Abstract: A gate mechanism for a bulk material handling container such as a railway hopper car. The gate mechanism comprises a chute attached to the bottom of the hopper and having a discharge opening, a frame attached to the side of the chute, a gate slide mounted within the frame, a slider for providing a low friction, non-metallic contact surface between the gate slide and the frame, a drive mechanism for opening and closing the gate slide, a seal for preventing any discharge through the closed discharge opening, and a lock for securing the gate slide in a closed position. The slider comprises elongated bodies made of solid bars of non-metallic, low friction material such as Teflon (trade mark), and provides a non-corroding, easily maintainable method for the smooth opening and closing of the discharge opening. The lock comprises a shaped spring bar made of resilient metal, which provides a simple and automatic means of holding the gate slide closed.

Abstract: In an articulated connection, an improved female connecting member of the type having a ring seat within an annular groove is provided having an access passageway extending from an exterior surface of its front wall to a position at the annular groove which is covered by the ring seat. The access passageway provides for insertion and wedging of a tool between the ring seat and the floor of the annular groove to eject the ring seat from the annular groove during disassembly and maintenance of the articulated connection.

Abstract: A light weight car body for railway rolling stock wherein the shearing rigidity with respect to a vertical load in a portion near a body bolster of the car body is larger than the shearing rigidity of a portion other than the portion near the body bolster whereby the shearing rigidity of the portion other than the portion near the body bolster of the car body has a sufficient bending rigidity.

Abstract: In a hydraulically blockable gas spring a hydraulic chamber and a gas chamber are provided one behind the other within a cylinder. The chambers are separated from each other by a separating wall. A first section of a piston rod is sealingly guided through one end of the hydraulic fluid chamber and is connected with a separating piston within the hydraulic fluid chamber. The separating piston divides the hydraulic fluid chambers into two hydraulic fluid compartments. The fluid compartments are interconnected by a hydraulic flow path. The hydraulic flow path can be selectively opened and closed by a valve. A second piston rod section extends from the separating piston through the separating wall and sealingly enters into the gas chamber. The pressurized gas within the gas chamber provides a biasing action onto the second piston rod section. The hydraulic chamber is completely filled with a hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A port control member is depressed by either a mechanical force applied on it by the pilot, for moving it to meter pressure and flow from a supply pressure to the wheel brakes, or a hydraulic pressure force applied following take-off, to actuate the brakes for stopping the wheels from spinning. The valve housing defines an annular pressure chamber surrounding a portion of the port control member. The port control member includes a feedback passageway between the pressure chamber and a feedback chamber formed between the inner end of the port control member and the valve housing. The port control member is also surrounded by a sleeve which has an inner surface extending radially outwardly from the inner end of the port control member. The feedback passageway, which can include a damping orifice, produces a feedback force to the pilot which is increased when the sleeve is jammed with respect to the port control member.

Abstract: A device for determining the condition of railway switches or railway crossings by monitoring the end position of tongue rails (2), said device having a sensor (18) within the area of the theoretical frog point (17) of a frog (8), said sensor giving on occasion of a mechanical collision with the wheel flange or with the running surface of the wheel a signal indicating premature wear within the area of the frog.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle having steerable axles. A track guide icle comprises at least one pair of independent wheel axles, and at least two members (14, 15) for measuring the transverse position of the vehicle relative to the track, and it is characterized in that it includes at least one measuring member (20) for measuring the angle of the axles relative to references related to portions of the vehicle, and at least two actuator members (21) for correcting said angles by bearing against said axles, and a servo-control circuit receiving the signals from said measuring members and generating control signals for said actuator members.

Abstract: In a device for fixing stock rails (1) in railway switches, including a base plate (2) for the stock rail (1) and a sliding chair (3) for the switch tongue mounted on the base plate and comprising an elongated spring element (6) for pressing down the rail foot and preferably having the shape of a plate, the spring element (6) can be introduced, preferably without tension, into a tunnel-shaped recess (5) provided in the sliding chair (3) and extending in a direction approximately normal to the stock rail. The upper edge of the tongue-shaped recess (5) within the sliding chair (3) extends, with the formation of a kink (13), in direction towards the rail foot steeper in upward direction that in an area (11) extending more flatly in front of the kink (13). A separate wedge (10) can, for the purpose of guying the spring element (6) against the rail foot, be driven in within the area (11) of flatter extension of the upper edge at a distance from the kink (13) of the upper edge.

Abstract: A shaker assembly for reducing vibrations in a vibrating structure includes an eccentric mass which is driven at a selected frequency and which drives a shaker assembly. The resonant frequency of the shaker assembly is controlled by a pair of pneumatic springs so as to reduce the vibrations of the vibrating structure. Force damping is provided by a plurality of double acting adjustable air dashpots.

Abstract: This invention provides a servo cylinder and a power brake for an anti-lock hydraulic brake system. It enables elimination of a cutoff valve in the static circuit for anti-locking operation and at least compensates for a brake pressure component produced in the servo cylinder by the static control pressure by providing an oppositely directed dynamic control pressure independent of the anti-locking system.

Abstract: An anti-skid control system for use in a motor vehicle includes a two-position type control valve for performing increase and decrease in the braking pressure supplied to a wheel braking cylinder for braking a wheel of the motor vehicle. The control valve is operated in accordance with a signal indicative of a duty ratio from an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit estimates a balanced duty ratio whereby the current braking pressure in the wheel braking cylinder is maintained as it is and determines the duty ratio on the basis of the estimated balanced duty ratio in accordance with the locking state of the wheel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slackless rotary drawbar assembly of simple yet rugged construction. The drawbar assembly preferably consists of five parts: a rotary drawbar, a rotary drawbar support housing, a bottom support casting, a rear support block, and a slack adjustment wedge. The rotary drawbar support housing is welded into the center sill of a railroad car and supports the rotary drawbar so as to permit unrestricted universal movement of the drawbar through the range of movement required under normal operating conditions. The rotary drawbar has an enlarged truncated convex spherical end portion which mates with concave surfaces formed in the support housing and the bottom support casting. The bottom support casting is secured to the center sill and holds the drawbar in the support housing. The truncated convex spherical end portion also mates with a concave surface formed in the rear support block.

Abstract: A wheel harness for anchoring a wheel of a motor vehicle with respect to the floor of a transportation vehicle comprises an elongated strap which has an anchor at each end and a wheel chock which is slidably mounted on the strap. The wheel chock can be releaseably secured to the floor in close proximity to a wheel in use to form a chock which will bear against the wheel to prevent movement of the wheel. A length adjustment device is provided for adjusting effective length of the strap to increase or decrease the effective length of the strap to tighten or release the harness with respect to the wheel in use.

Abstract: A method of repairing railway trucks in which the sloped surfaces of the truck bolster ends have become worn during service is provided that avoids the hetertofore required restoring of the sloped surfaces with weld material. An improved replacement friction shoe having tapered elastomeric pads which conform to the abutting service worn sloped surfaces of the bolster ends is installed to greatly reduce further wear on the bolster ends.

Abstract: A chain is used in an automated transport system to propel free travelling trolleys riding along a rail toward designated workstations, the chain runs within a U-shaped recess in a track channel on wheels rotatably supported by axles carried by individual links of the chain. The wheels are formed from a self-lubricating material and the axle carried by each of the links of the chain have finished outer surfaces thereby substantially enhancing the pressure-velocity value of the chain so that the chain may be run at velocities greatly in excess of those velocities presently achieved by known chains used in such automated transport systems.

Abstract: An articulated coupling for two rail vehicles supported by a common bogie comprises: (A) a toroidal part (1) connected to one of the vehicles, said part being frustoconical in its bottom zone and cylindrical in its top zone, and having a cylindrical ball in its center and a shoulder around the top thereof; and (B) a support part connected to the other vehicle, enveloping the toroidal part, and comprising a sole plate (9), a toroidal articulated coupling element made of resilient composite material, a cylindrical peg (17) fixed to the sole plate, engaged in the ball of the toroidal part, and terminated by a horizontal shoulder; and an internal cylindrical part (20) facing the cylindrical external surface (3) of the toroidal part.

Abstract: A telephone cord take-up reel assembly having a take-up reel housing formed from a cover and a base member that is mounted on the wall of a room. A shaft is supported in the take-up reel housing and it passes through the inner hub of a take-up reel upon which is wound a predetermined length of telephone cord. A metal reel spring formed in the shape of a coil has its inner end connected to the shaft and its outer end connected to the inner surface of the hub of the take-up reel. This is the structure that causes the telephone cord to be automatically reeled into the take-up reel housing. A cutout slot is formed in the top wall of the cover and one end of the telephone cord is passed outwardly therethrough. A cord stopper assembly is mounted on a portion of the telephone cord outside the take-up reel housing. This cord stopper assembly may adjustably positioned along the length of the telephone cord.