Abstract: Metal stock is forged into a blank consisting of a rod-like shank joined at one end to the inner ends of a pair of substantially parallel forks having enlarged flattened outer ends projecting laterally away from each other in a common plane and provided with pin-receiving openings with parallel axes. The forging operation provides each fork with the appearance of a 90.degree. twist. After the blank is formed the forks are twisted on their axes in directions that will substantially eliminate their twisted appearance and will turn their enlarged ends into spaced parallel planes with their pin-receiving openings in axial alignment.

Abstract: A brake beam lever extends through an inclined slot in a brake beam strut at a greater inclination to vertical than the slot, and wedge shape members fill the wedge shape spaces formed between the lever and the side walls of the slot. A pivot pin extends through said strut and wedge members and lever, and the ends of the lever are provided with openings for clevis pins.

Abstract: A brake lever connection is formed from a tube with a two-piece jaw welded to each end, each jaw having laterally spaced side portions merging at one end into end portions engaging each other to form the inner end of the jaw, which has a first frusto-conical surface tapered toward the other jaw and merging into a smaller diameter frusto-conical surface tapered less sharply. The larger end of the smaller conical surface has about the same diameter as the inside of the tube, into an end of which the smaller conical surface is inserted. The end walls of the tube form with the first conical surfaces annular recesses filled with welding metal that joins the jaws to the ends of the tube.