Abstract: An articulation coupling includes a female coupling having a pair of members each forming a portion of an aperture to receive the male coupling and supported for horizontal movement. A structure, for example, a wedge, is provided for biasing the first female member along the longitudinal axis towards the male coupling and elements secure the second member to prevent movement along the longitudinal axis after mating. The first and second female members are of identical structures and each are capable of both receiving a wedge to produce the biasing as well as a pin or other securements. The wedge extends vertically and a spring biases the wedge vertically and maintains it on the car. Preferably the wedge is made up of two segments and provides a pin or other structure for mounting shims between the segments if necessary to accommodate for wear over time.

Abstract: A ball valve is disclosed in which, in the closed position of the valve, a vent passage (74) extends through the ball element (22) and communicates with a further vent passage (58, 60, 62) extending through an annular seal (28) and the body (12) of the valve. See FIG. 1.

Abstract: A brake cylinder comprises a brake actuator device having a fluid operable piston and a coaxial adjoining hand brake operable device for axial actuation of a coaxial tubular push rod, there being a slack adjuster for selectively adjusting the retraction of the push rod. An actuating rod is connected to the piston and the actuating rod is selectively connected and disconnected from the internal periphery of the push rod by locking rollers selectively cooperating with a wedge shaped annulus disposed between the actuator rod and the inner periphery of the push rod. Slack adjustment is permitted by axial travel of the push rod beyond free travel limits as permitted by a friction sleeve connection between the outer periphery of the push rod and the brake cylinder housing. In a modification, the locking device is provided for a fluid spread brake cylinder that is adapted by levers to be connected to a conventional freight brake rigging to be used, for example, for hand brake applications.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly has a plurality of pairs of cantilever arms that extend in opposite axial directions and support a brake ring on a hub. The arms expand and contract under thermal and inertial loads.

Abstract: A brake cylinder comprises a brake actuator device having a fluid operable piston and a coaxial adjoining hand brake operable device for axial actuation of a coaxial tubular push rod, there being a slack adjuster for selectively adjusting the retraction of the push rod. An actuating rod is connected to the piston and the actuating rod is selectively connected and disconnected from the internal periphery of the push rod by locking rollers selectively cooperating with a wedge shaped annulus disposed between the actuator rod and the inner periphery of the push rod. Slack adjustment is permitted by axial travel of the push rod beyond free travel limits as permitted by a friction sleeve connection between the outer periphery of the push rod and the brake cylinder housing. In a modification, the locking device is provided for a fluid spread brake cylinder that is adapted by levers to be connected to a conventional freight brake rigging to be used, for example, for hand brake applications.

Abstract: A brake hanger comprises upper and lower U-shaped lugs of substantially rigid material spaced from each other by a pair of laterally spaced leaf springs which are rigidly secured to the lugs respectively at their opposite ends. The upper lug is adapted to be journaled on a fixed pivot pin secured to the frame of a railway truck, and the lower lug is adapted for journaling connections to a plurality of elements, including a connection to a brake head and a connection to a brake cylinder. The lugs provide rigidity for alignment of their pivots, while the spring rated connection between the plugs provides for substantial lateral movement of the lower lug relative to the upper lug without deforming the parts of the hanger beyond their elastic limits, and without substantially altering braking performance by maintaining side thrust of a wheel flange against a brake shoe carried by the hanger at a minimum.

Abstract: In a hydraulic brake system the fluid slack is maintained at a predetermined volume by a flow control valve that is positioned between a fluid reservoir and a slack adjusting cylinder. The flow control valve closes the fluid path to the reservoir after a chamber in the cylinder fills with a predetermined amount of slack fluid. The flow control valve can be held open with a detent mechanism to permit servicing of the brake system. The detent is automatically released when the brakes are applied.

Abstract: A hydraulic handbrake control system for vehicles has a hand operable reversible fluid pump and a shuttle valve operable to circulate fluid in one direction for applying vehicle handbrakes, and in another direction for releasing vehicle handbrakes by governing flow of fluid alternately in application and release directions over application and lock release passages connected to a plurality of hydraulic handbrake cylinders. An improved lock control mechanism is associated with each of the cylinders having a check valve permitting passage of fluid from the application passage to the associated brake cylinder, but preventing release of fluid when handbrakes are applied.

Abstract: Rail car brake rigging of the type for use in a two-axle, four-wheel rail car truck is disclosed which embodies a double-acting brake cylinder and slack adjustor disposed transversely between the side frames of the car truck and connected to parallel brake beams disposed on opposite sides of the truck bolster, by a pair of spaced bell crank levers pivotably mounted on one of the beams, one arm of each bell crank lever being pivotably connected to the brake cylinder or its push rod, the other arm of each bell crank lever being pivotably connected to one of a pair of push rods joined to the other beam. The brake cylinder includes a parking brake actuating lever mounted to the housing thereof for manually, mechanically stroking the brake cylinder in the same manner as during fluid pressure actuated brake application, without inducing undesirable beam loadings and yet ensuring uniform application of the brakes at all wheels.

Abstract: A hydraulic brake actuating and locking device is provided for applying brakes of a vehicle comprising an elongated brake cylinder having a tubular push rod axially operable therein for actuating the brakes and a hydraulically controlled locking device disposed within the tubular push rod and operable when rendered effective for acting on the inner periphery of the push rod to restrain the push rod against axial movement relative to the brake cylinder. The locking device is selectively actuated in accordance with the movement of a locking wedge within the push rod by a hydraulically operated locking piston.

Abstract: A brake system for a wheeled carrier having manually operable apparatus for actuating and locking parking brakes at the wheels, the system including automatically operable apparatus for ensuring release of the manually operable parking brakes when it is desired to move the vehicle.