Abstract: An apparatus for a hand brake includes a gear assembly, an electric motor coupled to the gear assembly, one or more sensors configured to sense at least one of the released and set states, a controller coupled to the electric motor and to the one or more sensors, the controller is configured to operate the electric motor in accordance with a predetermined logic algorithm so as to move the chain between the released and set states, and a device being movable between a first position wherein the device engages only the hand wheel and wherein the hand wheel is used to move the chain between the released and set states and a second position wherein the device engages both the hand wheel and a gear in the gear assembly and wherein the electric motor is operable to move the chain between the released and set states.

Abstract: An apparatus for a hand brake includes a gear assembly, an electric motor coupled to the gear assembly, one or more sensors configured to sense at least one of the released and set states, a controller coupled to the electric motor and to the one or more sensors, the controller is configured to operate the electric motor in accordance with a predetermined logic algorithm so as to move the chain between the released and set states, and a device being movable between a first position wherein the device engages only the hand wheel and wherein the hand wheel is used to move the chain between the released and set states and a second position wherein the device engages both the hand wheel and a gear in the gear assembly and wherein the electric motor is operable to move the chain between the released and set states.

Abstract: A hand brake mechanism having a mechanism to disengage a release lever disposed within a clutch and release assembly at the beginning of the brake application cycle. This mechanism includes a holding pawl having a force transmitting member which cooperates with a force receiving member disposed within the release lever to effect rotational motion onto the release lever at the beginning of the brake application cycle. At least one spring is provided to substantially complete rotational motion of the release lever.

Abstract: An emergency release mechanism for a railway drawbar, which reduces stress in two piece machine bolts inserts in emergency release mechanisms, includes a two sided threaded stud which screws into a release rail using one of the threaded stud ends, passes through a drawbar body, and is secured to the drawbar body by a nut screwed onto the other threaded stud end.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. Such assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning assembly is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. Such resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. Such assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning mechasim is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. Such resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. Such assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat member is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning member is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. Such resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. Such assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat device is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning mechanism is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. Such resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. The assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat member is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning mechanism is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided-to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. The resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a friction-type draft gear assembly including a housing having a front and a rear portion. A compressible cushioning element is positioned within the rear portion with a seating arrangement abutting one end thereof. A friction cushioning element is provided in the front portion of the housing. The assembly further includes a spring release mechanism for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a draft gear assembly including a housing having a front and a rear portion. A compressible cushioning element is positioned in the rear portion with a seat arrangement abutting one end thereof. A friction cushioning element having a pair of outer stationary plates with a Brinell through hardness of between about 277 and 321. The assembly also includes a spring release device for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element to release the friction cushioning element after compression of the draft gear assembly.