Abstract: A twin wheel rim assembly is disclosed for use with an axle having a hub with an outwardly extending lip adjacent its inner end. The entire wheel assembly includes a pair of substantially identical wheels each having a rim with an outwardly flared portion as well as a tubular and cylindrical spacer. The wheels and the spacer are coaxially positioned over the hub so that the outwardly flared circumferential portion of one wheel abuts against the outwardly extending lip of the hub and so that the spacer is sandwiched in between the wheel rims. The wheel spacer is unable to slip because it has affixed to it evenly spaced ribs between each pair of wheel spokes. Both ends of each rib abut between each pair of wheel spokes. The ribs on the inside of the spacer is the primary element which prevents wheel slippage. This element in conjunction with the serrated edges will prevent wheel slippage.

Abstract: A sectioned, roller type extensible and retractable enclosure for open bed vehicles employs a spring mechanism through which the slats of the cover are maintained in tension (in the direction of the length of the cover and away from the roll) during rotation of the stowage roller. As a result of this tension, the slats of the cover are effectively prevented from drooping as they are unwound from the roll and enter the guide channels, so that the unwanted bunching of the slats does not occur.

Abstract: A railroad train comprising a plurality of highway trailers hitched front end to rear end with the end of each trailer supported on an adapter releasably connected to the trailer and with the adapter permanently mounted on the bolster of a four-wheel double-axle railroad truck, desirably a swing motion truck, with the adapter also supported by side bearings mounted on the bolster and with the adapter desirably having a secondary spring suspension.

Abstract: The specification discloses an improved railway car truck providing increased dampening for high volume rail cars by the use of bolster pocket wear plates in combination with five different types of springs in the spring baskets of the railway car trucks. The five different types of springs include either a single outer coil, or inner and outer coaxial coils, with the outer coils being of different lengths to provide multiple effective spring rates action which place the critical frequency of the car trucks at two different speeds, rather than a single speed, and makes the amplitude of resonance occurring at the critical frequency much smaller than would otherwise occur, to prevent the car truck from resonating in such a way as to rock the rail car excessively. These types of spring arrangements also prevent excessive vertical bouncing of railway cars.

Abstract: A portable, sectioned, rotatable platform member has four distinct portions, a central portion, a substantially flat table portion, a curved apron portion, and an edge wall portion. The platform member is supported by vertical rotatable bearing surfaces which are positioned under the substantially flat table portion of the platform member. Additionally, horizontal, rotatable, guide surfaces are located under the platform member to position the platform member and allow for its free rotatability.

Abstract: A railway car is convertible from a grain carrying car to a vehicle transport car and vice-versa. The car has closed sides, a roof and a floor and end doors movable from a closed position when in the grain carrying mode and to an open position for vehicle transport mode. Loading hatches in the roof and dumping hoppers in the base allow for use in carrying grain and other comminuted material and longitudinally extending spaced and parallel vehicle grids are provided on one, two or three levels thereby permitting vehicles to be carried in a conventional manner when in the vehicle transport mode. The grids and supporting structure permit and facilitate the loading and unloading of grain or the like when in the grain carrying mode and the railway car is easily converted manually from one mode to the other.

Abstract: A device for increasing the factor of adhesion between the wheel of a railway vehicle and a rail, in which adhesion increasing grains are ejected together with air to a point between the wheel and the rail. The vertical aim of the ejection nozzle is automatically controlled depending on the deflection of an elastic member between the undercarriage and the wheel.

Abstract: A bolster for a railway truck is supported at opposite ends on side frames. The side frames are themselves supported at spaced longitudinal points on wheelsets that are steerable to attain a radial position relative to the curve of a track. The side frames are moveable relative to one another to accommodate the steering motion of the wheelsets and a linkage is provided between the bolster and each of the side frames to locate the bolster and distribute the lateral loads between the two side frames. The linkage comprises a pair of struts each mounted at one end to a respective side frame and connected at the other end to a common link. The link is pivotally connected to the underside of the bolster intermediate the two struts.

Abstract: A brace for securing cargo inside a containing device, such as the cargo bed of a truck, includes a first cylindrical pole with mounting brackets at opposite ends of the pole for engaging the sidewalls of the container. The cargo brace is selectively adjustable along its lengthwise axis to decrease or increase its length. Furthermore, the mounting brackets are pivotally connected to the pole to permit the brace to be installed at a selected orientation to the sidewalls. In another embodiment, the aforementioned brace includes a T-connector which is mounted arond the first pole and further includes a second pole which is engaged to the T-connector and which is perpendicular to the first pole. The second pole includes a mounting bracket which engages another sidewall or floor of the container. In another embodiment, a sleeve, having flanged ends which are perpendicular to the sleeve, and a handle, is mounted about the first pole to secure the cargo in the container.

Abstract: An electromechanical system for securing a wheelchair to the floor of a transportation vehicle. The system is operable by a wheelchair encumbent or vehicle driver through the use of a multiple position switch which controls a motor actuated tie down hook and a pair of adjustable chocks so that the wheelchair wheels are secured directly to the vehicle floor with the wheelchair remaining in a horizontal position.

Abstract: Plastic material is molded in the form of a sheave (20) about a wire steel brush (10), and interspersed between the bristles (14) thereof. A conductive path is provided to a cable (26) against which the sheave is urged via the bristles, which extend radially to the outer surface (22,24) of the sheave, and the hub (12) of the wire wheel brush.