Abstract: A track assembly for mounting a welding head assembly onto a pipe for the purpose of welding the pipe. The track assembly includes a flexible annular base which is to be located about the pipe in close proximity to the exterior surface of the pipe but spaced therefrom. Located between the annular base and the pipe are a plurality of spaced-apart foot pad assemblies. Each foot pad assembly includes a pair of contact pads which function to exert a continuous spring force between the annular base and the pipe. Each contact pad is connected to a separate spring assembly which can be mutually adjusted to vary the amount of spring force between the flexible annular base and the pipe. Mounted on the exterior surface of the annular base is a track which is to connect with the welding head assembly upon which the welding head operates to move circumferentially about the pipe. A latching assembly in the form of an over-center latching mechanism is used to secure together the free ends of the annular base.

Abstract: A device for use in securing cargo in a stationary position on the bed of a truck or similar vehicle is disclosed. The device includes a movable partition having spring biased locking pins on the outer ends thereof which may be releasably secured in any of a series of holes spaced at intervals along a railing attached to either side of the length of the truck bed. Upon operation of a handle mechanism located in the central upper portion of the partition, the locking pins may be unlocked, allowing the partition to be moved on caster wheels mounted for movement along the interior length of the railings until the desired position is reached at which point the handle is released, causing the pins to lock into the adjacent openings in the railing.

Abstract: A track guided transportation system for shelf servicing within warehouses. A lower guide track provides a narrow channel defined between a track bottom face and a pair of track side faces, and an upper guide track extends above and parallel to the lower guide track. A transportation vehicle with a plurality of mounting assemblies is mounted to and between the lower and upper tracks for travel therealong. Each mounting assembly of the lower guide track includes a single supporting wheel for rolling centrally along the track channel on the bottom face to support the vehicle and at least one stabilizing element is provided in the track channel extending generally between the inner side faces and engaging one or other of the side faces at any one time in order to laterally stabilize the vehicle.

Abstract: A road bed for railway rails comprises a ballast underlayment mat in the form of a body of elastomeric material. The mat has, at its bottom, prominent projecting parts of the elastomeric material and is covered by stone ballast. At least one fiber fleece layer on the top of the mat limits penetration of the stone ballast into the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A retractable self-storing reel assembly for shielded and unshielded electrical cable employing a reel journaled in a casing having an integral hollow hub with one end of the hub providing an entranceway into the hub for the male end of an elongated cable coaxially of the reel and the outer periphery of the hub in the casing forming an opening for receiving one end of a cable mounted on the reel for connection to and termination in the hub. An outlet for the cable is provided in the casing in an area juxtapositioned to the periphery of the reel.