Abstract: A gate assembly for a railroad hopper car is disclosed. The gate assembly includes a frame defining a discharge opening, a slidable door mounted on the frame for movement between a closed position, wherein the door closes the discharge opening, and an open position, wherein the door is positioned to allow commodity to pass through the discharge opening. Either of two modular components can be arranged in combination with the door on the gate assembly to allow the gate assembly to be conditioned for either pneumatic and/or gravitational discharge or gravitational discharge only of commodity from the gate assembly. A drive mechanism including an apparatus for selectively engaging either the door or either of the modular elements arranged in association with the door is mounted on the frame of the gate assembly, with the apparatus of the drive mechanism preferably being lost motion connected to the door.

Abstract: A compressible spring or shock attenuating apparatus is disclosed for axial insertion within an elongated hollow receptacle having a predetermined inner diameter. The compressible spring of the present invention comprises an elastomer body having an outer diameter and a pair of axially spaced ends. A series of substantially equal annular crests are axially disposed relative to each other on the elastomer body between the spaced ends, with a periphery of the crests defining an outer diameter for the elastomer body. The elastomer body is specifically configured such that the outer diameter of the elastomer body remains substantially constant even when the ends of the spring are compressed toward each other. According to the present invention, each crest of the elastomer body has a closed annular ring fixed and extending thereabout to promote maintaining the outer diameter of said body substantially constant as the ends move toward each other while defining a predetermined outer diameter for the spring.

Abstract: A multipiece excavating tooth assembly including an adapter, a digging or excavating tooth, and retaining pin structure for interconnecting the adapter and tooth in operable combination relative to each other. The tooth and adapter have a uniquely configured interface or conjuncture therebetween. Moreover, the conjuncture between the digging tooth and adapter is configured to advantageously orientate the retaining pin structure to avoid those problems inherent with conventional vertical and horizontal pin systems.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for releasably and positively locking a hinged door of a railroad hopper car in a releasably closed position or condition is disclosed. The locking mechanism for each hinged door on the hopper car includes a lock carried on the hopper car adjacent a discharge opening, a pivotal locking element carried by the discharge door and movable therewith into releasable but positive locking engagement with the lock when the door is swung into a closed position or condition, and a door release mechanism for controllably releasing the locking element from engagement with the lock thereby permitting the discharge door to swing to an open condition or position. When a series of doors are arranged in end-to end relation along a bottom of the car, the door release mechanisms for the discharge doors are operated substantially simultaneously thereby opening substantially an entire bottom of the hopper car.

Abstract: An apparatus for economically handling mercury containing lamps in an efficient manner while protecting the environment against release of mercury vapors into the atmosphere. The apparatus of the present invention includes a mobile vehicle which is transportable to a facility or site where the mercury containing lamps to be destroyed are located, a mechanism mounted within an enclosure on the mobile vehicle for receiving and destroying the mercury containing lamps therewithin, and an apparatus for sensing mercury vapor levels within the enclosure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A mechanical power transmission system for an engine or motor driven vehicle is disclosed. The transmission of the present invention includes an input transmission, a compound planetary transmission, and an output transmission. The compound planetary transmission includes two input and two outputs. The input transmission has a single input connected to the engine or motor of the vehicle and two outputs connected to the two inputs to the planetary transmission. The output transmission includes two inputs connected to the two outputs of the planetary transmission and one output connected through suitable gearing to the wheels of the vehicle or any other mechanism to be driven by a motoring device at various speed ratios.

Abstract: An apparatus for economically handling mercury containing lamps in an efficient manner while protecting the environment against release of mercury vapors into the atmosphere. The apparatus includes a mobile vehicle which is transportable to a facility or site where the mercury containing lamps to be destroyed are located, a mechanism mounted within an enclosure on the mobile vehicle for receiving and destroying the mercury containing lamps therewithin, and an apparatus for sensing mercury vapor levels within the enclosure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for pivotally interconnecting a door to a trailer body is disclosed. The hinge assembly includes a hinge plate having a mounting portion and a hinge portion. The mounting portion of the hinge plate is configured to permit attachment to the door, while the hinge portion of the hinge plate defines an elongated closed passage opening at opposite ends thereof. Bearing structure is non-rotatably accommodated within the passage for forming a bearing connection between the hinge plate and a pivot member endwise extending through the hinge portion of the hinge plate. The bearing structure includes a cap formed integral therewith and extending from opposite ends of the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for economically handling mercury containing lamps in an efficient manner while protecting the environment against release of mercury vapors into the atmosphere. The apparatus of the present invention includes a mobile vehicle which is transportable to a facility or site where the mercury containing lamps to be destroyed are located, a mechanism mounted within an enclosure on the mobile vehicle for receiving and destroying the mercury containing lamps therewithin, and an apparatus for sensing mercury vapor levels within the enclosure of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an elastomeric spring adapted for use in combination with a railroad car energy absorption apparatus. The method of the present invention involves the step of stabilizing the elastomeric spring prior to insertion of the energy absorption apparatus on the railroad car. Stabilization of the elastomeric spring is effected by submitting the elastomeric member to a predetermined repetitive compression pattern comprised of a series of individual compression cycles. Cyclically compressing the elastomeric member in the predetermined repeat pattern prior to installation of the energy absorption apparatus on the railroad car effects permanent deformation of the elastomeric member while maintaining the preload force developed for the energy absorption apparatus to remain at a substantially constant maximized level simulating a predetermined wear condition for the energy absorption apparatus.

Abstract: A gate assembly for a hopper car having an enclosure for holding and transporting particulate matter and a plurality of openings along a bottom of the car through which particulate matter is discharged. The gate assembly is designed to allow for either pneumatic discharge of the particulate matter as a result of pressure differentials applied to the outlet on the hopper car or gravitational discharge of the particulate matter through a covered discharge plenum depending from a discharge opening defined by the frame of the gate assembly. The gate assembly further includes seal structure and a gate mounted on the frame for elevational movements between sealed and unsealed conditions and for sliding movements between open and closed positions. The gate assembly further includes a mechanism for arranging the frame, the gate and the seal structure in sealed relationship relative to each other such that a gage pressure of up to 15 psig.

Abstract: A railroad car side bearing is disclosed. The railroad car side bearing includes a housing, an upper member arranged in spaced relation relative to the housing, an elastomeric spring disposed between the housing and the upper member, and a thermal insulator for restricting heat transfer between the upper member of the railroad car side bearing and the elastomeric spring.

Abstract: A multipiece excavating tooth assembly including an adapter and an excavating tooth. A fastener releasably interconnects and maintains the excavating tooth in operable combination with the adapter. When assembled, an elongated nose portion of the adapter extends into a blind cavity defined by and which opens to a rear end of the excavating tooth. The adapter and tooth define a pair of fore-and-aft spaced stabilizing lands for advantageously transferring impact forces imparted to the tooth assembly during an excavating operation. Each stabilizing land on the tooth assembly is comprised of a pair of generally horizontal flats arranged in confronting relation relative to each other when the excavating tooth is arranged in operable combination with the adapter. Each stabilizing land further includes a generally vertical stabilizing wall arranged in at least partially surrounding relation relative to the flat.

Abstract: A tile marking apparatus including an elongated member and a guide for maintaining the elongated member in a predetermined disposition relative to the surface being traced onto a tile. The elongated member of the tile marking apparatus is configured to accommodate a marking device a predetermined distance from a follower end of the apparatus for marking a tile with a profile as the elongated member moves thereover and the follower end engagably traverses the surface with which the tile is to abut. As will be appreciated, the profile marked on the tile corresponds to the profile of the surface with which the tile is to be positioned in abutting relationship. The other piece of the tile marking apparatus of the present invention is a guide. The guide is adjustably connected toward an opposite the follower end of the elongated member for maintaining the elongated member in a substantially constant disposition relative to the surface with which the tile is to abut.

Abstract: A discharge door assembly for a bottom dump covered railroad hopper car is provided. The discharge door assembly includes a plurality of longitudinally mounted discharge doors arranged in end-to-end relation across a bottom of the hopper car; with each discharge door being movable between open and closed positions about a pivot axis disposed parallel to and adjacent a longitudinal axis of the hopper car. A door operating mechanism including a single powered actuator operates all of the discharge doors substantially simultaneously to effect rapid discharge of matter from the hopper with significantly less operator involvement. The door operating mechanism further includes a lock for releasably holding the discharge doors in a closed position. A venting system inhibits imploding of the walls of the hopper car upon discharge of particulate matter from the car.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a head portion of a medical stethoscope. The head portion of the stethoscope includes a diaphragm capable of transducing medical sounds when positioned during use in juxtaposition relative to a patient. The cleaning apparatus of the present invention includes a housing defining an interior cleaning chamber and having an opening communicating between an exterior of the housing and the cleaning chamber. The opening in the housing permits the head portion of the stethoscope to be inserted into the cleaning chamber. An apparatus is arranged in the cleaning chamber for disinfecting the head portion of the stethoscope inserted through the opening.

Abstract: An improved seal or boot for inhibiting contaminants from interfering with operation of a mechanism having two flexibly interconnected components which axially extend from opposite ends of the seal. The seal is formed as a one-piece hollow and elongated body defining an enclosed cavity wherein the pivotal connection of the mechanism is arranged and having first and second annular mounting ends. The first and second annular mounting ends are configured to allow the components of the mechanism protected by the seal to axially extend therefrom. To permit flexural movement of the seal and the interconnected components of the mechanism protected by the seal, a plurality of bellow-like configurations are disposed along a major length of the seal between the first and second mounting ends. Each bellow-like configuration on the seal has predetermined root and crest diameters with wall sections of a predetermined material thickness extending therebetween.