Abstract: A railcar according to the present disclosure includes a buffer installed in an end portion of each of coupled cars, and urging each other in a car longitudinal direction, the buffer having a stem movable in the car longitudinal direction and a spring urging the stem, an underframe internally enclosing part of the buffer and including an opening on a top plate of the underframe, and a compression mechanism forcibly compressing the spring to move the stem, part of the compression mechanism being freely brought into and out of the opening.

Abstract: A railcar diaphragm is described having a first and a second plate assembly, a bellows assembly, and a spring assembly. The first plate assembly is coupled to a railcar. The second plate assembly is configured to contact another railcar. The bellows is disposed between first and second plate assemblies. The spring assembly includes a leaf spring and a pivot member coupled to the leaf spring. The first and second plate assemblies are coupled through the spring assembly. The spring assembly has a first and a second configuration based on whether the railcar is engaged to another railcar. The spring assembly and the second plate assembly can collectively swivel about a centerpoint associated with the pivot member when the spring assembly is in the second configuration and the railcar is in a curved portion of a track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a Between Car Barrier for multi-car transportation vehicles which utilize a combination of a flexible member and a secured mount, each of which are attached at opposed ends of adjacent cars of a vehicle in substantial alignment with another where the longitudinal axis of each car is substantially aligned. A positioning member keeps the flexible member from extending beyond the edge of the car, even when the vehicle is turning or traversing a curve. This provides a barrier to deter passengers from inadvertently and/or accidentally walking between cars of the multi-car transportation vehicle, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

Abstract: The passenger connecting passageway between two rail vehicles includes a respective half-passageway at the end of each vehicle. Each half-passageway has a respective main frame. To lock the half-passageways together, a locking device including at least one locking hook and preferably a pair of hooks is arranged on the outside of one vertical support of the main frame of one half-passageway. A receiving pin on the adjacent main frame of the other half-passageway receives the hook and a device swings the hook selectively on and off the pin. A swingable pull together device on the inside of the half-passageway includes a pull strap supported at the vertical support on one half-passageway that hooks on a receiver on the vertical support on the other half-passageway and a ratchet rotates an arm that winds the strap to pull the half-passageways together.

Abstract: A safety barrier for a subway or railway train including pairs of individual pivoting triangular gate members with a smooth wall panel at the base of the triangle. Each gate member is retractable within a recess in the end wall of the train car near a corner and are expandable to form a partial continuation of the side wall of the train car and to form with an adjacent barrier on the rear end wall a safety barrier to prevent persons from entering the gap between the cars from either side of the train.

Abstract: A material transport system having a material container for receiving material to be transported, motive members connected to the material container for allowing the material container to move from one place to another, and an unloader device positioned within the material container for unloading material therefrom. The material container has a generally flat floor extending between a pair of sidewalls. The unloader includes a tractor extending between the sidewalls of the material container and a shovel articulated to the tractor. The shovel has a size suitable for fitting between the sidewalls of the material container. The material container comprises a plurality of railroad cars having a generally flat roadway extending throughout the plurality of railroad cars. Each of the railroad cars is articulated to an adjacent car. The floor comprises a series of floor segments overlapping each other in the same direction.

Abstract: A gangway construction for vehicles comprises divided hood structures each of which has a first end and second end, the first ends of the respective hood structures being fixed to the vehicles, and the second ends thereof being made free and to face each other, a plurality of hood pressers provided between upper sides of metal frames on a free side of the hood structure and the vehicles and between lower sides thereof and the vehicles for urging the hood structures in their extension direction upon coupling operation, the plurality of hood pressers being arranged in a horizontal plane in convergent relation, and positioning members for guiding and engaging each other upon mutual approach of the members to effect a centering action, the positioning members being provided in the release side metal frames.

Abstract: Disclosed is a car coupling hood device including a pair of hoods provided between a pair of car bodies to be coupled together, each of the hoods having one end secured to an adjacent car body, and an intermediate frame for coupling the other ends of the hoods together. The hood device incorporates a plate member coupled to the intermediate frame and provided in either the ceiling portion or the bottom portion of the hood device, or in both portions, and regulating means for preventing the movement of the plate member by the engagement therewith when both the car bodies are displaced relative to each other in the lateral direction thereof by more than a predetermined value.

Abstract: A railroad diaphragm comprising a mounting plate coupleable to the end face of a railroad car, a face plate and wear plate for contact to an adjacent diaphragm, and sheet material located therebetween. Sponge like material within the space between the mounting plate and sheet material at the upper section thereof, provides resilience to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A bellows for use between two parts of a vehicle connected to each other by a pivot. Each of the facing ends of the vehicle parts, to which the bellows is connected, has a grooved formation extending in the circumferential direction of the bellows. Each end of the bellows carries a flexible but non-stretchable cable sized for accommodation within the grooved formation. In one version of the invention a cooperating toggle and turnbuckle arrangement interconnects the ends of the cable for tensioning the latter after it is placed in the grooved formation so as to attach the end of the bellows to one of the vehicle parts. In a second version the toggles are jointly operated by a common rotary disc.

Abstract: Railway vehicle diaphragm having a body of elastomeric material removably secured to the end structure of a railway vehicle and a rigidifying face plate with wear liner removably secured to the outer end of the elastomeric body.