Abstract: The number of cores used in casting bolsters and sideframes is reduced. End cores and a center core are placed in a mold with cope and drag portions. Each core includes integrally-formed portions for defining portions of the interior surfaces of the bolster or sideframes. The integrally-formed portions may include a portion for defining the side window of the sideframe formed integrally with other portions, and may include a pedestal portion formed integrally with other portions. The integrally-formed portions may contact both the cope and drag portions of the mold. The end cores may include integrally formed core prints for supporting the core in the mold. The integrally-formed portions of the center core include connections that are formed integrally with the other portions. Molten metal is introduced into the mold to cast the bolster or sideframe.

Abstract: The number of cores used in casting sideframes is reduced. A pair of end cores and a center core are placed in a mold with cope and drag portions. Each core includes integrally-formed portions for defining portions of the interior surfaces of the sideframes. The integrally-formed portions may include a portion for defining the side window of the sideframe formed integrally with other portions, and may include a pedestal portion formed integrally with other portions. The integrally-formed portions may contact both the cope and drag portions of the mold. The end cores may include integrally formed core prints for supporting the core in the mold. The integrally-formed portions of the center core include connections that are formed integrally with the other portions. Molten metal is introduced into the mold to cast the sideframe.

Abstract: The number of cores used in casting bolsters and sideframes is reduced. End cores and a center core are placed in a mold with cope and drag portions. Each core includes integrally-formed portions for defining portions of the interior surfaces of the bolster or sideframes. The integrally-formed portions may include a portion for defining the side window of the sideframe formed integrally with other portions, and may include a pedestal portion formed integrally with other portions. The integrally-formed portions may contact both the cope and drag portions of the mold. The end cores may include integrally formed core prints for supporting the core in the mold. The integrally-formed portions of the center core include connections that are formed integrally with the other portions. Molten metal is introduced into the mold to cast the bolster or sideframe.

Abstract: An improvement in dead lever lugs for mounting on cast metal bolsters for railway trucks is disclosed. The bolster has two side walls. The side walls have angled portions that meet in radii along the junctures of the angled portions. The dead lever lug has two arms joined by a bridge section. Each of the arms has a mounting surface that is shaped to mate with the shape of one of the angled surfaces of the bolster. The mounting surfaces of the dead lever lug arms are separated by a gap. When the dead lever lug is mounted on the bolster, the dead lever lug straddles the juncture of the angled portions of the side wall. One mounting surface of each arm is positioned against one of the angled portions of the side wall and the gap overlies the juncture of the two angled portions of the side wall. With the dead lever lug of the present invention, no flat raised mounting area is needed on the side wall of the bolster.

Abstract: Center filler plates for mounting on draft sills of railway car underframes are disclosed. The center filler plates have four pockets surrounding a hub. The pockets are shallower than in the prior art, and the walls defining the pockets meet in radii having larger radii of curvature than in the prior art. The shallower pockets and larger radii of curvature facilitate removal of the casting from the molding sand in the cope and drag sections of the mold. The formation of burned-in sand is limited in the present invention, and any burned-in sand that does form is also more easily removed from the center filler plates of the present invention. The base portion of the center filler plates is not as high as in the prior art. The ribs of the center filler plate and the walls of the hub are thicker than in the prior art to provide the needed strength to the center filler plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight draft sill end casting for use with railroad cars. The cast draft sill has side walls, front and rear stops, front and rear rib sets and a center plate that are cast as a unit. The draft sill has an open area between the tops of the side walls between the front and rear stops, with a cast metal span connecting the two side walls. The cast metal span may comprise one or more spacer bars or part of a top wall. The cast metal span is in the area between the planes of the front stops and the rear stops. The front and rear stops are spaced below the tops of the side walls. In one embodiment, there are additional lightener holes in each side wall between the ribs in the rear rib set and in the pocket. The total weight of the cast draft sill is not substantially greater than the weight of a comparable fabricated draft sill of substantially the same size, and has a greater fatigue life.

Abstract: The number of cores used in casting sideframes is reduced. A pair of end cores and a center core are placed in a mold with cope and drag portions. Each core includes integrally-formed portions for defining portions of the interior surfaces of the sideframes. The integrally-formed portions may include a portion for defining the side window of the sideframe formed integrally with other portions, and may include a pedestal portion formed integrally with other portions. The integrally-formed portions may contact both the cope and drag portions of the mold. The end cores may include integrally formed core prints for supporting the core in the mold. The integrally-formed portions of the center core include connections that are formed integrally with the other portions. Molten metal is introduced into the mold to cast the sideframe.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sideframe for use in a traditional three piece railway freight car truck comprising a pair of laterally spaced sideframes supporting a bolster extending between the sideframes. Each sideframe comprises an elongated top compression member, two diagonal compression members extending generally downwardly at acute angles from near the ends of the top compression member, and a bottom member joining the other ends of the diagonal tension members. Two column members also extend vertically between the bottom member and the top compression member. Such column members are strengthened by two ribs that extend laterally across the structure of the column member between sidewalls of the column member.

Abstract: Improvements in cast metal sideframes for railway trucks are disclosed, along with improvements in the processes of casting such products and the cores used in the casting process. A radial draft is provided on the casting surrounding a bolt hole at a core parting or joint line so that nuts and washers may be evenly loaded. The radial draft is formed on the sideframe column, on the side opposite the side to which a wear plate is mounted. The bolts for mounting the wear plate extend through the bolt hole, and the nuts and washers connected to the bolts bear against the tapered radial draft surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight draft sill end casting for use with railroad cars. Weight reductions are achieved and adequate strength is maintained by using a set of front ribs and back ribs, with angled top and bottom ribs. The back rib set has a single central rib along the central plane of the draft sill. A single horizontal center plate rib is also used in the area of the center plate. The side ribs at the center plate have larger lightener holes. Holes are also provided in the bottom wall of the casting. Larger lightener holes are provided in the area of the draft sill pocket. These holes are moved upwardly to lower the center of gravity of the draft sill. The draft stops may be spaced from the top wall of the draft sill and from the bottoms of the side walls.

Abstract: Improvements in cast metal sideframes and bolsters for railway trucks are disclosed, along with improvements in the processes of casting such products and the cores used in the casting process. In one aspect, the cores are consolidated to provide two one-piece end cores, a one-piece center core, and a bottom center core for the sideframe and two one-piece end cores and a center core for the bolster. The consolidated cores may include cores to define various bolt holes. In another aspect, various cores may be made with step joints for interlocking support without weight-supporting chaplets. In another aspect, a locator boss may be formed on one or more of the cores for proper positioning of the core on the drag mold. Other improvements disclosed include providing a radial draft on the casting surrounding a bolt hole at a core parting or joint line so that nuts and washers may be evenly loaded. In the bolster interior, ribs may be straightened.

Abstract: The present invention provides a railway truck sideframe with a strengthened bottom member. The sideframe comprises an elongated top compression member, two diagonal tension members extending downwardly at acute angles from near the ends of the top compression member, and a bottom member joining the other ends of the diagonal tension members. The top surface of the bottom member is usually referred to as a spring seat as such top surface provides support for the spring group on which the railway truck bolster is supported. The bottom member and attached diagonal tension members are strengthened by the addition of internal support ribs within the generally hollow bottom member near the intersection with the diagonal tension member. An increased thickness in the intersection of the top surface of the bottom member and the diagonal tension member and/or column is also provided.