System and Method for Increasing Vertical Clearance in Autoracks

Abstract

A system for increasing vertical clearance in an autorack includes an autorack comprising a plurality of decks. A first deck of the plurality of decks is positioned beneath a second deck of the plurality of decks. The second deck includes a clearance region proximate a center line of the second deck. A first portion of an underside surface of the second deck at the clearance region is higher than a second portion of the underside surface of the second deck not at the clearance region.

1 . A system comprising:
 an autorack comprising a plurality of decks;   a first deck of the plurality of decks positioned beneath a second deck of the plurality of decks;   the second deck comprising a clearance region proximate a center line of the second deck;   wherein a first portion of an underside surface of the second deck at the clearance region is higher than a second portion of the underside surface of the second deck not at the clearance region.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance region comprises a rectangular opening proximate the center line of the second deck. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the clearance region further comprises at least one reinforcing member, the at least one reinforcing member coupled to the second deck near an edge of the rectangular opening. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the top of the at least one reinforcing member is higher than at least a portion of a topside surface of the second deck. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second deck further comprises at least one reinforcing member coupled to at least a portion of the clearance region, the at least one reinforcing member configured to reinforce the clearance region. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover configured to be coupled to the second deck and disposed over at least a portion of the clearance region. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the cover comprises steel, mesh, rubber, or elastomer. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the clearance region comprises a slot proximate the center line of the second deck. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of a topside surface of the second deck at the clearance region is higher than a second portion of the topside surface of the second deck not at the clearance region. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second deck is a hinge deck. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising:
 forming a clearance region proximate a center line of a first deck of an autorack, the first deck positioned above a second deck of the autorack;   wherein a first portion of an underside surface of the first deck at the clearance region is higher than a second portion of the underside surface of the first deck not at the clearance region.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein forming the clearance region proximate the center line of the first deck comprises creating an opening in the first deck proximate the center line of the first deck. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the opening is a rectangular opening. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling at least one reinforcing member to the second deck near an edge of the rectangular opening. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the top of the reinforcing member is higher than at least a portion of a topside surface of the first deck. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling at least one reinforcing member to at least a portion of the clearance region, the at least one reinforcing member configured to reinforce the clearance region. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising coupling a cover to a topside surface of the first deck such that the cover is disposed over at least a portion of the clearance region. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein coupling the cover to the topside surface of the first deck comprises welding the cover to the topside surface of the first deck. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein forming the clearance region proximate the center line of the first deck comprises cutting a slot in the first deck proximate the center line of the first deck. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first deck is a pre-existing deck.