Abstract: In a vehicle track having longitudinal rail members positioned in parallel on either side of a track centerline and on which respective drive wheels and guide wheels of a vehicle move, the improvement including longitudinal rail members each having an asymmetrical cross-section and being composed of a head portion having a primary upper running face which engages the periphery of the drive wheel, a lower guide face opposed to the primary upper running face which engages the guide wheel, and a secondary running face which is substantially vertical, which is located inwardly of the head portion towards the track centerline, and which engages the flange of the drive wheel; and a leg portion extending downwardly from the head portion; and a plurality of track support members arranged at intervals along the vehicle track and composed of a clamp device having first and second clamp faces which are moveable, which are juxtaposed to the leg portion one on each side thereof, which grip the leg portion, and which each

Abstract: A mono- or twin-rail overhead chain conveyor 10', 12' useful for transporting heavy loads such as motor vehicle parts wherein the conveyor has a chain track (14) in the form of an I-shaped profile with running gear 18,20 which can move along said track and has roller blocks 26,28 for mounting rollers 30,32 which are supported on the chain track, the roller blocks being connected to a traction means 42 for pulling the running gear and for a monorail overhead chain conveyor, the running gear is in the form of a loading running gear and for a twin-rail overhead chain conveyor, it is in the form of towing running gear which interacts with loading running gear 82 movable on a load rail 78 running below the chain track and to render wear-free, silent running possible, the traction means 42 is a rubber or plastic belt having a single-stranded metal, glass fiber or carbon fiber insert 46.

Abstract: A machine is capable of automatically applying and removing transversely applied rail clips such as the so-called Safelok-type clip. The machine preferably includes a workhead on which is disposed one or more applicator/remover mechanisms, each of which is capable of automatically applying and/or removing a clip. Each clip applicator/remover mechanism preferably includes a workarm which is pivotable transversely towards and away from the longitudinal centerline of the rail, a clip applicator tool mounted on the workarm, and a clip retractor tool mounted on the workarm. The resulting mechanism is capable of both applying and removing clips rapidly and efficiently while accommodating variations in position and orientation of the rail and/or the clips.

Abstract: A digital finite impulse response (FIR) filter having a shift register for receiving a digital signal, a counter for counting pulses in a sampling signal and a look-up table read-only memory (ROM) having address inputs coupled to the outputs of the stages of the FIR filter and to the outputs from the counter. The output of the ROM forms the filtered signal. This digital filter approach allows for a balance between cost and performance and is inherently flexible due to the programmable nature of its core device (ROM).

Abstract: The invention relates to a rail brake element, in particular for use in rail brake buffer blocks, comprising a pair of clamping plates extending about a rail head from each side and supported against its top surface, which clamping plates are clamped against the rail head by a clamping device including a clamping bolt and a spring assembly, and include at its portion below the rail head a brake lining portion of suitable rigid friction material for engagement with the rail head, wherein the brake lining layer engages the rail head by means of a raised portion of wear material having a static friction coefficient smaller than that of the brake lining layer.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for a model railroad includes a DC variable-voltage power source having a pair of output terminals connected to respective rails of a model railroad track. A capacitor and a normally-closed switch are connected in series across the output terminals. The improvement comprises an accessory circuit having first and second input lines, each connected to a separate one of the respective rails. The accessory circuit includes an AC-pass filter at the input lines and a rectifier section coupled to the AC-pass filter. A relay circuit is coupled to the rectifier section and includes an electrical contact switched between a first state, e.g., open, and a second state, e.g., closed. An electrically-powered accessory such as a whistle or horn is coupled to the contact and is energized when the contact switches from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: System and method for loading and unloading highway vehicles for transportation over railroad lines. The system has a number of railroad vehicles, each having a deck for highway vehicles. The deck extends from a central portion of the vehicle to one or both ends of the railway vehicle. The invention includes a terminal which has at least one stationary railroad track portion which is connected to a railroad system outside of the terminal. The terminal also has number of moveable railroad track segments. These segments can be positioned in a first configuration in which they are aligned so that railroad vehicles can be rolled from one or more of the stationary railroad track segments onto the moveable railroad track segments.

Abstract: A method of assembling a model railroad truck includes placing a truck spring on a spring retainer which is carried on either of a truck bolster or a truck side frame, resting the free end of the truck spring on the other element of the truck, pushing the end of the truck bolster into the upper portion of the bolster receiver, such that the end of the truck bolster travels along truck radii of the bolster receiver, compressing the truck spring while simultaneously pushing the end of the truck bolster through the bolster receiver, and decompressing the truck springs to allow the bolster to be retained in the side frame.

Abstract: A studded traction assist strip for providing emergency traction in the event of snow or ice conditions resulting in a stuck vehicle. The strip includes a generally flat and thin elongate body formed from a resilient rubber material. The body further includes a road facing surface and a wheel traction surface. The road facing surface including a plurality of metal studs extending therefrom for gripping icy surfaces, and the body further includes a plurality of transverse grooves for gripping when said body is in an extended position and to facilitate forming a compact roll for storage when the traction strip is not in use.

Abstract: A novel railcar includes a floor, upstanding side walls which are connected to the floor and a top. A no slack coupler is provided for coupling adjacent railcars together to form an articulated train. The railcar includes a landing gear having a flanged wheel beneath a forward portion thereof and a bi-directional bogie mounted beneath a rearward portion thereof. The landing gear and bogie can be used to support and move the railcar on railroad tracks. Structure is provided for attaching a dolly adaptor to a rear end of the railcar and for connecting a tractor to a front end of the railcar. The railcar can be easily detached from the remainder of the articulated train, moved off of the tracks and transported around a rail yard by the tractor and the dolly adaptor so that the railcar can be loaded at a dock. Thereafter, the railcar can be easily reattached into the train on the track.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated coupler assembly for model railroad rolling stock is provided. The coupler assembly includes a drawbar having first and second ends. The first end includes an aperture defined therethrough adapted for mounting in a coupler pocket on model railroad rolling stock. The second end includes a coupler head. A coupler knuckle is pivotably mounted to the coupler head by a magnetically actuated pivot post. A first coil spring alignment pin is located on the second end of the drawbar. A second coil spring alignment pin is located on the coupler knuckle. A coil spring is mounted between the coupler head and the coupler knuckle on the first and second coil spring alignment pins for resiliently urging the coupler knuckle to a coupled position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bottom discharge arrangement intended for mounting on goods container of a railway truck. The arrangement includes at least one pair of flaps which is pivotally mounted on the goods container at their mutually remote edges, so as to be able to swing between an open and a closed position in a plane perpendicular to the edges. The arrangement includes a two-arm lever which is common to the link systems and which functions to maneuver the flaps simultaneously. The lever arm is pivotally mounted centrally at a point between the pivot axes of the flaps and is pivotally connected at one end to a first link pivotally mounted on one flap and at the other end is pivotally connected to a second link pivotally mounted on the other flap. When the flaps are closed, the pivot points between the parts of the link system lie in an essentially forceless state of equilibrium in a common plane which is locked in this state of equilibrium by an operating device coacting with the link system.

Abstract: A rail fastening plate used to secure a railway rail to a sleeper or other rail foundation uses a spring clip. The plate includes a base section adapted to be secured to a rail foundation by securing bolts passing through each of a plurality of apertures in the base section. A pair of spaced raised ribs upstanding from an upper surface of the base section, the ribs being spaced apart so as to receive a railway rail therebetween. Channels cut across the ribs are shaped to include narrowed outer sections and a wider central section. The narrowed sections act as a gate through which the clip must pass and which serves to retain the clip in position.

Abstract: The passenger connecting passageway between two rail vehicles includes a respective half-passageway at the end of each vehicle. Each half-passageway has a respective main frame. To lock the half-passageways together, a locking device including at least one locking hook and preferably a pair of hooks is arranged on the outside of one vertical support of the main frame of one half-passageway. A receiving pin on the adjacent main frame of the other half-passageway receives the hook and a device swings the hook selectively on and off the pin. A swingable pull together device on the inside of the half-passageway includes a pull strap supported at the vertical support on one half-passageway that hooks on a receiver on the vertical support on the other half-passageway and a ratchet rotates an arm that winds the strap to pull the half-passageways together.

Abstract: A utility transmission and distribution system includes a guideway for a magnetic levitation transportation system, and supports for supporting the guideway above the ground. The guideway includes a base connected to a structure defining an enclosed channel. At least one conduit defining an enclosed space is disposed within the channel, and is rigidly connected to the channel such that movement over the guideway remains unimpeded. At least one cable is disposed within the conduit for transmitting and distributing utilities.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus comprises a telephone cord retraction device positioned between a base unit and a handset of the telephone apparatus. The retraction device includes a housing enclosing a length of telephone cord and a spring assembly, and a male telephone connector located exterior of the housing. The male connector is substantially rigidly connected to a substantially rigid extension that is substantially rigidly connected to the housing of the retraction device. The male telephone connector is disposed within the female telephone connector of the base unit when the retraction device is installed on the base unit.

Abstract: A cable winding apparatus includes a first member having an outlet attached thereto, a second member extending approximately in parallel with the first member, and a connecting portion connecting the first and second members. A handle portion is provided at a central portion of the second member. Accordingly, portability of the cable winding apparatus can be improved.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a playground carriage (10) is provided for moving people (100) from one play area to another. The playground carriage comprises a rotatable support pipe (12) having a first end (14) and a second end (16). The support pipe extends between a first vertical column (18) and a second vertical column (20). A manually-operated crank extends between the first vertical column and a third vertical column (48). The first end of the crank is coupled to the first end of the support pipe so that manually turning the crank rotates the support pipe. A carriage (28) for carrying people is mounted to the support pipe. The carriage is advanced along the support pipe by a carrier assembly (102). The carrier assembly comprises a carrier (30) which propels the carriage and a brake (104) which is capable of bringing the carriage to a stop.

Abstract: A method of preventing movement of a locomotive while personnel are working on the locomotive. The method includes placing the brakes of the locomotive under the control of a card reading control box, and providing personnel employed to work on the locomotive with identification cards readable by the box. Each worker inserts his or her card in the box before working on the locomotive, and the control box reads the cards and in response thereto maintains the brakes of the locomotive at full service until personnel have left the locomotive and the control box is cleared by workers again inserting their cards in the box or by a master key in the position of an engineer/operator of a locomotive.

Abstract: An articulated connector for flexibly connecting the adjacent ends of a pair of rail car platforms which are supported on a common truck bolster, the connector comprising a spherical bearing formed integrally with a conventional center plate bearing of one car platform, and spherical elements carried by the other car platform for cooperable engagement with the spherical bearing to transmit vertical, lateral and longitudinal train forces between the adjacent platforms solely through engagement of the mating spherical bearing elements.