Brakes – Position adjusters – Slack
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-02
2001-05-15
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Brakes
Position adjusters
Slack
C188S300000, C188S202000, C188S1960BA, C188S197000, C188S265000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230856
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 accidental let out of the slack adjuster during shipping and handling. The present invention is particularly applicable to compression slack adjusters.
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.
When properly installed in the brake rigging, a 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.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a means for preventing 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 assembly 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 assembly which may be quickly and easily disengaged upon installation of the slack adjuster in the brake rigging of the railway vehicle.
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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing objects, the instant invention comprises a locking assembly for preventing accidental let out of a slack adjuster wherein the slack adjuster includes an elongated hollow housing member having at least one sidewall and an elongated rod member mounted for reciprocal movement within the elongated hollow housing member. At least a portion of the rod member extends outwardly from a first end of the slack adjuster and is movable in a lateral direction with respect to a longitudinal centerline of the hollow housing member. A rod weldment washer is secured to the rod member at a predetermined location intermediate each end thereof. This rod weldment washer is positioned within the hollow housing member such that a side edge thereof is a predetermined distance from an inner surface of the at least one sidewall of the hollow housing member during normal operation of the slack adjuster. A force applying means is disposed at the first end of the slack adjuster for applying a force to the rod member in a lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the rod member thereby causing the rod member and the rod weldment washer to move in a lateral direction with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the hollow housing member to frictionally engage the side edge of the rod weldment washer with the inner surface of the hollow housing member. The frictional engagement of the rod weldment washer with the inner surface of the hollow housing member prevents longitudinal movement of the rod member within the hollow housing member and consequently prevents the accidental let out of the slack adjuster.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3850269 (1974-11-01), Beacon
patent: 3900086 (1975-08-01), Billeter
patent: 4405037 (1983-09-01), Severinsson et al.
patent: 4593797 (1986-06-01), Schmitt
patent: 4646882 (1987-03-01), Holloway et al.
James Ray & Associates
Oberleitner Robert J.
Sy Mariano
Westinghouse Air Brake Company
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