Abstract: A lightweight knuckle weighing substantially less than an AAR Standard Knuckle, is described for use in a railroad car coupler. This lightweight knuckle can be used, for example, to replace AAR Standard knuckle which becomes broken or otherwise damaged during operation and requires replacement in the field. Both the contouring and inner coring of an AAR Standard knuckle are radically changed to produce this lightweight knuckle which has all the functioning features of the standard knuckle, so as not to adversely effect the coupling and uncoupling operations of a coupler in which the lightweight knuckle is used.

Abstract: An improved lightweight knuckle is described for use in an AAR Standard E or F type railroad car coupler. The outer contouring and inner voids of the improved lightweight knuckle are radically changed without compromising the integrity or operability of the knuckle during conventional coupling and uncoupling operations with, and from, an existing AAR Standard knuckle. The nose of the improved lightweight knuckle is provided with a pair of parallel, coplanar flat surfaces between which is a projection which extend outwardly from the flat surfaces and terminates at an outer curved surface which has the same curvature as the corresponding curvature of an existing AAR Standard knuckle. Also, twin sets of reinforcement ribs are provided within the improved lightweight knuckle to strengthen the knuckle and make it more durable.

Abstract: A multi-axle railroad car truck or bogie is described as having two very important features; namely, a suspension and snubbing mechanism associated with each axle end to cushion, isolate and dampen vibrations imparted to the axles, and a device for mounting each saddle on an associated pedestal for swinging in a generally vertical plane, such that the axles held captive by the saddles, will each independently move laterally in either of a pair of opposing directions of from 1" to 11/4", measured from a center plane midway between the side frames, when the truck is horizontally disposed in a rest position. Further, the saddles are mounted such that each axle end can move independently in either of a pair of opposing directions of from 3/8" to 1/2", measured from a fixed vertical plane which includes the longitudinal axis of the axle, when the truck is horizontally disposed in the rest position. Further described is a rigid framework for distributing loads to the axles of a tri-axle truck or bogie.

Abstract: A railroad car coupling mechanism is described as having a yoke which is disposed within, I) a carsill which is attached to the underside of a railroad car adjacent each of the opposing ends of the car, and II) a striker which is secured to the subsill and railroad car. The striker and carsill carry front and rear stops between which the yoke extends and engages the front stops. At least one resilient load cushing device is disposed between the straps of the yoke for cushioning loads impacting the car coupling mechanism. At least one wedging device is disposed within the yoke straps, in tandem, with the load cushioning device, for taking up any slack which develops from worn parts within the yoke. At least one wedging mechanism is disposed outside the yoke between the back end of the yoke and the rear stops to, likewise, take up slack and insure that the yoke remains firmly, in place, between the front and rear stops.

Abstract: A specially designed single axle truck is designed for use on extra long railroad cars which are sixty feet or longer to accommodated bigger and heavier loads. The single axle trucks are secured to rigid subframes which, in turn, are mounted on the under carriage of a railroad freight car, adjacent each of the opposing ends of the car, for rotation in a horizontal plane, when the car is resting on a horizontal trackway. The rigid subframes are each provided with a pair of outstanding arms which are designed to engage the car coupler means. whether it be a single drawbar, fixed jaw coupler, or a knuckle type coupler such as an AAR standard F coupler, to engage and transfer lateral movement of the car coupler means into rotary movement of the rigid subframes to actively steer the attached single axle trucks safely through curves in the trackway which the single axle truck would be unable to negotiate, if it were rigidly secured to the under carriage of the railroad car.

Abstract: A slackless drawbar or coupler head rotary connection between adjacent cars of a train which is movable along a fixed trackway, is described as having a ball and socket swivel-type connection which allows the elongated shank of a drawbar or coupler head to swivel freely in any direction, contrary to existing devices which employ a cylindrical connector which rotates in a cylindrical recess, thereby allowing the shank to rotate about its longitudinal axis rather than the center of a ball-shaped connector. In the existing designs, angling is achieved by distorting the shape of the pin hole in the shank of the drawbar or coupler head. This is undesirable and causes greater wear of the shank. The swivel connection eliminates the need for such a distorted pin hole which can be cylindrical and only slightly larger, in diameter, than that of the pin.

Abstract: A railroad car truck or bogie is described as having a pair of sideframes between which are mounted a bolster and either a transom or pair of tie rods which, in turn, are attached to a pair of rocker seats which extend into the sideframes and over open, U-shaped channels that are formed in the sideframes midway between the opposing ends of the sideframes. A pair of hardened steel bearings are maintained in spaced coaxial relation in each of the channels. Each of the bearings has at least a parti-cylindrical head which extends in the direction of the adjacent, juxtaposed rocker seat which is provided with a vertically aligned, matingly curved recess for receiving the head of the adjacent bearing. The recesses have a larger radius of curvature to facilitate relative rocking motion between the rocker seats and bearings. Means are provided for limiting the rocking motion between the rocker seats and bearings. Also described is a unique rigid connection between the ends of the tie rods and the rocker seats.