Abstract: A multiple direction railroad gate release mechanism which is attached between the mount arms of a railroad gate actuator and a crossing arm to prevent breakage of the crossing arm due to impingement in either a frontal or rearward direction by a vehicle or other outside force. A primary pivot arm assembly allows a released movement of the crossing arm in reaction to frontal impingement and returns the crossing arm to the original and detent position subsequent to an impingement in order to maintain grade crossing protection. Spring assemblies, a shock absorber and a spring centering assembly act to return the primary pivot arm assembly and attached crossing arm to a normal detent position. A secondary pivot arm assembly is secured to the primary pivot arm assembly whereby the secondary pivot arm assembly can act independently of the primary pivot arm assembly to allow released movement and return of the crossing arm in reaction to rear impingement.

Abstract: A multiple direction railroad gate release mechanism which is attached between the mount arms of a railroad gate actuator and a crossing arm to prevent breakage of the crossing arm due to impingement in either a frontal or rearward direction by a vehicle or other outside force. A primary pivot arm assembly allows a released movement of the crossing arm in reaction to frontal impingement and returns the crossing arm to the original and detent position subsequent to an impingement in order to maintain grade crossing protection. Spring assemblies, a shock absorber and a spring centering assembly act to return the primary pivot arm assembly and attached crossing arm to a normal detent position. A secondary pivot arm assembly is secured to the primary pivot arm assembly whereby the secondary pivot arm assembly can act independently of the primary pivot arm assembly to allow released movement and return of the crossing arm in reaction to rear impingement.

Abstract: An example includes an apparatus for releasing a railroad gate in at least two directions. The example includes a primary pivot member and a secondary pivot member pivotally connected to the primary pivot member, with one end of the railroad crossing connectable to the secondary pivot member. In the example the primary pivot member is rotable around a primary pivot of the apparatus, the primary pivot member rotable in a first direction against a first spring bias and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, against a second spring bias other than the first spring bias, and wherein the secondary pivot member is rotable around a secondary pivot of the apparatus, the secondary pivot member rotable in the first direction against a third spring bias other than the first spring bias and the second spring bias.

Abstract: Some methods include rotating a crossing gate actuator around a vertical swing pivot of a crossing gate mount, along a vertical swing path and into a down position to block a path such that a crossing gate coupled to the crossing gate actuator blocks the path, with a spring biased crossing gate release mechanism maintaining the crossing gate in a center position blocking the path and decoupling a bar segment from the crossing gate to decouple a spring from biasing the crossing gate into the center position such that the crossing gate is free to swing around a horizontal swing pivot, perpendicular to the vertical pivot, and out of the path.

Abstract: An example includes an apparatus for releasing a railroad gate in at least two directions. The example includes a primary pivot member and a secondary pivot member pivotally connected to the primary pivot member, with one end of the railroad crossing connectable to the secondary pivot member. In the example the primary pivot member is rotable around a primary pivot of the apparatus, the primary pivot member rotable in a first direction against a first spring bias and in a second direction, opposite the first direction, against a second spring bias other than the first spring bias, and wherein the secondary pivot member is rotable around a secondary pivot of the apparatus, the secondary pivot member rotable in the first direction against a third spring bias other than the first spring bias and the second spring bias.

Abstract: A multiple direction railroad gate release mechanism which is attached between the mount arms of a railroad gate actuator and a crossing arm to prevent breakage of the crossing arm due to impingement in either a frontal or rearward direction by a vehicle or other outside force. A primary pivot arm assembly allows a released movement of the crossing arm in reaction to frontal impingement and returns the crossing arm to the original and detent position subsequent to an impingement in order to maintain grade crossing protection. Spring assemblies, a shock absorber and a spring centering assembly act to return the primary pivot arm assembly and attached crossing arm to a normal detent position. A secondary pivot arm assembly is secured to the primary pivot arm assembly whereby the secondary pivot arm assembly can act independently of the primary pivot arm assembly to allow released movement and return of the crossing arm in reaction to rear impingement.

Abstract: Some methods include rotating a crossing gate actuator around a vertical swing pivot of a crossing gate mount, along a vertical swing path and into a down position to block a path such that a crossing gate coupled to the crossing gate actuator blocks the path, with a spring biased crossing gate release mechanism maintaining the crossing gate in a center position blocking the path and decoupling a bar segment from the crossing gate to decouple a spring from biasing the crossing gate into the center position such that the crossing gate is free to swing around a horizontal swing pivot, perpendicular to the vertical pivot, and out of the path.

Abstract: A box tube clamping system featuring a variable geometry clamp for secure joining of telescoping box tubes. A variable geometry clamp aligns between an inner and an outer box tube and includes a center wedge plate flanked by adjoining wedge plates which are advanced towards the center wedge plate to force the center wedge plate in an upward direction to force the outer box tube and the inner box tube into forced and secure intimate frictional engagement. Installation spacers are included for use with the variable geometry clamp to provide user friendly accommodation of an inner box tube past and along the variable geometry clamp mounted in one end of the outer box tube.

Abstract: A railroad gate release mechanism which attaches between the mount arms of a railroad gate actuator and a crossing arm to prevent breakage of the crossing arm due to impingement by a vehicle. The railroad gate release mechanism includes a pivotable arm assembly which allows released movement in two directions of the crossing arm in reaction to impingement and returns the crossing arm to the original and detented position subsequent to impingement to maintain grade crossing protection. An alternative embodiment includes a pair of swing plates and an elongated arm to which is attached a crossing arm, the elongated arm with the attached crossing arm is pivoted to the pair of swing plates in such manner that the elongated arm and attached crossing arm can be pivoted aside without moving the swing plates for crossing arm maintenance without impeding vehicular traffic flow across the grade crossing.

Abstract: A solenoid assembly including, in order, a circuit breaker side plate, a solenoid, a clamp bracket, and a bridge diode rectifier assembly, all which mechanically and electrically and engage into a precise configuration.

Abstract: A railroad gate release mechanism which attaches between the mount arms of a railroad gate actuator and a crossing arm to prevent breakage of the crossing arm due to impingement by a vehicle. The railroad gate release mechanism includes a pivotable arm assembly which allows movement of the crossing arm in two directions in response to the impingement and returns the crossing arm to the original and detented position subsequent to the impingement to maintain grade crossing protection. Spring assemblies, a shock absorber and a spring centering assembly act to return the pivotable arm assembly and attached crossing arm to the normal detented position.

Abstract: The invention is a railroad gate release mechanism which attaches between the mount arms of a railroad gate actuator and a crossing arm to prevent breakage of the crossing arm due to impingement by a vehicle. A pivotable arm assembly allows released movement in two directions of the crossing arm in reaction to impingement and returns the crossing arm to the original and detented position subsequent to impingement to maintain grade crossing protection. Spring assemblies, a shock absorber and a spring centering assembly act to return the pivotable arm assembly and attached crossing arm to the normal detented position.

Abstract: A warning light having a switching system where the behavior of a warning light can be altered by actuation of a switching mechanism by rotary actuation of a connector plug. A rotary pin base located adjacent to a connector plug receptor port is rotated by an engaging connector plug to rotationally position pins in the rotary pin base for the purpose of contacting stationary switch pins in a stationary pin base to provide electrical current of different natures and attributes to a warning lamp.

Abstract: The present invention is for a bi-stable battery switch incorporated preferably for internal use into a remotely switchable storage battery, or, in the alternative, for external use with a battery. A bifurcated contact assembly incorporating dual bus bars is pulse actuated by a solenoid and cam arrangement to engage or disengage across opposing contacts. When engaging the contacts and when associated with high inductive loads, the first bus bar to advance initiates contact and assumes the arcing load, while the second bus bar to advance assumes the current load. When breaking contact and when associated with high inductive loads, the first bus bar to retreat breaks the current load and the second bus bar to retreat breaks the arcing load. Thus, the loads are shared to increase the durability and length of service of the switch.

Abstract: A low cost Hall effect position sensor is disclosed which includes a Hall effect integrated circuit disposed in close proximity to a metallic target device. The Hall device is mounted on a flanged flux dispersion pole piece. The opposite end of the pole piece is attached to a rare earth or Alnico magnet. The flanged magnetic flux dispersion pole piece is designed to disperse a highly concentrated magnetic flux field from a magnet, typically an Alnico or rare earth magnet, into a low intensity magnetic flux field which is compatible with the Hall effect device as well as constant and evenly dispersed across the face of the flanged pole piece. The area of the dispersion flange face is designed so measured magnetic field in an air gap between the dispersion pole piece and a ferrous target is increased by a factor of 3 when compared to an open circuit field intensity field measurement at the surface of the dispersion pole piece.

Abstract: Noble plated tungsten corona wire for copy machine or xerography technology machines and method of securing terminal connectors to the ends of the noble plated tungsten corona wire. The terminal or crimping tab have compound radii to provide for a solid-state diffusion weld and to prevent stress at a junction of the wire and the terminal or the crimping tab.

Abstract: A low cost Hall effect position sensor is disclosed which includes a Hall effect integrated circuit disposed in close proximity to a metallic target device. The Hall device is mounted on a flanged flux dispersion pole piece. The opposite end of the pole piece is attached to a rare earth or Alnico magnet. The flanged magnetic flux dispersion pole piece is designed to disperse a highly concentrated magnetic flux field from a magnet, typically an Alnico or rare earth magnet, into a low intensity magnetic flux field which is compatible with the Hall effect device as well as constant and evenly dispersed across the face of the flanged pole piece. The area of the dispersion flange face is designed so measured magnetic field in an air gap between the dispersion pole piece and a ferrous target is increased by a factor of 3 when compared to an open circuit field intensity field measurement at the surface of the dispersion pole piece.

Abstract: Solenoid for use in harsh difficult environmental conditions for actuation in a pulling motion along a straight line where the magnetic core travels within a stainless steel non-magnetic sleeve. The core uses a plurality of broad Teflon rings fitted in broad annular grooves to reduce friction and wear along its path of travel, to reduce cross-section tangential point to point contact wear, and to prevent sacrificial corrosion of the moveable magnetic core or sleeve due to galvanic action when moisture is present. The core is zinc coated and the sleeve is stainless steel for the prevention of corrosion and rust in order to ensure a smooth and contaminant free inner surface for proper and unhampered movement of the core. Annular Teflon bearings are utilized, as moisture will not cause the Teflon bearing to freeze in low temperature applications.

Abstract: Flexible wire cable and the flexible wire cable by the steps of the process for manufacturing the flexible wire cable. The flexible wire cable interconnects between two spaced plurality of terminals. The terminals can be equally centered at opposing ends or can be spaced on different centers at opposing ends. A plurality of wire conductors are laminated between two sheets of insulation, each sheet having a thermosetting polyester adhesive coating, which partially and fully cures as a function of time-temperature-pressure. Each of the plurality of wire conductors are substantially surrounded internally one hundred and eighty degrees by each sheet of the insulation. The insulation is offset to provide an overlap at opposing ends or at only one end to provide a solder stop and controlled flexings of the wire conductors.

Abstract: A method of preparing stranded electrical conductors for subsequent attachment to the terminal pad of an electrical device or component whereby the tip portion of said conductors are fused to form a coalescent bead. The stranded wire conductor is placed in a holding fixture and the end surface thereof is brought into engagement with an electrode member. The electrode is then displaced from the end of the wire by a predetermined gap distance. Subsequently, the air or other gas in the gap is ionized by a high frequency, high voltage electrical field, creating a low impedance for a low voltage current source. The current flowing from this source, through the electrode and through the gap is sufficient to fuse the strands of the conductor being treated at the tip end thereof and when cooled, a tiny coalescent bead of metal is formed. A suitable inert gas may also be introduced into the gap during the process to prevent oxidation of the metal during the fusion step.