Abstract: A receiver pin lock for insertion into first and second sized opposed engaging apertures of first and second hitch receivers is shown and described. The receiver pin lock may include a stem, a first stepped portion extend from the stem, and a lock member selectively engageable with the stem, the lock member preventing removal of stem from either of the first and second hitch receivers. The receiver pin lock may also include a second stepped portion positioned on the lock member and extending from the stem, where the stem is configured to operatively engage the first sized engaging apertures of the first hitch receiver and the first and second stepped portions are configured to operatively engage the second sized engaging apertures of the second hitch receiver.

Abstract: Highly textured [111] oriented films such as MgO crystalline films are deposited by e-beam evaporation on ordinary soda-lime glass. Semiconductor films such as silicon can be deposited on these MgO films using eutectics at temperatures below the softening point of ordinary glass and having extremely high textured and strong [111] orientation. The invention may be used for efficient and cost effective solar cells, displays, etc.

Abstract: An articulated coupling for rail vehicles is composed of a fork head having two fork pieces and of a coupling link. The coupling link accommodates a spherical joint which is traversed by a pin secured in the fork head. To fasten the pin in the fork piece, there is provided a wedge which is arranged in the axial direction of the pin and has a concavely curved surface adapted to the cylindrical curvature of the surface of the pin.

Abstract: A towing mechanism includes a pair of brackets for receiving a drawbar therebetween, and a locking device. A towing bolt is received by locating bores in the brackets. The locking device includes a locking pin which is axially slidable in a pin bore in a component. The locking device is mounted on the upper bracket so that, in a locked condition, the locking pin projects out of the bore and prevents axial movement of the towing bolt. A blocking member at least partially covers the pin bore and prevents the extraneous material from contacting the locking pin, in order to reduce the likelihood of an unintentional release of the towing bolt.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a swing-away hitch for trailers, in particular the boat trailer market. Boat trailers are longer than the boats itself for towing purposes. When having to store the boat and trailer in a small space, the tongue with the hitch of the trailer becomes an obstacle. This invention allows a trailer to be parked in spaces that could only hold the size of the boat by swinging the hitch to the side. The design of this invention consists of sandwiching a tube (tongue of the trailer) between two plates with holes that align with tubular sleeves welded on opposite sides at the end of a hitch cover to convert it to a swing-away hitch. Pins are inserted to mount the swing-away hitch onto the swing-away hitch assembly. In a towing position, both pins stay in their sleeves. In a stowaway position, one pin is removed and the swing-away hitch swivels via the remaining pin away to the side of the trailer.

Abstract: An interlocking mechanism positioned intermediate each end of a drawbar member portion of a slackless drawbar assembly which includes an elongated member engageable at a first end thereof to an end of a first male connection member and at an axially opposed second end to an end of a second male connection member of such drawbar assembly. At least one of such elongated member and such end of such first and such second male members include at least a hollow portion so that one of such elongated member can be disposed in such at least a hollow portion of such end of such first and such second male members, and such end of such first and such second male members can be disposed in the at least a hollow portion of such elongated member. A first aperture, having a first predetermined shape, is formed through the elongated member adjacent at least one predetermined first end and such axially opposed second end thereof.

Abstract: An interlocking mechanism is positioned intermediate first and second end portions of a drawbar member portion of a slackless type drawbar assembly utilized in coupling adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway freight cars together in a substantially semipermanent fashion. Such interlocking mechanism includes a first elongated member engageable at a first end thereof to an end of a first male connection member. A first at least one plate like member is disposed at a second end of the first elongated member of such interlocking mechanism. There is a first elongated slot formed through such first at least one plate like member. A second elongated member is engageable at a first end thereof to an end of a second male connection member.

Abstract: An articulated coupling male connection member support assembly having an improved lubrication arrangement incorporated therein. Such support assembly includes a bottom ring bearing member supported on an upper surface of a bottom wall portion of a female connection member adjacent an outer end thereof. The bottom ring bearing member has a concave shaped spherical upper surface. An upper ring bearing member having a convex shaped spherical bottom surface is supported by such concave upper surface of the bottom ring bearing member. The upper ring bearing member has a substantially flat upper surface for supporting a bottom surface of a male connection member adjacent an outer end thereof. There is a substantially solid lubricating liner member disposed between such concave shaped spherical upper surface of the bottom ring bearing member and such convex shaped spherical bottom surface of the upper ring bearing member.

Abstract: Method and device for coupling a self-propelled truck with a carrying truck, wherein the self-propelled truck is provided with a female engagement member having right and left catching spacings, whereas the carrying truck is provided with a male engagement pin, and wherein, while the self-propelled truck is moving along a rectilinear or curved path, the male engagement pin is caught and engaged in one of the right and left catching spacings, thereby effecting automatic, unmanned coupling of those two trucks. Also, an uncoupling arrangement is provided by disposing an uncoupling stand member at a proper uncoupling point and an uncoupling arm member at the self-propelled truck.

Abstract: A vehicle 10 which inspects pipes 12 using flux-leakage has a flux generating electromagnet 14 and foils 18, 20 to transfer the flux to the pipewall 12. Sensors 22 detect flux forced to leak from the pipe by defects. The vehicle is required to pass 1-D bends as shown and has a swivel 40 having a load bar 48 on which there is a link 46 of a towing chain 26. On straight pipe the link 46 occupies a first position nearer to the axis 44. In a bend the swivel turns so that the link 46 can slide along the load bar 48 to a second position further from the axis 44. This reduces the angle which the chain 26 makes with the axis 44 and jamming of the vehicle 10 in the bend is avoided.

Abstract: Novel highway trailers can be mounted on railtruck assemblies to form a train of highway trailers, the railtruck assemblies including a conventional railtruck which supports a novel intermodal adaptor. The novel highway trailers include a forwardly extending tongue and coupling structure at the rear to which may be secured to the tongue of a following trailer and the intermodal adaptor of a railtruck assembly. The intermodal adaptor is mounted on the center plate bowl of the bolster of the railtruck. The adaptor includes locating means adapted to be received within the coupling structure of a leading highway trailer, which locating means permits the leading highway trailer and intermodal adaptor to become aligned with each other upon relative movement.

Abstract: An articulated connector for railroad cars comprises first and second connector members pivotally connected to each other at inner ends through a pin to permit vertical, rotational and horizontal pivoting of the connector members. The connector members have opposed ends proportioned to each welded to a railroad car sill. The articulated connector may be attached to a railroad truck which holds the connector and the ends of both connected cars. Pin bearing block means are carried in the articulated connector and abut the pin. Preferably, slack adjusting wedges are used to urge the pin against the pin bearing block, with the slack adjusting wedge means being laterally positioned in the connector. Side apertures are then provided for access from the exterior to the slack adjusting wedge means.

Abstract: A hitch (10) for releasably connecting a double stack trailer to a road railer car having a tongue (14) having an opening (15) includes a top wall (16), bottom wall (24) and first and second walls (28) and (30) cooperatively connected to form a housing (12) for receiving the tongue (14) of the road railer car. The housing (12) has an upper pin receiving opening (18) in the top wall (16), and a lower pin receiving opening (26) in the bottom wall (24). The upper and lower pin receiving openings (18) and (26) are in alignment. A shaft (42) is positioned below the bottom wall (24) and cooperatively connected between the first side wall (28) and the second side wall (30). A lever (22) has an upper arm (44) cooperatively connected to a lower arm (46) with a pivot point (48) positioned between the arms (44) and (46 ). The lever (22) has a portion of the upper arm (44) extending above the top wall (16), and the lower arm (46) is positioned below the bottom wall (24).

Abstract: Novel highway trailers can be mounted on railtruck assemblies to form a train of highway trailers, the railtruck assemblies including a conventional railtruck which supports a novel intermodal adaptor. The novel highway trailers include a forwardly extending tongue and coupling structure at the rear to which may be secured the tongue of a following trailer and the intermodal adaptor of a railtruck assembly. The intermodal adaptor is mounted on the center plate bowl of the bolster of the railtruck. The adaptor includes a locating assembly adapted to be received within the coupling structure of a leading highway trailer, which locating assembly permits the leading highway trailer and intermodal adaptor to become aligned with each other upon relative movement.

Abstract: Novel highway trailers can be mounted on railtruck assemblies to form a train of highway trailers, the railtruck assemblies including a conventional railtruck which supports a novel intermodal adaptor. The novel highway trailers include a forwardly extending tongue and coupling structure at the rear to which may be secured the tongue of a following trailer and the intermodal adaptor of a railtruck assembly. The intermodal adaptor is mounted on the center plate bowl of the bolster of the railtruck. The adaptor includes locating structure adapted to be received within the coupling structure of a leading highway trailer, which locating structure permits the leading highway trailer and intermodal adaptor to become aligned with each other upon relative movement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articulated railway coupler connections. The butt end of the male articulating connection contacts a follower block which in turn contacts a wedge shaped shim. Such shim provides an essentially slackless feature to the coupling connection. Further, surfaces of the follower block and the shim or of the shim and the rear cavity wall are modified such that alignment of the shim within the cavity is assured despite any angling or slight rotation of the male connection member.

Abstract: A convertible semi-trailer for highway and railroad modes of travel includes a coupler device to releasably couple adjacent vehicles end-to-end to form a train for the railroad mode. The coupler includes a male member extending from the end of one of the vehicles and the housing attached to the opposed end of the adjacent vehicles and having an opening therethrough for receiving the male member of the one vehicle. The male member is releasably locked in the housing opening for railroad mode of operation. A resilient pad is positioned in the opening of the housing and has the male member resting thereon to accommodate limited rolling, pitching and relative vertical displacement between the coupled vehicles.

Abstract: A coupling device for railway motor cars includes a pole or tongue on the motor car with a cam member pivoted on the distal end thereof. A coupling box with converging side walls is secured to the end of the trailing car and has a coupling pin extending from top to bottom. When the pivoted cam enters the box it is cammed by first, a sidewall, and then the back wall to pivot and hook around the coupling pin. During the course of this movement, a spring-biased locking pin rides on the flat, top surface of the cam to drop behind it when the coupling is complete, thus preventing reverse pivotal movement. A chain, is secured from the locking pin to an arm extending radially from a long shaft extending laterally to the side of motor car and terminating in an operating arm which, when raised, lifts the locking pin to release the pivoted cam for uncoupling.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for a mine car coupling which includes a draw pin, a pin guide connected to a first mine car with an essentially vertical opening therein for receiving the draw pin, a space beneath the pin guide for receiving a link connected to a second mine car, the link having an opening therein for receiving the draw pin. The draw pin includes an upper shoulder which will engage an upper surface of the pin guide and hold the draw pin in its lower position for insertion through the link opening to couple the cars together. The safety mechanism includes a first interposer pivotally connected to the first car at a point below the upper shoulder of the draw pin and projecting above the upper shoulder a predetermined, distance when the pin is in its lower position.

Abstract: A C-shaped retaining handle is connected to a draft pin and has a cam on an end near the point of connection. A springed washer presses against the cam, thereby securing the handle to lock the draft pin in place, yet permitting the handle to be raised for uncoupling.