Abstract: There is provided an improvement for a railroad freight car for transporting containers. The car is of the type having spaced apart side structures, opposed end structures and a floor structure, all of which together define a well for receiving a plurality of containers. The well has a longitudinal direction substantially aligned with the direction of travel of the car and a transverse direction substantially normal thereto. The floor structure of the car has a container support within the well which provides a container support surface. The improvement comprises a container stop provided with the container support, the container stop having an extended position and a retracted position. The container stop is biased to the extended position by a biasing component. The extended position is defined by the container stop extending upwardly from the container support surface to present two stop surfaces within the well.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 1997
Date of Patent:
December 21, 1999
Assignee:
National Steel Car Ltd.
Inventors:
Ilario A. Coslovi, Tomasz Bis, James Wilfred Forbes
Abstract: The present invention is directed to a continuously variable transmission for varying the speed ratio of an output shaft relative to an input shaft driven by a vehicle engine or other input power source. In an embodiment of the invention, the power transmission system includes a driven input member coupled in driving engagement with at least one rotor to transfer torque to the rotor. A disk member is positioned in cooperative relationship with a rotatable shaft and in a driving engagement with the rotor, such that the disk member is driven to transfer torque to the rotatable shaft. An output member is driven by the rotatable shaft, and torque is transferred from the shaft to the output member, with the disk member being selectively axially moveable relative to the rotor and to the rotatable shaft in response to output load torque on the output member so as to vary the torque transferred from the rotor.
Abstract: A sound deflector comprising of a curved deflecting surface, with the deflector being connected to the back of a boat. The sound deflector deflects the sounds emitting from the outboard of a boat away from the passengers in the cockpit. The deflector is composed of sound deflecting material and encompasses the engine over the waterline.
Abstract: An electromagnetically controlled bi-directional one-way clutch apparatus which permits relative overrun or differentiation between a front torque transmitting shaft and a rear torque transmitting shaft up to a predetermined level and, if the amount of relative overrun or differentiation between the front torque transmitting shaft and the rear torque transmitting shaft exceeds this predetermined level, locks the front torque transmitting shaft and the rear torque transmitting shaft together such that the front torque transmitting shaft and the rear torque transmitting shaft rotate at substantially the same rotational speed.
Abstract: A dual disconnect differential assembly for four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is disclosed. This disconnect differential assembly connects both output shafts of a differential assembly (and correspondingly both axle shafts which are driven by the respective output shafts) simultaneously. The dual differential assembly herein also disconnects both output shafts simultaneously. A clutch mechanism associated with the two differential side gears (which may be otherwise conventional) and with annular driven gears which are in driving engagement with respective output shafts, is provided for simultaneous connection and simultaneous disconnection of the output shafts. The dual disconnect differential assembly herein is simple, compact, and reliable. It overcomes the disadvantages associated with single axle disconnect mechanisms presently in use. It also provides a simpler, more compact, and more reliable dual disconnect differential mechanism than any such mechanism presently known.
Abstract: A four-wheel drive transfer case including a force sensor and associated electronics for sensing the reaction forces on driven members within the transfer case, such as in association with an output shaft and its bearings. The force sensor and associated control system establish an output signal which varies depending upon the magnitude of the reaction force and yields an indication of the torque distribution between the output shafts of the transfer case. The output voltage signal is used by a torque monitoring and control system to vary and/or limit the magnitude of torque transmitted to the output shaft.
Abstract: A wheel mount for a wheel comprises a spindle, a hub for surrounding the spindle and a bearing assembly interposed between the spindle and the hub. The spindle extends from an end of an axle of a vehicle and has a generally decreasing diameter from its proximal end to its distal end. The spindle is provided with a pair of lands near the ends of the spindle for receiving bearings, and has bearing retainers near the respective ends also, the distal retainer being removably attached. These inboard and outboard bearing retainers define an axial bearing space. The hub has a central aperture with an inboard land and an outboard land provided on an internal surface of the central aperture, also for receiving bearings. The bearing assembly comprises an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing in spaced apart relationship within the axial bearing space. The inboard bearing has an internal diameter larger than the internal diameter of the outboard bearing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 17, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 30, 1999
Assignee:
Dana Corporation
Inventors:
James H Sheets, Paul R. Pollock, David G. Moses
Abstract: Apparatus and method for setting welding run-off tabs in a coil end joiner which includes a support table having a U-channel therein, the U-channel having an opening through a base portion thereof, a left hold down clamp and a right hold down clamp positioned to either side of the U-channel over the support table, a first angled member having an actuator which provides horizontal movement of the first angled member, the first angled member extending upwardly through the opening in the base portion of the U-channel and contacting a corresponding second angled member such that horizontal movement of the first angled member results in vertical movement of the top surface of the second angled member which is parallel to the top surface of the support table. A rear welding run-off tab holder member having a U-channel therein is positioned over the second angled member and includes a rear welding run-off tab clamp which is positioned at a rear end thereof.
Abstract: A wallboard fastening member and methods of using the same which is adapted to be positioned as a wall stud or joist between existing studs or joists present in a walls and ceilings of residential, commercial and industrial structures. The wallboard fastening member in accordance with the present invention is intended to be used where opposing ends of a piece of wallboard, such as gypsum drywall wallboard, are not aligned with an existing stud or joist to avoid the necessity of fitting up or cutting the wallboard and thus creating undesirable scrap. The preferred embodiment of a wallboard fastening member is a generally elongated member and preferably includes a stepped configuration on one side to permit the wallboard fastening member to fasten adjacent pieces of wallboard having different sizes by using the side having a stepped configuration or to fasten adjacent pieces of wallboard of the same size by using the flat side.
Abstract: The earthquake resistant equipment rack of the present invention includes a base having integrally formed upstanding walls on each end to provide structural rigidity to the connection of the base and a plurality of vertical upright members. The upstanding walls increase the rigidity of the base in conjunction with the vertical members, and also work in conjunction with gussets to further increase the rigidity and stiffness at the base. The gussets are comprised of a vertical wall which is notched on one end to be coupled to a front wall or channel in the base. The gussets also include a top wall and back wall which are directly coupled to the vertical upright members positioned in association with the base. A channel top is coupled between the uppermost portions of the vertical upright members providing the rack with a rectangular frame structure.
Abstract: A continuous web cleaner having two elongated manifolds, each having an elongated row of brushes attached to either side of the manifold with both manifolds being physically oriented such that they face each other. The manifolds are offset from one another so that a continuous paper web can pass in between and through the two elongated manifolds. Each manifold is coupled to an exhauster outside or inside the room which creates a vacuum to remove paper dust, chad and other contaminants from the paper web itself and any contaminants collected by the elongated rows of brushes. Static electrical charges are removed from both sides of the continuous paper web by elongated static eliminator bars mounted at the input and output of the apparatus, both below and above the paper web.
Abstract: A roofing membrane has a quantity of water-retaining particles fixed in the upper surface of the membrane. A fleece web affixed to the membrane surface in a quilt-like manner may provide zones of selectable size for holding the particles in place. By varying the amount of the absorber particles, the water-retaining capacity of the roofing membrane may be varied to the particular intended use, such as on a flat roof or a sloped roof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 25, 1997
Date of Patent:
November 9, 1999
Assignee:
FAMOS GmbH
Inventors:
Bertram W. Haupt, Siegfried Heinz, Wolfgang Rudolf
Abstract: A case-driven differential for a vehicle has a pair of inserts, one of which is used in each of a pair of opposing bores in the differential case. These bores in which the inserts are used receive the ends of the pinion shaft. The inserts are plug-like elements which are press fitted into the bores. The inserts are preferably formed from powdered metal in a net forming technique. Such an insert will be harder and more wear-resistant than the metal used in the differential case and will possess additional porosity for providing and retaining lubricant in critical wear areas. The end of the insert which projects into the interior of the case may be used to provide a flat thrust surface against which one of the pinion mates on the pinion shaft may bear.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi piece trunnion. More specifically, this invention relates to a multi piece trunnion for use in scissor-type jacks. The multi piece trunnion allows the use of a trunnion segment with an enlarged center section without a corresponding increase in the size of the channel members of the jack. The enlarged trunnion segment increases the load capacity if the scissor jack without a significant size or weight increase.