Abstract: A bearing can include a generally cylindrical sidewall, a flange extending radially from the generally cylindrical sidewall, and a feature extending radially from the generally cylindrical sidewall at a location disposed a distance from the flange. An assembly can include the beating and a structure having an opening with a relief portion adapted to receive the feature.

Abstract: A friction/elastomeric draft gear having a housing, a spring assembly arranged within the housing, and a friction clutch assembly having a wedge member and defining first sliding friction surface disposed at an angle ? relative to a longitudinal axis of the draft gear and a second friction surface disposed at an angle ? relative to a longitudinal axis of the draft gear. The spring assembly is designed in combination with the angles ? and ? of the first and second friction sliding surfaces relative to the longitudinal axis such that the draft gear consistently and repeatedly withstands between about 100 KJ and 130 KJ of energy imparted at less than three meganewtons over a range of travel of the wedge member in an inward axial direction relative to the draft gear housing not exceeding 120 mm.

Abstract: A housing for a railway car draft gear assembly for cushioning buff and draft shocks includes a rear portion engageable with the rear stops of such railway car and a front portion configured for attachment to a coupler arm. Opposed ends of the front and rear portions are provided with complimentary flanges for removable attachment of the front portion to the rear portion with threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A housing for a railway car draft gear assembly for cushioning buff and draft shocks includes a rear portion engageable with the rear stops of such railway car and a front portion configured for attachment to a coupler arm. Opposed ends of the front and rear portions are provided with complimentary flanges for removable attachment of the front portion to the rear portion with threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A housing for a railway car draft gear assembly for cushioning buff and draft shocks includes a rear portion engageable with the rear stops of such railway car and a front portion configured for attachment to a coupler arm. Opposed ends of the front and rear portions are provided with complimentary flanges for removable attachment of the front portion to the rear portion with threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A friction clutch mechanism for a draft gear assembly includes a pair of outer stationary plate members, a pair of movable plate members, a pair of inner stationary plate members having an inner surface which is tapered at an angle of approximately 4.5°, a pair of wedge shoe members having an upper surface which is tapered from a point disposed inwardly from the tapered outer surface inwardly toward and at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the friction clutch mechanism, and a center wedge member which includes a pair of correspondingly tapered surfaces frictionally engageable with the upper tapered surface of a respective one of the pair of wedge shoe members. The tapered upper surface of the pair of wedge shoe members is tapered at an angle of approximately 49.0°-50.0°. The pair of tapered surfaces of the center wedge is tapered at an angle of about 49.5°.

Abstract: A friction clutch mechanism for a draft gear assembly includes a pair of outer stationary plate members, a pair of movable plate members, a pair of inner stationary plate members having an inner surface which is tapered at an angle of approximately 4.5°, a pair of wedge shoe members having an upper surface which is tapered from a point disposed inwardly from the tapered outer surface inwardly toward and at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the friction clutch mechanism, and a center wedge member which includes a pair of correspondingly tapered surfaces frictionally engageable with the upper tapered surface of a respective one of the pair of wedge shoe members. The tapered upper surface of the pair of wedge shoe members is tapered at an angle of approximately 49.0°-50.0°. The pair of tapered surfaces of the center wedge is tapered at an angle of about 49.5°.

Abstract: A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front and a closed rear end with a first and second rear portions and a pair of ledge members disposed intermediate such first and second rear portions and 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. The open front end is adapted to receive a friction cushioning element which has a spring release mechanism for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly. The open front end may incorporate additional side members for direct attachment to a coupler.

Abstract: A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a closed rear end forming a ledge to fit into a 24.625 inch draft gear pocket. The front portion incorporates an integral yoke portion with a pair of key slots for attachment to the coupler. A coupler follower is disposed within open front end and communicates with a pair of apertures during buff and draft travel. A compressible cushioning means is positioned within the second end with a seating arrangement abutting an end wall thereof and is extended longitudinally toward the open front end. A friction cushioning element is provided in the open front end of the housing. A spring release mechanism is adapted for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning means thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A friction/elastomeric pad draft gear to cushion and absorb impacting forces on a railroad car coupler system. The friction/elastomeric pad draft gear includes a housing with a closed end and an open opposite end with a major axis extending therebetween. The open opposite end is provided with inwardly tapered extended internal friction surfaces. A wedge is mounted for axial movement in the open end of said housing and friction devices are positioned within the housing between the wedge and the extended internal friction surfaces. A spring seat is positioned adjacent the friction devices and on top of the elastomeric pad stack. The friction devices engagement with the wedge: forms a first selected angle of about 35 degrees ±3 degrees; forms a second selected angle of about 2.25 degrees, ± about 0.25 degrees, with the extended tapered internal friction surface; and forms a third selected angle of about 90 degrees, ±4 degrees, with the spring seat, all in respect to the major axis.

Abstract: A fragmentable insert for maintaining a railroad draft gear in a shortened state to facilitate assembly in the pocket of a railroad car. The insert is a generally rectangular structure having at least one set of opposing faces bisected by a pair of grooved notches. The two sets of grooved notches are generally perpendicular to each other. A bore extends through the body of the insert between the opposing faces which are bisected by the grooved notches. The bore is configured to reduce the thickness of the material between its wall surface and the surfaces of the other pairs of opposing faces not intersected by the bore.