Abstract: A pair of adjustment plates are disposed below a mechanical spring which supports a car body. At least one of the adjustment plates include spaced stepped portions to engage a portion of the other plate with the stepped portion engaged determining the height of the car. When the car load is removed from the springs, the relative positions of the plates may be selectively changed to adjust the height of the car body. A shock absorber is connected inside the mechanical spring and removable through the adjustment plates.

Abstract: A freight car includes main side and end frame beams. Wall structures are connected to the beams and extend downwardly therefrom. A floor structure is connected to the wall structures to provide a lower well arrangement for receiving a trailer therein.

Abstract: An articulated truck joins and supports two adjacent railway cars. A linkage including two pairs of links is connected between the bolster of the truck and one of the railway cars. A common link is connected between the two pairs of link. The linkage and common link forces the truck to maintain a radial position with respect to curves in the track.

Abstract: A primary suspension system is disposed between a journal bearing assembly carrying a wheel-axle assembly and a side frame of a railway truck. A rubber ring having cut-away portions or openings therein is bonded to inner and outer split metal rings. The inner ring is retained by the journal assembly and the outer ring is retained by the side frame.

Abstract: A tire pressure control system includes means for restoring and maintaining specified tire pressure by applying intermittent regulated air pressure to the tire through a rotating seal near the wheel when the air pressure is too low. If the air pressure in the tire is at a predetermined safe operating level, the air pressure through the rotating seal is blocked.

Abstract: A primary suspension system is disposed between a wheel journal bearing and a side frame of a railway truck to minimize acceleration forces from being transmitted from a wheel axle unit to a car body. A pair of elastomeric members form a ring clamped around the journal bearing and are bonded to multiple outer plates disposed in different planes. Relatively low spring rates are provided when one set of outer multiple plates are operative with relatively high spring rates being provided when the elastomeric members are compressed and the inner multiple plates become operative.

Abstract: A solar reflector panel includes a glass reflector element held by a thermoset plastic backing. The backing is molded around the reflector element to provide lips to lock the element in place on the backing.

Abstract: A steerable railway truck includes a main frame structure having a bolster and a pair of side frames to be secured to a car body. A pair of "C" shaped sub-frames are interconnected. Extending arm portions of the sub-frames are slidably mounted to the end of the side frames on shear plate assemblies. Hanger elements extend from the main frame to hold the interconnected sections of the sub-frame. A steering link member is connected between the main frame and one of the sub-frames to force the two frames to steer when the car body moves over curved tracks.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a main body including a firewall having a pair of side rails connected thereto and extending forwardly therefrom. A front bumper beam is secured to the side frames. The bumper beam comprises an elongated box structure having a pair of tubular elements therein in alignment with the pair of side rails. The tubular elements provide additional crush distance in the event of a frontal collision.

Abstract: Emergency springs are disposed within air springs which are used for normally supporting a railway car body. When the air springs fail, the car body is supported by the emergency springs. Each of the emergency springs includes a conventional spring in combination with a pair of angularly disposed springs which changes operating chracteristics when the load is increased.

Abstract: A four passenger automobile frame includes a main platform and an open frame secured thereto for receiving panels thereon. Energy absorbing means are included in pairs of forwardly and rearwardly extending side rails which are connected from the platform to front and rear bumpers.

Abstract: A main tubular support structure extends along the length of a plurality of curved solar panels. Integral support sheet members are curved to receive the panels on one side. The opposite side of the sheet members include projecting sections welded to the tubular structure.

Abstract: A first set of selectively movable platens are disposed at a fixed station to receive a container therein to provide shoring of the external surfaces of the container. A second set of selectively movable platens are disposed to provide shoring of the internal surfaces of the container. Expandible and retractable slat members connect the upper corner portions of the second set of platens so that when these platens expand, the slat members provide internal shoring at the inside corners of the container.

Abstract: A hitch mechanism connected to a freight car is disposed to receive a king pin of a trailer to be carried by the car. The hitch mechanism is adapted to be selectively opened to receive the king pin therein and then closed by a lever to secure the king pin in place. A latch mechanism automatically locks the hitch mechanism in a closed position after the hitch mechanism is closed. A manual operation of the latch mechanism is required before the hitch mechanism can be opened.

Abstract: A source of relatively high air pressure is connected to a pressure regulator which provides a lower relatively uniform predetermined pressure to a plurality of tires on wheels of a vehicle. If the pressure in any one of the tires drop below the others, the pressure from the regulator automatically brings it up to the uniform pressure.

Abstract: Transfer apparatus is adapted to receive a mechanical part from a die and transfer it to a subsequent die. The apparatus may be movably aligned in place and includes means for aligning the part received from the first die and position it to permit transfer to the subsequent die.

Abstract: A support structure for supporting a plurality of solar reflectors include a truss structure having a plurality of bar elements welded together to provide strength and rigidity. Longitudinal connector elements are connected to the truss element to permit attachment to the aligned closely disposed reflector panels. A receiver element with means for compensating for dimensional changes is also attached to the support structure. A pedestal disposed at each end of the support structure is adapted to receive and hold the truss structure with the attached panels and receiver. The entire support structure is adapted to be rotatable in the pedestal structure about 360.degree..

Abstract: A water ski formed of molded upper and lower shells made of sheet molding compound which have mating and overlapping flanges around the entire perimeter of the shells which are bonded together to form a buoyancy chamber. In one embodiment, the chamber is filled with polymerized foam and in another embodiment longitudinally extending ribs are formed to maintain the upper and lower surfaces of the shells in spaced relationship to each other.

Abstract: An anti-locking system controls the service braking pressure for controlling the application of pneumatic braking pressure applied to a wheel vehicle. A valve responsive to the speed of the wheel causes actuation of a fluid pulse generator to generate fluid pulses of predetermined amplitudes and frequency to switch the braking pressure on and off when the vehicle wheel becomes locked.

Abstract: A first set of selectively movable platens are disposed at a fixed station to receive a container therein to provide shoring of the external surfaces of the container. A second set of selectively movable platens to provide shoring of the internal surfaces of the container are attached to a movable assembly which is normally disposed on a support platform at a second station. The assembly is selectively moved off and on the support platform in and out of the container to bring the second set of platens into alignment with the interior surfaces of the container.