Abstract: A duplex electrical collector for a rail electrification system comprises a pair of slim elongate back-to-back metal conductor shoes which are supported respectively intermediate their ends by short sturdy offset metal plates that project laterally of the shoes. The metal plates can be cast integral with the shoes, or else attached to the shoes by ribs that are crimped into grooves of the shoes. The metal plates have bores to accommodate a pivot pin that carries a torsion spring, thereby to impart a bias that tends to spread apart the shoes. The ends of a copper lead wire are secured to the plates, and a terminal strip is carried at the center of the lead wire. This assemblage is encased in an insulating two-part housing that mounts it, and is held captive by interlocking shoulders on the plates and housing parts. The center portion of the lead wire and the terminal attached thereto are brought out through a collar of the housing.

Abstract: A conductor rail and method for its production. The rail is constituted as a bimetallic, non-integral, unitary laminate assemblage of two formed, nesting dissimilar metal strips, for sliding engagement by an electrical collector shoe. The assemblage has a grooved track portion for receiving the shoe, and a suspension portion adapted to be clamped by suspender fittings. One of the metal strips is fully exterior to the other strip and is preferably constituted of steel, whereas the other metal strip is preferably copper, characterized by relatively higher electrical conductivity. The arrangement is such that the nested strips are in intimate, large-surface contact with each other. The rail thus enjoys the advantage of high strength and abrasion resistance, and improved electrical performance. The rail can be utilized in new equipment, or as a replacement for worn or damaged rail sections, essentially without modification of existing hanger or insulating hardware, or existing jacketing insulations.

Abstract: An electrical rail conductor assemblage for an insulated electrification system, including an elongate electrically-conducting rail having a longitudinal groove for receiving a cooperable collector shoe and for guiding it for travel along the rail. The rail has opposite wall portions which border the groove. The wall portions have thin wall sections with rounded longitudinal edges that constitute the mouth of the groove of the rail. The rail is covered by an essentially tubular, insulating, hollow, resilient and rigid cover member enveloping essentially all portions of the rail except for the mouth of the groove thereof. The cover member has a longitudinal cut which registers with the mouth of this groove, and curved, longitudinally-extending snap-on retainer portions that extend along the cut and are adapted to snap over the rounded longitudinal edges of the rail. These retainer portions extend in a circumferential direction through substantially a full semi-circle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording varying electric signals with a plurality of electrically actuable light gates illuminate the light gates with light of a first intensity above zero light intensity and provide a light-sensitive recording medium sensitive to illumination levels at light intensities including the mentioned first light intensity and starting at a second light intensity below such first intensity and above zero light intensity. These methods and apparatus precondition the light gates to subsequent opening in response to varying electric signals by electrically biasing the light gates to an initially open condition wherein the gates pass light from the mentioned illumination at an intensity below the second light intensity. The recording medium is thus exposed to light passed by the preconditioned gates at below the second intensity.