초록 ▼

A two-piece anchor assembly has a retainer and an interlocking link. The link is a unitary component that is formed by a single forging step. The link is secured to the floor of a railway flatcar by the retainer. A steel band is connected at one end to a load bearing surface of the link of a first

A two-piece anchor assembly has a retainer and an interlocking link. The link is a unitary component that is formed by a single forging step. The link is secured to the floor of a railway flatcar by the retainer. A steel band is connected at one end to a load bearing surface of the link of a first anchor assembly and at another end to a load bearing surface of the link of a second anchor assembly. A tensile force is then applied to the steel banding and crimped with a clip in order to secure cargo. The load bearing surface has an enhanced banding radius, which reduces the risk of band breakage when the steel band is subjected to a high tensile force by preventing "creasing" at contact locations.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A lading tie anchor link for a railway flatcar comprising: a retainer-engaging portion having a nominal cross-sectional area for interlocking engagement with a retainer on a railway flatcar; a large load bearing surface configured for engaging a length of metal banding

The invention claimed is: 1. A lading tie anchor link for a railway flatcar comprising: a retainer-engaging portion having a nominal cross-sectional area for interlocking engagement with a retainer on a railway flatcar; a large load bearing surface configured for engaging a length of metal banding and defining a convex curved surface extending for less than 360°, wherein said large load bearing surface has a cross-sectional area substantially larger than said nominal cross-sectional area and wherein said large load bearing surface includes a varying lateral, convex curvature having a minimum radius of curvature at one location along said large load bearing surface and a maximum radius of curvature at another location along said large load bearing surface; and said large load bearing surface is unitarily formed with the retainer-engaging portion into the lading tie anchor link. 2. The lading tie anchor link of claim 1, wherein said large load bearing surface has a banding radius in a range of between approximately one-half inch and approximately one and one-half inch. 3. The lading tie anchor link of claim 2, wherein said large load bearing surface has a banding radius that is approximately one inch. 4. The lading tie anchor link of claim 1, wherein the large load bearing surface has opposite lateral sides and each lateral side includes a guide flange. 5. A lading tie anchor link for a railway flatcar comprising: a retainer-engaging portion having a nominal cross-sectional area for interlocking engagement with a retainer on a railway flatcar; a large load bearing surface configured for engaging a length of metal banding wherein said large load bearing surface has a cross-sectional area substantially larger than said nominal cross-sectional area and includes a varying lateral, convex curvature having a minimum radius of curvature at one location along said large load bearing surface and a maximum radius of curvature at another location along said large load bearing surface, wherein the minimum radius of curvature is between approximately five and one-half inches and approximately fifteen inches, and wherein the maximum radius of curvature generally equates to a straight line; and said large load bearing surface is unitarily formed with the retainer-engaging portion into the lading tie anchor link. 6. The lading tie anchor link of claim 5, wherein said large load bearing surface has a banding radius in a range of between approximately one-half inch and approximately one and one-half inch. 7. The lading tie anchor link of claim 6, wherein said large load bearing surface has a banding radius that is approximately one inch. 8. The lading tie anchor link of claim 5, wherein the large load bearing surface has opposite lateral sides and each lateral side includes a guide flange. 9. A lading tie anchor link for a railway flatcar comprising: a retainer-engaging portion having a nominal cross-sectional area for interlocking engagement with a retainer on a railway flatcar; a large load bearing surface configured for engaging a length of metal banding and defining a convex curved surface extending for greater than 180° and for not more than about 250°, wherein said large load bearing surface has a cross-sectional area substantially larger than said nominal cross-sectional area; and said large load bearing surface is unitarily formed with the retainer-engaging portion into the lading tie anchor link. 10. The lading tie anchor link of claim 9, wherein said large load bearing surface includes a lateral, convex curvature having a constant radius of curvature along said large load bearing surface. 11. The lading tie anchor link of claim 10, wherein said lateral, convex curvature has a radius of curvature in a range of between approximately five and one-half inches and approximately fifteen inches. 12. The lading tie anchor link of claim 10, wherein said lateral, convex curvature has a radius of curvature that is between approximately eight inches and approximately fourteen inches. 13. The lading tie anchor link of claim 9, wherein said large load bearing surface defines an arc having a symmetrical angle of approximately 200°. 14. The lading tie anchor link of claim 9, wherein said large load bearing surface has a banding radius in a range of between approximately one-half inch and approximately one and one-half inch. 15. The lading tie anchor link of claim 14, wherein said large load bearing surface has a banding radius that is approximately one inch. 16. The lading tie anchor link of claim 9, wherein the large load bearing surface has opposite lateral sides and each lateral side includes a guide flange.