Brakes – Position adjusters – Slack
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-13
2001-03-06
Butler, Douglas C. (Department: 3613)
Brakes
Position adjusters
Slack
C188S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196362
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to slack adjuster assemblies which automatically adjust the slack in the brake rigging of a railway vehicle and, more particularly, the invention relates to a locking assembly for preventing the accidental let out of the slack adjuster and turning of the jaw member during shipping and handling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Slack adjusters are well known components which are provided in the brake rigging of railway vehicles to automatically adjust the slack in such brake rigging for a number of reasons. One such reason is that the slack adjuster automatically maintains the brake cylinder piston rod travel within a preselected travel distance. Maintaining such brake cylinder piston rod travel distance within the prescribed limit is of particular importance in present day higher speed train operations. Another important reason is that the slack adjusters will provide a substantially more uniform braking force to be applied to each set of wheels on each car making up a train. Because of the improvement in providing a more uniform braking force, the undesirable possibility of some cars in the train being held back while other cars roll ahead is generally minimized. A third reason is that in a truck-mounted braking system, a slack adjuster may be used to replace one of the brake cylinders of the brake rigging resulting in considerable cost reduction and weight savings.
A double-acting compression actuatable slack adjuster to adjust the slack in a railway vehicle brake rigging, as shown in
FIG. 1
, typically includes an elongated hollow housing member connectable at a first end thereof to a brake rigging, an elongated rod member which is also connectable at a first end thereof to such brake rigging and has a threaded portion at least adjacent a second end thereof. This threaded portion of the rod member extends into and is reciprocally movable within the housing through a second end of the housing. A movable positioning means is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion of the rod member intermediate the ends thereof. This positioning means rotates about the threaded portion of the rod member when in the disengaged position thereby changing the length of the slack adjuster assembly by changing the relative longitudinal position between the housing and the rod member. A pair of abutment surfaces, a pair of urging means, and an overtravel control system are provided for controlling the movement of this positioning means in response to the travel distance of a brake cylinder piston connected to the brake rigging.
When properly installed in the brake rigging, the slack adjuster will maintain specified piston travel at all times. The unit will automatically lengthen on one of the release and application of a brake to adjust for brake shoe wear. When worn shoes are replaced, the unit can be shortened to provide proper piston travel on the forward stroke of the first brake application.
A slack adjuster must be carefully packaged to avoid accidental let out of the slack adjuster and turning of the jaw member during shipping and handling. Either of these occurrences could lead to difficulty during installation of the slack adjuster in the brake rigging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a means for preventing the accidental let out of a slack adjuster during shipping and handling.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for preventing the turning of the jaw member of a slack adjuster during shipping and handling.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a means for maintaining a slack adjuster at a proper length and for ensuring the proper position of the jaw member during installation of the slack adjuster into the brake rigging of a railway vehicle.
Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a locking means for preventing the accidental let out and/or the turning of a jaw member of a slack adjuster during shipping, handling, and/or installation.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking means which may be quickly and easily disengaged upon installation of the slack adjuster in the brake rigging of the railway vehicle.
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing objects, the instant invention comprises a locking assembly for preventing the accidental let out of a slack adjuster wherein the slack adjuster includes an elongated hollow housing member and an elongated rod member mounted for reciprocal movement within the elongated hollow housing member. The elongated rod member has a first portion positioned within at least a portion of the elongated hollow housing member and a second portion extending out of an end of the elongated hollow housing. A jaw member may be provided which is engageable with this second portion of the elongated rod member at a location remote from the end of the elongated hollow housing member. The locking assembly comprises an end cap engageable with the end of the elongated hollow housing. This end cap includes a portion extending substantially parallel with the second portion of the elongated rod member. At least one aperture is formed through this parallel extending portion of the end cap. A means is provided which is engageable within this at least one aperture and with the second portion of the elongated rod member or the jaw member for preventing longitudinal movement of the elongated rod member with respect to the elongated hollow housing member and consequently for preventing the accidental let out of the slack adjuster. A groove may be provided within the second portion of the elongated rod member or the jaw member in a location which is substantially in alignment with the at least one aperture. Alternatively, a protrusion may be provided on the second portion of the elongated rod member or the jaw member in a location which is substantially in alignment with the at least one aperture. The means engageable within the aperture may be a locking means, such as a bolt or a screw, which extends through the aperture and into engagement with either the groove or the protrusion in a manner that allows the elongated rod member to be locked into position.
The locking assembly of the instant invention is particularly useful during shipping and handling of the slack adjuster for preventing unwanted let out of the slack adjuster and turning of the jaw member so as to facilitate installation of the slack adjuster into the brake rigging of the railway vehicle. Additionally, the locking assembly of the invention may be quickly and easily removed after installation of the slack adjuster.
Although a number of objects and advantages of the present invention have been described in some detail above, various additional objects and advantages of the locking assembly of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such detailed description of the invention is taken in conjunction with both the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4593797 (1986-06-01), Schmitt
patent: 4646882 (1987-03-01), Holloway et al.
patent: 4662485 (1987-05-01), Kanjo et al.
patent: 4809820 (1989-03-01), Smith
Daugherty Jr. David W.
Kanjo Wajih
Moriarity Michael J.
Butler Douglas C.
James Ray & Associates
Rodriguez Pamela J.
Westinghouse Air Brake Company
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