Abstract: In the device for pivotally connecting neighboring car bodies of a rail vehicle, especially for commuter traffic, each car body (1,2) is supported by a ball-and-socket joint (6) on a common swiveling railway truck (4). The swiveling railway truck (4) carries a central portal (3) between the car bodies and the central portal (3) is coupled kinematically by means of a swiveling linkage mechanism with them in the vicinity of a roof of the car bodies. The swiveling linkage mechanism includes car body arms (7) pivotally connected to the car bodies (1,2) and central portal arms (8) pivotally connected with the central portal (3) and with the car body arms (7). Both car bodies (1,2) and the central portal (3) form lower legs of two kite-shaped quadrilateral linkages and the car body arms (7) and the central portal arms (8) form the upper legs of the quadrilateral linkages.

Abstract: An improved intermodal transport system combining trucking and railway technology for the transport of passengers and freight. The present system includes a so-called Super Rail Train which incorporates an automotive truck drive system and components in a fuel efficient power vehicle which replaces the conventional locomotive. The present system also includes a plurality of secondary power units having an automotive truck drive system which are operated only during peak load conditions. The present system features a self-powered tandem device which replaces the conventional railroad dolly or bogie used in the transport of highway semi-trailer containers by rail and permits movement of a partially assembled train without a switching engine. A further feature of the present invention provides a switching ramp which is installed at truck/train terminals to facilitate the efficient assembly and breakdown of the train upon arrival at a destination for rerouting semi-trailer containers to highway use.

Abstract: An improved intermodal vehicle (10) for forming a train of highway trailers. The intermodal vehicle has an upper frame (42) to which highway trailers (12, 14) may be connected, each of the highway trailers having leading a trailing coupler socket assemblies (22, 24). In the improved design a continuous drawbar (150, 176) is provided. In addition, the upper frame (42) is mounted on a pair of steerable lower frames (30, 32) by springs (52, 54), preferably air springs, their being a pair of springs for each rail wheel (26, 28) of the intermodal vehicle, one spring being positioned before each wheel and one being positioned after each wheel.

Abstract: A two-axle undercarriage for track-bound transport systems carrying freight and passenger traffic, especially for inseparable train units, is divided into two parts, each part housing a wheel set. The two undercarriage frame halves are connected to each other in an adjustably articulated fashion on the plane of travel and are axially movable relative to each other to a limited extent in the direction of travel. To provide a tensilely-strong connection of two adjacent car bodies of the track-bound transport system, a connecting rod is used that permits adjustment of the undercarriage frame halves. The connecting rod is arranged between the adjacent car bodies so that cardanic movement is permitted between each of the two adjacent car bodies so that cardanic movement is permitted between each of the two adjacent car bodies and the connecting rod.

Abstract: A composite articulated connection between a successive first car (8) and a rear car (9) are supported by an intermediate module (10) and comprise a purely pivoting articulated front connection (LAV) pivoting about a first vertical pivot axis between the front car (8) and the intermediate module (10) and a complex rear connection (LAR) formed of a connection pivoting about a second vertical pivot axis, a lower clearance stabilization center (CIAD) and an upper clearance stabilization center (LASD). The first axis (B-B') and the second vertical pivot axis (C-C') are located closely adjacent one another or are combined with the median vertical pivot axis (A-A') of the intermediate module (10). The composite articulated connection is of interest to manufacturers of public urban transportation vehicles.

Abstract: A system enables two vehicles to tilt at different angles, wherein one of the vehicles includes a supporting end and the other vehicle includes a supported end, where the vehicle having the supporting end and the vehicle having the supported end are associated with a bogey. A supported ring is used with the supported end of the vehicle in such a manner that rotation is possible between the supported ring and the vehicle having the supported end.

Abstract: Coach coupling assembly for coupling together two coaches of a railbound multi-unit set of coaches has a first coupling arm fixed to one of the coaches and a second coupling arm fixed to a second one of the coaches. The first coupling arm has a vertical through-bore that houses the outer race ring of a rolling bearing. The bore in the inner race ring of the bearing receives a depending shaft journal that is fixed to the second coupling arm. An arrangement is provided to damp radial forces acting upon the coupling and to compensate for misalignment between the axes of the through-bore and the shaft journal. In this regard, the through-bore is provided with an elastic lining of resilient material, and the bearing used is an angularly self-aligning rolling bearing that permits a certain degree of misalignment between the through-bore and the shaft journal. The bearing is fitted inside the lining, which is thereby adapted to take up and dampen radial forces acting upon the coupling.

Abstract: An improved female connecting member for an articulated connector has a ring seat for a ring within an annular groove for contacting the male member of the connector, which female member has an improved undersurface passage for a probe to provide greater access to the ring-seat undersurface and more mechanical leverage to dislodge a worn ring seat; and, in an alternative embodiment, a structure and tool are provided for removal of a ring-seat from the exposed upper ring-seat surface.

Abstract: An improved female connecting member for an articulated connector has a ring seat for a ring within an annular groove for contacting the male member of the connector, which female member has an improved undersurface passage for a probe to provide greater access to the ring-seat undersurface and more mechanical leverage to dislodge a worn ring seat; and, in an alternative embodiment, a structure and tool are provided for removal of a ring-seat from the exposed upper ring-seat surface.

Abstract: A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body. A hinge for a bridge for use in loading the car is adjustable to a stowage position in an edge of a deck.

Abstract: A pivot plate assembly for supporting vehicles over the articulation between pivotably interconnected railway car units, and allowing rolling transport of vehicles from one railway car unit to the next. Platforms are pivotably attached to respective railway car units adjacent their interconnected ends. A vehicle has its front end portion secured to one of the pivotal platforms and its rear end portion secured to the other platform while the platforms are oriented collinearly with respect to one another. The vehicle thereby maintains the pivotal platforms collinear with one another as the railway car units pivot with respect to one another. Accordingly, the pivotal platforms remain substantially stationary with respect to the vehicle supported thereon throughout pivotal movement of the railway car units to stably support the vehicle straddling the articulation between pivotably interconnected railway car units during transport.

Abstract: A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body.

Abstract: A device for connecting rail vehicles formed of a plurality of interconnected first and second car parts having a rotary joint with a swiveling crown, includes a rotary-restraint device provided in the joint region between each two car parts. The rotary-restraint device includes two sliding bodies disposed at the periphery of the swiveling crown of the rotary joint. The sliding bodies interact with one another in a frictionally engaged manner and are each fastened to one of the two car parts connected in the rotary joint.

Abstract: A deformable gangway (14), located between two successive loading platforms (15) and (16) for a road or a railroad chassis, is composed of a succession of transverse slats (25), such as metallic transverse slats, carried adjacent their ends (39) by two longitudinal supporting and guiding elements (26) and (27). The slats (25) are disposed side by side and separated from one another, at least adjacent their ends (39), by inserts (43) made of an elastic material which bear against the longitudinal supporting and guiding elements (26) and (27). The slats (25) become immobilized, when subjected to a load, and form a fixed supporting area (17) while a remainder of the other slats (25) are still able to move on a curve, as a result of relative movement between adjacent end faces (20, 21) and (22, 23) of the platforms (15) and (16) to which the gangway (14) interconnects.

Abstract: A pivot plate assembly for supporting vehicles over the articulation between pivotably interconnected railway car units, and allowing rolling transport of vehicles from one railway car unit to the next. Platforms are pivotably attached to respective railway car units adjacent their interconnected ends. A vehicle has its front end portion secured to one of the pivotal platforms and its rear end portion secured to the other platform while the platforms are oriented collinearly with respect to one another. The vehicle thereby maintains the pivotal platforms collinear with one another as the railway car units pivot with respect to one another. Accordingly, the pivotal platforms remain substantially stationary with respect to the vehicle supported thereon throughout pivotal movement of the railway car units to stably support the vehicle straddling the articulation between pivotably interconnected railway car units during transport.

Abstract: An articulated coupling is effected between two vehicles A and B supported on a common bogey between the vehicles. The coupling includes a toroidal part connected to one of the vehicles A and a support part connected to the other vehicle B. A cylindrical pivot is fixed on a soleplate and engaged in a cylindrical bore. A toroidal coupling element is fixed on the soleplate and provides articulated coupling between the soleplate and the toroidal part. An energy absorption system is disposed between first or second cylindrical outside surfaces of the toroidal part and the facing surface of the support part. A shear system holding the support part secured to a longitudinal translation system which is fixed to a support arm connected to the other vehicle shears to prevent damage to the toroidal coupling element, with excessive force being absorbed by the energy absorption system. The present invention is also directed to a method of absorbing energy between two vehicles.

Abstract: A railroad freight car including a cargo well for carrying optionally either intermodal cargo containers or highway semitrailers has a side sill structure including a deep rectangular top chord and a depending web, supporting a well floor structure. The well floor structure includes reinforcing longitudinal and transverse channel members and horizontal top and bottom plates attached to the channels. Large circular openings, aligned with one another, are defined in both the top and bottom plates, and a peripheral ring of vertical material interconnects the margins of the top and bottom plates around the openings. A reinforcing walkway structure is located atop each side sill at each end of the cargo well. In a multi-unit car adjacent car units are supported on a single shared wheeled truck.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling to the same bogie the opposite ends of two successive wagon structures having a "V"-shaped front end (18) articulated on the bogie and an open rear end (13) consisting of two parallel arms (14, 15) has a pivoting cross member (26) on the bogie integrated with the "V"-shaped front end of the first wagon structure by which the preceding wagon structure is coupled, the pivoting cross member (26) comprising at each of its ends a receiving support (30, 31) equipped with an immobilizing device for each of the ends of the arms of the rear end (13) of the preceding wagon structure. The ends of the arms (14, 15) each have a junction structure cooperating with each receiving support.

Abstract: A safety barrier for a subway or railway train including pairs of individual pivoting triangular gate members with a smooth wall panel at the base of the triangle. Each gate member is retractable within a recess in the end wall of the train car near a corner and are expandable to form a partial continuation of the side wall of the train car and to form with an adjacent barrier on the rear end wall a safety barrier to prevent persons from entering the gap between the cars from either side of the train.

Abstract: An articulated connector for flexibly connecting the adjacent ends of a pair of rail car platforms which are supported on a common truck bolster, the connector comprising a spherical bearing formed integrally with a conventional center plate bearing of one car platform, and spherical elements carried by the other car platform for cooperable engagement with the spherical bearing to transmit vertical, lateral and longitudinal train forces between the adjacent platforms solely through engagement of the mating spherical bearing elements.

Abstract: An improved automobile transport railway car that is constructed from noncorroding materials adjacent to load carrying areas and that is enclosed by doors on both ends of the car. In the case of the articulated cars, a bellows assembly encloses and spans the ends of adjacent units. The car may be provided with two or more decks and has walls and a roof preferably constructed from nested, pultruded sections that are light in weight and are non-corrodible.

Abstract: Railborne vehicle comprising a gantry bogey, provided between mutually opposite ends of two successive carriages. A bottom plate 1, 2 projects from each of both carriage body ends to form a passage between the carriages. The two bottom plates 1, 2 are interconnected by a joint, preferably a spherical joint 3. In order to transmit the forces resulting from lateral torsional deformations of the carriage superstructure when negotiating curves and arising from uneven tracks, the bottom plates 1, 2 are interconnected by connecting beams 11 which are flexible and torsionally deformable and are connected at their ends by resilient connections to the bottom plates 1, 2.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a hinge connection for connecting vehicle parts 1 and 2 of a multiple-unit rail-borne vehicle in an articulated manner by a rolling bearing 3, which is held on a support 2a projecting beyond the end of one of the vehicle parts 2. The hinge cooperates with a support 1a projecting beyond the end of another vehicle part 1 in an articulated manner, and permits horizontal and vertical deflecting movements of the vehicle parts 1 and 2 in relation to one another. The design of the hinge connection is such that the rolling bearing is relieved of wear-promoting loads and greater horizontal buckling angles between the connected vehicle parts can be obtained. This objective is accomplished by the support 2a of the second vehicle part 2 being fixed, via an elastomer hinge 4, to the inner ring 3a of the rolling bearing 3, which has neither radial nor axial play, at least in the installed state.

Abstract: An articulated railroad car for carrying container or trailer loads providing for improved weight distribution among all the trucks, comprising a forward end car unit, a rearward end car unit, a plurality of interior car units substantially linearly and adjacently disposed between the forward and rearward car units. Between each adjacent pair of car units, the car has a shared truck having axles for supporting one end of one car unit and one end of the other car unit. A central shared truck is centrally located along the length of the railroad car. Articulated connectors on the shared trucks join the interior car units to one another and to the end car units, and a hitch for a kingpin on each of the car units is placed over the truck associated with the car unit which is farther from the central truck, to facilitate relatively even load distribution among all the trucks.

Abstract: Gantry bogey 19 for railborne vehicles inserted between adjoining ends of successive carriages 20, 21 of a carriage consist and forming at least in part the passage between the two carriages 20, 21 and comprising transversely to the direction of travel mutually opposing wheels 28 which are bridged by a gantry 29 which on both sides by way of vertical pillars 2 is supported on the respective wheel case 27 holding the wheel. The vertical pillars 2 are constructed at least in the lower region as tubes which are each guided by a pin 2 carried by the wheel case 27 by way of a spring.

Abstract: A truck-train system that provides for the mounting and dismounting of a truck-trailer on/from a railway dolly at any stretch of train rails which is paved or gravelled level to the height of the rail head, and employing a moment arm reaction locking mechanism that automatically centers and engages the truck-trailer thereby locking it into place. The dolly includes a steering rod assembly that permits it to steer into curves in either direction of operation. Also included on the dolly, is a truck assembly that utilizes a floating pedestal. The moment arm reaction locking mechanism coupled with the steering rod assembly and the floating pedestal affords greater lateral stability and greatly increased operating speeds of the truck-train system.

Abstract: An improved automobile transport railway car that is constructed from noncorroding materials adjacent to load carrying areas and that is enclosed by doors on both ends of the car. In the case of the articulated cars, a bellows assembly encloses and spans the ends of adjacent units. The car may be provided with two or more decks and has walls and a roof preferably constructed from nested, pultruded sections that are light in weight and are non-corrodible.

Abstract: Rail vehicle with at least two car bodies wherein at or near their connecting point a truck is provided which carries both car bodies, wherein furthermore an intermediate link is arranged between the car bodies, and one car body is rotatably mounted at the intermediate link about a lateral axis, and the other car body is rotatably mounted at the intermediate link about a vertical axis.

Abstract: Elastomeric rubber bearing for being connected between two bodies. The bearing employs an element having a series of resilient elements connected together by a series of interposed rigid elements. The thickness of the resilient elements and the width of the cross-section of the resilient and rigid elements vary in relation to the position of the elements.

Abstract: An articulated multi-unit railway hopper car including a pair of end units having couplers mounted on their outboard ends. A plurality of intermediate units are interconnected between said end units. A plurality of articulated connector assemblies interconnect the end units and the intermediate units. A pair of side bearing housings are mounted on each side of the articulated connector assemblies. A body side bearing extension arm assembly is disposed in bearing relationship with each of the side bearing housings and connects two ends of adjacent units. Torsion boxes extend substantially the width of the inboard ends of the end units and the opposed ends of the intermediate units and carry the upper bolster unit and are connected to the body side bearing extension arm assemblies.

Abstract: A multi-unit railroad car has adjacent ends of adjacent car units carried upon a shared truck and interconnected by an articulating coupling having a female part attached to one of the car units and a male part attached to the other of the car units. Side bearings for carrying loads generated by the car unit whose end has the female coupling part are of an anti-friction type, and side bearings associated with the car unit whose end has the male coupling part are of a constant-contact, limited-friction type so that turning moments exerted by the car units on the shared truck are kept within a desirable range and are kept balanced against each other to avoid either one of the articulated interconnected car units from adversely steering the shared truck during a curve.

Abstract: A twin-axle rail-bogie which incorporates a steering mechanism for positively steering one or both of the axles of the rail-bogie in proportion to the rotation of the frame of a structure supported by this rail-bogie. Steering is achieved by slidably mounting one of the axle end supporting assemblies onto the chassis of the bogie so that this assembly is longitudinally slidable and thus causes the one axle having one of its ends connected thereto to pivot forwards or rearwards out of its normal transverse position relative to the transversally opposite supporting assembly which holds the other end of the one axle and then acts as a pivot. An operating arm attached to the frame near the one supporting assembly is used for moving via a linking mechanism the one supporting assembly in such a direction as to cause the one axle held by this supporting assembly to pivot in the same direction but at an angle smaller than and proportional to the frame with respect to the chassis of the bogie.

Abstract: A multi-unit articulated railway freight car defining a container well in each of the several units, with container support members attached to the side sills of each unit to support standard intermodal cargo containers at a location low enough to permit a second tier of containers to be stacked atop a bottom tier without exceeding the maximum height restrictions of most main railroad lines, although ample clearance is preserved beneath the bottom of the car when fully loaded. Each container support member is constructed of thick plate steel of high strength, formed cold to include residual internal stresses in order to resist failure when subjected to the loads imposed by supporting loaded containers carried in the container well. The side sill structures are of box tube and formed sheet construction of small enough width to permit carriage of newer, larger, sizes of intermodal cargo containers without the car or containers protruding outside the clearance available along most railroad lines.

Abstract: A universal coupling adapter connectable to either end of a rail-highway vehicle useful in forming trains of rail-highway vehicles for rail transport comprises a bolster connectable with a rail bogie. The bolster has a support member bearing a semi-trailer mount and a connection assembly. The semi-trailer mount is constructed so as to engage and support a rail-highway vehicle. The connection assembly comprises a connecting slot and a connecting link, with the connecting link, in one embodiment, being shiftable between an extended and a retracted position. The connecting link is disposed substantially within the connecting slot in the extended position, and is disposed substantially outside of the connecting slot in the retracted position. The connection assembly is connectable with a corresponding connection assembly disposed on a rail-highway vehicle. The bolster has an assembly for connecting the bolster to one of a rail car and a locomotive.

Abstract: A train of railroad cars having an articulated connection between adjacent railway cars which share a common truck. The articulated connection employs a connecting element having a series of truncated conical resilient elements connected together by a series of interposed truncated conical rigid elements. The thickness of the resilient elements and the width of the cross-section of the resilient and rigid elements vary in relation to the position of the elements.

Abstract: This invention provides a connecting pin member which facilitates a rotatable connection being achieved between a female connection member and a center bowl portion of a bolster. Such connecting pin member has a substantially round rod-like member which is tapered at each outer end thereof. A groove-like portion carrying a resilient member is disposed in an outer surface of such rod-like member. The present invention further provides a method of producing such connecting pin member as well as an improved center plate member for use with such connecting pin member. Such center plate member incorporates an arrangement for the removal of such connecting pin member if it should be accidently sheared off during service.

Abstract: A damping device for use with an articulation joint of an articulated omnibus. Between the front vehicle and the rear vehicle connected with the outer race ring of a live ring or between the rear vehicle and the front vehicle connected with the inner race ring of the live ring a hydraulic cylinder or shock absorber is arranged so that in the extended, in-line alignment position of the omnibus it is in its inner dead center position. It is connected hydraulically in parallel with a further hydraulic cylinder or shock absorber. The latter is preferably placed slightly obliquely and is spaced from the longitudinal median plane of the articulated omnibus when the omnibus is in the in-line setting, the hydraulic cylinder or shock absorber being pivotally connected at one first end with one of the two vehicles and at a second end to that race ring of the live ring which is connected to the other of the two vehicles.

Abstract: A gondola car for use with a train of like gondola cars that comprises a body having a floor and two sidewalls, a bridge extension connected to the floor and extending outwardly beyond the two sidewalls, a wall transition member of arcuate shape extending beyond the end of one of the sidewalls, and a pivotal connector positioned adjacent the bridge extension for enabling pivotal movement between the gondola car and an adjacent gondola car. The wall transition member is fastened to one of the sidewalls and is in sliding rotational relation to a arcuate-shaped guide section on an adjacent gondola car. The bridge extension has a curved edge affixed to the bottom edge of the wall transition member. The curved edge has a radius of curvature generally equal to the radius of curvature of the arcuate-shaped of the wall transition member. The floor has a plurality of apertures for receiving a fixed cleat from a tractor/shovel.

Abstract: Provided is an articulable spherical connection for a railway coupling arrangement. The connection includes a male connection member having a spherical connection portion secured to one end of a body portion and a female connection member having a split body portion. Each body portion of such femal connection member having a spherical cavity formed therein to receive a portion of the spherical connection portion of the male connection member therein. A securing device is provided to secure such split body portion together around the spherical connection portion of the male member.

Abstract: An articulated railroad car, which includes an articulated connector, rail truck and car body units, has at least one standard short-travel railroad car side bearing which is designed to permit down travel of the car body unit of at least 5/8 inch. In a preferred embodiment, one rail truck portion includes a long-travel railroad car side bearing. The long-travel side bearing includes a top cap member and a bottom member with a resilient member interposed therebetween. The long-travel side bearing permits roll axis movement of one car body unit relative to another car body unit to reduce forces on the rail truck which would tend to prevent its successful negotiation of curves.

Abstract: A monorail toy train is suspended from an overhead guideway, which guideway is secured to a ceiling or other fixed support structure. The elongated tubular guideway includes a plurality of guideway sections connected together at a joint by a short tubular coupler and a hanger secured to the ceiling. Each guideway section is connected to like length guide rails and rack rails, which, together, define a track for cars of the monorail toy. Trucks of driven and nondriven cars ride on the track defined by the rack rail and guide rail. The driven car includes a drive frame including a motor, drive gear and pinion gear, which pinion gear meshes with the rack rail to provide motive force for the monorail train.

Abstract: A truck-train system uses a railway dolly or bogie to support the front end of one truck-trailer and the rear end of another truck-trailer. A pair of truck-trailer support members are pivotally connected to the railway dolly. They are provided with a fixed incline ramp to raise and guide the truck-trailer onto the respective support member. The railway dolly is provided with a standard railway compressed air braking system with an air hose retrieving device to store the air hose. The railway dolly is also provided with standard railway couplers at each end. These couplers are adapted to retract or vertically rotate to a position below the surface of the incline planes.

Abstract: In an articulated connection, an improved female connecting member of the type having a ring seat within an annular groove is provided having an access passageway extending from an exterior surface of its front wall to a position at the annular groove which is covered by the ring seat. The access passageway provides for insertion and wedging of a tool between the ring seat and the floor of the annular groove to eject the ring seat from the annular groove during disassembly and maintenance of the articulated connection.

Abstract: A rail bogie is provided with a truck having a platform and railroad wheels beneath it for riding on railroad tracks; a first fifth wheel being mounted on the platform. A draw-bar, also mounted on the platform, includes a vertical leg and a horizontal foot on which are provided a lift plate, a further fifth wheel on the lift plate and a lift mechanism capable of moving the lift plate vertically relative to a connection block located at the upper end of the leg. The bogie is for use in combination with a road vehicle provided, at its rear end, with a hooking block in contact with the vertical leg of the draw-bar; the hooking block being formed with a socket into which is received the connection block of the rail bogie for vertical displacement when the lift plate is moved by the aforesaid lift mechanism. Projecting from the lower end of the hooking block is a coupling king pin lockingly engaged in the fifth wheel of the lift plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated vehicle intended for the railway transport of vehicles and characterized in that front and rear planes (P.sub.1, P.sub.2) transverse to the underframe and each including the shafts of front or rear transoms are notably distinct from the front and rear planes (P.sub.3, P.sub.4) transverse to the underframe and each including the shaft of the front or rear pivot.

Abstract: A railway train of truck trailers or trailer chassis coupled end to end with the back end of each trailer (and the front end of a following trailer, if any) pivotally supported on the bolster of a railway truck by a subframe having vertically facing load carrying parts engaged by mating parts on the back end of the leading trailer on opposite sides of its centerline. The following trailer is supported by structure either on the forward trailer or pivotally supported by said subframe. When connected in the railway mode, the road wheels of the trailer are supported clear of the tracks.

Abstract: An articulated multi-unit railway hopper car including a pair of end units having couplers mounted on their outboard ends. A plurality of intermediate units are interconnected between said end units. A plurality of articulated connector assemblies interconnect the end units and the intermediate units. A pair of side bearing housings are mounted on each side of the articulated connector assemblies. A body side bearing extension arm assembly is disposed in bearing relationship with each of the side bearing housings and connects two ends of adjacent units. Torsion boxes extend substantially the width of the inboard ends of the end units and the opposed ends of the intermediate units and carry the upper bolster unit and are connected to the body side bearing extension arm assemblies.

Abstract: An articulated rail car connector for joining the adjacent ends of rail car platforms which are supported on a common truck bolster, the connector including in one preferred embodiment a pair of nested center plates which support the adjacent car platforms upon such a truck bolster and which are longitudinally slideable with respect to one another, and a drawbar pivotally connected between the adjacent car platforms to transmit longitudinally directed buff and draft loads therebetween.

Abstract: A material transport system having a material container for receiving material to be transported, motive members connected to the material container for allowing the material container to move from one place to another, and an unloader device positioned within the material container for unloading material therefrom. The material container has a generally flat floor extending between a pair of sidewalls. The unloader includes a tractor extending between the sidewalls of the material container and a shovel articulated to the tractor. The shovel has a size suitable for fitting between the sidewalls of the material container. The material container comprises a plurality of railroad cars having a generally flat roadway extending throughout the plurality of railroad cars. Each of the railroad cars is articulated to an adjacent car. The floor comprises a series of floor segments overlapping each other in the same direction.

Abstract: An articulated connector for flexibly connecting the adjacent ends of a pair of rail car platforms which are supported on a common truck bolster, the connector comprising a spherical bearing formed integrally with a conventional center plate bearing of one car platform, and spherical elements carried by the other car platform for cooperable engagement with the spherical bearing to transmit vertical, lateral and longitudinal train forces between the adjacent platforms solely through engagement of the mating spherical bearing elements.