US2371659A - Device for straightening freight car ends and the like - Google Patents

Description

March 20, 1945. P. G. STULTZ DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 5, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 'Vl/Allllz .March 20, 1945. G sTuLTz DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 5, 1 942 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 attorncgs.

3nventor March 20, 1945. p STULTZ 2,371,659

DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING' FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-.Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 5, 1942 March 20, 1945; 2,371,659

DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND THE LIKE P. G. STULTZ Filed New 5, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 March 20, 1945. P. G. sTuLTz DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTENING FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 5,1942 5.Sheets-Sheet 5 Buncntor 2 C1 SZ'ZLZZZ/ 7 Patented Mar. 20, 1945 H 7' 3 a UNITED," STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR STRAIGHTEN ING FREIGHT CAR ENDS AND TI-IE LIKE Posy G. Stultz; Roanoke, Va, assignor to Charles M. OBcyle, Wilmington, Del.

Application November 5, 1942, Serial No. 464,634

12 Claims." (01. res-as) The present invention relates to, improvements in devices for straightening freight car ends and the like. i T

In railroadingpractice, in the transportation of lading by freight cars, due to the momentum or inertia of the load, stopping and starting, Particularly sudden starting or stopping, of the freight cars has been a cause of the load shifting against the ends of the cars, which are ordinarily made of sheet steel, with the consequent bending or distortion of the ends, generally manifested in an outward bulged condition; and

it has become a problem to restore these bulged ends to normal straight original condition. l

Cars thus damaged must be cut out of the train for restoration which involves loss of use ofthe car and its facilities for the duration of the repair period, as well as expense in labor and materials in the repair; andsuch damaged cars are rejected by shippers at points of load ing because it has been found that the outwardly plates may be accomplished in situ, the application of the bending force externally of the car, and without having to dismantle the carer any of its parts, in which the steps of the method are simply and expeditiously carried out by not more than two operatives, and whereinrthe tremendousp'ushing force required to bend the metal, which would otherwise move the car on the rails to the progressive diminishing of this bending force, is converted in a reactionaryway to impose upon the same car or work an equal and oppositereacting pulling force which will negative and oiTset the pushing force, whereby the car may be operated on withoutthe use of thebrake. 1 a r The invention also contemplates the provision of a simple form of triangulated structure, two

bulged ends preventtightloading of the carin a manner to prevent shifting of the merchandise'; and shifting will ordinarily damalge the goods and prevent their sale as first class articles at current market prices.

Machines have been proposed, but with small success, to deal with this condition but such machines are large and cumbersome, require to be manned by a, large number of, operatives, are

not easily transportable from job to job and have numerous other diiiiculties all of which are known to those skilled in this art.

Then again these bent and [distorted steel end plates require enormous pressure to restore the same. Such pressure is not easily obtained at yards where repairs of this kind are ordinarily done, as available tools, such as jacks; cranes and the like, are insufilcient to develop such enormous pressure required for the coldbendingof steel plates. of this heavy gauge, l

It is an object of the invention generally to overcome the above difliculties and to provide a straightening device of anexceedingly simple construction with feweasily transportable parts, all capable of being set upiand operated byfnot more than two men, whichwill be inexpensive in its construction, maintenance and operation, and

quickly applied to many damaged cars in succes sion, whereby this type of repair may be so'takenf care of as to eliminate itas a major troublein the maintenance of freight car transportation. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved device bywhich the'cold bending of heavy gauge steel railway-freight car end sides of which are connected'tothe work or car, I

so constructed'and arranged that a railroad jack,

crane or other liftingdevice of the capacity ordinarily found in, freight and repair yards maybe. utilized and found sufilcient for the purpose in that its power is multiplied manybtimes by the simple arrangement and application of the device.

device in a position of use and under pressure. so

, With the foregoing and other objectsin view, the invention; will be more fully described hereinafter, andwill bemore particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

, In the drawings, wherein like symbols-refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a,

Figure l is a perspective view of a'device constructed and applied in accordance with thelpresent invention, shown in the position of use as applied to the end of a-freight car. a

- Figure 2-is an enlarged bottom plan view of I jacking head.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal central section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2. i

Figure4 is aside elevation of a form of pin "for adjustably securing the pull orholding bar in the jacking head. i 1 l it Figure 5 is a side elevation of a-form' of swivel member; of which thereare preferably twm mounted rotatably in the jacking head and in which the arms are pivoted. l l i a l Figure 6 is an edge view of the same. 1 i l 1 Figure '7 is an side elevation ofthe improved 5 Figure 8 is a top plan view. of the same.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a form of pull or holding bar employed. 4

I, F re -l0 is a longitudinal edge view ofthe samewith parts broken away and parts'shown inf section.

wholly by figures showing the method and principle ofoperation of the triangulated structure with refer-.

ence to the bending operations as power applied.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary top plan view-of modified form of device in which ball and socket universal connections are" made between the" jacking head and bending arms and in which the referred to the" .the freight car.

axes of the two companion holes 44 to intersect at substantially right angles the longitudinal cen- 'ter line of the slot 43 toward the car end of the jacking head 42. At opposite sides of this center line are the eyes or holes 45 made vertically through the jacking head. Such jacking head is also formed on its lower face with a socket 46 formed by a collar welded or otherwise secured to the lower surface of thejfjacking head preferably offset from the center thereof away from The retaining wall or collar of this socket 46 may be round, square, rectangular or of any desired form which will make it adapt- .able for .cooperation to fit over and about the head of a jack 4! or some other instrument by [which the .necessary' power may be applied to exert a lifting force against the outer end portion device is equipped for use with anoverheadcrane instead of a jack.

Figure 18 is a side elevation of the device shown inFigure 17, .withparts broken. away and parts shown in section.

Figure 19 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line Iii- 13 of Figure 18. 1 Figure 20 is atop plan view, on an qenlarged scale; showingthe'lugs and anti-spreading chains. Figure 121-is a cross section taken on the line 2- i--2 in Figure '1. I v Figure -22:is a side-elevation, with parts broken away and parts shown in-sectio-n, of a jack'and jacking head with a universal connection therebetween Figure 23 is-a sideyiew-showing a device modihad for application to the side .of a freightcar. Figure 24 is a perspective view of thesame.

.- Fi ure 25, is atop plan .viewof a further modified formofthedevice.

' Figure 2611s a; side elevation ofthe same.

.JFigirreZFZ..is:a..fragmentary end view of one of the external-arms showing a method of forming aballhead. tReferring more. particularly .tomthe drawings,

designates; the railway rails on which a box. or

otherflexiblecormection 31 may be=trainedvover the coupler shank 35 withitsvends brought down and terminating in clamps 38! adapted to. be removably secured to the rails 30. Thisschain will be of; suitable selected strength-to resistlifting of the car body on its trucksin. response to the errormouslifting pressureisdevelopeclsby the; improved dez icei Where the car is heavily. loaded .su'chr chain 31 will not be required.

A. pull orholding bar 39,. shown more particularly in Figures. 9 and 110, is provided. at. one of. its preferably flattened andreinforced .ends withz a perforation 40 to receive. the knuckle pin 34iby which the bar-39. is anchored. to the car orother work. The. bar 3.9 .isiurther. provided, at itsother preferably flattened end with a seriesOf. apertures.

4| to fitjslidinslyand jadjustabl-y through. a slot 43in. an adjustable jacking head 42,, shown more particularly in Figures 2 and. 3... Such. jackingas by welding, at

head is provided. with. holes44- in both walls at oppositesidesrof the." slot 43 'and along long i tudinal center line which causes the coincident of :the bar 39.

Referring more particularly to Figure 4, a pin 48 is supplied of a form to fit through the pair of holes 44 on the center line of-the jacking head 42 and through an aperture 41 of the pull or holding bar 39 that is presented at the time. By

withdrawing pin 48 thejacking head 42 may he slid on the bar 39. toward or from the car to change the ratio ofleverage. When the pin 48 is reinserted it will retain the jacking head 42 in the newly adjusted position. The pin head 49 receives .the free end 'of the chain or the like 50 anchored, asat 51,.upon the upper part of such jacking head as by welding. This chain 50 is loose so as not to interfere with the insertion and Withdrawal-of the pin..'48,.but1it retains the pin captive against loss and confusion and assures that the. .pin 48 is always at hand when needed. One such pin 48 is supplied.

Referring, more particularly to Figures 5 and 6, swivel bolts, preferably two in number, aresupplied,.having', plain shanks 52 receivable through and, retainable inthe'holes 45 in the jacking head 42. and of a length to project below the jackingv head, where the projecting portions of the .shanks are: threaded, as shown at 53, to receive nuts '54 by which thebolts are held secureIy on the jacking head 42 but enabled to freely rotate on the vertical axes of the bolts 52'.

The. bolts. have flat heads 55' pierced by horizontal eyes 56.. The. heads are adapted to be received of. theexter'nalarms. The slots 5! in the external arms 6| constitute bifurcated portions which straddle the fiat swivel heads 55. The bifurcated ends are, pierced'by perforations 58, two. in number, for eachfenternai' arm GI used. The two .perforationsifili' are in line and with their axes substantially at right angles to the axis of the. tubular external arm 61' made of metallic pipe or the like. Through these registering. perforations 58' and thrhugh the included eye-5E of a swivel bolt .52 passes a pin 60'. The walls of the spaced perforations 58' engage the Shank of the pin 60 at remote axially displaced sections and 't'husprovid'e a double resistance against shearing,jstresses which may devolve on such. .pin Blli'ncidentto the tremendous power developed and. transmitted; from-the pull or holding .bar .391 upwardly to. the armsjfil... Where two arms areproyided, two pinslill will 'be needed. heads 10f these pins anewelded' to the free ends of chains .62 which chainsaareanchored, pointsindicatedat. '63. on the externalarms. 6.1L, I;

Referring againLtaFiLguIe-II,fi1lers-59 of metal onotherrnateriall maybe placedthe lower bifurcated endsgofjthetubular externalarms. 6| togamete reinforce and strengthenrthe same where weak-U enedby the slot 51 and' the perforations 58. In-;- asmuch as the axes on which .the bolts 52 swivel are vertical and the axes of the inserted pins. 60

substantially horizontal theaexternal arms 6|- the open slots 65. The upper ends of, the ex-. ternal arms are provided with aligning pairs of perforations 66 and 61 formed any desired'distance apart along: the length of-:the external arms 6|. l

, Through the upper ends of :the external arms areadiustably. fitted internal arms-68 of; tubular:

' metallic or other desired; construction. Such in-I.

ternal arms 68 are traversed at predetermined intervals by pairs of aligning. holes 69%,; two pairs of which are. adapted toregisterwith the two pairs of holes 66 and fi 'l, so that pins 69 may enter such registering or aligning holes and se-1 cure the telescoping adjusted position: of the arms;

which determinestheoverall lengtheof. such arms from theapex of the triangle at the jacking head 42 to the upper ends'of the internal arms ;68 which ends swivelly carry the shoes as shown in Figures 13 and 14.; l t

The shoes may be of any. suitable. formgone embodiment of which consists of. a web weld-.

ed along the inner portion of the trahsversearc of a part cylindricalshoe tread- H fitted'with; spaced rows of burrs. I2 or other-forms of rough surfacing elements to enhance the gripping ac other third siderof the triangle a1 cisithe ne sideand 98ithe other side; 99rep-i resentstheline of :the car end or the carside orxofxanyxmetal orother work 'to which the deviceis applied; .Thesehdiagrams :Figures 15 andl6: show.roughly the action of the device which is mainlytriangularin formwith thelow erside represented by the". bar 39; and with the one side 91. represented by' the pushing .orbending arms. The work99 to-which the free ends of the sides 91and '98 are applied forms the;

The jack or other lifting pressure is applied approximately at the. apex. 96 as indicated by the arrow and approximatelyrat right angles to the. plane o'f.the.lower side 98. This causes the tri1 I angle to be tilted or;rotated slightly from the initial. positioni illustrated Figure 1 5 to the position shown in Figure 16, which is possibly ex aggerated for the purpose of clearness. This tilting of thetriangular device causes the pushing arm or arms to be forced toward the car end 99 or. other work and creates a corresponding pull on the lower side 98. Inasmuch as the lower side isconnected to the car or other work the pushing and pulling forces applied to the car will be compensating, olfsetting or neutralizing inJtheireiTect on the car. Thus while one force is tending to move the car in one direction the other force'is just as effectively applied to move it in the other direction. This will prevent the car fr0mwa1king away" from the applied pressure of .the bending arms. in other words it will keep the work upto the bendingpress'ure.

There is possibly an advantage in anchoring the lower side, as in the case of the bar 39 to I the couplenheadinasmuch as the enormous presment transversely of the length of the arms and i in position to register with the perforations 13 of the shoe webs. Pins 16 are adapted to pass through these aligning perforations to pivotally couple the shoes to. thearms with the axis of the pivots or pinsxlG being substantially vertical so that nomatterv what the swivel angle of. the

tions SI; and similar chains may be weldedto the pins 16 and to rtheiinternal armsections 68, if desired, although the .verticalposition ofthe pins 16-Will tend to hold these pinsin place gravitatlona1ly.- :v

In Figure 12 a filler or plug .19 is shown mount- I ed in theouter free end of the inner telescoping arm section 68 to reinforce and strengthen the tubular construction, against weaknesses which might otherwise occur because of the slotting 14 and. the perforating I5. i V

"Chains 8B and 8i have ends welded, to the external arm sections 6| adjacentthe lugs 64.

The free ends of such chainscarry hooks 82 and 83 adapted to engage links of-the companion chaintwhen in the overlapped position. The

slots 65 of thelugs 64 are wide enough to receive the links of the chains when vertically disposed so that an adjacent horizontally disposed link will abut against the lug and prevent the chain from being drawn throughthe slot 65 such as would enable the arms to spread apart.

' Referring more particularly to Figures 15 and 16, 96 designates ther apex of a triangle of which such an extent as to place the draft spring 36 under compression.- As is well known this re- .quires a tremendous force, as for instance the draft of manyvheavily laden freightcars. The reaction of the compressedspring 36 will add its effectto the 'pushing arms. The lifting force provided by the jackor other method will be 1 preferably applied at approximately theapex ori the angle-between the upper and lower sides.

Thefurther this-force is applied awayfrom the apex will requiregreater rigidity in the bar 39 to resist the bending strains in the bar 39'created by the lifting or raising movement? These strainsare at a minimum at the apex of the triangle. Also the most satisfactory'results will be obtained if thejack or otherlifting force moves at approximately'right angles to the plane upper side or arm.

The jackor crane simply furnishes the power. These elements are available in all railroad yards and need not be transported with the device which is of minimum weight, can be handled easilyand admits of folding so'thatit can be easily transported on a handtruck. p t

i To. cold-press endcorrugated sheets the same requires a pressure-or fierce in. excess of 200M115..-

, lacks and other tools available inirailroad yards lack thisntrenienduous force. The triangulated device.gneatlymultipliesthe force. oi the jack so. that itis easily able.- to accomplishthe Wc'zrk.-

I Straighteningcorrugatedsheets oithe; car, which. is composed of every heavy sheet, requires: a pressure :to. be exerted when the sheet isv coldgreater than isnordinarily ayailable i wa railroad car plant.v The leverage exerted bythe. triangular device. of thisinvention lenableswa power'unit of reasonable. size generally .tound around; railroad car plants, namely a jack-b1 150;

tons, to achieve this purposel.

To do; this. work economically a. canon rails without the brake applied. 01" other.

to.- prevent. the car from moving, it islimportant that the. fulcrum point should be. on..the.-.:car

where a. pressure oifia hundredthousandpnunds or. more. is; being. exerted on: the bentsurface, fulcrum. preventingmovement of. the car away from the. arms at the point where the work is; being done. a

The device can be worked. without damage to the anchor points at. the side of; the car.hccauae the. side sheets of the car are. of. much lighter construction and longer distances: are. involved between the. points where; the sheets are an.-. chored, so that less. power and leverage is re. quired. The fulcrum; .is where thez'bar 39: con.'-;

nests. at. with the 'coupler. The distance loser irom the fulcrum tow the-point of. applica-. tion of the force than between the tu-lcrumand the point of application of the power.. .Itiisl'preF; ferred that Where a. rigid bar dais employed; it ill have a looserflt on the knuckle:.pin-..3A to. a ow the outer end ot the. bar 39; tolrisel. How-W ever, there. is approximately 3:i slack in; the:

coupler and the c upler can rise-approximately M; of aninchin thecarrier.

Furthermore, in connection. with the-method, the. steel plates. are pressed cold.- byv both pulling and: pu hing at. the same time to rcnder'same; ub nt ly mmovable. durin the; applicationof the pressure; The shoes; apply the pressuneo ly at'the po nts where the bends-on; bulges ccur. ter the, bending-a5 sledge: hammer-or.

ac -us al desired local area: endior. side of the:

can The roughened shoes where sco'rru.=

lift

o e her heavy tool isused tostr-iko hfiqsheets. I

7 heavy b1oWs, preferably: alon the: vertical: edges f he S eets" in. order; set the restored metal. I

n p e en t rom buckling out: resiliently into. the u e ithad assumed.

It: w l be noted that the construction with reference to the variousv pinsemployed provide-tor double shear re stance and in some cases: quad- I rupleshearresistance on-thepins. where. the same are used in: pairs.

To aliix thedevice to-a bulged onbentend of acar, the coupler knuckle. (not shown): is. re

moved. Theknuckle pin- 34 isthen applied-to the top lug in the; coupler andzthen through the 1 hole 40 in the h0ldingbar. 39 and thenithrough; v thebottom knuckle pin hole inthecoupler. The.

oth r end of the p lor; holding" bar 39s. is. ad justed; in the jack ng head and is: affixed. by; the

' pin 48. Thischangesthe distancesbetweenthe fulcrum and the; apex where the power is" applied. I The jack or other instrumcntality is-now; operated to 1i ft.the;.-1 0lding=bar 35; Thisjackin pressure causes a p l on. the bar tfizanda'pusha .ing.- moment onthe upper arms. The lengthof;

the-bar 39 may be: adiustedby he 19111.48; and;

the lengths of the arms may also be;v adjusted by the use of thepinsafiuandtlt. The1,arms=ma5a'bc.. raised or lowered so as to brlng: the shoes: at any 5 the use; of pinstfl.

gatedthe end walls on plates of thecar will tend. to: hold the shoes andanns against slipping or. sliding.1JA1so where two more of the arms are:

used, such. arms may logmovect together or apart a desired distance on the swivelb'oltsiz; By.

hooking. the chains 81] and :8t together or by lengaging the links of the chains inthe slots of the: lugs 64. such chains to, B l may act tox-prevent the amnsfrom spreading aulsldar the reaction-of the. immense force applied. g

It will be found more convenient to provide the socket 46 at the bottom. of the jacking head as it tends to maintain the jack upright and prevents tilting. or slipping out from the device but it not essential, It makes for a substantial margin of safetyl The device is applicable to any type of'freight car and enables the: sheets to be straightened and restored tonormal or original position without.

removing any of the damaged-parts or car lining as the pressure arms can be moved and applied at any external point where needed."

. The device is so. powerful that it is not necessary to unload a car as the applied pressure will develop sufiicientlyto move in: the lading along with the bulged sheets. It savesxtime to be able to repairdamagewithout unloading the car and without having to gain access to the interior of the. car. Moreover the loadin the car serves to prevent the carfrom rising \ofi itsv trucks when th pressure. is applied. Thedevice can be used inv adjusting ladingz that has shifted over ends of the car such as lumber; stonapoles, etc;

Figure 16shows the lower side 98 of. the triangle at. its left. end. pulled slightly away from the surface of the. work: 99 which: indicates that this fulcrum. point is ais'hifting'. one due to the outward movement of the coupler head incident to the compressing. of the coupler spring. However in those instances in whichthe lowerside" of the triangle is connected to a. non-shifting anchor,

as to the car bolster, angle iron or the like, the

lower side member: 98 will not be permitted-toshift outward, or in: the direction to' the rightv viewed. in Figure 16, but this: lower'side 98 willlift or pivot. upwardly'whileithe. motion of translation willall devolve-1 upon-the other side member 91-; forcing ittowa'rd' the left into the work 99.

Referring more particularly to Figures 17-; 18 and 19, a modified form. of. jacking head 42 is shown on. which sockets 84' are provided," such' sockets upstanding. item the lacking head and being formed integral therewith or separately and united to the jacking head in anyconvenient manner; These sockets.- cooperate with ballrheads 85 on the lower ends of the. external armstl in order thatzthepressure or'straightening or bending, arms will have a: substantially universal movement. on the jacking head 42%. For convenience the ball headstifi; may be cast or otherwise produced. upon' plugs or. fillers '59 removably secured: in theends of the armslil as by Wherethejacking heads ings, theseuniversal.joints-of the balland socket:

type are: of more:economical-construction than" the swivel bolts 52' of Figures-'5': and 6.

The jacking head 42 carries a u -bolt. 8.6 or

other form of eye by which the jacking-head cz 'may b lifted from above-ass by the use. of a, cranehookingintdt-heveye 8.6T; In other words the liftingforcesmay badeyelopedby-a jack below ona crane; above theijacklnghead:

are made from castamnesia? I In the former jacking head 42* the through slot 43 will beat circular cross section, for which see Figurel9, in order to m'ate with theuround bar cross section of the holding 'or tension bar 39 which is of a pipe construction having the pairs ofspaced perforations 4| through its upper and lower walls to receive the pin 48 which also passes through openings in the jacking head similar to the openings 44 shown in Figure 3. I

Referring more particularly to Figures 20 and 21, thesefigures show the chains 80 and 8liwhich are anchored to the external arms 6| by welding or otherwise preferably at thelower portions of such external arms. These chainsare' crossed and extended over the upper sides of the companion external arms 6i where links 80% and 81?, vertically disposed, are slipped down through the slots 65 of the lugs 64, the adjacent links 80 and 8| horizontally arranged; are widerthan the slots 65 and therefore abut against the outer sides of the lugs 64 and prevent the chainpulling through the slots 65. In thisinstance the doubled chain ties the two compression or'straightening arms together and results in double strength of chain against 'spreadingof thearms Bl. M I Referring more particularlyto- Figure 22, the

jacking head 42? is formed with a rounded socket 8lto receive a'ball head88 onthe upper end of r the jack; This will give a universal movement between the jackand the jacking head, will enable these two parts to fit adequately together throughout all contacting face: areas and will thus enable the jacking head tooppose any tilting movement'of the jack and to preventthe jack from falling over. 0 I 0 Referring more particularly'to Figures 23 and 24, these figures show a device for operating upon the side of car indicatedat 90, and for thls purpose the side sill or-channel BI is used forformingtheanchorage for-the adjustable spacing bar 39. A clamp 92 is constructed and arranged to grabthe side sill channel along its. lower flange, this clamp having one or more set screws 93 to engage beneath such lower flange. A pin 94 functioning as thefknuckle pin of Figure l passes through the eye'40' of theholding or spacing bar 39 and-through the"shank'of the clamp 92 to loosely holdthe bar 39 at a fulcrum point on the car. This method of application to thework applies alsoto crossmembers nor to center sills or to body bolstersor any other part of the car or trucks. The pin 94 also passes through an from with a flat perforated end I 0| through which removably engages 1a substantiallyhorir zontal pin I02; This pin I02 also passes through I both legs of a U-shaped yoke I03 having a verytical height which will correspond substantially to the vertical height of the knuckle pin34 lying I between the upperand lower lugs of the'couplerf head'33. wTo apply this modificationtothe coupler, the pin 34 would be lifted out, the knuckle set aside, the yoke I03 slipped into place and the coupler pin 34 dropped so that it'engages within the bight of the U-Shabed yoke 103 in the manner indicated in Figures 25 and 26; This I yoke I03 will preventshifting of the inner-end of the spacing bar 39 -vertically upand down on thecoupler pin 34 and will prevent'anysud; I denor quick movements of the spacing bar up external arms fil may be reinforced by plugs, fillers, Orthe like; either solid or-tubular, as in- J dicatedat I04 and-the compositeends of the arm; and filler are'peened over and welded as indicatedat l05 'into asubstantially globular form or'part spherical form to constitutethe ball:

' headforcooperating with the sockets 84 as shown offset portion oiledge 95forged or cast with the I clamp 92 or carried thereben'eath in spaced relation to the shank of the clamp to accommodate the end of the 'spacingtbarflll" between such shank and the ofiset p'art 95'; 'the offset part 95 serving to support the end'Of the spacing-bar 39; A chain or chains may-be substituted for the bar 39, in which" caseone end-may be welded to the jacking head and the other endwrapped around the coupler shank'or hooked on to the side or center sill of the car or to other desired anchorage points.

I The hooks82 and Bil-may be hooked in links of the chains BI and 80 wherel'the pressure arms are spread far apart. I I

'I'he device is applicable toplain, corrugated, embossed, wooden or-other ends offcars, to ships" plates and other uses.

Referring more particularlytoFigures 25 and 26, 39 illustrates the tension or holding bar,

also referred to as' the spacing bar which is of form of ball head "construction.

in Figures '17 and 18. This is acheap and strong:

flt is obvious that various changes and rh'o'di iiettionskrhay be made in thejdetails' ofcon struction and design' of the abofve' specifically de-f scribed embodiment of thisinventionwithout de garurrgrmmhe spirit thereof ,such changes and oft e following cla ims What is claimed is? modifications being restricted only j byij the 1. A device: of the character sesc itedcorriprislg; ingja' jackinghead,havinggmeans whereby. the

same may be forcibly lifted and also having'ga). slotand upstandingflsockets, a spacing bar slidablethroughsaidjvslot, means to adjustably fix saidlfbar in the head m eans to fuldrurn thebar;

tothe' work, and straightening armsh'aving ends engaged against the work and ends with balls:

toj'universallyengage in said socketsil v device for straighteningv the bulged sheets of railroad cars comprising elongated upperkand lower members meetingin an acute angle "with the apex spaced from the sheet with the free end of the upper member engaging said sheet, means; I flexibly anchoring the free end of the lower member to the car with said lower elongated member extending out at substantially right angles to the plane of the sheet, a jacking head 10- cated at said apex for connecting said members together-, said. jacking head having r slidable movement on said, lower member, means to se-s curethe jacking head fixedly in adjustedlposition on-said lowermember, a socket onsaid jack- I ing head, said'upper member having a ball end portion fitting for universal movement in said socket; said jacking headthaving means to re-" ceive movableipower means applied1 to move said tubular construction'h'aving at one'end a filling or plug-I00, havinga shank projecting thereja'c'king head in adirection substantially parallel to the plane of the work to cause a tiltingsmovea ment of said-jacking head. and connected mem-J member tomove against the work. i

- 5. A devicefior straighteningthe bulged sheets bers whereby to cause ireeqend' of the upper 3; A device "for straightening the bulged sheets oirailroad cars and the like comprising upper" andlower elongated members meeting in an. acute angle with. the apex spaced irom the sheetand with the free end of the upper member engaging the sheet,. means flexibly anchoring the free end of said lower member to the car. and a jacking head located approximately at said apex for connecting said members together, means between said. jacking head and upper member for connecting these two parts forsubstantial universal movement, said jacking head slidable on said lower member and carrying with it said upper-member to change the degree of the angle between the members for application of the free end of the upper member to selected. zones on the sheet, means to secure the jacking head fixedly in adjusted position on said lowermember, said jacking head constructed; and ar ranged. to receive. power means whereby said jacking head is raised to cause said members and jacking head as a unit toturn angularly about.

the connection with the-carto force the free end of said upper member against the sheet;

4 A deviceforstraightening the bulged. sheets of railroadicars' and the like comprising elon-- gated upper and lower members meeting in an acute angle with the. apex spaced from the sheet and with the free end of the upper member adapted to engage against the sheet,.means flexand having means to secure samein adjusted pos'iti'on" on said tension member, a plurality of elongated I compression arms having outer ends individually pivoted in said jacking head for independent angular move1nentv with'respect to said'jacking' head and to. one another, the free ends of said elongated compression members adapted toengage against said. sheet, said jacking head adapted to receive power means to raise said jacking headand to consequently rotate'all: of said members'and: jacking head about the connection of the tension member with the carresulting in the iforcing. of. the free ends of the. compressionmeinber's against the sheet.

.7; A device ror'straightening' the bulged sheets of railroad cars and the like comprising an elongated tension-memberahaving means tomovably connect an end portionthereol': with the car and. with the member-projecting outwardly from the sheet, a-jackinghead on. the outer portion ofsaid tension a plurality of compression: members mounted at their outer end portionsiinsaid jackinghead for pivotal and independent vertical and. lateral angular movement,

, the inner free ends-of said compression members adapted to engage against the outwardly bulged sheet, said jacking head adapted to. receive power forlifting the same: to cause rotary'moveibly anchorin the free endof the lower mem-.

her to. the car, a jacking head located approximately at said-apex for connecting said members together, means between said jacking head and upper member for enabling vertical. and. lateral angular adjustment of said upper member with respect to said jaclnng head, said jacking head having, slidable movement on said lower member to move inand. out with respect to the sheetwherebyto bring, the free. end. of. said upper member against the sheet irrespective of its. vertical or lateral angular adjustment in said Jacking. hcad,'means. to secure said jacking head fixedly in adjusted position on said member. said jacking; head. adapted to receive power means to lift the jacking head and cause said members to tion of the lower member withthe car resultingv in the forcing of the free ends of said upper member against the sheet.

oi railroad cars and the like comprising elongated upper and lower members meeting, in an acute angle with. the. apex spaced from the sheet execute. a turning movement about the connec- Y and with the free end of the upper member engaging said sheet, means flexibly anchoring the free end of the lower member to the car, a jaoking, head located approximately at said apex for connecting said members together, means connecting said upper member to said jacking head for relatively adjustable angular'movement; said jacking head adapted to receive powenmeans for raising the jacking head and simultaneously" rmposing on-said upper and'lower members a turning movement about the connection of the lower member with the car to drive the free endcf said upper member forcibly against the sheet.

6. A deviee for straightening the. bulgedsheets of railroad cars and the like comprising an clon gated tension member adapted to: be: movably connected to-the; car and toextend outwardly from the sheet, a. jacking head slidably mounted.

upon the outer portion; of; said tension member mentsaid members about theconnection or the tension member with the car resulting in the thrust. of. thefree ends of. the compression members against the sheath 8.. A: device for straightening the bulged sheets of railroad carsiandthe like comprising an elongated tension member having means to movably connectanend portion thereof with the car and "with the member projecting outwardly from the sheet,. a jacking. head. on the outer portion of said tension member, and. a plurality of compression members mounted at'their outer end portions: in saidjacking head tor pivotal and independent verticakand lateral angular movement, the inner free-ends of said compression members adapted to; engage against the outwardly bulged'sheet; said jacking head adapted to receivepower meansfor lifting the same to. cause rotary movement inallsaaidl members about the connection ot the. tension member with the car resulting in. the thrust of, the tree ends of. the compression members, against the sheet, and adjustable flexible-means coupled between said compression members: at; their inner free portions to prevent spreading of said members from the relative angular position at which they are I 9.,A device for straightening the bulged sheets of; railroad cars. and: the like-comprising an elongated. tension member having means to movably connect anendportion thereof with. the car and with the member projecting. outwardly from the sheet, a. jacking head on the: outer portion. of said tension member, a pluralityof compressionmembers mounted at their: outer end portions in: said jacking head for pivotal and independent vertical and lateral. angular movement; the inner free ends: of said compression: members adapted to engage against the outwardlybulgedi sheet,v said jacking head adapted tdreceive power means for the: same to cause rotary movement in all said members about the. connection of the tension. member with: the car resulting in the thrust of. the-. firee ends of the compression. members against the sheet, said compression members each: comprising, extensible members for varying the. overall length of said compression.v member,

and means to fix said extensible members in a selected position of relative adjustment.

l0.'A device for straightening the bulged sheets of railroad cars and the like comprising elongated tension means having at its inner end portion a flexible connection with the car, elongated compression means having its free inner end adapted to engage the bulged sheet and with its outer end portion inclining outwardly toward the tension means, and jacking means for uniting said tension and compression means in acutely angled relationship at their outer end portions for permitting angular adjustment of said compression with respect to said tension means, said jacking means adapted to receive power means for raising the jacking means to rotate the tension and compression means about the connection with the car to cause said compression means to exert thrust against the bulged sheet.

11. A device for straightening the bulged sheets of railroad cars and the like comprising a jacking head, tension and compression mem bers meeting at an acute angle at the jacking head with their opposite ends having a tri-point contact with the car to hold the jacking head in vertical alignment, said jacking head constructed and arranged to receive power means for exerting an upward movement on the jacking head to apply pressure against the sheet to straighten the bulged portions of the same.

12. A device for straightening the bulged sheets of railroad cars and the like comprising a jacking head, tension and compression means meeting at an acute angle at said jacking head with their opposite ends forming a three-point contact with the car for holding the car against movement and contacting the bulged portion of the sheet, said three-point contact acting to hold the jacking head in vertical alignment and preventing lateral movement of the jacking head when the power is applied; said jacking head; constructed and arranged to receive power means for lifting the jacking head to apply pressure against the sheetto straighten the bulgedportion of the same. i

V POSY G. STULTZ.

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