Abstract: The invention includes pliers with self-adjustment capability for applying an initial grasping force to a workpiece and for augmenting the initial grasping force applied to the workpiece. The pliers are structured such that angular displacement of a handle portion of a first plier member is smaller than angular displacement of a jaw portion of the first plier member during an initial movement of the handle portions toward each other for applying the initial grasping force to the workpiece. In addition, the pliers are structured such that angular displacement of the handle portion of the first plier member is larger than angular displacement of the jaw portion of the first plier member to permit augmenting of the initial grasping force applied to the workpiece during a continued movement of the handle portions toward each other.

Abstract: A clamp for securing apparatus such as end-of-train equipment to a railroad coupler head includes a first finger member that is mounted to pivot about a pivot pin in scissors-like manner between a fixed second and third finger member affixed to a housing, a threaded rod and cooperating piston for pivoting the first finger member away from the fixed second and third finger members, a rail member for abutting against an outside surface of the coupler head, and a crank and handle for tightening the grip of the first, second and third fingers on the inner surfaces of the core hole when the crank is rotated.

Abstract: A tie ejector distributes new ties to be installed along a railway track, from a tie distribution car of a rail carried tie exchange vehicle. New ties are moved from a gondola cars to a conveyor at the rear of the tie distribution car leading to the tie ejector. The tie ejector has an endless drive chain on rotatable sprockets on a frame. Two striker plates are attached to the drive chain at opposite ends and opposite sides so that they cannot interfere. One is always on the rear when the other is on the front ejecting a tie by propelling it laterally relative to the conveyor. The trajectory of the tie is adjustable using a movable deflection shield attached to the frame, specifically to adjust the downward deflection angle. The tie ejector can be manually actuated by an operator while the tie distribution car is advanced, to drop ties next to the track at a predetermined and repeatable position relative to passing empty tie cribs.

Abstract: A fully submersible apparatus for generating electricity from liquid flow as in an ocean or river current. A buoyant structure is fully submersible and has at least one pair of counter-rotating side-by-side motors with a plurality of angularly spaced radial vanes each having a plurality of rotatable subvanes such that current impinging upon the motor will impinge on a closed or solid vane to effect rotation of the motor and its shaft during a first phase of the rotational cycle and will impinge on open vanes for free passage therethrough on the return or second phase of rotation of the motor. Motors may also be provided with vanes in overlying and underlying relationship. An associated method is provided.

Abstract: A railway maintenance vehicle exchanges worn crossties for new ones. Worn ties are collected and stored in open-top gondola cars, preferably progressing longitudinally. New ties are simultaneously unloaded from the gondola cars for distribution along the-track. Flange-wheeled tie transport vehicles such as a mobile crane and a bundle clasping transport travel on rails atop the gondola cars to move worn and new ties between collection and distribution devices and the respective storage and unloading locations. Gaps between the cars are bridged by hinged telescoping rail sections. The travel distance between the storage or unloading location and the collection or distribution points change over time. To improve efficiency, at least one intermediate temporary storage basket is moved along the cars and can be passed over by the transport vehicles.

Abstract: The absolute position of a vehicle (V) transporting articles between sites (SS) at an installation, e.g. stations of a steel works, is determined by satellite navigation signal and logged on a CPU with a database to ensure that the intended articles (SR) are processed on different sites as required.

Abstract: A rhyming word game including a game board having a plurality of advancement zones which contain a plurality of advancement positions defining a movement path. At the base of each advancement zone is a start position. All advancement zones lead to a mutual finish position in the center of the game board. There are a number of game pieces which are positionable on each of the plurality of advancement positions for movement from the start position to the finish position. There are a number of playing cards which have a plurality of clues and a corresponding number of rhyming answers. The answers are definitions, interpretations, or associations of the clues. There also exists a timing apparatus used to limit the amount of time players have to respond with the correct rhyming answers to the given clues from the playing cards. The time varies according to the position of a player's game piece on the game board.