attachment 300; (3) a second side wall partition channel attachment 320; (4) a first reinforcement brace 340; (5) a second reinforcement brace 342; (6) a single first lower panel 400 having an upper section 412 and a lower section 414; and (7) a single second lower panel 430 having an upper section 442 and a lower section 444.

[0038] Generally, the panel 210 and the first side wall partition channel attachment 300 form a first channel (not labeled) on a first side of the panel 210, and the panel 210 and the second side wall partition channel attachment 320 form a second channel (not labeled) on the opposite second side of the panel 210, wherein the channels respectively flexibly connect the panel 210 to the opposing side walls 120 and 122 of the hopper railroad car 100. In other words, the panel 210 is: (1) flexibly connected to the first side wall 120 by the first channel such as described below; and (2) flexibly connected to the second side wall 122 by the second channel such as described below. These flexible channel connections enable relative flexing of the panel 210 such that if forces are applied to any one of the side walls 120 and/or 122, the flexible channel connections will bend or flex and thus absorb such forces to reduce the forces transferred to the rest of the panel 210. Such absorption of forces reduces the likelihood that this panel 210 will buckle and cause cracks in one or more of the portions of the linings covering this panel 210.

[0039] More specifically, as best seen in FIGS. 2D, 2E, and 2F, the panel 200 includes a central portion 216, a first side wall attachment portion 220, and a second side wall attachment portion 230.

[0040] The first side wall attachment portion 220 includes: (1) a first section 222 that is connected to a first side of the central portion 216 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) outwardly from the central portion 216; and (2) a second section 224 that is connected to the first section 222 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) from the first section 222 toward the first side wall 120. The outer edge 228 of the first side wall attachment portion 220 is welded to the inner surfaces of the side wall 120. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the side wall to form the connection.

[0041] The first side wall partition channel attachment 300 includes: (1) a first section 304 that is connected to the first side of the central portion 216 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) outwardly from the central portion 216; (2) a second section 308 that is connected to the first section 304 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) from the first section 304 toward the first side wall 120; and (3) a third section 312 that is connected to the second section 308 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) from the second section 308 toward the first side wall 120. The first section 304 of the first side wall partition channel attachment 300 overlaps part of the first side of the central portion 216 as best shown in FIG. 2F. The outer edge 316 of the first side wall partition channel attachment 300 is welded to the inner surfaces of the side wall 120. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the side wall to form the connection. The first side wall partition channel attachment 300 thus somewhat mirrors the shape of the first side wall attachment portion 220 of the panel 210.

[0042] The first side wall attachment portion 220 of the panel 210 and the first side wall partition channel attachment 300 each form part of the flexible channel (not labeled) that connects the panel 210 to the first side wall 120 in a somewhat flexible manner. It should be appreciated that the channel can be closed off by welding.

[0043] The first side wall attachment portion 220 of the panel 210 and the first side wall partition channel attachment 300 thus create a connection between the panel 210 and the first side wall 120 that include multiple bends (in opposite directions) and that is/are configured to absorb forces from the first side wall 120 such as impact forces on the side wall 120. When an impact force occurs on the first side wall 120, those forces are transferred to either or both of the first side wall attachment portion 220 and the first side wall partition channel attachment 300, and one or both of the first side wall attachment portion 220 and the first side wall partition channel attachment 300 can bend further inwardly or outwardly thereby reducing the amount that the panel 210 will buckle. This configuration thus reduces the likelihood of deformation of the panel 210 from such impact forces and reduces the likelihood that the panel 210 will buckle and crack the lining on the panel 210.

[0044] Likewise, the second side wall attachment portion 230 includes: (1) a first section 232 that is connected to a second side the central portion 216 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) outwardly from the central portion 216; and (2) a second section 234 that is connected to the first section 232 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) from the first section 232 toward the second side wall 122. The outer edge 238 of the second side wall attachment portion 230 is welded to the inner surfaces of the side wall 122. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the side wall to form the connection.

[0045] The second side wall partition channel attachment 320 includes: (1) a first section 324 that is connected to the second side of the central portion 216 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) outwardly from the central portion 216; (2) a second section 326 that is connected to the first section 324 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) from the first section 324 toward the second side wall 122; and (3) a third section 332 that is connected to the second section 328 and that extends at an angle (such as an obtuse angle) from the second section 328 toward the second side wall 122. The first section 324 of the second side wall partition channel attachment 320 overlaps part of the second side of the central portion 216 as best shown in FIG. 2G. The outer edge 329 of the second side wall partition channel attachment 320 is welded to the inner surfaces of the side wall 122. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the side wall to form the connection. The second side wall partition channel attachment 320 thus somewhat mirrors the shape of the second side wall attachment portion 230 of the panel 210.

[0046] The second side wall attachment portion 230 of the panel 210 and the second side wall partition channel attachment 320 each form part of the flexible channel (not labeled) that connects the panel 210 to the second side wall 122 in a somewhat flexible manner. It should be appreciated that the channel can be closed off by welding.

[0047] The second side wall attachment portion 230 of the panel 210 and the second side wall partition channel attachment 320 thus create a connection between the panel 210 and the second side wall 122 that include multiple bends (in opposite directions) and that is/are configured to absorb forces from the second side wall 122 such as impact forces on the side wall 122. When an impact force occurs on the second side wall 122, those forces are transferred to either or both of the second side wall attachment portion 230 and the second side wall partition channel attachment 320, and one or both of the second side wall attachment portion 230 and the second side wall partition channel attachment 320 can bend further inwardly or outwardly thereby reducing the amount that the panel 210 will buckle. This configuration thus reduces the likelihood that the panel 210 will buckle and crack the lining on the panel 210.

[0048] In this example embodiment, the first side wall attachment portion 220 of the panel 210 and the first side wall partition channel attachment 300 are tapered to match the inner profile of the first side wall 120.

[0049] Likewise, in this example embodiment, the second side wall attachment portion 230 of the panel 210 and the second side wall partition channel attachment 320 are tapered to match the inner profile of the second side wall 122.

[0050] In other words, the outer profiles of these members correspond to the inner profile of the respective sides and roof.

[0051] The first reinforcement brace 340 is connected to the side of the panel 210. This first reinforcement brace 340 can also be connected to the first and second side wall partition channel attachments 300 and 320.

[0052] Likewise, the second reinforcement brace 342 is connected to the side of the panel 210. This second reinforcement brace 342 can also be connected to the first and second side wall partition channel attachments 300 and 320.

[0053] The first reinforcement brace 340 and the second reinforcement brace 342 stiffen the partition panel 210 to further prevent buckling.

[0054] In this example embodiment, the upper section 220 of the panel 210 can be connected to the roof in the manner described above, or as described below with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B, or in another suitable manner.

[0055] In the illustrated example embodiment, the lower section 216 of the panel 210 is connected to the upper section 412 of the first lower panel 400 and the upper section 442 of the second lower panel 430 in a suitable manner such as shown in FIG. 2H.

[0056] In this example embodiment, the upper section 410 of the first lower panel 400 includes an upwardly extending lip 420 and the upper section 442 of the second lower panel 430 includes an upwardly extending lip 450. The upwardly extending lip 420 is spaced apart from the upwardly extending lip 450, and the lower section 216 of the panel 210 extends downwardly in the space between the lips 420 and 450. The lower section 216 is also connected to and specifically welded to the lips 420 and 450. This configuration enables the channels (described above) to extend to or below the upper section 412 of the first lower panel 400 and the upper section 442 of the second lower panel 430.

[0057] It should be appreciated from that above that in this example embodiment of the present disclosure, the first channel is formed by a first side wall attachment portion of the upright panel 210 and a first side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel 210, and the second channel is formed by a second side wall attachment portion of the upright panel 210 and a second side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel 210. In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, one or both of the channels are each formed by two side wall partition channel attachments connected to the upright panel, and the second channel is formed by two second side wall partition channel attachments (such as shown in FIG. 5A by the alternative channel configuration 800). In various such alternative embodiments, the first channel is formed by two side wall partition channel attachments each connected to opposite sides of the upright panel, and the second channel is formed by two second side wall partition channel attachments each connected to opposite sides of the upright panel.

[0058] Turning now to FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C, the alternative partition assembly 1200 includes: (1) a panel 1210 having an upper section 1212 and a lower section 1216; (2) a first side wall partition channel attachment 1300; (3) a second side wall partition channel attachment 1320; (4) a first roof partition channel attachment 1350; (5) a second roof partition channel attachment 1360; (6) a third roof partition channel attachment 1370; (7) a fourth roof partition channel attachment 1380; (8) a first reinforcement brace 1340; (9) a second reinforcement brace 1342; (10) a first lower panel (not shown); and (11) a second lower panel (not shown).

[0059] Generally, the panel 1210 is: (1) flexibly connected to the first side wall 120 of the hopper railroad car 100; (2) flexibly connected to the second side wall 122 of the hopper railroad car 100; and (3) flexibly connected to the roof of the hopper railroad car 100. These flexible connections that are provided by channels such as described below enable relative flexing of the panel 1210 such that when forces are applied to the side walls and/or roof, the channel(s) (such as described below) will bend or flex and thus absorb certain of such forces and reduce the amount of the forces transferred to the rest of the panel 1210. Such absorption of forces reduces the likelihood that the panel 1210 will buckle and cause cracks in one or more of the portions of the lining covering this panel 1210.

[0060] In this example embodiment, the connections and channels formed between the panel 1210 and the sides walls 120 and 122 of the hopper railroad car is/are the same as described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-2H, and generally include: (1) the panel 1210 having a first side wall attachment portion 1228 and a second side wall attachment portion 1238; (2) a first side wall partition channel attachment 1300; and (3) a second side wall partition channel attachment 1320. Since this has the same configuration as example channel configuration described above, this channel configuration is thus not described again in detail at this point for brevity. Rather, the following focuses on the channels formed between the panel 1210 and the roof.

[0061] In this example embodiment, the upper section of the panel 1210 includes a first upper portion 1244 of panel 1210 (toward closer to the first side wall) and a second upper portion 1246 of panel 1210 (closer to the second side wall).

[0062] The first roof partition channel attachment 1350 includes: (1) a first section 1352 that is connected to a first side the first upper portion 1244 of panel 1210 and that extends at an angle from outwardly of the panel 1210; (2) a second section 1354 that is connected to the first section 1352 and that extends at an angle from the first section 1352 toward the roof; and (3) a third section 1356 that is connected to the second section 1354 and that extends at an angle from the second section 1354 toward the roof. The first section 1352 of the first roof partition channel attachment 1350 overlaps with the first side of the first upper portion 12444 of the panel 1210. The outer edge 1358 of the first roof partition channel attachment 1350 is welded to the inner surfaces of the roof. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the roof to form the connection.

[0063] The second roof partition channel attachment 1360 includes: (1) a first section 1362 that is connected to a second side the first upper portion 1244 of panel 1210 and that extends at an angle from outwardly of the panel 1210; (2) a second section 1364 that is connected to the first section 1362 and that extends at an angle from the first section 1362 toward the roof; and (3) a third section 1366 that is connected to the second section 1364 and that extends at an angle from the second section 1364 toward the roof. The first section 1362 of the second roof partition channel attachment 1360 overlaps with the second side of the first upper portion 1244 of the panel 1210. The outer edge 1368 of the second roof partition channel attachment 1360 is welded to the inner surfaces of the roof. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the roof to form the connection.

[0064] The first roof partition channel attachment 1350 and the second roof partition channel attachment 1360 each form one half of a first channel (not labeled) that connects the panel 1210 to the roof wall in a somewhat flexible manner. The first channel can be closed off by welding.

[0065] Likewise, the third roof partition channel attachment 1370 includes: (1) a first section 1372 that is connected to a first side the second upper portion 1246 of panel 1210 and that extends at an angle from outwardly of the panel 1210; (2) a second section 1374 that is connected to the first section 1372 and that extends at an angle from the first section 1372 toward the roof; and (3) a third section 1376 that is connected to the second section 1374 and that extends at an angle from the second section 1374 toward the roof. The first section 1372 of the third roof partition channel attachment 1370 overlaps with the first side of the second upper portion 1246 of panel 1210. The outer edge 1378 of the third roof partition channel attachment 1370 is welded to the inner surfaces of the roof. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the roof to form the connection.

[0066] The fourth roof partition channel attachment 1380 includes: (1) a first section 1382 that is connected to a second side the second upper portion 1246 of panel 1210 and that extends at an angle from outwardly of the panel 1210; (2) a second section 1384 that is connected to the first section 1382 and that extends at an angle from the first section 1382 toward the roof; and (3) a third section 1386 that is connected to the second section 1384 and that extends at an angle from the second section 1384 toward the roof. The first section 1382 of the fourth roof partition channel attachment 1380 overlaps with the second side of the second upper portion 1246 of the panel 1210. The outer edge 1388 of the fourth roof partition channel attachment 1380 is welded to the inner surfaces of the roof. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the roof to form the connection.

[0067] The second roof partition channel attachment 1370 and the fourth roof partition channel attachment 1380 each form one half of a second channel (not labeled) that connects the panel 1210 to the roof wall in a somewhat flexible manner. The second channel can be closed off by welding.

[0068] The first roof partition channel attachment 1350, the second roof partition channel attachment 1360, the third roof partition channel attachment 1370, and the fourth roof partition channel attachment 1380 thus create connections between the panel 1210 and the roof that include multiple bends (in opposite directions) and that is/are configured to absorb forces from the roof such as impact forces on the roof.

[0069] When an impact force occurs on the roof, those forces are transferred to one more of the roof partition channel attachments 1350, 1360, 1370, and/or 1380, and one or more of these the roof partition channel attachment can bend further inwardly or outwardly thereby reducing the amount that the panel 1210 will buckle. This configuration thus reduces the likelihood that the panel 1210 will buckle and crack the lining on the panel 1210.

[0070] In this example embodiment, the lower section of the panel 1210 is connected to the upper section of the first lower panel (not shown) and the upper section of the second lower panel (not shown) such as described above in connection with FIG. 2G and is this not described again at this point for brevity.

[0071] Turning now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the frame assembly 600 includes: (1) a panel 610 having an upper section 612 (but no lower section), a first outer edge 614, and a second outer edge 616; (2) a first side wall partition channel attachment 630; (3) a second side wall channel attachment 660; and (4) a reinforcement brace 690.

[0072] Generally, the panel 610 is: (1) flexibly connected to the first side wall 120 of the hopper railroad car 100 by the first side wall partition channel attachment 630; and (2) flexibly connected to the second side wall 122 of the hopper railroad car 100 by the second side wall partition channel attachment 650. These flexible channels 630 and 660 provide flexible connections of the panel 610 to these sidewalls such that if forces are applied to any one of the sidewalls, these connection (described below) will bend or flex and thus absorb such forces and reduce the amount of forces transferred to the panel 610. Such absorption of forces reduces the likelihood that the panel 610 will buckle and cause cracks in one or more of the portions of the lining covering this panel 610.

[0073] More specifically, the first side wall partition channel attachment 630 includes: (1) a panel attachment wall 632; (2) a first attachment wall 636 connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall 632; and (3) a second attachment wall 640 connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall 632 and spaced apart from the first side attachment wall 636. The first outer edge 614 of the panel 610 is connected and specifically welded to the panel attachment wall 632. The outer edge 638 of first attachment wall 636 is connected and specifically welded to the inner surfaces of the side wall 120. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the side wall to form the connection. The outer edge 642 of second attachment wall 638 is connected and specifically welded to the inner surfaces of the side wall 120. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the side wall to form the connection.

[0074] The panel attachment wall 632, the first attachment wall 636, and the second attachment wall 640 form the first side wall partition channel attachment 630 that connects the panel 610 to the side wall 120 in a somewhat flexible manner. The first side wall partition channel attachment 630 can closed off by welding.

[0075] The first side wall partition channel attachment 630 includes multiple bends (in opposite directions) that is/are configured to absorb forces from the first side wall 120 such as impact forces on the side wall 120. When an impact force occurs on the first side wall 120, those forces are transferred to either or both of the first attachment wall 636 and the second attachment wall 640, and one or both of the walls can bend further inwardly or outwardly thereby reducing the amount that the panel 610 will buckle. This configuration thus reduces the likelihood that the panel 610 will buckle and crack the lining on the panel 610.

[0076] Likewise, the second side wall partition channel attachment 650 includes: (1) a panel attachment wall 652; (2) a first attachment wall 656 connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall 652; and (3) a second attachment wall 660 connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall 652 and spaced apart from the first side attachment 666. The first outer edge 616 of the panel 610 is connected and specifically welded to the panel attachment wall 652. The outer edge 658 of first attachment wall 656 is connected and specifically welded to the inner surfaces of the side wall 122. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the side wall to form the connection. The outer edge 662 of second attachment wall 660 is connected and specifically welded to the inner surfaces of the side wall 122. In alternative embodiments, one or more stiffeners (not shown) are employed at the connection between the side edge and the side wall to form the connection.

[0077] The panel attachment wall 652, the first attachment wall 656, and the second attachment wall 660 form the second side wall partition channel attachment 650 that connects the panel 610 to the side wall 122 in a somewhat flexible manner. The second side wall partition channel attachment 650 can closed off by welding.

[0078] The second side wall partition channel attachment 650 includes multiple bends (in opposite directions) that is/are configured to absorb forces from the first side wall 122 such as impact forces on the side wall 122. When an impact force occurs on the first side wall 122, those forces are transferred to either or both of the first attachment wall 656 and the second attachment wall 660, and one or both of the walls can bend further inwardly or outwardly thereby reducing the amount that the panel 610 will buckle. This configuration reduces the likelihood that the panel 610 will buckle and crack the lining on the panel 610.

[0079] For this example embodiment, the upper section 612 of the panel 610 can be connected to the roof in the manner described above with respect to FIGS. 3A and 3B, or in another suitable manner.

[0080] This example embodiment also illustrates that the side wall partition channel attachments 630 and 650 that have alternative configurations to the channel configurations shown and described with respect to FIGS. 2A to 2H.

[0081] It should be appreciated that the channel configurations shown for side wall partition channel attachments 630 and 650 can be implemented for partition assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0082] Turning now to FIG. 5A, the present disclosure contemplates alternative partition assembly configurations, and particularly alternative channel configuration. FIG. 5A illustrates seven different alternative configurations for the channels formed with the side walls or the roof. More specifically, FIG. 5A illustrates: (1) alternative channel configuration 800; (2) alternative channel configuration 820; (3) alternative channel configuration 840; (4) alternative channel configuration 860; (5) alternative channel configuration 880; (6) alternative channel configuration 900; and (7) alternative channel configuration 920.

[0083] It should be appreciated from the above that various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hopper railroad car comprising: (1) a frame; (2) a first side wall supported by the frame; (3) a first side wall supported by the frame; (4) a roof supported by the first side wall, the second side wall, and the frame; and (5) a partition assembly positioned between the first side wall and the second side wall and partially forming multiple compartments of the hopper railroad car, wherein the partition assembly includes: (a) an upright panel having an upper section and a lower section, the upright panel flexibly connected to the first side wall by a first channel and flexibly connected to the second wall by a second channel, (b) a first lower angled panel having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section of the first lower angled panel connected to the lower section of the upright panel, and (c) a second lower angled panel having an upper section and a lower section, the upper section of the second lower angled panel connected to the connected to the lower section of the upright panel. In various such embodiments, the first channel is formed by a first side wall attachment portion of the upright panel and a first side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel, and the second channel is formed by a second side wall attachment portion of the upright panel and a second side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel. In various such embodiments, the first side wall attachment portion of the upright panel is formed with multiple bends, and the first side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel is formed with multiple bends. In various such embodiments, the second side wall attachment portion of the upright panel is formed with multiple bends, and the second side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel is formed with multiple bends. In various such embodiments, the first channel is formed by two first side wall partition channel attachments connected to the upright panel, and the second channel is formed by two second side wall partition channel attachments connected to the upright panel. In various such embodiments, the first channel is formed by a panel attachment wall, a first attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall, and a second attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall and spaced apart from the first attachment wall. In various such embodiments, the first channel is formed with multiple bends, and the second channel is formed with multiple bends. In various such embodiments, the upper section of the upright panel is flexibly connected to the roof by a third channel and a fourth channel, and the third channel is spaced apart from the fourth channel. In various such embodiments, the upright panel is flexibly connected to the roof by a third channel, and flexibly connected to the roof by fourth channel, wherein the third channel is spaced apart from the fourth channel.

[0084] It should further be appreciated from the above that various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a hopper railroad car comprising: (1) a frame; (2) a first side wall supported by the frame; (3) a first side wall supported by the frame; (4) a roof supported by the first side wall, the second side wall, and the frame; and (5) a frame assembly positioned between the first side wall and the second side and positioned in one compartment of the hopper railroad car, wherein the frame assembly includes an upright panel having an upper section, wherein the upright panel is: flexibly connected to the first side wall by a first channel, flexibly connected to the second side wall by a second channel, flexibly connected to the roof by a third channel, and flexibly connected by the roof by fourth channel, wherein the third channel is spaced apart from the fourth channel. In various such embodiments, the first channel is formed by a first side wall attachment portion of the upright panel and a first side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel, and the second channel is formed by a second side wall attachment portion of the upright panel and a second side wall partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel. In various such embodiments, the first channel is formed by two first side wall partition channel attachments connected to the upright panel, and he second channel is formed by two second side wall partition channel attachments connected to the upright panel. In various such embodiments, the first channel is formed by a panel attachment wall, a first attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall, and a second attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall and spaced apart from the first attachment wall. In various such embodiments, the first channel is formed with multiple bends, and the second channel is formed with multiple bends. In various such embodiments, the third channel is formed by a first roof attachment portion of the upright panel and a first roof partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel, and the fourth channel is formed by a second roof attachment portion of the upright panel and a second roof partition channel attachment. In various such embodiments, the third channel is formed by two first roof partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel, and the fourth channel is formed by two second roof partition channel attachment connected to the upright panel. In various such embodiments, the third channel is formed by a panel attachment wall, a first attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall, and a second attachment wall connected to and extending outwardly from the panel attachment wall and spaced apart from the first attachment wall. In various such embodiments, the third channel is formed with multiple bends, and the fourth channel is formed with multiple bends.

[0085] It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, and it is understood that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.