Abstract: Articles are transferred in a coverless casing while avoiding contamination. The casing is disposed in a first tunnel zone and attached to, but isolated with separator, from a driving assembly located in a second tunnel zone. Air openings exist between the separators through which a column connects the casing to the driving assembly. Blowers force air through a filter into the first tunnel zone, where it flows through the air openings into the second tunnel zone, then is withdrawn through an air outlet. This air flow keeps the first tunnel zone clean by not permitting contaminants from the second tunnel zone to enter the first tunnel zone.

Abstract: A cargo stabilizer is provided for utility vehicles, such as vans, pickup trucks, and the like, which have a cargo carrying bed. The stabilizer prevents the cargo from shifting either fore-to-aft or laterally in the vehicle bed. The stabilizer comprises two guide rails attached lengthwise along the opposite sidewalls of the vehicle bed in a generally mutually parallel relationship. A crossbar is slidingly supported on the guide rails, and includes latches at the opposite ends of the crossbar to adjustably and positively connect the crossbar to the guide rails at a selected location. The crossbar is longitudinally adjustable between locked and unlocked positions, and includes abutment surfaces at its opposite ends which directly abut the sidewalls of the vehicle bed when the crossbar is in the locked position.

Abstract: An elastomeric pad, particularly adapted for placement between a prestressed concrete railroad tie and a supported rail, comprises a plurality of dimples formed on opposite sides of the pad in predetermined patterns to attenuate impact and vibrational forces imposed thereon. The centers of the dimples formed on one side of the pad are offset longitudinally and laterally relative to the centers of the dimples formed on the opposite side of the pad to form a network of interlocked arch bridge portions when the pad is viewed in cross-section and such that a majority of dimples on the opposite side underlies and is substantially tangential to four overlying dimples of the one side when the pad is viewed in plan. The pad functions to distribute compressive stresses substantially uniformly throughout and within the elastic limits of the pad when impact loads are imposed thereon.

Abstract: A linear drive unit having a carriage reciprocal along a path of travel and having a plurality of pairs of angularly adjustable drive wheels engaging opposite sides of a rotatable drive tube whereby rotation of the drive tube imparts linear motion to the carriage. The angle of the drive wheels is controlled by a remotely-operable air motor mounted directly on the carriage. A plurality of cams provide controlled acceleration and deceleration of the carriage adjacent the ends of its path of travel. A selectively operable inching control is remotely operable to provide for a reduced speed of travel of the linear drive unit. The linear drive unit is easily associated with the mass to be moved, such as a travelling hoist, and the forces generated by opposed drive wheels compressively engaging the drive tube are self-contained within the carriage. Additional control cams can be provided along the path of travel, if additional stopping locations are desired.

Abstract: A driverless vehicle, propelled by a longitudinal drive shaft, is provided with a load supporting substrate coupled to the vehicle body by a floating mount which permits the substrate to be moved relative to the body in a limited manner. A precision locator for use with said vehicle orientates the substrate in three directions, namely fore-aft, transversely, and vertically.

Abstract: The articulated joint for urban and suburban transport vehicles running on rails, in particular for tramway and/or underground railway vehicles, comprises a turn cage (2) which has its platform (16) substantially coplanar with the depressed floor of the adjacent bodies (1) and possesses two lateral compartments (17) which extend upwards beyond the platform (16) and house the wheels (6) of the bogie (3), the suspensions (10,11), the shock absorbers (14,15) and the braking members (8,9).

Abstract: A railway train set intended for the renewal of railway tracks, comprising an operative assembly provided with apparatus for removing the old rails, and with apparatus for allowing at least one of the axles to advance on the railway track already deprived of the rails, this latter apparatus comprising an auxiliary bogie which is liftable and lowerable. Rail sections are provided which are disposed, during the working periods, below the auxiliary bogie and below the axle in question of the operative assembly, respectively, for being travelled on while resting on the underlying sleepers. There is structure for displacing forward in a longitudinal direction the first and second rail sections during the periods in which they are not subjected to the load of the weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a wheel set for toy rail vehicles having wheels with rims extending radially from hubs which are mounted on a smooth axle passed through a hole in the chassis of the vehicle. A spring disc with a cover is fitted on the axle end and clutched by the wheel hub provided with a constricted opening recess, thereby retaining the wheels on the axle.

Abstract: A rocker arm assembly (12), supporting the rope of an aerial tramway installation, comprises sheaves (14, 16), the spindles (18, 20) of which are fitted enabling their disassembly, cantilevered from an arm (22) fitted on the inward facing side of the sheaves. The arm (22), made of moulded material, has a rope catcher shoe (66), which protrudes on the outward facing side of the sheaves. A detector of excessive rocker arm (22) swing, due to the rope falling on the catcher shoe (66) or to a sheave being lost, is incorporated in the boss of the arm and protrudes into a shearing groove in the articulation spindle of the arm (22).

Abstract: Fixtures supportable in a containerized unit for compartmentalizing the container into predetermined areas for storage and shipment of non-stackable articles at one or more levels within the container. A series of vertical support hangers are releasably connected to a longitudinally-extending horizontal top ledge within the container at opposite sides at predetermined spaced longitudinal intervals such that all the vertical load is supported by the ledge. Each of the vertical support hangers is provided with a releasable ledge-engaging C-clamp for gripping the ledge and a series of vertically-spaced pairs of slots for supporting horizontal support beams at predetermined levels by opposite vertical support hangers. Beam supporting connectors are positioned to support planar decking on the horizontal support beams at predetermined levels for compartmentalizing the interior of the container depending upon the article to be stored and shipped.

Abstract: For controlling the selective lateral tilting of the conveying trays of a sorter conveyor there is provided, on each tray support, a crosswise oriented cylinder, which by a protruding radial arm, is turnable between a "normal" position and a "tilt" postion in response to the radial arm engaging with an actuated guiding track associated with the stationary conveyor chassis. The tray has a lever engaging with an oblique cam track in the surface of the cylinder, whereby the tray is tilted by the turning of the cylinder. The cam track has non-oblique end portions, which lock the tray in both its horizontal and fully tilted position, without a separate lock being required. The cylinder may be split in two individually turnable halves selectively operable to tilt the tray to either side.

Abstract: A grooved rail switch with a tongue rail device includes a tongue rail displaceably supported on a torsion-stiff support box for movement between a stock rail and a switch rail. The support box is made up of an upper slide plate, a lower bottom plate and flat bars extending between and welded to the slide plate and bottom plate. High strength bolts secure the stock rail to one side of the support box and the switch rail to the other side.

Abstract: In a train formation, the passage from one car to the next is surrounded by a passover protection which comprises a central gantry closed on all sides which is mounted laterally displaceable relative to the cars. The central gantry is a mirror symmetric arrangement, even with the vehicle sides, consisting of adapter frames with peripheral abutments contacting elastic, hollow sections located peripherally between the abutments and the matching ends of the vehicle for small movement. A second set of peripheral, elastic hollow sections, structured for larger movement, is connected to the inner ends of the adapter frames and to the coupling frames. Connecting linkages are provided for guiding the adapter frames relative to the vehicles.

Abstract: A device which can be fitted on the chair of a chairlift cable transport system used in tourist resorts and which provides passengers with a protection against cold and adverse weather conditions. Properly shaped plate elements are so arranged that in a deployed position they form a continuous protecting shield extending from above the seat to downward and frontward of the seat and that when in an upward folded position they are superposed so that the device has a very reduced area subject to wind action on empty chairs thus permitting the keeping of all chairs permanently on the cable without jeopardizing the whole line during adverse weather conditions. Springs bias the safe-guard rail towards the folded position. The device adds little weight, is easy to operate by the passengers and does not affect the usual embarcation or disembarcation procedures.

Abstract: The speed of a driverless vehicle is controlled along the length of the module from an incoming high speed to an outgoing low speed or vice versa. The module includes first, second and third aligned drive tubes between tracks adapted to support a vehicle. A first motor is coupled to the first drive tube for driving the same at a first (high) speed. The second drive motor is coupled to the third drive tube for driving the same at a second (low) speed. The second drive tube is maintained out of mechanical engagement with the first and third drive tubes. A variable speed motor is coupled to the second drive tube to drive the second tube between the first (high) and second (low) speeds, independently of the first and second motors.

Abstract: An air assisted sliding device has a pallet supported on a base. The pallet has a recess provided on the periphery of its bottom surface in which a flexible tubular sealing member is mounted. The sealing member has a memory normally contracting it so as to be flat. An air passage communicates with the interior of the flexible sealing member so that compressed air can be fed to it. A groove is evenly provided on the bottom surface of the pallet within the bounds of the recess and a separate air passage for feeding compressed air or vacuum air is communicated with the groove so that the pallet may be provided with an air film of compressed air or may be stopped and a vacuum applied to attract the pallet to the base at a predetermined position on the base. A timing belt drive or an electromagnetic motor is used.

Abstract: A device for automatically securing a cargo container to a support such as a deck of a vehicle or a second container with which the first container is to be stacked. The device includes a base having a projecting shear block received in the locking opening of the container. A head rotates between an unlocked or loading position in which the head moves through the locking opening and a locked position in which the container is secured. Automatic entry and release are provided by a spring within the base biasing the head to the locked position but permitting movement to the unlocked position when torque is applied by engagement of the container with a cam surface on the head. Visible indication of the locked position and positive locking of the head in the locked position may be provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a casting car for use in removing super-heated molten materials from an electric arc melting furnace. The cooling car has a metal frame which includes a shallow container adapted to receive the molten materials. A relatively permanent refractory lining protects the interior surface of the container, and a replenishable, granular refractory material is deposited over the permanent refractory lining. Heat deflectors extend upwardly from the metal frame about the top of the container in order to channel heat radiated from the interior upwardly whereby melting plant equipment and personnel located near the cooling car are not subjected to very intense radiant heat. Wheels are secured to the bottom of the metal frame to permit the cooling car to be rolled along the track leading to the melting furnace to receive the super-heated molten materials.

Abstract: A small article moving system is disclosed, having an upper plate spaced from a lower plate. The upper and lower plates each have vertically aligned guide channels. An article support rod is inserted into the guide channels at either end and is powered by two pivoting drive arms, each having an elongated slot. The slots intersect at a common opening through which the support rod lies. The arms can be controlled to vary the direction and speed of the rod through the channels.

Abstract: A conveyor system having an upper power track with a propelling device for selectively engaging and propelling trolleys along a lower free track from which they are suspended by carrier arms. The propelling device has a pivotally mounted hook engageable with an opening in a carrier arms of the trolleys. The hook is mounted in an arresting device which has an inverted U-shaped recess into which the ends of the carrier arms can be selectively inserted. The distance between the power track and the free track is shorter along inclined sections of the conveyor system than along level sections. This shortened distance between the tracks brings the carrier arm closer to the arresting device in a manner so that the end of the carrier arm is inserted into the U-shaped recess. When the end of the carrier arm is inserted into the U-shaped recess, the arresting device is able to control movement of a trolley along inclined portions of the conveyor system.