Abstract: A precise movement device of the type for guiding a movable member with hydrostatic pressure or a magnetic field and moving the movable member substantially without a friction. The device includes a mechanism for supporting the movable member by the use of hydrostatic pressure or a magnetic field and for guiding the movement of the movable member, and includes a mechanism for generating a resistance against the movement of the movable member when the movable member is to be stopped, such that the movable member can be stopped at a desired position accurately and in a reduced time.

Abstract: The device comprises a body (1) for placing on a rail (R) for the purpose of receiving a wheel of a machine to be slowed down and stopped and forming an abutment for the wheel, and an arrangement for connecting the device to the rail. The connecting arrangement comprises a plate (7) carrying elastically yieldable claws (10 and 11) which are maintained spread apart in their position of rest. The plate (7) is adapted to be applied against the rail (R) and is pivotally connected to an arrangement (21) for moving the claws (10 and 11) towards each other for the purpose of closing them around the head of the rail. The arrangement (21) is connected to the body (1) of the device.

Abstract: A transporting system for a robot comprises a self-propelled wheeled platform which travels along a pair of tracks which establish a path between a series of spaced work stations. Accurate positioning of the platform at the work stations is achieved by a toggle-operated platform-mounted mechanism which lifts the platform above the track, using four precisely positioned locator blocks fixed to the tracks at each work station. These blocks provide a reaction and reference surface for the lifting mechanism and have formations which cooperate with formations on the carriage to cam the carriage into the desired longitudinal and transverse position as the carriage is lifted. The lifting mechanism also functions to fixedly clamp the carriage to the locator blocks once the final position has been achieved.

Abstract: A remote controlled slack pulling log skidding carriage is provided for feeding a slack drag line toward a log to be skidded. A drive sheave rotatably mounted in the carriage is operated by a hydraulic motor. The fluid to operate the motor is stored in one or more accumulators, and a radio controlled valve starts and stops the flow of fluid to the motor. A mechanically operated hydraulic pump also is provided to recharge the accumulators during a skidding operation. A reciprocating locking assembly is provided to alternately lock the carriage to the skyline or to the slack line.

Abstract: An automatic rail clamp is provided with an indicator for visibly showing the extent of wear of the replaceable clamping jaw inserts together with a fulcrum shaft having opposed eccentrics about which the jaws rock. As wear of the inserts develops, rotation of the fulcrum shaft is effected in measured increments which, in turn, progressively shifts the eccentrics relative to the axis of rotation of the fulcrum shaft to thereby move the centers about which the jaws pivot. This operates to maintain the arc through which the jaws rock within a constant range, thus allowing the rail clamp mechanism to operate at smaller, more efficient toggle angles by keeping the toggle angle safe. A differential hand screw is provided for moving the jaws in the event of failure of the automatic mechanism for opening and closing the jaws to ease the manual effort required to turn the hand screw, particularly to release the jaws when the clamp is set by spring pressure into clamping engagement with the rail.

Abstract: Brake equipment is provided for a vehicle adapted to travel along a path adjacent to an elongated stationary rail the brake equipment comprising a resiliently applied brake member arranged to abut one side of the stationary rail and a pivotally mounted reaction brake member on the opposite side of the stationary rail to the brake member. The reaction brake member is pivotably clear of the stationary rail along sections of the track, for example, point or crossover arrangements, pivotal movement of the reaction brake member being under the action of an abutment member arranged to abut stationary formations associated with the sections of the track.

Abstract: For mechanism for releasably locking or braking an elongate element and associated structure comprises mechanism including a member adapted to be mounted on the associated structure and providing clutching surface means engageable with one side of the elongate element. A locking lever has one end pivotally mounted on the member and has intermediate its ends a gripping clamping clutch area thrustable into locking, gripping, clamping engagement toward the clutching surface means for thereby locking the element and the associated structure against relative movement. For rocking the lever in its locking mode a force multiplication device comprises a roller driven as by means of an actuator plunger into force multiplying engagement between a fixed shoulder and a roller on a free end portion of the lever.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel imporvements in a clamping apparatus adapted to grip the sides of a clamped member and, more specifically, the sides of rails such as those used for cranes and railroads. The clamping apparatus includes a frame adapted for primary movement relative to and substantially parallel with the clamped member, and secondary movement substantially perpendicular to the sides of the clamped member. Secured to the frame, in opposed relation to the clamped member, are lateral guides. A pair of yokes, including clamp guides and lever centering surfaces is slidably mounted in the lateral guides for movement substantially perpendicular to the sides of the clamped member. A pair of clamp levers, having clamping surfaces in opposed relation to the sides of the clamped member, are pivotally mounted intermediate their ends in the pair of yokes. An actuating link is pivotally connected to the other end of each clamp lever.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a brake mechanism, particularly useful on a vehicle which travels on the upper side wall edges of gondola cars. The brake mechanism includes a brake shoe rack which carries two pairs of brake shoes, one pair of brake shoes being adapted to clamp one side wall of the gondola car and the other pair of brake shoes being adapted to clamp the other side wall of the gondola car. The pairs of brake shoes are moved in opposition to one another by a single hydraulic ram to effect the clamping of the side walls. The brake shoe rack is pivotally supported below the chassis of the gondola car loader by hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the brake shoe rack as the vehicle is moved from gondola car to adjacent gondola car. The brake shoe rack is also movable from side to side with respect to the chassis of the vehicle to enable the brake mechanism to accommodate gondola car side walls which are bowed or otherwise irregularly shaped.

Abstract: Caliper brake particularly for installation in locations where there is insufficient space for conventional caliper brakes of similar capacity, and also adapted to accommodate lateral shifting of the brake shoes due to deviating braking surfaces. Brake has a pair of caliper arms with brake shoes at outer ends thereof, and actuator with axis of extension and retraction disposed longitudinally of the caliper arms. A toggle structure cooperates with the actuator and caliper arms to force inner ends of arms apart when the actuator is actuated, and includes toggle links having inner ends hinged to actuator and outer ends hinged to inner ends of respective caliper arms. To permit the brake shoes to move laterally, the caliper arms are hinged on a mounting structure which cooperates with frame to permit relative swinging between mounting structure and actuator.

Abstract: A guideway gravity vehicle combination designed for recreational use on hills and mountains consisting of a wheeled, stabilized vehicle riding on a monorail which extends from the top to the bottom of a downwardly inclined slope. The rider controls the vehicle speed through the use of powerful braking systems. Maximum speeds are regulated by automatic braking.

Abstract: A braking system for a freight module, crane module, or the like which is suspended for movement on an overhead guiding rail having the form of an I beam with upper and lower horizontal flanges and a vertical web in which braking results from the pincer action of pivoted pincers having upper arm portions pressing brake shoes, one mounted on each pincer, against the vertical web of the I beam. The lower arm portions of each pincer diverge outwardly and downwardly to provide a triangular opening below the pivot pin and a rectangular opening at the bottom ends. A tension spring is mounted at the base of the triangular portion. A parallelogram shaped cam disc having curved ends is mounted for opening movement between base plates at the sides of the rectangular opening. A motor and shaft rotate the cam through a predetermined arc to apply the braking movement in a controlled manner to gradually slow down the module and avoid oscillations of the module.

Abstract: A slide and sled combination designed for use on the side of a mountain in conjunction with the operation of ski lift, consists of a monorail extending the length of a mountain from the upper end near the top of a ski lift along a path containing curves, banked curves, and straight segments to the bottom of the mountain near the base of the ski lift. The monorail consists of, in cross-section, a tubular segment supported on a web. Sleds comprising shells are supported on and secured to the monorail by two sets of four wheels which engage the tubular segment. Each set of wheels are supported on bulkheads connected to the shell. A braking system controllable by an operator sitting in the shell includes brakes actuated by a lever that are adapted to engage the tubular segment at diametrically opposite points. Stabilizing wheels are provided on at least one of the bulkheads and are adapted to engage the web.

Abstract: A rail vehicle is disclosed for use on an elevated electric rail system having a lower rail below the vehicle and an upper rail above the vehicle. The vehicle includes a pair of lower wheels having independently rotatable flanges rollably carrying a vehicle cab along the lower rail and an upper wheel having independently rotatable flanges rollably engaging the upper rail. Electric motors, energized through contacts carried on the vehicle by an electric circuit associated with the upper rail, are drivingly connected through drive belts to the respective lower wheel to propel the vehicle along the rail system. The vehicle also includes a clamping rail brake carried by a vehicle which is engagable on the lower rail, and a vertically and laterally extendable servo system secured to the vehicle and carrying the upper wheel.

Abstract: A plate is locked in situ on a table that has a guide for controlling the vement of the plate in a predetermined direction. A pair of members are moved between a first position where they are applied to fixedly connect the plate to the guide and a rest position where the plate can be moved. Ramps are inclined relative to the predetermined direction of the guide. The ramps and member are positioned so the member is movable between the first and rest positions along the ramps. The ramps cooperate with the member and are displaceable substantially in the predetermined direction as the plate moves on the guide.

Abstract: A radial axle railway truck has a pair of wheel and axle assemblies with profiled wheel treads of greater than conventional conicity to steer the assemblies by means of the differential effect of the inner and outer wheel diameters on curved track, the axle bearings are located inboard of the wheels, and the truck frame side members are correspondingly located inboard of the wheels and there supported on the axle bearings such that longitudinally acting resilient restraint means between the axle bearings and the truck frame resist substantial movements of the axles longitudinally of the truck frame while offering only limited resistance as a couple to steering movements of the axles with respect to the truck frame because of the relatively short transverse moment arm between the longitudinally acting resilient means.

Abstract: A fail-safe clamping apparatus adapted to grip the sides of rails such as those used for cranes and railroads. The clamping apparatus includes a frame adapted for primary movement relative to and substantially parallel with the clamped member, and secondary movement substantially perpendicular to the sides of the clamped member. Secured to the frame, in opposed relation to the clamped member, are lateral guide brackets. A yoke assembly comprising a pair of lever pins and a pair of yoke members is slidably mounted in the lateral guide brackets for movement substantially perpendicular to the sides of the clamped member. Each one of a pair of clamp levers, having clamping surfaces in opposed relation to the sides of the clamped member, is pivotally mounted at one end on one of the lever pins. An actuating link is pivotally connected to the other end of each clamp lever.