Side stake connector for rail cars

摘要

Disclosed is a mounting connection for connecting side stakes of open top type rail cars such as gondolas and hoppers to the underframe of the rail car. The side stakes, which reinforce and support the side walls of the open top rail cars, are mounted to the underframe of the rail car by a tie strap rigidly connected to the underframe. The tie strap is pivotably mounted to the side stake by a transverse pin which allows the side stake to flex or pivot very slightly with respect to the underframe when forces are applied to the upper end of the side stake such as during loading thereby eliminating secondary bending moments and fracture at the junction of the underframe and the side stake.