Abstract: A moisture barrier seal for use on a hopper car hatch opening that does not need to be removed before vacuum unloading of the hopper car due to the use of a grained plastic such as vertically drawn or cast polyethylene which will rupture as soon as the seal is subjected to the pressure differential across the seal created by the application of vacuum to the hopper car. The moisture barrier layer when combined with a filter layer forms a combination moisture barrier and filter seal.

Abstract: A suspension conveyor comprises two conveyor circuits which circulate in opposite directions. The circuits are arranged on opposite sides of an additional conveyor path, where the conveying directions of the path and circuits are the same at their point of coincidence. Roller devices for carrying objects (a, b, . . . , n), are entrained by a pushing or pulling mechanism of the conveyor circuits. A controllable switch arranged between the conveyor circuits, for transferring the objects individually from one of the conveyor circuits to the other, is adapted to transfer the objects selectively from the conveyor path to either of the conveyor circuits and vice versa. The switch is also adapted to selectively allow the objects to travel past the switch without leaving the respective conveyor circuit in which the objects are present. The suspension conveyor is additionally a sorting installation for sorting numerous different individually conveyed objects (a,b, . . . n).

Abstract: A railroad signal apparatus which includes a releasable joint which facilitates the servicing of railroad signal heads, particularly the servicing of signal lights mounted therein. The apparatus provides a signal head apparatus which is safe to operate and maintain, yet is still cost-effective to manufacture, operate, and maintain.

Abstract: A roller coaster or amusement park ride. The roller coaster comprises a track system capable of any directional travel, including horizontal, vertical, angled, curved, curvilinear, and retrograde directions. A carriage in which passengers reside is rotatable about the track system, either by programming or by passenger activation, providing for additional freedom of movement. The roller coaster may have a track through a clear tube (e.g., surrounded by water) and multiple, independent rides supported by the same support structure, providing increased excitement for the passengers.

Abstract: A robotic vehicle for travel through a conduit. The robotic vehicle includes forward and rear housings each having a hub portion, and each being provided with surface engaging mechanisms for selectively engaging the walls of the conduit such that the housings can be selectively held in stationary positions within the conduit. The surface engaging mechanisms of each housing includes a plurality of extendable appendages, each of which is radially extendable relative to the operatively associated hub portion between a retracted position and a radially extended position. The robotic vehicle also includes at least three selectively extendable members extending between the forward and rear housings, for selectively changing the distance between the forward and rear housings to effect movement of the robotic vehicle.

Abstract: The temporary rail bridge (20) of the illustrated embodiment includes a bridge number (20) that is coupled to a track rail (16) by screw clamps (24). Each of the screw clamps (24) includes an internal tensioning component such as a spring (58) that allows for fast installation of the rail bridge (20) and maintains continuous pressure engagement in operation. The rail bridge (20) reduces track closure time due to rail damage and associated costs and inconvenience.

Abstract: Railway axle assembly furnished with automatic change of track gauge and adaptable to conventional freight bogies. It comprises two independent rolling element assemblies (2), each composed of a wheel, a semiaxle, an outer bearing and an inner bearing, the inner bearing carrying a locking catch with two vertical shafts connected together by a bridge which contains the pieces which facilitate its unlocking and subsequent locking. It also includes an axle frame (1) on which are mounted the rolling elements (2) and their locking systems, a device (3) for connecting between the rolling elements, two trusses (4) for translating the brake shoes, a system of electrical continuity between wheels and a device (6) for detecting hot inner bearings. The invention is useful for converting current bogies with fixed axles into bogies with transversely displaceable axles.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for installing and securing auto rack side panels, either during manufacture of the auto rack railway car, or during refurbishment of the car, where covers are placed over components which clamp the panel corners. In a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein end portions of elongated dust closure plates are employed to clamp side panel corners against brackets to prevent metal-to-metal contact between the end portions of the dust closure plates and the side panel corners engaged by the end portions thereof, plate covers are installed over the end portions of the elongated dust closure plates so as to be disposed between the end portions of the dust cover plates and the panel corners, to avoid abrasion and rusting as a result of friction.

Abstract: A lightweight, remote-controlled, self-propelled equipment support and transport system is stabilized against unwanted angular deviation in each of three perpendicular axes and adapted for motion at high speed along a simple tubular monorail. The system can be quickly and efficiently ground-mounted on stands, suspended horizontally from brackets or from a variety of overhead supports, or vertically mounted alongside a mast or wall. The system includes an elongated drive car running on and partly surrounding a rail, and an equipment support associated with the drive car and configured so that the supported equipment is transversely and longitudinally spaced and balanced about a point just below the center of the rail. The equipment support is mounted in angular isolation relative to the drive car by a system of damped pivots about pitch and yaw axes.

Abstract: A two-state directional control linkage (11) for controlling a steering axle, comprising a device for activating and deactivating the linkage (11) to lock the linkage in the operative position of the device and unlock it in the inoperative position thereof such that said device no longer transmits control movements. The linkage is particularly useful in public transport road vehicles.

Abstract: A power operated retractable floor extension, extending outward from the floor of a mass transit vehicle. When extended, the floor portion bridges any gap between the vehicle floor and adjacent platform, thereby providing improved passenger access to the vehicle. Generally speaking, the extended member complies with existing United States Federal Regulations.

Abstract: A rail vehicle has a longitudinal direction and includes an undercarriage, a crossbeam held against the undercarriage, extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the superstructure and adapted for being seated on a bogie or similar structure. A mechanism is provided for elastically holding the crossbeam to the undercarriage.

Abstract: A model railroad truck structure includes a truck bolster which has a side-frame keeper on each end thereof for maintaining a side frame in position on the bolster. An elongate truck side frame is carried on each end of the truck bolster, which is received within a bolster receiver therein. A spring retainer is provided for receiving a spring thereon and for maintaining the spring in position between the truck bolster and the side frame. The spring retainer may be located on the bolster or on the side frame.

Abstract: A truck tractor adapted for use on railways to tow one or more railcars while retaining the capability to tow highway trailers. A beam assembly with a railcar hitch on the back and a hitch pin underneath the front is latched to the hitch coupler of the truck tractor when used to tow railcars. The beam assembly rests on the rear of the truck tractor frame. A set of hydraulically retractable railway wheels is used to guide the rear drive wheels while on the rails. The front of the truck tractor is equipped with a set of retractable railway wheels which are used to lift the front steering axle of the truck tractor clear of the railroad rails and to raise and lower the railcar hitch for transfer of weight of the first railcar being towed to the drive wheels of the truck tractor. To resume highway operations the rail wheels are retracted and the beam assembly is unlatched from the hitch coupler and removed from the truck tractor.

Abstract: An improved railroad trackwork frog is provided with a relatively fixed rigid wing rail, a relatively movable spring wing rail, a base plate, and at least one roller outrigger and ramp plate assembly which is attached to the spring wing rail and to the base plate, and which functions to cause limited upwards vertical movement of the spring wing rail relative to the base plate when the spring wing rail is moved laterally relative to the rigid wing rail by the engaged wheel flange of a passing rail car.