Abstract: A method and system for determining possible future value of a portfolio of joint investors including receiving user inputs, determining an age of death of joint investors in accordance based on the current age of the respective first and second joint investors and randomly drawn numbers, and computing a future value of the portfolio using said greater age of death of the joint investors, a predetermined rate of return, and the initial value of the portfolio.

Abstract: A railcar load securement apparatus uses an array of load securement anchors having bases adapted for strength and efficiency in mounting in a rail car, a plurality of vertical support members extending upwardly from a mounting base or bracket with a flush mounted anchor plate joining them, so that a plurality of tensioning members or straps can be readily mounted to retain cargo, but the anchor is flush to be unobstructive when unused. Flexibility in load adaptation is provided for in that a number of different load capture arrangements can be utilized.

Abstract: A barbeque grill including a lower housing, heating means and food support means positioned within the lower housing, an upper housing or hood adapted to enclose the lower housing, a smoke exhaust means provided in said upper and/or lower housing for allowing smoke to escape from within the barbeque grill, wherein said smoke exhaust means is retractable/collapsible in order to allow the oven or grill to take up the least amount of space when being stored or transported.

Abstract: An anchor with an “L” shaped aperture receives a strap pin end, the lower leg of the “L” locking the pin in place, the strap bearing on a smoothly curved side wall, the pin being held in place when not under load by a clip member on the back of the anchor and being contained within a pocket in the wall of a railroad box freight car. A two part strap is shortened to fit the cargo load through the use of a combination of turns and bights around a three part clip having a generally oval ring with an upstanding half oval ring portion displacing the various parts of the strap threaded thereon to increase friction. Moreover, the anchor may include a slot which with a side edge of the “L” shaped aperture defines a restraining post-like member therebetween. The restraining strap can be then threaded into and through the slot, around the post-like member, and exit the aperture so as to form a loop about the post-like member for restraining movement of the strap.

Abstract: A load restraining device that provides a system in which straps extending from one side of a web strap arrangement initially run parallel to the wall to which they are connected, as opposed to extending perpendicular to the wall as in the prior art. The anchor itself is a horizontal wall member running longitudinally along the wall of the railcar or trailer. An adjustable anchor is used to permit moving the attachment point several inches to allow for load variations. The attachment of the web strap arrangement is normally 14″ to 18″ behind the face of the load. Unlike previous systems, this provision of anchor points behind the load effectively “encapsulates” the load rather than merely providing a bulkhead effect. Ratchets provided as part of one of the wall anchor arrangements allow the web straps to be tightened into final position, imparting a restraining force to the load and preventing the load from shifting during transport.

Abstract: A railcar load securement apparatus uses an array of load securement anchors having bases adapted for strength and efficiency in mounting in a rail car, a plurality of vertical support members extending upwardly from a mounting base or bracket with a flush mounted anchor plate joining them, so that a plurality of tensioning members or straps can be readily mounted to retain cargo, but the anchor is flush to be unobstructive when unused. The alternative embodiment anchor is particularly adapted to installation with a new-floor, being a tube mounted anchor providing a strong, economical mounting where vertical clearance, and particularly angle, adjustment is not needed. Flexibility in load adaptation is provided for in that a number of different load capture arrangements can be utilized.

Abstract: A movable container lock slides into and out of position laterally and is held in a secure position by the combination of longitudinal and lateral stop blocks coacting with a gravity lock and is further tethered to be moved from one selected position of a vehicle to another so that the need for multiple locks can be minimized and flexibility in selection of containers sizes for lading can be maximized.

Abstract: A hatch anti-accumulator constructed from a suitable plastic material formed into a rectangular sheet. Slots designed to accommodate fasteners are provided near each end of the material. The rectangular sheet is then bent or rolled to form a short cylinder or ring conforming to the shape of a loading hatch and/or nozzle, and forming a bib or sleeve around the exterior of the hatch and/or nozzle. The bib is then secured in position by installing fasteners through the slots provided. The anti-accumulator fits around the loading nozzle (or hatch coaming) on the top of cement hopper cars to allow accumulated cured particulate matter to be easily released from the nozzle.

Abstract: A method of repairing a damaged railroad rail comprising the steps of: identifying a defect in the rail, removing the portion of the rail having a defect and leaving two truncated rail ends, preparing the truncated rail ends for welding, and welding the two truncated rail ends together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cushioning system to be applied to the inside surface of the walls of conventional autorack railcars. More particularly, the present invention is directed toward the easy application of a foam protector of single or double tube configuration to the side portions of the metal screen walls that make up an autorack railcar. Improvements enable a multiple density foam tube, a “Logo” panel bar and an improved fastener. The tubes are designed to protect the edges of car doors by collapsing when hit by the car door and quickly bouncing back, regardless of temperature.

Abstract: A railcar load securement apparatus uses an array of load securement anchors having bases adapted for strength and efficiency in mounting in a rail car, a plurality of vertical support members extending upwardly from a mounting base or bracket with a flush mounted anchor plate joining them, so that a plurality of tensioning members or straps can be readily mounted to retain cargo, but the anchor is flush to be unobstructive when unused. Flexibility in load adaptation is provided for in that a number of different load capture arrangements can be utilized.

Abstract: An anchor with an “L” shaped aperture receives a strap pin end, the lower leg of the “L” locking the pin in place, the strap bearing on a smoothly curved side wall, the pin being held in place when not under load by a clip member on the back of the anchor and being contained within a pocket in the wall of a railroad box freight car. A two part strap is shortened to fit the cargo load through the use of a combination of turns and bights around a three part clip having a generally oval ring with an upstanding half oval ring portion displacing the various parts of the strap threaded thereon to increase friction.

Abstract: A rail restraining (1) and weld delivery device (100) uses a frame for supporting a welding head with a clamp (3) for restraining a first rail end and a second rail end and a base twist assembly (17) for aligning said first end and second end. An interconnected weld containment apparatus (290) pivotally connects to the clamp by use of a cam actuated linear pin (7). This arrangement is operable in an environment in which clearance between rails is about 7 to 11 inches and sufficiently compact that it may be operated from and carried in a truck based on a standard over the road truck.

Abstract: A set of composite boss blocks for a rail car truck having equalizer arms and side frames uses a thermoset plastic resin system with a synthetic fiber reinforcement contained within the plastic matrix to handle severe loads under impact and vibration, in combination with set screw or pin extending through the mounting portion and well into the body of the boss block, a complementary wear pad also being usable.

Abstract: An arrangement of endcaps particularly formed and arranged for use in connection with composite deck beams particularly adapted to use on rail car running boards but is also suitable to other beam type decks such as those used on semi-trailers, in marine applications or as industrial catwalks. The endcaps close the ends of fiberglass reinforced plastic running boards, complementing the strength, economy and durability of such materials.

Abstract: A railcar coupler carrier wear plate is formed in an “L” shaped section for ease of insertion and replacement in a coupler carrier and for efficient manufacture, the coupler carrier wear plate being retained in the coupler carrier with a bracket arrangement that can be readily affixed to the coupler carrier as by welding and which can also be adapted to protect the coupler carrier wear plate in the event of a coupler override.

Abstract: A self-lubricating plastic coupler carrier wear plate is formed in a generally T-shape having an outer flange and an inner flange conforming to said T-shape, said web being notched proximate said inner flange for adequate clearance with railcar draft gear.

Abstract: A conductive center bearing liner for railroad car center plate assemblies comprising a bowl shaped or flat round horizontal member formed from a cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polymer specially mixed with a conductive material shaped to define a floor portion and alternative embodiments with an upstanding side wall. Another embodiment concentrates the conductive material in a selected sector of the disk portion of the liner. The conductive liner eliminates the need to incorporate special apparatus to ground the car body center plate to the truck bolster bowl. This grounding method eliminates the wear and erosion that occurs by grounding using conventional methods.

Abstract: A railroad car truck frame jack clamps a side frame, the clamps suspend a cross tube which in turn suspends one or more cylinders which raise a bolster plug thereby lifting the bolster relative to the side frame and decompressing the truck springs for repair or replacement, twisting loads being minimized in the preferred embodiment by a lost motion slot.

Abstract: A motor vehicle body is adapted for use on railroad tracks by being elevated by "high rail" unit steel wheels, but with the motive force being supplied by the vehicle's road wheels, a loaded gage axle assembly having vertical loads imposed by hydraulic rams, and horizontal loads being supplied by horizontal rams through split axles and steel wheels to the railroad tracks is calibrated to measure track strength and adapted to be operatively connected to electronic data recording and comparing apparatus.