Abstract: Empty/load braking apparatus for individually controlling the braking of the trucks of railway cars and an empty/load valve unit for such use and adapted to be mounted on each truck. The valve unit has a body with a canister as a part thereof or secured thereto with a changeover spool in the body and operable by a load sensing arm, with an air passageway extending between an inlet for receiving pressurized air from the conventional air line and an outlet for connection to a brake cylinder, with a proportional spool for controlling the air passing through the passageway, with a release spool for quick release of air from the brake cylinder upon brake release and with a check valve for preventing the entrance of air into the canister from the braking apparatus during brake release.

Abstract: A brake slack adjuster with axially aligned, first and second load members connectible at their free ends, respectively, to the brake rigging and a lever operable by the piston of the brake cylinder. First and second brakes act between the load members. The second load member is movable axially with respect to the first brakes which, in first relative positions thereof, permits axial movement of the load members relative to each other and which, in second relative positions thereof, prevents relative axial movement of the load members. The second brake is movable relative to the second load member and prevents relative movement of the load members until the braking force exceeds a value, such as 1000 pounds. The second brake is releasable by a spring loaded, axially movable actuator so that the second load member can move axially to its second position and cause actuation of the first brake.

Abstract: A railroad vehicle brake system in which a four-way valve is used to control air flow in brake pipe sections and to the control valve which controls the air supplied to a brake cylinder. The four-way valve includes a housing and a rotatable operating member in the form of a truncated bolt with air channels therein which member can be rotated so as to selectively interconnect or cut-off the brake pipe sections and the control valve. The member has operating shafts integral with the bolt which extend from opposite sides of the housing. Multi-part seals are disposed in openings in the housing to which the brake pipe sections and the control valve are connected and have portions urged into contact with the bolt.

Abstract: Truck mounted brake apparatus comprising a saddle which clamps onto the bolster of a railway car truck and which carries a fluid actuable, piston and cylinder assembly at one side of the bolster. A first lever connected at one end to the piston rod and at the opposite end to a standard brake beam is also connected intermediate its ends to one end of an automatic slack adjuster which passes through the bolster. A second lever is connected at one end to the saddle at the side thereof opposite to the side on which the piston and cylinder assembly is mounted, is connected at its opposite end to another standard brake beam and is connected intermediate its ends to the opposite end of the slack adjuster. The first lever has an extension to which a hand brake may be connected.

Abstract: A compensating air reservoir for changing the braking force of the brakes of a car, such as a railway car intended to transport particulate material, is connected to the air line which supplies air to the brake cylinder and piston assembly of the car. The air reservoir has a movable wall forming a portion of the car wall and directly engageable by said material. The movable wall controls a valve on a wall of the reservoir so that when the car is empty, the valve is open permitting air to flow into the reservoir, thereby reducing the braking force, and so that when the car is loaded, the valve is closed, thereby permitting maximum braking force. The maximum pressure in the reservoir is limited by a limiting valve, and in modified embodiments, the valve which controls the admission of air to the reservoir does not open until the braking air pressure reaches a predetermined level. Two or more reservoirs are used to provide more than two braking force levels.