Abstract: In a block brake with brake block regulator, which maintains the brake block shoe (6) in a predetermined rotational position about its rotational axis (5) through friction blocks (20) and friction surfaces (14), the friction surfaces (14) are in the form of wedge surfaces, such that, upon rotation of the brake block shoe (6) under the influence of gravity, the friction blocks (20) must be forced back through the friction surfaces (14) against their spring loading (18). This enables compensation of the turning moment brought to bear on the brake block shoe (6) by the gravitational force.

Abstract: The block brake unit for rail vehicles has a service brake which includes a transmission lever which is pivoted by a brake piston to shift an actuating rod coupled with a brake block carrier. A parking brake includes a spring-loaded cylinder which is coupled by a pivotable parking brake lever through a transmission lever to the actuating rod. An impact wedge coupling comprising a roller and wedge surface is provided between the parking brake lever and the transmission lever. By a suitable choice of the inclination and shape of the wedge surface, the transmission ratio for the parking brake can be readily adjusted for requirements in particular situations without the necessity for changes of the exterior dimensions or mounts and without any changes of the transmission ratio for the service brake. The wedge surface can also be constructed to provide a constant progressive or decreasing transmission ratio and also a fast application for the parking brake.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for rail vehicles has a brake actuating unit to one side of the vehicle wheel. A pair of brake shoes oppositely disposed on both sides of the wheel can be pressed against the contact surface of the wheel. A first vertical braking lever is pivotable under a force from the brake actuating unit with respect to the contact force exerted by the first brake shoe. A second vertical braking lever is similarly connected to the other brake shoe. The lower ends of both braking levers are pivotally connected with two traverse members each interconnecting the ends of two parallel tie rods which extent horizontally across both faces of the vehicle wheel. The play or clearance in the application of the brake shoes to the wheel contact surface is automatically adjusted by a self-actuating device in each tie rod. Each adjusting device comprises a screw coupling consisting of a nut threaded on a spindle shaft.

Abstract: A spring-loaded brake cylinder particularly for the air brake system of a railway vehicle has a piston slidable within a housing and a threaded shaft and nut assembly between the piston and a piston rod. The nut is carried upon a non-self-locking thread on the threaded shaft and either the shaft or nut is rotatable and the other is non-rotatable. A loading spring has one end supported by a portion of the housing and secured against axial displacement and has a second end acting against the piston. A selectively operable rotary coupling is disposed in the path of the torque resulting from the force exerted by the spring acting upon the shaft and nut assembly so that the shaft and nut are free to rotate with respect to each other when the rotary coupling is actuated.

Abstract: A hand brake for manually actuating brake cylinders, particularly for an air braking system on railway vehicles, has a piston tube extending from the piston of a brake cylinder and an actuating rod connected to the brake linkage positioned within the piston tube. A device for adjusting the actuating rod with respect to the piston tube device comprises a thrust ring acting upon a portion of the piston tube. A brake ring is positioned around the piston tube and is rotatable by a manually actuated drive. Wedge gear displacing means are provided to displace axially the brake ring upon rotation of the brake ring. An intermediate element is connected to the piston tube and is displaced by the brake ring during axial displacement of the brake ring. The piston tube has a cam portion acting upon the thrust ring so as to displace the actuating rod axially upon axial displacement of the piston tube.

Abstract: A brake cylinder for vehicles employes a spring plate as a transmission linkage between a piston and a piston rod coaxial with the piston. The spring plate is supported against a portion bearing against the piston rod. The inner end of the spring plate is acted upon by the piston.

Abstract: A spring-loaded brake cylinder has a piston therein one side of which is loaded by a spring and the other side of which is subjected to compressed air introduced into the cylinder. The cylinder is provided with an auxiliary release device comprising a screw coupling having a first coupling member which is rotatable and supported axially on a portion of the cylinder and a second coupling member threadedly engaged with the first coupling member and acting upon the brake cylinder through an abutment coupling against the force of the load spring. A coupling comprising mutually engaged toothed radial surfaces is provided between a collar attached to the first coupling member and a selectively rotatable worm wheel mounted adjacent the first coupling member. This coupling is engaged only when the pressure acting against the piston is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A switching member positioned approximately in the plane of the brake disk has an actuating element therein which is displaceable radially with respect to the brake disk. The element is resiliently held in a rest position and is engageable by adjustable screws mounted on the ends of arms extending from the brake shoe suspension hangers pivotally mounted on each side of the brake disk. The extending arms are spaced with respect to each other in the peripheral direction of the brake disk. The switching member is connected to a fluid pressure source so that when a push button valve in the fluid pressure line is opened, the fluid pressure will be connected through the switching member to the atmosphere when the wear of the brake lining reaches a predetermined low level. The communication to the atmosphere is achieved by displacing the actuating member a sufficient distance so that a radial bore therein provides communication within the switching element between the source of fluid pressure and the atmosphere.