Abstract: An air bag actuated brake cylinder assembly for a railway vehicle braking system is provided which comprises a cylindrical casing engaged with the railway vehicle braking system including a hollow piston assembly having a piston rod assembly attached thereto and mounted for longitudinal movement within the cylindrical casing. An air bag actuator is engageable with the hollow piston assembly and an inner surface of the cylindrical casing for moving the piston and piston rod in an outward direction upon actuation thereof to initiate a braking sequence of the railway vehicle braking system. The air bag actuated brake cylinder assembly of the present invention allows for improved control of the movement of the brake cylinder piston and consequently improved control of the brake shoe forces which is especially desirable during light load conditions. Also, the air bag actuated brake cylinder of the invention is capable of accommodating piston bail and/or misalignment without leaking air.

Abstract: An improvement in a conventional air-operated diaphragm spring brake is provided by a guide (100) being disposed in registry with an aperture (26) in a service brake housing (16). A push-rod (10) extends from a diaphragm (58) within the housing (12) through the bushing (102) to pivotably connect to a slack adjuster (6). The bushing (102) serves to maintain the push-rod (10) at a preselected angle relative to the slack adjuster (6) when the push-rod is in the inoperative position.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a disc brake for use on a commercial vehicle. The disc brake has a brake actuation mechanism which is movable axially by brake operator mounted in a part of the disc brake. The brake operator has an axis of actuation which extends in the same general direction as the axis along which the brake actuator moves to apply the brake. This construction leads to a compact overall design wherein the brake operator is part of the brake itself.

Abstract: A railroad car brake system operable by an air bag which includes double acting brakes operable on the wheels. Links suspend the brakes and the live and dead levers connected by an adjustable connecting link mechanism are operable by the air bag. Slack as a result of wear in the brakes is automatically taken up.

Abstract: Pneumatic caliper brake actuator having diaphragm, piston member and cylinder body. Cylinder body has outer portions having clearance recesses therein to accept the outer ends of arms carrying brake shoes. At least two return compression springs extend between the piston member and outer portion of cylinder body, the springs having outer ends straddling the clearance recess and inner ends against piston member to retract piston when fluid pressure is reduced. The clearance recesses are hollow projections positioned off-center and symmetrically relative to outer portion of cylinder and spaced apart to accept arm outer end therebetween and accept outer ends of the return springs therein to restrict lateral movement of springs. Overall dimension across outer faces of projections on opposite sides of the cylinders is approximately equal to an overall dimension across the outer portions of the opposed arms.

Abstract: A railroad car brake system operable by an air bag which includes double acting brakes operable on the wheels. Links suspend the brakes and the live and dead levers connected by an adjustable connecting link mechanism are operable by the air bag. Slack as a result of wear in the brakes is automatically taken up.