US Patent 7249562 Center beam car with deep upper beam structure

A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented web work structure for carrying vertical shear loads. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon in which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a deep upper beam structure that has downwardly extending planar surfaces. The surfaces provide a bearing area against which bundled loads can be secured. The surfaces are inwardly reinforced to discourage deflection between adjacent upright members of the vertical web work.