Abstract: The railcar includes two car units interconnected by a drawbar. The drawbar and conventional outboard end couplers are mounted at the locations spaced apart along the longitudinal center lines of the car units. Each car unit is made up of a gondola carbody and two single axle trucks which support the carbody at four vertical load support points. Each carbody includes a depressed center section and a through sill which extends between the drawbar and the coupler within the center section for transmitting buff and draft forces along a rectilinear load path which coincides with the longitudinal center line of the car unit. Essentially all vertical loads imposed on the center section are transmitted to and borne by the side walls. The railcar may be of nonarticulated construction, but in either case is particularly suited for fabrication from aluminum.

Abstract: The strut includes a reciprocative load bearing assembly and one, two or more sets of springs, either elastomeric or coil type, which operate either singularly, in parallel or in series to provide a variable rate spring force. A frictional or "coulomb" damper is operated by one or more of the spring sets to provide a variable rate damping force. The strut provides a substantially constant ride frequency over a wide range of load conditions and is especially adapted for rubber tired vehicle application.

Abstract: The strut includes a reciprocative load bearing assembly and one, two or more sets of springs, either elastomeric or coil type, which operate either singularly, in parallel or in series to provide a variable rate spring force. A frictional or "coulomb" damper is operated by one or more of the spring sets to provide a variable rate damping force. The strut provides a substantially constant ride frequency over a wide range of load conditions and is especially adapted for rubber tired vehicle application.

Abstract: A spring and damper suspension system which comprises one or more elastomeric spring elements in compressive load bearing relation to the members to be supported. A tubular housing surrounds said spring elements and supports a frictional surface or surfaces in its interior. Stabilization of the springs is achieved by mounting pairs of slidably engaged wedges between said springs. Compressive force on said wedges urges one face of each such wedge into sliding contact with the interior walls of the housing and maintains the upper and lower surface of the wedge pair, and hence the springs in proper alignment to the housing. For applications involving vehicle suspension, the tubular housing may be combined in telescoping relation with a second tubular housing for the purpose of resisting bending moments normally applied to the suspension of such vehicles.

Abstract: The suspension includes a moveable load arm assembly adapted to support a railcar axle, at least one elliptical cross-section rod spring carried by the load arm assembly in load bearing relation with a railcar body, a frictional damping surface connected to the body adjacent the load arm assembly, a frictional damping element, and a tapered operator carried by the load arm assembly in underlying relation with each rod spring such that one component of a load bearing force transmitted from the load arm assembly is applied to the rod spring as a transverse load bearing compressive force only, while a perpendicular component thereof is applied to and urges the damping element toward the friction surface. The suspension is suited for usage in railcar and rubber tired vehicle suspensions.

Abstract: The suspension includes a moveable load arm assembly adapted to support a vehicle axle, at least one elliptical cross-section rod spring carried by the load arm assembly in load bearing relation with a vehicle body, a frictional damping surface connected to the body adjacent the load arm assembly, a frictional damping element, and a tapered operator carried by the load arm assembly in underlying relation with each rod spring such that one component of a load bearing force transmitted from the load arm assembly is applied to the rod spring as a transverse load bearing compressive force only, while a perpendicular component thereof is applied to and urges the damping element toward the friction surface. The suspension is suited for usage in railcar and rubber tired vehicle suspensions.

Abstract: The railcar includes a low profile skeletal frame having a depressed midsection with supporting surfaces extending therefrom and a four point truck suspension. Vertical loads are applied to the frame so that opposed bending moments are established with respect to one or both pairs of suspension load support points. The railcar is capable of transporting conventional trailers, semi-trailers or containers through existing tunnel clearances.

Abstract: A railcar shock insulated suspension system is provided with unique variable rod springs and co-related variable rate friction damping means. Each rod spring includes an elongated solid body of elastomeric material which, when subjected to radially directed compression loads and allowed to deform freely without rotation, produces a non-linear or variable spring rate proportional to the ratio of the areas of its loaded to unloaded surfaces. Rod springs constitute the main suspension spring elements, and additionally may constitute the damping means spring elements, if desired.

Abstract: A shock insulated suspension system is provided with unique variable rate rod springs and co-related variable rate friction damping means. Each rod spring includes an elongated solid body of elastomeric material which, when subjected to radially directed compression loads and allowed to deform freely without rotation, produces a non-linear or variable spring rate proportional to the ratio of the areas of its loaded to unloaded surfaces. Rod springs constitute the main suspension spring elements, and additionally may constitute the damping means spring elements, if desired.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle shock insulated suspension system is provided with unique variable rate elastomer springs and co-related variable rate friction damping system.

Abstract: A railcar unit includes a pair of railcars, each having a car body supported by single-axle, forward and rearward trucks which are pivotally mounted to the car bodies. Conventional drawbars couple the car bodies and independent, interconnectable members connect the trucks of the adjacent railcars for rotational and longitudinal relative movement while maintaining the truck axles in parallel alignment.

Abstract: A truck is provided with a torsionally compliant transverse member connecting to transversely spaced side frames. The side frames are suspended on the axles by a spring suspension system of generally cylindrical elastomer elements and a combined damping system. Both springing and damping are generally exponentially variable relative to increases in the load in the railcar. A central pivot pin transfers lateral and longitudinal loads between the truck and the car body without transferring substantial vertical loads. The center pin mounting in the torsionally compliant member is compliant. Vertical loads are transferred between the car body and the truck by omni-directional vertically-incompressible low friction side bearings.