Abstract: A hand brake mechanism having a mechanism to disengage a release lever disposed within a clutch and release assembly at the beginning of the brake application cycle. This mechanism includes a holding pawl having a force transmitting member which cooperates with a force receiving member disposed within the release lever to effect rotational motion onto the release lever at the beginning of the brake application cycle. At least one spring is provided to substantially complete rotational motion of the release lever.

Abstract: A hand brake having mechanism for retaining the hand brake in a substantially released and hold position to prevent unwanted application of the railway car brakes due to vibration or other energy sources during railway car motion. Such mechanism includes at least one spring mounted to the hand brake housing substantially engaging a release lever disposed within a quick release mechanism so as to prevent reverse rotation of the release lever causing an unintended take-up of the chain.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for securing a bearing assembly to a male connection member of an articulated coupling apparatus includes an aperture having an outwardly extending beveled portion formed at each end thereof. A race assembly of the bearing assembly has a beveled portion abuttingly engaging a first beveled portion of the aperture and has an inwardly extending recessed portion and a ledge portion disposed adjacent the second beveled portion. The ledge portion at least partially closes the recessed portion and has an inner surface extending from the recessed portion towards the aperture at a predetermined angle. A locking member is disposed in a groove formed by such second beveled portion, the recessed portion and the inner surface of the ledge portion for securing the race assembly within the aperture in combination with the opposed beveled portion formed in the race assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: A hand brake mechanism having a mechanism to disengage a release lever disposed within a clutch and release assembly at the beginning of the brake application cycle. These mechanism includes a holding pawl having a force transmitting member which cooperates with a force receiving member disposed within the release lever to effect rotational motion onto the release lever at the beginning of the brake application cycle. At least one spring is provided to substantially complete rotational motion of the release lever.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: A hand brake mechanism having a mechanism to disengage a release lever disposed within a clutch and release assembly at the beginning of the brake application cycle. This mechanism includes a holding pawl having a force transmitting member which cooperates with a force receiving member disposed within the release lever to effect rotational motion onto the release lever at the beginning of the brake application cycle. At least one spring is provided to substantially complete rotational motion of the release lever.

Abstract: A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a partially closed rear end with a first and second rear portions and a pair of ledge members disposed intermediate such first and second rear portions for enabling the draft gear assembly to fit into a draft gear pocket of a predetermined length. A first rear portion is adapted to receive a compressible cushioning element with a seating arrangement abutting one end thereof which extends longitudinally from the second portion of the closed rear end toward the open front portion. A removable bottom wall is attachable either to the first or second rear portions for enabling installation of the compressible cushioning element through the first end.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for securing a bearing assembly to a male connection member of an articulated coupling apparatus includes an aperture having an outwardly extending beveled portion formed at each end thereof. A race assembly of the bearing assembly has a beveled portion abuttingly engaging a first beveled portion of the aperture and has an inwardly extending recessed portion and a ledge portion disposed adjacent the second beveled portion. The ledge portion at least partially closes the recessed portion and has an inner surface extending from the recessed portion towards the aperture at a predetermined angle. A locking member is disposed in a groove formed by such second beveled portion, the recessed portion and the inner surface of the ledge portion for securing the race assembly within the aperture in combination with the opposed beveled portion formed in the race assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hand brake mechanism having a gravity based release hold mechanism with a visual indicator to prevent unwanted application of the railcar brakes and indicate such release hold condition. The release hold mechanism comprises a gravity based member pivotally linked to a release shaft preventing reverse rotation of the release shaft causing an unintended take-up of the chain. A detent retaining device disposed within the railcar hand brake housing further provides improve reliability of the operation. The gravity based member incorporates an indicator portion having a reflective coating to indicate such release hold position of the railcar hand brake.

Abstract: A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a partially closed rear end with a first and second rear portions and a pair of ledge members disposed intermediate such first and second rear portions for enabling the draft gear assembly to fit into a draft gear pocket of a predetermined length. A first rear portion is adapted to receive a compressible cushioning element with a seating arrangement abutting one end thereof which extends longitudinally from the second portion of the closed rear end toward the open front portion. A removable bottom wall is attachable either to the first or second rear portions for enabling installation of the compressible cushioning element through the first end.

Abstract: A hand brake having mechanism for retaining the hand brake in a substantially released and hold position to prevent unwanted application of the railway car brakes due to vibration or other energy sources during railway car motion. Such mechanism includes at least one spring mounted to the hand brake housing substantially engaging a release lever disposed within a quick release mechanism so as to prevent reverse rotation of the release lever causing an unintended take-up of the chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.

Abstract: An automatic application hand brake mechanism is provided for automatically applying at least one brake member secured to a railway vehicle with the hand brake assembly. The mechanism comprises an operating member having at least one ratchet engageable with at least one gear of the hand brake assembly for operating the gear assembly in a direction which will cause an application of the at least one brake member. The apparatus also includes an application cylinder and a drive arm extending from an end thereof having a first portion which is connected to the operating member. The drive arm is capable of reciprocating with respect to the application cylinder upon the application of a force thereto to supply a predetermined pressure to the operating member to cause an automatic application of the at least one brake member.

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.