Abstract: A linear guide mechanism includes a housing having an inside housing surface that defines a bore extending through the housing coaxial with a longitudinal axis. A shaft is disposed at least partially in the bore and is reciprocatably and linearly moveable in the bore along the longitudinal axis. The shaft has an exterior shaft surface. A self-lubricating liner is disposed in the bore between the inside housing surface and the exterior shaft surface. The self-lubricating liner has an inside liner surface that is in sliding engagement with the exterior shaft surface of the shaft. The self-lubricating liner has an exterior liner surface.

Abstract: A conveyor chain including a chain pin having an exterior surface; a bearing having a generally tubular body portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the chain pin disposed in the generally tubular body portion of the bearing so that the interior surface of the bearing surrounds the exterior surface of the chain pin; and a low friction liner material secured to a surface selected from the exterior surface of said chain pin, the interior surface of the bearing, the exterior surface of the bearing, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A shell-like insert made from a low-friction material is useful in a coupler for railway cars. The coupler may have a male connector on one car and a female connector on the other. The connectors conform to each other and provide a clearance space therebetween. The male connector may include a ball stud and the female connector may provide a socket for the ball. The insert conforms to the clearance space and is made from a low-friction material, such as PTFE, a filament wound composite or an epoxy-impregnated PTFE and glass-fiber material, or the like. A railway car assembly may include two cars joined by a coupler as described herein. The cars may be joined by providing a rear follower and a front follower in the female connector to provide the socket, and positioning an insert in the socket between the ball and one or both followers.

Abstract: A conveyor chain including a chain pin having an exterior surface; a bearing having a generally tubular body portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the chain pin disposed in the generally tubular body portion of the bearing so that the interior surface of the bearing surrounds the exterior surface of the chain pin; and a low friction liner material secured to a surface selected from the exterior surface of said chain pin, the interior surface of the bearing, the exterior surface of the bearing, or combinations thereof.