Abstract: A knuckle thrower for a railway coupler assembly, the thrower having a knuckle actuating leg, a leg lock seat, an upper pivot structure, a lower trunnion, and stress relief feature for relieving stresses imparted on the thrower, which, according to some embodiments may include a recess provided in the perimeter wall thereof, and one or more supporting ribs.

Abstract: A railcar coupler having a head portion extending from a shank portion, the coupler head portion is configured to couple to a first coupler knuckle for coupling the railcar coupler to a second railcar coupler of an adjacent railcar. The coupler has weight reduction features that also are configured to provide strength to the coupler when handling forceloads. The coupler may have a head with a front face with bores provided in the front face a cavity extending through the coupler, a guard arm with cavities formed therein, and a shank having a plurality of longitudinal cavities and adjacent ribs separating the cavities. Preferred embodiments may be constructed from an austempered metal.

Abstract: Lightweight yokes are provided. According to some embodiments, the basic overall appearance of the yoke may be maintained, but the actual material of which it is constructed is changed. According to other embodiments, the yoke is provided with an improved lightweight construction, and, yet other embodiments the yoke may be provided with an improved construction and formed from a preferred material. Yokes may be constructed from cast austempered ductile iron; whereas cast iron has a density, 0.26 lbs/in?3, which is approximately 8% less than steel, 0.283 lbs/in?3, thereby allowing for a reduction in weight over steel. A suitable austempering process is used to produce the austempered metal yoke. Yokes have improved configurations which may require less metal to produce the yoke. Both, the lightweight material and improvements in configuration of the yoke structure may combine to provide a lighter weight yoke.

Abstract: E-type and F-type yokes improve the ability of the yokes to be constructed having lighter weight yet function to handle loads from car coupling assembly components, such as, for example, a coupler mounted on the yoke. The E-type and F-type yokes have straps and openings provided in the straps, and are constructed from austempered ductile iron. Embodiments may be constructed with a tail or butt portion that includes sloped walls that form cavities in the butt portion of the yoke, where a supporting structure spans between the yoke rear wall and the draft gear seat wall.

Abstract: A wear plate for use with a railway truck, the wear plate being configured for installation on a downwardly facing surface of a pedestal opening of a side frame of a railway truck. The wear plate includes a base and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base with inwardly disposed locking features designed to engage the pedestal when the wear plate is installed, the locking features in a preferred embodiment being configured as resilient projections that engage, clamp or drag lock onto opposite sides of the pedestal with the base of the wear plate protecting the downwardly facing pedestal surface. The wear plate may be constructed from malleable or ductile metals or plastics.

Abstract: A wear plate for use with a railway truck, the wear plate being configured for installation on a downwardly facing surface of a pedestal opening of a side frame of a railway truck. The wear plate includes a base and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base with inwardly disposed locking features designed to engage the pedestal when the wear plate is installed, the locking features in a preferred embodiment being configured as resilient projections that engage, clamp or drag lock onto opposite sides of the pedestal with the base of the wear plate protecting the downwardly facing pedestal surface. The wear plate may be constructed from malleable or ductile metals or plastics.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending a device such as the end of a depending air brake hose from a railcar. A flexible strap of a synthetic resin such as moldable polyurethane is suspended from the railcar body, for example, by attachment to an apertured fitting on the railcar coupler. Elongated resilient wire clips are provided to attach the free end of the air hose. The wire clips are generally configured with a latching end including interlocking end portions for connection to the strap through a selected attachment aperture, a pair of flexibly resilient, elongated manually compressible elongated arms extending away from the latching end portions and a return portion joining the arms. The clip is further provided with a retainer operative when the arms are interlocked for maintaining the attachment aperture fitting within the confines of the return portion and out of position in which loading of the clip is exerted laterally of the clip arms.

Abstract: A wear plate for use with a railway truck, the wear plate being configured for installation on a downwardly facing surface of a pedestal opening of a side frame of a railway truck. The wear plate includes a base and a pair of side walls extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base with inwardly disposed locking features designed to engage the pedestal when the wear plate is installed, the locking features in a preferred embodiment being configured as resilient projections that engage, clamp or drag lock onto opposite sides of the pedestal with the base of the wear plate protecting the downwardly facing pedestal surface. The wear plate may be constructed from malleable or ductile metals or plastics.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending a device such as the end of a depending air brake hose from a railcar. A flexible strap of a synthetic resin such as moldable polyurethane is suspended from the railcar body, for example, by attachment to an apertured fitting on the railcar coupler. Elongated resilient wire clips are provided to attach the free end of the air hose. The wire clips are generally configured with a latching end including interlocking end portions for connection to the strap through a selected attachment aperture, a pair of flexibly resilient, elongated manually compressible elongated arms extending away from the latching end portions and a return portion joining the arms. The clip is further provided with a retainer operative when the arms are interlocked for maintaining the attachment aperture fitting within the confines of the return portion and out of position in which loading of the clip is exerted laterally of the clip arms.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending a device such as the end of a depending air brake hose from a railcar. A flexible strap of a synthetic resin such as moldable polyurethane is suspended from the railcar body, for example, by attachment to an apertured fitting on the railcar coupler. Elongated resilient wire clips are provided to attach the free end of the air hose. The wire clips are generally configured with a latching end including interlocking end portions for connection to the strap through a selected attachment aperture, a pair of flexibly resilient, elongated manually compressible elongated arms extending away from the latching end portions and a return portion joining the arms. The clip is further provided with a retainer operative when the arms are interlocked for maintaining the attachment aperture fitting within the confines of the return portion and out of position in which loading of the clip is exerted laterally of the clip arms.

Abstract: A lubricator for the wheel flanges of railway vehicle wheels comprises an arm carrying a lubricating pad and a mounting element formed integrally with the arm. The mounting element fits into the entrance of the key slot in the brake beam head beside the brake retainer key. The key head fits in a groove in the top of the mounting element to retain the lubricator in place. When the lubricant is exhausted, the key is partially withdrawn to allow removal of the mounting element and the lubricator is replaced. When partially withdrawn, the key still retains the show on the brake beam head.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending a device such as the end of a depending air brake hose from a railcar. A flexible strap of a synthetic resin such as moldable polyurethane is suspended from the railcar body, for example, by attachment to an apertured fitting on the railcar coupler. Elongated resilient wire clips are provided to attach the free end of the air hose. The wire clips are generally configured with a latching end including interlocking end portions for connection to the strap through a selected attachment aperture, a pair of flexibly resilient, elongated manually compressible elongated arms extending away from the latching end portions and a return portion joining the arms. The clip is further provided with a retainer operative when the arms are interlocked for maintaining the attachment aperture fitting within the confines of the return portion and out of position in which loading of the clip is exerted laterally of the clip arms.

Abstract: A suspension device for supporting an air brake hose on a rail car is disclosed. The device includes a strap having a clevis at one end and a plurality of apertures in spaced relation lengthwise along the strap. A clevis pin is used to attach the clevis to a lug on the coupling of the air brake hose. The strap is inserted through a fitting on the coupler of the railcar and received within the bore of a collar. A through hole in the collar receives a strap pin that also extends through the apertures in the strap to lock the collar in place. The collar prevents the strap from passing through the bracket. The suspension device is provided as a kit wherein all of the components are integrally molded together and connected by sprue portions. A method of molding the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An indicator device indicating the travel of an air bag-type brake actuator when brakes are applied includes a stationary indicator plate having a cut out extending alongside the path of travel of the actuator. The cut out includes side edges positioned at acceptable minimum and maximum actuator expansion distances giving an indication of proper functioning of the brakes. The device further includes an integral mounting arm for mounting on a plate in the fixed end of the actuator. The mounting arm includes a slot for receiving an upper edge of the stationary measuring plate and a stud on a resilient portion of the arm. An aperture on the stationary measuring plate receives the stud when the arm is mount on it.

Abstract: A support assembly suspends the end of an elongated flexible member such as the end of an elongated railroad air brake hose in a predetermined elevation. The assembly includes an elongated suspension strap having spaced apertures which are elongated lengthwise of the strap and resilient wire attachment clips, each formed of a single piece of wire. One of the clips attaches the strap to a fixture on the end of the rail car and another attaches the strap to the end of the air hose. Each clip has a first end terminating in a hook which is dimensioned to pass through a selected strap aperture when the clip is angularly positioned relative to the length of the strap but which is retained within the aperture when the clip is oriented lengthwise of the strap. The clips further comprise a first arm which extends from the hook, and a second arm which is joined to the first to form a U-shaped portion which is capable of being grasped by the hand of a worker.

Abstract: A chocking system for securing a vehicle to a deck which has a track extending therealong includes a pair of frames mounted on said track for movement along the track and hingedly mounted for swinging movement toward and away from the deck. A wedge is mounted on each of the frames and can be moved toward and away from the track. An L-shaped arm is pivotally mounted at one end on each of said wedges and has a shoe at its other end which can extend over and contact the peripheral surface of a vehicle wheel. The arms are adapted to overlap along their elbows and have means for releasably securing them together with the shoes being over the vehicle wheel. The frames can be lifted away from the deck to provide a clear deck for movement of the vehicles along the deck. With the vehicle in position on the deck, the frames are movable back onto the deck with a wedge being positioned at each side of the vehicle wheel to prevent movement of the vehicle along the deck.

Abstract: A wheel chocking assembly that is especially suitable for securing a wide variety of automobiles to the deck of a railroad car includes a polyester strap member adapted to conform to the shape and extending over the top of an automobile's tire which is coupled to a pair of chock members formed as collapsible wedges and positioned in front of and behind the wheel. In one embodiment, the wedges are rotatably coupled to a pair of channels extending the length of the railroad car, and are collapsible for positioning of the automobiles during loading. Another embodiment utilizes a pair of wedges which are adjustably mounted in a telescopic fashion to frames extending inward from a channel attached to the deck of the railroad car at its sides, the channels being adapted to permit the frames to be swung up and out of the way during loading and unloading operations.