Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a computer-implemented method to collect information to determine damage to a vehicle involved in a collision using photogrammetric techniques. When determined, this vehicle damage information, which may be in the form of crush measurement information such as a crush damage profile, can be displayed in a computer-generated view of the subject vehicle with a crush damage profile and used to estimate the impact severity. In some embodiments, based on the photogrammetric information derived, a direction of any shifting of the vehicle's components may be obtained and used along with other information to estimate a principal direction of force (PDOF) for one or more vehicles involved in the collision. Still further embodiments may be used to generate and/or audit repair estimates based at least in part on the photogrammetric information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving data for a vehicle involved in an accident, analyzing the data for classification of damaged components and operations to be performed on the vehicle, and generating a triage decision for the vehicle based on a rules-based analysis of the classification and the operations. The triage decision may be used to route a claim corresponding to the accident to an appropriate resource for analysis and handling.

Abstract: A system and method that utilizes information relating to vehicle damage information including damaged vehicle area information, crush depth of the damaged areas information, and vehicle component-by-component damage information to estimate the relative velocities of vehicles involved in a collision. The change in velocity is estimated using a plurality of methods, and a determination is made as to which method provided a result that is likely to be more accurate, based on the damage information, and the types of vehicles involved. The results from each method may also be weighted and combined to provide a multi-method estimate of the closing velocity. The methods include using crash test data from one or more sources, estimating closing velocity based on the principals of conservation of momentum, and estimating closing velocity based on deformation energy resulting from the collision.

Abstract: The sliding table has a stationary bed and a carriage which is movable relative to the bed. The carriage has an upper surface on which a work piece is seated. The bed has rollers and the bed has a track. Alternatively, the bed has a track and the carriage has rollers. In either case, the rollers roll back and forth in the track. Either the rollers are biased into contact with the track or the track is biased into contact with the rollers. In the former case, an eccentric and a coil spring are used to bias the rollers. In the latter case, the track has a bearing plate which is biased by a rubber strip or O-ring cord stock into contact with the rollers.

Abstract: The mitre gauge has lower, central and upper plates. The central plate is attached to a tool such as a fence and is pivotally attached to the lower plate while the upper plate is pivotally attached to the central plate. A pin selectively immobilizes the upper plate at a first set of stop points on the central plate but allows movement of the central plate relative to the lower plate. A second pin selectively immobilizes the upper plate at a second set of stop points on the lower plate but allows movement of the central plate relative to the lower and upper plates. The stop points are arranged such that at each stop point in the second set, the orientation of the central plate relative to the lower plate is restricted to a small number of predetermined positions. At each stop point in the first set, the central plate is immobilized at a single predetermined orientation. The fence is made up of terminal and main segments movable toward and away each other Sliding scales are provided on both segments.

Abstract: A system and method that utilizes information relating to vehicle damage information including damaged vehicle area information, crush depth of the damaged areas information, and vehicle component-by-component damage information to determine the relative velocities of vehicles involved in a collision. The change in velocity is estimated using a plurality of methods, and a determination is made as to which method provided a result that is likely to be more accurate, based on the damage information, and the types of vehicles involved. The results from each method may also be weighted and combined to provide a multi-method estimate of the closing velocity. The methods include using crash test data from one or more sources, estimating closing velocity based on the principals of conservation of momentum, and estimating closing velocity based on deformation energy resulting from the collision.

Abstract: A system and method that utilizes information relating to vehicle damage information including damaged vehicle area information, crush depth of the damaged areas information, and vehicle component-by-component damage information to estimate the relative velocities of vehicles involved in a collision. The change in velocity is estimated using a plurality of methods, and a determination is made as to which method provided a result that is likely to be more accurate, based on the damage information, and the types of vehicles involved. The results from each method may also be weighted and combined to provide a multi-method estimate of the closing velocity. The methods include using crash test data from one or more sources, estimating closing velocity based on the principals of conservation of momentum, and estimating closing velocity based on deformation energy resulting from the collision.

Abstract: The sliding table is used in conjunction with a workbench and includes a panel slidable along a path which is disposed normal to the longitudinal axis of the workbench. The panel has stop points in front and behind the workbench. At each stop point, the panel has an outwardly extending portion which is cantilevered from an outer support and an inwardly extending portion which is prevented from rising by an inner support. Both supports are beneath the panel and are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of converting box car from having a sliding door to having a plug door. In addition, the roof may be removed and the storage capacity within the box car may be increased by raising the roof of the box car and adding extensions to the sides of the box car. Moreover, the door opening may be increased by increasing the height of the roof. Further, the present invention relates to a method of creating a sealing surface around the perimeter of the door opening of the box car wherein the sealing surface is coplanar.

Abstract: A system and method enables nontechnical personnel to provide information relating to vehicle damage information via a graphical user interface of a computer system. The information provided by the user includes damaged vehicle area information, crush depth of the damaged areas information, and vehicle component-by-component damage information. This information is utilized by a &Dgr;V determination module executing on a processor to, for example, obtain respective overall vehicle damage ratings for each vehicle of two vehicles involved in a collision. The overall damage rating is obtained by applying a set of rules, based on a uniform quantification of component-by-component damage, to the subject vehicles and an identical or sister test vehicle from one or more crash tests which provide damage information.

Abstract: A system and method that utilizes information relating to vehicle damage information including damaged vehicle area information, crush depth of the damaged areas information, and vehicle component-by-component damage information to determine the relative velocities of vehicles involved in a collision. The change in velocity is estimated using a plurality of methods, and a determination is made as to which method provided a result that is likely to be more accurate, based on the damage information, and the types of vehicles involved. The results from each method may also be weighted and combined to provide a multi-method estimate of the closing velocity. The methods include using crash test data from one or more sources, estimating closing velocity based on the principals of conservation of momentum, and estimating closing velocity based on deformation energy resulting from the collision.

Abstract: The drilling attachment has a drill mounted to revolve about a generally horizontal axis. A working surface on which a piece of stock is placed is mounted on a carriage which slides horizontally toward and away from the drill. The drill is mounted in a gear box which slides vertically on a pair of guide shafts.

Abstract: A system and method that utilizes information relating to vehicle damage information including damaged vehicle area information, crush depth of the damaged areas information, and vehicle component-by-component damage information to estimate the relative velocities of vehicles involved in a collision. The change in velocity is estimated using a plurality of methods, and a determination is made as to which method provided a result that is likely to be more accurate, based on the damage information, and the types of vehicles involved. The results from each method may also be weighted and combined to provide a multi-method estimate of the closing velocity. The methods include using crash test data from one or more sources, estimating closing velocity based on the principals of conservation of momentum, and estimating closing velocity based on deformation energy resulting from the collision.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of converting box car from having a sliding door to having a plug door. In addition, the roof may be removed and the storage capacity within the box car may be increased by raising the roof of the box car and adding extensions to the sides of the box car. Moreover, the door opening may be increased by increasing the height of the roof. Further, the present invention relates to a method of creating a sealing surface around the perimeter of the door opening of the box car wherein the sealing surface is coplanar.

Abstract: A system and method enables nontechnical personnel to provide information relating to vehicle damage information via a graphical user interface of a computer system. The information provided by the user includes damaged vehicle area information, crush depth of the damaged areas information, and vehicle component-by-component damage information. This information is utilized by a &Dgr;V determination module executing on a processor to, for example, obtain respective overall vehicle damage ratings for each vehicle of two vehicles involved in a collision. The overall damage rating is obtained by applying a set of rules, based on a uniform quantification of component-by-component damage, to the subject vehicles and an identical or sister test vehicle from one or more crash tests which provide damage information.