Abstract: A system and method for handicapping a ball game such as tennis or volleyball between opponents of lesser and greater skills, by varying or moving at least one of the parameters of the court on which the game is played, a sufficient amount to balance the disparity in such skills. The parameters described are the net, and court boundary lines which may be defined by electric luminescent tape embedded in, or fastened to, the surface of the court floor in parallel spaced lines which selectively can be lit to define the desired boundary, or, may be defined by projected lines on or adjacent to the floor from narrow beam or laser beam projectors capable of projecting lines at desired locations either from overhead or at floor level.

Abstract: A clarifier tank for a water and sewage treatment system is provided. A plurality of spaced columns extending along the lengths of the tank include arms extending therefrom to receive rails on which flight members ride. Cables are connected from the ends of the tank to the arms of the columns to maintain the columns stabilized.

Abstract: A method of forming a hollow reinforced fiber structure includes the steps of providing fiber reinforced material around a flexible expandable member and placing the resulting package inside of a mold which includes inner surfaces conforming to the shape of the structure being formed. A second expandable means is included in the mold on both sides of the package. After the mold is closed, pressure is applied to force the second expandable means against the fiber reinforced material. Resin is injected into the fiber reinforced material. The pressure is then decreased in the second expandable means as inflatable member is expanded to force the fiber material to conform to the inner surfaces of the mold. The fiber material is then cured to form the structure.

Abstract: A hopper car comprises two substantially similar units which are relatively short and have low roof lines. A pair of trucks is connected to opposite ends of the car. A third truck is connected between the two units. A coupler between the units and the third truck provides articulation therebetween.

Abstract: A programmed welding control system is provided for welding automatically a variation of different weld patterns on different assemblies. The system includes a rotary table indexed to be moved to home, idle, and weld stations. An assembly of parts to be welded together are positioned on the rotary table at the work station and held by mechanical elements. Means are provided to identify a particular assembly to control a subsequent welding pattern, and to detect the presence or absence of the operator near the home station. When an assembly is present and the operator is away from the work station, the rotary table is rotated to the welding station when a robot with a welding gun is activated to automatically weld the parts of the assembly in accordance with a weld pattern previously determined at the home station. After the welding operation, the rotary table is rotated back to the home station.

Abstract: A chain conveyor system includes a plurality of interconnected links. The links include first barrel portions connected to engage and be driven by a mechanical drive mechanism including a sprocket wheel. Removable high wear preformed coiled bands having free ends are wrapped around the barrel portions of the links to provide bearings to minimize wear on the links resulting from contact with the mechanical drive member.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced structure formed by layers of fiber having a metallic reinforcement element disposed therebetween. The metallic element includes bent portions or fingers formed at the edges thereof, which extend toward the outer surfaces of the layers of fiber. The fiber layers and metallic element are held in place by resin injected during a molding process. The bent portions of the metallic element bridge the inner plane surfaces of the layers of fiber to strengthen the areas at the resin plane where stress areas normally causes the layers of fiber to separate.

Abstract: A resin transfer molding system includes a plurality of ports for injecting resin into reinforcement material, which preferably comprises fabric, disposed between upper and lower mold pieces to form a structural part. Channels are provided adjacent the fabric reinforcement material and act as reservoirs to permit relatively fast and efficient injection of the resin without excessive applied pressure.

Abstract: In a railway truck, a primary suspension system comprising a pair of elastomeric half-ring members having high wear flexible woven material bonded thereto and on opposite sides thereof; the woven material having high flexibility and wear resistance perpendicular to the plane of the material and rigid within the plane of the material.

Abstract: Methods and means for providing a one-piece seamless enclosure include a plurality of panels each having a foam core surrounded by a fiber reinforced cloth or woven material. The panels are joined inside of an outer mold. An inner inflatable mold is inserted into the area between the panels and pressurized. Resin is pumped into the cavity between the inner and outer molds and then cured. The molds are removed and a one piece seamless enclosure or shelter is provided.

Abstract: A non-metallic leaf spring in which a unitary body member is made up of strands of glass fibers distributed in a matrix of polymerized epoxy resin. The spring is provided with end fittings and a mounting assembly intermediate the ends of the spring by which the spring can be mounted between suspended and unsuspended structures without causing stress concentrations at the non-metallic spring. The method and apparatus by which the spring is manufactured casues strands of fiber to be distributed throughout the spring at a substantially uniform density throughout the longitudinal length of the spring.

Abstract: An electrical control system is provided for controlling a number of different operations in a transfer apparatus for transferring parts from one die to another. The controls of the operations are independent of each other and need not be made in cascade. Adjustments of any one of the operations may be made without directly affecting the other operations.

Abstract: A pair of stacked springs are connected between a main railway car body and a truck. At least one of the springs include an elastomeric member having a center opening therein. Restricting members are provided to limit the lateral movement of one of the springs while permitting free vertical movements of both of the springs.

Abstract: A tubular member for holding a tread brake is inserted through a pair of enlarged openings in a side frame. A pair of washers fit over the tubular member with their outer peripheries welded to opposite sides of the side frame and their inner opening areas being double welded on both sides to the tubular member. The method of assembly involves leaving a top plate off the side frame until final welding steps through one of the enlarged openings has been completed.

Abstract: A system for stacking two similar sized containers on a low level, flat car or trailer of a predetermined size is provided. The containers include fittings at all their corners to receive locking devices. Angular members include locking devices and are dimensioned to overlap two adjacent fittings only of the stacked containers with the twist locking devices locking the angular members to the corner fittings of the top or bottom container to restrict movements between the containers.

Abstract: A water and sewer treatment rectangular tank is provided wherein substantially all the working parts are made of non-metallic material. The system includes a telescoping non-metallic drive shaft connected to sprockets for driving chain with the sprockets being mounted to non-metallic stub posts which are mounted to the side walls of the tank.

Abstract: A knock-down extendible shelter structure is formed by a plurality of hingeable panels of wall, floor, and roof panels. Hinges are used to join the panels. The edges of the latches are used to fix them in place. A plurality of units including similar parts are adapted to be connected together to assemble a shelter of any size. The shelter is designed to be essentially a permanent building that can be readily dismantled and stored.

Abstract: A transom, shaped in the form of an "I" beam, is welded between two side frames of a railway car. The web plate permits a small amount of twisting and relative weaving movements between the side frames in vertical directions to provide equalization.

Abstract: A non-metallic integral housing includes a plurality of fiber covered foam panels joined together. An electro-magnetic shield is disposed on one surface and around the edges of the panels. The shield includes a pair of metallic foils having openings therein separated by a fibrous non-conducting material. Layers of additional fibrous material are disposed on opposite surfaces of the foils. The metallic foils with the fibrous material are disposed on the outer surfaces and around the edges of the panels where they are metallurgically joined. Resin is impregnated into the fibrous material to encapsulate the metal foils to produce an integral isolated housing with the shield within the walls of the housing.

Abstract: A system is provided to measure, store and display data relating to a series of steps in a plurality of welding operations. The data stored may be printed out to assist in locating steps in an operation which do not conform to predetermined time standards to permit corrective actions to be taken, if necessary.