Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A replacement roof panel for repairing damaged railway car roofs in the field. The damaged portion is cut away leaving an opening in the roof. The repair panel is fabricated to the desired width and has reinforcing end portions that form laterally extending stiffening members. The end portions are shaped to provide slots along the lateral edges of the repair panel for receiving the edges of the existing roof sheet. The repair sheet is then welded along its edges to the existing roof sheet and to the side plates of the car.

Abstract: A connection for joining the edges of a roof sheet to the wall of a railway car without the use of fasteners such as rivets or welds. The connection is weather-tight and includes an interlock feature which effectively carries the loading encountered during operation of the vehicle. A modified version of the interlock forms a trough for channeling water towards the ends of the railway car.

Abstract: A shear resistant roll restraining means for arresting lateral rolling motion of a railway car including a side bearing upstanding from the truck bolster, a bearing plate structure vertically aligned and abuttably engageable with the side bearing depending from the upwardly and outwardly sloping bottom web of the car body bolster, and a bearing plate coupling having a longitudinal axis extending substantially coaxial with the direction of oscillatory impact loads of the side bearing on the bearing plate.

Abstract: A side sill and side wall joint arrangement for a railway box car wherein channel shaped side sills are provided having inwardly offset upper vertical webs such that the side sheets of the car may be secured to them to provide a flat outer surface between the respective sheets and the lower portions of the sills against which straight side posts may be secured.

Abstract: A vibration accommodating clamp for securing pipes which carry brake lines and the like to the underframes of railway cars. The clamp is initially mounted by placing a U-shaped bolt over the pipe and through holes in a mounting bracket and permanently securing a collar on a grooved portion of one leg of the bolt. The second leg of the bolt remains unused until it is necessary to remove the clamp. The clamp is removed by cutting off the collar and reapplied by placing a nut and washer on the threaded portion of the unused leg.

Abstract: A door post for a grain door of a freight car. The post comprises hollow two-piece metal sections forming the door edge. The sections are contoured to hold a nailing strip made either of wood or metal slotted construction. The nailing strip serves as a backing for the post and custions blows against the metal sections of the post longitudinally of the car by cargo being passed through the doorway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a load equalizing and vibration damping center bearing assembly for a railway vehicle. The center bearing assembly includes a flat body center plate depending from the car body, a bowl having a downwardly concave curved inner surface supported on the wheel truck, a tiltable insert disposed in the bowl having a flat upper surface mating with the body center plate and a curved lower surface contiguous to the inner surface of the bowl, and a resilient liner interposed between the insert and the bowl which absorbs vehicle vibration and assures constant and uniform bearing support through said bearing assembly between the vehicle body and the associated wheel truck.

Abstract: A box car door track support includes a continuous structural support member which is supported on the side sill of the car beneath the door opening. A track is mounted on the continuous track support and a plurality of spaced gussets reinforce the support structure.

Abstract: A lading tie down anchor construction for a railway box car having an outside wall post includes an anchor plate which is attached to the longitudinal flanges of the post to provide a surface flush with the inner vertical wall surface of the car. The anchor plate includes vertically spaced attaching surfaces and alternate depressed pockets therebetween. A flat anchoring bar is connected to the attaching surfaces and extends over the pockets which are provided with vertically extending side portions through which a lading strap may be connected to the anchoring post.

Abstract: A nailable door post for a freight car in which the post comprises a pair of upright metal members which tightly embrace a wooden nailing strip which is held captive between a transverse wall of the outer member and a transverse offset portion in a longitudinal wall of the inner member, the post being flanked on its inner and outer sides by the longitudinal walls of the inner and outer members, the longitudinal wall of the inner member being provided with nail holes aligned with the wooden strip.The strip is held along the edge of the post remote from the door edge and there being a hollow in the post structure between the door edge and the wooden strip so that if the metal members are distorted, if struck by a heavy object, the strip will remain intact. The offset in the inner member longitudinal wall provides a pocket in which is secured a vertical lading strap anchor disposed in non-obstructing position inwardly of the plane of the inner side of the side wall of the freight car.

Abstract: A high cubic capacity railroad boxcar that is provided with a longitudinally extending depressed nailable steel floor section disposed on each side of a longitudinally extending center sill structure, the top surface of the floor sections being at the same elevation as the surface of a plate over the center sill structure, the outside lateral margins of each floor section having a removable inverted filler channel member positioned in a longitudinal runner recess adjacent a car angle member and side sill. Each filler channel member may be replaced with a bulkhead floor track in the form of a slotted runner member or a rack gear member and cooperate with a similar overhead track for receiving, locating and restraining removable bulkheads later added to the car by a lading shipper as may be required.