Abstract: An automatic hand brake system for a railcar including a release mechanism operatively connected between an actuator and the spool gear that is turned by hand to set the hand brake. The actuator is operatively connected to a pressured fluid system. When a threshold pressure is reached the actuator operates the release mechanism to release the spool gear so that the brakes are released. When there is a pressure drop, an automatic reset apparatus resets the release mechanism so that the hand brake can set. In one aspect, the pressurized fluid system such is an air brake system. In another aspect, the pressurized fluid system is oil or hydraulic system or a combination of air and oil. An apparatus can be employed to permit release of the hand brake if desired.

Abstract: A system is presented for automatically releasing all handbrakes of a railroad freight car or passenger car system. Working from the main air brake pressure lines, a pressure switch is provided which trips once the air pressure for the separate air brake system of a freight train or passenger train is reached. This pressure switch in turn energizes another mechanism, either a piston or other internal types of mechanical connection, which then pushes up the brake lever release releasing the handbrake. Since each handbrake on each end of each car is connected to the main air brake system through pressure sensitive valves, all manual handbrakes are released on all cars once the air pressure of the train is brought up to a certain level.