US2305949A - Brake beam support - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 22, 1942. D. s. BARROWS BRAKE BEAM SUPPORT Filed Oct. 14, 1940. 2 Sheets-Sheet l W B J M Dec. 22, 1942. s, ows 7 2,305,949

BRAKE BEAM SUPPORT Filed Oct. 14, 1940 ZSheets-Shet 2 Patented Dec. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE BRAKE BEAM SUPPORT Application October 14, 1940, Serial No. 361,153

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a brake beam support and more particularly to a type thereof which is carried independently of the side frame.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a brake beam support, in a railway truck, which is capable of maintaining a brake beam in alignment with the axis of an axle during all service movements of the truck.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a railway truck, of a brake beam support connected to spaced axle boxes and maintaining constant vertical relation between brake beams and the journal boxes and adjacent or associated wheels.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a railway truck having a side frame vertically movable relative to its associated journal boxes, of a cast, unitary structure extending between the journal boxes and adapted to carry brake beams and guide the latter to and away from wheel contacting position.

These and other objects will become apparent from the succeeding description of an exemplary form of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a partial side elevational View of a railway truck embodying a form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 22 of Figure 1,

manner, a railway truck, only the lower extremity of which is shown. The railway truck comprises a side frame 2 which forms a longitudinal member positioned adjacent each transverse limit of the truck. Forming the side frame is a lower or tension member 3 which joins a compression member (not shown) adjacent the longitudinal extremities of the truck to present downwardly extending jaws 4 defining an opening 5 therebetween. Positioned within each opening is a journal box 6 housing an axle extremity l thereinrand supporting the related side frame extremity through the medium of springs 8 which may be of any character or design. The side frame is, by reason of the springs, movable nal box for the purpose to be hereinafter explained. The bails or legs of each journal box have inwardly extending bosses or bushings [3 which rigidify the bails and present an appreciable cross sectional area. Extending between and joined integrally to the legs of each journal box is a bottom tie or horizontally disposed plate It spaced a predetermined distance below and substantially parallel with the bottom wall. Intermediate the longitudinal limits of each plate is a transversely and vertically disposed reinforcing rib l5 which merges at its extremities with the adjacent or associated legs.

It is well known and recognized that since wheels l6 are fixed with respect to the axles and that they are arranged in fixed relation with with the wheels. When journal boxes are formed integral with the side frame or removably secured thereto and adapted to move therewith no great difiiculty is encountered because the braking mechanism may be suspended from or otherwise associated with the side frame proper. However, when vertically movable side frames are provided in railway trucks to be resiliently supported by the journal boxes, a suspension of the braking mechanism from the side frames will result in the wheel contacting portion of the braking mechanism being urged vertically and, when the brakes are applied, subjecting the entire structure to severe strains.

In order to eliminate this last mentioned condition a cast brake beam support I! is arranged brake beam support desirably comprises end, longitudinally spaced cylindrical bearings or journals 18 positioned between and of a lesser extent than the horizontal distance between the inner and outer legs of the brackets. The end bearings are provided with apertures l9 which are in axial or horizontal alignment with apertures 20 in the inner and outer bracket legs so as to accommodate a pivotal means or shaft, exemplified in the present structure in the form of a headed pin 2!, thus pivotally connecting or securing the brake beam support to the journal boxes. inner bracket legs are in the proximity of the wheels it is desirable and more advantageous to associate any pin securing. means with the outer bracket legs, and for this reason the latter are each provided with a counterbore or relief 22 in axial alignment with the aperture 20 to accommodate the pin head. Longitudinally disposed slots 23 open into the reliefs for the reception of plates or keys 24, channel-shape in plan as when viewing Figure 2, to be interlocked with the bracket outer legs and overlie, in arresting position, the pins, to thereby prevent an accidental displacement of the pins. Sufficient clearance is provided about the pin to accommodate slight service movements between the brake beam support and journal boxes.

Joining the end bearings is a desirably I- shaped intermediate portion, bridge, link or bar 25 preferably formed integrally therewith and comprising verticallyspaced upper or top and lower or bottom flanges 26 and 21, respectively. The flanges, which are substantially tangent to and merge with the end bearings, are connected or united intermediate their transverse limits by a vertical, longitudinally extending, central web 28 to form therewith a rigid, durable and relatively simple construction capable of withstanding a superimposed load and service stresses.

Consideration has been given to the possible failure or fracture of the journal box-brake beam support connection while the truck is in service or transit. It will be noted that if some precautions are not taken the brake beam support may, through a failure of some part, be dislodged from its illustrated position to drop upon the roadway and cause great property loss. For this reason, therefore, safety lugs 29 depend from the link lower flange in spaced relation to the bracket plates inwardly of the truck toward the transverse center line thereof. As will be observed, if there is a failure of the pins or any other portion of the connection, the brake beam support extremities will drop a slight distance to rest upon or be carried by the bracket plates, and any tendency of the brake beam support to shift in a longitudinal direction will be limited by the safety lugs.

The brake beam support and particularly the intermediate portion 25 thereof is positioned inwardly ,of the truck and spaced from a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the side frame to bein close proximity to the associated wheels. A fragment or section of the intermediate portion on each side of the transverse center line thereof is sloped or inclined, as at 30, with respect to the horizontal; each sloping section preferably starting a predetermined distance from the transverse center line of the truck and terminating at a point above the extended horizontal plane of the end bearings. The sloping sections diverge outwardly of the truck and are tapered in a direction toward the axis of an adjacent axle so that an extended plane Since the I of a top surface 3| of each inclined section top flange will pass the axis of the associated axle at a point vertically therebeneath. Bearing upon each inclined section top surf-ace is a movable brake beam extremity 32 which is oblong in vertical cross section to present an appreciable bearing area between the brake beam extremity and support therefor.

Carried by each brake beam, adjacent an extremity thereof, is a conventional brake head 33 and related shoe 34, the latter of which is adapted to contact the associated wheel during a brake application to retard the progress of the truck. The inclined sections 30, and particularly the top surfaces thereof, are of suflicient length to form suitable guide'faces to keep the brake beam extremities in a predetermined path throughout .their entire range ofservice movement from an application to a full release of the brakes. Each inclined section is arranged so that an axis of the brake beam, designated by the diagrammatic line AA, if extended, will intersect the axis of the adjacent axle and wheel.

In order to maintain the brake beams in a predetermined position and permit them to travel along a fixed path, an auxiliary or supplemental flange 35 is arranged parallel with each inclined section and spaced a given distance above the top surface thereof for the accommodation of the associated brake beam extremity. Each inclined section and confronting auxiliary flange are spaced apart a suflicient distance to present a guideway to allow a free unrestricted inclined service movement of the interposed brake beam extremity. The auxiliary flange is positioned adjacent the related axle extremity of the associated inclined section and is of a length preferably less than the length of the section so that the brake beam may be moved to a location indicated by the diagrammatic lines 36 from beneath the overlying flange 35 whence it may be removed from the truck.

Joining a free extremity of each auxiliary flange and related inclined section top flange is a connecting flange-31 disposed vertically of the brake beam support and defining the outer limit of the guideway. A rib 38, extending longitudinally of the truck and in substantial vertical alignment with the web 28, forms an upstanding knee brace uniting each auxiliary and connecting flange with the top flange of the intermediate portion and thereby rigidifying the structure against service stresses to which it will be subjected.

It will be noted that various changes and alterations may be made to the instant structure and that the drawings and description herein contained are for the purpose of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation or deflnition of the elements of the invention; reference being had to the appended claims for the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a railway truck including a side frame, a journal box and axle adjacent each end thereof, said journal boxes being movable vertically relative to one another, a bracket depending from each journal box, a brake beam support extending between said journal boxes and having an end portion pivotally connected to an associated bracket, spaced guides on said brake beam support intermediate the ends thereof; said guides being inclined toward the axis of an associated axle, and means below said brake beam-support for preventing said support from dropping beyond a predetermined amount upon failure of said pivotal connection.

2. In a railway truck including a vertically movable side frame with a journal box and axle adjacent each end thereof, a yoke cast integral and depending from each journal box, a cast brake beam support extending between said journal boxes and having an end portion pivotally connected to an associated yoke, and a flange adjacent each support extremity cast integral therewith, said flanges and support defining guideways inclined and directed toward said axle for the reception of brake beams.

3. In a railway truck 'including a vertically movable side frame with a journal box and axle adjacent each end thereof, a yoke'depending.

from each journal box below the related axle, a brake beam support bridging said journal boxes, 2. bearing adjacent the extremities of said brake beam support, means extending through said yokes and bearings for pivotally securing said brake beam support to said journal boxes, and longitudinally extending guideways positioned between the vertical planes of said axles and formed in said brake beam support to be directed toward associated axles for the accommodation of brake beams.

4. In a railway truck including a vertically movable side frame with a journal box and axle adjacent each end thereof, a bracket depending from each journal box below the related axle, a brake beam support bridging said journal boxes, a bearing adjacent the extremities of said brake beam support, means extending through said brackets and bearings for pivotally securing said brake beam support to said journal boxes, and longitudinally extending guideways in said brake beam support directed toward associated axles for the accommodation of brak beams; said brake beam support being spaced inwardly of the truck from a longitudinal axis of said side frame.

5. In a railway truck including a side frame with a journal box adjacent each end thereof, a yoke depending from and formed integral with each journal box, a brake beam support extending between said journal boxes, means securing said brake beam support to said yokes, guiding means spaced longitudinally of said truck and formed in said brake beam support for the ac- 6. In a railway truck including a side frame with a journal box adjacent each end thereof, a bracket depending from and formed integral with each journal box, a brake beam support extending between said journal boxes, means securing said brake beam support to said "brackets, and inclined guiding means spaced longitudinally of said truck formed in said brake beam support for the accommodation of associated brake beams; said brake beam support being spaced inwardly of said truck from a longitudinal axis of said side frame.

7. In a railway truck including a side frame with a journal box housing an axle adjacent each end thereof, a bracket depending from each of said journal boxes, a brake beam support extending between said journal boxes, and transversely extending means securing extremities of said brake beam support to said brackets, said brake beam support being I-shaped in cross section,

intermediate its ends, and having inclined guideways for the accommodation of brake beams.

8. In a brake beam support, the combination of an intermediate portion I-shaped in vertical cross section, means adjacent the ends thereof for connection to longitudinally spaced journal boxes and inclined guideways on said intermediate portion directed toward axes of longitudinally spaced axles.

9. In a cast brake beam support, the combination of an intermediate bridge having a vertical web and a top flange, means adjacent the ends of said intermediate bridge for connection to longitudinally spaced journal boxes and inclined guideways on said intermediate bridge directed toward axes of longitudinally spaced axles.

10. In a brake beam support, the combination of an intermediate link comprising a vertical web and a top flange, apertured bearings forming extremities or" said brake beam support, auxiliary flanges spaced longitudinally of said intermediate link and above said top flange to form guideways therebetween, and a reinforcing rib connecting each auxiliary flange to said top flange.

11. In a brake beam support, the combination of an intermediate bridge comprising a vertical web and. a top flange, means forming extremities or said brake beam support for connection to longitudinally spaced journal boxes, said top flange being inclined throughout sections thereof in a direction toward axes of longitudinally spaced axles, auxiliary flanges space-d above and paral- 161 with said inclined sections to define guideways therebetween, and means connecting said auxiliary flanges to said intermediate bridge.

12. In a brake beam support, the combination of longitudinally spaced end apertured bearings for connection to spaced journal boxes, an intermediate link connecting said bearings and comprising vertically spaced top and bottom flanges joined by a vertically disposed web, said top flanges being inclined throughout sections thereof in a direction toward axes of longitudinally spaced axles, means spaced above and parallel with said top flange inclined sections to deflne guideways therebetween, and means upstanding from and connecting said top flanges and first named means.

13. In a brake beam support, the combination of longitudinally spaced end bearings for association with spaced journal boxes, an intermediate portion connecting said bearings and comprising a top flange and a vertical web depending from said flange, sections of said top flange being inclined toward axes of longitudinally spaced axles, said inclined sections extending to a horizontal plane above said end bearings, and guideways associated with said inclined sections ior the reception of brake beams.

14. In a brake beam support, the combination of longitudinally spaced end bearings for association with spaced journal boxes, an intermediate portion connecting said end bearings and comprising a top flange and a vertical web de pending from said top flange, auxiliary flanges spaced longitudinally of said support and above said top flange, said auxiliary flanges and that portion of said top flange therebeneath being inclined with respect to a. horizontal plane to present guideways therebetween, and upstanding ribs in vertical alignment with said Web forming a brace between said auxiliary flanges and top flange.

DONALD S. BARROWS.

Images