Abstract: A steering mechanism for a rail vehicle includes two steering arms, each including a pair of support arms that have a joining component with a recess. The two steering arms are articulated in a manner that maintains a minimum separation between the steering arms so that the arms can rotate relative to one another. The minimum separation is maintained by an insert that installs into the joining component recesses components of each of the steering arms. The insert has two sides, each side having a flexible material and forming a shape that mates with the recess. The insert provides resistance to the rotation between the first and second steering arms, and the resistance depends on the stiffness of the flexible material of the insert.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a rail vehicle includes two steering arms, each including a pair of support arms that have a joining component with a recess. The two steering arms are articulated in a manner that maintains a minimum separation between the steering arms so that the arms can rotate relative to one another. The minimum separation is maintained by an insert that installs into the joining component recesses components of each of the steering arms. The insert has two sides, each side having a flexible material and forming a shape that mates with the recess. The insert provides resistance to the rotation between the first and second steering arms, and the resistance depends on the stiffness of the flexible material of the insert.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a rail vehicle includes two steering arms, each including a pair of support arms that have a joining component with a recess. The two steering arms are articulated in a manner that maintains a minimum separation between the steering arms so that the arms can rotate relative to one another. The minimum separation is maintained by an insert that installs into the joining component recesses components of each of the steering arms. The insert has two sides, each side having a flexible material and forming a shape that mates with the recess. The insert provides resistance to the rotation between the first and second steering arms, and the resistance depends on the stiffness of the flexible material of the insert.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a rail vehicle includes two steering arms, each including a pair of support arms that have a joining component with a recess. The two steering arms are articulated in a manner that maintains a minimum separation between the steering arms so that the arms can rotate relative to one another. The minimum separation is maintained by an insert that installs into the joining component recesses components of each of the steering arms. The insert has two sides, each side having a flexible material and forming a shape that mates with the recess. The insert provides resistance to the rotation between the first and second steering arms, and the resistance depends on the stiffness of the flexible material of the insert.

Abstract: An improved method of production of a coupler knuckle, a core assembly for production of a coupler knuckle, and coupler knuckle having an improved interior configuration for handling forces imparted on the knuckle and transferring said imparted forces through the knuckle and improving handling of linear force loads and their transmission. The knuckle interior has a force handling structure that includes spaced apart layers and cavities, with a cavity extending between the nose section and the tail section thereof.

Abstract: An improved method of production of a coupler knuckle, a core assembly for production of a coupler knuckle, and coupler knuckle having an improved interior configuration for handling forces imparted on the knuckle and transferring said imparted forces through the knuckle and improving handling of linear force loads and their transmission. The knuckle interior has a force handling structure that includes spaced apart layers and cavities, with a cavity extending between the nose section and the tail section thereof.

Abstract: An improved method of production of a coupler knuckle, a core assembly for production of a coupler knuckle, and coupler knuckle having an improved interior configuration for handling forces imparted on the knuckle and transferring said imparted forces through the knuckle and improving handling of linear force loads and their transmission. The knuckle interior has a force handling structure that includes spaced apart layers and cavities, with a cavity extending between the nose section and the tail section thereof.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the status of a railcar handbrake having a hand operated handle, which device has a load bearing member configured to be inserted in the linkage of a railcar handbrake system so that the force applied to the brake system passes through the load bearing member. A strain gauge mounted on the load bearing member measures the strain. The information from the strain gauge is indicative of the force applied by the handbrake to the brake and is used to determine the status of the handbrake. Means for determining motion of the railcar is also provided. In one form, if it is determined that the brake is on and the railcar is in motion, information, such as an alarm, is transmitted. A system and method of monitoring a railcar handbrake are also provided.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the status of a railcar handbrake having a hand operated handle, which device has a load bearing member configured to be inserted in the linkage of a railcar handbrake system so that the force applied to the brake system passes through the load bearing member. A strain gauge mounted on the load bearing member measures the strain. The information from the strain gauge is indicative of the force applied by the handbrake to the brake and is used to determine the status of the handbrake. Means for determining motion of the railcar is also provided. In one form, if it is determined that the brake is on and the railcar is in motion, information, such as an alarm, is transmitted. A system and method of monitoring a railcar handbrake are also provided.

Abstract: A process for producing a safety glove to be worn on a conventional human hand and where the glove is of a conventional material. A glove is obtained as a unitary construct having glove finger sections to each respectively cover one finger of the hand, a glove palm section to cover the palm, and a glove back section to cover at least part of the backhand. In each glove finger section a separation zone is formed by controllably weakening the material of the glove such that all or part of the respective glove finger section is separable from the rest of the glove, wherein the separation zone retains a discernible thickness throughout.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the status of a railcar handbrake having a hand operated handle, which device has a load bearing member configured to be inserted in the linkage of a railcar handbrake system so that the force applied to the brake system passes through the load bearing member. A strain gauge mounted on the load bearing member measures the strain. The information from the strain gauge is indicative of the force applied by the handbrake to the brake and is used to determine the status of the handbrake. Means for determining motion of the railcar is also provided. In one form, if it is determined that the brake is on and the railcar is in motion, information, such as an alarm, is transmitted. A system and method of monitoring a railcar handbrake are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide an availability and price determination, in response to a request for function space, to a user in real-time. For one embodiment, a request for a function space is received at a digital processing system that contains availability information and a set of pricing rules for one or more function spaces. The request includes a plurality of criteria. An availability of the requested function space is determined based upon the availability information and one or more of the criterion. A price for the requested function space is determined based upon the set of pricing rules and one or more of the criterion.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the status of a railcar handbrake having a hand operated handle, which device has a load bearing member configured to be inserted in the linkage of a railcar handbrake system so that the force applied to the brake system passes through the load bearing member. A strain gauge mounted on the load bearing member measures the strain. The information from the strain gauge is indicative of the force applied by the handbrake to the brake and is used to determine the status of the handbrake. Means for determining motion of the railcar is also provided. In one form, if it is determined that the brake is on and the railcar is in motion, information, such as an alarm, is transmitted. A system and method of monitoring a railcar handbrake are also provided.

Abstract: A suspension device for supporting an air brake hose on a rail car is disclosed. The device includes a strap having a clevis at one end and a plurality of apertures in spaced relation lengthwise along the strap. A clevis pin is used to attach the clevis to a lug on the coupling of the air brake hose. The strap is inserted through a fitting on the coupler of the railcar and received within the bore of a collar. A through hole in the collar receives a strap pin that also extends through the apertures in the strap to lock the collar in place. The collar prevents the strap from passing through the bracket. The suspension device is provided as a kit wherein all of the components are integrally molded together and connected by sprue portions. A method of molding the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending a device such as the end of a depending air brake hose from a railcar. A flexible strap of a synthetic resin such as moldable polyurethane is suspended from the railcar body, for example, by attachment to an apertured fitting on the railcar coupler. Elongated resilient wire clips are provided to attach the free end of the air hose. The wire clips are generally configured with a latching end including interlocking end portions for connection to the strap through a selected attachment aperture, a pair of flexibly resilient, elongated manually compressible elongated arms extending away from the latching end portions and a return portion joining the arms. The clip is further provided with a retainer operative when the arms are interlocked for maintaining the attachment aperture fitting within the confines of the return portion and out of position in which loading of the clip is exerted laterally of the clip arms.

Abstract: A lubricator for the wheel flanges of railway vehicle wheels comprises an arm carrying a lubricating pad and a mounting element formed integrally with the arm. The mounting element fits into the entrance of the key slot in the brake beam head beside the brake retainer key. The key head fits in a groove in the top of the mounting element to retain the lubricator in place. When the lubricant is exhausted, the key is partially withdrawn to allow removal of the mounting element and the lubricator is replaced. When partially withdrawn, the key still retains the show on the brake beam head.

Abstract: A License Sanction Enforcement System™ technology that includes at least one sensor worn by an individual to be monitored and a data storage unit. The sensor can detect directional angle and acceleration motion. The data storage unit is coupled with the sensor and stores the angle kinematic data detected by the sensor. The device determines whether the individual is operating or has operated a motor vehicle based upon analysis of the angle and acceleration data, and creates a record in the data storage unit of each occurrence that operation of a motor vehicle is detected. Alternatively, the data storage unit may be used to store the raw detection data, which can be transferred to an external data processing device for analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide an availability and price determination, in response to a request for function space, to a user in real-time. For one embodiment, a request for a function space is received at a digital processing system that contains availability information and a set of pricing rules for one or more function spaces. The request includes a plurality of criteria. An availability of the requested function space is determined based upon the availability information and one or more of the criterion. A price for the requested function space is determined based upon the set of pricing rules and one or more of the criterion.