Abstract: Method of handling proppant at a well site using a plurality of modular proppant containers in which first and second modular proppant container in a filled state are removed from delivery transport vehicles and transferred to first and second cradle positions on a support structure using one or more heavy-duty handlers. Proppant is discharged by gravity feed from the outlet of the first and second modular proppant containers and directed to a hopper until the modular proppant containers are in an empty state.

Abstract: A locking assembly includes an elongated guide tube configured to be coupled to a first component. The guide tube is elongated in a first direction from a first end to an opposite second end. The locking assembly also includes a first pin partially disposed in the guide tube and protruding from the first end of the guide tube. The first pin can be received in a first receiver. The locking assembly also includes a second pin partially disposed in the guide tube and protruding from the second end of the guide tube. This second pin can be received in a second receiver. The locking assembly also includes a handle removably coupled with the second pin. The handle can be grasped and moved to slide the second pin relative to the guide tube and the first pin along the first direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an auto-rack bridge plate locking assembly including a support bracket, a support block, a guide tube, a slidable locking pin partially positioned in the guide tube, a handle removably attachable to the locking pin by a removable roll pin, a fixed pivot pin partially positioned in the guide tube, and a spring positioned in the guide tube between the pivot pin and the locking pin. The present disclosure also provides an auto-rack railroad car bridge plate including a plate configured to extend from one auto-rack railroad car to an adjacent auto-rack railroad car, and such locking assembly connected to the plate and configured to pivotally attach the plate to one of the auto-rack rail road cars.

Abstract: A system for laterally moving an industrial machine is provided. The system includes a pair of rail elements configured to be positioned laterally below and support the industrial machine, the rail elements allowing the industrial machine to be moved laterally from a first operative position to a second, maintenance position; and a pair of linear actuators configured to laterally move the industrial machine as from the first, operative position to the second, maintenance position. The rail elements may include a first skid configured to couple laterally to an underside of the industrial machine at a first axial position; and a second skid configured to couple laterally to an underside of the industrial machine at a second axial position. First and second segmented support rails are positioned in sliding, aligned contact with the first and second skid, respectively, and are configured to be supported on a respective machine foundation.

Abstract: A rail car unloading device is provided comprising a base, a hopper, and a support member. The base comprises a support plate. The support member is rotatably mounted to the base support plate. The hopper is mounted to the support member and the support member is rotatable with respect to the base between a first position where the hopper is placed beneath a rail car in an unloading position and a second position where the hopper is positioned in substantially parallel alignment with rail tracks such that a rail car may pass by the device.

Abstract: A method for replacing a container of input energy for a drive motor of a motor vehicle including at least one iteration of a phase including the following: recognizing the type of container to be deposited; making, if needed, at least one tool suitable for the container type; using the at least one tool to take down the container; depositing the container; and using the at least one tool to mount a new container. The making at least one tool suitable for the container type includes dismantling, on the at least one tool, a first device for activating and deactivating a first mechanism for locking the container onto the motor vehicle and mounting, on the at least one tool, a second device for activating and deactivating a second mechanism for locking the container onto the motor vehicle.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars. Individual trailers are assembled into trailer assemblies at an assembly area. Trailers containing freight are assembled into trailer assembles using specialized dollies. A preferred embodiment includes using a self-powered dolly having tires and mounting a fifth-wheel pickup plate and a ring coupler for engaging the kingpin of a trailer. Multiple dolly-trailer assemblies are connected together to form a trailer assembly. A self-powered movable ramp is positioned at an end of the railcar assembly and a tractor pulls the trailer assembly onto a railcar assembly by driving up a self-powered movable ramp and across the top of the railcars.

Abstract: This pallet has rollers on a track and lilts for transferring a cargo container between vehicles or dock. Portable or extendable arms form the track for the pallet between adjacent vehicles or dock. Ledges on the vehicles support the arms and rollers. The pallet is moved from vehicle to vehicle or dock by driving the pallet with motor or the pallet can have one or more channels along its bottom engaged by a cam arm mounted on a vehicle to move the pallet between vehicles on either side. The pallet or air bags thereon lift the container. The pallet could optionally be lifted by extending its rollers lifting its supporting ledges and arms—so air bags do not need to be deflated or used to lift. As a safety feature the container is titled from and lowered to a vehicle only in register for transfer.

Abstract: A transport system suited for transporting a turbine engine mounted to an engine docking unit is provided. The transport system is capable of adjusting the attitude of the docking unit in at least the lateral and longitudinal directions relative to the engine to facilitate the loading and unloading of the turbine engine to and from the transport system.

Abstract: A transporting space of an article transport facility is divided into a first space and a second space by a wall having an opening. A first movable body that travels along a first travel rail in the first space and a second movable body that travels along a second travel rail in the second space are provided. A relay portion which can support an article without interfering with the shutter that can open and close the opening is provided in the first space. The first travel rail is arranged to extend adjacent a first space side transfer position for transferring articles between the first mobile body and the relay portion, and the second travel rail is arranged to extend adjacent a second space side transfer position for transferring articles between the second mobile body and the relay portion through the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a yoke having a first end and a second end. The yoke is configured to hold a device that includes an aperture and a range compensation structure. A catch arm is pivotally secured to the first end of the yoke. The catch arm includes a locking feature. The locking feature and the second end of the yoke interface, respectively, to a first retention feature and a second retention feature defined by the aperture and the range compensation structure. The locking feature is configured to interface to the first retention feature and the second end of the yoke is configured to interface to the second retention feature.

Abstract: A baggage handling system comprising: a plurality of pre-loading queues (10) operable to receive baggage; and a loading station (17) operable to receive baggage from individual ones of said queues. Thereby, a single loading station can be allocated to multiple destinations simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for loading a dumper with broken rock or the like and an apparatus for implementing the method. In the method, a loading area is defined for the dumper. The dumper is stopped at the loading area at a predefined position for loading. An emptying area is correspondingly defined in advance for a loader for transporting the material in its bucket onto the dumper box. The apparatus includes a controller for controlling the dumper at least during loading, and the controller includes means for stopping the dumper for loading at the predefined position so that the material transported by the loader can be emptied onto the dumper box in a predefined location in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A method and system for storing and temporarily relocating a trash container so as to decongest a thoroughfare.

Abstract: A bridge plate assembly is formed of dual phase steel for interconnecting two rail cars and supporting the weight of a vehicle moving between the rail cars. The bridge plate assembly includes a bridge plate with a substantially continuous top surface having a pair of troughs. The bottom surface of the bridge plate assembly has a box formation provided by a bottom panel spanning an area between the pair of troughs.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for palletizing cargo on a rack for shipment are provided. The system generally includes a tiered rack having a base tier, a support framework extending from the base tier, and a second tier adjustably attached to the support framework. The system may further include a plurality of lower frame support members positioned longitudinally across the bottom of the base tier, and a plurality of pneumatically actuated rollers spaced to cooperatively engage the plurality of lower frame support members, the rollers being selectively extendable from a plurality of raised tracks positioned longitudinally along a floor of the railcar, where the rollers are configured to pneumatically extend past an upper surface of the track when actuated and allow for linear motion there over.

Abstract: A method of automatically depositing and withdrawing storage-goods carriers (2) in and from a storage rack (4, 4?) with the aid of transport vehicles (1) is improved according to the invention in that at least two storage-goods carriers (2) are stored each in a first and at least one other storage level (28) one upon the other on a transport vehicle (1), the transport vehicle (1) is driven near the storage rack (4, 4?) and positioned in a transfer position (U) at the storage rack (4, 4?), and subsequently the storage-goods carriers of the first and then of the at least one other storage level (28) are deposited in or withdrawn from the storage rack (4, 4?) in the transfer position (U), wherein a relative difference of level (?Y) between a working level (E) of a transfer device (3, 36, 36?) and the respective storage levels (28) of the storage-goods carriers (2) is automatically compensated for deposition and withdrawal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a loading and unloading apparatus comprising in mutual cooperation a conveyor device (3) adjacent a roller table (2), where said conveyor device and roller table are pivotably mounted on a carrying structure (5), which structure, in use is vertically extendable and retractable.

Abstract: A series of transport carts are positioned in side by side relation in fore and aft extending spaced apart rows disposed along a delivery van to leave an aisle between them. The carts have wheel supported upright frames with bottom supports for the products disposed at a level above the floor of the van and open fronts from which the carts can be unloaded. The carts have rear posts which are disengageably locked in track sections provided in longitudinally spaced relation along the van side walls. Pallets with discs projecting downwardly from the floors of the pallets support the product stacks on the cart bottom supports. A hand truck with a bifurcated nose plate defining disc receiving arms engages under each pallet to enable removal of a pallet and product stack from the cart.

Abstract: A method for aligning a truck chassis with a required position relative to a crane, in which the truck is scanned by a sensor means. The laser scanner is located on the crane in such a way that it will be able to scan at least one of a plurality of loading/unloading lanes. The truck is scanned when it enters into one of the loading/unloading lanes in order to detect/identify at least one edge of the truck. The distance between the identified edge of the truck and a fixed point on the crane is measured. A signal is generated that enables a truck driver to drive the truck into a required position in the loading/unloading lane for accurately receiving or delivering a container.

Abstract: An apparatus operative to perform at least one of lifting and moving containers. A base structure is provided with wheels, counter-weight and supports on both sides. Transverse beams are arranged on the on the base structure parallel with axles of the wheels. The beams include container moving units. The base structure includes two base cars arranged antimerically to and movable synchronously with each other, both base cars include container moving units having upper and lower container grips. The container moving units include at least one of traveling lower and upper lifting beams bearing at least a part of the container grips.

Abstract: A slat carrier for facilitating transportation of slats to be used in an animal pen. The slat carrier includes a support assembly being designed for selectively receiving the slat to be transported. A mounting assembly is rotatably coupled to the support assembly. The support assembly is rotated with respect to the mounting assembly whereby the support assembly is designed for rotating the slat from a horizontal position to a vertical position to facilitate transportation of the slat through doorways. The mounting assembly is designed for being selectively coupled to a vehicle whereby the mounting assembly permits the vehicle to transport the slat supported by the support assembly. A wheel assembly is coupled to the mounting assembly. The wheel assembly is designed for engaging a support surface whereby the wheel assembly facilitates transportation of the support assembly across the support surface.

Abstract: A method for loading a dumper with broken rock or the like and an apparatus for implementing the method. In the method, a loading area is defined for the dumper. The dumper is stopped at the loading area at a predefined position for loading. An emptying area is correspondingly defined in advance for a loader for transporting the material in its bucket onto the dumper box. The apparatus includes a controller for controlling the dumper at least during loading, and the controller includes means for stopping the dumper for loading at the predefined position so that the material transported by the loader can be emptied onto the dumper box in a predefined location in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A handling device is provided for a battery block (1) of an industrial truck having a lateral battery extraction opening. The handling device includes a pallet truck (3) and a battery receptacle (4) mountable on the pallet truck (3). The battery receptacle (4) on the pallet truck (3) can be inserted underneath a battery block (1) that is located in the industrial truck, whereupon the battery block (1) can be lifted and removed from the industrial truck. The battery receptacle (4) has a load-bearing frame by means of which the weight of the battery block (1) can be supported on the tines of the fork of the pallet truck (3). In one development, the handling device includes a battery tray on which the battery block (1) can be set down by the battery receptacle (4) that is located on the pallet truck (3).

Abstract: A container handling system includes a vehicle adapted to carry a container, the vehicle being equipped with a hoist for lifting containers, and, a trailer towable by the vehicle so as to provide tandem transport of containers. The trailer is adapted to receive a container from the vehicle via the vehicle hoist, and is further adapted to selectively hoist a received container in furtherance of unloading the received container, or dump contents therefrom.

Abstract: A series of transport carts are positioned in side by side relation in fore and aft extending spaced apart rows disposed along a delivery van to leave an aisle between them. The carts have wheel supported upright frames with bottom supports for the products disposed at a level above the floor of the van and open fronts from which the carts can be unloaded. The carts have rear posts which are disengageably locked in track sections provided in longitudinally spaced relation along the van side walls. Pallets with discs projecting downwardly from the floors of the pallets support the product stacks on the cart bottom supports. A hand truck with a bifurcated nose plate defining disc receiving arms engages under each pallet to enable removal of a pallet and product stack from the cart.

Abstract: A mobile passenger ramp for loading and unloading aircraft, the ramp comprising having upper and lower frame sections connected pivotally so that the ramp can be folded for storage or movement about the tarmac and unfolded at an obtuse angle to form a wide “footprint” to provide wind or jet blast stability. An arcuate surface bridges between the ramps of the two frames when unfolded. The compact ramp remains safely clear of a “No-Go” zone while still being sufficiently long to minimize the slope of the ramp for improved ease of use by passengers, either ambulatory or in wheelchairs. A steerable wheel at one end of the ramp enables rotation of one frame about the pivoting connection for folding and unfolding the frames. Fixed wheels on the upper frame and a castored wheel positioned near the pivot point on the lower frame provide stability and easy maneuverability of the folded ramp.

Abstract: A series of transport carts (21) are positioned in side by side relation in fore and aft extending spaced apart rows disposed along a delivery van (22) to leave an aisle (58) between them. The carts have wheel supported frames (28) with bottom supports (131) for the products disposed at a level above the floor of the van and open fronts from which the carts can be unloaded. The carts have rear posts (58) which are disengageably locked in track sections (66, 67) provided in longitudinally spaced relation along the van side walls. Pallets (30) with discs (34) projecting downwardly from the floors of the pallets support the product stacks on the cart bottom supports. A hand truck with a bifurcated nose plate defining disc receiving arms engages under each pallet to enable removal of a pallet and product stack (31) from the cart.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for centralized transfer of cargo to and from rail cars comprising a first railway to accommodate the rail cars; a staging area; and a second railway positioned between the first railway and the staging area to accommodate a movable transfer dock; wherein the cargo is transferred between the staging area and the rail cars via the movable transfer dock. Also disclosed is a movable transfer dock for facilitating the transfer of cargo between a staging area and a rail car, comprising: a movable platform having a plurality of wheels thereunder to support the platform on a plurality of rails; a mechanism to allow for facile movement of cargo; and a pressurized air source mounted to the platform. Also disclosed is a cargo container for use with embodiments of the present system.

Abstract: A mobile passenger ramp for loading and unloading aircraft, the comprising having upper and lower frame sections connected pivotally so that the ramp can be folded for storage or movement about the tarmac and unfolded at an obtuse angle to form a wide “footprint” to provide wind or jet blast stability. An arcuate surface bridges between the ramps of the two frames when unfolded. The compact ramp remains safely clear of a “No-Go” zone while still being sufficiently long to minimize the slope of the ramp for improved ease of use by passengers, either ambulatory or in wheelchairs. A steerable wheel at one end of the ramp enables rotation of one frame about the pivoting connection for folding and unfolding the frames. Fixed wheels on the upper frame and a castored wheel positioned near the pivot point on the lower frame provide stability and easy maneuverability of the folded ramp.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for transporting a load from a source to a destination. The apparatus includes a freight container (1) which has a plurality of cells (7) each for containing a discrete load and a conveyor (10) for conveying loads between cells (7). Plural discrete loads are loaded into the container (1). The loads are allocated amongst the cells (7) according to the destinations of the individual loads and then each individual load is conveyed to its allocated cell (7).

Abstract: A flatrack for supporting and transporting cargo on a cargo aircraft (air), within an ISO container (sea), and on a PLS truck system (land) without the need of a crane or K-loader is provided. The flatrack includes a main body portion and a pair of longitudinally extending planar surfaces extending along an underside of the main body portion. The pair of longitudinally extending planar surfaces are sufficiently spaced apart so as to roll along a plurality of rollers positioned within the cargo aircraft. The pair of longitudinally extending planar surfaces further includes a retaining flange engageable with a pair of retaining rails also positioned within the cargo aircraft to permit air transport. A plurality of cargo restraint connectors are coupled to the main body portion of the flatrack so as to permit connection with a standard cargo securing system within an ISO container to permit sea transport. A PLS rail mounting system is also provided that extends along the underside of the main body portion.

Abstract: A wheelchair system for transferring a handicapped person onto an automobile seat includes a wheeled chassis whose front end is rolled beneath an automobile door opening, a horizontally extending base member, and a rotatable mounting mechanism for the base member. The rotatable mounting mechanism includes a first actuating linkage and a first driven member therefor. The wheelchair system also includes a chair supporting frame located centrally of the chassis and removably mounted on the base member. This chair supporting frame includes an adjusting mechanism for vertically adjusting a support thereof. A handle assembly is removably mounted to the chassis and includes a second linkage for rotating the first driven member. This second linkage includes a removable driving member which removably connects to the first driven member as the handle is removed and connected to the chassis, and a second driven member at an opposite end thereof.

Abstract: A freight transportation container can accept standardized pallets and is suitable for the transportation by land, sea, or air. The size and construction of the container permits the loading and removal of freight by a conventional fork lift truck, and allows placement of the container in standard-sized trucks and aircraft. Lockdown lips formed on the bottom of the container secure the container to the floors of trucks and aircraft. The freight container also is part of a system for transportation whereby the freight can be loaded, inventoried, locked, and sealed at a customer's premises, and remain under the custody of one entity throughout shipment of the freight to the consignee. An empty freight container can be delivered to a customer's premises on a truck having a cab and removable trailer, so that the container and trailer can remain there for loading, and then later be picked up by the cab and taken to holding areas, other trucks, ships, aircraft, or directly to the consignee.

Abstract: A container handling system includes a vehicle adapted to carry a container, the vehicle being equipped with a hoist for lifting containers, and, a trailer towable by the vehicle so as to provide tandem transport of containers. The trailer is adapted to receive a container from the vehicle via the vehicle hoist, and is further adapted to selectively hoist a received container in furtherance of unloading the received container, or dump contents therefrom.

Abstract: A livestock unloading system for unloading livestock from a storage unit of a transport vehicle to a processing plant or storage facility. The unloading system includes a conveyor system whereby livestock ride from the storage unit to their destination. The conveying system includes a telescoping end that extends into and retracts from a coop during the unloading process. A system of hydraulics controls the speed of the conveyor, aids in the leveling of the machine, adjusts both the angle and tier of unloading, and levels and controls the telescoping end of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading rails from a freight car on which the rails are arrayed to extend in a longitudinal direction of the freight car comprises a track-bound car, and a rail guiding unit positioned at each car end. Each rail guiding unit comprises a pair of rail guide heads having guide rollers for centering a respective one of the rails therebetween. The rail guide heads of a first rail guiding unit are positioned at one of the car ends and are displaceable in a horizontal plane perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and drives are provided for vertically adjusting the rail guide heads of the first rail guiding unit.

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: A container, such as a transfer trailer, a roll-off container, or other container that can be transported, has expandable side walls. The walls are hydraulically, or otherwise, forced outward to increase the inside width dimension of the container. A loading device, such as a garbage route collection truck or other similar vehicle can then be backed into the container whereby the solid material waste or other commodities can be directly loaded into the container. Once the container has been loaded, the side walls can be retracted to their original positions, such that the container maintains its standard regulated width dimension.

Abstract: The transport includes a U-shaped chassis frame supported on wheels and a lift frame vertically movable within the chassis such that the lift frame can rest on the ground and move above the chassis frame. A plurality of winches are located on the lift frame and are driven in common through a step-down gear mechanism powered by a hand crank. Each winch includes a strap having a free end and a fixed end attached to the winch. The free end includes a fastener for temporarily attaching the strap to the chassis frame. Near each winch is a riser attached to the chassis frame and the strap from the winch passes over the riser to enable the lift frame to be raised slightly higher than the chassis frame.

Abstract: A device for overloading products from a working machine having a driver's stand to a transporting vehicle has an overloading unit provided in the working machine, and a monitor assembly for monitoring overloading of the product from the working machine to the transporting vehicle, the monitor assembly including an analog monitoring camera associated with the overloading unit and filming an overloading process, an analog control monitor arranged in the driver's cabin of the working machine such that an indication of the monitoring camera is performed by the control monitor, a first microprocessor connected to the monitoring camera and digitalizing a video signal, a second microprocessor to which the video signal is transmitted, and a digitally operating graphic indicator to which the digitalized video signal is transmitted by the second microprocessor for indication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cart for shopping in stores, loadable full and effortlessly into a car trunk. The cart includes a basket and a rolling support. The rolling support is placed in the car trunk when disconnected from rolling legs and basket supporting arms. The basket is movable with respect to the support and rotated by rods which form two deformable parallelograms. An electric or crank control transmits the synchronous motion to two reduction units located on either side of the basket. Thus, the basket is effortlessly laid into or extracted from the car trunk, passing the threshold.

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 railroad car is particularly constructed for transporting heavy elongated structures such as T and box girder prestressed concrete bridge beams. The railroad car has a frame including a planar top surface with first and second ends and sides, and railroad wheels mounting the frame for movement on rails. A number of lifting bladders are mounted on the top surface for lifting a beam to move it away from the top surface (e.g. to lift it above a number of wooden blocks supporting the beam). Stationarily mounted roller structures are provided adjacent each of the first and second ends, and movable rollers are provided for movement underneath a beam once lifted by the lifting bladders. A winch is also mounted adjacent each of the ends of the railroad car for pulling beams supported by the rollers along the car, and from one car to the next car to facilitate unloading of the beams (as with a crane) at a discharge site without having to move the railroad cars in a string.

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: A telescoping bridge plate for auto rack railroad cars for supporting automobiles being driven between railroad cars comprises a top plate with corrugations providing top surfaces separated by grooves, with the top plate having an overlapping end portion and a locking end portion, a bottom plate with corrugations providing top surfaces which seat beneath the top surfaces of the top plate, and grooves which seat beneath the grooves of the top plate, with the bottom plate having an overlapping end portion and a locking end portion, and with the top plate overlapping end portion and the bottom plate overlapping end portion being in sliding overlapping engagement.

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 conveyor system comprising a platform positioned above and spaced from a building roof for receiving a motorized or manual stone ballast transport cart, and a conveyor positioned beneath the platform for receiving ballast stones unloaded from the cart and conveying the stones over the edge of the roof. The platform is essentially flat and parallel to the roof and includes two ramps positioned at opposite ends of the platform, an opening located directly above the conveyor for permitting passage of ballast stones from the cart to the conveyor, and a grate in the opening with through openings in the grate large enough to permit passage of ballast stones and small enough so that the grate provides a path for the removal machine over the opening. The conveyor is an endless belt conveyor and is driven by a drive belt connected to an internal combustion engine.