Abstract: A transport vehicle includes a container for receiving bulk material which is disposed on a vehicle frame and is pivoted, together with a bottom conveyor belt and a third conveyor belt, relative to the vehicle frame about a pivot axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to maintain a horizontal conveying plane, relative to a transverse direction of the vehicle, for the bottom conveyor belt and the third conveyor belt, independently of a transverse inclination of the track. Thus, a problem-free bulk material transport is possible even in the event of a transverse inclination of the track. A method of loading and unloading a transport vehicle which is mobile on a track is also provided.

Abstract: A rail car key adaptor tool made of a shank piece with width less than 1½ inches is connected to another durable material piece in which one material piece is longer than the other at 90 degree on the long side. Top plate with two arms is connected to the shank piece at the edge at 90 degree. A durable triangle piece connecting the two arms next to the shank piece; and a round handle connected at both of arms of the top plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for loading and unloading loads, and more particularly, to a device for loading and unloading loads which includes a loading and unloading mat disposed inside a carrying box and a driving shaft connected with one end or both ends of the loading and unloading mat to carry out a rolling motion so that the loading and unloading mat forms a slope by operation of the driving shaft, thereby naturally loading and unloading the loads along the slope.

Abstract: An electrical receptacle connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing, a plurality of first receptacle terminals, a plurality of second receptacle terminals, and a rear cover plate. The insulated housing is received in the receiving cavity. The first receptacle terminals and the second receptacle terminals are respectively disposed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the insulated housing. The rear cover plate includes a baffle plate and one or more hole. The hole is formed on the surface of the baffle plate for checking tail portions of the second receptacle terminals which are formed as SMT (surface mount technology) legs. Accordingly, the soldering condition between the tail portions of the second receptacle terminals and contacts of a circuit board can be checked from the hole.

Abstract: This invention may comprise a railcar ballast distributing apparatus comprising a ballast railcar traveling in a direction of travel on a pair of railroad rails, a plow mechanism operatively attaching to a main bracket assembly attaching to the middle underside of the railcar, and being powered by a hydraulic system, the plow mechanism comprising: a spring box assembly mechanism operating a single plow blade assembly comprising: a pair of articulating and independently movable plow blades vertically and independently adaptable during contact against the pair of railroad rails and having a transport mode span and a separate deployed mode span, and a spring-loaded safety locking latch mechanism, the spring box assembly mechanism vertically deploying and retracting the pair of plow blades, which automatically and differentially change orientation when contacting the pair of railroad rails, and increase to the deployed mode span and decrease to the transport mode span.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a ballast hopper car discharge door control system, comprising a control box, said control box comprises electrical pneumatic control system and receiving device; hydraulic system, connected to electrical pneumatic control system; manual control device and remote control device are operated to control opening or closing of ballast hopper car discharge doors; storage battery, configured to provide electrical pneumatic control system in said control box with continuous power supply and remote control device with charging power supply; pressure switch, arranged between control box and storage battery, said pressure switch is operated by pressure of air source to control connecting and disconnecting between storage battery and control box.

Abstract: A method for delivering ballast to a section of railroad track includes measuring an existing ballast profile of a section of railroad track using a remote sensing system, and providing a signal indicative thereof to a first computer. Using the first computer, the existing ballast profile is compared with an ideal ballast profile to compute a track file representing a volume of additional ballast needed as a function of linear position along the section of railroad track, and data representing the track file is transmitted to a second computer of an automatic ballast dump train. Ballast is dumped along the section of railroad track according to the track file under control of the second computer.

Abstract: A railroad car may comprise a frame comprising a first side and a second side laterally opposing each other. The railroad car may further comprise a first elastomeric mat and a second elastomeric mat supported by a plurality of reinforcement cables, the first and second elastomeric mats forming a load-carrying receptacle. Each elastomeric mat may have an outer edge and an inner edge, the inner edge of the first elastomeric mat abutting the inner edge of the second elastomeric mat when the load-carrying receptacle is in a closed configuration. The railroad car may further comprise a first pulley connected to the first side of the frame and a second pulley connected to the second side of the frame, the first pulley and second pulley each having a respective axis of rotation parallel to a direction of travel of the railroad car.

Abstract: A rail car with a double longitudinal tub floor. The car may comprise a car body supported on a frame, the principal element of the frame being a longitudinal center sill assembly. The frame is in turn supported on a pair of wheel trucks. The car body includes a pair of generally vertical end wall assemblies joined to a pair of generally vertical side assemblies. The box is closed on the bottom by a floor assembly. The floor assembly includes a pair of longitudinal tubs. The longitudinal tubs are divided into tub segments and supported by cross-bearer assemblies. The cross-bearer assemblies are joined to the center sill assembly. The longitudinal tubs are supported primarily by the center sill assembly, both directly by joining each tub's lateral inboard edge to the center sill, and indirectly by joining the tub's chord end edges to the cross-bearer assemblies. Diagonal braces may be attached to the cross bearer assemblies and the side assemblies to help prevent bowing of the sides.

Abstract: A towel drying system includes a housing that has a bottom wall, a top wall, a back wall, a front wall, a first lateral wall and a second lateral wall. The front wall has a primary air inlet extending therethrough and a primary air outlet extending therethrough. A blower is mounted in the housing and pulls air into the housing through primary air inlet and directs it outwardly through the primary air outlet. A towel support member is positioned in the housing. The front wall has at least one access door to access an interior of the housing and the towel support member. One or more towels may be placed on the towel support member. A dwelling return duct is fluidly coupled to the primary air outlet.

Abstract: A railroad car may comprise a frame comprising a first side and a second side laterally opposing each other. The railroad car may further comprise a first elastomeric mat and a second elastomeric mat supported by a plurality of reinforcement cables, the first and second elastomeric mats forming a load-carrying receptacle. Each elastomeric mat may have an outer edge and an inner edge, the inner edge of the first elastomeric mat abutting the inner edge of the second elastomeric mat when the load-carrying receptacle is in a closed configuration. The railroad car may further comprise a first pulley connected to the first side of the frame and a second pulley connected to the second side of the frame, the first pulley and second pulley each having a respective axis of rotation parallel to a direction of travel of the railroad car.

Abstract: A sorter conveyor system according to the invention includes at least one endless conveyor loop including a rail. One or more conveyor segments are mounted on the rail. Each segment is a series of cart units each having wheel structures mounted for rolling movement along the rail, a carrier for carrying one or more items thereon, a selectively actuable mechanism for actuating the carrier laterally in at least one direction to unload an item from the carrier to an unloading station adjacent the conveyor loop, and a coupling mechanism for joining each cart unit in each series in a head to tail relationship. One or more drive elements are connected to one or more of the cart units and configured to permit the conveyor segment to be driven by a linear drive unit.

Abstract: A sorter conveyor system according to the invention includes at least one endless conveyor loop including a rail. One or more conveyor segments are mounted on the rail. Each segment is a series of cart units each having wheel structures mounted for rolling movement along the rail, a tray for carrying one or more items thereon, a selectively actuable mechanism for tilting the tray laterally in at least one direction to unload an item from the tray to an unloading station adjacent the conveyor loop, and a coupling mechanism for joining each cart unit in each series in a head to tail relationship. One or more drive elements are connected to one or more of the cart units and configured to permit the conveyor segment to be driven by a linear drive unit.

Abstract: A wayside electrical pick-up shoe for operating the discharge, or the like, of a railcar includes a spring biased electrical contact pivotally attached to a base plate with a mechanism for electrically insulating the base plate from the electrical contact. The mechanism for electrically insulating the contact may include insulating material forming at least part of the pivot between the contact and the base plate. The mechanism for electrically insulating the contact may further include insulating material supplied on a spring member which biases the contact.

Abstract: A box car for transporting bulk material comprises a frame supported on undercarriages running on a track, a box supported on the frame for storing the bulk material, a bottom conveyor band arranged in the box, the bottom conveyor band being reversibly drivable in opposite conveying directions, and an inclined transfer conveyor band projecting beyond one end of the box car. A chute is arranged at an end of the box car opposite the one end and spaced from the transfer conveyor, an end of the bottom conveyor band being associated with the chute, a hopper is associated with the chute for discharging bulk material into the hopper, and a charging conveyor band has a discharge end above the hopper, the charging conveyor band being displaceable in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A coupler is provided for a railroad rotary dump car. The coupler comprises a coupler housing, a coupler head, a buff loading shim, and as most preferred, a plurality of spring tabs, and spring tab fasteners. The coupler housing defines a coupler cavity with a cavity end. The coupler head has a spindle, is mounted to the coupler housing, and is adapted for rotary movement relative to the housing. The spindle has a spindle end adjacent the cavity end. The shim interposes the spindle end and the cavity end. The spring tabs are spaced one from another. Each includes a spring portion and a fastener portion. The fastener portions provide for removable fastening of the spring tabs to the coupler housing. The spring portions bias the shim against the cavity end and away from the spring tabs. The spring portions are curved relative to the fastener portions. The spring tab fasteners removably fasten the spring tabs along the fastener portions to the coupler housing adjacent the shim.

Abstract: The rail-type conveyor system contains self propelling container trucks which circulate between stations and are provided with unlockable unloading device. Each of the stations is termed with at least one stopping point and have a receiving device for accepting the material conveyed. Each stopping point contains a section of rail corresponding to the length of the container truck, with rail parts which engage laterally in a C-shape around the tracks wheels of the container truck. The rail section is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis in order to unload the container truck on one longitudinal side and is pivotable towards the unloading side.

Abstract: The invention is a monotract conveyor which has a pivotal tray which is selectively lockable to either pivot to either side of a track which the conveyor runs on, or to stay in an upright position. The tray is mounted to an upper portion of the conveyor unit which is mounted to the main body of the unit by a male/female key member connection. This connection enables one end of the upper portion to be lifted from lower portion, while the key members lock the upper and lower portions of the other end together.

Abstract: A loading wagon (1) for the transport, storage and discharge of bulk material has a wagon frame (2) supported on on-track undercarriages (3) and a wagon body (5) connected to the wagon frame, there being arranged in the base region of the wagon body a base conveyor belt (7) having a drive (11). Provided adjacent thereto is a transfer conveyor belt (8) which projects over the end of the wagon frame, has an elevated discharge end (9) with respect to the wagon frame (2), and which is provided with a drive (12), with a storing or transporting direction (31) running from the base conveyor belt (7) to the transfer conveyor belt (8). An outlet opening (14) for discharging the bulk material onto the track is provided beneath the base conveyor belt (7). The drive (11) for the base conveyor belt (7) or the transfer conveyor belt (8) is designed for selective operation in the first transporting direction or in a second transporting direction running in the opposite direction thereto.

Abstract: A rotary dump wagon for handling ballast having a carriage with a first conveyor mounted thereon for conveying ballast the length of the carriage and a plurality of hollow drums supported by the carriage and engaging the first conveyor for rotational movement thereabout. Each drum has a plurality of elongated flights mounted to the inner surface thereof for lifting ballast to the first conveyor and at least one downwardly extendible plow blade suspended therein which selectively contacts the upper surface of the first conveyor thereby diverting ballast traveling thereon to the lower portion of the drum. A second conveyor is pivotally mounted to the carriage subjacent the discharge end of the first conveyor for horizontal movement about a vertical axis and extends upwardly and forwardly beyond the forward end of the carriage and above the first conveyor.

Abstract: A self-unloading train having a locomotive, a plurality of hopper cars, a discharge car and a control cab. The plurality of hopper cars have an underlying conveyer for the receipt of material from the hopper cars. The hopper cars are detachably connected to the locomotive. The discharge car is connected to the hopper cars opposite the locomotive for transferring the material from the underlying conveyer. The control cab is positioned at the end of the train opposite the locomotive. The control cab has a transmitter contained therewithin for controlling the movement of the locomotive from a remote location. The control cab is a compartment positioned at the end of the discharge car opposite the hopper cars. This compartment has a window on the wall of the compartment opposite the hopper cars. The transmitter is a radio transmitter positioned within the control cab for transmitting digitized signals to a receiver positioned within the locomotive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of trailer for trucks used in the construction industry. The invention discloses a combination bottom dump and end dump trailer in a single unit. The trailer generally comprises a cargo area, a bottom dump hatch in the cargo area, a tailgate door and lifting rams to lift the front of the trailer up to allow cargo to be dumped out the tailgate.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus arranged to store and transport bulk material comprises a box car having a frame and a box for storing and transporting the bulk material. A conveyor band arrangement for conveying the bulk material stored in the box in a conveying direction has a portion extending over the length of the box in the lower portion thereof and passes through a slot-shaped outlet opening in a front wall of the box in the conveying direction, and a device having adjustable chutes for selectively discharing the conveyed bulk material to the right and to the left of each rail is arranged outside the box and receives the conveyed bulk material therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new type of trailer for trucks used in the construction industry. The invention discloses a combination bottom dump and tail dump trailer in a single unit and a method to build such a unit. The trailer generally comprises a cargo area, a bottom dump hatch in the cargo area, a tailgate door and lifting rams to lift the front of the trailer up to allow cargo to be dumped out the tailgate.

Abstract: A bale rack comprises an elongate horizontal frame mounted on wheels for movement along the ground, and a pair of bale supports extending along opposite sides of the frame. The bale supports are pivotable relative to the frame between a raised position, in which the bale supports serve to retain bales on the frame, and a load release position, in which the bale supports are downwardly and laterally inclined from the frame to allow a bale to roll from the frame to the ground. Latch mechanisms are provided for releasably retaining the bale supports in the raised positions, and counterweights are provided for urging the bale supports from the lowered positions to the raised positions, thus avoiding the use of springs, hydraulic devices or other relatively complicated mechanisms for this purpose.

Abstract: A hoist control valve interlock system for trolley-assisted dump trucks prevent a dump vessel from an unexpected upward movement caused by the operator's mismanipulation during running on an ascent course under the trolley mode condition. The interlock system has a pair of air cylinders for controlling a hoist control valve operatively connected to hoist cylinders for the dump vessel and directional control air valves for supplying and discharging compressed air from an air reservoir via a trolley mode interlock valve into and from the air cylinders by the operation of a hoist control lever. When the trolley mode interlock valve is shifted to its engine mode position to its trolley mode position, the hoist control valve is interlocked into its floating position by the action of one of the air cylinders where compressed air is supplied from the air reservoir via the trolley mode interlock valve and a shuttle valve irrespective of the air valves.

Abstract: A gondola railway car comprising a car truck attached to each end of a continuous center sill, a pair of generally vertical end panels, a pair of generally vertical side panels joined to the end panels, a plurality of cross bearers extending from the center sill to a longitudinal chord at the bottom of each side panel, a car bottom between the end and side panels having substantially flat portions over the trucks and a longitudinal trough portion between the trucks and the flat bottom portions, the trough portion having side edges joined to the side panel bottom edges and extending beneath the center sill, and an end wall at each end of the trough extending to the adjacent flat bottom portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing and spreading ballast between and exteriorly of railroad rails and cross ties. A hand pushed or motor driven ballast spreader has a ballast hopper supported by a frame mounted on wheels engageable with the railroad rails. The hopper has an open top and an open bottom with converging lower walls. Ballast may be deposited between the rails through a door mounted horizontally beneath the frame and through a slot in a fixed chute. Ballast may also be deposited exteriorly of the heads of the cross ties by passing through the fixed chute and through a pivotally movable chute which is pivotally mounted near each lateral end of the fixed chute. Resiliently mounted blades clear excess ballast from the ties between the rails and from the heads of the ties exteriorly of the rails.

Abstract: A railway gondola car suitable for rotary unloading. The floor of the car comprises a pair of concave troughs which extend between the center sill and the sides of the car having their axes parallel to the axis of the center sill along that portion of the car between the trucks. The car has an increased lading capacity and lower center of gravity than conventional gondola cars.

Abstract: A bottom dump hopper car includes a pair of closure doors interconnected for conjoint movement. One of the doors is provided with a pivoted arm extending toward the center sill and is in operative engagement with a pivoted locking latch. The latch includes a stop and a follower element and is pivotally moved between door opening and closing position by means of a reciprocating actuation rod containing a cam element engagable with the follower element.

Abstract: A closure actuating device is disclosed for freeing rotation of discharge control doors for railway hopper cars of the type where the door assembly is supported for rotation about a pivotal axis parallel to and beneath the discharge opening in the railway car. To alleviate sticking of the doors due to compaction of fines on the upper surface of the control doors which cover the discharge openings, the device lowers the control doors to increase the clearance between the terminating edges of the discharge openings and the upper surface of the discharge door.

Abstract: Baffles are provided in transportation hoppers to solve the problem of upper bulk lading exerting pressure and causing damage to lower bulk lading in the hopper by reducing load density of the lading. The baffles are preferably inclined with respect to the horizontal. More than one layer of baffles may be provided. Supports for the baffles are preferably fixed to the sides and/or roof of the transportation hopper. The baffles may be provided with openings to facilitate circulation of conditioned air through the hopper. The baffles may be provided with larger openings which facilitate loading the hopper. The baffles also may be provided with doors which facilitate loading the hopper by means of a loading chute. The baffles may be used in a wide variety of transportation hoppers. In a preferred embodiment the transportation hopper is a railway hopper car.