Abstract: A friction-type draft gear assembly includes 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 is adapted 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. A compressible cushioning element includes a hydraulic cylinder having a slidable piston to define a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber. A metering pin disposed within the piston has aworking portion of a decreased diameter for increasing shock absorbing capacity of such draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front and a closed rear end with a first and second rear portions and a pair of ledge members disposed intermediate such first and second rear portions and 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. The open front end is adapted to receive a friction cushioning element which has 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. The open front end may incorporate additional side members for direct attachment to a coupler.

Abstract: A friction clutch mechanism for a draft gear assembly 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°. The pair of tapered surfaces of the center wedge is tapered at an angle of about 49.5°.

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: An emergency release mechanism for a railway drawbar, which reduces stress in two piece machine bolt 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: The present invention teaches a friction-type draft gear assembly including a housing having an open front and a 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 is adapted 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. A compressible cushioning element includes a hydraulic cylinder having a slidable piston to define a high pressure chamber and a low pressure chamber. A means disposed within the piston are provided for increasing shock absorbing capacity of such draft gear assembly.

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 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: In combination with a hand brake system for a railway vehicle including first and second spaced-apart brake beams. First and second transfer levers are pivotally connected at a point intermediate the ends thereof to a respective one of the first and second brake beams. First and second force-transmitting members are interconnected between corresponding arms of the first and second transfer levers. Such first force-transmitting member including a brake actuator device operable in response to the supply of fluid pressure thereto for increasing the length of the first force-transmitting member, to accordingly increase the spaced-apart distance between the first and second brake beams. A transfer link is connected to the first transfer lever so as to be arcuately movable therewith in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of the first transfer lever. The improvement comprises a thrust block disposed on the first brake beam. The thrust block having a pin member disposed therein.

Abstract: In combination with a hand brake system for a railway vehicle including first and second spaced-apart brake beams. First and second transfer levers are pivotally connected at a point intermediate the ends thereof to a respective one of the first and second brake beams. First and second force-transmitting members are interconnected between corresponding arms of the first and second transfer levers. Such first force-transmitting member including a brake actuator device operable in response to the supply of fluid pressure thereto for increasing the length of the first force-transmitting member, to accordingly increase the spaced-apart distance between the first and second brake beams. A transfer link is connected to the first transfer lever so as to be arcuately movable therewith in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of the first transfer lever. The improvement comprises a thrust block disposed on the first brake beam. The thrust block having a pin member disposed therein.

Abstract: A quick release mechanism for a railcar hand brake comprises a release shaft having a first end and a second end. The first end includes a cavity of a predetermined size and shape. A release lever has a hub journaled on the first end of the release shaft. A stop of a predetermined size and shape is disposed on the circumference of the hub of the release lever and engageable with the cavity of the release shaft to rotate such release shaft to cause free release of the brakes. A projection of a predetermined size and shape is disposed on the second end of the release shaft. An attachment of a predetermined size and shape is mounted to an inside wall of a housing of such hand brake. A tension member has a first end and a second end. The first end is secured to the projection, and the second end is secured to the attachment whereby the tension member will return the release shaft to the brake application position.

Abstract: A jointed hand brake release handle for a railway car hand brake mechanism, having a lever arm with an inner end attachable to a rotatable hand brake release post of a hand brake mechanism, and an extension arm pivotally attached to the outer end of the lever arm and adapted for pivotal movement such that a contact face on the inner end of the lever arm can be brought into contact with a contact face on the outer end of the lever arm, and such that continued pivotal movement of the extension arm will cause rotational movement of the lever arm and rotation of the hand brake release post.