US3040597A

US3040597A - Hand brake mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3040597A
Application number: US27804A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Frank E Bretz
Original assignee: Pentron Electronics Corp
Current assignee: Pentron Electronics Corp
Priority date: 1960-05-09
Filing date: 1960-05-09
Publication date: 1962-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 1979-06-26

Description

June 26, 1962 F. E. BRETZ, JR 3,040,597

HAND BRAKE MECHANISM Filed May 9, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. flan/6 [if/29?, J7

June 26, 1962 F. E. BRETZ, JR 3,040,597

I HAND BRAKE MECHANISM Filed May 9, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 26, 1962 F. E. BRETZ, JR 3,040,597

HAND BRAKE MECHANISM Filed May 9, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 u rm WARM-$74 7 #5 IN V EN TOR.

Trim/L 157576;}, 'J,

June 1962 F. E. BRETZ, JR

HAND BRAKE MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 9, 1960 INVHV TOR.

June 26, 1962 F. E. BRETZ, JR 3,040,597

HAND BRAKE MECHANISM Filed May 9, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,040,597 HAND BRAKE MECHANISM Frank E. Bretz, Jr., Elmhurst, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Pentron Electronics Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois I Filed May 9, 1960, Ser. No. 27,804 12 Claims. (Cl. 74-505) This invention relates, generally, to hand brake mechanisms for railway cars and it has particular relation to such mechanisms which usually are mounted near the top of a railway car such as a house car or other railway car. It constitutes an improvement over the invention disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,905,292, issued September 22, 1959.

Among the objects of this invention are: To provide for simply and efliciently releasing the brakes on a railway car that have been set by a hand brake mechanism, such as a mechanism of the type shown in the above identified patent; to set the-brakes by rotation of a hand wheel on the hand brake mechanism employing a friction clutch of the above patent and to release the brakes without requiring reverse rotation of the hand wheel; to prevent accidental release of the brakes once they have been set; to provide for selectively releasing the set brakes either from the top of therailway car or from the ground; to provide for releasing the set brakes from either side of the car by a brake man on the ground; and to arrange the brake release mechanisms to operate independently of each other.

Other objects of this invention will, in part, be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

This invention is disclosed in the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and it comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of this invention reference can be had to the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings in, which:

FIGURE 1 is a view, in front elevation, of a hand brake mechanism in which the present invention is embodied, the upper portion of the hand wheel being broken away in, order to show more clearly the trip levers mounted behind it;

FIGURE 2 is a view, in front elevation, of the hand brake mechanism as shown in FIGURE 1, the hand wheel being omitted and the cover for the case being broken away in order to show the interior details of construction;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, the trip bar means being omitted;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal sectional'view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 55 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 66 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a view, in front elevation, of the flange which is splined on the pinion;

FIGURE 8 is a View, in rear elevation, of the pressure nut which is provided with slots for receiving lugs extending forwardly on the flange shown in FIGURE 7;

3,040,597 Patented June 26, 1962 "Ice FIGURE 9 is a plan view of the trip bar means employed for moving the flange shown in FIGURE 7 laterally into and out of engagement with the pressure not shown in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a plan view of the trip cam means used to operate the trip bar means shown in FIGURE 9 and to hold the flange shown in FIGURE 7 in operative engagement with the pressure nut shown in FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 11 is a view, in end elevation, of the trip cam means shown in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view of the first trip lever which is mounted on one end of the trip cam means as shown in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 1313 of FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 14 is a vertical elevational view of a second trip lever;

FIGURE 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken generally along the line 1515 of FIGURE 14;

FIGURE 16 is a vertical elevational view of a retaining ring which is mounted on one end of the trip cam means shown in FIGURE 10 and serves to rotatably mount the second trip lever shown in FIGURE 14 and to cooperate with the first trip lever shown in FIGURE 12;

FIGURE 17 is a vertical sectional view taken generall along the line 1717 of FIGURE 16-;

FIGURE 18 is an end elevational view of a portion of one end of a railway car, such as a house car, on which the hand brake mechanism of the present invention is mounted near the top;

FIGURE 19 is a view, in vertical side elevation, of the construction shown in FIGURE 18;

FIGURE 20 is a top plan view, certain parts being broken away, of the portion of the brake release mechanism that is mounted at the coupler level near the bottom of the railway car arranged to permit selective operation of the hand brake mechanism from either side of the car; I

and v FIGURE 21 is a View, in vertical elevation, certain parts being broken away, of the mechanism shown in FIGURE 20.

The present invention employs many of the parts shown in the above identified patent. Accordingly, where the various elements are generally thesame, the same reference characters and nomenclature are employed herein.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be observed that the reference character 10 designates, generally, a hand brake mechanism which, as shown in FIGURES 18 and 19 of the drawings, is intended for mounting on a railway car near the top thereof. The particular location on the car construction can be varied as is readily understood. The hand brake mechanism 10 includes a case, shown generally at 11, that is made up of a metallic cover 12 provided with an out turned flange 13 for overlying a back plate 14 to which it is suitably secured.

The hand brake mechanism 10 is intended for manual application of brakes of the railway car. It is used principally for holding the car in a given position on a siding v or to control the speed of and to stop a car at a given mounted on a shaft 18 which is carried by the cover 12 and the back plate 14. As pointed out in the patent above referred to, it is undesirable to wind the chain 15 on the chain winding drum 17 by rotation thereof in a clockwise direction. In order to prevent this, the chain winding drum 17 is provided with an arm 19 WhICh CZIUSBS a second link 20 of the chain 15 to engage a chain stop 21 which extends inwardly from the case 11.

The other or lower end of the chain 15 is connected to the upper end of a rod link 22 which, as shown in FIGURES l8 and 19 and described hereinafter, is connected to the brake rigging for applying the brakes.

The chain winding drum 17 is rotated by a main gear wheel 23. Preferably the main gear wheel 23 is formed integrally with the chain winding drum 17 as illustrated more clearly in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. The teeth on the periphery of the main gear wheel 23 are indriving engagement with the teeth of a pinion 24 which is freely rotatably mounted on a reduced diameter section 25 of a hand wheel shaft which is indicated, generally, at 26 At its left end the hand wheel shaft 26 is provided with a split ring 27 which is positioned in an annular groove 28 and held in place therein by .a retainer ring 29 which has a press fit with the extreme left end of the shaft 26. The retainer ring 29' is journaled in a bushing 30 which is carried by a rear bearing 31 which is mounted in the back plate 14 as shown.

The right end of the hand wheel shaft 26 is provided with a bearing portion 32 which is journaled in a bushing 33 that is carried by a front bearing 34 suitably stationarily mounted in the cover 12.

Although the pinion 24 is freely rotatably mounted on the hand wheel shaft 26, provision is made for placing it in driving connection with the hand wheel shaft 26 in order to rotate the main gear wheel 23 .and wind the chain 15 on the chain winding drum 17. For this purpose a radially extending flange 35 is provided the details of construction of which are shown more clearly in FIG- URE 7. It will be observed that radially extending flange 35 has radially inwardly extending gear teeth 36 which are arranged to mesh with radially outwardly extending gear teeth 37 on the pinion 24. Thus the radially extending flange 35 is splined on the pinion 24 and, while it is rotatable conjointly therewith, it is movable laterally therealong. In the patent above referred to the pinion corresponding to the pinion 24 is provided with a flange integral therewith which corresponds to the radially extending flange 35 of the present invention. As will appear hereinafter, by mounting the radially extending flange 35 on the pinion 2.4 in the manner described, it is possible to quickly disengage the connection to the hand wheel shaft 26 and release the brakes quickly.

In order to place the radially extending flange 35 which is splined on the pinion 24 in driving engagement with the hand wheel shaft 26 lugs 38, preferably six in number, are formed integrally with the radially extending flange 35 as shown in FIGURE 7. The lugs 38 project radially into slots 39 which are formed in a juxtaposed face 40 of a pressure nut 41 the details of construction of which are shown more clearly in FIGURE 8 of the drawings. The pressure nut 41 is internally threaded onto an enlarged externally threaded section 42 of the hand wheel. shaft 26'. As long as the radially extending flange 35 remains in the position shown in FIGURE 3, with the lugs 38 in engagement with the slots 39, the flange 35 and the pinion 24 rotate conjointly with the pressure nut 41.

Formed integrally with the hand wheel shaft 26 at the right end of the threaded section 42 is a radially out wardly extending brake flange 43. Disposed between the brake flange 43 and the radially extending flange 35 is a ratchet wheel 44 which also forms a brake plate. The ratchet Wheel 44 has an internal bushing 45 for rotatable mounting on a hub 46 that extends laterally from and is formed integrally with the pressure nut 41. It will be understood that the ratchet wheel 44 can rotate relative to the hub 46. It constitutes a driving connection between the brake flange 43, integral with the hand wheel shaft 26, and the pressure nut 41 which, it will be recalled, rotates conjointly with the radially extending flange 35 as long as the driving engagement therebetween provided by the lugs 38 is maintained. The driving connection with the ratchet wheel 44 is provided by applying a compression force to opposite sides thereof in a manner that now will be described.

A part of the driving connection is provided through a non-metallic friction disc 47 which may be formed of a phenolic condensation product. The disc 47 is interposed between a brake face 48 on one side of the pressure nut 41 and a brake face 49 on the juxtaposed side of the ratchet wheel 44. Another non-metallic friction disc 54 or like material, is provided on the other side of the ratchet wheel 44. It is positioned between a brake face 51 on the left side of the brake flange 43 and a brake face 52 on the right side of the ratchet wheel 44. As the hand wheel shaft 26 is rotated, the pressure nut 41 is tightened on the enlarged externally threaded section 42 so as to grip the ratchet wheel 44 between it and the brake flange 43. A driving connection between the hand wheel shaft 26 and the radially extending flange 35 and therewith -to the pinion 24 is provided.

At the right end of the shaft 26 is a hand wheel receiving section 55 on which a hand wheel 56 is non-rotatably mounted. It is held in position by a nut 57 and a cotter pin 58, as shown.

In order to hold the brakes in the set position it is necessary that means he provided for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel 44. For this purpose its periphery is provided with ratchet teeth 59 with which a pawl 60 cooperates. As shown in FIGURE 2 the pawl 60 is rockably mounted at 61 on the back plate 14. It is biased by gravity and by a spring 62 into engagement with the ratchet teeth 59.

As pointed out in the patent above referred to it is undesirable that the chain winding drum 17 be rotated in a reverse direction to wind up the chain 15 thereon. In the event that this should take place, vthe rotation of the main gear wheel 23 in the reverse direction will be arrested as soon as the second 'link 20 engages the chain stop 21. However, if the brake man inadvertently continues to rotate the hand wheel 56 in the wrong direction, he would cause the pressure nut 41 to move away from the clutch flange 43.

In view of the small lead of the threads on the threaded section 42, a substantial force could be developed which might result in damage to the hand brake mechanism 10. With a view to preventing such improper operation the hub 46 of the pressure nut 41 is provided with an arcuate slot 63, FIGURE 3 and more completely described in the patent above referred to, for receiving a stop pin 64 which is carried by the clutch flange 43. The stop pin 64 limits the relative rotation between the hand wheel shaft 26 and the pressure nut 41 to the extent permitted by the arcuate slot 63. Should the brake man rotate the hand wheel 56 in the release direcion, as indicated by the arrow 65, FIGURE 1, to such an extent that the arm 19 picks up the second link 20 and causes it to engage the chain stop 21, the main gear wheel 23 is arrested and likewise further rotation of the pin 24 is prevented. Since the pressure nu-t 41 rotates conjointly with the pinion 24 as long as the radially extending flange 35 is maintained in driving engagement through the lugs '38 with the pressure nut 41, the hand wheel shaft 26 can only rotate relative thereto through an extent determined by the movement of the stop pin 64 to the respective end of the arcuate slot 63. No further rotation of the hand wheel 56 in the release direction then is permitted. By limiting the relative movement between the hand wheel shaft 26 and the pressure nut 41, there is no likelihood of damage to the mechanism under the conditions above outlined.

Except for the splined mounting of the radially extending flange 35 on the pinion 24, the construction of the spa es? hand brake mechanism is essentially the same as set forth in the patent above referred to and the functioning is essentially the same. I

In operation, assuming that the radially extending flange 35 is in driving engagement with the pressure nut 41, when it is desired to apply the brakes, the hand wheel 56 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 66, FIGURE 1. Since there will be some tension applied to the chain 15, there will be some resistance to rotation by the pinion 24 and the pressure nut 41. The rotation of the hand wheel 56 and shaft 26 against this tension will cause the pressure nut 41 to rotate slightly along the threaded section 42 and to clamp the ratchet wheel 44 between it and the brake flange 43. The driving connectiomprevionsly described, is maintained and, asthe ratchet wheel 44 is rotated, the pawl 6i? cooper-ates with the ratchet teeth 59 thereon to prevent reverse ro tation. The tension on the chain tends to maintain the driving connection and to grip securely the ratchet wheel 44 in the driving position. Regardless of the amount of vibration to which the car and the hand brake mechanism may be subjected, there is no likelihood that the driving connection will be impaired.

When it is desired to release the brakes, the hand wheel 56 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 65, FIGURE 1. Such rotation tends to cause the pressure nut 41 to back away slightly from the ratchet wheel 44 while it is held against rotation by the pawl 6h. The pressure nut 41 and the pinion 24 then rotate in a brake releasing direction together with the hand wheel shaft 26 and hand wheel 56 as long as sufficient torque is applied to the latter to relieve the pressure applied to the opposite sides of the ratchet wheel 44 sufficiently to permit slippage between it and the brake flange 43 on the one hand and the pressure nut 41 on the other.

It remains to describe the modification of the hand brake mechanism 10 for quickly releasing the set brakes by moving the radially extending flange 35 away from driving engagement with the pressure nut 41. When this movement has taken place, the pinion 24 is free to rotate together with the radially extending flange 35 with the result that the main gear wheel 23 can rotate rapidly to permit the chain 15 to unwind quickly from the chain winding drum 17 and release the brakes without requiring that the hand wheel 56. be rotated in the reverse directionindicated by the arrow 65, FIGURE 1, which eration ordinarily would require considerably greater time. Also, by completely freeing the pinion 24 for rotation, the brakes are fullyreleased. This may not be the case when the brakeman is required to rotate the hand wheel 56 in the release direction since he may not rotate it sufliciently far to completelyrelease the brakes. As a result there maybe some dragging of the brakes, if they are not completely released.

With a View to. moving the radially extending flange 35 rearwardly along the pinion 24 toward the back plate 14 trip bar means, shown generally at 69 in FIGURES 2,. 4 and 6 of the drawings, are provided. FIGURE 9 shows more'completely the details of construction of the trip bar means 69. It will be observed that leftand right levers 7t) and 71 are provided having outwardly extending trunnions 72 and: 73. As shown in FIGURES 2 and 6 of the drawings, the

trunnions

72 and 73 are journaled in bearings 74 vand 75 which are carried by the side walls of the-case 11. The

levers

70 and 71 are provided, respectively, with

jaws

76 and 77. As shown bar 79.

gear wheel 23. This permits the chain 15 to be unwound The left and

right levers

70 and 71 normally are urged to positions where the radially extending flange 35 is held in driving engagementwith the pressure nut 41 through the lugs 38. r This is accomplished by coil compression springs 80, FIGURES 5 and 6 of the drawings,

which are guided by spring sockets '81 associated with the bearings 74 and 75. It will be understoodv that the coil compression springs 89 react between the back plate 14 and

lever arms

82 and 83 of the left and

right levers

70 and 71, respectively. I

In order to provide for rotating the left and right levers 7t) and 71, they are provided with lever arms 84 and 85, respectively, carrying

flanges

86 and 87 which extend toward each other as shown more clearly in FIGURE 9. Cooperating with the flange 87 is a cam arm 88 which extends radially from a shaft'89 forming a part of trip cam means, shown generally at 90 in FIGURES 10 and ll of the drawings. The trip cam means 90, as shown in FIGURE 3, is journaled at its ends in the cover 12 and the back plate 14 so that it rotates about an axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the hand wheel shaft 25. When the shaft 89 of the trip cam means 9% is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 2, the cam arm 88 engages the flange 87 on the right lever 71 and causes it to rotate together with the left lever 70 in counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 5, to compress the springs 80 and to move the radially extending flange 35 toward the back plate 14 and disengage the lugs 38 from the slots 39 in the pressure nut 4-1. When this takes place, the radially extending flange 35 and pinion 24- are free to rotate together with the main quickly from the chain winding drum 17 and complete release of the brakes.

It is desirable that some positive means be provided in addition to the biasing action of the coil compression springs 8i) for controlling the movement of the radially extending flange 35 in a brake releasing direction. For this purpose a safety arm 91, FIGURES 3, 6, l0 and 11,

is formed integrally with the shaft 89 of the trip carn means 90 and it normally extends in overlying relation with respect to the radially extending flange 35. A flared end 92 on the safety arm 91 facilitates movement into the position shown in FIGURE 3, where the safety arm 91 is positioned to prevent movement of the radially extending flange 35 out of driving connection with the pressure nut 41. The weight of the safety arm 91 is suflicient to overbalance the weight of the cam arm 88 and thus the former is normally biased by gravity into the safety position. However, when the trip cam means 90 is rotated to move the cam arm 88 into operative engagement with the flange 87 for operating the'trip bar-means 69, the safety arm 91 is moved out of the path of the radially extending flange 35 and it is permitted to move along the pinion 24 for disengaging the lugs 38 from the slots 39 in the pressure nut 41. Y

In accordance with this invention provision is made for rotating the trip cam means Wfrom a position adjacent the hand wheel 56. In addition provision is made for rotating the trip. cam means 90' to the release position more clearly in FIGURE 5 the jaws 76 are positioned from a location below the position of the hand brake mechanism 10. As will be set forth hereinafter the brakes can be released from either side of the car by a brake man on the ground. The release of the hand brake mech anism10 from any of these three positions is arranged and constructed so that the operation at any point is independent of the operation from the other points. "This is an additional safety feature. i

The means for releasing the hand brake mechanism 10 by operation of the trip cam means 90 at a position adjacent the hand wheel 56 now will be described. It will be observed that the shaft 89 is provided with a hub 94 that is journaled in the cover 12 and extends'therebeyond as shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. Journaled on the extending portion of the hub 94 is a first trip lever 95 the details of construction of which are shown more clearly in FIGURES l2 and 13. It will be observed that the first trip lever 95 has a central bushing 96 to facilitate the rotatable mounting on the hub 94 although it will be understood that the relative rotation between the shaft 89 and the first trip lever 95 is slight. Extending laterally from the portion of the first trip lever 95 which is mounted on the hub 94 are lugs 97 which interfit with a slot 98 that extends centrally across a retaining ring 99 which is shown in more detail in FIGURES 16 and 17 of the drawings. The lugs 97 fit loosely in the ends of transverse slot 98. The retaining ring 99 has a non-circular opening 100 which is arranged to interfit with a non-circular end 101 of the shaft 89. Thus, the retaining ring 99 rotates conjointly with the trip cam means 90 and the first trip lever 95 is loosely connected thereto but may be said to rotate conjointly therewith within the limits of play between the lugs 97 and the sides of the transverse slot 98. As will appear hereinafter the first trip lever 95 is provided in order to permit release of the hand brake mechanism by a brake man on the ground. The retaining ring 99 is held in place on the outer end of the shaft 89 by a screw 102, FIGURE 3.

In order to release the hand brake mechanism 10 from a location adjacent the hand wheel 56, a second trip lever 103 is provided. Its location is shown in FIGURES l and 3 of the drawings and its details of construction are shown more clearly in FIGURES l4 and 15. It will be observed that the second trip lever 103 includes a bearing portion 104 at one end having therein a bushing 105 for rotary mounting on the retaining ring 99. A flange 106 on the retaining ring 99 serves to hold the bearing portion 104 of the second trip lever 103 in operative position since the bearing portion 104 is positioned between this flange 10s and the first trip lever 95. The bearing portion 104 of the second trip lever 103 has a section 107 from which an arcuate portion has been cut away so as to provide arcuate spaced

shoulders

108 and 109. This construction permits the second trip lever 103 to rotate through a substantial distance with respect to the first trip lever 95. Stated conversely it permits relative rotation of the first trip lever 95, when it is operated remotely, with respect to the second trip lever 103 without effecting any movement of the latter while the hand brake mechanism 10 is being tripped from the remote point. However, the shoulder '108 is arranged to engage a surface portion 110, FIG-

URES

1 and 12 of the drawings, to pick up the first trip lever 95 as the second trip lever 103 is swung in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 1, for releasing the hand brake mechanism 10 by a brake man standing adjacent the hand wheel 56.

When it is desired to release the hand brake mechanism 10 by operation of the second trip lever 103, it is rotated from the normal inoperative position shown in FIGURE 1 in a clockwise direction until the shoulder 108 engages the surface portion 110 on the first trip lever 95. Thereafter, the two trip levers rotate together and effect rotation of the retaining ring 99 and thereby of the trip cam means 90. As a result, the safety arm 91 is moved out of the path of the radially extending flange 35 and the cam arm 88 engages the flange 87 to rotate the trip arm means 69 against the biasing action of the coil compression springs 80. The result is that the lugs 38 are moved out of engagement with the slots 39 in the pressure nut '41 and the pinion 24 is'released for rotation together with the main gear wheel 23. The chain Winding drum 17 then rotates to permit the chain to unwind therefrom and release the brakes.

The provision for remote operation of the hand brake mechanism now will be described, particularly with reference to FIGURES 18, 19, and 21 of the drawings.

' conventional manner the bell crank 114 is connected to the brake rigging to permit the brakes to be set manually by rotation of the hand wheel 56 in the manner previously described. A platform 116 is provided on the car end 113 on which the brake man stands for rotating the hand wheel 56 and also for operating the second trip lever 103, in the manner previously described, to quickly release the brakes without requiring reverse rotation of the hand-wheel 56 to effect a gradual release.

As shown in FIGURES l and 12 of the drawings the first trip lever has an extension 117 which is apertured as indicated at 118. As shown in FIGURE 18 a pin 119 extends through the aperture 118 for connecting a clevis 120 thereto. A release link rod 121 extends from the clevis 120 to another clevis 122 at its lower end where a pin 123 connects the same to a lever 124.

As shown more clearly in FIGURES 20 and 21 of the drawings, the lever 124 is rotatable on a shaft 125 which extends between

plates

126 and 127 of a housing that is indicated, generally, at 128 that is located about at the coupler level of the railway car or at a point substantially below the position of the hand brake mechanism 10 near the top of the car end 113. The shaft 125 is welded, as indicated at 129, to the plate 127. As hub 130 is joined to the lever 124 and rotates therewith on the stationary shaft 125. Surrounding the hub 130 is a coil spring 131 which is anchored at 132 to the plate 127 and at 133 to the lever 124. The coil spring 131 acts in a direction to rotate the lever 124 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 21. This acts to bias the release link rod 121 upwardly to effect a corresponding biasing action on the extension 117 of the first trip lever 85. Since the first trip lever 95 operates through the retaining ring 99 on the trip cam means 9 the latter normally is biased by the coil spring 131 in a direction to hold the safety arm 191 in the position shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings where it prevents movement of the radially extending flange 35 out of driving engagement with the pressure nut 41. With a view to providing for release of the hand brake mechanism 10 from the right side of the railway car, as viewed in FIGURE 18, an operating lever 136 is suitably mounted on the shaft 125 in a cutaway portion of a section 137 of the hub 130. Thus the operating lever 136 is rotatable freelyon the shaft 125. It has a portion 138, FIGURE 21, which is arranged to engage a shoulder 139 on the section 137 of the hub 130. The result is that, on rotation of the operating lever 136 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 21, the hub 130 is rotated in a corresponding direction to rotate the lever 124 and apply a tension force to the release link rod 121. In the manner described previously the first trip lever 95 is thereby rotated to release the hand brake mechanism 10. At its lower end the operating lever 136 is connected by a pin 140 to a clevis 141 which is secured to one end of a side operated rod 142 which is long enough to extend to the side of the railway car in a position where the brake man standing on the ground can pull it to effect release of the hand brake mechanism 10.

For operating the release mechanism from the other side of the car another side operated rod 143, FIGURES 18, 19 and 21, is provided. It is connected by a clevis 144 and a pin 145 to an operating lever 146 which is journaled at 147 on the plate 126. A detent 148 on the operating lever 146 engages an arm 149 which extends radially from the hub 130. When the side operated rod 143 has a tension force applied thereto by a brake man at the corresponding side of the railway car, the operating lever 146 is rotated in a clockwise direction to effect rotation of thearm'1'49, hub 130 and lever 124 in the opposite direction to apply a tension force to the release link rod 121. As before, the first trip lever 95 is rotated to effect the quick release of the hand brake mechanism 10. A handle 150, FIGURE 19, extends radially from the outer end of the side operated rod 143 to facilitate grasping it by the brake man. It will be understood that a similar handle is provided a'tthe outer end of the side operated rod 142.

As pointed out, the hand brake mechanism can be released from three locations independently of each other. The construction of the second trip lever 103 is such that it remains in the horizontal position shown in FIG- URE 1 while the first trip lever 95 is being rotated to release position by either the side operated rod 142 or the side operated rod 143. When the hand brake mechanism 10 is released by operation of the second trip lever 103 by a brake man standing on the platform 116, while the first trip lever 95 rotates, as described, and the release link rod 121 moves downwardly, no movement of either of the 'side operated

rods

142 or 143 takes place This is due to the fact that the operating lever 136 has a lost motion connection with the hub 130 and also due to the fact that the arm 149 moves away from the detent 148 on the operating'level 146. It is because of the connections of the operating levers 136 and 146 to the hub 130' that operation of one of'the side operated rods 142, .for example, does not effect any movement of the other side operated rod 143 and vice versa.

Since certain changes can be made in the foregoing construction and different embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter shown in the accompanying drawings and described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel of: a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a bearing section at one end and a hand wheel receiving section at the other end, a ratchet wheel intermediate the ends of said shaft and rotatable therewith, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet wheel to hold the same against reverse rotation, a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said bearing section of said shaft and engaging said main gear wheel, means providing a disengageable driving connection between said pinion andsaid ratchet wheel whereby said main gear wheel is prevented from rotating in a brake releasing direction, and means for completely disengaging said driving connection between said pinion and said ratchet wheel to permit said pinion to rotate freely and release said main gear wheel for rotation in a brake releasing direction.

2. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel of: a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a bearing section at one end and ahand wheel receiving section at the other and rotatable therewith, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet wheel to hold the same against reverse rotation, a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said bearingsection of said shaft and engaging said main gear wheel, a radially extending flange splined on said pinion and rotatable therewith and movable lengthwise thereof, means providing a disengageable driving connection between said flange and said ratchet wheel, and means for moving said flange along said pinion to disengage said driving connection between it and said ratchet wheel to permit said pinion and flange to rotate freely and release said main gear wheel for rotation in a brake releasing direction.

4. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel of; a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a bearing section at one end and a hand wheel receiving section at the other end, a ratchet wheel intermediate the ends of said shaft and rotatable therewith, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet wheel to hold the same against reverse rotation, a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said bearing section of said shaft and engaging said main gear wheel, said pinion having thereon a radially extending flange rotatable conjointly therewith, means providing a disengageable driving connection between said flange and said ratchet wheel, rotatably mounted trip bar means cooperating with said flange for moving it to disengage said driving connection with said ratchet wheel to permit said pinion to rotate freely and release said main gear wheel for rotation in a brake releasing direction, and rotatably mounted trip cam means cooperating with said trip bar means to rotate the same for shifting said flange as aforesaid.

5. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel of: a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a bearing section at one end and a hand wheel receiving section at the other end, a ratchet wheel intermediate the ends of said shaft and rotatable therewith, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet wheel to hold the same against reverse rotation, a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said bearing section of said shaft and engaging said main gear wheel, said pinion having thereon a radially extending flange rotatable oonjointly therewith, means providing a disengageable driving connection between said flange and said ratchet wheel, rotatably mounted trip bar means cooperating with said flange for moving it to disengage said driving connection with said ratchet. wheel to permit said pinion to rotate freely and release said main gear wheel for rotation ;in'.a brake releasing direction, rotatably end, a ratchet wheel intermediate the ends of said shaft and rotatable therewith, a pawl cooperating withsaid ratchet wheel to hold the sameagainst reverse rotation,

a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said bearing section of said shaft and engaging said main gear wheel, said pinion having thereon a radially extending flange rotatable conjointly therewith, means providing a disengageable driving connection between said flange and said ratchet wheel, and means for completely disengaging said driving connection between said flange and said ratchet wheel to permit said pinion and flange thereon to rotate freely and release said main gear wheelffor rotation in a brake re leasing direction. I

3. In ahand brake mechanism, the cornbinationfwith, a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel of:

a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a bearing section at one end and a hand wheel receiving section at the other end, a ratchet wheel intermediate thei'ends of said shaft mounted trip cam means cooperating'with said trip bar means to rotate the same for shifting said flange as aforesaid, and an armon said trip cam means arranged and adapted to overlie said flange and prevent shifting thereof out of operative connection with said ratchet wheel when said tn'p cam means occupies its non-operated position.

a' rotatable hand wheel shaft having a bearing section at one end and a hand wheel receivingsection at the other end, a ratchet wheel intermediate the ends of said shaft and rotatable therewith, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet wheel to hold the same against reverse rotation, a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said bearing section of said shaft and engaging said main gear wheel, said pinion having thereon a radially extending flange rotatable conjointly therewith, means-providing a disengageable driving connection between said flange and said ratchet wheel, rotatably mounted trip bar means cooperating with said flange for moving it to disengage said driving connection with said ratchet wheel to permit said pinion to rotatefreely and release said main gear wheel for rotation in'a brake releasing direction, rotatably mounted trip cam means cooperating' with said tripbar means to rotate the {same-for shifting said flange as aforesaid, and first and second trip leverson said trip cam means for operating the same to rotate said trip bar'means and move said 6. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with r a rotary chain Winding drum and a main gear wheel of:

flange as aforesaid, said first trip lever being connected to said trip cam means for conjoint movement therewith, said second trip lever being rotatable on said trip cam means and operable through said first trip lever to operate said trip cam means.

7. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear Wheel of a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a bearing section at one end and a hand wheel receiving section at the other end, a ratchet wheel intermediate the ends of said shaft and rotatable therewith, a pawl cooperating with said ratchet wheel to hold the same against reverse rotation,

a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said bearing section of said shaft and engaging said main gear wheel, said pinion having thereon a radially extending flange rotatable conjointly therewith, means providing a disengageable driving connection between said flange and said ratchet wheel, rotatably mounted trip bar means cooperating with said flange for moving it to disengage said driving connection with said ratchet wheel to permit said pinion to rotate freely and release said main gear wheel for rotation in a brake releasing direction, rotatably mounted trip cam means cooperating with said trip bar means to rotate the same for shifting said flange as aforesaid, first and second trip levers on said trip cam means for operating the same to rotate said trip bar means and move said flange as aforesaid, said first trip lever being connected to said trip cam means for conjoint movement therewith, said second trip lever being rotatable on said trip cam means and operable through said first trip lever to operate said trip cam means, release means remote from said hand brake mechanism for releasing said main gear wheel for rotation in a brake releasing direction, and a link between said release means and said first trip lever.

8. A hand brake mechanism for mounting adjacent the top of a railway house car and including, a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel, a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a pinion at one end meshing with said main gear wheel and a hand wheel at the other end for rotating said shaft and pinion to wind a chain on said drum to apply the brakes, ratchet means cooperating with shaft to prevent rotation of said main gear wheel in a brake releasing direction, brake release means on said hand brake mechanism at the top of the car for releasing said main gear wheel from said ratchet means to rotate in a brake releasing direction, release means for mounting adjacent the bottom of the car for releasing said main gear wheel from said ratchet means independently of said brake release means on said hand brake mechanism at the top of the car, and means operatively interconnecting said release means at the bottom of the car with said hand brake mechanism.

9. A hand brake mechanism for mounting adjacent the top of a railway house car and including, a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel, a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a pinion at one end meshing with said 7 main gear wheel and a hand wheel at the other end for rotating said shaft and pinion to wind a chain on said drum to apply the brakes, ratchet means cooperating with shaft to prevent rotation of said main gear wheel in a brake releasing direction, brake release means on said hand brake mechanism at the top of the car for releasing said main gear wheel from said ratchet means to rotate in a brake releasing direction, a pair of independently operable release means for mounting adjacent the bottom of the car and operable from opposite sides thereof for releasing said main gear wheel from said ratchet means independently of said brake release means on said hand brake mechanism at the top of the car, and a link common to said pair of release means interconnecting the same with said hand brake mechanism.

10. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel of:

a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a reduced diameter.

section at one'end, an enlarged externally threaded section adjacent thereto, a hand wheel receiving section at the other end, and an integral brake flange between said threaded section and said hand wheel receiving section; a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said reduced diameter section and engaging said main gear wheel, a radially extending flange splined on said pinion and rotatable therewith and movable lengthwise thereof, an internally threaded pressure nut separate and distinct from said pinion, said pressure nut being rotatable on said threaded section and having a laterally extending integral hub and an annular portion having a brake face, normally engaged lug and slot means on said flange on said pinion and on said pressure nut to provide conjoint rotation thereof, a ratchet wheel journaled on said hub having brake faces on opposite sides facing said brake faces on said brake flange and on said annular portion of said pressure nut respectively, means cooperating with said ratchet wheel and preventing reverse rotation thereof, and means for moving said flange on said pinion away from said pressure nut to disengage said lug and slot means and permit said pinion to rotate freely and release said main gear wheel for rotation in a brake releasing direction.

11. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel of:

a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a reduced diameter section at one end, an enlarged externally threaded section adjacent thereto, a hand wheel receiving section at the other end, and an integral brake flange between said threaded section and said hand wheel receiving section; a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said reduced diameter section and engaging said main gear wheel, a radially extending flange splined on said pinion and rotatable therewith and movable lengthwise thereof, an internally threaded pressure nut separate and distinct from said pinion, said pressure nut being rotatable on said threaded section and having a laterally extending integral hub and an annular portion having a brake face, normally engaged lug and slot means on said flange on said pinion and on said pressure nut to provide conjoint rotation thereof, a ratchet wheel journaled on said hub having brake faces on opposite sides facing said brake faces on said ratchet wheel and on said annular portion of said pressure nut respectively, means cooperating with said ratchet wheel and preventing reverse rotation thereof, rotatably mounted trip bar means cooperating with said flange on said pinion for moving it away from said pressure nut to disengage said lug and slot means and permit said pinion to rotate freely and release said main gear Wheel for rotation in a brake releasing direction, and rotatably mounted trip cam means cooperating with said trip bar means to rotate the same for shifting said flange as aforesaid.

12. In a hand brake mechanism, the combination with a rotary chain winding drum and a main gear wheel of: a rotatable hand wheel shaft having a reduced diameter section at one end, an enlarged externally threaded section adjacent thereto, a hand wheel receiving section at the other end, and an integral brake flange between said threaded section and said hand wheel receiving section; a pinion freely rotatably mounted on said reduced diameter section and engaging said main gear wheel, a radially extending flange splined on said pinion and rotatable therewith and movable lengthwise thereof, an internally threaded pressure nut separate and distinct from said pinion, said pressure nut being rotatable on said threaded section and having a laterally extending integral hub and an annular portion having a brake face, normally engaged lug and slot means on said flange on said pinion and on said pressure nut to provide conjoint rotation thereof, a ratchet Wheel journaled on said hub having brake faces on opposite sides facing said brake faces on said brake flange and on said annular portion of said pressure nut respectively, means cooperating with said ratchet wheel and preventing reverse rotation thereof,

rotatably mounted trip bar means cooperating with said flange on said pinion for moving it away from said pressure nut to disengage said lug and slot means and permit said pinion to rotate freely and release said main gear wheel for rotation in a brake releasing direction, rotatapinion as aforesaid, said first trip lever being connected to said trip cam means for conjoint movement therewith, said second trip lever being rotatable on said trip cam means and operable through said first trip lever to operate said trip cam means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,982,016 Olander Nov. 27, 1934 2,071,269 Bartsch Feb. 16, 1937 2,112,235 Camp Mar. 29, 1938 2,905,292 Bretz Sept. 22, 1959