Abstract: A device in which units being transported can be adequately secured for protecting those units from damage during shipment. A chock that engages and substantially conforms to the surface of the unit to be secured is utilized. The paperboard chock can be utilized in numerous ways. The paperboard chock can be used independently by inserting it between a rigid structure and the unit to be secured such that the chock actively engages both the unit to be secured and the rigid structure. Two chocks could be used together by inserting the chocks between two units to be secured such that the chocks actively engage the units and are flush with each other. Various alternative schemes of use can be utilized by inserting a cushioning means against the chock to apply pressure to the unit to be secured. The chock comprises contact elements and a support element. The contact elements actively engage the unit to be secured and are themselves attached to the support element.

Abstract: An assembly for the transmission of electrical energy to a vehicle comprises two current rails with respective contact surfaces inclined at an angle toward each other in a roof-like arrangement and a current collector having a sliding shoe with a pair of contact surfaces inclined toward each other at the same angle. The sliding shoe is mounted movably on the current collector by means of a ball and socket joint. The support point of the sliding shoe, i.e. the geometrical center of the support ball, is located at least approximately on an imaginary line which connects the centers of gravity of the two contact surfaces of the current rails.

Abstract: An articulated bogie for railroad vehicles, comprising lateral equalizing bars connecting the axle boxes, and connected to each other by a primary cross member. The lateral equalizing bars (3) are connected directly to the axle boxes (2) without the use of suspension. The primary cross member (6) is resiliently carried by vertical supports on each equalizing bar (3), the supporting arrangement being provided at each end of the cross member, the two points (7) of which are spaced and equidistant from the center. A secondary load-bearing cross member (11) is carried on the primary cross member (6) by a secondary suspension system (10).

Abstract: A high speed trolley harp assembly includes a rotatable portion at the upper end of a trolley pole with a shoe assembly held on a support structure which is pivotally connected to a lower body at the upper end of the pole. Elastomeric, resilient support cushions are held in the lower body protruding therefrom and contact the support structure to provide a cushioning effect to absorb shock, vibration and noise occurring at high speeds when the shoe assembly rides along an overhead conductor.

Abstract: A track for a suspended combined electric current collection and traction system including a base (22) and a resilient shield (26, 28) together defining an elongate space divided into two halves by a resilient beam (32), each of which contains a conductor (33). Spaced contact members in the form of bars (34) forming a rack on each side of the track or two rows of Z shaped contacts (82) extend through the shield and are normally spaced from the conductors. Embedded in the base are two parallel flexible metallic cables (40; 70) connected together by connectors (42; 74) by which the track may be suspended. In use, the reaction wheels (60) of a locomotive engage the tops of the cables (40; 70) thus drawing a current pick-up member (52; 86) into contact with the contact segments pressing them against the conductors (33) to pass electric current to an electric motor.

Abstract: A boltless, friction-fit adjustable brace for bracing rails on a tie plate wherein a plurality of friction surfaces of a removable side brace engage corresponding surfaces on a rail. The brace is provided with a serrated portion on its side for engagement with a serrated washer, which washer has a pair of ear lugs which span and contact a mounting plate on the tie plate. Finally, a resilient spring clip is applied thereto to engage the serrated washer, to prevent longitudinal, lateral and elevational movement of the side brace, when the rails are under load.

Abstract: A circulating car conveyor has a code-resetting device at each code-reading station in which the resetting elements can be extended into the path of code-setting markers on the sides of the cars in a busy condition of the station, to hold the code-setting markers as the car continues to move past, thereby resetting the markers into an initial position and returning the cars to a starting point. The retaining member is resiliently biased against the code-setting markers or into the path with a force greater than that required to shift the marker along its guide but less than that required to transport the car along the path.

Abstract: A device for extending flexible power supply lines for mining machines which are guided on a conveyor structure and moved back and forth along a longwall by means of a traction element which includes a coal strand and a return strand extending with an enclosed space comprising a housing secured to the conveyor and enclosing a load strand. A return and a cable channel is alongside the load strand channel, with the flexible supply lines being stored at the ends of the longwall towed along by a mining machine through the cable channel. The housing is secured to the conveyor structure and open at one side, and an idle roller is mounted in the housing in the cable channel. The supply lines are supported on the idle rollers. The mining machine is moved by a traction element and the supply lines bear against the traction element at the open side of the cable channel.

Abstract: Chairlift or gondola lift with a carriage supporting a gondola or a chair and having a detachable grip for coupling on a continuously moving cable. In the terminals the carriage is uncoupled from the cable and it runs on a transfer rail. This transfer rail is equipped with friction drive wheels disposed along the carriage travel path for engaging the friction face of a running plate rigidly secured to the carriage so as to brake, accelerate or drive the carriage on the rail. During the night or bad weather periods a cover plate covers the friction face of the carriages disposed on the line and this cover plate is raised away in the terminals to clear the friction face. For removing the snow or ice which covers the friction face and hinders the correct friction drive of the carriage a brushing or rubbing device may be disposed along the carriage travel path so as to brush the friction face.

Abstract: The assembly is made up of four components. First is a rectangular, steel base plate designed to lie between the rail and the tie structure. The plate has a hole near each end. The second component is a clip that holds the rail to the base plate. The third and fourth components are a pair of anchoring devices, one for each end of the base plate. Each anchoring device has three parts. The first part is a steel base member having a first end that is nearest to the rail, a second end that is opposite the first end and extends at least to the adjacent end of the base plate, and a middle section joining the first and second ends. A flange-headed hook projects upwardly from the first end of the base member. The first end of the base member fits in the hole in the base plate so as to interlock the base plate with the anchoring device, like two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. The flanged head of the hook overlaps part of the base plate, so as to hold it down.

Abstract: A carrier unit adapted to be converted into a bulk material carrier including a container having a floor and two parallel substantially vertical walls. The floor has at least one floor panel movable between a storage position and an operative position and at least one floor section movable between a storage position and an operative position. The floor panel when in the operative position and the floor sections when in the operative position cooperate with portions of the walls to define a compartment and to form an opening in the floor, which communicates with hoppers depending from the floor. A flexible liner is mountable in the compartment, when the floor panel and the floor sections are in the operative positions, for holding bulk material. The flexible liner includes an inlet for charging bulk materials into the liner compartment and an outlet cooperable with the opening for communicating the interior of the liner compartment with the exterior of the compartment for discharging the bulk materials.

Abstract: An improved draft gear for transmitting draft forces in railway vehicles. The invention includes a housing with a closed end and an open opposite end provided with a tapered internal friction surface. A wedge is mounted for axial movement in the open end of the housing and friction shoes are positioned within the housing between the wedge and adjacent portions of the internal friction surface. A follower member is positioned adjacent the friction shoes and springs are positioned between the closed end of the housing and the follower member to urge the follower member against the shoes. Each of the shoes has a beveled outer surface in engagement with a beveled inner surface of the wedge, the beveled inner and outer surfaces being formed at a first selected angle with respect to the axis of the housing.

Abstract: A partition for a cargo carrier (1) for bulk freight. The cargo carrier is provided with an unloading opening (3) closable by a door (4') or board at the location of a partition to be positioned at the inner side thereof. The partition includes a number of profiles (8) to be positioned horizontally across the unloading opening (3) in superposed relation into two supports (4). The supports (4) are provided at the location of the walls of the cargo carrier and extend perpendicular to the plane of the unloading opening (3). Each of the supports (4) includes a plate (4) the height of which corresponds substantially with the height of the partition. The plate (4) is placed against the inner wall of the cargo carrier and has parallel to the plane of the wall of the cargo carrier a dimension such that the bulk freight urges the plate (4) against said wall by a sufficient force as to hold the plate (4) by friction.

Abstract: A railway car underframe center sill includes a drawbar structure which includes a rigid housing structure adapted to fit into the cushion pocket of the sill supporting the cushion. The rigid housing is readily removable if desired and includes a rigid end plate having a truncated opening which contains a truncated hemispherical reaction member which pivots in any direction. The drawbar is supported on the center sill for movement in true rotation and is provided at its inner end with an impact head at all times in flush contact with the hemispherical reaction member. The end of the drawbar includes a drawbar key structure secured in place by means of the draft key. The housing structure is securely maintained in position against a stop by a wedge member which is self-adjusting downwardly as wear may occur and thus insures a contact rigid effective assembly.This assembly provides a slackless condition in the drawbar attachment between companion units of a railway freight car.

Abstract: An apparatus to prevent a tank, such as a scuba tank from rolling around on a supporting surface such as the bed of a truck or within the trunk of an automobile. The apparatus comprises a split ring-shaped band which is to be located about the exterior of the scuba tank. The band is attached in a tangential manner to a flat plate. The length of the flat plate is sufficient to laterally support the scuba tank when at rest on the supportive surface and prevent such from rolling around.

Abstract: A roller guide device enabling a vehicle to be steered automatically consists of a roller retaining mechanism having a retaining lever connected to a steering linkage of a vehicle, and a pivoting lever which is pivotally connected to the forward end of the retaining lever. Arranged at the free end of the pivoting lever is a freely rotatable contact roller which can be pivoted from a retracted position in which the pivoting lever essentially coincides with the retaining lever in the direction of the pivoting shaft, into an operatively extended essentially straight-line position. The pivoting lever additionally rotates as a function of its pivoting motion about its longitudinal axis through about 90.degree., so that retraction and extension of the contact roller by pivoting through 180.degree. is achieved by a primary drive, with the contact roller concurrently rotating through 90.degree. through a secondary drive.

Abstract: An inflatable dunnage bag is formed by a flat, flexible triangular envelope constructed of heavy kraft paper and a sealed inner plastic liner which is inflatable through a valve. The bag is used for shoring load by standing it upright with its base topmost, horizontally oriented, and positioned adjacent the top of the load and its apex positioned contiguous to the bottom perimeter of the load.

Abstract: A hopper car in which the body has vertical end walls and side walls each comprising a sloping lower portion and a vertical upper portion. The two sloping lower portions converge downwardly and their horizontal lower edges define a discharge opening. One of these edges lies in a horizontal plane which is at a different level to the plane containing the other lower edge. The angle of slope of one lower portion is different to the angle of slope of the other lower portion. Additionally, the horizontal plane containing the line of convergence between the one lower portion and its associated upper portion lies in a different horizontal plane to the corresponding line of convergence of the other side wall. An arcuate door carrying a laterally protruding operating arm closes-off the discharge opening.

Abstract: A railway draft sill and slackless draft assembly including a pair of lengthwise spaced draft sills having a drawbar extending therebetween. One of the drawbar ends is connected for rotation relative to one of the draft sills and the other end is fixed against rotation relative to the other draft sill. Slack take-up structure is are provided to maintain bearing surfaces at the respective attachment ends in engagement when wear occurs.

Abstract: A trolley rail section includes an elongated housing wherein a conductor junction assembly is retained by virtue of its connection to an elongated conductor within the same housing and with the cooperation of the conductor of an adjacent connected trolley rail section such that the unitary conductor and junction assembly may be assembled into or disassembled from their housing according to a method of assembly when the respective trolley rail section is disconnected from other trolley rail sections.