Abstract: A B-hook retainer shaped and configured so as to maintain retention of B-hook hardware in a shaped aperture that secures various and multiple types of lading tie straps and strap hardware comprising of straps of woven webbing. The lading tie strap being held in place by the appropriate B-hook provision and the said anchor being contained within a pocket in the wall or floor of railway box or flat car. Various industry lading tie straps with said B-hook already in use are allowed to be connected to the shaped aperture anchor. An appropriate ratchet inherent to the specific type of tie strap being used is operated to remove any remaining slack in the lading ties and then apply the desired tension thereon to secure the lading to the railway car. If slack develops in the lading ties due to transport load shifting the B-hook retainer will prevent inadvertent removal of the B-hook from the shaped aperture resulting in lading tie strap no longer securing the lading to the railway car.

Abstract: A gap welding process (10) for manipulating a movable robotic welder (30) for making a weld between two or more substantially immovable work pieces (51) using a higher level programming language (20). The gap welding process (10) performs a data transfer routine which takes spreadsheet data (18) representing expected variables, runs a data conversion program (20) that creates weld program data including point position, user frames (34 and 36), weld schedule, seam tracking schedule, weave schedule, azimuth orientation, travel speed, wait time, weave type and number of digital output control data. The gap welding process (10) also performs a gap-sensing routine (28) for actual weld gap measuring by using the robotic welder (30) to touch specific locations on pieces forming the gap or fixturing to produce weld variance data.

Abstract: A cargo container hold down device that includes a housing defined by a base which forms a planar surfacing thereabout on which cargo container corner fittings results in the applied relation on the container relative to the supporting structure or platform involved. The hold down device includes a flanged end which engages a cargo container corner casting aperture opening or an appropriate aperture and utilizes the structure for retention of the hold down device so the opposite side of the hold down device is allowed to automatically engage and disengage with a cargo container corner fitting as necessary to achieve proper handling and transport of cargo containers.

Abstract: A direct measuring loaded gage axle assembly that measures track strength by directly measuring constant load on split axles as vertical loads are imposed by a hydraulic ram, and horizontal loads being supplied by horizontal rams through split axles and steel wheels to the railroad tracks enabling improved calibration to measure changes in track gauge indicating track strength condition and further including electronic data recording and comparison.

Abstract: A load restraining device 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: 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: 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: 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.