Abstract: A rail vehicle including means for converting energy released during braking of the vehicle to a stored potential energy which may be subsequently used to impart acceleration to the vehicle. Pressure accumulators are utilized where the accumulators include a gas which is compressed by braking forces and where the heat of the compressed gas is stored in latent heat storage elements contained within the accumulators. The track upon which the vehicle rides comprises a hermetically closed tubular chamber enclosing the vehicle and which is filled with water vapor to reduce drag on the vehicle.A method of propelling a rail vehicle including the steps of recovering the brake energy produced during braking to a stop, storing this energy and then using the energy to accelerate the vehicle from the stop.

Abstract: An elastic, fluid impervious annular shield having transversely extending folds for sealing the openings in a U-shaped well formed in a wheel rim from which spokes extend in a radial direction toward a hub used in mounting the wheel rim on an axle of a sports-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle or sports car.

Abstract: A railroad bed assembly for supporting thereon metallic railroad tracks is formed with a base structure which consists essentially of reinforced concrete made as prefabricated blocks with the base structure including a slab section adapted to be installed over a ground formation at the railroad bed site and with at least one upwardly extending projection running transversely to the direction of the tracks and having a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration taken in a plane extending parallel to the tracks. The projection and the slab are integrally formed of prestressed concrete material and the projection extends to form a cross tie for supporting thereupon the tracks.

Abstract: A toy vehicle track section for use with similar track sections to form an interconnected track for a toy vehicle includes a base formed of electrically non-conductive material having opposite ends with at least one of the ends having a plurality of generally wedge shaped projections extending longitudinally therefrom. The other of the track ends has a plurality of generally complementary wedge shaped recesses for receiving the projections of an adjacent track section. The recesses and projections have cooperating means formed thereon for resisting longitudinal engagement of the projections from the recesses of an adjacent track section and the base includes longitudinally extending conductive strips associated with opposed projections and recesses to provide a complete electrical circuit about the track in its assembled form.

Abstract: A composite railroad tie of structurally distinct components adhesively joined in layers to form a unit. At least one of the components being of high density phenolformaldehyde bonded particleboard manufactured in a platen press with heat. At least two elements disposed close to and parallel the broad surfaces are composed of lumber with grain direction oriented parallel the long axis. A remaining centermost element, affixed to the above two lumber elements, is relatively non-critical, being selected from lumber or particleboard of adequate shear and compressive strength on the basis of availability, cost, ease of treatment with preservative, etc.

Abstract: A tire having a reticulated or foraminous plastic reinforcing member within an elastomeric body. This tire can be made by reticulating polyester or nylon type plastic to give a foraminous member and then injecting a liquid elastomer or elastomer precursor into a mold to fill the interstices of the foraminous body.

Abstract: Rail bonds providing electrical connections between adjoining and parallel rail lengths, between rail and external circuits, between rail and frogs, switches and the like include a rail bond terminal comprising a stranded conductor, an inner sleeve having a flared portion and secured to an end of the conductor, and a tapered outer sleeve having open ends into which the inner sleeve and conductor can be inserted. One end of the outer sleeve forms a head portion having an opening sufficient to receive the conductor to permit the conductor to be removed from the area of the end of the terminal to which a hammer is applied for driving the terminal into a rail or the like.

Abstract: A high-speed transportation system employing a pivotally supported guide rail structure made of sections connected by expansion joints, with a self-propelled airplane automatically steered to fly along the guide rail with minimum force therebetween by a control system that is inclusive of displacement sensors associated with air bearings coupling the aircraft to the guide rail. A wheeled construction having wheels that can be driven, braked or free wheeling is provided that is automatically lowered or maintained in a lowered position contacting the guide rail whenever the aircraft lacks flying speed or the wheels are either driven or braked. The air bearings urge centering of the rail both vertically and laterally with respect thereto. Flight stability of the aircraft is enhanced by the provision of a ground effect bed, and gust spoilers, with the latter additionally functioning as a noise abatement device.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning battery-operated road vehicles at relay stations where exhausted batteries are replaced with recharged batteries and wherein automatic or semiautomatic equipment is used for removal and/or introduction of batteries has a horizontal platform for the rear wheels and two sockets for the front wheels of a vehicle. The sockets are provided in a slide which is movable to and fro in parallelism with the front axle of the vehicle and is mounted in a carriage which is movable back and forth along the ground in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The carriage and the slide are movable by discrete motors to respectively move the vehicle lengthwise and about a vertical axis to an optimum position relative to a dolly or lift for delivery of recharged batteries or removal of exhausted batteries.

Abstract: A railway passenger car includes a bedroom compartment having a commode enclosure comprising a pair of enclosure sections which during non-use are moved together into a confined and compact manner providing greater compartment space and during use can be moved apart to provide an enlarged commode area.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire of the type comprising a carcass reinforced by radially extending cords, surmounted in the crown region by a substantially inextensible belt, reduces rim stress by virtue of having bias angle cord reinforcements in the lower sidewalls and the terminal portions of all radially extending carcass cords turned axially outwardly. Further reduction of rim stress by the tire is effected by employing a belt construction that resists bending.

Abstract: An aerial conveyor system comprises a pair of spaced apart cables extending from a first vehicle including material delivery apparatus across a material receiving zone, across an open area, and across a material discharge zone to a second vehicle. The cables support a plurality of conveyor support frames each comprising a pair of tubular members extending substantially parallel to the cables, a plurality of hook rollers for supporting the tubular members on the cables, and a plurality of transversely disposed conveyor support rollers. An endless conveyor belt is mounted for movement around a course defined by the conveyor support rollers of the conveyor support frames and functions to transport material received from the delivery apparatus of the first vehicle in the receiving zone across the open area to the discharge zone.

Abstract: A buffer store for filled and empty cigarette containers is provided between a cigarette making machine and a cigarette packing machine so that either of the machines may be kept running if the other stops. In one example the buffer store consists of separate cigarette loading and unloading stations between which the cigarette containers are carried in trolleys. In a further example, the loading and unloading stations are combined into a single unit which is adapted to either load or unload containers, depending on the operating conditions of the machines, the containers again being carried in trolleys.

Abstract: A rope tow for use on a ski slope. Rollers are rotatably mounted one above the other on a fixed frame; the bearing surfaces are in frictional engagement. One of the bearing surfaces has a plurality of ridges. A knotted endless rope is passed through the engaged surfaces. The ridges clamp the rope as it passes therethrough to prevent slippage.

Abstract: A bead ring for a pneumatic tire comprising strands of glass filaments and at least one metallic wire in an elastomeric matrix.

Abstract: A long concrete unit, prestressed by tendons tensioned before concreting, at least one section of which, near the end of the said unit, is submitted to maximum loads, characterized by the fact that at least one improved-bond prestressing tendon is surrounded by spirals located on either side of the zone of maximum tensile stress.

Abstract: In a track tamping machine, opposed pivotally mounted tamping arms are oscillated by respective single acting hydraulic cylinders controlled by one or more hydraulic duplex rotary distributing valves. Fluid supply and return lines for each piston assembly are connected to a source of pressurized hydraulic fluid by way of a respective rotary valve. Each valve has a stationary ported shell which receives a rotary cylindrical spool having a pair of axially displaced supply and return throughports which alternately register with supply and return line ports in the shell to open and close the connections between the oscillating cylinder and the supply and return lines. Such oscillating cylinders are useful in controlling the vibration of the tamper arms in a track tamper unit.

Abstract: An automated refuse container discharge station is disclosed in which a refuse container is emptied such that its volume decreases as an essentially constant function of time. The unloading station includes a support assembly on which a carriage assembly is adapted for longitudinally sliding motion. The carriage assembly includes container opening apparatus at one end and container discharging apparatus at the other end. The carriage assembly also includes apparatus for unlatching a container tailgate portion and releasably securing the container to the carriage. A hydraulic cylinder advances the carriage assembly with respect to the support assembly and hydraulically damps movement of the carriage and container at the end of the advancing stroke. The carriage assembly includes an hydraulic discharge cylinder which may be intermittently advanced into the container. Part of the discharge cylinder is supported by guides carried by the carriage and aligned guides carried by the container.

Abstract: A monorail track switch and method is disclosed wherein the track switch senses the approach of a train and automatically aligns itself to accommodate passage of the train. Circuits are provided to selectively deenergize a movable track section when in nonaligned position and to re-energize the track section when properly aligned. Novel structure and method is also provided for lowering the movable track section onto rollers to facilitate movement and thereafter lifting the track section into horizontal alignment with the train path. Electronic lockout circuits prevent a train from overrunning the switch when the switch is in a nonaligned position.

Abstract: A plurality of modular units formed of ducts and horizontal load-supporting webs each form part of a ventilating floor structure with the ducts and webs being interconnected to adjacent modular units for forming a total floor. The ducts have upwardly diverging sidewalls for strength and a duct of one modular unit is provided with a bead that forms half of a joint to be slid within a downwardly opening recess forming the other half of the joint on an adjacent web. The recess is provided with a downwardly and laterally curving guide flange so that the bead can be rolled into the recess as the modular unit having the bead is rotated into position. The interconnected ducts and webs are underlayed with foam insulation which is carried up into each web for additional insulating thickness the joint is essentially waterproof from water passing into or through the ducts.