Abstract: A slack adjuster for use with a braking system which has an increased let-out length that enables the use of brake shoes having an increased thickness. The slack adjuster includes a dual spring and canister assembly, an external yoke trigger, or a combination of both the dual spring and canister assembly and the external yoke trigger. A method of retrofitting a truck-mounted brake system is provided, in which the slack adjuster is positioned within the brake system in order to increase the let-out length while maintaining a predetermined spatial envelope within the brake system. The slack adjuster has an increased let-out length enabling the use of thicker brake shoes without requiring modification of the interacting components of the truck mounted brake system since the overall size of the slack adjuster remains the same.

Abstract: A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging wherein the slack adjuster includes a main spring housing, a cone nut housing enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an over travel housing. The drainage system includes at least one opening extending through a sidewall portion of the main spring housing. The opening is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminates to drain therethrough to reduce exposure of the critical operating area of the slack adjuster to the fluid and/or contaminants. A seal/splash guard can be provided at the intersection of the main spring housing and the cone nut housing to prevent fluid and contaminants from entering into the cone nut housing.

Abstract: A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging wherein the slack adjuster includes a main spring housing, a cone nut housing enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an over travel housing. The drainage system includes at least one opening extending through a sidewall portion of the main spring housing. The opening is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminates to drain therethrough to reduce exposure of the critical operating area of the slack adjuster to the fluid and/or contaminants. A seal/splash guard can be provided at the intersection of the main spring housing and the cone nut housing to prevent fluid and contaminants from entering into the cone nut housing.

Abstract: A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging wherein the slack adjuster includes a main spring housing, a cone nut housing enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an over travel housing. The drainage system includes at least one opening extending through a sidewall portion of the main spring housing. The opening is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminates to drain therethrough to reduce exposure of the critical operating area of the slack adjuster to the fluid and/or contaminants. A seal/splash guard can be provided at the intersection of the main spring housing and the cone nut housing to prevent fluid and contaminants from entering into the cone nut housing.

Abstract: A slack adjuster for use with a braking system which has an increased let-out length that enables the use of brake shoes having an increased thickness. The slack adjuster includes a dual spring and canister assembly, an external yoke trigger, or a combination of both the dual spring and canister assembly and the external yoke trigger. A method of retrofitting a truck-mounted brake system is provided, in which the slack adjuster is positioned within the brake system in order to increase the let-out length while maintaining a predetermined spatial envelope within the brake system. The slack adjuster has an increased let-out length enabling the use of thicker brake shoes without requiring modification of the interacting components of the truck mounted brake system since the overall size of the slack adjuster remains the same.

Abstract: A slack adjuster for use with a railway braking system which has an increased let-out length that enables the use of brake shoes having an increased thickness. The slack adjuster includes at least one of a dual spring and canister assembly, an external yoke trigger, or a combination of both a dual spring and canister assembly and an external yoke trigger. A method of retrofitting a truck mounted brake system is provided, in which the slack adjuster is positioned within the brake system in order to increase the let-out length while maintaining a predetermined spatial envelope within the brake system. The slack adjuster has an increased let-out length enabling the use of thicker brake shoes without requiring modification of the interacting components of the truck mounted brake system since the overall size of the slack adjuster remains the same.

Abstract: A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging wherein the slack adjuster includes a main spring housing, a cone nut housing enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an over travel housing. The drainage system includes at least one opening extending through a sidewall portion of the main spring housing. The opening is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminates to drain therethrough to reduce exposure of the critical operating area of the slack adjuster to the fluid and/or contaminants. A seal/splash guard can be provided at the intersection of the main spring housing and the cone nut housing to prevent fluid and contaminants from entering into the cone nut housing.

Abstract: A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging wherein the slack adjuster includes a main spring housing, a cone nut housing enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an over travel housing. The drainage system includes at least one opening extending through a sidewall portion of the main spring housing. The opening is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminants to drain therethrough to reduce exposure of the critical operating area of the slack adjuster to the fluid and/or contaminants. A seal/splash guard can be provided at the intersection of the main spring housing and the cone nut housing to prevent fluid and contaminants from entering into the cone nut housing.

Abstract: A railcar brake system includes a first brake beam and a second brake beam configured to be mounted on opposite sides of a bolster of a railcar truck; a brake cylinder connected to the first brake beam; a first lever and a second lever pivotally connected to the first brake beam at separate points, the first lever and the second lever also being connected to opposing ends of the brake cylinder to connect the brake cylinder to the first brake beam; a slack adjuster connected to the second brake beam; a first push rod connecting the first lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster; and a second push rod connecting the second lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster. Actuation of the brake cylinder causes movement of the brake beams via the first and second levers and the first and second push rods.

Abstract: A bail compensating joint may include a threaded push rod, a ratchet in threaded connection with the push rod for rotational motion thereon, and a helical joint including a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the ratchet for facilitating rotation of the ratchet. The second bearing is supported by an annular composite race member formed by a metal annular inner race member joined with a resiliently deformable annular outer member. In another embodiment of the bail compensating joint, a pair of spherical joints is disposed on opposite sides of the ratchet, the spherical joints supporting the respective first and second bearings.

Abstract: A slack adjuster for use with a railway braking system which has an increased let-out length that enables the use of brake shoes having an increased thickness. The slack adjuster includes at least one of a dual spring and canister assembly, an external yoke trigger, or a combination of both a dual spring and canister assembly and an external yoke trigger. A method of retrofitting a truck mounted brake system is provided, in which the slack adjuster is positioned within the brake system in order to increase the let-out length while maintaining a predetermined spatial envelope within the brake system. The slack adjuster has an increased let-out length enabling the use of thicker brake shoes without requiring modification of the interacting components of the truck mounted brake system since the overall size of the slack adjuster remains the same.

Abstract: A vented cap for a main spring housing of a slack adjuster including an inner portion having an inner seal surface configured for cooperating with an elongated rod member and an outer seal surface configured for cooperating with a sidewall located at an end portion of the main spring housing. The vented end cap includes at least one opening configured to allow fluid and/or contaminants trapped within the slack adjuster and/or the end cap to drain therethrough. Various seals and/or drainage openings can also be provided along the slack adjuster to prevent the entrance of and/or allow for drainage of fluid/contaminants from the slack adjuster. A method for preventing the accumulation of fluid and/or contaminants within a slack adjuster and for protecting a critical operating area of the slack adjuster is also provided.

Abstract: A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging. The drainage system allows fluid and other contaminants to drain from the slack adjuster to prevent the fluid and contaminants from accumulating within the slack adjuster, contacting an operating area of the slack adjuster, and interfering with the operation of the slack adjuster. The slack adjuster includes a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The drainage system includes at least one aperture extending through a sidewall portion of the overtravel housing portion. The at least one aperture is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminants to drain there through to reduce exposure of the critical operating area to fluid and/or contaminants. A plug and/or patch can be provided to sealingly and/or removably engage the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A railcar brake system includes a first brake beam and a second brake beam configured to be mounted on opposite sides of a bolster of a railcar truck; a brake cylinder connected to the first brake beam; a first lever and a second lever pivotally connected to the first brake beam at separate points, the first lever and the second lever also being connected to opposing ends of the brake cylinder to connect the brake cylinder to the first brake beam; a slack adjuster connected to the second brake beam; a first push rod connecting the first lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster; and a second push rod connecting the second lever to the second brake beam and the slack adjuster. Actuation of the brake cylinder causes movement of the brake beams via the first and second levers and the first and second push rods.

Abstract: A contaminant mitigation device for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging to protect the critical operating area of the slack adjuster. The critical operating area of a slack adjuster includes the components that are configured to operate together to adjust the brake rigging. The slack adjuster includes at least a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing the critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The contaminant mitigation device includes a sealing system configured for cooperating with at least one of the main housing portion, cone nut housing portion, and overtravel housing portion to seal the critical operating area against entrance of fluid and/or contaminants therein and/or to at least reduce the exposure of this area to fluid and/or contaminants. The contaminant mitigation device can also include a drainage system associated therewith.

Abstract: A spring-biased lever arm mechanism for operating an operating lever of a parking brake release mechanism. The lever arm mechanism includes a lever arm mounted on a pivot pin, a torsion spring disposed on the pivot pin, and first and second cable release mechanism. A manually operated parking brake release mechanism is also provided for a railway vehicle including a brake actuator, an operating lever associated with the brake actuator to manually release an applied braking force, and the spring-biased lever arm mechanism for operating the operating lever.

Abstract: A handbrake for a railroad car includes a handbrake body having one or more gear train components therein and a drive shaft operatively connected to the one or more gear train components. An intermediate pinion shaft is operatively connected to the drive shaft through one or more gears. A shaft alignment link is adapted for maintaining a relative spacing between the drive shaft and the intermediate pinion shaft during rotation of the drive shaft. A gear box housing is provided to enclose at least a portion of the drive shaft, the intermediate pinion shaft, and the shaft alignment link. The shaft alignment link is movable relative to the gear box housing due to any eccentric movement of the drive shaft to maintain the proper spacing between the drive shaft and the intermediate pinion shaft, thereby eliminating a possibility of gear binding. A method for aligning internal gear components within a handbrake and an alignment system for use with a railway vehicle handbrake is also provided.

Abstract: A vented cap for a main spring housing of a slack adjuster including an inner portion having an inner seal surface configured for cooperating with an elongated rod member and an outer seal surface configured for cooperating with a sidewall located at an end portion of the main spring housing. The vented end cap includes at least one opening configured to allow fluid and/or contaminants trapped within the slack adjuster and/or the end cap to drain therethrough. Various seals and/or drainage openings can also be provided along the slack adjuster to prevent the entrance of and/or allow for drainage of fluid/contaminants from the slack adjuster. A method for preventing the accumulation of fluid and/or contaminants within a slack adjuster and for protecting a critical operating area of the slack adjuster is also provided.

Abstract: A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging wherein the slack adjuster includes a main spring housing, a cone nut housing enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an over travel housing. The drainage system includes at least one opening extending through a sidewall portion of the main spring housing. The opening is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminates to drain therethrough to reduce exposure of the critical operating area of the slack adjuster to the fluid and/or contaminants. A seal/splash guard can be provided at the intersection of the main spring housing and the cone nut housing to prevent fluid and contaminants from entering into the cone nut housing.

Abstract: A bail compensating joint may include a threaded push rod, a ratchet in threaded connection with the push rod for rotational motion thereon, and a helical joint including a first bearing and a second bearing mounted on the ratchet for facilitating rotation of the ratchet. The second bearing is supported by an annular composite race member formed by a metal annular inner race member joined with a resiliently deformable annular outer member. In another embodiment of the bail compensating joint, a pair of spherical joints is disposed on opposite sides of the ratchet, the spherical joints supporting the respective first and second bearings.