Railway hopper gate locking assembly

摘要

In accordance with the present invention a locking member is integrally connected to a transversely extending operating shaft. A handle is preferably provided on at least one end of the operating shaft. A locking lug and a tripping element are integrally connected to a movable gravity gate. In closed position the locking member has a hook portion which engages the locking lug. The locking member is movable to a generally vertical position by rotation of the operating shaft. As the gate is moved toward open position the tripping element engages the locking member and pivots the locking member to a generally horizontal position. As the gate is further opened, gravity urges the locking member into a further rotation position in which a depending safety tip on the locking member is below a fixed stop located adjacent the outlet wall with the locking member generally horizontal and not resting on the gate. The length of the safety tip is such that it cannot rotate to the generally vertical open position because it is prevented from doing so by the gate. The safety tip is essentially trapped between the gate and the stop. As the gate is closed the locking lug rotates the hook portion of the locking member until the locking member drops into locked position engaging the locking lug.