Screw Patents (Class 188/202)
  • Patent number: 9937935
    Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a dead lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the dead lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the dead lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Sunde
  • Patent number: 9725102
    Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the lever. In some embodiments, the braking system includes a strut connected to the second brake assembly, the actuator, fixed rod and movable rod connected to the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Sunde
  • Patent number: 9511782
    Abstract: Braking systems for railway cars are provided. A braking system defines a longitudinal axis, and includes a first brake assembly, a second brake assembly, and an actuator operable to generate a linear force, the actuator disposed proximate the second brake assembly. The braking system further includes a movable rod and a fixed rod extending between the first brake assembly and the second brake assembly. In some embodiments, the braking system further includes a lever and a slack adjuster disposed proximate the first brake assembly, the slack adjuster connected to the first brake assembly and the lever and operable to adjust a distance along the longitudinal axis between a reference point of the first brake assembly and a pivot point of the lever. In some embodiments, the braking system includes a strut connected to the second brake assembly, the actuator, fixed rod and movable rod connected to the strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Amsted Rail-Faiveley LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Sunde
  • Patent number: 9206735
    Abstract: A system can include a linkage that includes a turnbuckle component fixed between extensions of a rod end, a turbine assembly that includes a rotatable wastegate poppet arm connected to a pivotable wastegate valve control arm coupled to the rod end of the linkage by a peg, and an actuator that includes a translatable rod connected to the turnbuckle component of the linkage to pivot the wastegate valve control arm and rotate the wastegate poppet arm. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Rostislav Hadas, Petr Cizek, Milen Mihaylov, Martin Prasek, Didier Horlaville
  • Patent number: 8991568
    Abstract: A brake system includes a brake cylinder having a piston rod and a brake lever connecting the piston rod to a brake beam and a slack adjuster. An actuating lever is connected to the brake beam and the brake cylinder. A trigger of the slack adjuster is connected to the actuating lever. The actuating lever is pivotally and rotationally connected to the brake beam and swivelably connected to the brake cylinder. Also, a piston stoke indictor including an indicia positioned on a support structure of a brake cylinder to be adjacent the end of a portion of a brake piston at its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Derick Call, Howard E. Huber, Jr., Steven R. Newton, Jeffrey F. Sauter, Eric Wright
  • Publication number: 20150075924
    Abstract: A drainage system for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging. The drainage system allows fluid and other contaminants to drain from the slack adjuster to prevent the fluid and contaminants from accumulating within the slack adjuster, contacting an operating area of the slack adjuster, and interfering with the operation of the slack adjuster. The slack adjuster includes a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing a critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The drainage system includes at least one aperture extending through a sidewall portion of the overtravel housing portion. The at least one aperture is configured to allow fluid and/or contaminants to drain there through to reduce exposure of the critical operating area to fluid and/or contaminants. A plug and/or patch can be provided to sealingly and/or removably engage the at least one aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Shaun T. Whalen, Peter Paul Gregar, Scott Lee Natschke
  • Publication number: 20150001016
    Abstract: A contaminant mitigation device for use with a slack adjuster for a railway brake rigging to protect the critical operating area of the slack adjuster. The critical operating area of a slack adjuster includes the components that are configured to operate together to adjust the brake rigging. The slack adjuster includes at least a main housing portion, a cone nut housing portion enclosing the critical operating area of the slack adjuster, and an overtravel housing portion. The contaminant mitigation device includes a sealing system configured for cooperating with at least one of the main housing portion, cone nut housing portion, and overtravel housing portion to seal the critical operating area against entrance of fluid and/or contaminants therein and/or to at least reduce the exposure of this area to fluid and/or contaminants. The contaminant mitigation device can also include a drainage system associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Shaun T. Whalen, Peter Paul Gregar, Scott Lee Natschke, Wajih Kanjo, Michael Koziol
  • Patent number: 8915337
    Abstract: A brake device includes: a damper; an advancing and retreating member; and a gap adjustment mechanism. The gap adjustment mechanism has: a control section having a control surface facing an opposite side to a braking direction; an operation member whose movement is controlled by contacting the control surface as the advancing and retreating member advances towards the braking side in the braking direction, thereby enabling relative movement with respect to the advancing and retreating member towards the opposite side to the braking direction; and a position adjustment section which, when the advancing and retreating member advances towards the braking side in the braking direction, and the operation member relatively moves with respect to the advancing and retreating member, changes an initial position of the advancing and retreating member according to the relative movement amount of the operation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Furutani
  • Patent number: 8770354
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic brake cylinder including a housing, a piston that can be moved in the housing and is used to transfer the pneumatic pressure to a brake, and a device for automatic adjustment in the event of wear of the brake linings, the device including a spindle, an adjusting nut, and a piston tube that can be engaged with the adjusting nut. According to the invention, a torque applied to the piston tube by the adjusting nut is introduced by the piston tube directly into elements connected to the housing in a fixed manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Schienenfahrzeuge Gmbh
    Inventors: Marc-Gregory Elstorpff, Christian Ebner, Michael Mathieu, Erich Fuderer
  • Patent number: 8763765
    Abstract: A disk brake of a rail vehicle, having a brake caliper, the caliper arms of which are coupled with one end to brake shoes and with the other end to a wear adjuster, the length of the wear adjuster is adjustable by a control mechanism depending on the stroke of a brake force motor. A control rod of the control mechanism acts upon an adjusting element of the wear adjuster, the adjusting element includes a freewheeling mechanism mounted in a housing of the wear adjuster and a stop section of the adjusting element loaded in a self-adjusting starting position against a stop of the housing by at least one return spring element. The stop contains at least one element that is elastic in the direction of abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse System fur Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Ebner, Michael Lehneis, Diego Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8499903
    Abstract: In a suspension device (S) comprising a motion transforming mechanism (T) for transforming a linear motion of a linear motion member (1) into a rotational motion of a rotating member (2) and a motor (M) connected to the rotating member (2) in the motion transforming mechanism (T), an air spring (AS) is provided, the air spring (AS) including a tubular air chamber (22) connected to the motor (M), an air piston (37) connected to the linear motion member (1) and being tubular and smaller in diameter than the air chamber (22), and a diaphragm (27) interposed between the air chamber (22) and the air piston (37), a stopper (38a) is provided on an outer periphery of the air piston (37), and a stopper seat (46) is provided on an inner periphery of the air chamber (22) so as to be put in abutment against the stopper (38a) upon maximum extension of the suspension device involving relative separation of the air chamber (22) and the air piston (37) with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakuta, Takuhiro Kondo, Takayuki Tachi
  • Patent number: 8307961
    Abstract: A rail vehicle brake slack adjuster comprises an axially movable, sleeve-shaped driver element (22) adapted to receive an axially applied braking force in a brake application direction, a spindle (16) axially movable within the driver element, an adjuster nut (34) in non-self-locking thread engagement with the spindle, clutch means between the driver element and the adjuster nut, and a barrel spring (30) biasing the spindle in the brake application direction. The adjuster has a combination of a first clutch (36) comprising a clutch surface on the driver element (22) directed in the brake application direction and a corresponding clutch surface on the adjuster nut (34) and a second clutch (38) comprising a clutch surface on the driver element (22) directed in the direction opposite to the brake application direction and a corresponding clutch surface on an adjuster nut sleeve (37). The adjuster nut sleeve (37) is axially movable on the adjuster nut (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Faiveley Transport Nordic AB
    Inventor: Fred Emilsson
  • Publication number: 20100320044
    Abstract: A rail vehicle brake slack adjuster comprises an axially movable, sleeve-shaped driver element (22) adapted to receive an axially applied braking force in a brake application direction, a spindle (16) axially movable within the driver element, an adjuster nut (34) in non-self-locking thread engagement with the spindle, clutch means between the driver element and the adjuster nut, and a barrel spring (30) biasing the spindle in the brake application direction. The adjuster has a combination of a first clutch (36) comprising a clutch surface on the driver element (22) directed in the brake application direction and a corresponding clutch surface on the adjuster nut (34) and a second clutch (38) comprising a clutch surface on the driver element (22) directed in the direction opposite to the brake application direction and a corresponding clutch surface on an adjuster nut sleeve (37). The adjuster nut sleeve (37) is axially movable on the adjuster nut (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Faiveley Transport Nordic AB
    Inventor: Fred Emilsson
  • Patent number: 7802662
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a double-acting compression actuatable slack adjuster to adjust the slack in the brake rigging of a railway vehicle which includes a pair of elongated members movable with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction. A positioning device carrying a pair of opposed abutting surfaces is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the elongated rod. Pair of opposite facing abutment surfaces are positioned within the hollow housing. A first urging device is positioned to urge the positioning device into a disengaged position. A second urging device overcomes the force of the first urging device and urges an abutting surface on the positioning device into engagement with an adjacent abutment surface. A first overtravel control device is provided which is activated by a trigger device. A second overtravel control device is provided to prevent jamming condition of the positioning device with one of the abutment surfaces when the elongated rod is fully extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Howard Sommerfeld, Staffan Brandt
  • Publication number: 20090065312
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a double-acting compression actuatable slack adjuster to adjust the slack in the brake rigging of a railway vehicle which includes a pair of elongated members movable with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction. A positioning device carrying a pair of opposed abutting surfaces is threadedly engaged with a threaded portion of the elongated rod. Pair of opposite facing abutment surfaces are positioned within the hollow housing. A first urging device is positioned to urge the positioning device into a disengaged position. A second urging device overcomes the force of the first urging device and urges an abutting surface on the positioning device into engagement with an adjacent abutment surface. A first overtravel control device is provided which is activated by a trigger device. A second overtravel control device is provided to prevent jamming condition of the positioning device with one of the abutment surfaces when the elongated rod is fully extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Howard Sommerfeld, Staffan Brandt
  • Patent number: 7484602
    Abstract: An adjusting device for a disc brake, especially a pneumatically operated disc brake, is used for rotating and thus axially moving at least one rotary spindle that is provided with internal teeth composed of one or several axially extending grooves. The adjusting device includes an output bush that is provided with external teeth which engage into the internal teeth of the rotary spindle, as well as a monolithic or multipart release spindle. The release spindle axially penetrates the adjusting device and is used for manually releasing the same. The spindle is disposed and/or mounted in such a way that rotations of the spindle below a threshold torque, which are caused by vibrational stress during operation of the disc brake, are prevented. The adjusting device is characterized in that the spindle or a part that is connected to the spindle in a torsion-proof manner is also provided with external teeth which engage directly into the internal teeth of the rotary spindle as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Iraschko, Manfred Schoenauer
  • Patent number: 6702072
    Abstract: To provide a brake cylinder unit wherein both the normal brake and the spring brake that is used as a parking brake, etc., can act, and in addition wherein it is possible to shorten the axial direction length. In a brake cylinder unit (1) wherein both the normal-service brake means (2) and the spring brake means (3) can act, there is provided a clutch means (4) that links the rod (111) and the second piston (21) when the pressure fluid ceases to act on the second action chamber (24) of the spring brake means (3), and the first piston (21) starts to move towards to the rod (111). This clutch means (4) comprises a screw (31) that is provided on the rod (111), a nut member (32) that is provided on the second piston (21) such that it can rotate, and a stop means (33) that stops the rotation of the nut member (32) when the second piston (21) starts to move towards the rod (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Asano
  • Patent number: 6435319
    Abstract: An actuator (13) device for a disc brake (4) is provided comprising a rotary actuator (13) operable, via a force transmission device (17, 18), to move a friction element (2) of the brake, in use, into engagement with a rotary brake disc (4), and a thrust member (17A, 18A) arranged to transmit force from the actuator (13) to the force transmission device (17, 18), the actuator (13) being arranged to engage the thrust member (17A, 18A) in a manner such as to prevent rotation of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Braking Systems (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Paul Thomas, Ralph Pratt
  • Patent number: 6318516
    Abstract: The inventive bearing arrangement for a device for activating a vehicle brake has a central threaded spindle (2) which is secured against torsion in a fixed housing (1) and which is arranged in such a way that it can be displaced up to a brake disk (3) of the vehicle and from thereon axially. The inventive arrangement is also provided with an inner ring (5) which concentrically surrounds the threaded spindle (2) together with roll bodies. Said inner ring (5) is coupled with a rotating rotor of an electromotor (7) at the front and is supported with the same in the housing (1) by an axial roller bearing and a radial roller bearing so that it can rotate. According to the invention, the axial roller bearing of the inner ring (5) is made up of a planetary gear with several roll bodies serving as planets. Said roll bodies are situated between the inner ring (5) and a bore wall (8) of the housing (1) which is axial to the inner ring (5). This reduces the friction losses of the axial roller bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ina Walzlager Schaeffler oHG
    Inventors: Alexander Zernickel, Johannes Lang, Jurgen Hartmann
  • Patent number: 6230856
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Wajih Kanjo
  • Patent number: 6196362
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: David W. Daugherty, Jr., Michael J. Moriarity, Wajih Kanjo
  • Patent number: 6003643
    Abstract: A brake actuator and slack adjuster subjected to axial vibration includes a slack adjusting mechanism circumferentially engaging a brake actuating mechanism. A circumferential elastomer bushing is disposed about the brake actuating mechanism for damping axial vibrations experienced by the slack adjuster. One washer has a recess sized to receive and seat one end of the bushing while a shim washer is located at the other end of the bushing and against a bearing race of the slack adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Roland S. Moore
  • Patent number: 5713261
    Abstract: A pressure actuated force transmitting cylinder includes a housing member having first and second elongated portions. An end cap closes one end of the housing in a fluid tight manner. A connection is formed through such first portion for communicating fluid to such cylinder. A clutch having a first clutch surface is disposed on such housing and a piston-like member is disposed for reciprocal movement in such housing. A seal disposed around a peripheral portion of such piston-like member provides a chamber to receive such fluid. An elongated rod-like member, having a threaded portion, is connected to such piston-like member. A threaded nut member is threadedly engaged with such threaded portion. A trigger mechanism is disposed around a portion of such rod-like member adjacent such nut member. A disc-like member is disposed around such trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Michael E. Ring, Scott L. Natschke, Michael G. Hawryszkow
  • Patent number: 5692586
    Abstract: A brake device equipped with an actuator having a power-transmission member generating a pushing force by receiving a drive force so as to advance. A pressure-detection device is provided for detecting the reaction pressure being applied to the power-transmission member and a clearance controller is provided for making the power-transmission member perform a return stroke. A brake shoe is attached to the power-transmission member and generates a braking force on the wheel tread surface. Such clearance controller is provided with a stroke memory unit which detects when the pressure signal from the pressure-detection device has reached a reference value when the pushing force of the power-transmission member is output and memorizes the stroke position of the power-transmission member as the reference stroke position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Nabco Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Akamatsu, Yoshio Asano, Toshiyuki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 5495921
    Abstract: A slack adjuster for use in combination with a pneumatic brake actuator cylinder wherein the slack adjuster includes a friction clutch which prevents rotation of the screw for first relative position of the piston and screw while allowing rotation of the screw for excess force on the ram pulling the screw to a relative position beyond the first relative position and opposite the relative position for normal slack adjustment in response to air actuation of the piston. A second clutch, which is a standard toothed clutch, prevents rotation of the screw for second relative position of the piston and the screw. The screw rotates between the first and second relative positions when the two clutches are unlocked to produce slack adjustment. The pulling force on the slack adjuster is produced by a hand brake on the output of the slack adjuster and independent of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: New York Air Brake
    Inventors: Zdzislaw Samulak, Lyle Jantzi
  • Patent number: 4942945
    Abstract: A brake cylinder, especially for rail vehicles, with a simple-acting linkage regulator for maintaining a uniform play between the brake surfaces. A nut that is disposed upon a threaded spindle is connected with first coupling surfaces that cooperate with second coupling surfaces disposed on the piston of the control or operating cylinder. A coupling element that is provided with the first coupling surfaces is further provided with a centrally disposed pin that is guided in the piston of the cylinder. A spring or other member that is under pressure is clamped onto the pin, with this member being secured in such a way that it cannot shift parallel to the axis of the pin nor can it rotate with the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Bergische Stahl-Industrie
    Inventors: Hans Rocholl, Horst Klein
  • Patent number: 4895228
    Abstract: A slack adjuster has a non-rotatable fast-threaded output member (19) threadedly engaged by a pair of nuts (20, 21), one of the nuts being a first brake-force-transmitting nut (20) clutchable to prevent rotation thereof and the other being a second adjustment nut (21) clutchable to land. Relative axial movement of these nuts relative to the output member (19) is a measure of "excessive" brake clearance and restoration of the normal spacing between these nuts serves to restore brake clearance to "normal". The nuts (20, 21) are housed in a housing (8) which is non-rotatable but axially movable with respect to the output member (19). The first nut (20) is clutchable to a thrust member (26) resiliently loaded with a force which is overcome only by forces of the magnitude of braking forces transmitted through the slack adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake & Signal Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Jack Washbourn, Keith W. Langley
  • Patent number: 4840257
    Abstract: A brake adjuster wherein a thrust block is axially slidable in a cylinder bore and rotatably connected to one of two screw threaded adjuster members which are themselves interconnected by a self-sustaining thread. In use a power spring acts on the thrust block to move it axially within the cylinder bore to apply pressure to a friction pad via the adjuster members. The brake may be released by applying hydraulic pressure to the thrust block, at which time one adjuster member is rotated via a clutch, when a predetermined clearance has been taken up, relative to the other to adjust for pad wear. No relative adjustment occurs during application of the brake under the action of the power spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Lucas Industries public limited company
    Inventor: Anthony W. Harrison
  • Patent number: 4833975
    Abstract: An integrated manual brake device on a brake actuation unit, particularly for rail vehicles, and it includes a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder. The brake actuation unit contains a linkage setter including two parts displaceable relative to each other in a telescopic fashion. One of the parts is formed as a threaded spindle and the other tubular part is firmly connected with a nut which is screwed on the spindle with a nonselflocking thread. A stop is provided on the tubular part fixed in an axial direction but easily turnable. An actuating spring is clamped between the piston and the output part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Bergische Stahl-Industrie
    Inventors: Hans Rocholl, Horst Klein
  • Patent number: 4825980
    Abstract: A railroad slack adjuster has a threaded rod, one end of which is adapted to be connected to one portion of a railroad car brake rigging and a tube telescopic with the rod and adapted to be connected to another portion of the brake rigging. A clutch member is rotatably mounted on the rod for engagement with opposing clutch surfaces on the tube. A housing is telescopicaly positioned about the rod, tube and clutch member. There are springs positioned about the tube and effective between the tube and housing to urge the tube inwardly of the housing. There are further springs positioned about the rod and urging the rod inwardly of the tube. A brake application tension applied at opposite ends of the slack adjuster to the rod and tube cause the clutch member to move between the tube opposing clutch surfaces as the slack adjuster lets out and takes up slack in the brake rigging during brake application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: Eugene W. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 4819768
    Abstract: An actuating device for a disc brake, in particular for automotive vehicles, has a rotatably supported actuating member and a transforming device for transforming a rotary motion into an axial motion. A part of the transforming device may be held by a holding element whereby the transforming device may be non-rotatable and axially displaceable. The holding element has a rotatably supported part fixed to the brake housing. Friction-reducing means is provided between the rotatable part and the element fixed to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Alfred Teves GmbH
    Inventors: Erhard Czich, Wolfgang Endler, Juergen Wagner
  • Patent number: 4796731
    Abstract: A combination in-line brake slack adjuster and air chamber for connection to a vehicle brake shaft lever arm includes an air chamber and a piston movable in the air chamber. The slack adjuster is of the compression type and is coaxially attached at one end to the piston and at the opposite end is adapted for connection to a vehicle brake shaft lever arm. The slack adjuster reacts to a coaxially applied brake application force by the piston to apply a force to the brake shaft lever arm and automatically takes up and lets out slack as determined by movement to a full brake application position to maintain a generally uniform travel of the piston during brake application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: Eugene W. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 4782715
    Abstract: The adjusting device (7) comprises a screw (8) and a nut (12) engaged in a housing (16). The latter and the screw cooperate with a fixed part and a movable part. The locking system comprises a locking cylinder (23) provided with inner screw threads (24-26) conjugate with outer screw threads (22) of the nut (12), and in these two series of screw threads complementary axial splines are provided so that the locking cylinder (23) locks the nut (12) against rotation when their screw threads and respective splines are in engagement with each other. The locking cylinder (23) may be controlled by a cable (29). Application in the locking in particular of adjusting devices for table guides of woodworking machines and seat structures of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Rockwell-CIM
    Inventor: Claude Chevance
  • Patent number: 4760895
    Abstract: A spring applied force actuator having an output member movable from a first position to a second output position, a first power spring by which can be generated on the output member an output force when the member is in its second position, first power means by which potential energy can be generated in the first spring therein to be held until the spring is released to apply its stored force as an output force on the output member, a second spring release of potential energy stored in which moves the output member from its first position to its second output position, and second power means by which the output member can be moved back from its second output position to its first position thereby, at the same time, generating in the second spring the potential energy subsequently to move the output member back to its second output position upon the subsequent release of that second spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Westinghouse Brake and Signal Company Limited
    Inventor: David J. Wickham
  • Patent number: 4676346
    Abstract: A brake slack adjusting apparatus is disclosed which includes a threaded member at least partially extending coaxially within a tubular member. Threadedly engaging the threaded member is a first rotatable member for varying the relative position of the rotatable member with respect to the threaded rod member. A second rotatable member disposed adjacent the threaded rod member and the tubular housing member selectively couples the tubular housing member to the threaded rod member during a brake application stroke to transmit brake forces to the threaded rod member and to vary the relative axial position between the tubular housing member and the threaded rod member. A locking device is provided between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member to limit the relative movement between the first rotatable member and the threaded rod member when a predetermined force is transmitted through the second rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: WABCO Westinghouse Compagnia Freni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Dario Barberis
  • Patent number: 4662485
    Abstract: The present invention teaches a double-acting compression actuatable slack adjuster to adjust the slack in the brake rigging of a railway vehicle which includes a pair of elongated members movable with respect to each other in a longitudinal direction. One of the elongated members is hollow and the other member includes a threaded portion housed within the hollow member. A positioning device carrying a pair of opposed abutting surfaces is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion of the one member. A pair of opposite facing abutment surfaces are positioned within the hollow member. A first urging device is positioned to urge the positioning device into a disengaged position. A second urging device overcomes the force of the first urging device and urges an abutting surface on the positioning device into engagement with an adjacent abutment surface. An overtravel control device is provided which is activated by a trigger device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Wajih Kanjo, Richard J. Housman
  • Patent number: 4646882
    Abstract: A brake slack adjuster with axially aligned, first and second load members connectible at their free ends, respectively, to the brake rigging and a lever operable by the piston of the brake cylinder. First and second brakes act between the load members. The second load member is movable axially with respect to the first brakes which, in first relative positions thereof, permits axial movement of the load members relative to each other and which, in second relative positions thereof, prevents relative axial movement of the load members. The second brake is movable relative to the second load member and prevents relative movement of the load members until the braking force exceeds a value, such as 1000 pounds. The second brake is releasable by a spring loaded, axially movable actuator so that the second load member can move axially to its second position and cause actuation of the first brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Holloway and Ludington
    Inventors: Robert M. Holloway, Robert L. Ludington, Robert G. Beacon
  • Patent number: 4613016
    Abstract: A single-cylinder, truck-mounted brake assembly for a railway car truck in which low-cost, light-weight, truss-type brake beams are employed, with one beam having an expansible brake actuator in the form of an air bag mounted thereon. The brake rigging arrangement employs an equalizing lever that is pivotally-connected to each brake beam at its centrally-located strut bar, and force-transmitting members between the respective ends of the equalizing levers, so that the force of the brake actuator is transferred from the brake beam strut bar to the brake shoes via the beam tension member. Accordingly, the light-weight, low-cost brake beams are not subjected to such bending forces as would otherwise require a stronger beam. The single-cylinder air bag arrangement is made possible by utilizing a slack adjuster device as the one force-transmitting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Hart, William K. Mong, Allen W. Kyllonen, Mark S. Krampitz
  • Patent number: 4593797
    Abstract: A railroad slack adjuster has a threaded adjusting screw, one end of which is adapted to be connected to one portion of a railroad car brake rigging. The slack adjuster also has a clutch housing assembly, telescopic with the adjusting screw and adapted to be connected to another portion of the brake rigging. A clutch disk is rotatably mounted on the adjusting screw for engagement with opposing clutch surfaces within the clutch housing. A trigger housing is telescopically positioned about the adjusting screw, clutch housing and clutch disk. A spring is positioned about the adjusting screw and effective between the clutch housing and adjusting screw to urge the screw outwardly of the clutch housing. There is a further trigger spring positioned about the clutch housing and urging the clutch housing outwardly of the trigger housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: Eugene W. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 4589301
    Abstract: A linearly infinitely variable mechanism comprises first and second portions which are relatively axially positionable to establish the effective length of the mechanism. A rotary element is axially captured on the second portion. The operative connection between the first portion and the second portion is via a threaded connection of the first portion with the rotary element. The axial capture of the rotary element comprises a twist lock which, when locked, forcefully abuts the ends of the rotary element to preclude its rotation and prevent a change in the effective length of the mechanism provided that the first and second portions are constrained against relative rotation. When unlocked, the rotary element can rotate within its axial capture so that axial forces applied to the mechanism are effective to change its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Hoover Universal, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn C. Griner
  • Patent number: 4585097
    Abstract: A slack adjuster for a rail vehicle brake system, comprising a brake force receiving adjuster tube (1, 1A), a spindle (4; 4A) axially movable therein, and two nuts, an adjuster nut (5; 5A) and a leader nut (6; 6A), which are in non-self-locking thread engagement with the spindle and are held resiliently in clutch engagement with a clutch ring (7; 7A) and a control sleeve (16; 16A) respectively, the latter being axially movable in the tube a distance (A) corresponding to the desired slack. In order to transform this so called stroke-sensing adjuster into the so called clearance-sensing type being independent of the elasticity part of the application stroke the adjuster nut (5; 5A) and the clutch ring (7; 7A) in coaction are arranged to submit a force to the leader nut (6; 6A) for locking the latter against rotation under deformation of a resilient element (13; 30; 34; 38; 5A) at the occurrence of a counter-force on the spindle (4; 4A) during the brake application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: SAB Industri AB
    Inventor: Lars M. Severinsson
  • Patent number: 4550811
    Abstract: A manually releasable, spring-applied, air-released parking brake device has a hollow guide rod and a non-rotatable spindle connectable to the brake rigging extending through a portion of a cylindrical housing. On one end of the guide rod is secured a portion of a clutch arrangement, and on the opposite end is secured a spline member having a plurality of externally disposed spline grooves. A latching member having an extending surface engages the spline grooves of the spline member, thus preventing rotational movement of the spline member, guide rod, and clutch portion. A release lever, connected to the latching member, allows for engaging and disengaging the latching member and spline member. When the latching member has been disengaged from the spline member, as corresponds to a manual release of the parking brake device, a retractable blocking member is urged against the end surface of the spline member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Rumsey
  • Patent number: 4544047
    Abstract: A parking brake, primarily for use with railway vehicles, including a friction clutch associated with a fast-travel nut which is locked by the clutch against rotation on a threaded spindle connected to a brake head, under a force exerted by a plurality of stacked Belleville-type disc springs. The spring load may be overcome by air pressure acting on respective faces of a plurality of serially connected pistons, which, in effect releases the fast-travel nut for free spinning to thereby accommodate axial displacement of the spindle during normal service application and release of the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventors: Quentin T. Clemmons, Paul F. Czerniewski
  • Patent number: 4543849
    Abstract: An automatic adjusting device which is disposed midway of a control wire connecting an actuating mechanism such as a brake and an operating lever. The automatic adjusting device automatically compensates not only the internal wear of the actuating mechanism but also the extension of the control wire so that it can always take up any excessive play or slack of the control wire to thereby impart to the operating lever a minimum play, which corresponds to the proper ineffective stroke of the actuating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadashi Yamamoto, Hiroaki Kayama, Masaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4493401
    Abstract: An automatic brake resetting device for railway vehicle brakes has two telescopingly displaceable rod members which transmit a braking force. A rotatable coupling element having a threaded shaft with a non-self-locking thread is connected to one of the rod members and a rotary coupling connects the coupling element with the other rod member. The rotary coupling is actuated by axial displacement of the rotatable coupling element with respect to the other rod member and is urged by a spring into the engaged position between the rotatable coupling element and the other rod member. A lever transmits force between a control stop device slideably supported on a guide member and the rotatable coupling element and has such a transmission ratio so as to amplify the force transmitted from a spring of the control stop device to the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse GmbH
    Inventors: Nils B. L. Sander, Julius Nadas
  • Patent number: 4478319
    Abstract: A brake actuator device having a pneumatic service brake piston and a spring parking or emergency brake piston operation of either one of which effects displacement of a brake actuator rod which includes a screw-threaded spindle that operates in a non-rotatable nut member in order to adjust the length of the actuator rod. The nut member is provided with an external projection to which the vehicle brakes are mounted. A cogwheel is rotatably fixed to the actuator rod and is normally locked against rotation by a locking pin that engages the cogwheel teeth. The actuator rod is formed in two portions that are connected together through a clutch arrangement, the actuator rod portion having the threaded spindle being free to rotate during brake release to increase the actuator rod length and thereby take up the brake slack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: WABCO Westinghouse Compagnia Freni S.p.A.
    Inventors: Enrico Casalone, Dario Barberis
  • Patent number: 4441591
    Abstract: A rail vehicle slack adjuster is provided with a barrel detented against rotation under normal working conditions. However, rotation of the barrel effects adjustment of the length of the adjuster. Thus, by means of a flexible clip ring splined to the barrel and detenting into a notch on the non-rotatable pull rod, manual force permits the clip ring to be distorted out of the notch for rotation of the barrel to accomplish manual adjustment when replacing brake blocks, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: SAB Industri AB
    Inventors: Lars M. Severinsson, Peter Beijbom, Anders K. Martensson
  • Patent number: 4431089
    Abstract: The device automatically adjusts the slack in the brake linkage of railway vehicle during the braking process and has two telescoping rod members one of which is connected with a brake motor and the other is connected to the brake linkage. A nut, nonrotateably mounted on the brake linkage rod member, is threaded upon a rotateable spindle shaft which is axially moveable a limited distance within the brake motor rod member and is connected to this rod member by a control clutch. When the control clutch is stressed by torque, the control clutch member will become disengaged from the brake motor rod member to permit a relative adjustment between the two rod members to overcome any slack. When slack is overcome, a rotary clutch between the threaded spindle and the brake motor rod member will be engaged so that braking force can be transmitted between the rod members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse GmbH
    Inventors: Julius Nadas, Nils B. L. Sander
  • Patent number: 4418801
    Abstract: A rail vehicle slack adjuster of the axial type has a barrel (4), a spindle (2), and an adjuster nut (29).In order to prevent the spindle (2) from leaving its thread engagement with the adjuster nut (29) the spindle is provided with a stop ring (64) so located that it will contact a barrel part (57) and, via the barrel and a barrel spring (53), bring about a closing of a main clutch (49, 50) between a pull means (6, 48) and the adjuster nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: SAB Industri AB
    Inventors: Lars M. Severinsson, Peter Beijbom, Anders K. Martensson
  • Patent number: RE32729
    Abstract: A railroad slack adjuster has a threaded adjusting screw, one end of which is adapted to be connected to one portion of a railroad car brake rigging. The slack adjuster also has a clutch housing assembly, telescopic with the adjusting screw and adapted to be connected to another portion of the brake rigging. A clutch disk is rotatably mounted on the adjusting screw for engagement with opposing clutch surfaces within the clutch housing. A trigger housing is telescopically positioned about the adjusting screw, clutch housing and clutch disk. A spring is positioned about the adjusting screw and effective between the clutch housing and adjusting screw to urge the screw outwardly of the clutch housing. There is a further trigger spring positioned about the clutch housing and urging the clutch housing outwardly of the trigger housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Sloan Valve Company
    Inventor: Eugene W. Schmitt