Patent Grant
9366362
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present subject matter relates to supports for railway hoses, and particularly to support assemblies that are of a spring style and provide both stretch and energy absorption during use in suspending and supporting railway brake air hoses, typically from a hose glad hand to a railway coupler.
2. Description of Related Art
Suspension devices for air brake hoses of railway cars are known for suspending from railway car couplers. Such suspension devices help to safely maintain a hose in place during use and transport while allowing for limited movement of the air brake hose in order to facilitate connection of the air brake hose to the remainder of the air brake mechanism and line while permitting the air brake hose to move as needed in order to avoid undesired uncoupling while still restricting movement of the hose to an extent that uncoupling is accomplished only when desired. A typical function of such devices is to provide a secondary or safety support mechanism for the air brake hose.
Typically, hose support systems are provided on each end of a railway car to support the brake air hose above the rails while being connected to a coupler and to an end of the railway unit. Examples of prior hose support systems are found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,521, some such supports including a flat (often fabric or polymeric) strap with a connector positioned in a railway car aperture and a different connector at the other end positioned in an aperture of the brake hose. This includes an adjustably positioned clasp which receives the tongue that adjustably extends through the clasp. This particular patent teaches the strap to be cloth of a substantially non-extensible material. By another approach, a hose strap for a railway car brake line is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,201,779. This hose strap is polymeric or rubber and is flexible and has a plurality of oblong through-holes. Metal clips attach to opposite ends of the strap and pass through the strap holes for connection of the hose support strap to the coupler head and to the glad hand of the brake hose. Another suspension strap for a railway brake air hose that utilizes clips for attachment in a similar manner is U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,853. The subject matter of the publications and patents referenced above and elsewhere herein are hereby incorporated by reference hereinto.
There are several aspects of the present subject matter which may be embodied separately or together in the devices and systems described and claimed below. These aspects may be employed alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects together is not intended to preclude the use of these aspects separately or the claiming of such aspects separately or in different combinations as may be set forth in the claims appended hereto.
As with other railway air brake hose supports, the present supports are provided to maintain a proper height above the rails and railroad ties and ballast while avoiding excessive railway hose movement that could lead to inadvertent separation of railway hose couplings and/or unintended sudden release of pressurized air along the railway train components. It will be appreciated that uncoupling by air brake hoses along a railway train while in transport mode typically will cause emergency braking and perhaps excessively abrupt stopping of the train cars involved, which can lead to inconvenience and possible safety concerns. Damage to equipment and even derailment can be included in these concerns.
In achieving these types of functions of air brake hose supports, the present disclosure seeks to address an objective of having a very durable support assembly that still affords a reasonable degree of flexibility that is well controlled both during use as a hose assembly and upon disconnection of the hose coupling condition that is otherwise maintained during running of the train.
In one aspect of this disclosure, the air brake hose support of the present disclosure is fully metallic; that is, each component of the assembly is constructed of a durable metal. In addition, the air brake hose support is responsive to loads being applied to the assembly to the extent that the total length of the assembly increases under load while returning to its pre-loaded length, or within allowable limits of its pre-loaded length when the load is reduced or removed. A compressible spring defining an elongated passageway has received therewithin at least one spring wireform which contributes to action that compresses the compressible spring, resulting in elongation of the length of the support assembly.
In another aspect of this disclosure, a railway air brake hose support is provided to include a longitudinally compressible coil spring. A first spring wireform is positioned at least partially within the compressible spring and has at least two legs that engage one end portion of the longitudinally compressible spring, with the other end of the spring wireform being within or projecting beyond the other end of the compressible coil spring. A second internal spring wireform is similarly positioned with respect to the compressible coil spring, except its legs engage the other end portion of the compressible spring while being within or protruding from the end of the compressible spring at which the first internal spring wireform is engaged. The first such other end of the first internal spring wireform is attached, directly or indirectly, to a coupler of the railway car, while the second such other end is attached, directly or indirectly, to the air brake hose, typically at its glad hand location. When forces are encountered along the assembly, the wireforms are able to move in opposite directions in opposition to the bias of the longitudinally compressible spring, allowing for length extension of the support assembly and substantially full reversal on that extension upon removal or dissipation of such force.
In a further aspect of this disclosure, a railway hose support assembly is provided with a retraction-biased extension unit having a longitudinally compressible spring having a first end, a second end, and an inside surface, as well as a first internal spring wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring first end, together with a second internal spring wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring second end. The closed end of each of the first and second internal spring wireforms is accessible externally of the longitudinally compressible spring, whereby movement of the respective closed ends in opposite directions compresses the longitudinally compressible spring when a load is applied between a railway brake hose and a railway coupler.
In a further aspect of this disclosure, a railway hose support assembly is provided with a retraction-biased extension unit having a longitudinally compressible spring having a first end, a second end, and an inside surface, as well as a first internal spring wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring first end, together with a second internal spring wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring second end. The closed end of each of the first and second internal spring wireforms is accessible externally of the longitudinally compressible spring, whereby movement of the respective closed ends in opposite directions compresses the longitudinally compressible spring when a load is applied between a railway brake hose and a railway coupler. The closed ends of the respective internal spring wireforms are adapted to securely engage with a railway brake hose glad hand aperture and a railway coupler aperture.
In a further aspect of this disclosure, a railway hose support assembly is provided with a retraction-biased extension unit having a longitudinally compressible spring having a first end, a second end, and an inside surface, as well as a first internal wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring first end, together with a second internal wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring second end. The closed end of each of the first and second internal wireforms is accessible externally of the longitudinally compressible spring, whereby movement of the respective closed ends in opposite directions compresses the longitudinally compressible spring when a load is applied between a railway brake hose and a railway coupler. The closed ends of the respective internal wireforms are adapted to securely engage with a railway brake hose glad hand aperture and a railway coupler aperture by way of a coupler link between the railway coupler aperture and the closed end of the first internal wireform and a hanger fink between the hose glad hand aperture and the second internal wireform.
In an added aspect of this disclosure, a railway air brake hose support is provided to include a longitudinally compressible coil spring. A first spring wireform is positioned within the compressible spring and has at least two legs that engage one end portion of the longitudinally compressible spring, with the other end of the spring wireform projecting beyond the other end of the compressible coil spring. A second internal spring wireform is similarly positioned with respect to the compressible coil spring, except its legs engage the other end portion of the compressible spring while protruding from the end of the compressible spring at which the first internal spring wireform is engaged. The end of the first internal spring wireform that projects beyond the compressible coil spring is attached, directly or indirectly, to a coupler of the railway car, while the portion of the second internal spring wireform that extends beyond the compressible coil spring is attached, directly or indirectly, to the air brake hose, typically at its glad hand location. When forces are encountered along the assembly, the wireforms are able to move in opposite directions in opposition to the bias of the longitudinally compressible spring, allowing for length extension of the support assembly and substantially full reversal on that extension upon removal or dissipation of such force such that the unit exhibits a spring set of not greater than 0.5 inch.
In a further aspect of this disclosure, a railway hose support assembly is provided with a retraction-biased extension unit having a longitudinally compressible spring having a first end, a second end, and an inside surface, as well as a first internal spring wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end to define a biased outwardly angle of at least one of the legs of at least 0.5 angular degree to enhance damping, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring first end, together with a second internal spring wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring second end. The closed end of each of the first and second internal spring wireforms is accessible externally of the longitudinally compressible spring, whereby movement of the respective closed ends in opposite directions compresses the longitudinally compressible spring when a load is applied between a railway brake hose and a railway coupler. The closed ends of the respective internal spring wireforms are adapted to securely engage with a railway brake hose glad hand aperture and a railway coupler aperture.
In yet another aspect of this disclosure, a railway hose support assembly is provided with a retraction-biased extension unit having a longitudinally compressible spring having a first end, a second end, and an inside surface, as well as a first internal spring wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring first end, together with a second internal spring wireform positioned within the compressible spring inside surface having at least two legs meeting at a closed end, each leg having a free end spaced away from the closed end, each free end securely engaging the longitudinally compressible spring second end. The closed end of each of the first and second internal spring wireforms is accessible externally of the longitudinally compressible spring, whereby movement of the respective closed ends in opposite directions compresses the longitudinally compressible spring when a load is applied between a railway brake hose and a railway coupler. The closed ends of the respective internal spring wireforms are adapted to securely engage with a railway brake hose glad hand aperture and a railway coupler aperture through at least one adjustable spacer that connects with a closed end of one of the internal spring wireforms.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriate manner.
With more particular reference to the railway hose support assembly 31 that is illustrated in this embodiment, same includes multiple components as follows. A retraction-biased extension unit 41 is included that allows extension of the railway hose support assembly 31 in a manner of increasing bias toward contraction for returning to or substantially to its non-extended length in absence of a load. The non-extended length of the retraction-biased extension unit 41 is illustrated in
With more particular reference to the retraction-biased extension unit 41, this includes a longitudinally compressible spring 42 and a structure that compresses the spring in response to forces that increase the length of the extension unit 41. In the illustrated embodiments, at least two internal wireforms are included in the extension unit 41. Each internal wireform has free ends that engage the longitudinally compressible spring 42 and a closed end by which the extension unit is attached to other members so as to receive forces as described herein. As discussed herein, the internal wireforms can be imparted with spring properties for adding functions such as damping in response to sudden load removal or other sudden events.
In the illustrated embodiment of
Second internal wireform 44 likewise has a pair of legs 44a, 44b, a closed end 48, free ends 49a, 49b, and leg bends 50a and 50b. While both the first internal wireform and the second internal wireform are positioned with their respective legs within the longitudinally compressible spring 42, these internal wireforms are generally oppositely oriented such that the leg bends of the first internal wireform engage one end portion of the longitudinally compressible spring while the leg bends of the second internal wireform engage the opposite end portion of the longitudinally compressible spring. Likewise, the respective closed ends 45, 48 are oriented in opposite directions with respect to the longitudinally compressible spring 42. As opposing forces are directed on the extension unit 41, such as when a load is applied, the spacing between the closed end 45 and the closed end 48 increases. When the forces or load are lessened or removed, resiliency of the longitudinally compressible spring 42 reduces the distance between closed end 45 and closed end 48 until a less-compressed or uncompressed state is achieved such as illustrated in
The retraction-biased extension unit 41 illustrated in
A particular embodiment of an internal wireform is illustrated in
With particular reference to the respective orientation of legs 59, 61 in the open configuration of internal spring wireform 56, the legs are non-parallel with respect to each other and exhibit an opening angle “A” (
When in the open configuration as illustrated in
The assembly of
Internal wireform 66 includes bends between both of its legs 67a, 67b and its closed end 68. More specifically, a retainer loop 69 is formed at these locations. The illustrated retainer loops are formed in opposing directions and engage or are closely spaced from each other at their respective maximum inwardly bent locations. These retainer loops 69 are provided to prevent movement of adjoining components along the legs of the internal wireform. In the case of the internal wireform that connects directly or indirectly to the glad hand end 33, the retainer loops 69 help to contain the bottom portion of the unit, for example the hanger link 53 in
While the hanger link 53 can be considered as a “pig tail” shape, other hanger links can provide a more linear arrangement of the loops. For example,
Coupler link 52 that is shown in
One of the illustrated embodiments is coupler link 86 of
In use, one of the end segments of the coupler link 86 is fed into aperture of the railway coupler, another component of the railway hose support assembly (such as a chain or other adjustment component) is nested into the saddle 93, the handle 95 is grasped and force is applied such that the pivotable prong 88 moves into the hook end 92 and is released in order to close the coupler link 86, thereby joining the railway hose support assembly or a component thereof from the railway coupler.
Another embodiment of a coupler attachment member is coupler link, generally designated at 96 in
A further embodiment of a coupler attachment member is generally designated at 106 in
As noted previously,
Coupler link 52a of
An embodiment of a different adjustment mechanism is illustrated in
Another type of adjustment mechanism for attachment through the coupler aperture 120 is shown in
With particular reference to the retraction-biased extension unit, such as that illustrated at 41 in
With the present disclosure, it is possible to provide adequate stretch length and thus energy absorption and with enhanced control. Control can include damping of the longitudinally compressible spring, primarily by interaction with the internal wireforms that have the spring characteristics discussed herein. As previously noted, the legs of such internal spring wireforms can be biased outwardly to provide a damping force against the inside surface of the longitudinally compressible spring while helping to absorb some of the energy when the spring moves from a compressed state (such as after an uncoupling event) to a free or uncompressed state. The amount of damping force is affected by multiple variables, as now discussed.
These variables affect the damping action generated by the interaction between the longitudinally compressible spring and the internal spring wireforms of the retraction-biased extension unit having internal spring wireforms. Such retraction-biased extension units maintain the spring set mandated by the American Association of Railroads (“AAR”) Standard S-4006. The permanent set test of the S-4006 standard include applying a standard load on the railway hose support assembly to sustain the applied load without stretching more than 1.0 inch during a 120-hour period after gradual load removal and a wait time of not greater than two hours. The permanent set or “spring set” of the entire assembly cannot exceed 0.5 inch. The following variables impact the spring set in the following manner.
The deflection angle of the legs of the spring wireform, shown at “A” in
The material of the internal spring wireforms has a modulus of elasticity. Typical material is steel, usually spring steel. If the variable of modulus of the elasticity increases, the spring set also increases. Thus, a greater modulus of elasticity enhances the ability of the retraction-biased extension unit to exhibit a spring set to maintain compliance with AAR-S4006 permanent set standards of 0.5 inch or less.
A further variable that affects the ability of the retraction-biased extension unit to exhibit a spring set that maintains the permanent set is the moment of inertia, which is dependent upon the cross-sectional area and geometry of the material, particularly of the internal spring wireform. As the wireform diameter increases, so does the moment of inertia. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area is a variable that increases the spring set as the cross-sectional area increases.
A further variable in this regard is the length of the leg of the spring wireforms, such as legs 59, 61 shown in
There is a coefficient of friction between the internal spring wireforms and the longitudinally compressible spring. The materials of all of these components typically will be steel, usually spring steel. An increase in the coefficient of friction between the internal surface of the longitudinally compressible spring and the internal spring wireforms will increase the spring set provided by the retraction-biased extension unit.
A further variable affecting the spring set is the so-called spring rate of the longitudinally compressible spring. The spring rate indicates how much force is required to deflect the longitudinally compressible spring for a certain distance. An increase in the spring rate decreases the spring set of the retraction-biased extension unit.
While these variables affect the spring set of the retraction-biased extension unit, varying the angle “A” may be one of the most efficient ways of varying the spring set and of adjusting the damping that is provided by embodiments of the retraction-biased extension unit of the present railway hose support assembly. If this angle A is too small in the context of the particular retraction-biased extension unit design, no damping will be provided. Should the angle be too large and the legs exert too much force against the inner diameter of the longitudinally compressible spring, smooth operation will be inhibited. Additionally, if angle A is too large for a particular retraction-biased extension unit, the railway hose support assembly may not pass the AAR 5-4006 test due to inhibition of the ability of the longitudinally compressible spring to return to its original length, or at least the length to which it would return in the absence of interference from the internal spring wireforms.
Inasmuch as the railway hose support assembly is an all-metal device, difficulties encountered by assemblies that rely on polymeric straps that are susceptible to permanent elongation under loading, thereby requiring frequent length adjustments or replacement in order to maintain minimum height and retraction requirements. Also, being all metal, the railway hose support assembly is not subject to ultraviolet degradation when compared with units having polymeric components. The coupler link and hanger link components in embodiments of the railway hose support assembly facilitate installation when compared with hose support assemblies having prior wireform clips at these locations, and they also are less prone to breakage during uncoupling events. Embodiments of the railway hose support assembly of the present disclosure allow for simplified height adjustment and in general exhibit a longer lifespan than prior railway hose support assemblies.
It will be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present subject matter. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter, including those combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein. For these reasons, the scope hereof is not limited to the above description but is as set forth in the following claims, and it is understood that claims may be directed to the features hereof, including as combinations of features that are individually disclosed or claimed herein.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20150158479 A1 | Jun 2015 | US |
