Abstract: A rail-road intermodal freight system. In an embodiment, a conveyor system is provided for placing rail cars in a position for loading shipping containers thereon, while an over-the-road trailer is secured to the rail car. Rail cars have a frame with a front end and a rear end, and a bogie having at least four flanged rail wheels is pivotally mounted to the rear of the frame of the rail car. A method for unloading the rail cars includes lifting the front of the frame of the rail cars and pivoting the rail cars by an angle alpha from the track direction at an unloading area, and lowering the front end of the frame to the ground to allow truck access to trailers on the rail car. By utilizing the method, efficient loading and unloading of train involved in intermodal shipments may save considerable time, and thus reduce costs.

Abstract: A rail-road intermodal freight system. In an embodiment, a conveyor system is provided for placing rail cars in a position for loading shipping containers thereon, while an over-the-road trailer is secured to the rail car. Rail cars have a frame with a front end and a rear end, and a bogie having at least four flanged rail wheels is pivotally mounted to the rear of the frame of the rail car. A method for unloading the rail cars includes lifting the front of the frame of the rail cars and pivoting the rail cars by an angle alpha from the track direction at an unloading area, and lowering the front end of the frame to the ground to allow truck access to trailers on the rail car. By utilizing the method, efficient loading and unloading of train involved in intermodal shipments may save considerable time, and thus reduce costs.

Abstract: A support device for a laterally displaceable railway wagon includes a track device including an endless track, a body carrying the endless track, and a track device holder, which is pivotally connected with the body via a connection shaft extending transversally through the body. The track device holder includes opposite first and second side portions extending along the length of the track device, a first end portion connected with the first and second side portions at one end thereof, a second end portion connected with the side portions at the other end thereof, a first suspension portion included in said first end portion, and a second suspension portion included in said second end portion. The track device at least partly extends below the track device holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for loading and unloading a semi-trailer on a railway wagon, comprising a loading and unloading structure intended to receive the semi-trailer. The loading and unloading structure comprises a lower portion in the form of a support plate intended to carry the semi-trailer and an upper portion in the form of a handling frame intended to be handled and moved by a standard means for handling containers. To this end, the upper portion of the handling frame has a standard container interface intended to be handled and moved by a standard means for handling containers. The support plate and the handling frame are connected either by a fixed link or by a detachable link.

Abstract: An inline terminal system (300), which includes the steps of: (i) transporting (302) a first container with a cargo via an inbound railroad car to a terminal having a plurality of train rails; (ii) picking and placing (304) the first container from the railroad car to a track side location having at least one buffer in proximity to the plurality of train rails, including: (a) rotating the first container at an angle of at least ten or more degrees with respect to the train rails; and (b) positioning the at least one buffer substantially adjacent to the train rails, at the track side location, at an angle of at least ten or more degrees with respect to the train rails; and (iii) moving (306) the first container via a tractor truck to a desired location for unloading. This system provides a simple, robust and efficient method to load, and in the reverse unload, a container on a chassis or rail car, respectively.

Abstract: The device pertains to a carriage which may be separate or integrated with a mobile, powered loading vehicle to load or unload railroad track materials to or from a gondola and a method thereof.

Abstract: A linkage clamping system that may be used both for moving a clamp laterally and for rotating the clamp. The device includes a linear actuator, a rotational linkage assembly, and a clamping member. The linear actuator may first rotate the clamp, then move the clamp laterally, or may be configured to move the clamp laterally first, then rotate it. Both the lateral and rotational movements are achieved in distinct motions with a single linear actuator. The clamp may be rotated about 180 degrees and the lateral movement may only be limited by the lateral movement provided by the linear actuator. The linkage clamping system may be used to secure equipment, such as a material handler for unloading an open top railroad car.

Abstract: A high efficiency disposable cellulosic wiper includes (a) pulp-derived papermaking fiber; (b) up to 75% by weight regenerated cellulosic microfiber having a characteristic CSF value of less than 175 ml, the microfiber being selected and present in amounts such that the wiper exhibits a Laplace pore volume fraction at pore sizes less than 15 microns of at least 1.5 times that of a like wiper prepared without regenerated cellulose microfiber. The wipers of the invention exhibit remarkable residue removal efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for transferring freight among different modes of transportation including: a railway spur; zones located in parallel along the railway spur; L-cars located over the railway spur to carry the freight; an external propulsion mechanism located along the railway spur to move the L-cars; sensors and actuators located in the zones to start and stop the L-cars; and connector rails located along the railway spur to direct the L-cars to desired zones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for railroad freight car loading or unloading. More specifically, the present invention discloses an apparatus for transferring freight among different modes of transportation including: a railway spur; zones disposed along said railway spur; an L-car disposed over said railway spur to carry said freight; an external propulsion mechanism disposed along said railway spur to move said L-car; sensors and actuators disposed in said zones to start and stop said L-car; connector rails disposed along said railway spur to direct said L-car onto roads adjacent to said railway spur, and a tractor disposed on rail to move one or more L-cars in a cluster or string. The present invention also relates to a method of transferring a container or a semi-trailer on and off an L-car with a straddling crane having portable scaffolding.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for loading and unloading a container or semi-trailer from a railroad freight car including: a side track located off a main line; a joint in the side track; a segmented rail connected to the joint; and a platform underlying the side track. The present invention further discloses a method of unloading a container or semi-trailer from a L-car including: moving the L-car from a main line to a side track; pivoting a segmented rail to a slant angle relative to the side track; connecting a tractor to the container or semi-trailer; and pulling the container or semi-trailer off the L-car.

Abstract: A renewable energy system for directly charging electric and hybrid vehicles is shown for areas with modest wind resources and/or solar resources. The invention consists of a composite stanchion for mounting on a base in a parking lot that is both capable of supporting a medium sized wind turbine (or solar array) and serving as a battery storage and charging control station. Significant improvements in blade pitch adjustment and cost reduction for wind turbine blades allow the system to operate at an acceptable cost in areas with modest winds and avoid the need for remotely supplied renewable electricity in areas of high population density. In turn, this will allow for increased electrical grid stability through increased use of distributed generation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a traction vehicle (21) for semi-trailers (3), preferably for loading and unloading the semi-trailers (3) onto and off of a freight train (18), in particular, as part of the rolling highway, wherein the freight train (18) comprises several freight cars coupled to one another, in particular low-floor railcars (10), and a continuous driving lane in the longitudinal direction (20) of the train for moving the semi-trailers (3) on the freight train (18), wherein the traction vehicle (21) is unmanned and self-propelled, as well as a tractor-trailer unit (30) formed from the traction vehicle (21) and a semi-trailer (3), a method for transferring semi-trailers (3) from the railway (12) to the roadway and vice versa, as well as a freight transfer terminal thereto, and a method for transferring semi-trailers (3) from the railway (12) to the roadway and vice versa and for transporting the semi-trailers (3) on the railway (12).

Abstract: A material-handler adapted for locating on top of an open topped railroad car includes a chassis mounted on tracks, and a first and second pair of outriggers extending from the chassis. Wheels and clamps are located at the distal ends of the outriggers to stabilize the material handler on the top of the railroad car. A knuckle boom is rotatably mounted on the chassis for manipulating cargo materials. The material handler of the invention also utilizes the clamps and wheels on the outriggers in conjunction with the boom to self-load and self-unload the material handler to and from the top of a railroad car, and to and from one care to another with possible different height and width. Operator safety is enhanced by allowing the operator to control the self-loading and unloading via remote control.

Abstract: A material handler is disclosed that is adapted to travel along the top of an open top railroad car, like a gondola car, to load or unload the railroad car. The material handler may include an excavator connected to an assembly frame, the assembly frame being adapted to ride on the top of the side walls of the open top railroad car. The assembly frame may include a front wheel mount and a rear wheel mount that moves the material handler along the top of the open top railroad car. The material handler may include hydraulic links that connect the wheel mounts to the frame assembly. The hydraulic links may provide the vertical movement of the wheel mounts with respect to the frame assembly. The vertical movement of the wheel mounts may allow the material handler to travel between adjacent open top railroad cars having differing wall heights.

Abstract: A rail road car has a deck for carrying wheeled vehicles. The vehicles are loaded from the ground by use of a movable ramp that is positioned next to a separate coupler end of the rail road car. The car has deck access fittings mounted between the trucks near a collapsible hitch to provide access to the highway trailer landing gear crank, and flush mounted internal bridge plates. The rail road car has side sills having flared ends to act as a guide for the highway trailers as they are backed up. The hitch is trimmed to a relatively narrow width to lessen the likelihood of fouling the tyres of the highway trailer bogies.

Abstract: A dock or railway has a length of parallel track-driveway spaced along side for rail mounted tractor-trailers or truck-bus chassis-cab to guide on and travel to transfer cargo or people containers between the dock or cars in a train stopped for these transfers. The truck bed, chassis, or dock has one or more parallel oblique channels extensible or with roller bars extensible obliquely from a side to engage transfer rollers added on the container or oblique channels in the bottom of the container to move the container between the truck bed and the dock or car according to the direction the truck is driven or moved along parallel past the dock or car or the container is extended to initiate transfer. Various actuators can initiate and complete the transfer between the truck and standing train car or dock. Passenger and freight containers are interchangeable on the same bus-truck chassis and railway car container berth.

Abstract: A method, employing a device for processing, in particular for reading, programming or the like, of cards which are provided with an integrated circuit, chip or the like having at least one memory, the cards being conveyed along a path to at least one station where they are individually held fast by respective holding devices, provided with contactors, of a rotating carrier, and are processed during the rotational movement of the carrier, starting out from a device, by way of the contactors, and, subsequently thereto, the cards again being released by the holding devices onto the path. The individual cards are grasped by the holding device in question by the pressure action of a medium, in particular by suction action, and are held fast thereto.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a valve/sensor assembly is provided that includes a door assembly. The door assembly has (1) a first position adapted to seal an opening of a chamber; (2) a second position adapted to allow at least a blade of a substrate handler to extend through the opening of the chamber; and (3) a mounting mechanism adapted to couple the door assembly to the chamber. The valve/sensor assembly also includes a sensor system having a transmitter and a receiver adapted to detect a presence of a substrate and to communicate through at least a portion of the door assembly. Systems, methods and computer program products are provided in accordance with this and other aspects.

Abstract: A system is provided by which forwarders can improve the loading efficiency of vehicles and shippers can reduce the transportion cost, thereby improving the transportation efficiency as a whole. Shippers transmit details regarding cargoes to be delivered to a center as cargo information. Forwarders transmit details regarding transportion vehicles having empty space to the center as empty vehicle information. At the center, the cargo information and empty vehicle information are matched, and if there are any that match and coincide, they are notified to shippers as transportation information and simultaneously to forwarders as cargo-receiving information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a SIM card (405) to be inserted in a terminal (400) of a communications network, comprising means for storing data (11a, 11b, 11c) required in the identification of at least two users and means for carrying out user identification. The invention also relates to a cellular terminal utilizing the said SIM card. The terminal can be used by several users with their own identification codes without changing the SIM card in the terminal.

Abstract: A glass container inspection machine which has a machine frame having a horizontal upper portion, a horizontal lower portion, and a vertical portion interconnecting the horizontal upper and lower portions for defining a rear, side to side, stepped in configuration for defining a volume into which a linear conveyor can be located by displacing the inspection machine frame rearwardly. An infeed mechanism is suspended from the horizontal upper portion above the linear conveyor when the frame is displaced rearwardly to locate the linear conveyor in the volume, and an outfeed mechanism is suspended from the horizontal upper portion above the linear conveyor when the frame is displaced rearwardly to locate the linear conveyor in the volume.

Abstract: A tractor (20) for unloading a trailer (12) from a railcar (14) is disclosed. The tractor (20) comprises a trigger actuator (34) and a bumper (30). The trigger actuator (34) is fixably mounted to the tractor (20) and remains stationary. The bumper (30) of the tractor (20) may be operated between an extended position and a retracted position. When the bumper (30) is in the extended position and the tractor (20) is adjacent to a stanchion (16), the trigger actuator (34) does not engage the trigger of the stanchion (16). When the bumper (30) is in the retracted position and the tractor (20) is adjacent to the stanchion (16), the trigger actuator (34) engages the trigger (28) of the stanchion (16) to operate the stanchion (16) from the raised position to the lowered position, thereby transferring the trailer (12) from the stanchion (16) to the tractor (20).

Abstract: In a transshipment system for combined transport, a drop-bed freight car, with a frame mounted on bogies and at least one onboard or stationary mounting which can be moved transverse to the longitudinal axis of the freight car, is used for a transporting unit. The mounting moves under the transporting unit, for example a semitrailer, brings it onto the freight car and lower it down there.

Abstract: A method for transporting road haulage trailers by railway train using carriages having flat load bearing tops (2). The carriages are constructed so that they are on the same level as a railway platform (61) so that trailers (7) may be driven directly onto the carriages from the platforn (61) and decoupled from a prime mover in order that the trailers can be arranged end to end along the train (1). Similarly the trailers may be unloaded by bringing in the train into registry with an unloading platform (91) and driving the trailers directly from the train onto the unloading platform with a prime mover. A series of rollers (62) may be provided to underlie the edges of the flat tops (2) in order to prevent them tilting when the trailers are driven onto the train.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading open top railroad cars, especially hopper cars, comprising a crawler excavator having a pair of tracked treads and a hinged arm with a bucket thereon able to rotate a fill 360 degrees and to move forward and rearward atop the open top railroad cars, an attachment on the crawler with side extensions to hold the crawler atop the rail cars due to the side extensions slidably resting atop the sides of the rail cars and a portable ramp by which the crawler excavator can mount the ends of the cars.

Abstract: System and method for loading and unloading highway vehicles for transportation over railroad lines. The system has a number of railroad vehicles, each having a deck for highway vehicles. The deck extends from a central portion of the vehicle to one or both ends of the railway vehicle. The invention includes a terminal which has at least one stationary railroad track portion which is connected to a railroad system outside of the terminal. The terminal also has number of moveable railroad track segments. These segments can be positioned in a first configuration in which they are aligned so that railroad vehicles can be rolled from one or more of the stationary railroad track segments onto the moveable railroad track segments.

Abstract: A rail transportable ramp assembly for intermodal trains comprises a pair of parallel, spaced ramp members each having a first end for engaging a ground level surface and a second end for engagement with a loading end of a rail car. A rigid cross-member extends between the ramp members adjacent the first ends. A flange is attached to the second ends of the ramp members for releasably coupling the ramp members to the rail car. The rail car has a slanted surface on each of opposite sides of the loading end for engaging the flange and restraining the ramp members. The rail car also incorporates rollers at the loading end for facilitating movement of the ramp members between a loaded position and a latching position.

Abstract: A stanchion or hitch for supporting a semi-trailer on a rail car includes a vertical support member having a base end and a top end with a fifth wheel attached to the top end. A base member is attached to the base end of the vertical support member. The base member includes a plurality of releasable connectors for attaching the base member to the bed of the rail car. The fifth wheel is pivotably attached to the vertical support member and includes a king pin protruding from a lower surface for enabling the fifth wheel to be coupled to a fifth wheel on a yard tractor. A diagonal brace extends between the base member and the vertical support member to prevent collapse of the vertical support member. The rail car bed is modified to accept the connectors on the base member in multiple positions so that the stanchion is selectably positionable at various locations on the rail car.

Abstract: A stanchion is provided with a latch system which is operable from the tractor which positions the trailers such that a gate on the tractor locks and unlocks the latch to appropriately reposition the stanchion during the positioning of the trailer. The tractor also includes a hook which engages the stand to raise the stand during loading of the trailer from its lowered to its raised position to engage and secure the tractor and also to reposition the unlocked stand during unloading of the trailer.

Abstract: In a system for positioning supporting trailers on stanchions of a railroad car, an optical system is provided to allow the operator to monitor the relationship of the tractor, trailer, stanchion and actuators on the tractor. The unique system of stanchion position indicia is provided to allow rapid and accurate selection of the stanchion position. The tractor includes a positively controlled actuator for operating the breakdown trigger of the stanchion to unlock it.

Abstract: A stanchion is provided with a latch system which is operable from the tractor which positions the trailers such that a gate on the tractor locks and unlocks the latch to appropriately reposition the stanchion during the positioning of the trailer. The tractor also includes a hook which engages the stand to raise the stand during loading of the trailer from its lowered to its raised position to engage and secure the tractor and also to reposition the unlocked stand during unloading of the trailer.

Abstract: In a system for positioning supporting trailers on stanchions of a railroad car, an optical system is provided to allow the operator to monitor the relationship of the tractor, trailer, stanchion and actuators on the tractor. The unique system of stanchion position indicia is provided to allow rapid and accurate selection of the stanchion position. The tractor includes a positively controlled actuator for operating the breakdown trigger of the stanchion to unlock it.

Abstract: A wagon for carrying a lifting cradle having a wagon chassis and at least one pivotable body mounted to pivot about an axis for pivoting and guides for receiving at least one lifting cradle. Components for locking the lifting cradle to the chassis include a shaft fixed to the chassis and disposed along the vertical axis for pivoting, two attachment arms disposed on either side of a longitudinal plane of symmetry and mounted on the shaft to pivot between an unlocking configuration and a locking configuration, the arms including noses projecting laterally each adapted, in the locking configuration, to engage between two substantially transverse sides of a housing provided on the side beams of the lifting cradle and, in the unlocked configuration, to be outside the housings. Elements to control and guide the movement of the arms and to block the arms in the locked configuration are attached to the arms.

Abstract: Method for loading and unloading semitrailers on a train of flat cars by coupling the semitrailers to power driven stanchions respectively, providing the power driven stanchions with automatic control in the form of proximity sensors for governing movement of the semitrailers in accordance with proximity of adjoining semitrailers and automatically steering the stanchions along a guide path to load and unload the train.

Abstract: A stanchion is provided with a latch system which is operable from the tractor which positions the trailers such that a gate on the tractor locks and unlocks the latch to appropriately reposition the stanchion during the position of the trailer. The tractor also includes a hook which engages the stand to raise the stand during loading of the trailer from its lowered to its raised position to engage and secure the tractor and also to reposition the unlocked stand during unloading of the trailer.

Abstract: An intermodal transport system designed for use in the hauling of semi-trailers by means of railway bogies. The system combines a turntable and spring-loaded chock design to enable the efficient loading and unloading of semi-trailers. A novel turntable design reduces bending stresses in transit while the combined chock reduces labor requirements during the loading and unloading processes since an automatic locking in place is achieved.

Abstract: A railroad car adapted to receive at least one container from a truck positioned along the railroad car includes a deck mounted on wheels and at least one turntable rotatably mounted on the deck. The turntable includes a pair of spaced, parallel guide tracks which can slidably receive and support a container. A shuttle bar extends transversely across and is slidably mounted on the deck. The shuttle bar is connected to the turntable so that sliding movement of the shuttle bar rotates the turntable between a position in which the guide tracks extend longitudinally along the deck and a position in which the guide tracks extend across the width of the deck. The shuttle bar has hooks on its ends which can be engaged by a bail on the truck to allow the truck to move the shuttle bar and thus rotate the turntable.

Abstract: Trailers are loaded on and unloaded from railroad flatcars by use of a system including tractors to pull the trailers, an end ramp at the end of the train, and a movable side ramp structure at the side of the train. The movable ramp structure has a ramp and a retractable bridge extending from the top of the ramp to the top of a flatcar in the train. In unloading, a tractor drives up the movable ramp and across the bridge to get onto the flatcar. Then the bridge is retracted, the tractor hitches onto one of the trailers, and pulls it along the joined beds of the flatcars and down the end ramp. The tractor then takes the trailer to a storage area, unhitches the trailer, and returns to the movable ramp structure to repeat the process. While the first tractor is pulling the trailer along the tops of the flatcars, the movable ramp structure moves to a position near the next trailer to be unloaded, and extends the bridge again.

Abstract: A system for moving freight carriers including highway semi-trailers and receptacles such as demountable containers and merchandise racks in trains on railway tracks includes railway trucks, each slidably mounting a transversely centered fifth wheel support to permit its positioning at different locations longitudinally of the truck and swivelly mounting a pair of longitudinally disposed structures each including a pair of transversely spaced treadways for supporting semi-trailer highway wheels such that the highway wheels at the rear of one semi-trailer can be supported on one wheel supporting structure and the fifth wheel support can be positioned between the treadways of the other wheel supporting structure to support the front end of another semi-trailer, whereby a plurality of semi-trailer and railway trucks are linkable into a train with the front end of the leading semi-trailer supported on the fifth wheel support of a road-rail tractor.