The railroad industry employs a large variety of different freight railroad cars for transporting various products. Freight railroad cars travel along railroad tracks on front and rear railway car trucks. Each railway car truck typically includes a pair of side frames that extend parallel to each other and that are connected by a bolster. The side frames are supported by front and rear wheel sets. The bolster is typically connected to the side frames via spring assemblies respectively mounted on the side frames. The bolster includes a centrally positioned bolster bowl configured to receive a center plate of a railroad car body.
The typical bolster bowl is circular and includes a depressed middle portion configured to receive a correspondingly shaped circular center plate attached to the bottom of the railroad car body. The circular shape of the bolster bowl and the center plate of the car body enable the railway car truck to pivot laterally (e.g., yaw) while maintaining relative stability of the car body. For example, the bolster bowl enables a railway car truck to pivot based on a curvature of the tracks without substantially affecting the stability of the car body.
Side bearings, and particularly constant contact side bearings, are typically connected to the bolster of each truck of a freight railroad car to provide additional stability for the car body during travel. Two side bearings are typically respectively located on bearing pads on the bolster between the bolster bowl and the side frames (i.e., on opposite sides of the bolster bowl). To provide additional stability for the car body and trucks, the side bearings are configured to continuously maintain contact with the underside of the car body when the freight railroad car is full, and more importantly when the freight railroad car is empty. In this manner, the side bearings provide additional points of contact between the car body and the bolster to provide desired control of the car body and to prevent car body dynamic instances. Each such side bearing typically includes a spring and/or elastomer element configured to apply pressure or forces between the car body and the bolster to prevent or limit such undesired movement of the car body relative to the bolster and side frames. In other words, constant contact side bearings tend to provide a higher level of functionality when a freight railroad car is empty then when it is filled.
More specifically,
An enlarged exploded view of this known side bearing 108 is better illustrated in
The cage 116 illustrated in
The top or top wall 218 of the cap 112 illustrated in
The elastomer element 114 shown in
One known significant unsolved problem with these side bearings is that different cages have to be manufactured for use with the different elastomer elements. This problem is generally illustrated by
It should be appreciated from the above that manufacture of these known commercially employed side bearings includes selecting one of the cage and the corresponding elastomer element combinations. Each of the cages 116A, 116B, 116C, and 116D has a different respective key 208A, 208B, 208C, and 208D with a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the respective interior channels 210A, 210B, 210C, and 210D of the elastomer elements. For example, the cage 116A includes the key 208A that has a relatively large diameter compared to the keys 208B, 208C, and 208D. The diameter of the key 208A is dimensioned to accommodate the interior channel 210A to enable the elastomer element 114A to attach to the cage 116A. In other words, the diameter of the key 208A is sized to have a relatively strong or tight fit or connection with the interior channel 210A when the elastomer element 114A is placed in the cage 116A during manufacture of the side bearing.
Similarly, the cage 116B includes the key 208B that has a diameter that corresponds to the interior channel 210B of the element 114B, the cage 116C includes the key 208C that has a diameter that corresponds to the interior channel 210C of the element 114C, and cage 116D includes the key 208D that has a diameter that corresponds to the interior channel 210D of the element 114D. In each of these different combinations, the same cap 112 can be connected to any of the cages 116A, 116B, 116C, and 116D as mentioned above.
Thus, it should be appreciated that to manufacture each of the different combinations illustrated in
The present disclosure solves the above problems by providing a single cage configured to receive multiple different lock out inserts which have different keys which are configured to be connected to different elastomer elements. Each of the different lock out inserts includes a different key that is dimensioned to specifically fit an interior channel of a different one of the elastomer elements. When a lock out insert is connected to a cage, the key assists in ensuring that the appropriate elastomer element is attached to the cage and that the desired side bearing is formed.
In the present disclosure, the different lock out inserts are much easier and much less expensive to manufacture compared to manufacturing and maintaining different cages as described above because the lock out inserts are much easier, less expensive, less time consuming, and less energy demanding to manufacture. The present disclosure enables manufacturers to produce common caps and common cages for differently rated side bearings while only having to produce different lock out inserts with differently sized keys for different elastomer elements to make the required different side bearings. In other words, instead of having to manufacture, inventory, and track different cages as described above, manufacturers only have to manufacture, inventory, and track different lock out inserts and elastomer elements which are each usable with a single cage and a single cap.
Each side bearing of various embodiments of the present disclosure thus includes a cage, a cap, one of a plurality of different lock out inserts, and one of a plurality of different elastomer elements. More specifically, in one example embodiment, the cage has a base and a side wall integrally formed with the base. The base and the side wall define locking tab receiving slots. The base also defines a key opening. Each lock out insert in this example embodiment includes a body, a key attached to the body, and two arms which each include a locking tab. The locking tabs are configured to be inserted into the locking tab receiving slots, and in certain embodiments to attach the lock out insert to the cage by snap fitting into the respective locking tab receiving slots. The key which extends tangentially from the body has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the key opening of the base of the cage, thereby enabling the key to fit through the key opening when the lock out insert is mated with or attached to the cage. The railroad car side bearing additionally includes a cylindrical spring element (such as an elastomer element) with an interior channel. The diameter of the interior channel corresponds to the diameter of the key so that the cylindrical spring element can be attached to the key and secured within the cage. The side bearing further includes a cap connected to the cage to enclose the cylindrical spring element.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.
The present disclosure provides a set of different side bearings, each of which can be assembled using a common cage, a common cap, one of a plurality of different lock out inserts, and one of a plurality of different elastomer elements. Each different lock out insert includes a key that is differently dimensioned to correspond to an interior channel of a different elastomer element. While the present application describes various examples of side bearing components including different lock out inserts, different elastomer elements, a same cage, and a same cap, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to these example side bearing components.
The bottom or first side 508 of the base 506 includes or defines a lock out insert receiving channel 702 as best illustrated in
The base 506 and the side wall 512 define the locking tab receiving slots 504A and 504B which each have a curvature partially defined by the side wall 512. The locking tab receiving slots 504A and 504B are respectively configured to receive the locking tabs 612 and 618 of the lock out insert 600 as further discussed below. It should be appreciated that the base and the side wall can alternatively define additional or fewer locking tab receiving slots. It should also be appreciated that the locking tab receiving slots may alternatively be defined only by the base or further alternatively only by the side wall. For example, the locking tab receiving slots may be located in portions of the base which are interior from the side wall.
The key opening 502 enables a key 620 of the lock out insert 600 to extend through the base 506 into the element receiving area 704. The key opening 502 is dimensioned to enable keys of varying diameters on different lock out inserts to extend through the opening 502. In this manner, the key opening 502 enables the same cage 500 to be used with different lock out inserts with different diameter keys.
The dimensions of the example illustrated cage 500 are shown by the relation of dimensions and/or features of the side wall 512 and the base 506. It should be appreciated that the dimensions and/or features of the side wall and/or the base may vary based on side bearing specifications. For example, the dimensions of the locking tab receiving slots may vary to accommodate different locking tab sizes and/or shapes. It should also be appreciated that the dimensions and/or shape of the key opening can vary to accommodate different key sizes and/or shapes. It should also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, multiple key openings are formed in the base of the cage to accommodate lock out inserts with multiple keys.
In this illustrated embodiment, the locking tabs 612 and 618 securely attach the lock out insert 600 to the cage 500 by snapping into the respective locking tab receiving slots and contacting the base 506 and the side wall 512. More specifically, in this illustrated embodiment, each of the locking tabs 612 and 618 respectively include curved walls 613 and 619 that respectively defined grooves 613A (not shown) and 619A configured to receive opposite edges of the base 506. More specifically, in this illustrated embodiment, the locking tabs 612 and 618 are connected to the base 506 by causing the respective walls of the locking tabs that define the grooves to securely engage the edges and/or lips of the base 506 that define part of the locking tab receiving slots. It should be appreciated that the locking tabs may be alternatively shaped to engage and/or connect to other portions of the base 506 and/or the side wall 512. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments, the lock out insert does not snap fit or otherwise securely connect with the base, but rather is just positioned with the base of the cage when installed on the bolster.
The illustrated configuration enables the locking tabs 612 and 618 to be respectively removed from the locking tab receiving slots 504A and 504B and disengaged from the base 506. In this illustrated example embodiment, surfaces of the locking tabs 612 and 618 also engage the side wall 512 which defines the top of the respective slots 504A and 504B. It should be appreciated that the locking tabs 612 and 618 may alternatively be connected to the base 506 and/or the side wall 512 in other suitable manners such as by adhesive(s), mechanical fasteners, weld(s), and/or heat staking in accordance with the present disclosure.
This illustrated embodiment of the lock out insert 600 also includes a key lip 622 and a cylindrical key 620 that tangentially extends from the key lip 622 and the body 602 of the lock out insert 600. The key lip 622 has a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the key opening 502 defined by the base 506. The key 620 has a diameter that is smaller than the key opening 502. In this illustrated embodiment, when the lock out insert 600 is connected to the cage 500, the key lip 622 securely engages with the circular edge of the base 506 that defines the key opening 502 to provide support, alignment, and positioning for the key 620, and to further provide the snap fit of the lock out insert to the base 506. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates different diameter keys 620 with a common diameter key lip 622 so that different lock out inserts can be attached to the same cage 500. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments, the key lip 622 does not snap fit or otherwise securely connect with the base, but rather is just positioned with the base of the cage when installed on the bolster. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments, the lock out insert does not include a key lip.
In the illustrated embodiment, the key 620 has a height that corresponds to a height of the interior channel 210 of the respective or matching elastomer element. Further, the shape of the key 620 corresponds to a shape of the interior channel 210 of the elastomer element in the illustrated embodiment. In these example embodiments, both the interior channel and the key are cylindrically shaped. In other embodiments, if the interior channel has a rectangular shape, the key has a corresponding rectangular shape. In certain embodiments, differently rated elastomer elements may have differently shaped interior channels to provide additional lock out protection to ensure the appropriate key elastomer element combination is used.
It should be appreciated that the lock out insert 600 including, for example, the body 602, the arms 608 and 614, the key 620, and/or the key lip 622 can be made of various different suitable materials. In one example embodiment, the lock out insert is made from a high-density polyethylene. In another example embodiment, the lock out insert is made from a high-density polypropylene. In another example embodiment, the lock out insert is made from a cast or forged metal such as a cast aluminum. It should also be appreciated that the example lock out insert can be made from certain combinations of materials, composite materials, or can be an impregnated material. It should also be appreciated that different lock-out inserts may be made from different materials. It should also be appreciated that making different lock out inserts of such materials is substantially cheaper than making different cages as described above.
It should also be appreciated that each lock out insert can be made in any suitable manner. In one example embodiment, the lock out insert is manufactured using a conventional molding process. It should be appreciated that the lock out insert can be formed from alternative methods and that the employed manufacturing process may in part depend on the shape, size, and material of the lock out insert. Additionally, it should be appreciated that: (a) the material of the lock out insert; (b) the shape and configuration of the lock out insert including its height, width, and depth; and (c) the dimensions of the key can each be specifically selected based on the interior channel of a corresponding elastomer element.
In this illustrated example set of side bearings: (a) the lock out insert 600A includes the key 620A with a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the interior channel 210A; (b) the lock out insert 600B includes the key 620B with a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the interior channel 210B; (c) the lock out insert 600C includes the key 620C with a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the interior channel 210C; and (d) the lock out insert 600D includes the key 620D with a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the interior channel 210D. Thus, the diameter of the key 620A prevents the elements 114B, 114C, and 114D from being attached to the lock out insert 620A because the interior channels 210B, 210C, and 210D are too narrow to accommodate (e.g., fit around) the key 620A.
The examples embodiments of
While the example of
Turning now to
For example, turning now to
It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, and it is understood that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.
This application is a non-provisional of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/569,574, filed Dec. 12, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein.
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