Abstract: A wheel and track system wherein the track comprises a base and a pair of spaced apart upstanding sides is provided for guiding movement of a vehicle having four wheels over a controlled path and at least two of the wheels are mounted for rolling movement over the base and between the spaced apart upstanding sides and wherein a scuff plate is provided between the two wheels and the upstanding sides of the track so that there can be relative rotational movement between the scuff plates and the wheel and relative movement between the scuff plates and the upstanding sides of the track in the event of contact between the scuff plates and the upstanding sides of the track so as to minimize any tendency for the wheel to ride up the upstanding side and also to protect the upstanding side and the wheel from damage.

Abstract: A rail fastener assembly includes a rail seat laterally shiftable incrementally to properly position a supported rail. Anchoring of the seat to an underlying foundation is achieved by a clamp ring surrounding the periphery of the seat and including a plurality of fastener-receiving openings having their centers variably spaced from the seat. Rotation of the clamp ring presents at least two fastener-receiving openings in overlying registry with hold-down elements in the foundation to enable the application of fasteners through the clamp ring to secure the seat to the foundation. A pair of symmetrical spring clips engage shoulders on the seat and include a medial hold-down portion biased against the rail flanges and fixed, distal shoulder engaging portions overlying each rail flange but normally spaced thereabove to limit deflection of the clips during vertical movement of the rail.

Abstract: A railway hopper car includes an angular roof having a roof sheet provided with lateral edges each connected to the top of the car side sheet by an elongated top chord. Each top chord includes a substantially rectangularly-sectioned tube member affixed to the exterior of the top portion of the side sheet and includes a top wall inclined inwardly and upwardly and projecting interiorly of the car beyond the top edge of the side sheet. The undersurface of the lateral portion of the roof sheet overlies and is attached to a substantial portion of the upper surface of the top chord top wall. An inside wall on each top chord comprises a vertical member terminating in a top edge abutting the inclined top wall to provide a smooth vertical plane readily admitting installation of the side sheets and subsequent car interior lining.

Abstract: A railcar for transporting coal includes steel sheets metallized with an aluminum coating on the interior surfaces thereof normally engaged by coal lading. A coating thickness of substantially 0.006-0.009 inch significantly extends the service life of the railcar by inhibiting corrosion and abrasion of the steel sheets by the coal. The method includes the steps of cleaning all interior surfaces of the railcar sheets prior to a metallizing operation and followed by application of a seal coat.

Abstract: A railway car adapted to convey cylindrical objects such as coils includes a plurality of fixed trough members and sections of shiftable inclined trough assemblies disposed atop a support deck. By selectively laterally displacing the shiftable trough assemblies the car is alternately configured to provide single/triple or double troughs, or a combination thereof, in order to achieve maximum lading capacity in any one car regardless of the diameters of the coils. Positioning elements on each shiftable trough assembly alternately mate with a fixed trough member or separate positioning elements on the support deck to specifically define the various trough modes. A lock assembly is operable to engage a retainer element carried by each shiftable trough assembly when located in either mode.

Abstract: A railway hopper car includes a curved roof having a roof sheet provided with lateral edges each joined to the top of a car side sheet by a top chord assembly. Each top chord assembly includes a top chord fully disposed within the car interior and having a vertical leg joined to the interior surface of a side sheet while an opposite inclined or angular leg is joined to the interior surface of the roof sheet. A curved cover overlies both top chord legs and forms, with the roof sheet and side sheet, a smooth continuously descending profile from the top centerline of the car roof to each of the car sides.

Abstract: An enclosure for the end opening of a vehicle having one or more interior elevated decks includes a pair of door assemblies each comprising a plurality of pivotally joined panels. The door assemblies are suspended in a vertical manner by means of hanger assemblies having tracking elements guided within a rail member disposed above the level of a vehicle elevated deck. Transverse movement of any panel concurrently displaces the entire associated door assembly, as a unitary articulated assembly, between a closed position sealing off the end opening, and an open position with the door assembly well-spaced from a lateral edge of the deck, in which latter position maximum lateral clearance is provided for lading carried by all decks or levels.

Abstract: Latch for locking a container to a pedestal on the flat deck of a flat car and particularly containers containing flammable materials. The container is supported on a pedestal at each corner thereof and the pedestals are adjustably mounted in guideways for movement along the deck of the flat car in accordance with the length of the container, to support containers at selected intervals along the car. A spring biased latch is provided to lock the container to the pedestal and a lock is provided for the latch is provided which reacts against the pedestal and includes a biasing spring for the lock to positively hold the latch in a locked position even though the car should be derailed.

Abstract: A guidance system is disclosed which includes a combined synchronous detector, amplifier, and low pass filter. The detector circuit provides a binary signal which is true during negative half cycles of an input signal and false during positive half cycles. The positive and negative half cycles are applied through a switch controlled by the binary signal to a differential amplifier. A first integrator is connected to the first input of the differential amplifier and a second integrator is connected between the output and a second input of the differential amplifier. The direct current level of the output of the differential amplifier rises as the amplitude of the input signal increases to keep the input voltages of the differential amplifier equal. The output voltage of the differential amplifier is therefore proportional to the amplitude of a sensor signal.

Abstract: A rail fastener includes a shoulder member fixed relative a cross-tie and having a head insertable through an apertured insulator. One end of the insulator bears upon the cross-tie while the opposite end carries a dielectric pad engaging the top surface and lateral edge of a rail base flange. The fastener assembly is completed by the application of a spring clip attached to the shoulder head and constantly bearing downwardly against the two opposite ends of the insulator. The dielectric pad surrounds a substantial portion of one end of the insulator and preferably is staked thereover but alternatively may be secured by a press fit, shrink fit, snap fit or by suitable adhesive.

Abstract: A rail fastener includes a spring clip of unitary rod-like construction having a mounting leg retained by an anchor member fixed relative a cross-tie. The clip leg is joined to an arm bearing upon the anchor member with the arm then joined to an arcuate loop crossing over the mounting leg diagonally thereto. The clip terminates in a rail arm engaging the base flange of a rail with a substantial downward clamping pressure being applied thereto. The clip mounting leg may be an integral enlargement forming a diameter to provide a mating fit within a bore through the anchor member or alternatively, the clip mounting leg may support a separate sleeve having an outer diameter mating with the anchor member bore.

Abstract: Low-height reversible ratchet tie-down winch for flat decked vehicles. The tie-down winches are adjustably mounted in retainer channels extending along each side of the deck of the vehicle. Each winch is rotatably mounted between the top and bottom walls of its base and tension of the tie-down chain is maintained by a pawl and ratchet. The winch block has a chain pocket to lock a horizontal link of the chain to the chain pocket and a recessed portion engaging a next adjacent vertical link of the chain. The ratchet has a cooperating pocket engageable with a next adjacent vertical link of the chain and completing the chain pocket in the winch block. The chain may be trained through one end or the other of the base for the winch.

Abstract: A rail joint includes an insulative base piece formed of a synthetic plastic composition and insertable between a rail base flange and a joint bar. The opposite surfaces of the base piece are provided with elevated ribs or serrations extending longitudinally of the length of the base piece which base piece is at least as long as the joint bar. Longitudinal migration of the base piece during travel over the rail joint is resisted and thus retention of the base piece is enhanced, due to the deformation of the ribs as the base piece is sandwiched between the rail and joint bar and irregularities in the opposed joint bar and rail base surfaces are filled by the compressed and deformed ribs.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving railroad spikes having at least one pair of hydraulic driving rams and associated spike holders and spike feeding arms. Each ram and its associated spike holder and spike feeding arm is suspended from an adjustable head supported in a mounting frame. Each head is individually movable in a first direction parallel to railroad track rails and in a second direction perpendicular to railroad track rails so that each ram and associated spike holder can be independently adjusted relative to a tie plate hole through which a spike is to be driven and both rams and associated spike holders are adjustable in unison in a first direction parallel to railroad track rails and in a second direction perpendicular to railroad track rails to spot the spikes over the holes in a tie plate through which the spikes are to be driven.

Abstract: A variable follower rest for a lathe for supporting tapered shafts and similar shafts of varying diameter as they are being turned. The follower rest includes a bearing arm above and another bearing diametrically opposite to the cutting tool to resist the lift and thrust of the cutting tool against the shaft. Through master-slave actuators the bearing arms move towards and away from the center of the shaft in unison with corresponding movements of the cutting tool to always engage the shaft as the diameter of the shaft varies.

Abstract: A railway car having an end opening includes a swingable folding door assembly provided with a keeper mechanism carried by the door assembly and the adjacent side wall of the railway car. As the panels of the door assembly are folded from a flat, closed position overlying the car end opening to a collapsed, open position disposed substantially longitudinally extended away from the end of the car side wall, a guide rod carried by the door assembly is arcuately displaced to simultaneously horizontally shift a vertical locking pin to a position overlying an aperture in a lock plate whereupon gravity concurrently drops the connected rod and pin to secure the open door assembly in a fixed position.

Abstract: A rail joint includes an insulative base piece insertable between a rail base flange and a joint bar. The ends of the base piece project longitudinally beyond the respective ends of the joint bar to provide exposed terminal sections with an intermediate central section. Longitudinal migration of the base piece during travel over the rail joint is precluded by one or more end abutment members fixedly disposed relative the base piece and including an elevated inner abutment surface intermediate the central section and each terminal section and engaging the joint bar ends. The abutment members may comprise integral elevated tabs cut from the base piece or alternatively, separate members insertable through cut-out portions in the base piece terminal sections.

Abstract: An elongated impeller shoe assembly 10 is described for a vertical shaft centrifugal impact crushing machine 11 for increasing the effective utilization of the assembly and for substantially reducing the cost to utilization ratio. The assembly 10 includes an elongated supporting base member 28 for attaching to a turn-table bracket 20 in which the base member .Badd..[.20.]..Baddend. .Iadd.28 .Iaddend.is cast of a high strength steel alloy material. The base member 28 has a wide longitudinal female dovetail groove 54 formed in a front face 38 thereof extending between an inner end 32 and an outer end 34. The groove 54 has a shallow taper downward from the inner end 32 to the outer end 34. The assembly 10 includes a wear resistant member 30 mountable to the base member 28 for receiving the material from a central distribution disc 15 and directs the material radially outward along a front face 82.

Abstract: An anvil assembly 10 is described for a vertical shaft centrifugal impact crushing machine 11 for increasing the effective utilization of the assembly and for substantially reducing the cost to utilization ratio. The assembly 10 includes a wedge-shaped supporting base member 22 for attaching to a bracket 20 in which the base member 22 is cast of a high strength steel alloy material. The base member 22 has a wide longitudinal female dovetail groove 46 formed in an inclined front face 36 thereof extending between an upstream face 38 and a downstream face 40. The groove 54 has a shallow taper downward from the upstream face 38 to the downstream face 40. The assembly 10 includes a wedge-shaped wear resistant member 24 mountable to the base member 22 for receiving the particulate material from a central turntable.