US2566744A

US2566744A - Brake beam

Info

Publication number: US2566744A
Application number: US137712A
Authority: US
Inventors: Otterson Oscar
Original assignee: Schaefer Equipment Inc
Current assignee: Schaefer Equipment Inc
Priority date: 1950-01-10
Filing date: 1950-01-10
Publication date: 1951-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1968-09-04

Description

0. OTTERSON BRAKE BEAM Sept. 4, 1951 Filed Jan. 10, 1950 Fig.3

Patented Sept. 4,, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,566,744 BRAKE BEAM Oscar Ottersdn, Butler, Pa., assignor, by me'sne assignments, to Schaefer Equipment Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 10, 1950, Serial No. 137,712 8 Claims. (01. 188-2234) This invention relates to truss type brake beams for railway cars. i

It is among the objects of this invention to provide such a brake beam in which the tension rod is connected directly to the compression member so that removal of the brake heads will not disturb the truss, in which the brake heads are interchangeable so that they can be mounted on either end of the truss, and in which separate wedges are used for wedging the brake heads tightly on the ends of the truss.

In accordance with this invention a brake beam truss is formed from a compression member and a tension rod, the rod being in front of the compression member and having'its ends connected to the ends of that member either integrally or byseparate connecting elements. Brake heads with recessed bodies receive the opposite ends of the truss. The back wall surface of each body recess is spaced from the adjacent rear surface of the compression member. The spaced surfaces are inclined relative to each other to provide a tapered space between them. Into this space a tapered wedge is driven to hold the front wall of the brake head recess tightly against the front of the compression member. Means also are provided for holding the brake heads against movement lengthwise of the compression member.

Preferably, the rear surface of the compression member at each end thereof is inclined lengthwise relative to the front surface of that member, and the recesses in the brake heads extend entirely through the heads so that they can be used on either end of the truss. Also, it is preferred to form the compression member from a channel having upper and lower flanges connected by a web. End portions of the web are removed to form slots extending entirely through the compression member from front to back, and through which the ends of the tension rod project rearwardly from the compression member. In such a case the wedges may be bifurcated to straddle the projecting ends of the rod. The ends of the wedges may be bent over to lock them in place.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a fragmentary plan view of one end of my brake beam truss; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same end; Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar. to Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, but with the brake head in place and with the body of the head broken away in Fig. 4; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end view of the beam.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the truss of the brake beam is formed in the usual way from a one-piece compression member, in this case a metal channel I, connected at its ends to the ends of a tension rod 2 whose central portion is spaced from the channel by means of the usual strut (not shown). Only one end of this truss is shown, but it will be understood that the other end has the same appearance and construction. To make the connection between the ends of the tension rod and channel, the ends of the upper and lower flanges of the channel preferably first are thickened by upsetting the opposite ends of the channel. The flanges are thickened toward each other, so that the distance between the upper and lower thickened portions 3 will be reduced. Also, the end portions of the channel web are cut away by notching the back of the compression member so that a slot 4 with parallel walls is formed in each end of it. Each slot extends entirely through the channel from front to back, and is in the plane of the beam. The thick walls 3 of the slot are provided with a pair of axially aligned holes that are in line with a similar hole through the tension rods upset and flattened end which extends into the slot and may project slightly from the back of it. Each end of the rod is connected to the corresponding end of the channel by means of a bushing or sleeve 5 that extends through the aligned holes, but which does not project above or below the channel. The lateral pressure on the sleeve, caused by the camber in the channel, holds the sleeve tightly in place. As shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the brake head on each end of the truss has the usual shoe-supporting portion 1 connected by vertical webs 8 and 9 to a central body portion Hi. The body portion is recessed to receive an end of the truss. To permit the brake head to be used on either end of the beam, therecess ll extends entirely through the head and is the same size and shape at both ends. The upper and lower walls of the recess have substantially parallel central areas 12 that rest flat against similar areas at the top and bottom of the compression member, but the recess walls diverge from these central areas toward the adjacent ends of the recess. These diverging areas I3 at the inner end of the recess engage similar diverging areas M at the top and bottom of the compression member and may provide a wedge fit.

The distance from the front to the back of the recess is considerably greater than the width of the compression member flanges, so that when 3 the front wall of the recess engages the front of the compression member the back wall of the recess is spaced from the back of that member. In accordance with this invention, this space is tapered, preferably lengthwise of the beam. If the brake head is not to be usable on the opposite end of the truss, the tapered space could be provided by inclining the back wall of the recess relative toits front wall, but to make the heads interchangeable the front and back walls of the recess are made parallel lengthwise and the tapered space is provided by inclining the rear surface of the. compression member lengthwise thereof inside the brake head. Although thiscan be done by tapering the endof the compression member, it is more advantageous to have the end portion of the compression member diverge laterally toward its end. rear surface 16 of the compression member in- 7 side the head is inclined rearwardly away from the front surface of that member toward the end of the truss, as shown in Fig. 1. These diverging end portions of the compression member can be formed during the upsetting operation that thickens the ends of the channel flanges.

The front wallof the brake head recess is held tightly against the front of the compression memher by means of a tapered wedge I? which is driven into the tapered space between the brake head and inclined-surface 16 at the back of the compression member. As the flattened end of the tension rod projects into this space, the wedge is forked so that it will straddle the projecting end 'of the rod as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The ends of the forks are made long enough to project beyond the end of the compression member to permit them to be hammered over its ends; so as to lock the wedge in place. The Wedge assures a tight fit between the head and truss.

The brake head is provided with holes 18 in the top and bottom of its body which are in alignment with the opening through sleeve 5 so that a suitable fastening member, such as a rivet or bolt I9, can be inserted in them and the sleeve and held in place by a nut 20. The bolt also serves as a solid reinforcing core for the sleeve. The brake head is provided with two pairs of these holes, spaced equal distances from'the opposite sides of its webs 8 and 9. One pair of holes is aligned with the sleeve if the head is mounted on one end of the truss, and the other'pair of holes is aligned with the sleeve if the head is mounted on the oppositeend of the truss. The bolt fits rather loosely in these holes and is inserted in them and the sleeve, but not drawn up tight, before wedge I? is driven into place. Then the nut is tightened on the bolt. The bolt will prevent the brake head from sliding oil the truss in case the head becomes loose on the truss.

It will be seen that with the beam disclosed herein all of the brake heads can be made alike, because there is no need for rights and lofts. Any head can be used on either end of the truss. This reduces the stock of heads that a railway has to keep on hand, and also simplifies replacement of heads. A worn or broken head can be taken off the truss merely by removing the retaining bolt and bystraightening or cuttin off the bent over ends of the wedge'so that the Wedge can be removed. When the head is slipped off the end ofv the truss, the truss will not come apart, because sleeve 5 will keep the tension rod and channel 1 7 connected.

The brakehead is provided witha horizontal slot 22' forreceiving the lower'yoke of the usual In other words, the i 4 brake hanger (not shown). As shown in Fig. 3, the head is inclined a few degrees laterally so that the shoe which it will carry will engage flat against the tapered car wheel. It is obvious that if the head were placed on the opposite end of the truss, the head would be inclined in the opposite direction. Because of this fact and the fact that the yokes of the brakes hangers are parallel to the car' axles, slot 22 has its rear surface inclined backward and outward from its center toward both ends so that the head can be canted on a hanger yoke, regardless of which end of the truss the head is mounted on.

According .to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have-explained the principle of m invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment.

bodies receiving the opposite ends of the compression member, the back wallsurface of each. body recess being spaced from the adjacent rear surface ofsaid member, said spaced surfaces being inclined lengthwise relative to each other to provide a space between them tapered lengthwise toward the adjacent end of the compression member, a tapered wedge driven into said space to hold the front wall of saidbody recess tightly against the front of saidmember, the outer end of the wedge projecting beyond the endof the compression member-and being bent over to lock the wedge in place, and means holding the brake heads against movement lengthwise of said memher.

2. A brake beam comprising a compression member, a tension rod in front ofsaid member having its endsconnected to the ends of the compression member, the opposite end portions of said member having upper and lower surfaces that havesubstantially parallel areas terminating at their inner ends in diverging areas, interchangeable brake heads having bodies provided with recesses extending entirely therethroughfor receiving the opposite ends of the compression member, the upper and lower walls of each body recess having substantially parallel central areas for engaging said parallel areas of. the compression member and havin outwardly diverging end areas .for' engaging said diverging areas of the compression member at either end thereof,.the back wall surface of each body recess being spaced from the adjacent rear surface of. said member. said spaced surfaces bein inclined. lengthwise relative to eachv other to provide a tapered space between them, a tapered wedge driveninto said space tolheld the front wall of said body recess tightlyagainst the front of said member and means holding thebrakeheads against movement lengthwise of the compression member.

.3. A brake beam comprisinga compression member, a tension rod in front of said member 7 having its ends connected to the ends of the compression member andproiecting a short distancefrom the back of it, brake heads having recessed bodies receiving the opposite ends of, theo empression member, the back wall surface of each body recess being spaced from the adiacentirear surface of said member, said spaced surfaces being inclined lengthwise relative to each other to provide a tapered space between them, a bifurcated tapered wedge driven into said space astraddle of the adjacent projecting end of the tension rod to hold the front wall of said body recess tightly against the front of said member, and means holding the brake heads against movement lengthwise of the compression member.

4. A brake beam comprising a compression member, a tension rod in front of said member having its ends connected to the ends of the compression member, the rear surface of the compression member at each end thereof being inclined lengthwise relative to the front surface of said member, brake heads having recessed bodies receiving the opposite ends of the compression member, the back wall of each body recess being spaced from and inclined relative to the adjacent inclined rear surface of said member, a tapered wedge driven into the space between the back of the compression member and each brake head to hold the front wall of its body recess tightly against the front of said member, and means holding the brake heads against movement lengthwise of the compression member.

5. A brake beam comprising a compression member, a tension rod in front of said member having its ends connected to the ends of the compression member, each end portion of the compression member diverging laterally toward the adjoining end of said member, brake heads having recessed bodies receiving said diverging end portions of the compression member, the back wall of each body recess being spaced from and inclined relative to the rear surface of the adjacent diverging end portion of the compression member, a tapered wedge driven into the space between the back of the compression member and each brake head to hold the front wall of its body recess tightly against the front of said member, and means holding the brake heads against movement lengthwise of the compression member.

6. A brake beam comprising a channel shape compression member having upper and lower flanges connected by a web, end portions of the web being removed to form slots extending en- 'tirely through the compression member from front to back, a tension rod in front of said member having its ends projecting into the slots and rearwardly therefrom, each end of the rod and said flanges above and below it being provided with aligned holes, a sleeve extending through said holes to connect the rod and compression member together, brake heads having recessed bodies receiving the opposite ends of the compression member, the back wall surface of each body recess being spaced from the adjacent rear surface of the compression member above and below the adjacent slot, said spaced surfaces being inclined lengthwise relative to each other to provide a tapered space between them, a bifurcated tapered wedge driven into said space astraddle of the projecting rod to hold the front wall of said body recess tightly against the front of said member, and a fastening member extending through each of said bodies and the adjacent sleeve to hold the brake heads against movement lengthwise of the compression member.

'7. A brake beam comprising a channel shape compression member having upper and lower flanges connected by a web, end portions of the web being removed to form slots extending entirely through the compression member from front to back, the portions of said flanges forming the upper and lower walls of the slots being thickened to reduce the height of the slots, a tension rod in front of said member having its ends projecting into the slots and rearwardly therefrom, each end of the rod and the adjoining thickened portions of the flanges being provided with aligned holes, a sleeve extending through said holes to connect the rod and compression member together, the rear surface of the compression member above and below said slots being inclined lengthwise relative to the front surface of said member, interchangeable brake heads having bodies provided with recesses extending entirely therethrough for receiving the opposite ends of the compression member, the back wall of each body recess being spaced from and inclined relative to the adjacent inclined rear surface of the compression member to provide a tapered space between them, a bifurcated tapered wedge driven into said space astraddle of the pro- .iecting rod to hold the front wall of said body recess tightly against the front of said member, and. a fastening member extending through each of said bodies and the adjacent sleeve to hold the brake heads against movement lengthwise of the compression member.

8. A brake beam comprising a cambered compression member, a tension rod in front of said member having its ends connected to the ends of the compression member to form a truss, the rear surface of the compression member at each end thereof being inclined lengthwise relative to the front surface of said member, interchangeable brake heads having bodies provided with recesses extending entirely therethrough for receiving the opposite ends of the truss, the back wall of each body recess being parallel lengthwise to its front wall and spaced from the adjacent inclined rear surface of the compression member, a tapered wedge driven into the space between the back of the compression member and the brake head to hold the front wall of said body recess tightly against the front of the compression member, each brake head having a forwardly opening horizontal slot extending transversely thereof for receivin a brake hanger yoke, the rear surface of said slot being inclined backward and outward from its center toward both ends, and means holding the brake heads against movement lengthwise of the compression member.

OSCAR OTTERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 707,105 Haskell Aug. 19, 1902 955,239 Williams, Jr Apr. 19, 1910 957,399 Williams, Jr. May 10, 1910 2,398,918 Busch Apr. 23, 1946 2,446,341 Otterson Aug. 3, 1948