Abstract: The truck operation monitoring system is mounted in a truck cab and comprises: a plurality of sensors each positioned to sense an operating parameter of the truck; at least one primary instrumentation module mounted in the truck cab and including a data processing apparatus, means for coupling the sensors to the processing apparatus, memory means coupled to the data processing apparatus for storing data picked up from the sensors, and display means coupled to the data processing apparatus; means for manually calling up information on the display means and/or for inputting information into the processing apparatus; and means for communicating the memory means with a larger data processing apparatus. The system can also include a secondary instrumentation module mounted in the truck cab and having second display means for displaying truck operating parameters. The means for calling up or inputting information can be realized by a keyboard on the secondary instrumentation module.

Abstract: Folding door apparatus includes panels which are hinged to rotate into a stacked position over head as a winding drum draws a cable attached to the lowermost panel. Alternate panels have first roller brackets carrying respective first rollers which ride in a vertical first trackway, and second brackets carrying spring loaded second rollers which ride in a second trackway angled at the top to determine folding sequence of the panels. Each first bracket has a cam surface which acts on a stop to pivot it through a respective aperture in the first trackway as the respective panel approaches the horizontal position. The first rollers are thus supported by the pivotable stops when the panels are in the horizontal position.

Abstract: An insulator for supporting a conductor of an electric fence on a support post in which the insulator is an elongated sleeve formed of a dielectric plastic material. The sleeve has a bore which slidably receives the conductor therein and is formed with a plurality of ribs which extend longitudinally along the conductor and in a radially outwardly extending direction. The ribs are formed integrally with the sleeve and of the same dielectric plastic material. Two of the ribs abut against the fence post to position the sleeve whereby at least one of the ribs extends outwardly from the sleeve. This outer rib is indented by the web portion of an attachment staple, the legs of which are embedded in the post and trap the sleeve therebetween. This indentation of the outer rib prevents the sleeve from sliding along the conductor and out of contact with the post without the use of any fasteners that pierce the insulator sleeve body.

Abstract: A handbrake arrangement for railroad freight cars is disclosed that will connect a mechanical handbrake operating mechanism to the brake equipment (brake beams and brake shoes) on 2, 3, or more trucks on the same freight car. It is especially useful on articulated freight cars consisting of multiple units in order to satisfy handbrake power requirements required by industry and Federal regulations, but a similar arrangement may be used on special purpose cars having a multiplicity of trucks. On an articulated car, consisting of a number of units, there is a multiplicity of trucks and because of the size and weight characteristics of the car, it is desirable to connect the handbrake mechanism to a number of the trucks in order to provide adequate handbrake power.

Abstract: A series of relatively lightweight, short, articulately interconnected cars is disclosed for transporting trailers or other cargo containers on a railway. The interior cars of the series include a center sill which constitutes a narrow width underframe and a length substantially equal to the length of a car, a pair of end sills connected perpendicularly to the center sill at opposite ends thereof and having a width extending beyond each side of the center sill, support members interconnecting the ends of the end sills with the center sill, and male and female portions of an articulated connector respectively attached to each end of a car. End cars have one end, constructed similarly, but are provided with conventional semi-automatic couplings on the other end in place of a portion of the articulated connector. The articulated connectors are mounted on a single conventional railway truck which spans the adjacent ends of interconnected cars and further supports the support members.