Abstract: Various embodiments include a vehicle draft key wear protector including a first arm, a second arm spaced-apart from the first arm, a first connector integrally connected to the first arm and integrally connected to the second arm, and a second connector integrally and detachably connected to the first arm and integrally and detachably connected to the second arm, wherein the railroad car draft key wear protector is configured to be positioned on an uninstalled draft key, and is configured to be positioned on an installed draft key in situ.

Abstract: A lever device includes a single shaft for mounting a lever section to a housing. The lever section includes a shaft mounting section having an insertion hole. The lever support section of the shaft is disposed within the insertion hole and supports the lever section so that the lever section can move in the first direction and the second direction. A contact section is provided either to the housing and/or the lever section, or between the housing and the lever section. The contact section includes a curved surface which allows the lever section to move in the first direction and the second direction while the housing and the lever section are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A key retainer for retaining a draft key in the key slot of a railway car yoke is mounted on the outside of the sill of a railway car. Mounting the key retainer with a retainer key system on the outside of the sill, and aligned with the sill cutout, permits ease of visual inspection of the retainer from outside the railway car, and allows for repair of the key retainer without disassembling the coupler from the yoke, or the yoke from the railway car.

Abstract: A key retainer for retaining a draft key in the key slot of a railway car yoke is mounted on the outside of the sill of a railway car. Mounting the key retainer with a retainer key system on the outside of the sill, and aligned with the sill cutout, permits ease of visual inspection of the retainer from outside the railway car, and allows for repair of the key retainer without disassembling the coupler from the yoke, or the yoke from the railway car.

Abstract: A non-rotating retainer for a draft key having a circular opening, the non-rotating retainer including a retainer pin and a retainer lock member configured for being received in the circular opening. The retainer lock member is formed from a one-piece flat metallic stock blank and having a U-shaped first end for fitting around the end of the draft key and a projection formed on the retainer lock member, the projection spaced from the U-shaped first end at a distance corresponding to the thickness of the draft key, the retainer pin having a cylindrical portion and an integral head. Along one side of the retainer pin a notch is formed corresponding to a portion of the flat metallic stock blank for receiving the same. The second end of the retainer lock member is adapted for bending over the head of the retainer pin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight draft sill end casting for use with railroad cars. The cast draft sill has side walls, front and rear stops, front and rear rib sets and a center plate that are cast as a unit. The draft sill has an open area between the tops of the side walls between the front and rear stops, with a cast metal span connecting the two side walls. The cast metal span may comprise one or more spacer bars or part of a top wall. The cast metal span is in the area between the planes of the front stops and the rear stops. The front and rear stops are spaced below the tops of the side walls. In one embodiment, there are additional lightener holes in each side wall between the ribs in the rear rib set and in the pocket. The total weight of the cast draft sill is not substantially greater than the weight of a comparable fabricated draft sill of substantially the same size, and has a greater fatigue life.