Abstract: A safety system for restraining and preventing a person from falling off an elevated structure such as a locomotive. The safety system includes a segmented rail structure comprising a plurality of releasable and/or removable rail sections that are supported by a series of rail posts. The rail sections can be released and/or removed in order to provide access to an adjacent locomotive compartment to be serviced. A pair of spring biased support members are attached to each of the rail posts and automatically extend when corresponding section is removed. A moveable trolley apparatus engages the rail sections with a plurality of wheels, and has an extendable arm that can be connected to a lanyard worn by a maintenance person. When extended, the raised support members prevent the trolley from coming off the end of a rail section adjacent to a rail section that has been removed.

Abstract: A space transport vehicle including a body movably mounted on an elongated guide member disposed in outer space and driven therealong. A drive wheel is mounted on a drive shaft in rolling engagement with the elongated guide carrying the vehicle. A brake member on the drive shaft moves into and out of engagement with an adjacent surface of the drive wheel. An actuator on the body manually moves back and forth between spaced positions in an arc of movement. A rachet-and-pawl mechanism operates upon movements of the actuator in one direction between first and second positions for coupling the actuator to the drive wheel to incrementally rotate the wheel in one rotational direction and to operate upon movements of the actuator in the opposite direction for uncoupling the actuator from the wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting passengers in standing within a car of a funicular is described which has shallow footing troughs with convexly shaped floor sections joining the troughs. The floor thus formed does not have any sharp angled shoulders so as to protect the passengers from injury if one should fall. The likelihood of such an accident occurring is less due to the absence of such shoulders as passengers have sounder footing. Bumps or strips can also be provided for safer footing.

Abstract: A monorail system having a rail surface that is provided for small vehicles traversing an incline or slippery areas, with the surface having a plurality of spaced recesses positioned in those areas to form gripping edges for the drive wheels of the vehicles. The recesses may be of a variety of shapes and positioned in different ways to provide the proper grip. The recesses may be mechanically punched into a separate elongated flat bed riveted in appropriate locations to the rail. The punching may be done in such a way so as to form raised ramp-like edges adjacent the recesses to help with the gripping action. The ramp faces face downwardly in inclined areas. The drive wheels of cooperating vehicles may have elastic treads to help with the gripping action.