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: 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 spring applied parking brake assembly for a railway vehicle is provided which automatically activates upon removal of a railway car from the pneumatic braking system of the railway vehicle. The spring applied parking brake assembly comprises a casing which is mounted on or within the braking system, typically alongside the air cylinder. This casing contains a spring member and a piston assembly, both of which are mounted for longitudinal movement within the casing upon the application and/or removal of pneumatic pressure within the casing. The piston assembly includes a piston rod which is associated with the force transfer lever of the braking system such that upon a removal of pneumatic pressure within the casing, longitudinal movement of the piston rod causes this force transfer lever to rotate and apply a force to at least one force transmitting member in the vehicle braking system to initiate a brake application.

Abstract: A hand brake front housing for a railroad car hand brake mechanism. Such hand brake front housing comprising a front casing for enclosing pre-selected portions of a hand brake mechanism. The front casing having a front wall of a predetermined size and shape. A bearing mount integrally formed to the front wall of such front casing. The bearing mount having a predetermined size and shape to retain a predetermined arrangement of a bearing unit.

Abstract: A gradual release mechanism for use in a hand brake device engageable with a railway car. Such gradual release mechanism comprising an operating shaft for rotation about an axis extending longitudinally of the shaft. A clutch flange portion disposed intermediate both ends of shaft, the clutch flange having a clutch surface. A sleeve concentrically disposed and threadedly mounted on the shaft for rotational movement therewith, the sleeve having a clutch surface opposed to the clutch surface of the clutch flange portion of the shaft. An externally threaded surface on the operating shaft engageable with an internally threaded surface on the sleeve, the threads having a pitch between about 0.60 inch and about 1.00 inch. A ratchet wheel received about the shaft, such ratchet wheel having oppositely disposed clutch surfaces positioned for engagement by the clutch collar portions respectively. A pinion journaled on the shaft and adjacent the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for operation a railway car vertical wheel hand brake. A hand brake wheel has a hub fixed on an operating shaft. The operating shaft is rotatably mounted on the hand brake. The hand brake wheel further has a reaction member. A brake release mechanism is fixed on a brake release shaft that is rotatably mounted on the hand brake. The reaction member is engageable with the brake release mechanism when the hand brake wheel is rotated, whereby the position of the brake release mechanism will provide a visual indicator of the brake status.

Abstract: A locking assembly for preventing accidental let out of a slack adjuster is provided wherein the slack adjuster includes an elongated hollow housing member and an elongated rod member mounted for reciprocal movement within the hollow housing member. At least a portion of the rod member extends outwardly from a first end of the slack adjuster and is movable in a lateral direction with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the hollow housing member. A rod weldment washer is secured to the rod member at a predetermined location intermediate each end thereof. This rod weldment washer is positioned within the hollow housing member such that a side edge thereof is a predetermined distance from an inner surface of a sidewall of the hollow housing member during normal operation of the slack adjuster.

Abstract: A locking assembly for preventing the accidental let out of a slack adjuster is provided. The elongated rod member of the slack adjuster has a first portion positioned within at least a portion of the slack adjuster's elongated hollow housing member and a second portion extending out of an end of this elongated hollow housing. A jaw member may be provided which is engageable with this second portion of the elongated rod member at a location remote from the end of the elongated hollow housing member. The locking assembly comprises an end cap engageable with the end of the elongated hollow housing. This end cap includes a portion extending substantially parallel with the second portion of the elongated rod member. At least one aperture is formed through this parallely extending portion of the end cap.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing a condition of a hand brake system on a railway car which has both a hand brake system and a service brake system. The change of hand brake system is made in response to one or more of a group of predetermined conditions. The apparatus has one or more sensors for detecting predetermined conditions requiring a change in the hand brake system, and for generating a signal indicating need for a change. The signal is used to trigger an electromechanical device for operating a quick release mechanism for the hand brakes.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: A rotary type slackless drawbar assembly for connecting one end of a first railway freight car to an adjacently disposed end of a second railway freight car in a substantially semi-permanent fashion. Such drawbar assembly includes a rear block member having a substantially flat front face portion which is disposed in a generally vertical direction. A first spherically shaped cavity is formed in a center of the front face portion of such rear block member. A ball-like member has a first portion of an outer surface thereof disposed in such first cavity. An elongated drawbar member is connected at a first end thereof to a radially opposed second portion of such ball-like member. There is a generally U-shaped front block member which includes a substantially flat inner face portion disposed in a generally vertical direction and a second spherically shaped cavity is formed in such flat inner face portion of such front block member.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

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: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: An interlocking mechanism is positioned intermediate first and second end portions of a drawbar member portion of a slackless type drawbar assembly utilized in coupling adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway freight cars together in a substantially semipermanent fashion. Such interlocking mechanism includes a first elongated member engageable at a first end thereof to an end of a first male connection member. A first at least one plate like member is disposed at a second end of the first elongated member of such interlocking mechanism. There is a first elongated slot formed through such first at least one plate like member. A second elongated member is engageable at a first end thereof to an end of a second male connection member.

Abstract: A wear and lubricating liner has a cup-shaped wear liner assembly which includes a first bottom plate portion. An aperture is formed centrally through such first bottom plate and a first upstanding wall portion is connected at a bottom thereof to an outer perimeter of such first bottom plate. A lubricating liner assembly has a plurality of substantially solid lubricating material pieces each having a bottom surface disposed adjacent and in contact with an upper surface of such bottom plate and a vertically disposed ring-like solid lubricating material. An outer surface of such ring-like lubricating material is disposed adjacent and in contact with an inner surface of such upstanding wall of the wear liner. A protective cover member includes a second bottom plate portion having a bottom surface disposed adjacent and in contact with an upper surface of each piece of solid lubricating material. Another aperture is formed centrally through such second bottom plate.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the condition of hand brakes on railway cars and for applying and releasing railway car parking or hand brakes automatically in response to predetermined conditions including movement of a train, wayside conditioning apparatus, wayside operating mechanism, a signal controlled by an operator and performance of predetermined railway operating procedures, such as completion of an air brake test procedure. The apparatus may respond to mechanical, electrical and electronic signals and may operate on pneumatic or electric power provided from the service air brake system of a train or from a source of power outside of such air brake system.