Abstract: A locking arrangement for securing a bearing assembly to a male connection member of an articulated coupling apparatus includes an aperture having an outwardly extending beveled portion formed at each end thereof. A race assembly of the bearing assembly has a beveled portion abuttingly engaging a first beveled portion of the aperture and has an inwardly extending recessed portion and a ledge portion disposed adjacent the second beveled portion. The ledge portion at least partially closes the recessed portion and has an inner surface extending from the recessed portion towards the aperture at a predetermined angle. A locking member is disposed in a groove formed by such second beveled portion, the recessed portion and the inner surface of the ledge portion for securing the race assembly within the aperture in combination with the opposed beveled portion formed in the race assembly.

Abstract: A friction clutch type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a closed rear end forming a ledge for enabling a longer buff and draft travel while fitting into a 24.625 inch draft gear pocket. A friction clutch mechanism includes a pair of outer stationary plate members, a pair of movable plate members, a pair of inner stationary plate members having an inner surface which is tapered at an angle of approximately 4.5°, a pair of wedge shoe members having an upper surface which is tapered from a point disposed inwardly from the tapered outer surface inwardly toward and at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the friction clutch mechanism, and a center wedge member which includes a pair of correspondingly tapered surfaces frictionally engageable with the upper tapered surface of a respective one of the pair of wedge shoe members. The tapered upper surface of the pair of wedge shoe members is tapered at an angle of approximately 49.0°–50.0°.

Abstract: A housing for a railway car draft gear assembly for cushioning buff and draft shocks includes a rear portion engageable with the rear stops of such railway car and a front portion configured for attachment to a coupler arm. Opposed ends of the front and rear portions are provided with complimentary flanges for removable attachment of the front portion to the rear portion with threaded fasteners.

Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a hand brake assembly for automatically applying at least one brake secured to a railway vehicle. The apparatus comprises an operating mechanism which is a two stage pneumatic cylinder having a primary portion for initial phase of the brake application and a secondary portion for the final brake application to apply high forces and to comply with AAR requirements. A source of fluid pressure is connected to the operating mechanism for periodically supplying a predetermined pressure thereto. A first control device is connected to the source of the fluid pressure for initiating the supply of such predetermined pressure to the operating mechanism. A second control device is connected to the source of the fluid pressure for regulating the supply of such predetermined pressure to the operating mechanism thereby causing an automatic application of such brake by the hand brake assembly.

Abstract: A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a closed rear end forming a ledge to fit into a 24.625 inch draft gear pocket. The front portion incorporates an integral yoke portion with a pair of key slots for attachment to the coupler. A coupler follower is disposed within open front end and communicates with a pair of apertures during buff and draft travel. A compressible cushioning means is positioned within the second end with a seating arrangement abutting an end wall thereof and is extended longitudinally toward the open front end. A friction cushioning element is provided in the open front end of the housing. A spring release mechanism is adapted for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning means thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hand brake mechanism having a gravity based release hold mechanism with a visual indicator to prevent unwanted application of the railcar brakes and indicate such release hold condition. The release hold mechanism comprises a gravity based member pivotally linked to a release shaft preventing reverse rotation of the release shaft causing an unintended take-up of the chain. A detent retaining device disposed within the railcar hand brake housing further provides improve reliability of the operation. The gravity based member incorporates an indicator portion having a reflective coating to indicate such release hold position of the railcar hand brake.

Abstract: A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a partially closed rear end with a first and second rear portions and a pair of ledge members disposed intermediate such first and second rear portions for enabling the draft gear assembly to fit into a draft gear pocket of a predetermined length. A first rear portion is adapted to receive a compressible cushioning element with a seating arrangement abutting one end thereof which extends longitudinally from the second portion of the closed rear end toward the open front portion. A removable bottom wall is attachable either to the first or second rear portions for enabling installation of the compressible cushioning element through the first end.

Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a hand brake assembly which will automatically apply at least one brake secured to a railway vehicle with such hand brake assembly. The apparatus of the invention comprises an operating mechanism having at least a portion thereof engageable with at least one gear of a gear assembly disposed in a housing member of the hand brake assembly for operating such gear assembly. The operating mechanism is a two stage pneumatic cylinder having a primary portion for initial phase of the brake application and a secondary portion for the final brake application to apply high forces to comply with AAR requirements. A source of fluid pressure is connected to the operating mechanism for periodically supplying a predetermined pressure to such operating means. A control device is connected to the source of the fluid pressure for initiating the supply of such predetermined pressure to the operating mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a railway vehicle truck-mounted braking system for compensating for truck bolster movement which includes at least one force transmitting wedge member movable in a reciprocating motion by a pneumatic actuator. The at least one force transmitting wedge member engage rollers rotateably attached to a return push rod member disposed within the truck-mounted braking system for extending the return push rod member to reduce brake shoe clearance prior to brake shoe application. A method for compensating for truck bolster movement also includes fully pressurizing a wedge actuator prior to pressurizing the main brake apparatus actuator. Depressurization of the system returns the force transmitting wedges and return push rod to their original positions upon completion of brake application, subsequently increasing brake shoe clearance for allowable truck bolster movement.

Abstract: A hand brake mechanism having a release hold mechanism to prevent unwanted application of the railcar brakes. The release hold mechanism includes a cam and a holding pawl having cooperating force members and a detent retaining device engaging the cam disposed within the railcar hand brake to maintain the hand brake in the released hold condition. The cooperating force members disengage the cam from the detent retaining device to allow brake application. The hand brake incorporates an indicator member having a reflective coating to indicate such release hold position of the railcar hand brake.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved TMX.RTM truck mounted brake assembly for applying a brake shoe force to a railway car wheels by interfacing with an axle motion III bogie. The improvement comprises a rack and pinion type hand brake mechanism integrally mounted on at least one truck bogie per railway car. The hand brake mechanism utilizes a plurality of gear/pinion arrangements to transmit the force applied at the drive wheel to the transfer lever disposed within the TMX.RTM truck mounted brake assembly to effect the brake application. The hand brake mechanism is disposed within the spatial confines of the TMX.RTM truck mounted brake assembly and axle motion III bogie. The brake beams of the brake assembly are of the open box construction to accommodate such hand brake mechanism. A visual indicator is provided to identify the hand brake in both fully applied and fully released positions.

Abstract: A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a closed rear end forming a ledge to fit into a 24.625 inch draft gear pocket. The front portion incorporates an integral yoke portion with a pair of key slots for attachment to the coupler. A coupler follower is disposed within open front end and communicates with a pair of apertures during buff and draft travel. A compressible cushioning means is positioned within the second end with a seating arrangement abutting an end wall thereof and is extended longitudinally toward the open front end. A friction cushioning element is provided in the open front end of the housing. A spring release mechanism is adapted for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning means thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A locking device for a pair of mating air brake hose coupling members includes a housing with a first aperture for attachment to one air brake hose coupling member and a second aperture for attachment to a hose support member which is adjusted to provide a predetermined clearance between the air brake hose coupling and a rail track. A locking pin is reciprocally disposed within the housing and is being urged by a resilient member in one direction for preventing undesirable complete rotational uncoupling of such pair of mating air brake hose coupling members. The locking pin is manually movable in the opposite direction during coupling and uncoupling under normal operating conditions.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly including a housing having an open front and closed rear portions. A compressible cushioning element is positioned within the rear portion with a seating arrangement abutting one end thereof adjacent the open front portion. A friction cushioning element is provided in the open front portion of the housing. A spring release mechanism continuously urges the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly. A compressible cushioning element includes a hydraulic cylinder having a slidable piston to define a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly includes a yoke and a coupler follower disposed within the yoke. A front compressible resilient member is disposed intermediate the yoke and the coupler follower. A rear compressible resilient member engages a back wall of the yoke at one end and engages a rear follower at a distal end. A center rod extends through the rear compressible resilient member and the rear follower and engages a shortening member. A plurality of stops members are attached to the back wall of the yoke for limiting compression of the rear compressible resilient member during buff travel. The stop members may be extended toward the coupler follower for limiting compression of the front compressible resilient member during draft travel. Alternatively, a center rod or elastomeric pads may be adapted for limiting compression of the resilient compressible members during buff and draft travel. Stops for limiting compression may be also attached to a center sill.

Abstract: A hand brake having mechanism for retaining the hand brake in a substantially released and hold position to prevent unwanted application of the railway car brakes due to vibration or other energy sources during railway car motion. Such mechanism includes at least one spring mounted to the hand brake housing substantially engaging a release lever disposed within a quick release mechanism so as to prevent reverse rotation of the release lever causing an unintended take-up of the chain.

Abstract: The present invention increases the capacity and resistance to closure of the draft gear assembly by providing an angled bottom surface on the tapered plates intermediate of the inner and outer friction surface in the area where the taper plate contacts the third horizontal rib of the housing. Providing an angle on the bottom edge surface of the tapered plates in this area increases the side force on the movable plates during the application of a buffing shock to the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A friction clutch type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a closed rear end forming a ledge for enabling a longer buff and draft travel while fitting into a 24.625 inch draft gear pocket. A friction clutch mechanism includes a pair of outer stationary plate members, a pair of movable plate members, a pair of inner stationary plate members having an inner surface which is tapered at an angle of approximately 4.5°, a pair of wedge shoe members having an upper surface which is tapered from a point disposed inwardly from the tapered outer surface inwardly toward and at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the friction clutch mechanism, and a center wedge member which includes a pair of correspondingly tapered surfaces frictionally engageable with the upper tapered surface of a respective one of the pair of wedge shoe members. The tapered upper surface of the pair of wedge shoe members is tapered at an angle of approximately 49.0°-50.0°.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: An energy dissipating elastomer damper comprises a generally hollow housing member having an interior aperture of a predetermined cross section. A first closure member is attached to one end of the housing and has an axial aperture and a second closure member is attached to the other end of the housing and has an axial aperture. A compressible resilient elastomer member is disposed within the interior aperture of the housing. A force transmitting member is disposed for axial movement within the compressible resilient elastomer member and has at least one spherical force transmitting portion of a predetermined shape disposed intermediate a first end extending through the axial aperture of the first closure member and a second end extending through the axial aperture of the second closure member.