Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. Such assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning mechasim is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. Such resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. Such assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat member is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning member is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. Such resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: A draft gear assembly having a variable angle friction clutch mechanism is provided. The assembly includes a housing member having a compressible cushioning element disposed adjacent a closed end thereof. A seat member is disposed between one end of the compressible cushioning element and an open end of the housing member. A friction cushioning mechanism is positioned at least partially within the open end of the housing member and includes a plurality of friction surfaces disposed on a plurality of friction elements with at least one wedge member being engageable with the plurality of friction surfaces. At least one resilient member is provided-to enable the friction cushioning mechanism to exhibit a variable angle. The resilient member is engageable with at least one of the friction elements and exerts a lateral force on the friction cushioning mechanism which is at least sufficient to maintain all of the friction surfaces in frictional engagement during the useful life of the draft gear assembly.

Abstract: An improved draft gear for transmitting draft forces in railway vehicles. The invention includes a housing with a closed end and an open opposite end provided with a tapered internal friction surface. A wedge is mounted for axial movement in the open end of the housing and friction shoes are positioned within the housing between the wedge and adjacent portions of the internal friction surface. A follower member is positioned adjacent the friction shoes and springs are positioned between the closed end of the housing and the follower member to urge the follower member against the shoes. Each of the shoes has a beveled outer surface in engagement with a beveled inner surface of the wedge, the beveled inner and outer surfaces being formed at a first selected angle with respect to the axis of the housing.

Abstract: A hollow plunger extends into the cavity of the draft gear body. The inner end of the plunger is expansible. One or more wedges are held by the body adjacent the inner end of the plunger, and shoes are positioned between the wedge(s) and the inner side of the inner end of the plunger. Spring elements positioned within the plunger are in compression between the outer end of the plunger and the shoes. When the plunger is forced into the body the shoes are wedged outwardly against the expansible portions of the plunger which in turn are forced into contact with the body. There may be one or a plurality of successive stages of wedges and shoes.