Abstract: An apparatus for releasably holding an electronic media device having a generally flat screen on which an image can be electronically displayed. In one form, such apparatus includes a base including hinged first segment and a second segments whereby allowing the base segments to be adjustably positioned and held in selected angular positions relative to each other so as to substantially reduce an operative length of the base and facilitate storage and transportation of the apparatus. The first segment of the apparatus includes structure for suspending the base from a support. The second segment of the apparatus includes structure for receiving, releasably holding and stabilizing the electronic media device with the generally flat screen of such device facing away from the front of the base.

Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member or spring seat and a movable second member or top cap carried by the first member. A spring resiliently urges the cap members toward railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on the housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap. At least the top cap is structured to establish a coefficient of friction ranging between about 0.4 and about 0.9 with the railcar during operation of the side bearing assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably holding an electronic media device having a generally flat screen on which an image can be electronically displayed. In one form, such apparatus includes a base including hinged first segment and a second segments whereby allowing the base segments to be adjustably positioned and held in selected angular positions relative to each other so as to substantially reduce an operative length of the base and facilitate storage and transportation of the apparatus. The first segment of the apparatus includes structure for suspending the base from a support. The second segment of the apparatus includes structure for receiving, releasably holding and stabilizing the electronic media device with the generally flat screen of such device facing away from the front of the base.

Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member or spring seat and a movable second member or top cap carried by the first member. A spring resiliently urges the cap members toward railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on the housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap. At least the top cap is structured to establish a coefficient of friction ranging between about 0.4 and about 0.9 with the railcar during operation of the side bearing assembly.

Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member and a movable second member carried by the first member. A portion of the second member extends beyond the housing and defines a friction surface for the cap. A spring resiliently urges the friction surface of the cap into frictional contact with railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on said housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap.

Abstract: A cold formed railcar spring including a spring pad formed from a perform of thermoplastic polyester elastomer having a durometer hardness ranging between about 40 and about 45 on the Shore D scale and sandwiched between a pair of metal plates. Each metal plate has a generally centralized bore extending therethrough and includes a plurality of radially spaced mechanical fasteners formed as an integral part of each plate. Each fastener has first and second generally parallel surfaces and a barb extending from a side of the fastener such that, upon axial compression of the preform, the fastener is pressed axially inward of one end of the perform such that the barb on the fastener mechanically interlocks with the spring pad whereby securing the plate to the spring pad.

Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar including a housing with wall structure defining a central axis for the side bearing assembly and a multipiece cap. The cap is arranged in operable combination with the housing and includes a movable first member and a movable second member carried by the first member. A portion of the second member extends beyond the nousing and defines a friction surface for the cap. A spring resiliently urges the friction surface of the cap into frictional contact with railcar body structure. The cap members define cooperating angled surfaces therebetween for urging wall structure on the first member and wall structure on the second member into frictional engagement with the wall structure on said housing in response to a vertical load acting on the friction contacting surface on the cap.

Abstract: A cold formed railcar spring including a spring pad formed from a preform of thermoplastic polyester elastomer having a durometer hardness ranging between about 40 and about 45 on the D Shore scale and sandwiched between a pair of metal plates. Each metal plate has a generally centralized bore extending therethrough and includes a plurality of radially spaced mechanical fasteners formed as an integral part of each plate. Each fastener has first and second generally parallel surfaces and a barb along a length thereof such that, upon axial compression of the preform, the fastener is pressed axially inward of one end of the preform such that the barb on the fastener mechanically interlocks with the spring pad whereby securing the plate to the spring pad.

Abstract: An elastomeric spring including an elongated elastomeric body defining a longitudinal axis for the spring and having first and second longitudinal ends. An outer surface of the elastomeric body extends between the first and second ends and has four generally planar sides, with each planar side of the outer surface being disposed to one side of and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring so as to reduce radial bulging of the spring in all directions when an axial load is applied to the spring. The outer surface of the elastomeric body further includes four angled corner sections extending between the first and second ends of the elastomeric body and disposed a substantially common distance from the longitudinal axis of the spring. One corner section is disposed between any two adjoining sides on the outer surface of the elastomeric body.

Abstract: A constant contact side bearing assembly configured for insertion into a walled receptacle provided on an upper surface of a railcar bolster. The side bearing assembly includes a housing assembly including a base and cap receivable within the open top walled receptacle on the bolster. The base has laterally spaced sides and longitudinally spaced ends. The cap is guided for movements relative to the base and has a generally flat railcar body engaging portion along with structure which combines with the sides and ends on the base to define an internal void for the side bearing assembly. A longitudinally elongated and generally rectangularly-shaped elastomeric compression spring is arranged in the internal void within the side bearing assembly for absorbing, dissipating, and returning energy imparted to the side bearing assembly during a work cycle.

Abstract: An elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.

Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.

Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.

Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.

Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for consistently machining a side bearing component for railroad cars such that the components produced all have similar performance characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for making an elastomeric spring assembly comprised of first and second plates joined to opposite sides of an annular elastomeric spring member. The preferred method of the present invention includes the steps of arranging the first and second plates in spaced and aligned relation relative to each other; laying a preformed annular elastomeric spring member between the spaced plates; positioning the spring member at a predetermined location relative to the plates as with a powered apparatus movable intermediate the plates between a first position whereat the apparatus engages and positions the spring member relative to the plates and a second position whereat the apparatus is removed from between the plates; and, compressing the spring member between the plates with a force sufficient to establish a cold-formed interlock between the plates and the spring member.

Abstract: This invention relates to a rock anchor which includes an elongated element which is composed of a plurality of elongated tension members which are arranged around the long axis of the elongated element in a circumferential spaced relationship to provide a passage through the elongated element, slots between the tension members which extend over the length of the elongated element, an anchor at one end of the elongated element, for holding the element in a hole and a tensioning arrangement at the other end of the element for use in tensioning the elongated element in the hole. The anchor is preferably a wedge anchor and the invention extends to a method of anchoring the rock anchor in a hole by means of a rod which is passed up into the elongated element from the mouth of the hole to tension the elongated element and activate the wedge anchor to lock the anchor against the side of the hole to hold the elongated element in the hole under tension.

Abstract: A railroad car energy absorption apparatus is disclosed. The railroad car energy absorption apparatus includes a spring assembly having an elastomer spring element arranged in operable combination with structure for inhibiting localized heat deterioration of the elastomer spring element.