Abstract: A low weight and low cost brake beam assembly having high static strength and fatigue resistance having two independent brake heads each including a receiving section for receiving and retaining an end of a tension member, an end of a compression member and a portion of an end extension.

Abstract: A caliper brake including a generally U-shaped housing including a first portion, a second portion, a bridge, and an opening. Spaced mounting bolts extend between the first and second portions of the housing and across the opening. Mounting sleeves are carried by the mounting bolts and received within bushings in the first and second portions of the housing. A pair of stators is carried by the mounting sleeves and capable of movement to engage a rotor positioned therebetween. The housing also includes bridge extensions at each end of the bridge extending laterally outward beyond and downward below the mounting bolts.

Abstract: A brake carrier for bogies of rail vehicles has an open cross-section with flexible torsion. A connection to two longitudinal members of the bogie is designed as a rigid non-articulated connection and a braking device is fixed to the brake carrier in such a way that a line of action of braking forces runs through the shear centre that lies outside the cross-section of the brake carrier.

Abstract: A linkage interconnecting a brake rod with a brake lever in a brake system of a railroad freight car. A length of chain extends from an end of the brake rod, and a monolithic connecting link interconnects an opposite end of the length of chain with a brake lever, so that the brake lever can be moved by pulling the rod, and yet the brake lever is free to move toward the rod if the handbrake system is not in use to keep the brakes applied.

Abstract: A truck mounted brake beam including at least a primary beam having a center section and a pair of end sections with guide feet. The center portion may include two opposed channel elements, each having a horizontal base and two vertical walls, joined by fasteners or weldments. The weldments are hollow and the bases include openings to the hollow of the weldments. The cross-section of the end portions of at least one of the channeled elements is smaller than the cross-section of a center portion of the at least one channeled element. A method of making a beam brake beam, comprising: obtaining two channeled elements each having a base and two vertical walls; separating an end portion of one of the walls from the base; removing a section of the base adjacent the separated wall; attaching the separated end to the end of the base; and, permanently joining the channeled elements.

Abstract: A hydraulic parking brake assembly for a railroad vehicle braking system comprising a hydraulic actuator capable of being mounted on or engagable with the braking system and a lever arrangement connected to the hydraulic actuator which moves in accordance with activation of the hydraulic actuator and initiates a braking sequence. The lever arrangement is associated with the force transfer lever of the air cylinder such that upon movement of the lever arrangement, a force is applied to this force transfer lever causing this force transfer lever to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to apply the appropriate forces to the push rod within the brake cylinder and to a force transmitting member within the braking system to effect activation of the parking brake assembly.