Abstract: A truck comprising a pair of longitudinal side frames with axle assemblies located at opposite ends thereof. Diagonal braces extend between the side frames to provide the truck with a lateral stiffness and a yaw stiffness. The diagonal braces include struts extending between the side frames and connected thereto by elastomeric members. The elastomeric members provide controlled flexibility in shear for the truck and are chosen so that the yaw stiffness and lateral stiffness lie on the characteristic curve of maximum critical velocity. In this way maximum stability of the truck is obtained.

Abstract: A railway car underframe comprises a center sill having bell mouth draft housings at opposite ends thereof. The housings accommodate the use of drawbars or shank type couplers. With the use of a shank type coupler a draft housing extension is secured to the bell mouth housings. The housings include structural shear elements interengageable with each other to align and secure the housings in rigid relation. The housings include connector plates secured together by fasteners with said connector plates longitudinally spaced apart to provide vertical spaces. Wedge elements having open end vertically spaced recesses are driven into the vertical spaces to provide for rigid metal to metal contact with the spaces accommodating the fasteners. Proper alignment, securement, and quick assembly therefore is achieved.

Abstract: A system for fastening a rail to a foundation such as railroad ties or sleepers to form a railroad track. The system includes L-shaped inserts which are imbedded into the foundation and extending above it, supports which are laterally located with respect to the rails, and a fastening member or clip securing the rails. The main portion of each clip is mounted between the insert and the foundation, and one end contacts the upper surface of the supports. The other end of the clip contacts the flange of the rail, and has an offset lower surface which applies vertical and lateral pressure to the edge of the flange. The clip is made of a metal material and is a resilient spring having a multiple curved cross-section in order to apply compressive forces to the rail flange, the curved portions having undulating portions which make the various contacts.

Abstract: A series of U-shaped frames have their web and legs of progressively greater length. A smaller-size frame fits between and is pivoted to the free ends of the legs of the next larger-size frame. When the device is extended, each frame projects outwardly from an adjacent frame. In folded position, each frame nests within the next larger frame. At least some of the frames have ground-engaging teeth and the smaller-size frame has tire-engaging teeth.

Abstract: A structure for fixing a rail to a tie includes a short stud 24 which is embedded in the concrete 2 of a tie above the longitudinally extending metal strut 4 of the tie and on the axis thereof. Welded to this stud, and even half embedded therein, are upper portions of two arch elements 26 whose branch are divergent on each side of the strut and are bent at their ends in the vicinity of the horizontal central axis of the strut so as to constitute hooks 34.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for replacing an assembled section of track in a track renewal section, the assembled track section consisting of rails fastened to ties defining spaces therebetween, comprises a succession of transport vehicles having undercarriages capable of running on the track for moving therealong, and hoists for gripping and carrying the assembled track section are mounted on the transport vehicles. An elongated overhead girder extends in a plane above the transport vehicles and has longitudinally extending sides defining therebetween a guide track for moving the succession of transport vehicles therealong, and drives move the vehicles along the guide track.

Abstract: A center sill for accommodating coupling facilities on a railcar comprises two substantially Z-shaped hollow sections each having an upper section strip and a lower section strip joined by a connecting member. The Z-shaped hollow sections are arranged mirror image to each other and joined at the upper section strips. Each hollow section part features a connecting member having a pair of sidewalls joining the upper and lower strips and hollow chambers formed by transverse struts running between the sidewalls. To improve its rigidity, fatigue and tensile strength and to make assembly of the sill easier, the hollow section is cut away close to one end of the railcar and a reinforcing tubular shaped part is inserted into this recess. The cut runs preferably along the lower side of the transverse strut next to upper section strip, along the upper side of the lower section strip, and between these cuts approximately perpendicular across the chambers.

Abstract: A backstop assembly for use with a cushioning device in the sill of a railway car. The cushioning device has a body, or cylinder, slidable endwise in the sill and carrying a car coupler at its outer end. The cylinder has a piston centered on the sill axis and a piston rod projecting from its inner end terminating in an enlarged end collar of circular cross section which is received in a backstop. The backstop is of rectangular box shape secured in the sill and having an inner end wall, outer end wall, top wall and parallel side walls, the end walls being axially spaced to form a chamber for loose, axially captive accommodation of the collar. The outer end wall has an arch-shaped clearance opening for loose accommodation of the piston rod.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying articles of length L through an irradiation beam of width B, where L substantially exceeds B. The articles are supported on carriers which are suspended between and more along two tracks positioned with the beam therebetween. The carriers travel for a first distance with the articles extending transversely relative to the two tracks to permit close-packing of the carriers as they move toward the beam. As each carrier approaches the beam, it is reoriented relative to the two tracks to increase the exposure angle defined between (a) the carrier dimension along which the article extends and (b) the width of the beam. After exiting from under the beam each carrier is preferably returned to a transverse travelling orientation relative to the two tracks. The invention further includes the directing of carriers along monorails enroute to and/or from the two tracks.

Abstract: The floor in an aircraft having a cargo space is provided with a conveyor system comprised of roller type tracks and an array system of rails superimposed upon the conveyor system. Latch elements positionable in relation to and connectable to the rails in variable positions are provided for sliding on the rails and being fastened thereto in selective positions. The latch elements are constructed for engaging pieces of freight, such as containers and pallets, for latching them into positions as predetermined by the positions of the rail elements.

Abstract: The tank of a railway tank car is supported adjacent to its opposite ends on two truck-mounted underframes, each underframe including a pair of body bolster plates disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tank and having an upper edge spaced well above the associated truck. Cover plates extend along the outer edges of the body bolster plates substantially perpendicular thereto and projecting upwardly above the upper edges thereof. Each body bolster plate has a rectangular notch in the upper edge thereof spaced closely adjacent to the outer surface of the tank. A lifting lug extends along each upper edge from the cover plate to the slabbing to close the upper end of the notch and define an opening to receive an associated lifting lug. Each lug has a broad inner end against the tank slabbing.

Abstract: A railway truck pedestal has a pedestal tie bar irremovably secured to one of the pedestal legs but arranged for easy movement between open and closed positions. The tie bar is of generally I-shape in plan and it is slidably mounted in channel-shaped saddles secured by their flanges to the bottom of the pedestal feet to provide generally aligned openings extending lengthwise of the pedestal.

Abstract: A dunnage bar system for freight containers utilizing a fixed elongated track cooperable with fittings mounted upon the opposite ends of an elongated bar. The bar fittings including a head captive within the associated track affixed to a neck extending through an elongated slot wherein the fitting may be adjusted along the track length and openings formed in the track selectively cooperate with head projections to lock the fitting against longitudinal track displacement. The dunnage bar fittings are releasable from the track openings by a rotative movement of the head either with, or relative to the bar, and with a relatively movable head a latch is associated therewith locking the fitting head relative to its bar.

Abstract: A track-traveling four-wheel vehicle is arranged such that pedalling power of a passenger is transmitted to rear wheels as drive wheels through a chain, and the rear wheels and front wheels as driven wheels roll along two rails. The vehicle has: frames constituting a rectangular body; a swing frame arranged such that an L-shaped end portion is pivotally mounted in the middle portion of the rear frame through a vertical shaft and the other L-shaped end portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the body, the swing frame being supported to swing in a horizontal plane; and a driven wheel support frame pivotally supported at the distal end portion of said swing frame. The front frame is slidably supported in the vicinity of the distal end portion of the swing frame through a sliding support mechanism.

Abstract: A rail-mounted conveyance wherein two undercarriages support a superstructure. One of the undercarriages is movable with reference to the superstructure about three axes including a substantially horizontal X-axis extending in the direction of travel of the conveyance, a substantially horizontal Y-axis which extends transversely of the direction of travel of the conveyance, and a substantially vertical Z-axis which is normal to the other two axes. Movements about the X-axis are made possible by providing the one undercarriage with a transverse axle which defines the Y-axis and carries a block having a convex top surface sloping from the center toward both sides of the one undercarriage, and by providing the superstructure with a platform having a flat underside which abuts against and can roll along the convex surface. The line of contact between the block and the platform defines the first axis.

Abstract: A monorail conveyor system in which an automotive cart comprising a drive wheel, a drive motor for driving the drive wheel, a gear case where output of the driving motor is reduced, and centering rollers rotatable on vertical axes, receives electric currents and control signals from a hollow rail and travels along the hollow rail. The driving motor has an output shaft extending in the forward-rearward direction of travel.

Abstract: In a powered truck or bogie for a railway vehicle having steerable wheelsets which pivot with respect to the truck or bogie frame, the motor for each wheelset is mounted to the truck or bogie frame and coupled to the drive transmitting means by a flexible coupling having a substantially vertical pivotal axis which axis is coincident with the real or virtual pivotal axis of the wheelset with respect to the truck or bogie.

Abstract: A tamper-proof railroad hopper car door operating system for preventing operation of the doors when the auxiliary train line air pressure, and thus the locomotive engine, is removed. A directional control valve is provided through which air pressure is switched from the car reservoir pressure tank to control a door operating air cylinder. The control valve includes a pilot inlet connected to the auxiliary train line for supplying air pressure to switch the control valve, while the reservoir air pressure flows through the valve to supply the power medium for the air cylinder. In this manner when the auxiliary train line air pressure is removed, reservoir air pressure cannot be switched to move the hopper car door.

Abstract: A flexible track segment for freely moving, driven, track-bound toy cars with a guide edge for guiding toy cars is specified, which consists of separate track segments, which can be put together, and which are capable of swivelling against each other, and, if necessary, connecting pieces. Each track segment part and connecting piece displays a travelling surface between the guide edges. The track segment parts and the connecting pieces are connectable with each other over the contact of linkage elements and receiving parts. The linkage element displays a pair of jaws with hook-forming, pointing to each other ends, which project away from a front side of the track segment part. The receiving part is constructed on the other front side of the track segment part and displays an opening and a vertical pin, which outside is aligned with the front side. The distance of the hook-forming ends is smaller and the distance of the jaws is larger than the diameter of the pin.

Abstract: A combination railcar moving vehicle utilizing the weight transfer principle and trailer spotter which has a plurality of steel rail wheels for moving a railcar along rail, and has a plurality of road wheels for spotting a highway trailer in a switching yard, the combination vehicle including four rail wheels, two of which are driven, and four road wheels, two of which are driven, so as to provide 2-wheel rail drive and 2-wheel road drive, and further having oscillating means for permitting the remaining free-wheeling road and rail wheels to oscillate up and down to accommodate uneven rail or ground conditions. When the machine is operating on rail it is working inside the AAR clearance patterns stipulated by the American Association of Railroads.