Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of transport mechanical engineering. Object—improve performance and operational reliability of a friction shock absorber. The friction shock absorber (FIG. 2) comprises housing (1), whose walls form orifice (2), and bottom (4) that is in contact with return-and-retaining device (5) contacting a friction assembly that consists of the following elements fitted out with friction surfaces (f1-f10): supporting plate (10), pressure wedge (6), stay wedges (7), and reverse-U-shaped movable plates (9) fitted out with side shelves (14) that cover guide plates (8) and are located on supporting plate (10). Return-and-retaining device (5) is available between the guide plates. Additional return-and-retaining device (11) is available between the pressure wedge and the supporting plate.

Abstract: A railcar draft gear assembly having an axially elongated spring assembly comprised of an axially stacked array of individual spring units and further including cooperating instrumentalities for maintaining the spring assembly generally axially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the railcar draft gear assembly during operation of the draft gear assembly while maintaining the individual spring units in generally aligned relation relative to each other.

Abstract: A railroad freight car multipiece spring seat assembly including a spring seat, a top plate, and a spring. The spring seat is adapted to operably engage one end of a spring assembly in a railroad freight car draft gear. The top plate is adapted to operably engage with each of a plurality of friction shoes arranged in the railroad freight car draft gear. The spring of the multipiece spring seat assembly is operably disposed between the spring seat and the top plate.

Abstract: Draft gear assembly includes an angled or tapered bottom surface on a tapered plate intermediate of the inner and outer friction surfaces thereof and further includes a complimentary mating angled or tapered surface provided on a built-up portion on a third horizontal rib of a housing and positioned in abutting engagement with the angled or tapered bottom surface on the tapered plate. Providing the mating angled or tapered surfaces increases the side force on movable plates during application of a buffing shock to the draft gear assembly, thus increasing the capacity and resistance of the draft gear assembly to closure.

Abstract: The present invention increases the capacity and resistance to closure of the draft gear assembly by providing an angled surface on the tapered plates intermediate of the inner and outer friction surface in the area where the tapered plate contacts the third horizontal rib of the housing. Providing an angle on the edge surface of the tapered plates in this area increases the side force on the movable plates during the application of a buffing shock to the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A light weight high capacity friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having a front and a rear portion. A compressible cushioning element is positioned within the rear portion with a seating arrangement abutting one end thereof. A friction cushioning element is provided in the front portion of the housing and a spring release mechanism is provided for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A friction clutch type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a closed rear end forming a ledge for enabling a longer buff and draft travel while fitting into a 24.625 inch draft gear pocket. A friction clutch mechanism includes a pair of outer stationary plate members, a pair of movable plate members, a pair of inner stationary plate members having an inner surface which is tapered at an angle of approximately 4.5°, a pair of wedge shoe members having an upper surface which is tapered from a point disposed inwardly from the tapered outer surface inwardly toward and at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the friction clutch mechanism, and a center wedge member which includes a pair of correspondingly tapered surfaces frictionally engageable with the upper tapered surface of a respective one of the pair of wedge shoe members. The tapered upper surface of the pair of wedge shoe members is tapered at an angle of approximately 49.0°–50.0°.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a draft gear assembly includes two outer stationary plates having outer surfaces engageable with the inner surfaces of a gear housing. A slot formed in each outer stationary plate receives a lubricating insert to prevent clutch sticking after closure and during a release of such gear. A pair of movable plates have outer surfaces frictionally engaged with inner surfaces of such outer stationary plates for absorbing energy during closure of such gear. A pair of inner stationary plates have outer surfaces frictionally engaged with inner surfaces of such pair of movable plates for absorbing energy during such closure. An inner surface of each inner stationary plate is tapered. Another slot formed in each tapered stationary plate adjacent an outer surface receives another lubricating insert which prevents clutch sticking during release of the gear.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a friction-type draft gear assembly including a housing having a front and a rear portion. A compressible cushioning element is positioned within the rear portion with a seating arrangement abutting one end thereof. A friction cushioning element is provided in the front portion of the housing. The assembly further includes a spring release mechanism for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly.

Abstract: The draft gear includes: friction elements; coil spring elements; and elastomer elements. With respect to the friction elements, three groups of friction surfaces are defined each of which create a specific angle with respect to a centerline passing down the center of the draft gear. The elastomer elements are interconnected multiple segmented columns having specific heights and occupying particular volumes with respect to the coil spring elements. Particular hardness and number of segments of the elastomer elements are also defined.

Abstract: The draft gear includes a single center friction plate and a pair of spaced apart friction wedges. Six major friction surfaces are defined, four of which are engaged upon contact with the follower, the other two being engaged after about one-half inch of travel. Three major groups of angles are defined, a first being between the friction wedges and the shoes, a second between the friction wedges and the release wedge and a third between the shoes and the spring seat. These groups of angles cooperate to insure that the draft gear will release upon removal of external force.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a draft gear assembly including a housing having a front and a rear portion. A compressible cushioning element is positioned in the rear portion with a seat arrangement abutting one end thereof. A friction cushioning element having a pair of outer stationary plates with a Brinell through hardness of between about 277 and 321. The assembly also includes a spring release device for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element to release the friction cushioning element after compression of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A friction cushioning mechanism for draft gear of the combination type including a housing defining an inner or rear chamber in which is mounted a cushioning mechanism that may selectively be of the hydraulic or steel or rubber spring types, and an outer or front chamber in which is mounted a friction mechanism of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,916,163, in which the side edge lugs of the friction mechanism inner fixed friction plates, that key such plates to the housing against movement longitudinally of the housing, are specially formed to resist tendencies of such fixed plates to rock outwardly of the housing under laterally acting force concentrations applied to same during the early part of the draft gear closure stroke, and to avoid deformation of the housing ribs they engage that would introduce looseness in the fit of the friction mechanism parts and consequent reduction in useful life of the gear.