Abstract: A mechanically interlocked wheel assembly including a rigid core formed from aluminum integrally bound to an elastomeric infill by passing the infill material through a plurality of slots defined in the core rim during the molding process is provided. A ground-engaging tread is attached to the infill to form a structurally superior wheel assembly capable of carrying heavy loads in extreme environments for an extended period of time without the need to replace the wheel components. A method of manufacturing a mechanically interlocked wheel assembly is also included herein.

Abstract: A two-material plastic sprocket for modular plastic conveyor belts and an associated method for molding such a sprocket. The sprocket is made of a first plastic material forming the exterior and a second plastic material forming the interior core using co-injection molding. The invention relates generally the sprockets used to drive modular plastic conveyor belts and, more particularly, to sprockets molded out of two plastic materials.

Abstract: An improved optical encoder with a simplified construction for reliable component alignment and enhanced resolution is disclosed. The encoder includes a housing with locating points, such as studs and shelves, integrally formed on inner surfaces of the housing. The locating points reliably fix the X, Y and Z axis orientation between a light detector and light source assembly. The light source assembly preferably comprises two light detectors on a single board to increase resolution. Additional features of the invention include a sealed housing and a code wheel having two concentric tracks of transmissive slots that are circumferentially offset from each other and an external cable strain relief assembly.

Abstract: An automatic rail fastener remover for use on threaded fasteners being used for securing railroad rails to rail ties, the fastener remover constructed and arranged to be mounted on a railway maintenance vehicle having a frame, and including a fastener removal tool configured to releasably engage one of the fasteners for removing the fastener from the tie, a drive assembly connected to the tool for rotating the tool, at least one latch hook selectively biased against the fastener head for assisting the tool in the removal of the fastener from the tie.

Abstract: A rail anchor remover for removing rail anchors from a rail, the rail anchor remover constructed and arranged to be mounted on a railway maintenance vehicle having a frame, and including a reciprocating pusher insert configured to impact and detach a rail anchor, a reciprocating scraper configured to remove the detached rail anchor, at least one pusher proximity switch for monitoring and controlling the disposition of the pusher insert, at least one scraper proximity switch for monitoring and controlling the disposition of the scraper shaft, and a guide rod for stabilizing the reciprocation of the pusher insert.

Abstract: A novel compensation device for conditioning or generating signals to have an arbitrarily defined shape, produced to an arbitrarily specified accuracy. The device comprises a plurality of bounded polynomial function generators having outputs summed into a summing network to produce a signal which is the composite of the effects of all of the polynomial generators. Accuracy is achieved through the use of fusible link trimming of the compensation circuits, which are configured to provide mathematically well-behaved polynomial functions with predictable responses to the programming, and which produce effects only over desired segments of the range of interest. The result is a monotonic signal with no discontinuities, which can be made arbitrarily close to a specified signal.

Abstract: A modular railway maintenance system for performing at least one of a plurality of right-of-way maintenance tasks on a railroad track includes a base unit including a frame having a plurality of wheels for rotatably engaging the railroad track, a first side corresponding to a first rail of the railroad track, a second side corresponding to a second rail of the railroad track, and at least one of a plurality of task-oriented modules being releasably connectable to the base unit for selective operation of distinct tasks on either side of the base unit.

Abstract: An automatic fastener applicator for securing fasteners to track support members of a railroad track includes a retaining apparatus for receiving and orienting at least one of the fasteners for application to the track support members, and a drive apparatus for automatically engaging at least one of the oriented fasteners and for rotating the fastener axially for engagement upon the rail support members.

Abstract: A machine for removing hairpin spikes from railroad ties includes at least one hairpin spike pulling tool supported by the machine frame, each tool being positioned on one side of the rail for pulling spikes on that side of the rail. Each of the pulling tools includes a lower end portion having a pair of exposed hooks curved toward the center of the pulling tool and abutted against each other in a pivoting relationship. Each pulling tool is supported for movement from a retracted position to a position wherein the curved hooks of that pulling tool are positionable under the loop-shaped head of a hairpin spike on opposite sides of the spike. The machine also includes apparatus for supporting the pulling tools for movement from the retracted position downwardly and toward the hairpin spikes into a position wherein the pulling tools engage the spikes with the curved hooks and then move upwardly to pull the spikes from the tie.

Abstract: A machine for driving spikes into the ties of a railroad track includes a spike driving assembly movably disposed relative to a frame for gripping spikes and driving gripped spikes into the ties, the spike driving assembly having a spike pushing function and a spike percussive function. In the pushing function the spike driving assembly pushes the spike a specified distance into the tie by the application of constant pressure, and in the percussive function the driving assembly percussively completes the driving of the spike into the tie. An operator may selectively alternate between the pushing and percussive functions.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for rail tie plates or the like including an inclined frame having an upper end and a lower end, and an endless conveyor belt formed of a plurality of links pivotally joined to each other. The links are designed to have plate retaining pockets formed thereon and the belt is adapted to travel a contoured path on the frame between the lower end and the upper end. The belt has an upper working strand and a lower slack strand. A hopper provides a supply of randomly oriented tie plates to the lower end of the conveyor which are agitated or tumbled by the action of the moving conveyor belt. At least one rejecter hook is provided to ensure proper positioning of the plates within the pocket. As the conveyor belt progresses towards the upper end of the frame, certain plates are oriented properly within the plate pockets and will be conveyed to the upper end of the frame through the movement of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A machine for automatically setting rail tie plates includes a frame adapted to be propelled along a rail bed having one or both rails removed, the frame including a hopper adapted to store a plurality of randomly oriented plates therein, a crane for transferring plates to a plate sorting conveyor which sorts the plates as to specified length-to-width orientation and deposits the oriented plates upon an inclined conveyor where they are sensed as to specified top-to-bottom orientation, with improperly oriented plates being automatically inverted; the sensed and inverted plates are then manually disposed as to proper high-to-low side orientation, from where they are stored for eventual automatic deposition upon the tie by a reciprocating pusher assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically setting tie plates on tops of the ties for a railroad track includes a frame adapted to be moved along the track, an inclined slide surface adapted to accommodate a plurality of tie plates thereon, a plate control mechanism adapted to release the plates one at a time to slide down the slide surface and into a plate pocket where the plate is received by a reciprocating pusher which deposits the plate upon the top of a respective tie with a minimum of movement thereon so that the plate will be accurately positioned on the tie.

Abstract: A sorting conveyor for rail tie plates or the like including an inclined frame having an upper end and a lower end, and an endless conveyor belt formed of a plurality of links pivotally joined to each other. The links are designed to have plate retaining pockets formed thereon and the belt is adapted to travel a contoured path on the frame between the lower end and the upper end. The belt has an upper working strand and a lower slack strand. A hopper provides a supply of randomly oriented tie plates to the lower end of the conveyor which are agitated or tumbled by the action of the moving conveyor belt. At least one rejector hook is provided to ensure proper positioning of the plates within the pocket. As the conveyor belt progresses towards the upper end of the frame, certain plates are oriented properly within the plate pockets and will be conveyed to the upper end of the frame through the movement of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An electromechanical manipulation system for reorienting the position of sensed conveyed articles such as rail tie plates upon an inclined conveyor surface includes first and second transverse openings in the inclined conveyor surface, the second opening being located closer to the upper conveyor end than the first opening, a stop member located in the first opening and adapted for reciprocal vertical movement therein to obstruct the descent of improperly oriented individual plates down the conveyor surface. Once the descent of the plate has been stopped, a reciprocal flipper member located in the second and opening of the conveyor is adapted to impart an impulse to an end of the immobilized plate to cause the plate to be inverted and thus properly oriented upon the conveying surface. Once inverted, the flipper member and the stop member quickly retract to permit the properly oriented plate to continue its descent and also to prepare for the descent of the next plate.

Abstract: A control system comprises a liquid crystal display panel; a light source; and a light detector. Light from the source is directed through at least a portion of the liquid crystal display panel to the light detector. A control circuit is provided for holding the liquid crystal display in generally opaque condition while preferably sequentially momentarily clarifying segments of the portion, whereby momentary, sequential, transversely spaced light beams are generated between the light source and the light detector. A timer and logic circuit is provided for correlating signals received from the light detector with generated, individual, spaced light beams that create the signals. Accordingly, occlusion of at least one of the individual light beams with an opaque member causes a specific characteristic response by the timer and logic circuit.

Abstract: A railroad tie adzer has a cutter head and means for rotating the cutter head to surface the tie plate area of a tie. A cutter guard extends peripherally about the path of rotation of the cutter head, and there is a vacuum duct opening into the cutter guard to remove debris during the adzing operation. A volute deflector is positioned within the cutter guard and extends partially about and outside of the path of movement of the cutter head. The volute deflector extends from adjacent the vacuum duct circumferentially in the direction of cutter head movement. There is an inclined ramp adjacent the entrance to the vacuum duct to direct debris from adzing, moving in a volute or spiral pattern, as defined by the deflector, into the vacuum duct. The vacuum duct is connected to a fan which in turn is connected to a separator from which the separated dust and debris are discharged away from the adzer.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing keyboard keycaps includes a fixture for holding multiple keycaps in an essentially keyboard profile. The fixture supports the keycaps in separately movable segments, each having multiple keycaps. The spearately movable segments are movable from an essentially keyboard profile into an essentially planar printing profile. The printing apparatus includes an air inflatable heated bladder positioned to apply heat and pressure to a legend carrying medium positioned upon the keycaps to transfer the legends from the medium to the individual keycaps.

Abstract: A rotary switch includes an open ended housing and a stator closing the open end of the housing. There is a seal member positioned between the stator and housing. The stator is formed of plastic and has a plurality of metallic terminals extending outwardly therefrom. There is an anerobic seal filling gaps between the stator and terminals caused by material shrinkage during setting of the plastic stator.

Abstract: In a rail spike driving machine having a frame, wheels and a spike driver gun slidable in parallel relationship to the rail, and control means for limiting that sliding action, an apparatus for releasably locking the position of said gun above a particular tie comprising a telescoping tube with an inner member and a hollow outer member, the inner member inserted at one end into the outer member and at the other end to the spike driver gun, the outer member receiving the inner member at one end and slidably secured to the frame at the other end to control the perpendicular action of the spike driver gun in relation to the rail, and a releasable brake assembly mounted on the outer member so as to exert a locking force on the inner member and prevent lateral movement of the spiker gun.