US 12,377,890 B2
Safety barrier between coupled cars of a transportation vehicle
Eric J. Lahrs, Orchard Park, NY (US); and Shawn E. Sikes, Buffalo, NY (US)
Assigned to Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Buffalo, NY (US)
Filed by NIAGARA FRONTIER TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, Buffalo, NY (US)
Filed on Apr. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/716,835.
Prior Publication US 2023/0322278 A1, Oct. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. B61G 11/18 (2006.01)
CPC B61G 11/18 (2013.01) 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for providing a barrier between a first rail car and a second rail car connected to the first rail car by a coupling, the apparatus comprising:
a support assembly configured to be mounted on the first rail car, the support assembly including a holding member; and
a brush member having a spine and a plurality of bristles extending from the spine;
wherein the spine of the brush member is received by the holding member of the support assembly such that the plurality of bristles occupy space above the coupling when the support assembly is mounted on the first rail car;
wherein the support assembly further includes a threaded rod to which the holding member is coupled, a mounting plate having an opening through which the threaded rod extends through the mounting plate, and a positioning nut mated with the threaded rod and fixed relative to the holding member, wherein the support assembly is mountable on an anti-climber extension of the first rail car by setting the mounting plate on the anti-climber extension, extending the threaded rod through a hole in the anti-climber extension, and mating a clamping nut on the threaded rod, wherein the clamping nut is threadably adjustable relative to the positioning nut to clamp the mounting plate against the anti-climber extension.