Abstract: A load handling trolley for use on a channeled track is provided that includes an elongate load engager and bogies. The load engager is raisable and lowerable relative to the bogies via a ramp and rollers when the bogies are caused to move longitudinally relative to the load engager. Relative movement is controlled by a lever operated crank which is pivotally mounted with respect to the elongated load engager and which operates links pivotally connected between the crank and the bogey chassis. An abutment is operable between the links and the bogey chassis to limit the angular movement between the links and the bogey chassis. This permits the raising of the load engager when an end thereof partially projects beyond the end of the channeled track. Additional angular movement of the lever operated crank beyond that required to attain the limit position is allowed for by relieving an end plate of the trolley.

Abstract: A scheduling system and method for moving plural objects through a multipath system described as a freight railway scheduling system. The achievable movement plan can be used to assist in the control of, or to automatically control, the movement of trains through the system.

Abstract: A concrete-embedded, machinery-anchoring floor system includes parallel, accurately-extruded steel rails each having a unique cross-sectional configuration. Vertical loading of the rails improves the load-bearing strength of the concrete, whether the loading is in tension or compression. Each rail includes a pair of spaced angularly-extending, outwardly and downwardly-projecting flanges. When a downward compressive load is applied through the rails from above, the load also applies downward and inward force vectors generally perpendicular to the angular flanges, compressing concrete therebetween. If tension is applied to a rail from a cantilevered load, the angular flanges are fulcrumed toward each other about their connecting joints with the rail, also compressing and strengthening concrete therebetween. The angular flanges are rounded at their distal edges to enable supporting and interconnecting reinforcing bars to be easily welded to the rounded edges, irrespective of the angle of the bars to the edges.

Abstract: A cart and a method of using the cart for tying steel rods, which cart includes a substantially rectangular frame supporting front and rear rollers. The rollers are in the form of cylinders having a substantial width which is much greater than the largest anticipated spacing between parallel reinforcement rods. The use of the cylinders as rollers allows the cart to travel upon the uppermost layer or set of reinforcing rods without becoming entangled in the lattice of reinforcing rods. A cushioned seat may be located on the frame adjacent an open area extending through the frame. The worker may support herself or himself upon this cushioned portion while the open area provides access to the lattice for tying the rods together. Vertical bars may support an alternate cushion at a position spaced upwardly from the reinforcing rods. The user may then rest his or her stomach or chest upon this upper cushion and lie in a faced down configuration with the reinforcing rods at arms length.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for moving an object, such as an entertainment module, between a storage location within a housing location (such as the armrest of a seat) and a user location outside of the housing. The device employs a track with a central slot. A truck assembly is slideably attached to the track. The truck assembly has a load-bearing plate on one side of the track and a backing plate on the reverse side of the track. The load-bearing plate and the backing plate are held to one another by a pair of pins. Around each pin, disposed within the slot, is a bushing, preferably made of polyetheretherketone. It is also preferable that washers be disposed between the track plates and the track to assure smooth movement of the truck along the track. The device is ideally suited for moving an entertainment module, such as a video monitor, in and out of an armrest between two airline seats.

Abstract: To achieve low wear and hence a greater shape durability of track parts, it is proposed that the contact surface of a track part have a curvature having a constant difference .DELTA.K in relation to the curvature of the corresponding current contact surface of the wheel supported on it, or that successive contact surfaces of the track part and the wheel have a continually changing curvature difference .DELTA.K with the curvature difference between the contact surfaces of the track part and wheel lessening as the angle of contact tangent increases.

Abstract: A rail puller for attachment to the end of a rail comprising a top plate having side plates extending downwardly therefrom in a spaced-apart relationship. The bottom surface of the top plate is provided with a centrally disposed guide slot formed therein adapted to receive the tapered end of a wedge. An elongated rod is secured to the inside surface of each of the side plates near the lower end thereof. The puller is installed on a rail by slipping the same over the end of the rail. A wedge is then inserted into the guide slot of the top plate and is driven thereinto to force the elongated rods upwardly into frictional engagement with the underside of the head of the rail. A lifting bracket is provided on the top surface of the top plate and chain hooks are mounted on the exterior surfaces of the side plates to facilitate the connection of the puller to either a hoisting device, a Hy-Railer or the like.

Abstract: An automatic rail securing device (10) mounted on a railroad car (12) upon which a device (20) for manipulating the track is mounted, as well as work positions to permit the placement of insulators (40) on the railroad ties (34) as well as clips (5). A clip securing apparatus (66) is slidably mounted to car 12 by means of wheels (15, 17) and struts (23, 25). The apparatus (66) includes two satellite stations (70, 72) which include a pair of compression members (74, 76) which automatically engage the clip (5) and secure it in a final position adjacent to the rail (32).

Abstract: An emergency life saving vehicle (ELSV) for providing emergency services on a bridge independently of traffic conditions thereon. In particular, the ELSV conforms to the particular configuration of a bridge so as to ride along an otherwise unused portion of the bridge, and thereby circumvent any traffic which may have accumulated on the bridge. There are at least three different embodiments of the ELSV, each embodiment corresponding to a particular bridge structure. A first embodiment has a raised center portion so that the ELSV is able to straddle a lane dividing wall on a single span bridge; a second embodiment is adapted to straddle a space between two adjacent and parallel spans of a two span bridge by simultaneously riding on the interior walkways of each span; and a third embodiment rides along the interior walkways and retaining walls of a two span bridge.

Abstract: Apparatus for the adjustment of the accommodation volume of a workpiece carrier supported on a line. A bottom plate is disposed in the side walls of the workpiece carrier and is loosely displaceable at different heights within the workpiece carrier to provide a different volume for the carrier, there being provided a positioner for picking-up and moving a plate to different level within a workpiece carrier.

Abstract: A radio control device for a track travelling toy includes a speed change lever which is mechanically coupled to a speed indicator so that as the selected speed changes, the speed indicator changes accordingly. The device further includes a horn activating button, and a directional control lever. The directional control lever is likewise mechanically coupled to a directional indicator.

Abstract: A floor conveyor junction seal gap closure includes a closure member pivotally mounted on and resiliently connected to a bracket extending upward from a conveyor switch mechanism. The floor conveyor includes a main line and a diverging branch line, both adapted to carry load trolleys connected by posts to load carriers positioned above the floor level. Floor slots are provided to clear the connection posts, and the slots are closed by split resilient seals. The seals are opened by the connection posts moving through them and resiliently close behind the posts. A seal gap is formed at the area of divergence of the branch slot from the main slot. The closure plate is positioned below the seal gap to normally close the seal gap. The resilient mounting of the closure plate allows it to be deflected to allow a connection post to pass through the seal gap and afterward returns the closure plate to its neutral position to close the seal gap.

Abstract: A sleighroad is disclosed including a wheelless transportation system with a locomotive including motorized horsehoofing thrusters for propelling a plurality of carriages equipped with ball thrust bearings for running on steel rails instead of using conventional carriage wheels and wherein the carriages include side-mounted roller thrust bearings operatively connected to side guard railings to keep the carriages on track.

Abstract: A rail spike cleaning apparatus includes a tumbler and an arrangement whereby the tumbler is automatically loaded and unloaded. The tumbler is a continuous tumbler in that it is operable to receive spikes continuously while it is tumbling and operable to automatically discharge cleaned spikes while it is tumbling. The tumbler is connected to a motor which causes the tumbler to rotate about a rotation axis, which is preferably horizontal. The tumbler is cylindrical and the axis of rotation is the center axis of the cylinder. The tumbler includes a cleaning chamber separated from a discharge chamber by a wall. When spikes reach sufficient height in the cleaning chamber, they may overflow the wall and go into the discharge chamber. Spikes which land in the discharge chamber are caught by vanes which carry them up to drop upon a conveyor belt whereupon they are carried out of the tumbler.

Abstract: A railroad tie service vehicle includes a chassis system, a drive system and an application system. The chassis system includes front and back ends, opposite sides and a deck. The drive system includes an engine mounted on the chassis deck, front and back pairs of wheels and a pair of drive track assemblies mounted on the chassis front and back ends. The application system includes an actuating subassembly for selectively engaging railroad ties and a sprayer subassembly for spraying preservative on railroad ties in response to engagement by the actuating subassembly. A method of servicing railroad ties includes the steps of removing a rail from one side of a railroad track, exposing connection areas where the rail attaches to the railroad ties, driving a vehicle with preservative along the railroad track and applying preservative to the connection areas in response to engagement of the railroad tracks by an actuating subassembly.

Abstract: Rail anchors used to secure rails to ties are spread by pushing on the tie plates immediately adjacent to the anchors. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are disposed upon a common rod and are used to push a tie plate in opposite directions, thereby spreading each of two anchors associated with one side of a particular tie.

Abstract: An anchor spreader having a frame which mounts a head assembly for vertical movement between a raised travel position and a lowered operative position and with the head assembly having spreader members which can be positioned immediately above a tie and inwardly of portions of rail-mounted anchors extending above the tie. The spreader members can be moved apart to shift the rail-mounted anchors along the rail away from the tie to achieve the anchor spreading. Positive clamp structure securely holds the head assembly in position longitudinally of the rail whereby the head assembly can remain in fixed position regardless of the reaction to forces exerted in spreading one or more rail mounted anchors.

Abstract: An attachment for railroad track maintenance equipment utilizes a parallelogram linkage to position a vibrating skid on the surface of the interstitial ballast intermediate railroad crossties to loosen such ballast for subsequent removal by an undercutter device which is a part of the track maintenance equipment.

Abstract: A transportation system and method of operation are disclosed wherein a network of nodes, such as railway stations, are defined between which relays, such as freight trains, are operated at a selected cue frequency to thereby provide regular and predetermined service to each node within the system. The system also includes a procedure for interchanging blocks, such as freight cars, which comprise the relays upon arrival at and for departure at the respective nodes. Scheduling of operating crews for return to their respective node of origin during a normal shift period is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transportation system of a floated-carrier type according to the present invention has a guide rail cover extending in a longitudinal direction. The guide rail cover comprises a guide rail. A carrier is made to float, in a non-contact manner, from the guide rail, by means of floating device and is propelled along the guide rail by a transfer device. An electrical device and a battery for supplying a current thereto are mounted on the carrier. In this transportation system, a charging device is provided for charging the battery. The charging device comprises a first terminal connected to the battery, a charging power source located on the guide rail cover, and a second terminal, which is connected to the charging electric power source and can be brought into contact with the first terminal when the carrier is stopped at a predetermined position.

Abstract: The rolling track comprises a series of rollers which are supported by a fixed reinforcement and on which travels the circular pedestal of the hopper. This circular pedestal is equipped with a toothed ring in order to be driven in rotary movement about its vertical axis. The rollers are grouped in pairs, and each pair of rollers is carried by an axle pivotable about a radial axis; with each of the rollers being carried in its axle by floating bearings mounted on springs.

Abstract: An electrical energy generating system utilizing a moving vehicle is described. The system includes magnet means preferably affixed to a moving vehicle for producing a magnetic field. An induction coil means is positioned in the magnetic field and preferably extending in a parallel direction relative to the magnet means so that the magnetic field passing through the induction coil generates electrical energy which may be stored in a storage means.

Abstract: Buffered lead-in guide for cableway vehicles constrained to a haulage cable by a hooking device of the clamp type, and provided, in an upper hanging-up portion thereof, with at least one pivot provided with balancing and guide rotary elements acting inside the lead-in guide. The lead-in guide is constrained to outer supports and is provided with an enlarged mouth portion which gets narrower up to an inner dimension close to that of the rotary elements. The enlarged portion is arranged in a substantially cantilevered position and in correspondence of at least a first support of the outer supports. Elastic elements positioned between the lead-in guide and the outer support are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle precision location assembly including a precision shoe mounted on the vehicle and having planar surfaces which converge towards an end of the shoe and intersect along an edge inclined with respect to the horizontal and a pair of rollers mounted alongside a track and having their axes of rotation canted with respect to each other such that each roller contacts the shoe surfaces along a line substantially parallel to the axis of the roller whereby the vehicle will be centered in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the vehicle and without any play in the transverse direction regardless of wear.

Abstract: A railroad tie plate placing vehicle uses a crawler track to place plates upon rail ties. The crawler track is meshed to a magnetic wheel which holds tie plates to the crawler track until the tie plates have actually contacted a tie. The crawler track at least partially propels the vehicle down the railroad track when the vehicle is placing plates. A tie detector switch is used to control gates which gate tie plates onto the conveyor and magnetic wheel upon detection of a tie such that a tie plate released by the gates will reach a release point in the closed loop of the conveyor at the same time as the release point reaches the tie whose detection triggered the gating of the tie plate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for deicing the exterior of a railway vehicle that uses heated air which is blown at a railway vehicle at 5-35 m/sec and subsequently recycled for reblowing.

Abstract: A load handling trolley of the type that normally run in channels tracks comprises an elongate load engager raisable and lowerable relative to at least one bogie assembly via a ramp-and-roller when the engager and the bogie assembly are caused to move longitudinally relative to each other, and a positive retention mechanism positioned between the engager and bogie assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conveying system for use for carrying the work, equipped with a conveying truck having a mover of a linear pulse motor fixed at its side bottom and main travelling rails having stators mounted thereon, there being provided openings for use in operation with specified areas about the central part of the aforementioned conveying truck, thereby permitting the operation to be performed from below on the work loaded on the conveying truck, and with the stators of the aforementioned linear pulse motor located at stations for the conveying truck, the aforementioned mover and the stators composing the linear pulse motor.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for reinstalling loosened railroad spikes. The apparatus includes a wheel-mounted chassis adapted for rolling along railroad rails and having a crawler attached thereto having a lowered, operating position and a raised position. The crawler includes a carriage with a plurality of crawler wheels thereon interconnected by a plurality of link-belts. The belts engage loosened spikes as the apparatus rolls along the rails when said carriage is in the operating position. The link-belts have a plurality of spike head engaging indentations defined along an outer surface thereof. In the preferred embodiment, at least one of said link-belts further engages a crawler drive wheel portion of a drive wheel mounted on the chassis. The drive wheel may be rotated by a hydraulic motor. The carriage may be alternately raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder actuated by fluid pumped thereinto from a pump through a two-way hydraulic fluid valve.