Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces of an object. A platform may be moved along a path relative to the object using a robotic device. A liquid may be applied onto the plurality of surfaces of the object using an applicator associated with the platform. The liquid may be worked into the plurality of surfaces using a plurality of cleaning elements associated with the platform to dislodge undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. A plurality of flexible members may be moved along the plurality of surfaces to dry the plurality of surfaces and remove the undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. An airflow may be generated that moves the undesired material into a vacuum duct in a vacuum system.

Abstract: A front retracting plow comprising a vehicle mount for mounting the plow ahead of a tractor vehicle, a stationary intermediate blade mounted to the vehicle mount and at least one pair of opposite first and second relatively slidable lateral blades for travel in independently controlled fore and aft paths parallel to each other, and a pivotal linkage arm assembly interconnecting the at least one pair of lateral blades and the intermediate blade and for continuous sliding operational motion of the lateral blades parallel to one another in opposite directions wherein a laterally continuous forward ground scraping action is achieved.

Abstract: A model train track rail cleaning device includes a base, a cleaning pad mounted to the bottom of the base and a grip body coupled with the top of the base. The cleaning pad has a set of grooves positioned parallel to one another and spaced to receive track rails when the pad is in a first orientation. The cleaning pad also has a second set of grooves positioned parallel to one another and perpendicular to the first set. The second set of grooves is spaced to receive track rails when the pad is in a second orientation. Preferably, the first set of grooves is spaced to receive the rails on model track of a first size and the second set of grooves is spaced to receive the rails on model track of a second size. The cleaning device is pushed and pulled across the rails to clean them.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile floor-cleaning appliance having a housing in which a cleaning tool is mounted, and having a handle holder which is mounted on the housing and is adapted to be connected to a handle in order to guide the appliance along a floor surface which is to be cleaned.

Abstract: A railroad flangeway cleaner system for efficiently clearing debris and other foreign material from a railroad flangeway or other similar channel. The railroad flangeway cleaner system includes a frame for traveling along a channel, a drive unit attached to the frame and a cleaning device rotated by the drive unit, wherein the cleaning device clears the channel of debris.

Abstract: A model railroad track cleaning car having a cleaning element suspended between a pair of wheeled trucks. The cleaning element is an abrasive material that is affixed to the underside of a weighted chassis that is suspended from a pair of articulating arms connected to the respective wheeled trucks. The cleaning material is easily replaced by removing a pair of fasteners from the chassis. A spring tension apparatus is positioned between the articulating arm and the cleaning element chassis to selectively position the cleaning element over the model railroad tracks. A retaining wire is captured in the articulating arm and engages the corresponding truck to turn the articulating arm with the truck, thus positioning the cleaning element over the model railroad tracks even when traversing a curve. A thumb wheel is formed with a notch that receives the articulating arm to lock the thumb wheel into a selected position.

Abstract: A stripping apparatus is associated with a track maintenance machine having a machine frame mobile on a track comprised of rails fastened to ties. The stripping apparatus is designed for stripping off ballast lying on the ties and includes a supporting beam, which is mounted for vertical adjustment on the machine frame, and a plurality of elastic sweeping elements, which are disposed in a substantially vertical position. The sweeping elements are fastened at their upper ends to the supporting beam and are arranged adjacent to one another in a sweeping plane extending perpendicularly to the direction of longitudinal extension of the track. Two support rollers fastened to the supporting beam are provided for riding on the rails of the track.

Abstract: A maintenance cart in a maintenance system is substituted for a material handling cart in a continuous train of material handling carts circulating on a closed track. The maintenance cart includes both inspection and cleaning functions which may be divided among separate maintenance carts, as desired. Inspection includes location sensing (preferably with a bar-code reader), inspection with one or more television-like cameras and clearance measurements. Cleaning functions include removal of dust and debris from a channel-like track by a vacuum arrangement. The maintenance cart or carts may be continuously left in place or substitute as needed in the train and provide continuous cleaning service and system diagnostics for scheduling repairs prior to failure while in use. The system is particularly advantageous for application to mail sorting systems which are largely unaccessible and which permit only brief time windows during which maintenance, repair and inspection can otherwise be carried out.

Abstract: A grinding stone for grinding a railhead surface of a rail includes abrasive material. The abrasive material has a first side surface and an opposed second side surface. The first and second sides surfaces are joined by a circumferential surface. The circumferential surface is transversely disposed with respect to at least the first side surface. The abrasive material presents a bevelled grinding surface extending from a substantially circular locus of points on the second side surface to a substantially circumferential locus of points on the circumferential surface. A method of re-profiling the railhead surface of a rail includes the steps of:rotating at least one grinding stone;bringing the bevelled grinding surface of the grinding stone into contact with the railhead surface; andadvancing the grinding stone along the rail.

Abstract: A three rail Model Railroad track cleaning method and device in which a roll of cleaning tissue is unwound from a supply roll and rewound on a second roll in contact with the tracks, at a rate slower than it is travelling over the tracks, so that it has a wiping action, and can travel long distances before fresh cleaning tissue coming from the supply roll is used up.

Abstract: A topically administrable pharmaceutical composition is disclosed which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a drug which inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, and an amount of a form of hyaluronic acid sufficient to transport the composition through the skin into the epidermis or dermis where the composition remains until discharged via the lymphatic system, wherein(a) the drug is 1-5% by weight of the composition, and(b) the form of hyaluronic acid is 1-3% by weight of the composition, has a molecular weight greater than about 150,000 daltons and less than 750,000 daltons, and is selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid and salts thereof.

Abstract: A device for removing debris on upper surfaces of the ties of a railroad track adjacent to the rails thereof includes a frame selectively positioned on the rails such as to be displaced therealong with the frame carrying a pair of cleaning assemblies each including two motorized rotatable brushes adapted to be positioned on both sides of a respective rail such that when the brushes are rotated in their operational position, debris are swept off the upper surfaces of the ties. Each brush is adapted to be vertically displaced with respect to the rails and the ties' upper surfaces and to be horizontally displaced so as to adjust the spacing therebetween in view of the rail's width and the brushing pressure required thereon.

Abstract: A grinding apparatus of a welded residue on a seam of a rail head portion including a rail, a machine table capable of moving forward and backward along the rail, an apparatus base erected on a distal end side of the machine table, a first support disk board mounted on the apparatus base and capable of moving vertically by electric power or an operator's hand, a second support disk board mounted on the first support disk board and capable of moving vertically by electric power or an operator's hand, a grinding drive motor mounted on a front surface of the second support disk board and capable of rotating about a horizontal axis, a cutter unit mounted on the front surface of the second support disk board and capable of rotating about the horizontal axis, the cutter unit being operatively connected to the grinding drive motor, an engaging portion formed on the cutter unit and adapted to engage a head portion of the rail, and a grinding edge disposed on the engaging portion and adapted to grind an upper surface,

Abstract: The present invention incorporates a caged roller transported along a railroad track by a railroad car adapted for the purpose. The roller is covered with a fluid retaining wear resistant layer which contacts the rail surface. Rolling motion of the roller is generated by movement of the cage along the track and wiping action is caused by retarding rolling motion by contact of the roller with the rear portion of the cage. In a further feature the motion of the roller may be additionally retarded by providing in the interior of the roller a quantity of particulate matter to increase rolling resistance and the weight of the roller.