Abstract: A collapsible, corrugated damage prevention device for separating freight in transit in railroad cars, trucks, and the like is provided and includes an outer tube like member and a collapsible spreader core inside the outer tube and at right angles to the sides of the outer tube. One version provides an outer tube like member and a second tube like member inside and at right angles to the outer tube. Another version provides a U-shaped outer section with outwardly extending flanges covered with a cap sheet to provide a hollow interior. The sides of the void filler are scored to allow each side to be easily folded outwardly from the core member thus disposing the entire device in a flat configuration which can be easily stored when not in use.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for furnace flues and chimneys includes a reflecting plate biasly coupled, at its lower end to an interior wall of the flue. The reflecting plate is urged, by the bias coupling, to a non-use position adjacent the interior wall of the flue. The plate is moved to its reflecting or use position, within the interior of the flue, by the movement of a connecting rod operatively connected to the reflecting plate. In the reflecting plate use position, light entering the flue from the top is reflected to a sight glass in the flue wall. The absence of reflected light from the reflecting plate indicates an obstruction of the flue.Also disclosed is a modular inspection device for use with existing furnace flues.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held device for picking up litter and including a movable handle attached to a control cable which extends to a toggle mechanism which opens and closes a pair of pick-up jaws. A hollow rod extends between the handle and the jaws as a two piece member having a joint which allows the jaws and handle to be rotated with respect to one another to allow the device to pick up in any convenient direction. The control cable includes an adjustment lock which allows the distance between the jaws to be adjusted to thus adapt the pickup member for various types of litter.

Abstract: A hand support for bowling formed of a rigid material shaped to cover the back portion of a hand over the second to fifth metacarpals, the entire little finger, and the proximal phalanges of the third and fourth fingers.

Abstract: Skulls which form within the upper nose section of steelmaking vessels are removed by means of a centrally located top blowing lance designed to blow at high velocity oxygen or other gases. The lance includes laterally extending ports communicating with a central relatively wide gas chamber and the gas is directed generally laterally outwardly against the inner wall of the nose section to retard or remove the skulls.

Abstract: An automatic locking mechanism is provided for latching the swingable "B" deck of an auto-rack railway car in either an upper raised position or a lower horizontal position. A spring biased plunger or bolt is normally positioned in locking engagement with a depending striker plate on the end of the swingable deck portion and may be withdrawn by the operator and rotated to a release position in which it is held out of engagement with the striker plate to permit the deck portion to be raised to its upper position. As the deck portion is raised a lug on the striker plate engages a transversely extending rotator pin on the end of the plunger and rotates the plunger away from its release position so that the plunger is automatically returned to a locking position beneath the bottom edge of the striker plate when the "B" deck portion is moved to its raised position.To return the deck portion to a horizontal position, the plunger is withdrawn by the operator and rotated to the release position.

Abstract: An auto railway car having a plurality of decks is provided with a pair of folding door structures for closing the loading end of the car. The doors are hinged on spherical bearing structures and include locking mechanisms for locking the doors in open or closed positions.

Abstract: A side bearing assembly for railway rolling stock having an elastomeric body, containing granular solid substance, disposed between the body bolster and the truck bolster or side frame. The assembly is an inexpensive yet durable means for accomplishing increased support of static and dynamic loads without inhibiting the body bolster movement in a horizontal plane relative to its trucks.

Abstract: A pneumatic discharge arrangement for railway hopper cars includes a housing secured to a discharge end of a hopper including a chamber having an elongated opening. The opening is regulated by a sliding pivoting valve disposed beneath the opening within a trough that is adapted to be connected to a pneumatic conveyer. Movement of the sliding pivoting valve is accomplished by an operating mechanism from either side of the railway car.

Abstract: An auto railway car having a plurality of decks is provided with a pair of folding door structures for closing the loading end of the car. The doors are hinged on spherical bearing structures and include locking mechanisms for locking the doors in open or closed positions.

Abstract: A lightweight wheel and axle assembly that reduces unsprung weight thereby improving the ride. The assembly also diminishes hunting and reduces tendencies towards unstable dynamic conditions. The wheel and axle assembly is easily adaptable to conventional three-piece trucks as well as to other truck designs.

Abstract: A storage building includes a plurality of individual compartments for housing sponge iron pellets immediately after they leave a gaseous reduction vessel. The compartments include provisions for discharging the pellets to conveying means and each of the housings is provided with a temperature monitoring arrangement adapted to signal excessive temperatures occurring therein.

Abstract: A heat monitoring and conveying arrangement for newly manufactured sponge iron pellets which were heated up during manufacture at a direct reduction reactor unit, and are ready for transfer to another unit of the plant. The arrangement includes conveying means for moving the pellets, and infra-red sensors supported within an enclosure positioned over the conveying means. The infra-red sensors are adapted to sense the temperature of the sponge iron pellets, and actuate means for segregating sponge iron pellets when heated to a temperature higher than a predetermined temperature required for further processing of the sponge iron pellets.

Abstract: A covered railway hopper car includes a plurality of vertical partition sheets connected to the side walls of the car to form a plurality of hoppers. The connection of the vertical edges of the partition sheets to the inner surfaces of the side walls includes vertical posts of a cross-sectional configuration reducing stress concentration of the partition to prevent fracture.

Abstract: The side discharge doors of a railway hopper car are maintained in a closed and locked position by a rotatable latch element which is engaged by a stop and lock member. The stop and lock member is connected to a linkage rigging arrangement which is moved by a ground actuated operating and tripping mechanism. The tripping mechanism includes a cam actuated arm which by linkage means transmits vertical movement to horizontal movement of the linkage rigging which actuates the latch and locking members of the doors.

Abstract: An apparatus for the gaseous reduction of iron ore to sponge iron includes upper, intermediate and lower vessel chamber portions with the intermediate and lower chamber portions having a frusto-conical shape. An annular baffle projects from the intermediate chamber into the lower chamber and provides a configuration for cooling without the requirement of an internal coil type water cooling system.

Abstract: A center sill-less hopper car is provided with a body-mounted brake arrangement using a conventional brake beam and brake system. The arrangement includes the mounting of the individual components in a manner which accommodates the operation of the discharge gates of the hopper in discharging material downwardly from the car.

Abstract: Sponge iron produced at a direct reduction plant is placed into containers and transported to a smelting furnace whereupon the container and contents are dumped into the furnace for charging the same.

Abstract: A carbon steel (or other type) chimney liner is provided with an inner membrane of relatively light gauge steel which is highly resistant to corrosion and which is constructed to accommodate thermal expansion in any direction independent of the structure to which it is attached. The membrane and chimney liner include an annular space therebetween which is placed under a vacuum.

Abstract: A covered railway hopper car includes a partition sheet assembly, including a plurality of partition sheets rigidly connected to the roof, each having a construction at its upper ends which provides improved fatigue characteristics in the vicinity of the roof step and coaming area adjacent to the hatch opening area thereby relieving stress and reducing fatigue fractures.