Abstract: A chute liner for an impact surface in a chute of a conveyor bearing granular coal, aggregate, or other granular material which is within a given granule size range. The chute has at least one impact surface against which the granular material impacts when the material is input to or discharged from the conveyor; usually, there are plural impact surfaces in the chute. The chute liner includes a base plate of molded elastomer conforming to and mounted on the impact surface of the chute. A multiplicity of elastomer knobs are molded integrally with the base plate and project toward the interior of the chute when the liner is mounted on the chute impact surface. The knobs are of truncated conical configuration and are effectively spaced from each other by distances greater than the size of the smaller granules of the granular material, so that granular material accumulates between the knobs to afford a renewable wear surface within the chute.

Abstract: A flange or mounting assembly for mounting a cutting tool on a drive shaft of a motor, which includes an inner flange having a spindle, an outer flange and fastening means for retaining the outer flange on the spindle of the inner flange and for maintaining the cutting tool in frictional engagement with the flanges, wherein the flanges include means for preventing relative rotation therebetween so that the flange assembly is particularly adaptable for use on bi-rotational power equipment.

Abstract: An electrical power generating system for a railcar to provide power for electrically driven accessories on the railcar which includes a generator driven by an air motor, wherein free air to the air motor is derived from air operating the braking system on the railcar, and particularly air that is exhausted to the atmosphere during braking operations.

Abstract: A periodontal probe having blade-shaped head for use in measuring the depth of gingival pockets of a patient's teeth more comfortably and accurately.

Abstract: A pneumatic railcar braking system for freight or passenger cars, wherein the system is operable as an electronically controlled pneumatic brake system in conjunction with a head end unit in the locomotive or as a conventional pneumatic brake system in conjunction with a pneumatic brake control in the locomotive.

Abstract: This invention relates to a carrier for a pipe and line locator which facilitates the use and operation of the locator in that the carrier includes a grounding rod for making it easy to connect a grounding output of the transmitter to ground, thereby enhancing the efficiency of using the locator. The grounding rod on the locator is associated with the handle that is used to lift and transport the carrier and to cause penetration of the ground with the grounding rod upon placing the carrier with the locator on the ground.

Abstract: A modular storage cabinet for compact disk jewel boxes that includes a plurality of connectible members to construct a cabinet of a desired architecture or configuration of choice. The cabinet of the invention will be provided to the user in disassembled form wherein the various parts or members can be assembled into a configuration of choice to hold a desired number of compact disk jewel boxes including both single and double boxes. The members include side, back, top, bottom and expander members for constructing an enclosure having a front opening into which jewel boxes may be inserted and withdrawn wherein the structure is in the form of a tower.

Abstract: A combination dental floss dispenser and stand-up toothpaste container in which the dispenser is attached to the flip-open cap of the stand-up container, whereby the container, cap and dispenser are adapted to stand in the upright position on the dispenser.

Abstract: A grating lift pad for mounting on the free end or edge of a grating section on the floor of an auto rack railroad car which lifts the grating section off the floor to reduce wear and rusting of the floor caused by movement and vibration of the grating during train movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repairing optical discs, wherein the apparatus includes an improved buffing wheel capable of applying a uniform buffing action across the readable surface of an optical disc, and wherein the method includes the step of mechanically buffing the damaged area of a disc with an abrasive means and thereafter buffing the buffed area with a non-abrasive means to remove fine scratches caused by the abrasive means.

Abstract: A vented hatch cover assembly for a railroad hopper car including top and bottom members having substantially rigid and somewhat dome-shaped bodies which are divided into four quadrants wherein each quadrant includes coacting baffle members extending from the bodies of the top and bottom members which define a plurality of circuitous air passageways to allow air flow into and out of the hopper car while restricting moisture and other contaminants from entering the car. An improved hatch cover lock mechanism for securing a vented or non-vented cover to the hatch is easily adjustable to provide a tight seal between the cover and hatch, and provides a safe controlled opening of a non-vented cover. An improved seal or gasket is arranged between the cover and hatch.

Abstract: A communications network is provided in which switching nodes configure periodically. There is a plurality of shortest paths having equal propagation delays between two switching nodes between which there is at least one intermediate node.

Abstract: A railroad car sensing system for monitoring car performance by detecting vertical, transverse and/or longitudinal car truck movements, which includes one or more accelerometers mounted on a plastic brake beam guide for generating and sensing car truck movement signals to a computer for processing.

Abstract: An electronic pneumatic brake system for trains which significantly improves brake cylinder pressure build-up time and facilitates essentially instantaneous and simultaneous braking on all cars of the train. The electronic pneumatic brake system includes electronic pneumatic control valves on the cars which individually control the braking on each car or a pack of cars and which are regulated by an electronic pneumatic controller on each car that receives electronic braking and release signals by way of wireless communication from an electronic head end unit on the lead locomotive, or where no head end unit is provided in the locomotive, receives pneumatic braking signals through the brake pipe.

Abstract: A flag and paint marking device for marking a path on a ground surface with paint and/or flags to indicate the path of an underground line or pipe, which includes a paint marker for dispensing paint and a flag receptacle for receiving a supply of flags and a stabber or ground hole-forming device for defining a hole into which a flag may be inserted.

Abstract: An orthodontic band having a patterned surface formed with a pattern of indentations for securing the band to a tooth to enhance retention, wherein the patterned surface is formed by a metal displacement operation.

Abstract: A self-lubricating plastic center plate assembly bearing liner for placement between a body bolster center plate and a truck bolster center plate of a center plate assembly in a railroad car, wherein the liner is configured to substantially mate with the center plates and includes a body having an integrally formed electrically conductive ring of plastic material which provides electrical continuity between the plates in the center plate assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a custom shim for a die component having one or more blind holes, where the apparatus includes a preformed laminate having an adhesive layer, a protective layer removably attached to one side of the adhesive layer, and a paper impression layer attached to the opposite side of the adhesive layer. The method includes the steps of removing the protective layer from the adhesive layer, attaching the exposed adhesive layer to a piece of shim stock, applying ink to the surface of the die component having the blind hole(s), placing that surface of the die component on the paper layer to form thereon an ink impression of the die component, removing the die component from the paper layer, cutting the piece of shim stock in accordance with the ink impression, and removing the laminate from the cut shim stock to uncover the custom shim which accurately maintains the relationship between the blind hole and the outer contour of the die component.

Abstract: An improved trash handling device for receiving trash in a trash container enclosed within a housing where the housing has a completely enclosed manually operated trash compactor for selectively compacting the trash received in the container, wherein the compactor includes a pyramid-shaped compacting plate for engaging the trash in the container, a foot lever for rotating the compacting plate downwardly from resting position into the trash container, a pneumatic spring for biasing the compacting plate to resting position, and a safety lock preventing delivery of trash to the container during a compacting cycle.