Abstract: An articulated bridge as a component of a detachable gangway floor plate between two articulated interconnected railroad cars, the bridge being provided with several elongated bridge elements arranged in succession laterally, and running transverse to the direction of the bridge. The articulated extremities of the bridge are defined by the side walls of a frame approximately following the contours of the bridge. One end section of the bridge is designed for attachment to one of the two interconnected railroad cars and the other end section of the bridge is designed for attachment to the corresponding end section of an articulated bridge of the other of the two interconnected railroad cars, both end sections running in the transverse direction of the bridge.

Abstract: A pivoted drop end for a railway car which is adapted to be manipulated (lifted) by power equipment in the car to open or close the car end. The car end includes lower side posts, each having a cam follower running in a cam on the car frame which swings the car end about a pivot carried on each of the posts. The pivots are guided in a vertical slot and cooperates with the cam. The car end is opened outwardly of the car and rests in open horizontal position on a pedestal support of the frame so that adjacent open car ends form a bridge to move loads longitudinally of the train. The car end is dampened in lowering (opening) movement by dash-pots connected between the car end and car frame. A side dumping railway car tilts the car body to either side by sets of pneumatic cylinders, each set being alternatively under control of a valve.

Abstract: A device designed to ensure running continuity between two successive railroad or road vehicles in spite of vertical movements, the lateral sway and the torsion between the floors of said vehicles, characterized in that it includes:(a) at each end, a deformable joint (10) which ensures tightness against dust, noise and weather,(b) a self-supporting element (6), which is deformable under torsional stresses, comprised of an elastomer compound (17) reinforced by at least one pair of metal or textile cord plies (16a) and (16b) and resting on two elastic supporting members (7), which are deformable under shear stress, and(c) angle base (9) mounted onto the floors of vehicles, fitted to said continuous elastic supporting members (7).

Abstract: A construction of an articulating portion for articulated railway cars or the like formed by coupling front and rear bodies pivotably connected one after another by a truck interposed therebetween. Inside a pair of front and rear side wall panels in the articulating portion, a flexible cover consisting of an elastic plate is disposed, and an elastic sealing member provided on the longitudinal opposite edges of the flexible cover is contacted respectively with the pair of side wall panels by biasing. Under a pair of front and rear ceiling panels in the articulating portion, there is provided a ceiling cover, whose lateral opposite edges are coupled to the upper edge of the flexible cover, and the elastic sealing member provided on the longitudinal opposite edges of the ceiling cover is contacted respectively with the pair of ceiling panels by biasing.

Abstract: Bridge plate for moving automobiles between railroad auto-rack cars characterized by an intermediate upright trues and two bracing trusses joined thereto of inverted trapezoidal cross section. A bottom plate joins the bracing trusses, secured by mechanical fasteners, and struts are interposed between the bottom plate and the intermediate truss to transfer a load on the intermediate truss to the bottom plate. The intermediate truss presents a flat top for one set (left or right) of the automobile wheels.

Abstract: An intermediate portal protecting an intercommunicating gangway between two coupled vehicles, particularly railroad cars. The portal comprises two mirror-symmetrical parts which are detachably connected to each other. The portal is closed on all sides and mounted for lateral displacement relative to the cars. On a straight track, the portal contour is flush with the contour of the cars. The parting surfaces between the portal and the respective car are designed to maintain a definite narrow gap therebetween under any operating conditions, as long as a supporting and guiding structure can follow these parting surfaces in parallel motion. To this end, the invention provides a supporting and guiding arm by which the portal is guided both horizontally and vertically by means of cam tracks conformable to the parting surfaces which are preferably spherical.

Abstract: A railroad car for transporting vehicles such as automobiles and trucks, comprising a floor and two side walls defining an interior space and terminating in an opening at each end; at least one elevated deck spaced above the floor and extending the length of the railroad car and terminating in an end at each of the openings; an end enclosure at each end of the car adapted to be displaced between a closed position overlying the end opening and an opened position which provides access to the entire end of the car; an elongated closure support member at each end of the car disposed within the car interior in a horizontal plane and joined to the end of the deck with the deck elevation being at least as high as that of the closure support; and bridge plate supports, for a pair of bridge plates, located at the front of the closure support member such that bridge plates removably attached thereto are at essentially the same level as the deck.

Abstract: In a train formation, the passage from one car to the next is surrounded by a passover protection which comprises a central gantry closed on all sides which is mounted laterally displaceable relative to the cars. The central gantry is a mirror symmetric arrangement, even with the vehicle sides, consisting of adapter frames with peripheral abutments contacting elastic, hollow sections located peripherally between the abutments and the matching ends of the vehicle for small movement. A second set of peripheral, elastic hollow sections, structured for larger movement, is connected to the inner ends of the adapter frames and to the coupling frames. Connecting linkages are provided for guiding the adapter frames relative to the vehicles.

Abstract: A protective device is provided for a coupler of the type such as used on railroad cars, the coupler having two members the ends of which have a generally C-shaped configuration and which engage each other for purposes of hitching or towing cars, the protective device comprising a cover member designed to be placed over the coupler and adapted to prevent foreign materials from engaging the members of the coupler and impeding operation thereof, and a clamping device attached to the cover, the clamping device designed to fixedly engage at least one of the members of the coupler for purposes of maintaining the cover member on the coupler.

Abstract: Trailers are loaded on and unloaded from railroad flatcars by use of a system including tractors to pull the trailers, an end ramp at the end of the train, and a movable side ramp structure at the side of the train. The movable ramp structure has a ramp and a retractable bridge extending from the top of the ramp to the top of a flatcar in the train. In unloading, a tractor drives up the movable ramp and across the bridge to get onto the flatcar. Then the bridge is retracted, the tractor hitches onto one of the trailers, and pulls it along the joined beds of the flatcars and down the end ramp. The tractor then takes the trailer to a storage area, unhitches the trailer, and returns to the movable ramp structure to repeat the process. While the first tractor is pulling the trailer along the tops of the flatcars, the movable ramp structure moves to a position near the next trailer to be unloaded, and extends the bridge again.