Abstract: A self-inflating tire assembly includes an air tube mounted within a tire sidewall groove. The air tube is in contacting engagement with opposite angled groove surfaces surrounding the air tube. A segment of the air tube is flattened from an expanded diameter to a flat diameter by bending and compression of the groove in a rolling tire footprint to force air evacuated from the flattened segment along a tube air passageway. The sidewall groove extends into an annular, axially extending, sidewall surface such as an axially oriented surface of a tire chafer protrusion located in non-contacting relationship with the rim.

Abstract: A watercraft, typically a catamaran, has at least two spaced hulls; at least one seat mounted on or between the hulls; a vertical axis wind turbine (“VAWT”, e.g. Savonius) having a rotatable shaft operatively mounted to the hulls aft of the seat; and at least one propeller operatively connected to the wind turbine. A pedal driven propeller manual assist operable by someone sitting in a seat is also desirably provided. A mounting structure for the VAWT shaft includes an aluminum sleeve receiving the shaft; and at least two aluminum struts extending from each of at least four mounting points on the hulls to the sleeve, the struts operatively connected to the sleeve, one strut from each point vertically above the other. At least two counter-rotating VAWTs, with counter-rotating propellers, are preferred. Typically there are first and second airfoil configuration rudders, one operatively connected to the stern of each hull and controlled by a tiller and linkages to move substantially in tandem.

Abstract: A highway vehicle towing system includes a light railroad track embedded in a highway and capable of transmitting electricity from a power supply plant, and a towing tractor movable along the light railroad track to tow a car. The owing tractor has multiple pairs of metal wheels movably supported on the light railroad track, a motor, electrical wires connecting the metal wheels to the motor for transmitting electricity from the light railroad track to the motor, a transmission shaft coupled to and rotatable by the motor, and a differential mechanism coupled between the transmission shaft and the metal wheels for enabling the metal wheels to be rotated along the light railroad track by the motor.

Abstract: Fastening for a rail and arrangement for fastening of rails The invention relates to a fastening for a rail for securing a rail (10) whose foot is resting on a concrete sleeper (16), comprising at least one elastic clip (20) having several legs of which at least one leg extends inside a shoulder (42, 44) or channel of a holder (24) that is connected to the concrete sleeper, and at least one further leg rests on the rail foot. For securing a rail to the necessary extent with simple design means and in space-saving form, it is suggested that the holder (24, 26) is arranged detachably in the concrete sleeper (16) or in a plate element resting thereon and is connected to the concrete sleeper by a bolt element.

Abstract: An improved door assembly has a single movable door and may have a separate movable high platform threshold. The door assembly is formed of an upper door section and a lower door section which is fixed to the upper door section. A support member may be integral with or slidably engaged with the door assembly, disposed as an angle iron fixed to the door assembly, or disposed on the side of a stairwell of a rail passenger car.

Abstract: A vital programmable logic device (VPD) is provided having at least two microprocessors. The VPD is configured to provide failsafe operation of a vital control system while operating in a closed circuit environment. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, railroad grade crossing signals are controlled by the VPD.

Abstract: A rail vehicle having a single frame assembly and a movable platform coupled thereto is provided. The rail vehicle indexes, i.e. advances intermittently, along railroad rails. The movable platform advances in a single direction at a generally steady speed as the rail vehicle indexes along a railroad. The platform is the floor of, or a base for, a cabin preferably having a seat, roof support, and controls for the operator. The platform rides longitudinally with the machine on rollers or slides, thus separating the operator and controls from the rest of the machine. Thus, while the rail vehicle moves in an abrupt stop-and-go manner, the platform and the operator move generally consistently in a single direction.

Abstract: In the case of a hollow sleeper (1) for adjusting devices of switch blades of railway points, movable common crossings or cable crossings in any desired sections of track and points, formed as an upwardly open hollow sleeper profile with a planar sleeper underside (2), for fitting in a track skeleton, wherein the cross-sectional width and height are made to match a normal concrete, wooden or steel sleeper, the positional stability on ballast can be improved if the sleeper underside (2) of the hollow sleeper (1) is formed with at least one sunken, downwardly open chamber (5).

Abstract: The device would be a metal or heavy-duty plastic retractable loading platform, designed to bridge the gap between the train car and the station platform. When not in use, the retractable platform would be retracted into a position of concealment beneath the door(s) of the train car. At the station, the device would move outward, either abutting or overlapping the station platform, just prior to the train door(s) opening.

Abstract: A transportation system includes a vehicle having wings, a propulsion system, a lifting gear coupling the vehicle to an undercarriage, and a guidance assembly movably connecting the undercarriage to guide rails. The wings generate aerodynamic lift when the vehicle exceeds a first speed. The lifting gear supports a load of the vehicle in a first position in relation to the undercarriage when the vehicle travels at less than the first speed, allows the vehicle to lift to a second position in relation to the undercarriage as the vehicle accelerates beyond the first speed, and maintains the vehicle in the second position when the vehicle exceeds the first speed. The guidance assembly shiftingly engages the guide rails through rollers that are in rolling contact with the guide rails when the vehicle is in the first position and are displaced from the guide rails when the vehicle is in the second position.

Abstract: Tracks are arranged on the floor of the entry region of a station of the chair lift, the tracks running below and in accordance with the path of movement of the seats of the chair and having a substantially equal width with the corresponding seats. The seat part and/or the backrest of a seat differ/differs with regard to the graphical design from the seat part and/or backrest of an adjacent seat. It is therefore made clear to the passengers, in particular children, how the seat division on the chair has been conceived by the manufacturer and where to stand in the entry region in order to be correctly seated on an approaching seat. If the graphical design of the tracks is identical to the graphical design of the corresponding seat, the effect of the chair according to the invention is reinforced by the unambiguous visual association between the track and seat.

Abstract: A rail section for use in a rail switch and method for assembling same are provided. The rail section is connected to a switch mounting by inserting a portion of the switch mounting through an aperture provided in the rail section and then applying a double weld. Similarly, a gate operating mechanism is connected to the rail section by inserting a portion of the gate operating mechanism through an aperture provided in the rail section and then applying a double weld. A receptor portion of the rail section that is reinforced to withstand a greater load is also provided. A plurality of gate retention mechanisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a differential propulsion mechanism including two or more concentric and mutually counter-rotating first wheels (4, 6, 8, 10), mutually reacting and balancing the torque of a motor drive (20) interacting with the wheels. The motor drive has a stator attached to one of the first wheels to power a first wheel over a first track (12, 14, 16, 18), a rotor coupled to a mechanical link, at least indirectly connecting the rotor with a second of the two or more first wheels to power the second wheel over a second track, and a concentric connecting device affixed for coupling a payload thereto or for coupling the mechanism itself to another device.

Abstract: A joint connector for the lower flanges of adjoining running rails is assembled from two abutment pieces that each is seated in a lower flange of a respective rail that forms the joint. By use of centering devices, the correctly aligned positioning of the two abutment pieces is assured, wherein the abutment pieces transfer their aligned positioning to the lower flanges that meet each other without offset at the joint and the positioning cannot be negatively affected by transverse forces. The connection also provides a positive-fit in a transverse direction of the rails. Another joint connector arrangement connects the two running rails in the region of the top side. Abutment pieces in this case are seated as riders on a support rib and are connected to each other by tension rods.

Abstract: A rail switch for a conveyor assembly is provided. The rail switch includes a switch mounting for mounting rail sections. The rail switch includes a first rail section having a first end, a second end, a first face and a second face, as well as a receptor portion for receiving a first gate, an aperture located between the first end and second end through which a first connecting portion of the switch mounting is inserted, and a first weld mounting on the first face and a second weld mounting on the second face of the first rail section securing the first rail section and switch mounting together.

Abstract: A side-shift raise climbing system is provided that utilizes a side-cut excavated into the wall of the access drift for a raise in a mine. A transfer section is incorporated into the existing length of rail servicing the raise. The transfer section includes a laterally transferable rail that can be detached from the existing rail and shifted along a set of monorails that extend into the side-cut. The transfer section enables a raise climber, when parked thereon, to be shifted out of the access drift without requiring additional access drifts or parking/nesting areas to accommodate the use of muck removal equipment.

Abstract: Electric cord reel with a reel, a crank and handle, a reel support structure, a base structure, a guide aperture and a cord and plug retaining tube the reel is rotatably attached to the reel support structure. The handle fixedly attached to the pivot point of the reel wall. The support structure is fixedly attached to the base structure. The guide aperture fixedly attached to the base structure so that it is in alignment with the spool portion of the reel. The cord and plug retaining tube is removably attached to left and right apertures in the walls of the reel. A standard extension cord portion and plug can be removably retained within the cord and plug retaining tube. A preferred embodiment includes the base structure having a plurality of downwardly facing legs that help keep the structure from sliding when a user pulls on the electric cord.

Abstract: The invention is a hybrid wheel apparatus with a hybrid roadway apparatus that greatly reduces the energy lost due to rolling resistance where operation is on the hybrid roadway, but the system is configured to allow operation on conventional roads as needed. The hybrid wheel system is a steel wheel used in combination with a rubber tired wheel. The hybrid roadway is a low profile steel rail fixed to the otherwise conventional road surface, which is preferably concrete but could also be the very common asphalt composition. Where roadways are appropriately equipped with rails, the rail top surface is elevated over the roadway surface, and dimensions are set so that most of load force is carried on the steel wheel for general forward travel. Where the rail is absent the load is carried on the rubber tire, and the steel wheel is elevated above the roadway surface such that contact between the steel wheel and the roadway is prevented.