US2129546A - Car construction - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 6, 1938. o. c. DURYEA CAR CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Oct. 2, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 6, 1938.

0. c. DURYEA CAR CONSTRUCTION Original Filed Oct. 2, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 #Af rlm/ r Sept. 6, 1938.

CAR

Original Filed Oct. 2, 1956 xy l o. c. DURYEA' CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES OF I 2,129,546 CAR CONSTRUCTION Otho C. Duryea, Waterbury, oima, assignor to 0. C. Duryea. Corporation, Wilmington, Del.,

a corporation of Delaware 1 Application October 2, 1936, Serial .No. 103,787

Renewed January 22, .1938

23 Claims.

This invention relates to railway car constructions having underframes of the Duryea type which provide long travel for resisting draft and bufling shocks with lowforces together with short 51 travel for train slack which is predetermined independently of and is less than said long travel. In one form which is Well known in the art, the Duryea underframe comprises a long travel draft and buliing column which extends longi- 9; tudinally and slidably with respect to the car body bolsters and couplers mounted at the ends of said column for limited movement relative thereto to provide train slack, long travel cushioning means being interposed between said col- 1 umn and the car body bolsters for resisting and absorbing draft and bufiing forces.

The present invention relates more particularly to long travel cushioning means of the above type which comprise both friction and resilient means 20: for absorbing draft and buffing forces, and one of its objects is to provide such long travel cushioning means which is constructed in a novel manner so as to produce a strong and rugged yet simple and inexpensive cushioning gear.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel long travel cushion gear of the type embodying both friction and resilient means which is disposed entirely or substantially entirely between the car body bolster and the adjacent end of the car.

Another object is to provide a novel long travel cushioning gear embodying both friction. and resilient means and adapted to cushion the car body against draft and buliing shocks and also 5. to cushion the train slack movement of the coupler.

A further object is to provide a combined bolster and cushion gear comprising a novel long travel cushion gear embodying resilient and friction means and housed in a casing or housing formed as a part of the bolster construction.

Another object is to provide a novel integral construction comprising both a bolster and a housing.

Other objects will appear more fully hereinafter as the description proceeds.

One embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings but it is to be expressly understood that said drawings are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as a definition-of the limits of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for this purpose.

In the drawings,

Figs. 1 and 10, together constitute a plan. view, partly in section, of one end of a car underframe embodying the invention;

2 and 2a together constitute a vertical section on the central line of the construction 60 shown in Figs. 1 and 1a; i

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2a; and

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 2a..

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts, the-car body (not shown) is provided with suitable body bolsters whereby the car is supported on the usual trucks and. which usually embody center brace castings one of-which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 at i0. Extending longitudinally and slidably with respect to said center'brace casting I is a draft and buffing column which may be of any suitable type and construction and which in the form shown comprises two spaced channels ll, ll that embrace the casting l0 and are connected together at suitable points by means of top and bottom cover plates! 2 and I3, respectively. Adjacent the casting II), where cover plates cannot be employed, said column may be strengthened by the provision of plates I4 (Fig. secured in any suitable manner as by welding between the edges of the flanges of said channels II, II.

A suitable coupler l (Figs. 1a and 2a) is mounted at the end of said column, preferably for limited movement relative thereto to provide train slack. The extent of such train slack movement can be predetermined andmade as small as desired, and in the form shown said coupler is mounted so as to be movable inwardly with respect to said column through a short distance, say about one inch or less, which provides train slack on buif, but so as to be incapable of outward movement with respect to said column so that no train slack is provided on draft. A suitable construction of this type is shown in Figs. 1a and 20., wherein a coupler of the swivel butt type is shown. As shown in these figures, the shank of the coupler I 5 extends inwardly between the channels I I, II and is provided with a slot through which extends a key I6 retained in position by a head I! and a pin l8. The longitudinal dimension of said slot is greater than the dimension of said key so as to provide a space H) as shown in Fig. 1. Laterally of the coupler shank, said key extends through openings in the webs of the channels I I, I I, and to provide greater strength. cheek plates 20 are preferably secured to said channels in any suitable manner as by welding, said cheek plates being provided with strengthening flanges 2| which surround and define slots therethrough in alignment with the openings in said channel webs. The longitudinal dimensions of these slots are greater than the dimensions of the key l6 so as to provide spaces 22 shown in Fig. 1. The butt of the coupler terminates in spaced parallel webs 23 which are interleaved with similar spaced parallel webs 24 of a swivel casting 25; the contacting ends of webs 23 and being curved about the center of a vertical pin 25. On draft, the draft force is transmitted from the coupler butt through the pin 25, the swivel casting 25, key I6 and flanges 2| to the column II, II. On buff, the bufling force moves the coupler and swivel casting 25 inwardly relative to said column through a distance limited as hereinafter described and less,

than the sum of spaces I9 and 22, which relative movement provides train slack on buff only.

Means are provided whereby the inward movement of the coupler I5 relative to the draft and buffing column, as well as further inward movement of said coupler and column and outward movement of said coupler and column, is resisted both resiliently and frictionally. To this end friction wedge means are provided that move relative'to' said column on inward movement of the coupler I5 relative thereto and together with said column on further inward movement and on outward movement of said coupler, together with resilient means that are compressed on inward and outward movement of said coupler or column. Thus train slack movement of the coupler and long travel cushioning movement are resisted by compression of said resilient means, which may also be utilized to maintain frictional engagement between suitable friction elements and said wedge means whereby draft and buffing forces are resisted both frictionally and resiliently.

In the form shown, said wedge means comprise longitudinally extending plates havingfriction surfaces on their outer sides whereby they engage frictionally with the column H, II and inclined wedge surfaces on their inner sides which are in frictional engagement with suitable friction shoes. The arrangement of said wedge surfaces may be such as to provide for equal frictional effect in both directions of movement of the coupler from a normal position, or otherwise,

and the wedge surfaces may be so inclined asto provide greater resistance to movement of said column away from normal position than toward normal position, or vice versa. In the form shown, the wedge means comprise plates 26 having plane outer friction surfaces in engagement with the inner faces of the webs of the channels II, II and inner inclined wedge surfaces which increase in height in opposite directions from their central portions. As shown in Fig. 1a, the outer friction surfaces of said wedges 26 are preferably provided with vertical slots or grooves 21 whereby any chips formed during the frictional action of the cushioning gear can escape from between the wedges and the channels. For causing inward movement of said wedges 26 as a unit with the coupler I5, said wedges are shown as integrally connected by ahead 28 having a central projection 29 that engages in a similar recess in the swivel casting 25. Said wedges 26 are accordingly moved relatively to the column I I, I I on inward movement of said coupler relative to said column for train slack purposes. Beyond said limited coupler movement, however, means are provided whereby both the wedges 26 and the column II, II are moved inwardly as a unit by the coupler, this end being accomplished in the form shown by providing the head 28 with upper and lower flanges 30 adapted to engage upper and lower stop plates 3| secured to the channels II. The total train slack movement of the coupler is thus determined by the spacing between flanges 30 and plates 3I.

Inward movement of the coupler I5, wedges 26 and column II, II is further resisted frictionally by engagement between the inner wedge surfaces thereof and suitable friction shoes that are held against longitudinal movement in any suitable manner. In the form shown, each wedge 26 is engaged by two friction shoes 32 one on each side of the central portion of said wedge, said shoes as shown in Fig. 1a. being substantially triangular in cross section and being held against longitudinal movement by vertical walls 33 forming a substantially diamond-shaped friction member that is secured to the car body in any suitable manner. For maintaining the friction member against longitudinal movement it is preferably connected with the car body bolster, and in the construction shown in the drawings, this is accomplished by forming said friction member as an integral part of the center brace casting I0, the longitudinally extending connections between said castings forming a housing for the cushioning gear. Asshown in Figs. 1, 1a, 2 and 2a, the casting I6 is provided with upper and lower longitudinally extending horizontal arms 36 which extend laterally close to the webs of the channels II, said arms 36 constituting top and bottom walls which are connected by the vertical walls 33. Arms 36 and walls 33 can be secured to said casting I0 and to each other in any suitable manner as by welding or may be cast integrally. Accordingly, this construction provides bolster construction II] integral with a housing formed by the horizontal arms 36 and with the vertical walls 33, whereby the friction shoes 32 and the resilient means hereinafter described are carried and housed.

Movement of the coupler I5, wedges 26 and column I I, I I is also resisted by suitable resilient means which are operatively connected with the friction shoes 32, suitable connections being provided whereby said resilient means is compressed against the inner shoes 32 or outer shoes 32 depending on whether the wedges 26 move outwardly or inwardly. Preferably, said resilient means is disposed in the housing constituted as described above and comprises a coil spring 31, the inner end of which may if desired extend through a suitable opening in the center brace casting III as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said inner end of spring 31.

rests against a follower plate 38 that is engaged by a head 39 of a link 40 extending longitudinally through the entire length of said spring and through suitable openings in the vertical walls, said link 40 being provided at its other end with a key 4| engaging the outer friction shoes 32. As shown, the ends of the key are provided with wear pads 42 pivotally mounted on said key in any suitable manner at 43 and engaging the outer faces of said friction shoes 32. Spring 31 thereby holds the outer friction shoes 32 normally in engagement with the friction surfaces 34 of the casting 33. When said shoes are released by the spring under the action of a draft force as hereinafter described, said shoes are prevented from being displaced by suitable connections to the arms 36 which in the form shown comprise lugs 44 on the upper and lower ends of the shoes, the shoes fitting between the arms 36 and said arms being notched as indicated by the dotted lines 45 in Fig. 1a to receive the lugs 44. A similar connection is preferably made between the inner friction shoes 32 and the arms 36.

The spring 31 is compressed against the follower plate 38 and therefore against the outer friction shoes 32 on inward movement of the coupler, wedges and column by any suitable means-connected to one "of said elements and adapted to engage the outer end of said spring. In the form shown, said outer end is seated in a recess formed in a casting 46 the bottom plate 41 of which constitutes a spring follower through which the link 40 passes freely and theother end of which is provided with a flanged head 48 adapted to be engaged by the innerends of the wedge means 26. By this means the follower 4! is moved inwardly together with said coupler I5 and wedgemeans 26 to compress the spring 31 which thereby affords resilient resistance to draft forces in addition to maintaining the frictional engagement of the outer friction shoes 32 with the wedges 26 and friction. surfaces 34. I

Similar means are provided for engaging the inner end of spring 31 on outwardmovementof the coupler, wedges and column, under draft forces to compress saidspring against the inner friction shoes 32. In the form shown, suit-able stops 49 are secured to the webs of the channels II, H by means of rivets 50 and are disposed so as to engage the follower plate 38 on outward movement of the column. The casting 41 is normally held by the. wedge means 26 in a position wherein the follower 41 is spaced from the inner friction shoes'32 as shown at 5| in Fig. 1a. Outward movement of the column I I, II under a draft force, therefore, first compresses said spring against the wedges 26 and after said wedges have been moved outwardly a distance equal to the space 5I,.said, follower 41 engages the inner friction shoes 32. In the meantime stops 3| of the column, II engage the flanges 30 of the, head 28whereby said wedges 26 continue to move outwardly as a unit with the column II, II but the spring 31 is then compressed against the inner friction shoes 32, maintaining frictional engagement between said shoes and the wedges 26 and friction surfaces 35 whereby draft forces are resisted both resiliently and frictionally.

In operation, when a bufling force is applied to the coupler I5, said coupler first moves inwardly relative to the column II, 'II through a limited extent which provides train slack. This movement of the coupler is resisted frictionally by frictionbetween the outer surfaces of the wedges 26 and the inner surfaces of the webs of the channels II, II and by the outer friction shoes 32 which are wedged between the wedges 26 and the friction surfaces 34, and resiliently by compression of the spring 31 against the follower plate 38,due to the engagement of the wedges 26 with the head .48 of the follower .41.

When the coupler I5 has traveled inwardly relative to the column sufficiently to engage the flanges 36 with the steps 3|, the coupler, column and wedges thereafter move inwardly as a unit,

continuing the compression of the spring and also the frictional resistance of the outer fric-,

tion shoes 32. Movement of the column can continue throughout a predetermined distance which in the form shown is limited by stops 52 secured to the column II and adapted to engage the outer face of the center brace casting It]. This movement of the column, which absorbs buffing shocks, is preferably made long as compared with the conventional draft gear in order to protect the car body against high forces and, for example, the travel of the column may be of the order -of seven to nine inches, although it will be understoodthat :larger travelmay be ,;provided when desirable ,-,sinc e v this-"cushioning travel is independent' of the coupler travel which provides train-slack. As soonas the bumng force has been absorbed, the spring 31 expands and returns-the parts to the position shown in the drawings The return of the column'll, II to normal position is snubbed frictionally by the outer friction shoes 32 which are subject to the compressionof the spring 3'], whereby excessive recoil is avoided.

Wh'en a' dr'aft force is appliedto the coupler I-5 at theend of the car sho'wnin the drawings, the column H, II is moved outwardly without slack movement of said coupler relative thereto. Stops 49 engage the follower plate 38 and compress spring 31 against the wedges 26, moving said wedges outwardly until the follower 41 engages the inner friction shoes 32. Movement of the column II, II also results in the engagement of stops 3| with flanges 36 of the head 28 whereby the wedges 26 and column II, II move outwardly asaunit and this movement of the column is resisted resiliently'by compression of spring 37 as well as by the inner friction shoes 32 that are wedged by said spring between the wedges 26 and the friction surfaces 35. Outward movement of column II, II can continue until limited by suitable meanssuch as stops 53 secured to the channels, I I andadapted to engage the inner face of the center brace casting I6, the extent of this outward movement for cushioning draft forces being preferably equal to the inward movement provided for cushioning bufling forces. When the draft force has been absorbed, spring 31 expands and restores the parts to the position shown in the drawings. This return movement of the column is snubbed by the frictional resistance of the inner friction shoes 32 whereby excessive recoil is prevented.

It will be understood that a similar cushion gear ispreferably provided at the opposite end of the car. Hence draft and buffing forces are resisted at both ends of the car, the action of a bufling force on the end of the car shown in the drawings being the same as that of a draft force applied to the other end of the car, and vice versa. Hence in either direction. of

movement at either end of the car, the total tural unit and constitutes a housing for the" cushion gear with which it can be assembled and installed as a unit. With shoes 32 and spring 31 in place and said spring installed under initial compression, the combined bolster, housing and gear are a unit that is self-contained and ready for installation as a unit in a car for use with a draft and bufiing column. From this aspect of the invention, wedges 26 and other parts 'of the construction are not necessary and can be omitted in some cases, the friction shoes engaging directly on the column itself.

It will furtherbe apparent that the invention provides novel cushioning means. that are simple in construction and occupy small space,

being substantially between the bolster and the end of the car. At the same time the cushionwith low forces on the car body. The friction means described act not only to absorb said draft and bufimg forces but also to provide a snubbing action which prevents excessive recoil of the column in returning to normal position under the action of the spring.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that the invention is capable of a variety of mechanical embodiments many of which will now be apparent to those skilled in the art, and that changes may be made in the form, details of construction and arrangement of the parts, all without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference is accordingly to be had to the appended claims for a definition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a railway car, the combination. of a column movable longitudinally relative to the car body under draft and bufiing shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of the column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means frictionally engaging said column and movable relative thereto by said coupler throughout said limited extent, both said wedge means and column being moved by said coupler when said coupler moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes engaging said wedge means, means holding said shoes against longitudinal movement, and resilient means operatively interposed between said friction shoes and column for resisting movement of said column and for maintaining frictional engagement between said shoes and wedge means.

2. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column movable longitudinally relative thereto under draft and bufiing shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of the column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means in frictional engagement with said column, means whereby said coupler moves said wedge means relative to said column throughout said limited extent and moves both said wedge means and column when said coupler moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes held against longitudinal movement and disposed between the bolster and coupler in engagement with said wedge means, and resilient means disposed at least in part between said bolster and coupler, said resilient means being operatively interposed between said friction shoes and column for resistin movement of said column and formaintaining frictional engagement between said shoes and wedge means.

3. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column movable longitudinally relative thereto under draft and buffing shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means extending inwardly from said coupler and movable therewith relative to said column throughout said limited extent, means for moving both said wedge means and column by said coupler when the latter moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes held against substantial longitudinal movement and disposed between said bolster and coupler in engagement with said wedge means, and resilient means disposed in part between said shoes and bolster and extending through an opening in said bolster, said resilient means being operatively interposed between said friction shoes and column for resisting movement of said column and for maintaining frictional engagement between said shoes and wedge means.

4. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column movable longitudinally relative thereto under draft and buffing shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means extending inwardly from said coupler and connected therewith for movement relative to said column throughout said limited extent, means for moving both said wedge means and column by said coupler when the latter moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes held against substantial longitudinal movement and disposed between the bolster and coupler in engagement with said wedge means, resilient means disposed inwardly of said shoes and extending through an opening in said bolster, means operatively connecting said coupler with one end of said resilient means for compressing the same on movement of said coupler, and means operatively connecting the other end of said resilient means with said shoes whereby compression maintains said shoes in engagement with said wedge means.

5. In a railway car, the combination of a column movable longitudinally relative to the car body under draft and buffing shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means frictionally engaging said column and movable relative thereto by said coupler throughout said limited extent, means for moving both said wedge means and column by said coupler when the latter moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes engaging said wedge means, means holding said shoes against substantial 1ongitudinal movement, resilient means operatively connected to said friction shoes for maintaining frictional engagement of said shoes with said wedges and of said wedges with said column, and means operatively connecting said coupler and resilient means whereby the latter is compressed during said movement of limited extent relative to said column and also during said movement of both said wedge means and column.

6. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column movable longitudinally relative thereto under draft and buffing shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent-relative thereto, wedge means frictionally engaging said column and movable relative thereto by said coupler throughout said limited extent, means for moving both said wedge means and column by said coupler when the latter moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes disposed between said coupler and bolster in engagement with said wedge means, means holding said shoes against substantial longitudinal movement, resilient means disposed inwardly of said shoes. and extending through an opening in said bolster, and means operatively interposing said resilient means between said coupler and said shoes whereby said resilient means is compressed on movement of said coupler to maintain frictional engagement of said shoes with said wedge means and of said wedge means with said column.

7. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column movable longitudinally relative thereto under draft and buffing shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means frictionally engaging said column and movable relative thereto by said coupler throughout said limited extent, means for moving both 75 J said wedge means and column by said coupler when the latter moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes engaging said wedge means, means for holding said shoes against substantial longitudinal and lateral movement andcomprising stationary friction surfaces engaging said shoes, and resilient means operatively engaging said shoes, and means operatively connecting said resilient means and coupler.

8. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column movable longitudinally relative thereto under draft and buffing shocks, a conpler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means frictionally engaging said column and movable relative thereto by said coupler throughout said limited extent, means for moving both said wedge means and column by said coupler when the latter moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes engaging said wedge means, means connected to said bolster for holding said shoes against substantial longitudinal and lateral movement and comprising stationary friction surfaces engaging said shoes and resilient means operatively engaging said shoes, and means operatively connecting said resilient means and conpler.

9. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column movable longitudinally relative thereto under draft and buffing shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means frictionally engaging said column and movable relative thereto by said coupler throughout said limited extent, means for moving both said wedge means and column by said coupler when the latter moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes engaging said wedge means, means connected to said bolster for holding said shoes against substantial longitudinal and lateral movement and comprising stationary fricton surfaces engaging said shoes and resilient means having one end operatively connected to said shoes, and means operatively connecting the other end of said resilient means with said wedge means.

10. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column movable longitudinally relative thereto under draft and bufling shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge 'm'eans frictionally engaging said column and movable relative thereto by said coupler throughout said limited extent, means for moving both said wedge means and column by said coupler when the latter moves beyond said limitedextent, friction shoes engaging said wedge means, means connected to said bolster for holding said shoes against substantial longitudinal and lateral movement and comprising stationary friction surfaces engaging said shoes and resilient means disposed inwardly of said shoes and extending through an opening in said bolster, means operatively connecting one end of said resilient means with said shoes, and means operatively connecting the other end with said coupler.

11. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column movable longitudinally relative,

thereto under draft and buffing shocks, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means frictionally engaging said column and movable relative thereto by said coupler throughout said limited extent, means for moving both said wedge means and column by said coupler when the latter moves beyond said limited extent, horizontally extending arms on said bolster connected at their ends by vertical walls, friction shoes held against substantial longitudinal movement and mounted for engagement with said vertical walls and having friction surfaces engaging said wedge means, and resilient means housed between said arms and operatively interposed between said friction shoes and column for resistg ing movement of said column and for maintaining frictional engagement of said shoes with said Wedge means. H

12. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column comprising spaced vertical walls and movable longitudinally relative to said bolster, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means comprising spaced vertical surfaces one engaging each of said walls and movable by said coupler relative thereto throughout said limited extent, said members having inner wedge surfaces, means for moving'both said wedge means and said column, when said coupler moves beyond said limited extent, friction shoes between said members and in engagementwith' said wedge surfaces, means for holding said shoes against substantial longitudinal movement, and resilient means operatively interposed between said friction shoes and column for resisting movement of said column and for maintaining frictional engagement of said shoes with said wedge surfaces.

13. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column comprising spaced vertical walls and movable longitudinally relative to-said bolster, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means comprising spaced vertical surfaces one engaging each of said walls and movable by said coupler relative thereto throughout said limited extent, said members having inner wedge surfaces, means for moving both said wedge means and said column when said coupler moves beyond said limited extent, stationary friction means between said members and having surfaces inclined to said wedge suI-.'

each having a vertical surface engaging one of said walls, the bight of the U operatively engaging said coupler for movement therebyrelative to said column throughout said limited extent, said legs having inner wedge surfaces, friction shoes between said wedge surfaces, means holding said shoes against substantial longitudinal movement, resilient means operatively interposed between said shoes and column, and means for moving both said column and wedge means when said coupler moves beyond saidvlimit-ed extent;

15. In a railway car, the combination of .a body bolster, a column comprising spaced vertical walls and movable longitudinally relative thereto, a coupler mounted on said column for movement .of limited extent relative thereto, a substantially U-shaped wedge means comprising. spaced legs each having a vertical surface engaging one of said walls, the b ight of the U operatively engaging said coupler for movement thereby relative to said column throughout said limited extent, said legs having inner wedge surfaces, friction shoes between said wedge surfaces, means holding said shoes against substantial longitudinal movement, resilient means, a follower for one end of said resilient means and engaged by said legs, means operatively connecting the other end of said wedge means with said friction shoes, and means operatively connecting said wedge means and column for movement together after said wedge means moves through said limited extent.

16. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column comprising spaced vertical walls and movable longitudinally relative to said bolster, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means comprising spaced vertical surfaces one engaging each of said walls and movable by said coupler relative thereto throughout said limited extent, said members having inner wedge surfaces, means for moving both said wedge means and said column when said coupler moves beyond said limited extent, horizontally extending arms extending from said bolster and connected at their ends by vertical walls, friction shoes held against substantial longitudinal movement and mounted for engagement with said walls and having friction surfaces engaging said wedge means, resilient means housed between said arms and operatively engaging said shoes, and means operatively connecting said resilient means and coupler.

17. In a railway car, the combination of a body bolster, a column comprising spaced vertical walls and movable longitudinally relative to said bolster, a coupler mounted at the end of said column for movement of limited extent relative thereto, wedge means comprising spaced vertical surfaces one engaging each of said walls and movable by vsaid coupler relative thereto throughout said limited extent, said members having inner wedge surfaces, means for moving both said wedge means and column when said coupler moves beyond said limited extent, horizontally extending arms on said bolster connected by vertical walls forming a stationary friction means, friction shoes on the inner and outer sides of said friction means in frictional engagement with the same and with said wedge surfaces, resilient means housed between said arms and operatively connected with said shoes for urging the inner or outer shoes as the column moves in one or the other direction, and means operatively connecting said resilient means and coupler.

18. In a railway car of the'type having a body bolster and a draft and bufiing column movable longitudinally relative thereto, combined bolster and cushion gear means comprising bolster construction and spaced walls extending longitudinally therefrom and connected adjacent their ends by transverse walls, and cushion gear means housed by said walls and comprising resilient means and operative connections to said walls for maintaining said resilient means under compression.

19. In a railway car of the type having a body bolster and a draft and buffing column movable longitudinally relative thereto, combined bolster and cushion gear means comprising bolster construction having an opening therethrough, spaced walls extending longitudinally from said bolster construction at the sides of said opening, transverse walls connecting said longitudinal walls adjacent their ends, and cushioning means housed in said opening and by said Walls, said cushioning means comprising a spring and operative connections to said walls for maintaining said spring under compression.

20. In a railway car of the type having a body bolster and a draft and buffing column movable longitudinally relative thereto, combined bolster and cushion gear means comprising bolster construction and spaced walls extending longitudinally therefrom and connected adjacent their ends by transverse Walls, cushioning means housed by said walls and comprising friction shoes and a spring maintaining the. same in engagement with said transverse walls, and operative connections from said spring to said walls whereby said spring is maintained under compression.

21. In a railway car of the type having a body bolster and a draft and buffing column movable longitudinally relative thereto, combined bolster and cushion gear means comprising bolster construction and spaced walls extending longitudinally therefrom and connected adjacent their ends by transverse walls, cushioning means housed by said walls and comprising friction shoes engaging said transverse walls on the inner and outer sides thereof, a spring disposed between said longitudinal walls and engaging said inner shoes at one end, and means operatively connecting the other end to said outer shoes whereby said spring is interposed under compression between the-inner and outer shoes.

22. In a railway car of the type having a body bolster and a draft and buffing column movable longitudinally relative thereto, combined bolster and cushion gear means comprising bolster construction having an opening therethrough, walls extending longitudinally from said bolster at the sidesof said opening, transverse walls connecting said longitudinal walls adjacent their ends, and cushion gear means housed in said opening and walls and comprising friction shoes engaging said transverse walls and a spring extending into said opening and operatively connected at one end to said walls, said spring being compressed and its other end bearing against said shoes.

23. In a railway car of the type having a body bolster and a draft and buffing column movable longitudinally relative thereto, combined bolster and cushion gear means comprising bolster construction having an opening therethrough, walls extending longitudinally from said bolster at the sides of said opening, transverse walls connecting said longitudinal walls adjacent their ends, and cushion gear means housed in said opening and walls and comprising friction shoes engaging the inner and outer sides of said transverse walls, a spring extending into said opening and engaging said inner shoes at one end, and means operatively connecting the other end to said outer shoes.

OTHO' C. DURYEA.

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