US3836013A

US3836013A - Draft gear pocket adapter

Info

Publication number: US3836013A
Application number: US00314537A
Authority: US
Inventors: V Hawthorne
Original assignee: Keystone Industries Inc
Current assignee: Keystone Industries Inc
Priority date: 1972-12-13
Filing date: 1972-12-13
Publication date: 1974-09-17
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-17

Abstract

Adapter structure is used for modifying an existing, relatively large draft gear pocket in a railroad car to receive a relatively smaller replacement draft gear such as a hydraulic cushioning device. The adapter structure changes the shape and reduces the size of the pocket, provides stop means for limiting the travel of a movable portion of the replacement device, guides the movable portion as it slides in the pocket, and holds in position one end of a fixed portion of the replacement device.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Hawthorne 1 Sept. 17, 1974 {54] DRAFT GEAR POCKET ADAPTER 658,787 10/1900 King 213 54 704,716 7/1902 Swan 213/54 [75] Invfimor- Vaughn Hawthorne 1,078,660 11/1913 Burnett et :11 213 54 Mechamcsburgi 1.142358 6 1915 OConnor 213/54 Assigneez y u Industries, Inc. g 3,682,324 8/1972 HLIWIhOIflC 213/43 111. Primary Examiner-Drayton E. Hoffman Fllfidi 1972 Attorney, Agent, or FirmHibben, Noyes & Bicknell [21] Appl. No.: 314,537

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. (:1 213/54 213/8 213/43 Adapter Structure is used for modifying an existing 3 213/69 relatively large draft gear pocket in a railroad car to 511 Int. Cl. B61g 9/04 361 9/20 receive a relatively Smaller replacement draft gear [58] Field 61 Search 213/8 43 50 54 62 Such as a hydraulic Cushioning device The adapter 5 structure changes the shape and reduces the size of the pocket, provides stop means for limiting the travel [56] References Cited of a movable portion of the replacement device, guides the movable portion as it slides in the pocket, 466 684 PATENTS and holds in position one end of a fixed portion of the l inson v. 213/54 1- t d 487,583 12/1892 Orton rep deems evlce 545,555 9 1895 Tomlinson 213/54 14 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTED 3.836.01 3

mm

2 or 3 1 DRAFT GEAR POCKET ADAPTER This invention relates to a railway car draft gear and in particular to an adapter structure for converting an existing draft gear pocket to accommodate a modern cushioning device which replaces the original draft gear.

Since the original draft gears installed in many older railway cars were large, such railway cars had large draft gear pockets at their ends. Such older cars may be updated by replacing their original large draft gears with smaller, modern cushioning devices. The adapter structure of the present invention modifies the original draft gear pocket by changing its shape and reducing its size to accept the modern device. In addition, the adapter structure limits the travel of a movable portion of the cushioning device and guides the movable portion as it moves between buff and draft positions.

The draft gear pocket adapter of the present invention is preferably a prefabricated structure which can be easily installed in such railway car by the rebuilder. The structure generally comprises an assembly which includes a base plate abutting the original draft gear pocket, means for limiting the longitudinal movement of a movable portion of the cushioning device and means for guiding the movable portion of the cushioning device as it slides through the original draft gear pocket. The adapter structure is constructed to permit easy removal of the cushioning device for servicing. In addition, the adapter structure may have means for holding a fixed portion of the cushioning device against longitudinal movement. Preferably, the structure is made in the form of a pair of assemblies, but may be a single assembly.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide adapter structure for modifying an existing railway car draft gear pocket to accommodate a modern cushioning device which replaces the original draft gear.

Another object of the present invention is to provide adapter structure which can be easily installed in a car having a large draft gear pocket.

A further object of the present invention is to provide adapter structure for limiting the travel of a movable portion of the cushioning device and for guiding the movable portion as it slides through the original draft gear pocket.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide adapter structure which prevents longitudinal movement of a portion of a hydraulic cushioning device.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the following description and accompanying figures of the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view with portions shown in cross section of a car cushioning device having a first form of adapter structure embodying the present invention with the cushioning device shown in a normal position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1, but showing the device displaced by a buff impact;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter structure shown in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view with portions shown in cross section of a second form of car cushioning device having a second form of adapter structure embodying the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5,

but showing portions of the device in dashed lines. 5 In FIGS. 1-4 is shown a first form of adapter structure 10 of the present invention for modifying a large draft gear pocket 12 of a railway car to accept a modern cushioning device 14.

In this instance, the railway car has a longitudinal center sill 16 extending substantially the length of the car (only one end being shown). Secured to the sill 16 are bolster structures 18 to which the trucks (not shown) are attached. The sill 16 generally is channelshaped and has two

vertical side walls

20 and 22 and a horizontal top wall 24. At each end of the sill 16 is a large draft gear pocket 12.

The draft gear pocket 12 is an assembly comprising two

vertical side walls

26 and 28 and the horizontal top wall 24. A pair of flanges 32 extend outward from the two

side walls

26 and 28. The left ends, as shown in FIG. 1, of the

side walls

26 and 28 are secured as by welding to the outer faces of spacer members 34, the inner faces of the spacer members 34 being in turn secured to the

side walls

20 and 22 of the sill 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the right end of the pocket assembly is bell-mouthed, as indicated at 36, and has at its upper edge a transverse end member 38 and at its lower edge a transverse wall 40 for supporting a coupler carrier assembly 42.

The cushioning device 14 includes a hydraulic unit 52 and return spring means 50. The cushioning device 14 forms portions of a fixed assembly 44 not movable with respect to the sill l6 and portions of a movable assembly 46 which carries a coupler 48. The return spring means 50 is operatively connected to the movable assembly 46 and after being displaced by a buff impact returns that assembly to its normal position relative to the fixed assembly.

The hydraulic cushioning unit 52 may be of a type similar to that described in my US. Pat. No. 3,682,324, issued Aug. 8, 1972. and has a reservoir-cylinder assembly 54 and a piston 56 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1). The piston 56 is mounted on a piston rod 58 which extends from both the front and rear ends of the reservoir-cylinder assembly 54.

The fixed assembly 44 is secured to the car sill l6 and includes the reservoir-cylinder assembly 54 which at one end extends a small distance into the draft gear pocket 12. It is understood that the fixed assembly may, instead, include the piston and piston rod with the cylinder being a part of the movable assembly. The reservoir-cylinder assembly 54 is supported by transverse cross members 60 (only one being shown in FIG. 3) which are bolted to the sill 16. The reservoir-cylinder assembly 54 is prevented from moving rearwardly in the sill 16 by a pair of rear stops 62 secured thereto.

The movable assembly 46 comprises the piston 56, piston rod 58 and a yoke 64 which is movable through the existing draft gear pocket 12. At its front end, the piston rod 58 has an enlarged rod end 66 (FIG. 2) which fits in an opening 68 formed in the rear of the yoke 64 to connect the yoke to the piston. At its front end, the yoke 64 carries the pivotably mounted coupler 48.

The yoke 64 is generally similar to the yoke described in my co-pending US. Pat. application, Ser. No. 275,194, filed July 26, 1972. The yoke has a front cavity 72 for receiving the coupler 48. At the sides of the yoke 64 are a pair of vertical projections 71 for engaging stops, hereinafter described to limit the forward and rearward movement of the yoke. The yoke 64 is supported on a carrier plate 73 which is bolted to the flanges 32 of the pocket 12.

The coupler 48 is of the pivot or F type and is connected to the yoke 64 by a coupler pin 74. The pivotal swing of the coupler 48 is limited by the bell-mouthed outer end 36 of the draft gear pocket 12. The coupler pin 74 is located in a pair of upper and lower openings 76 provided in the yoke 64. The coupler pin 74 is vertically supported in the yoke 64 by a retainer key assembly 78. The front of the coupler 48 is supported by the coupler carrier assembly 42 provided at the end of the draft gear pocket 12.

During a buff impact, the movable assembly 46 including the coupler 48 is forced from its normal position to the left, as shown in FIG. 2. After being displaced, the movable assembly 46 is returned to its normal position by the return spring means 50 which is similar to spring means described in the previously mentioned patent application. Return spring means 50 comprises a pair of spring assemblies 84 connected to the sill 16 and operatively connected to the movable assembly 46. The return spring assemblies 84 are arranged, one on each side of the sill 16, and extend forwardly from and parallel to the movable assembly 46. Each return spring assembly 84 comprises an elongated spring rod 86, a spring abutment 88 secured to the sill 16, a spring 90 which cooperates with the abutment 88 to return the spring rod 86 to its normal position after being displaced, and a guide tube 92. The rear of the spring rod 86 is operatively connected to the rear of the piston rod 58 by a cross key 94 which extends through slots 96 (FIG. 1) in the sill 16. The forward end of the spring rod 86 telescopically engages the guide tube 92.

The draft gear pocket 12 is too large to be operative with the portion of the movable assembly 46, in this instance, the yoke 64. Thus, the existing draft gear pocket 12 must be altered in shape, reduced in size, provided with means for guiding the movable assembly, and provided with means for limiting the travel of the movable assembly in the forward and rearward directions.

Adapter structure in accordance with the present invention comprises at least one, and preferably, a pair of assemblies or adapters 100 which are prefabricated at the factory and easily installed by a car builder. The adapters 100 are particularly useful in older cars with large draft gear pockets at their ends which are being updated by the installation of modern devices. Each adapter 100 comprises a rectangular, flat base plate 102, means providing a front stop 106 and a rear stop 108 for the movable member 46, in this instance the yoke 64. The stop means 106 and 108 prevent extreme buff or draft impacts from damaging the hydraulic unit 52. The adapter may also comprise additional stop means 104 for the fixed assembly 44. The thickness of the base plate 102 is such that when installed, the draft gear pocket 12 is reduced in width to a width slightly greater than the width across the projections 71 of the yoke 64. The length of the base plate 102 is chosen so that the base plate 102 will extend along the length of the draft gear pocket 12 and to the end of the car sill 16.

The front stop 104 for the reservoir-cylinder assembly 54 and the rear yoke stop 108 are provided by the opposing front and rear faces of a single vertical block 110 located at the rear of the base plate 102. In order to provide adequate weld area to secure the block 110 to the base plate 102, three slots 112 (FIG. 4) have been provided at the rear end of the base plate.

The front yoke stop 106 comprises a vertical front block 114 joined to three forward horizontal reinforcing

blocks

116, 118, and 120. The three reinforcing

blocks

116, 118, and 120 provide additional weld area for securing the front block 114 to the base plate 102. The middle horizontal block 118 has an outwardly tapered inner face 122 to permit pivotal movement of the coupler 48.

A pair of vertically spaced

longitudinal blocks

124 and 126 are located between each of the rear blocks 110 and the front blocks 114. The

blocks

124 and 126 help locate the

blocks

110 and 114 during fabrication and provide guidance for the yoke 64. A cutout 128 is provided in each of the lower longitudinal blocks 126, to permit the projections 71 of the yoke 64 to pass through so that the yoke 64 may be lowered and removed from the sill.

The thickness of

blocks

110, 114, 116, 120, 124 and 126 is such that when added to the thickness of the base plate 102 the width of the draft pocket 12 is generally reduced to slightly more than the width of the yoke 64 (excluding the projections 71) so as to provide guidance for the yoke as it slides. As is shown in FIG. 4, wear pads 129 are provided on the sides of the yoke at the top and bottom for engaging portions of the adapters as it slides.

Installation of the device 14, including the hydraulic unit 52, yoke 64 and adapters 100 is easily accomplished even in older cars. First, the adapters 100 are positioned in the draft gear pocket 12, with the base plates 102 abutting on the

side walls

26 and 28 and the ends of the base plate with the blocks abutting the spacers 34. The base plates 102 are then welded to the draft gear pocket 12. The rear stops 62 for the reservoir-cylinder assembly 54 are secured, as by welding, to the sill 16. The hydraulic unit 52 is then placed in the car, and the cross members 60 are installed to support the hydraulic unit in place. The projections 71 of the yoke 64 are aligned with the cutouts 128, and the yoke is raised vertically into position with the rod end 66 aligned to engage in the opening 68 in the yoke. The carrier plate 73 is then installed to support the yoke. The return spring means 50 may be installed in the car and connected to the unit 52. The hydraulic unit 52 and the yoke 64 of the device 14 may be removed by reversing the above described operations.

During operation of the cushioning device 14, the coupler 48, yoke 64, piston rod 58 and spring rods 86 are forced toward a normal position (also the full draft position) so that the forward faces of the projections 71 are held against the front yoke stops 106 by the return spring means 50, as shown in FIG. 1. After a buff impact, the coupler 48, yoke 64, piston rod 58 and spring rods 86 move rearward. Under severe buff impact these parts may move to the position shown in FIG. 2 so that the rear faces of the projections 71 abut the rear yoke stops 108. As the yoke 64 slides between the normal position (FIG. 1) and the full buff position (FIG. 2), it is guided by contact with the

blocks

110, 114, 124 and 126 of the adapters 100.

of car type impact cushioning device 134. The car has a small channel-shaped sill 136 with a large draft gear pocket 132 at each'end. As shown in FIG. 5, the left end of the draft gear pocket 132 has a shoulder 133,

and the right end of the draft gear pocket 132 has an inwardly extending lip 138, the shoulder 133 and lip 138 providing stops for the original draft gears used in the car.

The impact device 134 is similar to the device 14 and includes a hydraulic cushioning unit 146 which is similar to the unit 52 and return spring means 144. The cushioning device 134 forms portions of a fixed assembly 142 and a movable assembly in the draft pocket 132. The unit 146 has a reservoir-cylinder assembly which abuts a pair of rear stops 148 on a sill 136.

The movable assembly 142 includes the piston and piston rod portion of the hydraulic unit 146 and a yoke 150 which is generally similar to the yoke 64. The yoke 150 carries a fixed or E type coupler 151 rather than a pivotable coupler or F type coupler. The yoke 150 has a front slot 154 for receiving a draft key 156 to mount the coupler 151, and the draft key 156 extends through slots 158 in the sill 136. The yoke 150 has a pair of vertical, sidewardly extending projections 152 for engaging stops, hereinafter described, to limit the travel of the yoke.

The coupler 151 forces the movable assembly 142 rearwardly during a buff impact. After being displaced, the movable assembly 142 is returned to its normal position by the return spring means 144. The return spring means 144, in this instance comprises a pair of spring assemblies 160 connected between the draft key 156 and the sill 136. The return spring assemblies 160 are arranged one on each side of the sill 136, and extend rearwardly from the draft key 156 parallel to the movable assembly 142. Each return spring assembly 160 comprises an elongated spring rod 162 connected at its forward end to the outer end of the draft key 156, a spring abutment 164 secured to the sill 136, and a spring 166 which cooperates with the abutment 164 to return the spring rod 162 to its normal position after being displaced. The operation of the return spring means 144 is similar to the operation of the spring described in my co-pending US. Patent application, Ser. No. 255,600, filed May 22, 1972.

Adapter structure 130 of the present invention is provided to change the shape and size of the pocket 132 and to limit the travel of and to guide the yoke 150. The adapter structure 130 comprises a pair of prefabricated adapters 170 which include a rectangular flat base plate 172, a front stop 175 and a rear stop 176 for the movable assembly in this instance the yoke 150. The adapters 170 may also include means providing a stop 174 for the fixed assembly 140. The front stop 174 for the fixed assembly 140 and the rear stop 176 for the yoke 150 are provided by the opposing, front and rear faces of a single vertical rear block 178. Each front yoke stop 175 comprises a pair of vertically spaced front blocks 180 and 182, the

blocks

180 and 182 being located above and below the slots 158 in the sill. A pair of upper longitudinal blocks 184 extend between the block 178 and block 180 and are similar to the blocks 124 of the adapters 100. A pair of lower longitudinal blocks 186 extend forward from the blocks 178 toward the blocks 182, but stop short thereof to provide a gap or cutout 188 through which the projections 152 of the yoke 150 may pass during installation or removal of the yoke.

The installation of the device 134 is similar to that of the device 14 and will not be described further.

The operation of the device 134 is similar to that of the device 14. The projections 152 on the yoke 150 are forced by the spring means 144 against the front yoke stop l when the yoke is in the normal position as shown in full lines in FIG. 5. The projections 152 on the yoke engage the rear yoke stops 176 when in the full buff position to limit its travel as is shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5. The rear faces of the blocks 178 prevent the hydraulic unit 146 from moving to the. right. The

blocks

178, 180, 182, 184 and 186 guide the yoke 150 as it slides between its buff and draft positions.

. From the foregoing description and accompanying drawings, it is apparent that a novel and useful adapter structure for converting large existing draft gear pocket for use with a smaller, modern cushioning device has been provided. The adapter structure guides and limits the travel of a movable portion of the device and comprises an assembly including a base plate adapted to be secured to the draft gear pocket, stop means for'limiting the travel of the movable portion and guide means for guiding the movable portion in the large draft gear able assembly to a normal position, said adapter struc- V ture reducing the cross-sectional size and changing the shape of the pocket, and comprising a base plate adapted to be secured in fixed relation to the side of the pocket, guide means on said base plate for guiding the movable assembly as it moves longitudinally in the draft gear pocket, and stop means on said base plate for engaging and limiting the longitudinal travel of the movable assembly of the hydraulic cushioning device and also holding the fixed assembly of the hydraulic cushioning device from moving longitudinally in a draft direction, said stop means including a first stop block on the draft end of said base plate for limiting the travel of the movable assembly in a draft direction and a second stop block on the buff end of said base plate for limiting the travel of the same movable assembly in a buff direction, said second stop block also holding the fixed assembly from moving longitudinally in a draft direction, said first and second stop blocks being spaced apart a distance equal to the travel of the movable assembly.

2. Adapter structure as in claim 1, further comprising a pair of upper and lower longitudinal blocks located between said spaced blocks, said longitudinal blocks guiding said movable assembly as it slides in the draft gear pocket.

3. Adapter structure as in claim 2, wherein said movable assembly has a sidewardly extending projection for engaging said spaced blocks to limit the travel of the movable assembly, said lower longitudinal block having an opening therein to permit the projection to pass therethrough for installation and removal of the movable assembly from the car.

4. Adapter structure as in claim 1, wherein the movable assembly includes a piston member relatively slidable in a cylinder forming part of the fixed assembly, a yoke secured to the piston member and located in the draft gear pocket, the yoke having a coupler secured thereto, the yoke having a smaller cross section than the draft gear pocket and being slidable in the draft gear pocket between buff and draft positions, said stop means on said base plate engaging the yoke and limiting the travel thereof, and the guide means on the base plate guiding the yoke as it slides through the draft gear pocket.

5. Adapter structure as in claim 4, wherein said stop means comprises a block, said block holding the cylinder from moving in a longitudinal draft direction.

6. Adapter structure as in claim 1, comprising a pair of prefabricated assemblies adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the draft gear pocket.

7. Adapter structure for modifying an existing large draft gear pocket of a railway car to receive a relatively smaller cushioning device, the car including a sill located adjacent the draft gear pocket, the draft gear pocket having a larger cross section than the sill, the device including a hydraulic cylinder adapted to be held in a fixed position relative to the car, a piston relatively slidable in the cylinder and having a piston rod extending from one end into the draft gear pocket, a yoke secured to the piston rod and located in the draft gear pocket, the yoke having a coupler secured thereto and having sidewardly extending projections thereon, and return spring means for returning the coupler, yoke and piston rod to a normal position, the yoke having a smaller cross section than the draft gear pocket and being adapted to slide in the draft gear pocket between buff and draft positions, said adapter structure changing the size and shape of the pocket, and comprising a pair of fabricated assemblies, each assembly having a flat base plate abutting side walls of the draft gear pocket and extending rearward toward the end of the sill, a first stop block secured to one end of said base plate having one face for engaging the projection on the yoke and limiting the travel of the yoke in a draft direction, and a second stop block secured to the other end of said base plate having a face for engaging the projection on the yoke and limiting the travel of the yoke in a buff direction, said second stop block having a second face for holding the cylinder from moving in a longitudinal draft direction, said first and second stop blocks being spaced apart a longitudinal distance equal to the travel of the device, and a pair of upper and lower longitudinal blocks located between said first and second stop blocks, said stop'blocks and longitudinal blocks engaging and guiding said yokeas it slides, said lower longitudinal blocks having openings therein to permit the projections to pass therethrough for removal of the yoke from the car.

8. Adapter structure for modifying an existing large draft gear pocket of a railway car for a relatively smaller hydraulic cushioning device having a piston member, a cylinder member, one member of the hydraulic cushioning device being adapted to be held in a fixed position relative to the car, the other member of the hydraulic cushioning device having a coupler carrying portion extending into the draft gear pocket, said coupler carrying portion having an extending projection thereon, the other member and the coupler carrying portion being adapted to slide between buff and draft positions, and return spring means for returning the other member and the coupler carrying portion to a normal position, the coupler carrying portion having a smaller cross-sectional size than that of the draft gear pocket, said adapter structure changing the size and shape of the pocket, and comprising an assembly having a flat base plate abutting a wall of the draft gear pocket and extending rearward toward the end of the pocket, afirst stop block secured to the front end of said base plate and having a rear face thereof for engaging said projection on the coupler carrying portion and limiting the travel of the coupler carrying portion in a draft direction, and a second stop block secured to the rear end of said base plate and having a front face for engaging the same said projection on the coupler carrying portion and limiting the travel of the coupler carrying portion in a buff direction, said second stop block having a rear face for holding the one member from moving in a longitudinal draft direction.

9. Adapter structure as in claim 8, further comprising a pair of upper and lower longitudinal blocks located between said first and second stop blocks, said stop blocks and longitudinal blocks engaging and guiding said coupler carrying portion as it slides between its buff and draft positions.

10. Adapter structure as in claim 9, wherein said lower longitudinal block has an opening therein to permit the projection of said coupler carrying portion to pass therethrough for removal of said portion from the car.

11. Adapter structure as in claim 10, wherein there are two of said adapter structures, one being mounted on each side wall of the draft gear pocket.

12. Adapter structure as in claim 11, wherein the piston member is relatively slidable in the cylinder member which is fixed to the car assembly, said device including a yoke forming said coupler carrying portion and being secured to the piston member, the yoke having a smaller cross-sectional size than that of the draft gear pocket and being slidable in the draft gear pocket between buff and draft positions, said stop blocks on said base plate engaging the yoke and limiting the travel thereof and engaging one end of the cylinder member to prevent its travel in a draft direction, and the base plate guiding the yoke as it slides in the draft gear pocket.

13. Adapter structure as in claim 12, comprising a pair of prefabricated assemblies adapted to be secured to opposite sides of the draft gear pocket.

14. Adapter structure for modifying an existing large draft gear pocket at the end of a railway car sill for a relatively smaller hydraulic cushioning device, the draft gear pocket having a larger cross-sectional size than that of the sill, said hydraulic cushioning device having a piston member, a cylinder member and return spring means, one of said members forming a fixed assembly adapted to be held in fixed relation to the sill, the other of said members forming a movable assembly including a coupler and being movable between buff and draft positions, said return spring means returning said movable assembly to a normal position, a portion of said movable assembly extending into said draft gear pocket, said portion of movable assembly having a cross-sectional size substantially smaller than that of said draft gear pocket and about the same crosspocket and said portion of the movable assembly, the inside walls of said base plates forming guide means for guiding the movable assembly as it moves longitudinally in the draft gear pocket, and stop means on said base plate for engaging and limiting the longitudinal travel of said portion of the movable assembly.

Claims

1. Adapter structure for modifying an existing draft gear pocket of a railway car to receive a relatively smaller replacement hydraulic cushioning device having a fixed assembly adapted to be held in fixed position Relative to the car, a movable assembly including a coupler and return spring means for returning said movable assembly to a normal position, said adapter structure reducing the cross-sectional size and changing the shape of the pocket, and comprising a base plate adapted to be secured in fixed relation to the side of the pocket, guide means on said base plate for guiding the movable assembly as it moves longitudinally in the draft gear pocket, and stop means on said base plate for engaging and limiting the longitudinal travel of the movable assembly of the hydraulic cushioning device and also holding the fixed assembly of the hydraulic cushioning device from moving longitudinally in a draft direction, said stop means including a first stop block on the draft end of said base plate for limiting the travel of the movable assembly in a draft direction and a second stop block on the buff end of said base plate for limiting the travel of the same movable assembly in a buff direction, said second stop block also holding the fixed assembly from moving longitudinally in a draft direction, said first and second stop blocks being spaced apart a distance equal to the travel of the movable assembly.

7. Adapter structure for modifying an existing large draft gear pocket of a railway car to receive a relatively smaller cushioning device, the car including a sill located adjacent the draft gear pocket, the draft gear pocket having a larger cross section than the sill, the device including a hydraulic cylinder adapted to be held in a fixed position relative to the car, a piston relatively slidable in the cylinder and having a piston rod extending from one end into the draft gear pocket, a yoke secured to the piston rod and located in the draft gear pocket, the yoke having a coupler secured thereto and having sidewardly extending projections thereon, and return spring means for returning the coupler, yoke and piston rod to a normal position, the yoke having a smaller cross section than the draft gear pocket and being adapted to slide in the draft gear pocket between buff and draft positions, said adapter structure changing the size and shape of the pocket, and comprising a pair of fabricated assemblies, each assembly having a flat base plate abutting side walls of the draft gear pocket and extending rearward toward the end of the sill, a first stop block secured to one end of said base plate having one face for engaging the projection on the yoke and limiting the travel of the yoke in a draft direction, and a second stop Block secured to the other end of said base plate having a face for engaging the projection on the yoke and limiting the travel of the yoke in a buff direction, said second stop block having a second face for holding the cylinder from moving in a longitudinal draft direction, said first and second stop blocks being spaced apart a longitudinal distance equal to the travel of the device, and a pair of upper and lower longitudinal blocks located between said first and second stop blocks, said stop blocks and longitudinal blocks engaging and guiding said yoke as it slides, said lower longitudinal blocks having openings therein to permit the projections to pass therethrough for removal of the yoke from the car.

8. Adapter structure for modifying an existing large draft gear pocket of a railway car for a relatively smaller hydraulic cushioning device having a piston member, a cylinder member, one member of the hydraulic cushioning device being adapted to be held in a fixed position relative to the car, the other member of the hydraulic cushioning device having a coupler carrying portion extending into the draft gear pocket, said coupler carrying portion having an extending projection thereon, the other member and the coupler carrying portion being adapted to slide between buff and draft positions, and return spring means for returning the other member and the coupler carrying portion to a normal position, the coupler carrying portion having a smaller cross-sectional size than that of the draft gear pocket, said adapter structure changing the size and shape of the pocket, and comprising an assembly having a flat base plate abutting a wall of the draft gear pocket and extending rearward toward the end of the pocket, a first stop block secured to the front end of said base plate and having a rear face thereof for engaging said projection on the coupler carrying portion and limiting the travel of the coupler carrying portion in a draft direction, and a second stop block secured to the rear end of said base plate and having a front face for engaging the same said projection on the coupler carrying portion and limiting the travel of the coupler carrying portion in a buff direction, said second stop block having a rear face for holding the one member from moving in a longitudinal draft direction.

14. Adapter structure for modifying an existing large draft gear pocket at the end of a railway car sill for a relatively smaller hydraulic cushioning device, the draft gear pocket having a larger cross-sectional size than that of the sill, said hydraulic cushioning device having a piston member, a cylinder member and return spring means, one of said members forming a fixed assembly adapted to be held in fixed relation to the sill, the other of said members forming a movable assembly including a coupler and being movable between buff and draft positions, said return spring means returning said movable assembly to a normal position, a portion of said movable assembly extending into said draft gear pocket, said portion of movable assembly having a cross-sectional size substantially smaller than that of said draft gear pocket and about the same cross-sectional size as that of said sill, said adapter structure reducing the cross-sectional size of the draft gear pocket to about that of said sill and changing the shape of the pocket, said adapter structure comprising a pair of base plates adapted to be secured in fixed relation to the inside walls of the draft gear pocket, the base plates having a combined thickness generally equal to the difference in the cross-sectional sizes of the draft gear pocket and said portion of the movable assembly, the inside walls of said base plates forming guide means for guiding the movable assembly as it moves longitudinally in the draft gear pocket, and stop means on said base plate for engaging and limiting the longitudinal travel of said portion of the movable assembly.