US1564037A - Car roof - Google Patents

Description

C. E. WALTER CM! ROOF Filed Feb. 7, `1921 l 2 Shasta-Shut 2 v l iff 777- -ro @Nq/J Patented Dec. l, 1925.

1,5@Lii3l UNlTElD 4S'lATES PATENT QFFICE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that l, CHARLES E. Vinnfrne, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and 5 State of iflhio, have invented a certain new and useful lmproveinent in Car Roofs, of which the following is a` full, clear, and exact description, reference. being had to the accompanyi ng drawings.

This invention is directed to improvements in railroad car construction and is particularly concerned with novel means for roofing freight cars.

Considerable diliiculty has been experienced heretofore in constructing a railroad freight car which would fulfill the loading requirements and at the same time withstand the distortions and strains caused by the shifting of the various classes of freight carried therein. The characteristics of freight loads are so extensive in nature that a freight car construction which would be ideal for withstanding thc ticular load. as for instance, grain, sand, etc., would be entirely inadequate to witlistand a load in which the weights thereof were unequally distributed in the car. sequently, the builders of modern cars have developed car frames which may expand, contract or deflect to a limited extent under certain conditions.

To meet the requirements of a practical car roof construction it is quite essential that the roof be composed of noncorrosive metallic sheets of such size as to permit of their ready handling by the crir builder. further requirement is that the individual members, the aggregate of which compose the roof, must be relatively movable while beingl maintained in relative position by weatherproof joints.

Villierefore, the general object oi" my invention is to provide a car roofhaz'ing flexible characteristics and which will remain weatherproof irrespective of any lateral and longitudinal distortion or deflect car body. vide a standard 'li-ex A more speelde object to pro CHARLES E. WALTER, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

CAR ROOF.

Application filed February '7, 1921. Serial No. M2390.

durability 'that may be easily applied to any make of freight car without necessitating the use of specialparts.

Other objects include the provision of means for securing such a roof to a car body which will not restrict the relative shifting or weaving motion of the roof and car body.

Another object is to provide a roof' construction wherein the constituent members may be properly ventilated under all weather conditions and which will likewise permit free circulation of air therethrough.

A further object is to provide a novel arrangement of the individual roof members whereby all the foregoing objects may be rattained without having nail perforations through the exposed surfaces thereof that may develop leaks when the car body is strained in rounding curves while in transit, or when being switched from place to place at the railroad terminals.

@ther objects will become apparent as I proceed with a description of the accomiianying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, the essential characteristics being summarized in the claims. 1

ln the drawings, Fig. l is a perspective representation of a car body with my roof construction affixed thereon, while F ig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a part of the roof and running boards, while Fig. 3 is a section through the ridge-beam of the car along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional elevations of the cave-beam and sheet members taken along the planes ll-4s and 5-5 respectively of Fig: l, while llig. 6 is a transverse section along the line G-G of Fig. 2. Fig. l is an end perspective view of the roof, while Fig. 8 .is a perspective view of an anchor-bloei; hereinafter described.l Fig. 9 is a longitudinal Lection through the center or ridge-beam of the car, while l0 is a bottom perspective view of an end saddle-block, and Fig. 'il shows a top plan view of the intersection of four adjacent roof sheets at the ridge pole hie roof of sufficient 'with the ridge cap omitted.

rains of a par- Goniof the Gil l have found that a car roof of the unit construction type may be made flexible by having trough strips extending transversely of the car roof over which the ends of the roof sheets terminate.

Referring to the various parts by numerals, in Fig. 1 1 have shown a roof comprised substantially of sectional sheet members 11 resting on the roof boards 11a disposed on each side of the ridge-beam 33 and terminating thereover in the tapered flange portions 12, the outer edges 12a of which are adapted to rest in contact on the inner surface 14 of the ridge-cap 13 as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. of these sheets are bent to form U-shaped loops 15, which are adapted to surround similar inverted loops 1b formed onthe drain strip 1? as shown in Fig. 6; both loops being proportioned to provide air spaces 18, 1%), 2O and 21 therebetween. The purpose of this arrangement will be hereinafter referred to. rl`he eave-ends 22 of these roof sheets are bent downwardly and inwardly forming projecting flanges 23, while the eave-ends 24 of the drain strip l? are lil-rewise bent inwardly in a similar manner; both being disposed within the loop portion 25 of the side flashing 26. This flashing, which extends along the eave the'full length of the car body, may have an upwardly projecting portion 27 against which the eave ends of the roof boards 11a may abut, with suitable notches cut therein to permit the extended portion 29 of the drain strip 17 to extend therethrough. It is desirable that the end 23 of the roof sheeting 11 should lie in a different plane within the loop portion 25 of the flashing Q6 than the turned-in end 24 of the drain strip. I prefer to have these overlapping and underlapping portions spaced from each other in such a manner that any distortions or displacements which may take place between the drain strip, the roof sheeting or the side fiashing will not cause them to come in contact with each other.

The drain strip 17 which is of a channel construction is preferably extended the full width of the car from eave to eave, the strips being bent at the ridge-beam to conform to the roof slopes with each end terminating in the side flashings in the manner as hereinbefore described.

have shown the ridge-cap 13 as being secured to the ridge-beam of the car by means of the saddle-blocks 30, which are arranged to span the ridge cap, the sides of the roof sheeting andthe drain strip. rlhese saddle-blocks are secured to the ridgebeams by anchor bolts 31, the heads 31n of which are removably secured to the anchor blocks 32, which may be secured to the ridge-beam 33 by any appropriate means such as the bolts 34. These anchor blocks The side edgesV may be manufactured from any suitable meta-l, such as malleable iron, with a cored slot 35 and saucer shaped depression 3G adapted to receive the anchor bolt heads 3F. way 37 located in the underside of the block through which the drain strip 17 is adapted to pass, as shown in Fig. 8.

,is the length of the different freight cars varies, it is essential that the end roof sheet members 39 be of such shape as to provide for these variations, and I, therefore, have arranged this end construction in sucl a manner that the end member 39 is of si cient length that the total width of two of these end members will equal a idth of the roof sheet l1, and by so doing it is possible to apply this form of roofing to any length of car without necessitating the construction of special end members. 'the surplus length of the end members, if there be any, may be cut oli". These end members may likewise serve asy end flashings, whereupon the portion 42 may be secured directly to the car body member 43 in the usual manner, while the portion 4() of the end roof sheet may terminate in a U-shaped loop disposed beneath the side loops 40a ofthe roof sheet member 11 as illustrated in Fig. 9.

lt is quite essential, however, that the ridge-beam may be used as a securing means for holding the roof portions of these end members in place, and l, therefore, provide an end saddle block 44 of such construction that it likewise may serve as a clamp for the end of the ridge-cap 13, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10; the end of the ridge-cap being closed by bending the sides thereof inwardly to provide a sealed end 13b therefor. This block is recessed on the under side in such a manner that it may serve to clamp the outer surface of the ridge cap and the closed end 13b thereof and also the roof surfaces of the end roof sheeting 39. r)The running boards 54 which may be secured to the saddle-blocks 30 may also serve as a securing means for maintaining the end saddle-blocks 44 in position. The center ruiming board 54 may also servo as a weather shield for tne anchor bolt 31.

The roof may be applied to a car body as follows:

The car may first be measured to determine the number of sections to be used, the width of these sections corresponding to the wir th of one of the roof. sheets 11 plus the width of the space 45. One cave flashing may then be secured to the car body along one side while the other may be secured in place as the end of each drain strip is bent therein. in end strip of the proper width may then be laid directly upon the purlins 4G, ridge beam and eave beams 33a. Sufficient roof beards 11n may then be secured I prefer to have a recessed passageto the purlins 46 and ridge beam 33 with their eave ends abutting the portion 27 of the side flashing 26. A drain strip is then laid directly upon the purlins and beams, transversely of the car with sufficient spaces 46a between the sides of the boards and drain strips, to provide a Ventilating medium for the interior of the car, after which the succeeding series of roof boards may be laid with the proper number' of drain strips uniformly interspersed therebetween and at the finishing end the other end strip may be secured directly to the beams and purlins.

The roof sheets 1l are then laid directly on the roof boards by matching the U-shaped ends thereof with the U-shaped sides of the drain strips and slid thereover toward the centre of the car until the flange portions 1Q of the roof sheets are uniformly spaced from the center of the ridge beams, with the flanged portions 23 terminating within the side flashing loop 25. The anchor-blocks 3Q may then be mounted directly upon the ridge beam ast-ride the drain strips with the center of each block superposed on the center of each drain strip.. The heads of the anchor bolts 3l may then be inserted in the anchor blocks with suitable metallic lock strips 48 securing the bolts therein. These lock strips may have indented surfaces 48a surrounding the bolt openings corresponding to the recessed portion 36 of the anchor block 32 and are adapted to fit therein after which the sides of these metallic strips may then be bent downwardly along the sides of the anchor block, thereby maintaining the bolts in a central position relative to the ridge-beam. The ridge-cap 13 may then be placed along the ridge of the roof with the sides lllthereof in contact with the outer portions of all of. the tapered flanges l2 on the roof sheet ll. Surrounding the bolt holes in the ridge cap I have also provided indented areas 51 similar to the indented portion 48a on the lock strips 48.

The anchor blocks may be secured upon the ridge cap and roof sheets by the nuts 49 and washers 50 and anchor bolts 31, after which the running boards may be secured directly to the saddle blocks, the end saddle blocks seing secured to the ruiming` boards near the ends thereof and superposed directly over the ends of the ridge cap.

By thus assembling the roof, I am enabled to provide a roof surface which has no openings or perforations exposed to the weather, the anchor bolt 3l being covered by the center running board, and any water which nia); seep under the board and down the bolt 3l will he trapped by the indented portions 5l and 43 surrounding the openings of the anchor bolts, whereupon the water seeping through and passing downwardly along the anchor bolt, may be restricted lio these areas from which it may seep through into the slotted portion 35 in the anchor-block and thereby be guided directly into the drain strip disposed thereunder and out to the eaves of the car. Furthermore, by omitting the anchor bolts on the end saddle blocks, l have no openings whatsoever in the metallic surfaces of the ends of the ridge cap.

It is also to be seen that by having the inwardly extending flanges 24 and 23 on the drain strip and roof sheeting respectively, disposed within looped portion 25 of the side flashing 26, seepage is prevented from reaching the interior of the car, as the drain strips extend beyond the cave ends of the roof boards and drain the U-shaped portions 21 of the roof sheet members ll and by having these roof sheets extend slightly beyond the eave ends of the drain strips, l obtain an area-way 56 extending longitudinally of the car which is open to ventilation under all circumstances and which provides an inner drainage way for the free movement of any water therein.

Likewise by providing the spaces 18, 19,

2O and 21 between the sides of the roof sheeting and drain strips, I assure ample ventilation of all the roof members and by so doing prevent any sweating of condensation of moisture on the vsurfaces thereof which would otherwise start active corrosion. Also by providing sufficient space between the flashing and drain strips, moisture which may seep thereunder, is prevented from penetrating to the interior of the car by means of the loop portion 25 of the end flashing 26, while adequate space is provided to permit the ventilation thereof and which, finfthermore, will dry out any n'loisture present therein.

l have found that by providing the opening a6@ comn'iunicating with the drain strip and the interior of the car, the formation of condensation and consequent corrosion may be prevented as an active air circulation is created therebetween.

At the corners of the root' the flashing may be folded down and under as shown atl 57, Fig. 7 with the end roof sheet 39 disposed thereover.

It is also to be understood that by providing the tapered flange portions l2, adjacent to and in pivotal contact with the sides of the ridge cap, the roof sheet may always be maintained in proper position, irrespective of any shifting of the roof boards thereunderand with the further provision of sufficient space along the eaves between the turned-in heads of. the roof sheets and the looped portion of the side fiashing, a lateral shifting of the roof sheets towards and away from the ridge-beam may also taire place without dan'iage thereto. AI have also provided for a shifting movement of the drain strip in that there are no nails CIL ' w ardly or bolts used to secure these strips to ihe purlins or beams,'the strips being permitted to shift about toward 'and away from the center of the carv or to pivot or rotate about the ridge-beam as conditions may require. It is likewise apparent that the ends of the ridge cap may beI spaced a sufficient distance away from the last roof sheet meinbers to provide for ventilation as well as for a shifting movement of these roof sheets without causing a rubbing of the nietallic surfaces, which would otherwise re- ;-nove the protective coating of the surfaces and hasten corrosion. [i further advantage in the use of my in vention is that if any element of the roof becomes impaired in any mannerit is possible to replace the same without removing the entire roof. lj.' thus arranging the individual members to be of uniform size it is possible to adapt this type of roof to any type or size of car, the variations in the length being )rovided for, in that the end members are always of suficient width to cover any fractional parts of the roof, which may not be covered by the standard roof sheets.

Furthermore, I have provided a flexible metallic roof in which there are no projections or protruding parts along the roof surface upon which a trainman might stumble or fall.

I claim:

l. In a car roof, the combination of roof sheets disposed transversely of the car body with uniform spacings therebetween and terminating at the ridge thereof, wooden sheathing therebeneath, drain strips extending transversely of the car with the edges thereof disposed beneath the edges of the roof sheathingl below the plane thereof, and means, including a ridge cap and saddle blocks, for movably securing said sheets to the car body.

2. In a ear roof the combination of roof sheets having downwardly and upwardly extending flanges respectively, drain strips disposed transversely of the car below the plane of said roof sheets and having upextending side flanges, wooden sheathing beneath the roof sheets and intermediate of the drain strips, and means positioned at the ridge of the roof for flexibly securing the roof sheets to the car body, including a ridge cap adapted to be maintained in juxtaposition tothe upwardly extending flanges on said roof sheets.

3. In a car roof, the combination of roof sheets having' downwardly extending side flanges formed into U-shaped loops extending from ridge to eave and upwardly and downwardly projecting end flanges respectively adapted to be yieldably enclosed by a ridge cap member and an eave flashing member respectively and weather-proofing means including drain members having upwardly extending-side flanges disposed within the side flanges of the roof sheets and end flanges disposed within looped portions of ea've flashings extending longitudinally of the car body.

4. In a car roof, the combination of roof sheets, wooden sheathing therebeneath, eave flashings, and drain strips extending transversely of the car and disposed between portions of the wooden sheathing, said drain strips having flanged ends adapted to be disposed within looped portions of the eave flashings extending longitudinally of the car body.

In a car roof, the combination of roof sheets uniformly spaced apart and having flanged periineters, drain strips disposed between said sheets and means adapted to llexibly retain the roof sheets in relative position, said means including an anchor block, ridge vcap and a saddle block, and said saddle block and anchor block being connected by an anchor bolt.

6. In a car roof. the combination of roof sheets havinga relative freedom ot movement, drain strips disposed between said roof sheets extending from eave to eave of the car, anchor blocks provided with a passage, which block rotatively secures said drain strip to the car, ridge caps Aspanning the ridge ends of said sheets and said anchor block, a ruiming board saddle secured to the anchor block by a bolt, said ridge cap and anchor block provided with indented perforations for said bolt whereby 'water is directed into said passage and drain strip.

7. In a ear roof, the combinationof roof sheets having a relative freedom of movement, a ridge cap adapted to coact with flanged portions on said roofsheets to maintain thenrin relative position, drain strips disposed between the roof sheets, means for securing the ridge cap to the car body including an anchor member positioned at the ridge of the car body and over the drain strips and an anchor bolt adapted to coact with a saddle block bearing upon the ridge cap, said ridge cap and anchoring members being arranged to drain any moisture on the anchor bolt into the drain strip.

8. In a car roof comprising a framing of purlins and carlines, drain strips extending from eave to eave resting upon and rotatively secured to said framing adjacent its center, roofing boards secured to said framing between said drain strips, and roof sheets extending` from the ridge to the eave of the car, resting upon said roofing boards and pivoted to the car at its ridge, said roof sheets, drain strips and roofing boards normally spaced apart from each other to permit ventilation and relative movement between these parts.

9. In a carroof comprising a framing of purlins and carlines, drain strips extending :troln eeve to euve resting upon and rotative- 10. In a ear roof comprising a framing of l0 1y secured to said framing adjacent its cene Purline and earlines, and drain strips exter, rooling boards secured to said framing tei'iding,` from eave to eave resting upon and between said drain strips, and roof sheets rotatively secured to said framing adjacent extending from the ridge to the eave of the its center.

car resting upon said roong boards, said In testimony whereof, I hereunto aIiX 15 roof sheets, drain strips and roofing boards my signature.

arranged to permit ventilation and relative movement between these parts. CHARLES E. WALTER.

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