US2571253A - Refrigerator car ice bunker - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 16, 1951 w. H. KELEHER REE'RIGERATOR CAR ICE BUNKER 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed 0G12. 20, 1948 \/0 /0/ 3 William H- K E] eher',

ci- WCL. A

Oct. 16, 1951 Filed OC'C. 20, 1948 w. H. KELEHER REFRIGERATOR CAR ICEl` BUNKER 4 Sheetsl-Sheet 2 Oct 6, 1951 W, H, KELEHER 2,571,253

REFRIGERATOR CAR ICE BUNKER Oct. 16, 1951 VW H KELEHER 2,571,253

REFRIGERATOR CAR ICE BUNKER 'AVAVAVAVAVAVAVA'AVALMQ PAHWAVAVAVAVAVAYAVAVAVAVAVAV patented ct. i6, 1.951

UNHTED STATES P TENT OFFHCE nnrniennaron can ion nUNnnn William Kei-eher, Chicag'o1ll.r, ass-'igpori to Miei'cl'xatsY Despatch Transportation Corporation; a corporation of Delaware, and Northern Refrigerator Line, Incorporated; a corporation' of Delaware Application october 2o, 1948', 'seal o. 55,599

23 claims. (C1. sia- 19) This invention relates to refrigerator cars of that type having at' each end an ice bunker formed in part by a bulkheadv separating the bunker or ice chamber from the lading or storage' compartment of the ear, which bunkers are of screen-wall construction to secureV a circulation of cooled air therethrough and through the lading compartment. More particularly the in- Vention relates to a bunker construction in which the bunker' is Supported so as to be free fromv connection and spaced at its lower end from the car floor and reinforced against'stresses due to the thrust from the material' loaded in the storage compartment.

One" object of the invention is to provide a bunker and' bulkhead forming part thereof which are simple and economical of construction and `yet of a high degree of strength and durability toy withstand and prevent injury thereto and to other parts of the car from lading thrust under all loadv conditions.

Another object of the invention is tor provide novel and improved means forming a part of the bulkhead giving better access from the lading compartment to the bunker to facilitate and allow cleaning, repairs or replacements to be made't'o the bunker, or from within the bunker to the adjoining end of the car.

Still another object of the invention is'to provide novel means for supporting ice grates in position to admit of full-icing or half-icing, as required, in amore ready' and convenient manner.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction of means for bracing the bulkhead and supporting the bunker at its base, whereby a bunker which is light in weight but of sturdy construction is produced.

With these and other objects in View, which will appear in the course of the subjoined description, the invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts' hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side'elevation of a refrigerator car equipped with ice bunkers embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 isV an irregular vertical transverse section on an enlarged scale taken on a line partly through one of the ice bunkers, and partly through the lading compartment, looking toward the bulkhead of the ice bunker.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through theend 2 pprtion or` the car A'siiowrl in Figs.' ,1, 2 aos; taken in diffrent planes I Opposite sides of tl'i l''ngi tudinal center of the car.

Fi'g. '5 is an enlarged detail horizontal' section' 'taken substantially n' line 5 5 of Fig. 2. ,Y

Fig. 6`is" a detail verticalse'ction taken online 111g. 14 is a secuonaipian view of thepart's" nig. 15` is' a perspective View of one of trie-ice' grate bars.

Referring now" moreY particularly to the' draw-k ings', Whelll" lk lflewfllrtsf ICfl like parts" throughout"the'seve'ial views, l re'p' resents arefrigerator c'ar einbodyingrny inven tion, said car having a mainor 2;' sidewalls 3',

end'walls 4, anda roof 5 providedat each o fA itsv endswith hatchwaysu allfoifwhichna'y be of' any suii'jableI or; preferred coi'istriction."` In prairie.

each'e'nd of the car.

At each end of the car'i's a bunker or"ice'criant;`

ingv also rests adjacentto each bunker'ona crofs'sf sill 1,2, to`whlich and tothe adja'entendjfsilly' I3 thev top vWood nooringz" at thebasofithe bunker and'th part of'thesubl-ooring 9 underj- 151mgVJ the" bunker are' attached; Resungfonfand" suitably secured to the flooring 2 and the sills I2 and I3 is the floor I4 of the bunker which is constructed of galvanized metal. This floor I4 overlaps the adjacent portion of the floor 2 and adjacent lower portions of the walls 3 and 4 and forms a drip pan to receive the water produced by the melting of i-ce in the bunker. Insulation I5 of suitable material is arranged and suitably secured between the floors.

Each side wall includes an outer sheet metal member I6, an inner lining I1 of wood, vertically extending screen supporting and spacing members I8, insulation I9 suitably secured between the outer wall sheet and lining, and a wire screening secured to the screen spacing members. Each end wall preferably consists of an outer sheet metal end wall member 2I, having lateral corrugations 22, an inner wooden lining 23, vertical screen supporting and spacing members 24 supported on the inner lining, insulation 25 arranged between the member 2I and lining, and outer and inner transverse clamping members 2'6 securing the insulation in position. The above described construction and arrangement of the wall linings of the walls provide the side and outer end walls of the ice bunker and air conduits 21 located between the linings and screens about three sides of the ice bunker. The car ceiling 28 is suitably secured to the walls and roof structure.

Each bulkhead 8 forms the inner wall of the associated ice bunker 1 and comprises an upper horizontal transverse channeled hanger beam '29 preferably formed of two steel members fastened together and fastened at their ends 30 to the side wall plates and having lower portions forming an inverted U-shaped channel 3l including inner and outer flanges 32 and 33. Near the ends of the beam are channeled vertical supporting posts or columns 34 bolted to portions of the side walls 3, as at 35, the channel and the channel forming flanges 36 and 31 of each post or column being arranged to face inwardly or toward the other column. The posts 34 terminate at their lower ends at a suitable distance below the level of the bottom of the bunker, which is arranged above the level of the floor 2 and pan I4, and rest upon removable bottom sections or pedestals 39 fastened as at 4U to the side walls and extending downwardly to and i terminating at their lower ends in bearing plate feet 40 resting on the pan I4. A lower horizontal transverse beam 4 I, having inner upstand* ing vertical flange 42 and an outer depending vertical flange 43, extends between the posts 34 and is bolted, at its ends, as at 44, to inverted U-shaped brackets 45. Web holes 4I in beam 4I allow ventilation through conduit 50', hereinafter referred to, and prevent accumulations of salt, ice and debris on beam 4I. The brackets are provided with depending inner flanges 45a, bolted to the inner flanges 31 of the posts and depending outer flanges 45h, bolted or riveted to the outer flanges 36 of the posts, whereby the posts and beam 4 I are firmly united. Between the posts 34 are arranged at spaced intervals intermediate posts 46 of angle metal bolted at their upper ends to the vertical flanges of the bar 29 and bolted at their lower ends to flanged brackets 46', riveted to thev inner flange of bar 4I, said posts presenting inner and outer flanges 41, 41'. To the inner flanges 31 of the posts 34 and flanges 41 of posts 46 is fastened a wire mesh wall screenlng 48, which extends the full distance between the beams 29 and 4I, and to the outer flanges 36 bf the 'po's'ts 34 and flanges 41'l of posts 46 is secured a wooden front wall 49, preferably formed of layers of plywood. The wall 49 extends from the beam 4I upward to a point below the beam 29, the s pace between the upper edge of the wall 49 and the beam 29 being, covered by a mesh wire screening 5U secured to the vvbeam and the post flanges 36 and 41. The walls 48 and 49 form between them a ventilation space or -conduit 50 communicating at its base with the space be tween the drip pan and bottom of the bunker, at its inner side with the interior of the bunker, and at its outer side with the lading space through the mesh screening 50.

The construction above described provides the body portions proper of bunkers or ice chambers which are light in weight but strong and durable, and each of which is supported above a drip pan and spaced therefrom to provide a lower venti1a tion and drip chamber B, and the side walls of which are provided Iwith ventilation passages or conduits communicating with each other and through said space and the upper mesh screening 51') with the lading compartment, whereby the lading compartment will be effectually cooled. The construction of the bunkers is completed by the provision of icing means and bottom supports for the bunkers which serve to definitely space the bunkers from the drip pan and to reinforce the bulkheads against lading thrusts, which I lwll now proceed to describe.

The bunkers shown are of that type adapted for half-icing or full-icing, and which employ an upper set of ice supporting bars or grates 5I and a lower set of ice supporting bars or grates 52, which are removable for cleaning, repairs or other purposes, and, in the case of the upper grates, to permit ice to be introduced through the hatchway to rest on the lower grates for full-icing purposes. Any suitable number of grates 5I, 52 in each set may be employed, which are arranged side by side in parallel relation across the ice chamber between the side screen walls thereof and end-wise between the end screen wall and bunker screen wall of said chamber. The upper grates 5l, which are arranged about midway of the height of the ice chamber, as shown, rest at their inner ends upon a transverse supporting bar 53 and at their outer ends on a transverse keeper bar 54. The bar 53 laps at its ends under the inner ends of longitudinal connecting and guard bars or rails 55 extending alongside the screen -walls 2D between the bars 53 and 54 and clamping said screen walls against the frame members I8. The bars 55 have flanges 56 against which the adjacent grates 5I abut to hold the grates from sidewise displacement and from thrust pressure against the screen walls 20. Bar 53 is formed of angle metal and comprises a horizontal web or body portion 51 having an upstanding abutment flange 58 guarding the screen wall 48 and la depending attaching flange 59, and at and between its ends the body portion of the bar 53 rests upon and is attached to a series of spaced supporting brackets 69. As shown, each bracket 60 comprises an inverted U-shaped body portion embodying a top plate 6I on which the body 41 of bar 53 rests, a depending flange 62 resting against the screen wall 48, a depending flange 63, and an angularly bent attaching flange 64 bearing at its lower end on the screen wall 48. A bolt 65 passes through flange 41, the screen 'wall 48, the flanges 62 and 63 of the bracket and flange 59 of bar 53 and secures these parts together, and a bolt 66 passes through the bracket arm 64 and the screen 'Wall t3 and flange 41 and additionally secures the bracket .6i-11.0 .Said Screen Wall. A bolt 61 is also used to connect the bar A'.53 at each end with the adjoining bar 55. A brace 68, fastened at one end by the bolt 6.5 to each end bracket 68 and by one or more rivets 58 to the adjoining post Iiange 36a, is preferably provided to reinforce these parts and the ends ol the bars 53, 55 at their pointof connection, The keeper bar 54 is bolted at its ends to the outer ends of the bars 55 and rests intermediately upon supporting brackets 'l0 which are fastened to the uprights 24. This bar is similar in construction to the bar 53 except that its upper iiange portion, instead lof being straight and perpendicular to its body portion 12, is bent inwardly lover lits body portion 'l2 to form a keeper groove 1| between it and said portion T2, which groove faces toward the bar 53. From the portion 12 depends a flange 'I3 secured to the underlying bracket l by a bolt '54.

The above-described construction of means for supporting the upper set of grates not only provides a stable means for supporting these grates but also for tying and bracing the walls of the bunker, whereby a structure which is strong and durable but at the same time is light in weight is produced. It further provides a means which holds the grates from upward displacement under jars or shocks in transit. As will be observed, the grates rest at their inner ends on the body portion of the bar 53, which serves las a supporting ledge, and that when in supporting position their rear ends are held seated in the keeper groove 1l. This allows the grates to be removed byv tilting them upward at their inner ends so as to effecta sliding withdrawal of their outer ends from the keeper groove. The grates may be applied by a reversal of these movements.

The lower set of grates 52 are supported by inner and outer transverse supporting and keeper bars 'i5 and 7G which are connected at their ends to longitudinal bars 'Il Iwhich are similar in construction and arrangement to the bars 55. The bars 'I5 and 'I8 are similar in construction to the bars 53 and 54 but mounted in a diierent manner for cooperation with truss beams 'I3 forming base supports for the bunker and walls to sustain the same and to also bra-ce the bulkhead against the lading thrusts.

Each beam 18 is arranged at its outer end beneath a frame member 24 and at its inner end under a post 46, and beneath the beam 4 l, so that the ice cage vertical load stresses will be mutually sustained and distributed throughout the cage supporting members. Preferably each beam is generally of obtuse angled triangular form from end to end and L-shaped in cross-section and comprises a body portion or plate i8 of triangular form and having upper and lower lateral flanges 80 and 8l projecting from one side thereof, so that one side of the beam is channeled. The vertex and base ends of the beam are also provided with flange portions 82 and 83, the flange portion 83 being jogged or recessed to form an upper vertical abutment surface 84, and a lower seat recess dened by horizontal and vertical abutment surfaces 85 and 86.

Each beam 'i8 extends in the space B between the bulkhead and car end wall and is so disposed that its upper ange surface is arranged just below the lower grates 52 and slopes at a slight angle of inclination between the bulkhead and end wall while its lower flange surface is inclined at a materially greater angle, thus disposing it ,S0 as to give the best bracing` and supporting results while leaving a door-way# space of some depth beneath the bulkhead, connecting the lading compartment A with the drip chamber or space B. The inner vertex end of the beam lies under the horizontal body part of the bar 4|, to which it is bolted at 8T, and its flange portion bears against the beam flange 43 and is bolted thereto at 88. The grate supporting bar 15 has its upper flange portion 15a bearing against the ange 42 of the beam 4i and its lower iiange portion '15b resting on and secured to the adjacent part of the upper flange 8.0 of the beam 18, whereby these parts of the cage and bulkhead are nrmly tied together. At this end of the beam 'i8 an abutment plate 89 is fastened which has a plane front face lying in the plane of the plywood wall 49, one of these plates being secured to each beam for a purpose hereinafter described. At its outer end, the flange portion 88 oi each beam has secured thereto an inverted ueshaped bracket 90 Aon which rests the body of the keeper bar l5 to the depending flange of which the bracket is secured. Arranged beneath this end of the beam is a spacing and supporting sill 9| which is secured to th- e floors 2 and 9 and sill I3 by bolts 92 and rests against the end wall lining 23. Each sill has a horizontal upper plane face yQ3 and a vertical face 94. The ange portion 85 of the beam seats on the sill face 93, while the iiange portion 86 of the beam is arranged to bear on the sill face Sli and is secured-t0 the block by a bolt o5, whereby the outerl end of each beam is supported and secured in position to support the end wall portion of the bunker and to sustain the lading thrusts falling upon the bulkhead. A metal flashing or ashings'' may be used between the contact surface 84 of the beam and the lining 23 and between the contact surfaces of the beam and sill.

The construction of the bunker above described adapts all the strain and wear sustaining parts of the bunker to be made of comparatively `light structural steel members without sacrice of strength and the mode of connection of the parts ensures a bracing action in all directions to withstand the stresses and strains to which the bunker is subjected in service without damage thereto or to the car. By the use of beams 18 of the type described the lading thrust is transmitted to the floor and end wall in such manner as to distribute the strains so as to avoid injury to either the floor or the wall and reduce to the minimum liability of damage to the bulkhead.

The doorway or passage between the lading compartment A and drip chamber B is of surncient depth to allow access to the chamber B to be obtained from the compartment A to permit cleaning of the compartment B, or repairs or replacement of the parts therein, in a ready and convenient manner without the necessity of removing any of the ice grates or contents of the bunker. In order to close this doorway suiciently to prevent passage of lading therethrough from the compartment A to the chamber B, doors or gates 9S of plywood or other suitable material are provided. These doors are suspended by hinge members 5l from the bar 4! and when disposed in closed position rest against the flange 43 of the bar and the abutment plates 89 carried by the beams 18. Each door is adapted to be swung upward approximately and to be held in open position by a latch hook 98 thereon engageable with a flush keeper 9&1 cn the bulkhead wall 49. In their closed position the annata 'doors lie in the plane of the wall and form downward continuations thereof. They are or may be of such depth as to terminate a sufcient distance above the floor 2 to leave a ventilation space for 'the circulation of air between the bottom of the compartment and the chamber B, so that free ventilation between said compartment and chamber may be obtained.

The grates 5| and 52 are or may be of the same construction, as shown, for example, in greater detail in Figs. 12 to 15, inclusive, which, while applying particularly to the construction of the lower grates 52, may apply as well to the construction of the upper grates 5|. As shown, each grate 52 consists of an angle metal frame |00, each side and end of which is L-shaped in cross-section and embodies a lower horizontal portion and a vertical portion |02. Between the sides of this frame are disposed grate bars |03 which are arranged in parallel relation to each other and to the sides of the frame and rest at their ends on and are weld-ed or otherwise fastened to the horizontal portions of the ends of the frame |00. Each of these bars is of channeled form and comprises a top plate |04 having downwardly projecting side flanges |05 defining a bottom channel open at the bottom and at each end of the bar. The bar is of like width and depth at each end 'but of minimum width and maximum depth at its center, so that its sides |05 taper from its ends to its center 'and uniformly increase in depth from its ends to its center. The -tapering portions of the Sides of the bar are also relatively flared outwardly and these flaring portions diverge from the ends to the center of the bar. The sides of the bar are 4thus broadly spaced at their ends to seat firmly on the frame and are longitudinally concaved so as to provide between adjacent bars, which abut laterally at their ends, drain passages |06 for the downflow of drip water from the melting ice. By the construction described the bar is given an inverted V-shape in appearance at its center and its flaring convex sides at this point form sloping shed surfaces to facilitate the flow of the drip water. This construction 'also produces gra-tes which are readily removable for cleaning, repairs and other purposes and to allow access to the interior of the ice and drip chamber to be more easily obtained and which may be made of light weight metal and yet be strong and durable in construction.

The above described construction of the bulkhead and its parts including the -channel posts 34 secured to the car side walls and supported from the floor by the removable bottom sections or pedestals 39, and the provision of the horizontal .il

transverse beam 4| and unitary truss beams lil, enable very important and desirable advantages to be obtained in the `construction and operation of refrigerator cars equipped with ice bunkers. The posts 34 not only give increased strength and support to the structure, but by the use of the separate pedestals 39, which may be removed when replacement of the ice pan is necessary, allow ready and convenient access to the bunker and all parts of the pan to be obtained for pan cleaning or replacement purposes without dismantling the entire bunker or disturbing any of its other parts. The lower, transverse bar 4|, which is supported at an elevation above the floor of the drip compartment by the channel posts 34, supports approximately one-half the load of the ice and bunker parts and conveys the load to the posts 34 and thus allows a clear opening for access purposes to be formed between the car side walls and between the ice pan and bar 4| which is fully exposed when the plywood gate israised. In other words, below beam 4| there are no intervening posts, feet or other obstructions between the lading space and bunker to prevent ready access from the lading space to the bunker, as is the case with all prior bunker `constructions except those of the suspended type, and my construction provides a bunker which is not only stronger than one of suspended type but permits of the use of a doorway space of adequate depth to allow ready access to the drip compartment for cleaning, repairs or replacement of the pan or other parts of the bunker. The form of the unitary trusses 18, each being a diaphragm with web plate and continuous flange, readily lends itself to being pressed in one operation from a single steel sheet. These trusses, in addition to their normal supporting function, also serve the following novel functions: (l) When loading shock is transmitted to the bulkhead face, part of this force is taken to the ceiling header through the intermediate vertical posts in the bulkhead, but the major proportion is transmitted to each of the unitary trusses which back up the horizontal transverse beam 42 and to each post. The unitary trusses convey this force to the car end walls. (2) Should the side wall pedestal feet 39 fail, or should they -be removed while the ice pan is being replaced, the diaphragms act as cantilever beams to support the ice load and bunker weight.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the construction, mode of use and advantages of my novel and improved ice bunker will be readily understood and appreciated by those versed in the art without a further and extended description. It will be understood, of course, that while the construction shown herein is preferred, changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts, falling within the scope of the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip pan, supporting posts secured to the sides of the car and extending downwardly to and resting on the car floor, a bulkhead arranged in transverse alinement with said posts and defining an ice bunker between the storage chamber and an end of the car, said bulkhead including a horizontal transverse angle metal bottom bar having a web portion provided with an upstanding flange and a depending flange and a wall portion having its lower edge secured to the upstanding flange of the bar and disposed therewith in the plane of the bottom of the bunker above the drip pan to provide a drip chamber underlying the bunker and a doorway between the same and the storage chamber, said doorway being fully open across the car between the lower ends of the supporting posts, bracing members secured to the web and depending flange of the bar and forming a series of spaced abutments at the top of the doorway, and means for closing the doorway against entrance of lading from the storage chamber into the drip chamber, said means being adapted to bear in closed position against said abutments and being movable from such position out of the path of the doorway to clear the doorway when desired.

2. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip pan, supporting posts secured to the sides of the car and extending downwardly to and resting on the car floor, a bulkhead arranged substantially in transverse alinement with the posts and defining an ice bunker between the storage chamber and an end of the car, said bulkhead including a horizontal transverse angle metal bottom bar secured to the posts and having a web portion provided with an upstanding ange and a depending fiange and a wall portion having its lower edge secured to the upstanding ange of the bar and disposed therewith in the plane of the'bottom ofthe bunker above the drip pan to provide a drip chamber underlying the bunker and a doorway between the same and the storage chamber, abutment members secured to the web portion and depending flange of the 4bar and hinged closure means supported by the bar for closing the doorway against entrance of lading from the storage chamber into the drip chamber, said means being movable upwardly to a position to clear the doorway when desired.

3. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip pan, supporting posts secured to the side walls of the car, a bulkhead dening an ice bunker between the storage chamber and an end of the car, said bulkhead including a horizontal transverse bar secured to the posts and a wall portion having its lower edge secured to the bar andv terminating therewith inthe plane of the bottom of the bunker at an elevation above the drip pan to provide a drip chamber between the bunker and drip pan and a clear space below` the bar and across the car between the lower ends of the posts forming doorway between the drip chamberV and the storage chamber, said posts having removable foot portions extending downward and resting on the floor of the drip chamber at oppositeV sides of the doorway and said doorway beingA fully open across the car between the posts, trusses in the drip chamber secured at their outer ends of the car beneath the outer end oi the bunkerand secured at" their inner ends to the web and dependingl flange of the transverse bar, abutment members secured to the depending web of the bar at points between the points of attachment of the inner ends of the trusses thereto, and means supported by and depending from the bar for closing the doorway against entrance of ladingA into the drip chamber from the storage chamber, said means being adapted to abut in closed position against the depending web of the bar and said abutments movable from such position to clear the doorway when desired.

4. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip pan at its bottom adjacent one of its end walls, posts secured to the side walls of the car, and extending down to and supported at their lower ends by the car door, an ice bunker ineludingA a bulkhead separating the bunker from the storage chamber, an angle metal horizontal transverse supporting bar arranged at the bottom of the bulkhead and secured to the posts, said bar having upstanding and depending flange portions and a horizontal web portion connecting the same, the bunker being spaced at its bottom from the drip pan to provide an intervening drip chamber, inner and outer grate supporting elements at the bottom of the bunker arranged respectively adjacent the bulkhead and end Vwall of the car, the` inner grate supporting element being secured to the upstanding flange portion of said bar, supporting means within the drip chamber adjacent the end wall of the car, and a series' of unitary truss members extending within the drip chamber between the transverse bar and said supporting means and secured at their outer ends* to said supporting means and at their inner ends to the web and depending flange portions of said bar, said truss members having upper nange portions disposed immediately below the bottom of the bunker and connected to said inner and outer grate supporting elements.

5. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip pan at its bottom adjacent one of its end walls, an ice bunker including a bulkhead wall separating the bunker from the storage chamber and a transverse bar at the bottom of the wall extending across the car and secured toV its side walls, theV bunker being spaced at its bottom from the drip pan to provide an intervening drip chamber, inner and outer grate supports at the bottom of the bunker arranged respectively adjacent the bulkhead and end Wall of the car, supporting means within the drip chamber adjacent the end wall of the car, and a series of unitary truss members of triangular form extending within the drip chamber between the transverse bar and supporting means and secured at their vertices to the transverse bar and having theirA basal ends resting on and secured to and extending above said supporting means, at their vertex and basal ends thereto, each of said truss members comprising a vertical web having an upper laterally extending flange portion disposed immediately below the bottom ofthe bunker and fastened to and supporting said inner and outer grate supports.

6. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip pan at its bottom adjacent one of its end walls, posts secured to the side walls of the car and extending down to and resting at their lower ends on the. car floor, an ice bunker, including a bulkhead separating the bunker from the storage chamber, the bunker being spacedat its bottom from the drip pan to provide an intervening, drip chamber, and the bulkhead` embodying a horizontal transverse bar-secured at its` ends to said posts, inner and outer grate supports at the bottomY of the bunker arranged respectively adjacent the bulkhead and end wall of the oar, supporting means within the drip chamber adjacent the end wall of the car, and

a series of unitary truss members extending within the drip chamber between the transverse bar and supporting means, each truss member comprising a vertical web having a marginal ange, portions of said flange being secured to said transverse bar and said supporting means and to said inner and` outer grate supports.

7. In a refrigerator car, and ice bunker arranged adjacent to an end wall of the car and separated by a bulkhead from the storage space of the car, saidbulkhead including a horizontal transverse bar arranged substantially at the level of the bottom. of the bunker, the latter being spaced from the bottom of the car, supporting means resting on the bottom of the car. adjacent to the end wall, and trusses of substantiaiiy triangular form arranged beneath the bunker between said bar and supporting means and connected at their vertices with the bar and having their basal portions seated on and secured to the supporting means.

8. In. a refrigerator car, and ice bunker arranged adjacent to an end Wall of the car and separated by a bulkhead from the storage space of the car, said bulkhead including a horizontal transverse. bararranged substantially at the level of. the bottom of the bunker, the latter being spaced from the bottom of the car, supporting meansv resting on theA bottom of the car adjacent to the end wall,'and providedV with upper ll and inner abutment faces, and trusses of substantially triangular form arranged beneath the bunker between said bar and supporting means, and connected at their vertices with the bar and at their basal portions with the supporting the bunker from the storage space of the car,.A

and trusses of substantially triangular form arranged beneath the bunker and over the underlying portion of the car floor and extending linearly from the lower end of the bulkhead toward the car end wall, said trusses being con nected at their vertices to the lower end of the bulkhead and being supported at their basal ends in proximity to the car end wall from said underlying portion of the car floor.

10. In a refrigerator car, an ice bunker ar-" ranged adjacent to an end wall of the car and spaced from an underlying portion of the floor of the car to provide an intervening drip chamber, said bunker comprising an outer end wall, side walls, and a bulkhead forming its inner end wall and which separates it from the storage space of the car, said bunker including a horizontal transverse bottom bar, horizontal transverse grate supporting bars secured respectively to the outer end wall and bottom bar of the bulkhead, supporting means in the drip chamber extending upwardly from the floor thereof adjacent to the car end wall, and trusses of substantially triangular form arranged in the drip chamber beneath and extending linearly between and connected at their vertices and basal portions respectively with the bulkhead bottom bar and the said supporting means, said trusses having upper supporting surfaces connected to and supporting the grate supporting bars.

11. In a refrigerator car, and ice bunker having an outer wall arranged adjacent an end wall of the car, side walls, and an inner wall forming a bulkhead separating the bunker from the storage space of the car, and unitary truss members arranged beneath the bunker and extending linearly between the base of the bulkhead to a point adjacent the car end wall, each of said truss members being longitudinally of substantially triangular form and cross sectionally of f channeled form and presenting upper and lower attaching flanges, the upper attaching flange being secured at the basal and vertex ends of the truss to the outer wall and bulkhead of the bunker and the lower attaching flange being secured at the basal end of the truss to and supported from the car floor.

12. In a refrigerator car, an ice bunker having an outer wall arranged adjacent an end wall of the car, side walls, and an inner wall forming a bulkhead separating the bunker from the storage space of the car, grate supporting members' extending transversely of the bunker adjacent its outer wall and at the lower end of the bulkhead, and unitary truss members arranged beneath the bunker and extending linearly` between the base of the bulkhead to a point adjacent the car end wall, each of said truss members being longitudinally of substantially triangular form and cross sectionally of channeled Ill) form and presenting upper and lower attaching flanges, the upper attaching flange being secured at the basal end of the truss to the grate supporting member at the lower end of the outer wall and at the vertex end of the truss to the lower end of the bulkhead and the adjoining grate supporting member, and the lower attaching flange being secured at the basal end of the truss to and supported from the car floor.

13. In a refrigerator car, an ice bunker including an outer end wall, side walls, and an inner end wall formed by a bulkhead separating the bunker from the storage space of the car, said bulkhead embodying channeled posts secured to the side walls of the car and extending down to and supported at their lower ends by the car floor, an upper transverse bar extending between and secured to and supported by the side posts a lower transverse bar extending between and secured to and supported by the side posts, intermediate posts arranged between the side posts and secured to the bars, a wall forming means secured to the intermediate posts, and cantilever trusses arranged beneath the bunker and each supported at one end from the car floor and connected at its opposite end with the lower transverse bar and cooperating therewith and with the side posts to support the bunker and brace said lower transverse bar against depression and the bulkhead against lading thrusts.

14. In a refrigerator car, an ice bunker including an outer end wall, side walls, and an inner end wall formed by a bulkhead separating the bunker from the storage space of the car, said bulkhead embodying channeled posts secured to the side walls of the car and extending down to and supported at their lower ends by the car floor, an upper transverse bar extending between and secured to the posts and supported from the car side walls, and a lower transverse bar extending between and secured to the posts, transverse grate supporting members extending transversely of the outer end wall and bulkhead at the base of the bunker, and trusses arranged beneath the bunker and each supported at one end from the car floor and connected at its opposite end with the lower transverse bar of the bunker, each truss having an upper supporting surface connected with the grate supporting members.

l5. In a refrigerator car, an ice bunker including an outer end wall, side walls, and an inner end wall formed by a bulkhead separating the bunker from the storage space of the car, said bulkhead embodying channeled posts secured to the side walls of the car and extending down to and supported at their lower ends by the car floor, an upper transverse bar between and secured to the posts and supported thereby from the car floor and side walls, and a lower transverse bar extending between and secured to the posts and supported thereby from the car floor and side walls, a grate supporting bar extending transversely at the bottom of the bunker along the lower end of the outer end wall, a grate supporting bar extending transversely of the bunker at the lower end of the bulkhead and secured to the lower transverse bar thereof, and cantilever trusses arranged beneath the bunker and each supported at one end from the car floor and connected at its opposite end with the lower transverse bar of the bunker and cooperating with the posts to support and brace said bar against depression and 13 brace the bulkhead against lading thrusts, each truss `also being connected at its ends with the grate supporting bars.

16. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip chamber at its bottom adjacent one of its end walls, an ice bunker arranged above the drip chamber and including a bulkhead wall separating the bunker from the storage chamber, side posts secured to the car side walls and resting at their lower ends on the car floor, and a transverse bar at the bottom of the bulkhead wall extending across the car and secured to the side posts, the space below the inner end of the bunker between the side posts and between the transverse bar and car floor being free from supporting obstructions to provide a doorway connecting the drip 'chamber with the storage chamber, inner and outer grate supports at the bottom of the bunker arranged respectively adjacent the bulkhead and adjacent the end wall of the car, said inner grate support being secured to the lower transverse bar, and a series of unitary truss members of cantilever type extending within the drip chamber between the transverse bar and supporting means and secured at their outer ends to the supporting means and at their inner ends to the lower transverse bar, said truss members having upper supporting surfaces disposed immediately below the bottom of the bunker and connected to and supporting said outer and inner grate supports.

17. In a refrigerator car, an ice bunker including an outer end wall, side walls, and an inner end wall formed by a bulkhead separating the` bunker from the storage space of the car,

said bulkhead embodying channeled posts secured to the side walls of the car and extending from a point adjacent the car ceiling down to and resting at their lower ends on. the car floor,

an upper transverse bar extending at its ends over the upper ends of the posts and having downturned iianges arranged to straddle such ends of the posts and secured thereto whereby said bar is supported from the car floor and car side walls, and a lower transverse bar extending between and secured to the posts and supported thereby from the car` iioor and car side walls, a grate supporting bar extending transversely at the bottom of the. bunker along its outer end wall, a grate supporting bar extending transversely of the bunker parallel with and secu-red to the lower transverse bar of the bunker, connecting bars uniting. said grate supporting bars at the sides of the bunker, and trusses arranged beneath the bunker and each supported at its outer end from the car floor and fastened at its inner end to the lower transverse bar and connected at its ends with the grate supporting bars.

18. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber` a drip chamber, supporting posts secured to the side walls of the car, a bulkhead defining an ice bunker located above the drip chamber between the storage chamber and an end of the car, said bulkhead including an upper horizontal transverse bar secured to the side posts, a lower horizontal transverse bar secured to the side posts, intermediate posts Secured to the bars, and a wall portion secured to the intermediate posts and lower transverse bar and extending upwardly from said bar and between the side posts, said side posts having their lower ends terminating above the car floor and provided with removable foot portions extending downward to and resting on the floor of the drip chamber, the inner end of the `drip rchamber being open from the floor line at least up tothe level of the upper ends of the foot portions of the posts to permit access to said chamber from the storage chamber for removal of said yfoot portions and other service operations, supporting means in the drip chamber xed to the car beneath the outer end of the bunker, and cantilever trusses arranged within the drip chamber between said supporting means and transverse bar and secured thereto, and cooperating with the post supporting means and transverse bar to support the bunker at its outer and inner ends and to brace the lower transverse bar s against depression and the bulkhead against lading thrusts.

`19. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, ya drip chamber provided with an ice pan, supporting posts secured to the side walls of .the car, `a bulkheaddeiining an ice bunker located above the drip chamber between the storage chamber and an end of the car, said bulkheadincluding a horizontal transverse b'ar extending across the car from side to side thereof between and secured to the posts and. a Wall portion extending upwardly from the bar and transversely of the car between the posts, said posts having their lower ends terminating at a level above the floor of the drip chamber and being provided with removable foot portions-extending downward therefrom to and resting on the floor of. the drip chamber, the inner end'of theY drip chamber beingl open from the hoor line thereof at least up tothe level of the upper ends ofthe foot portions of the posts to permit access to said chamber from the storage chamber for removal of said'ioot-portions and replacement of the ice pan or like service operations, supportingr means in the drip chamber fixed to the car beneath the outer end of the bunker, and trusses' arranged within the drip chamber between said supporting means and transverse vbar and secured thereto and cooperating with the supporting means and transverse bar to support the bunker at its outer and inner ends and to brace the bar against depression and the bulkhead. against lading thrusts.

20. A refrigerating car having a storage chamber a drip chamber, supporting posts secured to the side walls of the car and extending downwardly to and resting at their lower ends on the car iioor, a bulkhead dening an ice bunker 1ocate'd above the drip chamber between the storage chamber and an end of the car, said bulkhead including a horizontal transverse bar arranged at the base of the bulkhead above the level of the iioor of the drip chamber and extending across the car from side to side thereof between and secured at its ends to the posts and a wall portion extending upwardly from the bar and transversely of the car between the posts, the space between said bar and the floor of the drip chamber from side to side of the car between the lower ends of the posts being free and clear or" obstructions to provide a fully open doorway between the storage and drip chambers, supporting means in the drip chamber xed to the car beneath the outer end of the bunker, and cantilever trusses arranged within the drip chamber between said supporting means and transverse bar and secured thereto and cooperating with the posts, supporting means and transverse bar to support the bunker at its outer and inner ends and to brace the bar against depression and the bulkhead against lading thrusts.

21. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip chamber, supporting posts secured to the side walls of the car and extending downwardly to and resting at their lower ends on the car floor, a bulkhead defining an ice bunker located above the drip chamber between the storage chamber and an end of the car, said bulkhead including a horizontal transverse bar extending across the car from side to side thereof between and secured to the posts and a wall portion extending upwardly from the bar and transversely of the car between the posts, said bar having a horizontal web portion and a downbent Vertical flange, supporting means in the drip chamber` xed to the car beneath the outer end of the bunker, cantilever trusses arranged within the drip chamber between said supporting means and transverse bar and secured at their outer ends to the supporting means and at their inner ends to the web and flange of the bar and cooperating with the supporting means and transverse bar to support the bunker at its outer and inner ends and to brace the bar against depression and bulkhead against lading thrusts, the space at the inner end of the drip chamber below the inner ends of the trusses and the floor of said chamber and transversely between the lower ends of the posts being open and devoid of obstructions to provide a doorway affording communication between the storage and drip chambers, abutments secured to the downbent flange of the bar and arranged at spaced intervals at the top of the doorway, and a door supported by and depending from the lower end of the bulkhead and arranged to bear against said abutments to normally close said doorway against passage of lading from the storage chamber to the drip chamber.

22. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip chamber provided with an ice pan, supporting posts secured to the side walls of the car, a bulkhead defining an ice bunker located above the drip chamber between the storage chamber and an end ofthe car, said bulkhead including a horizontal transverse bar extending across the car from side to side thereof Ybetween and secured to the posts and a wall portion extending upwardly from the bar and transversely of the car between the posts, said posts having their lower ends terminating below the level of the transverse bar and above the level of the floor of the drip chamber and being provided with removable foot portions extending downwardly to and resting on the floor of porting means and cooperating with the supporting means and transverse bar to support the bunker at its outer and inner ends and to brace the bar against depression and the bulkhead against lading thrusts, the space at the inner end of the drip chamber below the inner ends o1 the trusses and the floor of said chamber and transversely between the lower ends of the posts being open to provide a doorway affording communication between the storage and drip chambers, and a door supported by and depending from the lower end of the bulkhead to normally close said doorway against passage of lading from the storage chamber to the drip chamber.

23. A refrigerator car having a storage chamber, a drip chamber, supporting posts secured to the side walls of the car, a bulkhead defining an ice bunker between the storage chamber and an end of the car, said bulkhead including a horizontal transverse bar secured to the posts and a wall portion having its lower edge supported by said posts and secured to the bar, supporting means xed to the car below the outer end of the bunker, and triangular trusses extending longitudinally in the drip chamber between the supporting means and bar and each comprising a vertical web plate provided with a continuous marginal flange extending laterally from one side of the plate, portions of said flange being connected to the bar and supporting means and to the outer and inner ends of the base of the bunker.

' WILLIAM HUGH KELEHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 881,902 Cooper Mar. 17, 1908 1,690,412 Hull Nov. 6, 1928 1,741,630 Hull Dec. 31, 1929 1,897,426 Gilpin Feb. 14, 1933 1,991,740 Giddings Feb. 19, 1935 2,015,902 Lundvall Oct. 1, 1935 2,092,981 Lundvall Sept. 14, 1937 2,145,080 Glenn Jan. 24, 1939 2,176,425 Johnston Oct. 17, 1939 2,199,073 Isaacson Apr. 30, 1940

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