Reversible latching hinge

摘要

A reversible latching hinge for the roof of a container such as a railway car which is adapted to be inverted to a discharging position. The latching hinge allows the roof to pivot away automatically from the opening of the container during inversion. The reversible latching hinge is designed so as to minimize or eliminate undesirable impact loading that may arise from lateral displacement of the roof during inversion. The construction includes flanges extending laterally outward from the roof and terminating in ears which extend toward latch bars mounted to the container. Contact between the ears and the latch bars forms a pivot point for the roof. The construction also includes freely pivoting hooks which, on the upper side of the roof engage the latch bars to prevent the roof from falling off of the container. The hooks on the lower side disengage from the latch bars by gravity to permit the roof to swing outwardly during inversion.