Abstract: A railroad freight car may have a body for carrying lading. The body may be a gondola car body. The car body may include a decking or floor structure, and may include longitudinally extending side beams bordering the floor structure. The connection of the side beams to the floor structure may be may without the use of a dedicated side sill. The car body structure may include cross-bearers and side beam stiffeners that are joined together by structural knees. The car body may also include clean out ports to facilitate cleaning of the lading receptacle.

Abstract: A rail vehicle contains a floor plate, which is supported on a shell floor plate with height adjustment elements therebetween. The height adjustment elements have two components arranged one over the other, of which the one rests against the floor plate from below and the other rests against the shell floor plate from above, wherein the two components can be fixed in various positions relative to each other in order to set a total height of the height adjustment elements.

Abstract: A railway vehicle including an access platform which extends between two lateral faces, at least one of the faces having a lateral access door. The access platform is adjacent a passenger area and includes a plate which is movable vertically so as to allow passengers with reduced mobility to access/leave the access platform from/to a railway platform of a given height when the movable plate is placed in a given embarkation/disembarkation position. Also included is a moving floor allowing persons with reduced mobility to move between said passenger area and said movable plate whatever the embarkation/disembarkation position thereof. The moving floor is located and always remains in an interior of the vehicle along with the passenger area and the movable plate between which the moving floor is located.

Abstract: A railroad freight car may have a body for carrying lading. The body may be a gondola car body. The car body may include a decking or floor structure, and may include longitudinally extending side beams bordering the floor structure. The connection of the side beams to the floor structure may be may without the use of a dedicated side sill. The car body structure may include cross-bearers and side beam stiffeners that are joined together by structural knees. The car body may also include clean out ports to facilitate cleaning of the lading receptacle.

Abstract: A railway vehicle including a plurality of bogies is provided. Each bogie includes a chassis, two front wheels and two rear wheels. For each front wheel and each rear wheel, a guidance device is provided for guiding the wheel in rotation and a primary suspension device of the chassis is provided on the guidance device. At least the primary suspension devices associated with the front and rear wheels are arranged on the same first lateral side of the bogie. The primary suspension devices each include two longitudinal connecting rods, each connected by a first connection point to the chassis and by a second connection point to the corresponding guidance device and at least one resilient component inserted between the two connecting rods to define at least the vertical stiffness of the primary suspension device, the two connecting rods being offset longitudinally relative to one another. Each of the bogies also includes a pivot connection device for connecting the bogie to the railway vehicle.

Abstract: In various embodiments, shipping container systems are described included an extended tunnel flooring system with a steel floor piece running lengthwise down the center of the extended tunnel floor, and an Omega flooring system including alternating lengthwise strips of 6 wood floor pieces and 5 floor steel pieces on a structure of support beams reinforced with steel gusset plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vibratory floor consisting of independent vibratory modules that can be pre-fabricated and are strictly controlled before being put into place in structures for storage or transport of bulk products. Each vibratory module consists of a frame (14) in which a support material (12) is arranged, on which a metal sheet (9) is mounted, said metal sheet being attached to a vibratory element (10) and a stiffener (19) and held in place only by a peripheral sealing membrane (11), optionally supported by compression springs (13). The filling material can comprise ribs (30) for deforming the metal sheet in the form of transversal waves (31) under the effect of the weight of the stored product. The vibratory modules constructed in this way are dust-tight, do no transmit vibrations to the surrounding structure, and effectively drain any lumpy or powdery product from silos, ships, railroad cars, or other containers.

Abstract: A railroad freight car may have a body for carrying lading. The body may be a gondola car body. The car body may include a decking or floor structure, and may include longitudinally extending side beams bordering the floor structure. The connection of the side beams to the floor structure may be may without the use of a dedicated side sill. The car body structure may include cross-bearers and side beam stiffeners that are joined together by structural knees. The car body may also include clean out ports to facilitate cleaning of the lading receptacle.

Abstract: A rail road freight car may have a body for carrying lading. The body may be a gondola car body. The car body may include a decking or floor structure, and may include longitudinally extending side beams bordering the floor structure. The connection of the side beams to the floor structure may be may without the use of a dedicated side sill. The car body structure may include cross-bearers and side beam stiffeners that are joined together by structural knees. The car body may also include clean out ports to facilitate cleaning of the lading receptacle.

Abstract: A nailable floor having a plurality of modular floor planks having a planar web spanning between two side flanges. The side flanges extend to bottom flanges that provide support from the underframe of a railcar. The planar web, side flanges and bottom flanges are all integrally formed from a single member.

Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented web work structure for carrying vertical shear loads between the top truss and the center sill and decking. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon in which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a deep upper beam structure that has downwardly extending skirts. The skirts provide an extended bearing area upon against which bundled loads can be secured. The skirts are inwardly reinforced to discourage deflection between adjacent upright members of the deep upper beam structure.

Abstract: Pultruded panels having a first longitudinal edge profile and a second longitudinal edge profile may be used to form a floor assembly mounted on a railway car underframe. The pultruded panels may also be used to form walkways, bridges, piers and other structures. A bead may be placed on at least one of the longitudinal edge profiles to form a gap between an adjacent pultruded panel. An adhesive may be placed within the gap to couple or bond adjacent pultruded panels with each other. Void spaces may be formed within the pultruded panel and filled with foam to provide improved resistance to heat transfer through the respective panel. Respective coverings may be placed on opposite ends of each panel to block access to the associated void spaces.

Abstract: A double-walled damping structure includes two parallel face plates 1 and 2, a plurality of ribs 3 and 4 extending in the same direction to connect the two parallel face plates 1 and 2, wherein in a section taken perpendicularly to the direction of extension of the ribs 3 and 4, all or most of the holes defined by the adjacent two ribs and the face plates are trapezoidal. The structure less transmits vibration, and is capable of further increasing a damping effect when a damping material is attached.

Abstract: A nailable floor having a plurality of modular floor planks having a planar web spanning between two side flanges. The side flanges extend to bottom flanges that provide support from the underframe of a railcar. The planar web, side flanges and bottom flanges are all integrally formed from a single member.

Abstract: The invention aims to improve a floor for rail vehicles in such a way that an even, level, reference plane for constructing the floor is obtained by a simple tolerance compensation of the deviations in the longitudinal direction, transverse direction and height of the shell assembly. Said compensation is embodied as an easy-to-assemble positive-fit connection between the floor plate and the body-shell floor plate. This is achieved by a retaining profile which is configured as a profile with a recess for accommodating a connecting element and provided with at least one blind opening. An elastic spacer, comprising a plug-in extension to compensate for the existing differences in level between the floor plate and the floor-profile plate, is inserted into the blind opening under pressure, forming a positive-fit. The positive-fit between the blind opening and the plug-in extension is perpendicular in relation to the positive-fit between the profile batten and the retaining profile.

Abstract: An aircraft deck support system includes horizontal deck support beams connected to the aircraft's frames. Each deck support beam has a plurality of machined, generally T-shaped supports. Each T-shaped support includes either a horizontal recess or a raised surface formed in a deck support beam upper chord and a U-shaped aperture formed in a beam web. The T-shaped support matably receives a cross-support beam attachment flange perpendicularly aligned with the deck support beams. Each cross-support beam includes a web perpendicularly connected at an upper end to the attachment flange, and a stiffening flange at a web lower end. Both the web and the stiffening flange are freely suspended within the U-shaped aperture of the T-shaped support. When joined, the cross-support beam seats on the T-shaped support allowing both the cross-support beam and the deck support beam to develop maximum bending moments at a reduced structural weight.

Abstract: A floor connection casting for use in construction of railcar floor assemblies as well as a floor assembly and railcar using the same are provided. The floor connection casting preferably includes a plurality of stringer connectors coupled along one or more sides as well as at least one crossbearer connector on one end. By coupling a pair of floor connection castings to opposing side sills in a railcar, lateral support can be provided for one or more floor plates. Floor stringers may then be coupled between adjacent floor connections using the stringer connectors such that longitudinal support for a flooring is provided. The floor assembly may then be coupled to a railcar using a sill connector included on the end of the floor connection casting opposite the crossbearer connector to couple to a side sill of the railcar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a floor for a means of transport of the type where the floor comprises a plate (1) which is adapted to the bottom (12) in a given means of transport, and on which one or more chairs or other aids in passenger transport may be secured, said floor plate (1) being provided with a plurality of recesses (3, 7) distributed in a suitable pattern (3a, 3b) for receiving securing means (6) for securing chairs or the like to the plate (1) and receiving attachment means (13) for attaching the floor plate (1) to the bottom (12). This provides a floor having a much greater flexibility with respect to layout in e.g. minibuses, just as the chairs may be the floor, so that also the floor can absorb impact energy in case of a collision where a passenger fastened by a seat belt is thrown forwards.

Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented central beam structure. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon in which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a top chord mounted to run between two end bulkheads. The deck has a central portion and end portions. The end portions of the deck are carried at a greater height than the center portion, the difference in height corresponding to the height of a bundle of lumber. The car has a center sill having a depth corresponding to the depth of the step in the deck. The end portion of the center sill has an internal plate defining a draft gear pocket upper wall. The medial portion of the center sill is narrower than the end portion, and of deep section, such that it has a high aspect ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to the front section of a railway car comprising a motor transverse beam (2) which is horizontally arranged and vertical to the railway car axis (1). Both front section ends are firmly connected to the longitudinal supports located on the sides of a railway car (1), said supports being parallel to the railway car axis (1). The longitudinal supports (10) extend along the railway car axis (1) as diagonal longitudinal supports (3) from the motor transverse beam (2) toward the buffer elements (4). The longitudinal support ends which are situated opposite the motor transverse beam (2) are firmly connected to said buffer elements (4). A coupling support (6) is arranged in the middle of the motor transverse beam (2). Supports (5) which diagonally extend forward are firmly connected to said coupling support and the buffer elements (4). This results in forming a more compact nose of the inventive front section.

Abstract: A center partition or center beam railroad freight car with a bulkhead at each end and a depressed cargo-carrying floor located on each side of the center beam in an intermediate portion of the car located between respective end portions of the car having higher floors. A wide bottom plate of the center sill in the intermediate portion of the car is included as a part of the depressed cargo-carrying floor, and crossbearers are attached to the bottom of the center sill, extending laterally to side sills in the intermediate section of the car to support floor sheets that extend laterally outward from the bottom plate of the center sill. Longitudinal stringers are attached to the underside of the bottom plate of the center sill between the crossbearers. A body bolster has arms that extend diagonally upward and outward to side sills supporting the higher floors in the end portions of the car.

Abstract: An improved railway car body structure is described. One of the features of the box car is that the longitudinal side walls are formed by a plurality of spaced apart vertical side posts which are hat-shaped in cross-section and define a bottom wall portion, opposed side walls and opposed end flanges extending in a common plane. Horizontal structural stiffeners are secured between the vertical side posts. The stiffeners define a recessed wall portion aligned with a recessed formation formed in the opposed end flanges of the vertical side posts. Ferrous sheet members are secured to the side wall and also to the end frames by welds disposed in the recess wall portion of the stiffeners and recessed formation of the vertical posts to form flush, unobstructed, inner side and end walls of the railway car. A new roof structure is also described and incorporates improved skylight designs.

Abstract: An arrangement for absorption of the energy of impact for road or rail bound vehicles contains an elongated insert (6)—in the form of a rigid lever or as part of a lever of length r and featuring two end faces (10, 11), the first end face (10) being attached to the long side of a section component (3) and the second face (11) coupled via a collision component (12) to an impact area (9) projecting out from the section component (3) in such a manner that a force of impact acting on the impact area (9), while displacing the collision component (12) in the direction of the force of impact, effects a rotational movement (D) of the insert (6) about a predetermined point of rotation (P) in the section component (3) and local bending of the section component (3) at the point of rotation (P).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing logs from a forestry site. The apparatus and method includes a primary mobile machine having means attached to a rearward portion thereof for holding a first end of a first log cluster. The apparatus and method also includes a first secondary mobile machine with a first end having means for holding a second end of the first log cluster, and a second end having means for holding a first end of a second log cluster. The primary mobile machine and the first secondary mobile machine are interconnected by the first log cluster.

Abstract: A floor structure for attachment to a railway car underframe is provided. The floor structure is formed in part from floor panels having a floor plate and a number of reinforcing members attached to one side of each floor plate. One of the reinforcing members is preferably attached along a first edge of each floor with a portion of the reinforcing member extending laterally from the respective first edge. The opposite edge of the floor plate perfectly extends laterally from the nearest reinforcing member such that when the floor panels are disposed adjacent to each other with the second edge of one floor plate resting on the reinforcing member extending from the first edge of an adjacent floor plate. A butt weld is preferably formed between each adjacent first edge and second edge and the respective reinforcing member. The ends of the floor plates may be bent downwardly for connection to portions of the underframe.

Abstract: A floor structure for attachment to a railway car underframe is provided. The floor structure is formed in part from floor panels having a floor plate and a number of reinforcing members attached to one side of each floor plate. One of the reinforcing members is preferably attached along a first edge of each floor with a portion of the reinforcing member extending laterally from the respective first edge. The opposite edge of the floor plate perfectly extends laterally from the nearest reinforcing member such that when the floor panels are disposed adjacent to each other with the second edge of one floor plate resting on the reinforcing member extending from the first edge of an adjacent floor plate. A butt weld is preferably formed between each adjacent first edge and second edge and the respective reinforcing member. The ends of the floor plates may be bent downwardly for connection to portions of the underframe.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicle end sill or the like, in which lap joints formed by one side lap welding are not simply deformed or broken off. An end sill 1 is formed as a box type structural body which includes lap joints W1 which are formed by one side lap welding conducted only from the outer side. Edge portions 12a and 13a of face plates 12, 13 to be superposed on the surfaces 11a and 11b of the end member (intermediate member) 11 are formed as a zigzag shape. The end member has the longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the direction along which the load is adapted to be applied to the end sill 1. Lap welding (one side welding conducted only from the outer side) is conducted along the edge portion 12a and 13a of the zigzag shape.

Abstract: A method for producing depressed center railcars involves a combination of casting and fabrication. Transition members of the railcar can be casted, preferably with interlocking ledges on the ends of the transition members. The center section can be fabricated from, preferably precambered, longitudinal stringers which can then be connected between the casted transition members via the interlocking ledges. Standard steel warehouse plates can be attached to the fabricated framework of longitudinal stringers to form the surface of the center section. The transition members can be cast with integral provision to accept a center plate member. The fabricated framework of stringers can include reinforcement members for added strength. The framework can also be constructed to allow for the placement of the parts of the brake system and other components on the underside of the railcar.

Abstract: A railcar unit has a pair of opposed side sills that are joined by structure that performs the function of a web in a deep beam or bracing in a truss. The joining structure is able to transmit loads that are applied transversely to the longitudinal direction of the car from one sill to the other, and is also able to transmit a bending moment couple, in the form of opposite longitudinal tensile and compressive forces, also transmitted to the side sills. The locations at which the transverse forces are imposed on, or by, the intermediate structure have longitudinal slip. When the railcar unit is placed in longitudinal tension under draft loads, the longitudinal slip allows the floor structure not to be subject to the longitudinal draft loads. In the embodiment described the joining structure serves the additional function of acting as a floor panel for vertical loads carried within the well car unit.

Abstract: A floor plate assembly for a railway freight car structure. The assembly includes a floor plate and set of floor plate support assemblies, each having a base and at least one side wall. The side wall has an outer margin that in some embodiments is welded to the floor plate. A reinforcing bar is welded to the base and has a margin which is located closely adjacent to the floor plate and which is welded to the floor plate in some embodiments. In some embodiments the floor plate support assemblies each have two side walls and the reinforcing bar is welded to the base between the side walls. The floor plate support assemblies may be formed away from the railway freight car that is under construction by using a jig to facilitate welding the reinforcing bar to the base. The floor plate assembly may also be assembled separately and then may be efficiently welded to the members of the freight car underframe.

Abstract: A floor structure for attachment to a railway car underframe is provided. The floor structure is formed in part from floor panels having a floor plate and a number of reinforcing members attached to one side of each floor plate. One of the reinforcing members is preferably attached along a first edge of each floor with a portion of the reinforcing member extending laterally from the respective first edge. The opposite edge of the floor plate perfectly extends laterally from the nearest reinforcing member such that when the floor panels are disposed adjacent to each other with the second edge of one floor plate resting on the reinforcing member extending from the first edge of an adjacent floor plate. A butt weld is preferably formed between each adjacent first edge and second edge and the respective reinforcing member. The ends of the floor plates may be bent downwardly for connection to portions of the underframe.

Abstract: A floor structure for attachment to a railway car underframe is provided. The floor structure is formed in part from floor panels having a floor plate and a number of reinforcing members attached to one side of each floor plate. One of the reinforcing members is preferably attached along a first edge of each floor with a portion of the reinforcing member extending laterally from the respective first edge. The opposite edge of the floor plate perfectly extends laterally from the nearest reinforcing member such that when the floor panels are disposed adjacent to each other with the second edge of one floor plate resting on the reinforcing member extending from the first edge of an adjacent floor plate. A butt weld is preferably formed between each adjacent first edge and second edge and the respective reinforcing member. The ends of the floor plates may be bent downwardly for connection to portions of the underframe.

Abstract: A liner system for a hauling compartment includes a containment structure defining a plurality of holding areas. A buffer material is introduced into the holding areas to act as an impact wear surface to prevent haul material from directly contacting the surface of the hauling compartment. Upon articulation of the hauling compartment to empty haul material from the compartment, the buffer material is held within the holding areas by means of the containment structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a floor assembly for replacing oak board floor constructions. The floor assembly includes floor boards that are installed in the same manner as oak floor boards, but that are made of more readily available materials. In one embodiment the floor boards are made of an inexpensive wood material core encased in a shell made of fiber reinforced plastic composite material. The core and the fiber reinforced plastic composite material are co-pultruded so that the shell integrally bonds to the core member and provides a seamless protective skin for the core member.

Abstract: A rotary locking mechanism connects an upper ramp and a lower ramp of a split ramp railway car. A pin carrier supports a coupling pin and is mounted to the lower ramp by a swivel pin. The pin carrier can pivot horizontally relative to the lower ramp. A dual vertical rotor lock is mounted to the upper ramp. The rotor lock includes first and second coupling disks which have rotor slots or grooves for receiving the coupling pin. The coupling disks have a horizontal axis of rotation so that the disks are vertically mounted. The action of the coupling pin entering the grooves in the first and second coupling disks will automatically rotate the coupling disks into a locked position. Locking pins then engage slots in the peripheries of the coupling disks to secure the coupling disk in the locked position.

Abstract: A truss type extruded aluminum section (1) is formed of a pair of planar plates (2)(3) and ribs (4)(5)(6), wherein hollow portions (7)(8)(9) are formed within the section (1) by the ribs (4)(5)(6) and the planar plates (2)(3). Vibration-damping resin is provided on the inner surfaces of hollow portions (7)(8)(9), and particularly on the inner surface of the planar plate (3) and on a single surface of the inclined rib (4). With this arrangement, the vibration energy bending the planar plate (3) and the rib (4) is converted into a heat energy. In the case of manufacturing such truss type extruded aluminum vibration-damping section (1), for making easy the insertion of the vibration-damping resin in the hollow portion, the vibration-damping resin is stuck on a plastic film (11) to form a long planar body. The plastic film (11) serves as a cover or an adhesive.

Abstract: A rolling stock fitting structure has laminated panels, each formed by sandwiching a core member between a pair of face plates, and framing shapes are placed between the face plates around the periphery of the panels and possibly in the interior thereof to provide structural strength. The laminated panels, which may be shaped to conform to a particular design, are joined and welded together to form a rolling stock body. The framing shapes are provided with a support shape for holding equipment, the support shape being mounted on a rod fixed to the framing shape, so that the load of the equipment on the holding member can be distributed through the framing shapes to the laminated panel, thereby securing the equipment reliably.

Abstract: The invention provides a barrier means for a wooden flooring, especially useful for truck trailers and shipping containers. The flooring for such structures is comprised of a plurality of substantially parallel, wooden strips having their longitudinal edges in abutting relationship. A barrier film or fabric, which is permeable to vapor and impermeable to liquid, is disposed on the undersurface of the flooring, and discontinuous means adjoins or bonds the film or fabric to the flooring at least at the perimeter of the flooring.

Abstract: A deck double plug assembly for plugging first inboard and second outboard deck holes in the deck of converted railroad autorack cars comprises a first plug connected to a second plug base assembly by a connector portion. The second outboard plug assembly is clamped to the deck to cover and plug the second outboard deck hole, whereby the deck plug assembly may be installed by one person. The method of installation from the top surface of the deck includes the steps of loosely assembling the second outboard plug assembly, holding the second deck plug assembly and pushing the first plug downwardly through the second outboard deck hole, inserting the first inboard plug into the first deck hole from underneath the deck, and clamping the second plug assembly to the deck surrounding the second deck hole.

Abstract: A gondola railway car with a structural frame of metal has panels of lightweight composite tension-bearing sheet material attached to the frame by clamps which grip the margins of the panels. The panels thus are structural components of the car body, while also acting to contain bulk cargo such as coal. The panels may be of aramid fiber cloth coated with a wear-resistant polymeric material, and particles of hard material may be embedded in the polymeric material to enhance resistance to mechanical erosion.

Abstract: A retainer is provided for retaining a catch mounted to a first portion of a split ramp car in its unlocked position as a second portion of a ramp car exits a locking area in which it is previously locked. An arm portion of the retainer extends into the locking area and controls the operation of the retainer in response to the movement of the ramp and the locking area. A fluid coupler, automatically couples a first and second portions of a main reservoir pipe and a first and second portions of a brake pipe connected to each first and second portion of the ramp car respectively, when the ramp is in its raised and travel position. Valves in each of the main reservoir passages close the main reservoir passage when the first and second housings are separated and opens the main reservoir passages when the first and second housings are joined. An electrical coupler is also automatically coupled as the two portions of the ramp car are joined.

Abstract: A retainer is provided for retaining a catch mounted to a first portion of a split ramp car in its unlocked position as a second portion of a ramp car exits a locking area in which it is previously locked. An arm portion of the retainer extends into the locking area and controls the operation of the retainer in response to the movement of the ramp and the locking area. A fluid coupler, automatically couples a first and second portions of a main reservoir pipe and a first and second portions of a brake pipe connected to each first and second portion of the ramp car respectively, when the ramp is in its raised and travel position. Valves in each of the main reservoir passages close the main reservoir passage when the first and second housings are separated and opens the main reservoir passages when the first and second housings are joined. An electrical coupler is also automatically coupled as the two portions of the ramp car are joined.

Abstract: A floor for a vehicle body, the floor including a plurality of modular floor panels adhesively bonded to one another in adjoining series relation to form joints therebetween. Each floor panel includes an integrally formed panel member that is pultruded of composite material and that includes a floor section which interfits with the floor sections of adjoining panels. The floor section includes spaced apart upper and lower sheet members interconnected by webs having filamentary reinforcing material predominantly oriented lengthwise of the panel member to improve structural and thermal performance of the panel member. The floor section can be optionally filled with an insulating material. The panel member of each floor panel also includes a reinforcing section for resisting bending moments applied to the associated floor section and for reinforcing one of the joints.

Abstract: Body structure (1) for railway vehicles comprising a load bearing body-work defining the platform (2), the body sides (3) and the roof (4) of the body, constituted by an annular series of hollow structural panels (11, 12, 13), substantially continuous and having a length substantially corresponding to that of the body. Each structural panel (11, 12, 13) is formed by an inner wall (14) and by an outer wall (15) connected therebetween by intermediate baffles (17) having a substantially corrugated disposition with parallel generating lines (16). The longitudinal edges of each structural panel (11, 12, 13) are rigidly connected to the corresponding longitudinal edges of the adjacent panels by continuous welding.

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. Each side sill has a height above the well floor, and a spacer is connected to the car body by an attachment which permits the spacer to be pivoted between a raised position clear of the well floor and a lowered position upwardly adjacent the well floor. The spacer has a predetermined height sufficient to support a trailer located in the cargo well, with its wheels resting on top of the spacer, high enough to locate lifting points on the trailer above the height of the side sill.

Abstract: A gondola railway car with a structural frame of metal has panels of lightweight composite tension-bearing sheet material attached to the frame by clamps which grip the margins of the panels. The panels thus are structural components of the car body, while also acting to contain bulk cargo such as coal. The panels may be of aramid fiber cloth coated with a wear-resistant polymeric material, and particles of hard material may be embedded in the polymeric material to enhance resistance to mechanical erosion.

Abstract: A rotary dump railway gondola car that includes troughs which extend downwardly from the midpoint of the car toward the trucks. End members for the troughs extend at an enlarged angle relative to the car's center sill to increase the carrying capacity of the car. The end members have been further modified to include a bracket which attaches each end member to the center sill. A chamfer is located near the lower portion of each end member to allow drainage from the associated trough. Sections of the floor in the car adjacent to the troughs have been modified to increase load carrying capacity. The troughs may also include a longitudinal radius to further increase the load carrying capacity of the car.

Abstract: A sound proofing and vibration dampening connecting element (B) for floating suspension of a floor-deck on a structural, load-bearing carriage floor of railway vehicles for passenger transport features a base section (28) that is U-shaped in cross-section and, projecting partly over this, a deck-supporting section (38) that is U-shaped in cross-section with base strips (30, 40) having flanges (32, 42) projecting perpendicularly from them. Between the pairs of facing flanges (32, 42) and adhesively bonded to them are elastic profiled strips (46) that, along with base strips (30, 40) forming the contact surfaces for the carriage floor (26) and floor-deck (27), delimit a hollow space (47).

Abstract: Railcars for transporting timber in either the "tree-length" form or "long log" form are provided. The present invention includes a railroad car comprising a central support member having at least one set of wheels disposed near its ends. A bulkhead is affixed to each end of the central support member and a plurality of cross members extend from the central support member, to which a plurality of stanchions are affixed. Thus, the cross members and the stanchions preferably form substantially "U"-shaped structures that are in a spaced-apart relationship selected to restrain both tree-length logs and long logs. The railroad car of the present invention may also include one or more apparatus for restraining a stack of timber, such as a winch and a strap. Most preferably, at least six pairs of stanchions are provided. The distance between a first stanchion and the bulkhead is between about 7.5 and 8.5 feet; the distance between the first stanchions and a second stanchion is between about 12.0 and 13.

Abstract: A substructure of the body of a vehicle such as a railroad car is formed by linking first and second beams with each other. The first beams are formed of first and second members each having locking grooves, and the second beams are arranged at intervals perpendicular to the first beams, thus realizing, for example a thin-walled substructure. By virtue of the locking grooves formed thereon, the first members allow the attachment of seats or the like, and the second members allow the suspension of underfloor equipment.