Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a hand brake assembly for automatically applying at least one brake device secured to a railway vehicle with such hand brake assembly. The apparatus includes 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 in a direction which will cause an application of such brake device. A source of fluid pressure is connected to the operating mechanism for periodically supplying a predetermined pressure to such operating mechanism for the application of the brake device. An activating device is connected to the source of fluid pressure for initiating the supply of such predetermined pressure to the operating mechanism thereby causing an automatic application of such brake device by the hand brake assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a hand brake assembly for automatically applying at least one brake device secured to a railway vehicle with such hand brake assembly. The apparatus includes 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 in a direction which will cause an application of such brake device. A source of fluid pressure is connected to the operating mechanism for periodically supplying a predetermined pressure to such operating mechanism for the application of the brake device. An activating device is connected to the source of fluid pressure for initiating the supply of such predetermined pressure to the operating mechanism thereby causing an automatic application of such brake device by the hand brake assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a hand brake assembly for automatically applying at least one brake device secured to a railway vehicle with such hand brake assembly. The apparatus includes 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 in a direction which will cause an application of such brake device. A source of fluid pressure is connected to the operating mechanism for periodically supplying a predetermined pressure to such operating mechanism for the application of the brake device. An activating device is connected to the source of fluid pressure for initiating the supply of such predetermined pressure to the operating mechanism thereby causing an automatic application of such brake device by the hand brake assembly.

Abstract: A fabricated gear is provided which is formed from a plurality of plates disposed in series one on top of another. Each of the plates include a plurality of teeth along an outer circumference thereof. An aperture extending through a center portion of each of the plates is provided. This aperture forms an inner circumference within each of the plates and is capable of receiving a shaft member therethrough. The plates are secured together to form the fabricated gear. This fabricated gear may be keyed onto a shaft member. Alternatively, an anti-backlash mechanism may be provided in the fabricated gear to achieve one direction rotation of a shaft member in a manner similar to a pawl and ratchet mechanism. This anti-backlash mechanism is formed by providing at least one indentation within an inner circumference of at least some of the plates which cooperates with a cylindrical member positioned within an opening formed by this indentation.

Abstract: A brake cylinder piston travel indicator for monitoring an amount of piston travel in a brake cylinder assembly in a railway braking system is provided. The railway braking system includes a brake beam and a brake cylinder piston within the brake cylinder assembly which is in engagement with an end of a brake cylinder force transfer lever. The brake cylinder piston travel indicator of the invention comprises a rod member which is rotatably secured to and extends substantially parallel with at least a portion of the brake beam. A member is provided which operationally interconnects the rod member with the cylinder force transfer lever and is capable of transferring a rotational force to the rod member. This rotational force is caused by activation of the piston in the brake cylinder assembly.

Abstract: Air pressure actuated and hydraulic applied railway car parking brake system includes air source to actuate. A control valve receives air from source to initiate air communication. Pneumatic to hydraulic pressure intensifier receives air in first chamber therein from valve. A second intensifier chamber is connected at open first end thereof with partially open second end of first chamber. Hydraulic fluid is disposed in second chamber adjacent closed second end thereof. A force transmitting cylinder, in fluid communication with second chamber, exerts force on brake beam carrying brake shoes thereon which are brought and maintained in frictional engagement with a respective surface of tread portion of a pair of wheels during system operation. A piston member, disposed for reciprocal movement in first chamber, is linearly displaced when a first surface thereof is acted on by air communicated to intensifier.

Abstract: A pressure actuated force transmitting cylinder includes a housing member having first and second elongated portions. An end cap closes one end of the housing in a fluid tight manner. A connection is formed through such first portion for communicating fluid to such cylinder. A clutch having a first clutch surface is disposed on such housing and a piston-like member is disposed for reciprocal movement in such housing. A seal disposed around a peripheral portion of such piston-like member provides a chamber to receive such fluid. An elongated rod-like member, having a threaded portion, is connected to such piston-like member. A threaded nut member is threadedly engaged with such threaded portion. A trigger mechanism is disposed around a portion of such rod-like member adjacent such nut member. A disc-like member is disposed around such trigger.

Abstract: A ratchet operated chain-type hand brake for railway vehicles characterized by a housing for enclosing the ratchet mechanism and a chain wind-up drum. The ratchet mechanism includes an operating pawl for taking up the chain and a holding pawl for holding the chain take-up, both pawls being in constant engagement with a single ratchet to eliminate lost motion of the operating handle.