US3033616A - Railroad car axle journal stop - Google Patents

Description

May 8, 1962 K. A. KLINGLER 3,033,616

RAILROAD CAR AXLE JOURNAL STOP Filed Sept. a, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ma 1. mam/61m,

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RAILROAD CAR AXLE JOURNAL STOP Filed Sept. 8, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. me; fl. ,m/Vam,

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RAILROAD CAR AXLE JOURNAL STOP Filed Sept. 8, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

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This invention relates to a journal stop assembly for journal boxes used on railroad freight cars and has for one object to provide means for retaining a conventional bearing brass and wedge, used in a railroad freight car journal box, in position between the journal box and the journal.

Another object is to provide an elastomeric pad which may be interposed between the journal and the journal box sides to limit radial movement of the journal.

Another object is to provide an elastomeric pad which may be interposed between the bearing brass and wedge and the journal box sides to limit relative radial movement of the bearing brass, the Wedge and the box with respect to the journal.

ited States Patent (3 In the conventional railroad freight car, the journal box is seated upon a wedge member, and as both the journal box and wedge are usually made of a soft cast metal, it is common for the abutting surfaces of both members to wear away. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to prevent galling of the abutting surfaces of a wedge and a journal box by placing a hard metal plate therebetween.

Another object is a method for quickly assembling a journal stop in a railroad freight car journal box which method involves the use of no tools other than the usual jack arrangement to take the weight of the car off the journal box and wedge.

During normal usage the journal of a freight car will become worn and pitted, and it is common practice for the journal to be turned down or reduced in diameter to give it a new wearing face. Accordingly, another object of the invention'is to provide an insert for the elastomeric pad above described, which insert will compensate for the decrease in size of the journal so that the elastomeric pad will stop radial movement of the journal.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specification and claims.

The invention is i lustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein- FIGURE 1 is a section in part elevation along the line 1-1 of FIGURE 2, showing a railroad freight car journal box from the inboard end of the axle;

FIGURE 2 is a section along the line 22 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of an axle stop plate for use in a railroad car journal box;

FIGURE 4 is an edge view of the plate shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of an elastorneric pad for use in a railroad car journal box;

FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the pad of'F-IG- URE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged section showing the attachment between the plate and the elastorneric pad;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of another form of an elastomeric pad;

FIGURE 9 is a section along the line 99of FIG- URE 8; 7

FIGURE 19 is a stop plan view of the elastomeric pad of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 11 is a section on the line 11-41 of FIG- URE 1.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

A railroad freight car journal box it) has an aperture 12 in the inboard side through which an axle 14 may be 3,933,6l5 Fatented May 8, 1962 inserted. The axle has been reduced in diameter as at 16 to form a journal part of the axle. Disposed above the journal and seated thereupon is a bearing brass 18, and seated upon the bearing brass 18 is a wedge or key 20. In the conventional railroad freight car, the weight of the car is supported by the bearing brass through the wedge. Disposed between the wedge 20 and the top of the journal box is a plate 22.

Referring more particularly to, FIGURES 3 and 4, the axle stop plate 22 is shown with depending fingers 24 outwardly inclined from opposite sides of the plate 22. Four such fingers are shown but the number is not essential to the invention. The width of the plate plus the outward extension of the projecting fingers will be slightly greater than the width of the inside of the journal so that when the plate is pressed upward in the journal box, during changing of the bearing, the fingers 24 will be pressed tightly against the sides of the journal box and will lock to prevent the plate from slipping downward.

Curving downwardly and inwardly from the opposite sides of the plate 22 are tabs or hook plates 26, from which elastomeric axle stop pads 28 may be suspended. The outside end of the plate 22 may have each side inwardly relieved, as at 27, so that the plate may fit around conventional bosses 29, which project outwardly from the sides of the railroad car journal box.

The inboard end of the conventional wedge 20 is slightly tapered as at 31. Accordingly, the plate 22 has downwardly projecting arms 33 extending from its inboard end, which may act as spring plates or the like to bias the wedge downward against the bearing brass so that no slack is present.

The axle stop pads 28 shown in FIGURES 5 through 10 have a side or face. 30 disposed toward the journal in which there is a shallow curved recess 32, having a radius of curvature approximating that of the journal, so that the pads may partly enclose the journal without normally touching it. The interior of the recess 32 may be longitudinally grooved as at 34 to retain oil. The cushion formed by the pad will yield slightly when the journal strikes it, but not enough to allow the journal substantial radial movement.

The upper part of the face 30 is opposed to the wedge 25 and may be vertically slotted as at 36 so as to form a resilient cushion for the wedge. The teeth defined in the slotted section 36 can yield slightly to permit assembly. The tolerances may be plus or minus and if plus so as to make assembly difficult, this yielding of the teeth elements permits assembly. It is of the utmost importance that the entire area be filled out by the axle stop pad to limit radial axial movement in the box.

Disposed within the pad, as shown in FIGURE 7, is a generally vertical reinforcing member 38 which strengthens the elastomeric pad and serves as a holding means. The upper part of the reinforcing member 38 may form the upper wall of a pocket 40 in the top of the pad. The pocket 4% is adapted to receive a tab or hook plate 26, from which the elastorneric pad is suspended on the reinforcing metal insert.

A modification of the elastomeric pad is shown in FIG- URES 8, 9 and 10 wherein the face 30 which 'is disposed toward the journal has an insert indicated generally at 42. The insert 42 is adapted to be received in a pocket 44 in the pad and be secured therein by a pair of studs 46 which project outwardly from the insert and are received into bores 48 in the pad. Each of the studs 46 is held within the bore by means of a pair of radially outwardly extending lips 50 which abut a shoulder 52 in the bore. In the preferred form, the insert 42 is made from an elastomeric material. However, a brass or bronze insert is also suitable.

The insert 42. has a slight curved recess 54 which has a radius of curvature approximating that of the journal so as to partly enclose the journal without normally touching it. The recess has been longitudinally grooved as at 56 to form a resilient cushion for the journal. The cushion formed by the recess will yield slightly when the journal strikes it, but not enough to allow the journal substantial radial movement. In the case of a brass or bronze insert, the cushioning effect would come from the elastomeric pad itself.

Both the longitudinal grooves 34 and the longitudinal grooves 56 perform a lubricating function for the journal. Oil from the bottom of the journal box will be splashed upward as the train moves and be held in the grooves so that as the journal turns between the pads, the grooves will supply oil to the journal surface.

The use and operation of'the invention are as follows:

In the normal operation of a railroad car, the axle and journal are subjected to severe sharp movements and impacts; When the journal and-axle are moved sharply there is a possibility that the bearing brass and wedge, which support the car on the journal, will be displaced and no longer support the load. This is a dangerous situation and can result in a serious accident.

In order to prevent severe movement of the journal, wedge and bearing brass, elastomeric pads are disposed on either side of the journal box. These pads are :recessed, grooved and slotted to form resilient cushions for the journal and the wedge. These cushions will yield to the journal, brass and wedge, yet will not permit excessive movement thereof in the box. Thus the axis of the journal is constantly maintained in the approximate centerof the box and the brass and wedge are maintained in alignment with it.

In normal usage a railroad car journal will become worn and pitted. The journal is then usually turned down or reduced in diameter to form a new bearing surface. After the journal has been turned down, however, the elastomeric pads do not closely fit around the journal and will permit radial movement. In order to compensate for journals of smaller diameter, elastomeric or brass inserts may be provided for the pads. The inserts can be made in various thicknesses depending upon the journal size. The inserts may be easily; secured into the axle stop pads by pulling the studs 46 through the bores 48 until the radially outwardly extending lips 50 have passed through the smaller part of the bore and are forced against the shoulders 52. The insert is then securely held in the pad.

An axle stop plate may be positioned between the wedge member and the top of the journal box so as to form a means of suspending the elastomeric pads. Besides being a means of suspension for the pads, the plate also separates the wedge and the journal box and serves as a thrust hearing at that point.

In a conventional journal assembly the wedge and journal box are both made of cast metal and the relative movement of the wedge and journal box cause the abutting surfaces of these members to wear away. By interposing a harder, smoother metal plate between the cast members, the wear of said members is considerably, reduced as the cast metal surfaces are not galled by the smooth metal plate. Thus wear is greatly reduced.

A journal assembly constructed in accordance with this disclosure has another extremely important advantage in that the journal stops can be inserted with a minimum of effort and with no tools other than a jack arrangement for taking the weight of the freight car off the journal box and wedge. Thus no additional labor is needed.

In order to replace the journal stop constructed in accordance with the invention, the weight of the car is first removed from the journal box and wedge by a suitable jack arrangement. Next, the plate is pressed upward until it abuts the top of the journal box, the depending fingers pressing against the sides of the journal box hold the plate in position. The elastomeric pads are then slipped into the box and are hooked onto the tabs. The bearing brass and wedge are then placed between the elastomeric pads and on top of the journal and positioned so that when the jacks are removed they will be forced upward against the thrust plate and the weight of the freight car will be carried by them. The journal box is assembled and the freight car is ready for use.

When an axle box seal on the inboard side of the box is used between the box and the journal, violent displacement of the axle radially within the box may destroy the seal. My pads limit radial movement of the axle box and prevent seal destruction and prevent scoring of the journal against the cast. box.

It will be realized that whereas I have shown and described an operative device, still many changes might be made in the size, shape and disposition of parts without departing materially from the spirit of my invention. 1 wish, therefore that my showing be taken as in a large sense illustrative and diagrammatic and not as limiting me to the precise invention.

I claim:

1. In combination with a railroad car journal box containing a wedge member adapted to carry the load of the car, a bearing plate interposed between the journal box and the wedge member, the plate having downwardly inclined fingers in locking engagement with opposite sides of the journal box, said fingers having biting edges engaging and interlocking with the opposite walls of the box to prevent downward movement of the plate.

2. In combination with a railroad car journal box enclosing a wedge, a bearing brass and a journal, a wear plate interposed between the box and the wedge, elastomen'c cushion stop pads supported by the plate and extending downwardly on both sides of the wedge, the brass, and the journal along the opposite walls of the journal box.

3. A railroad car axle journal box comprising a relatively flat plate having spring lock fingers downwardly and outwardly inclined from opposite edges thereof, integral hook members downwardly and inwardly extending from said edges, an elastomeric stop pad adjacent each of said edges interlocking with and supported by the hooks.

4. A railroad car axle journal box comprising a relatively flat plate having spring lock fingers. downwardly and outwardly inclined from opposite edges thereof, integral hook members downwardly and inwardly extending from said edges, an elastomeric stop pad adjacent each of said edges interlocking with and supported by the hooks, metallic reinforcing means contained within the pad and interlooking with the hooks to maintain the pad in position.

5. In a railroad car axle journal box, a journal and a relatively flat plate having spring lock'tingers downwardly and outwardly inclined from opposite edges thereof, integral hook members downwardly and inwardly extending from said edges, an elastomeric stop pad adjacent each of said edges interlocking with and supported by the hooks, the pads presenting concave cylindrical surfaces to horizontally opposite faces of the journal.

6. In a railroad car axle journal box, a journal and a relatively fiat plate having spring lock fingers downwardly and outwardly inclined from opposite edges thereof, integral hook members downwardly and inwardly extending from said edges, an elastomeric stop pad adjacent each of said edges interlocking with and supported by the hooks, the pads presenting concave cylindrical surfaces to horizontally opposite faces of the journal, such faces being grooved.

7. In combination, a railroad car axle journal box, a journal therein, a brass in contact with the journal, a wedge interposed between the brass and the top of the box, a generally flat anchor plate interposed between the wedge and the top of the box, spring locking fingers outwardly and downwardly inclined from opposite edges of the plate, integral hook members downwardly and inward- 1y extended from the said edges, an elastomeric stop pad adjacent each said edge of the plate, depending downwardly on both sides of the wedge, the brass and the journal and interposed between them and the inner walls of the journal box, the pads being thinner adjacent the wedge than they are adjacent the brass.

8. In combination, a railroad car axle journal box, a journal therein, a brass in contact with the journal, a wedge interposed between the brass and the top of the box, a generally flat anchor plate interposed between the wedge and the top of the box, spring locking fingers outwardly and downwardly, inclined from opposite edges of the plate, integral hook members downwardly and inwardly extended from the said edges, an elastomeric stop pad adjacent each said edge of the plate, depending downwardly on both sides of the wedge, the brass and the journal and interposed between them and the inner walls of the journal box, the pads being thinner adjacent the wedge than they are adjacent the brass, the thicker portion of the pads presenting a concave, cylindrical surface to opposite faces of the journal.

9. In combination, a railroad car axle journal box, a journal therein, a brass in contact with the journal, a wedge interposed between the brass and the top of the box, a generally flat anchor plate interposed between the wedge and the top of the box, spring locking fingers outwardly and downwardly inclined from opposite edges of the plate, integral hook members downwardly and inwardly extended from the said edges, an elastomeric stop pad adjacent each said edge of the plate, depending downwardly on both sides of the wedge, the brass and the journal and interposed between them and the inner walls of the journal box, the pads being thinner adjacent the wedge than they are adjacent the brass, the thicker portion of the pads presenting a concave, cylindrical surface to opposite faces of the journal, the cylindrical surfaces being grooved.

10. In combination, a railroad car axle journal box, a journal therein, a brass in contact with the journal, a Wedge interposed between the brass and the top of the box, a generally fiat anchor plate interposed bet-ween the wedge and the top of the box, spring locking fingers outwardly and downwardly inclined from opposite edges of the plate, integral hook members downwardly and in- I wardly extended from the said edges, an elastomeric stop pad adjacent each said edge of the plate, depending downwardly on both sides of the wedge, the brass and the journal and interposed between them and the inner walls of the journal box, the pads being thinner adjacent the wedge than they are adjacent the brass, the pads being of such thickness without normally contacting them as to substantially fill the spaces between wedge, brass and axle on the one hand and the adjacent journal box wall on the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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