[Three Yard Automatic Dump Car]
Fig. 1. Car Just Before Engaging Trip Block
The illustrations shown herewith are taken from actual operations on the Lake Washington canal. They show the car just prior to coming in contact with the release block, which is located between the rails. This block trips a lever and upsets the car by means of guide bars that automatically tilt it to the side and raise the corresponding side shutter allowing the load to discharge quickly and freely as shown in Figure 2.
Fig. 2. Car Just After Engaging Trip Block
The car is restored to the upright position by means of a similar block located outside the rail which comes in contact with the guide just at the desired point and throws the car back into place where it is securely locked until ready to be dumped again.
The simplicity and efficiency of this device are self evident. It is operated entirely by gravity. It unloads and recovers without any labor or supervision. It is positive in its operation and its simplicity obviates its getting out of order.