US2819126A - Packing retainer for journal boxes - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 7, 1958 D. B. ORTLEB PACKING RETAINER FOR JOURNAL BOXES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 26, 1956 60 lNl/EA/TOE .oouems 5/ 7);

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11/5 AT oR NEV Jan. 7, 1958 D. B. ORTLEB 2,819,126

PACKING RETAINER FOR JOURNAL BOXES 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 W12. M]? 5 L H Filed Sept. 26, 1956 lA/VfA/TCE noucams 5. 027155 H15 HTToeA/E/ PACKING RETAINER FOR JOURNAL BOXES Douglas B. Ortleb, St. Louis, Mo. Application September 26,1956, Serial. No. 612,214

7 Claims. (Cl; 308"-89) h present, invention relates generally to means for lubricating the journal portionsnof railway car axles, and 1s. v continuation-impart of my abandoned application Serial, No. 548,922,,filed on November 25, 1 955.

It is commonknowledge that most of the railway rolling, stock equipment in use at the present time, particularly equipment in the freight car category,.includes wheelsupported axles that terminate at each end in a journal portion extending into a journal box.

These journal boxes areso formed as. to provide therein a cavity or well, wherein a mass of oil-soaked waste or packing material is maintained in contact with the underside of the journal whereby to insure the constant lubrication thereof;

Heretofore-numerous devices have beendeveloped and employed for the purpose not only or" maintaining the packing in contact with the journal, but also of preventing travel'of the packing in consequence of journal rotations. However, none of these prior art devices have been found adequate to overcome the old hot box problemthat has plagued railwayoperations for years.

The majority of railway freight car journal boxes presentlyin use include a cavity or well filled with a mass of packing material that is, or at least should be permeated with lubricant. Normally, a sufiicient quantity of said packing material is placed in the journal box to insure lubri'cant transfer at all times to the lower periphery of the journal portion of the axle that extends into said box, as is well understoodl However, as isalsowell known and understood, this-packing material invariably tends to depart from its effective disposition in consequence of the movements of the journal during train operations.

Thus for example, when a freight car is in motion, the rotatingjournals frequently shiftin an endwise direction, that is, longitudinally of the journal boxes. In order to accommodate these movements of each journal, the brass These repeated endwise movements of the rotating journal gradually cause the packing to move outwardly in tlie box, so that an ever-increasing area of the'journal adjacent the fillet is deprived of lubrication, thus producing a condition wherein heat develops in the brass member. Eventually, the packing works its way outwardly to roll upwardly between the terminal flange of the journal and the arcuate well-defining outer wall of the box, so that the packing becomes, so to speak, wadded in the spaces surrounding the outermost portion of the journal.

As an, increased portion of the journal is thus incrementally deprived of lubricant, the heat'factor obviously is intensified. Further, whenthe mass of' packing continues to build up in the box, the combined endwise and rotary movements of the journal result in fragments of packing being introduced, between the hotbrass and now 3.189; heated, journal, wherefore a hotv box condition develops.

2,8 19,126 Patented Jan. 7,. 1958 The primary object of my inventiontherefore, is to provide a novel device of simple construction that is adapted to minimize the development of hot boxes in rail way equipment.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device adapted for use in conventional journal boxes without requiring any structural changes whatever in them.

Journal boxes of the type under consideration are provided with an access opening in the outer wall thereof for depositing the packing and adding lubricant thereto at intervals. Normally these openings are. closed by means of spring-biased lids or cover members.

it is a further object of. the present invention to provide a packing retainer device thatmay be inserted into and properly positioned within the. journal. box, and removed therefrom, via said access opening.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel packing retainer that lends itself readily to packaging and shipping in quantities, as willappear.

Broadly, the packing retainer of. the present invention comprises a pair of spaced side plates of metallic material that are joined by a pair of spaced straps of spring metal material. These four elements form a generally rectangular frame as fabricated, but as will appear hereinafter, said frame when inserted in a journal box will assume a generally U-shaped configuration. The side plates each include a flange segment adapted when the retainer is in use to extend toward the journal in a plane below the axis thereof. As will be more clearly explained, these flanges serve to confine the packing against upward movements thereof from beneath said journal, irrespective of the directional rotations of the car axle. The flanges referred to are covered by rubber sheathing so as to obviate damage to the journal should. the latter shift its position during train operations. Associated with said frame is a substantially crescent-shaped barrier plate adapted to con fine the packing material against outward movements thereof from beneath said journal. This barrier plate is rigid withtthe .bight portion of a generally U-shaped heavy wire element by means of which the barrier assembly may be manually inserted via the journal box access opening after the frame had beeninserted. Complemental means are provided on the frame and the barrier assembly for releasably locking the latter in position.

From the foregoing general description, it should be evident that the packing retainer device of my invention consists of but two components, namely a frame, and a barrier plate assembly. As will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, said frame member would first be manually bent to U-shaped. configuration and inserted into a journal box by way of the access opening. Tliereupon an appropriate quantity of packing material would be deposited beneath the journal, whereupon the barrier plate assembly would be placed in position. Thereafter it would only be necessary to supply lubricant at regular intervals in order to insure against hot box developments and the train delays, and at times the car derailments, incident thereto.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated on two sheets of drawings that accompanies this specification. Objects and advantages not set forth in detail hereinbefore, and a more comprehensive understanding of my invention will be apparent from the detailed descrip tion that follows, reference being bad to said drawings wherein:

Figure l is a plan view of the frame member of a packing retainer device constructed in accordance with the conceptsof the present invention;

Figure 2 is an inner end view of said frame;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 33 ofFigure 1;.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an outer end view of said frame member as it would appear when manually bent to U-shaped configuration for insertion into a journal box through the access opening thereof;

Figure 7 is an outer end elevational view of a barrier plate assembly constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

Figure 8 is an inner end elevational view of said assembly;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view thereof;

Figure .10 is a sectional top plan View of said assembly taken on the line 1010 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through a conventional journal box, demonstrating the present invention in operative disposition therein; and

Figure 12 is a transverse vertical view through said journal box taken on the line 12-12 of Figure 11.

With reference first to Figures 11 and 12, a typical journal box housing H is illustrated with the journal portion I of a railway car axle A extending thereinto. In the customary arrangement shown, the usual bearing plate or brass element B is retained atop the journal I by means of a wedge member designated M, that is interposed between the top wall of the housing and said brass element. The journal-engaging portion of the brass element consists of a Babbitt lining L that is bonded or integrated into the body of said element. The bottom wall combines with the lower portions of the outer, inner, and side walls of the housing H to form the usual lubricant well designated W. An access opening 0 is provided in the outer end Wall of the housing, this opening being normally closed by a pivotally mounted spring-biased cover member C. An axle opening usually sealed by a dust guard D is formed in the inner end wall of the housing H. At its outer end the journal I terminates in a collar or circular flange F, and at its inner end in a fillet portion that merges into the main body of the axle A. At its outer end, the housing H is provided with a pair of transversely spaced abutment lugs for limiting longitudinal movements of the wedge member M in an outward direction. These abutment lugs are integral with and depend from the top wall of the housing I-I inwardly of the opening 0. Only one of said abutment lugs is shown, it appearing in Figure 11 where it is designated AL. The arrangement and all of the elements thus far described are of well known standard construction. And as hereinbefore noted, the present invention contemplates no changes whatever in this typical journal box construction.

The novel packing retainer device of my invention, as also hereinbefore noted, consists of two components: a frame designated in its entirety by the numeral 20, and a barrier-plate assembly designated in its entirety by the numeral 50.

The frame 20, as fabricated and when not in use, is illustrated in Figures 1 through 5. Said frame includes a pair of transversely spaced side plates 22 connected by a pair of longitudinally spaced inner and outer straps 24 and 25 respectively. The side plates 22 are metallic, and the straps are of highly resilient spring steel material. The ends of said straps are riveted as indicated at 26, or otherwise rigidly secured to the side plates.

The outer end of each side plate terminates in an extension 28, and each of said extensions terminates in an integral flange segment 30 normal thereto as shown. Provided in each flange 30, in approximate alinement with the outermost edge of the strap 25, is a notch 32 for a purpose to appear. Forwardly of the extension 28, each side plate 22 has an integral flange 34 normal thereto that is encased within a rubber sheath 36. Rivets 38 passing through said flange and sheath permanently secure the latter in place. The corner portion 40 of each extension 28 is curved slightly as indicated at 42. Rigidly secured to the strap 25 by rivets 44 as shown, or otherwise, is a pair of transversely spaced lock fingers 46.

From the foregoing description and the drawings, it should be apparent that the frame 20 lends itself readily to stacking for shipment in quantities. When in use as will be more comprehensively explained, said frame assumes a configuration approximating that illustrated in Figure 6.

The assembly 50 is illustrated per se in Figures 7 through 10. It includes a crescent-shaped barrier plate 52 and a generally U-shaped relatively heavy wire element S4. The lower marginal edge 56 of the plate 52 has formed therein a pair of indentations or notches 58 that are spaced correspondingly to the lock fingers 46 of the frame 20. Adjacent each notch 58, the barrier plate is preferably provided with an integral upwardly curved extension 60 as shown. Numeral 61 indicates the upper marginal edge of the plate 52. The bight portion 62 of the wire element 54 is welded as at 64, or otherwise rigidly secured, to the outer face of the barrier plate 52, and the free legs 66 of said element terminate in undulated end portion 68 adapted to engage the undersurfaces of the abument lugs AL when the packing retainer of my invention is in use. Each end portion 68 includes a downwardly sloping segment 70 adapted to be engaged by the closed cover member C when the retainer is in position, as shown in Figure 11.

Use

Assuming that it were desired to install the present invention in a journal box of the type illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, all packing material at such time in the box would first be removed by way of the access opening 0.

Thereupon the frame 20 would be manually bent as suggested in Figure 6 and then compressed sufliciently to facilitate its insertion via the opening 0 and its subsequent disposition beneath the journal in the Well W, as should be apparent. With the frame now in place, the inherent resiliency of the supporting straps 24 and 25 would automatically cause the side plates 22 to firmly bear against the side walls of the housing H as best seen in Figure 12. Consequently said frame would be maintained rigidly in position, with the central portions of the straps 24 and 25 in contact, or at least in approximate contact, with the bottom wall of the housing.

After the frame 20 had thus been positioned, a sulficient quantity of packing P would be inserted to substanflanges 34 of the side plates 22 also cooperate with the journal to define the space to be packed.

Next, the barrier plate assembly 50 would be inserted diagonally downwardly through the opening 0 unt1l the notches 58 engaged over the lock fingers 46, whereupon inward manual pressure applied to the legs 66 would cause them to snap into the notches 32 of the side plate ex-- tension flanges 30. Simultaneously, the undulated upper end portions 68 of said legs would engage the undersurfaces of the abutment lugs AL, wherefore it should be apparent that the assembly 50 will be releasably locked-in position at six separate points. The curved extensions 60 bear against the outer end wall of the housing and serve to maintain the barrier plate 52 in contact with the outer edge of the strap 25. The upper marginal edge 61 of said barrier plate is designed to provide adequate clearance between it and the journal flange F to facilitate po. sitioning of the assembly 50. The corner portions 40 of the side plate extensions 28 are curved as at 42 .to conform at least approximately with the curvature of the adjacent outer end wall of the housing H.

Following installation of the frame 20, the packing P, and the barrier plate assembly 50, the well W would be enlarge supplied with lubricant in suflicient quantity to permeate said packing. It is an outstanding feature of the invention, that once the present packing retainer device has been installed in a journal box, it is only necessary to replenish the lubricant at regular intervals without disturbing or in .any way adjusting said device. In other words, the present invention provides a lubrication arrangement that not only minimizes the development of hot boxes, but also simplifies the lubrication of journals once the retainer and packing have been placed in operative position.

It should be noted with attention directed to Figure 11, that when the spring biased-:to-closed-position cover member C is in closure status, the inner face thereof bears against the free downwardly sloping segments 70 of the wire element Manifestly, this feature provides an additional safeguard against displacement of the barrierplate assembly during train operations.

It should be manifest in contemplation of the foregoing description and the drawings, that the present invention may readily be applied to journal boxes currently in service, as well as to new rolling stock equipment. In fine, the packing retainer of this invention is believed to provide for the railway industry a comparatively inexpensive solution of the hot box problem, and simultaneously to provide an efiicient journal-lubricating installation that requires only the periodical addition of lubricant to insure highly efiicient operation.

Although 'the preferred embodiment thereof has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that slight structural changes and modifications may be made without departing from the basic concept and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims hereunto appended.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a journal box having an access opening in its outer end wall, a spring-biased cover member normally closing said opening, an axle opening in its inner end wall, a well portion for containing packing material, and an axle extending through said axle opening and terminating in a journal suspended above said well: a device for preventing displacement of the packing material relatively to said journal in consequence of journal movements comprising: a generally rectangular frame adapted to be bent into a substantially U-shaped configuration to facilitate its insertion into said box via said access opening disposed beneath the journal in said well portion, said frame including a pair of transversely spaced side plates that are joined by a pair of longitudinally spaced straps of spring metal material, the inherent re siliency of said straps automatically causing said plates to bear against the journal box side walls whereby to maintain the frame rigidly in position; means provided on the upper ends of the side plates to confine packing material disposed beneath said journal against upward movements thereof; a barrier assembly also insertable via said access opening to confine said packing material against outward movements thereof, said assembly including a crescent-shaped plate, a generally U-shaped relatively heavy wire element having its bight portion rigidly secured to said plate and its free leg portions each terminating in .a downwardly sloping segment adapted to beengaged by the spring-biased cover member in the closed status thereof; and means on the frame cooperating with complemental means on the barrier assembly for releasably locking said assembly in operative position relatively to said frame.

2. In combination with a journal box having an access opening in its outer end wall, a spring-biased cover member normally closing said opening, a pair of transversely spaced depending abutment lugs inwardly of the access opening, an axle opening in its inner end wall, a well portion for containing packing material, and an axle extending through said axle opening and terminating in a journal suspended above said well: a device for prevent.- ing displacement of the packing material relatively to said journal in consequence of journal movements comprising: a generally rectangular frame adapted to be bent into a substantially U-shaped configuration. to facilitate its insertion into said box via said access opening disposed beneath the journal in said well portion, said frame including a pair of transversely spaced side plates that are joined by a pair of longitudinally spaced straps of spring metal material, the inherent resiliency of said straps automatically causing said plates to bear against the jour nal box side walls whereby to maintain the frame rigidly in position; means provided on the upper ends of the side plates to confine packing material disposed beneath said journal against upward movements thereof; a barrier assembly also insertable via said access opening to confine said packing material against outward movements thereof, said assembly including a crescent-shaped plate, a generally U-shaped relatively heavy wire element having its bight portion rigidly secured to said plate and its free leg portions each terminating in an undulated end portion adapted to engage the undersurface of one of said abutment lugs, and terminating in a downwardly sloping segment adapted to be engaged by the spring-biased cover member in the closed status thereof; and means on the frame cooperating with complemental means on the barrier assembly for releasably locking said assembly in operative position relatively to said frame.

3. The construction set forth in claim 2, and a pair of spaced integral upwardly curved extensions projecting from the lower marginal edge of said crescent-shaped plate and adapted to engage against the outer end Wall of said journal box.

4. The construction set forth in claim 2, wherein the means on the frame cooperating with complemental means on the barrier assembly for releasably locking said assembly in operative position relatively to said frame include a pair of transversely spaced lock fingers each rigidly secured to the outer of said pair of longitudinally spaced spring metal straps of the frame and adapted to engage in a pair of transversely spaced notches provided in the lower marginal edge of the crescent-shaped plate of said assembly.

5. In a packing retainer of the character described, a generally rectangular frame member comprising in combination: a pair of transversely spaced metallic side plates; a pair of longitudinally spaced inner and outer straps of highly resilient spring steel material having their end portions rigidly secured to said side plates; a pair of transversely spaced lock fingers rigidly secured to the outer of said straps; an integral extension forming the outer end of each side plate; a flange segment on each of said extensions having a notch formed therein; a slightly curved formation constituting the corner of each extension; an integral flange on each side plate forwardly of the said extension thereon; a sheath of rubber or like material encasing each said flange; and fastening elements for securing said sheaths to said flanges.

6. In a packing retainer of the character described, a barrier assembly comprising in combination: a substantially crescent-shaped plate; a pair of spaced notches formed in the lower marginal edge of said plate; an integral upwardly curved extension projecting from said lower marginal edge adjacent each of the notches aforesaid of said plate; a generally U-shaped relatively heavy wire element including a bight portion rigidly secured to said plate and upwardly extending free leg portions; and an undulated end terminating in a downwardly sloping segment forming the extremity of each leg portion.

7. The construction set forth in claim 2, wherein the means provided on the upper ends of the side plates to confine packing material disposed beneath the journal against upward movements thereof comprise: an integral References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Herr j May 3, 1955

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