Patent ID: 7175036
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: B61G

Abstract:
1. A long travel high capacity friction clutch type draft gear assembly for absorbing both buff and draft loads being applied to a center sill member of a railway car during make-up of a train consist and in-track operation of such train consist, said friction clutch type draft gear assembly being disposed between a pair of front stops and an axially opposed pair of rear stops attached to such center sill member, such front and rear stops forming a 24.625 inch draft gear pocket, said friction clutch type draft gear assembly comprising: (a) a housing member having an end wall for closing a first end thereof and a pair of ledge members disposed intermediate said first end and a radially opposed second end and abutting working surfaces of such rear stops to enable extension of said first end into such sill past said working surfaces of such rear stops and disposition of said first end intermediate such pair of rear stops, said extension enabling longer travel while retaining an ability to fit into a 24.625 inch pocket, said housing member being open at said radially opposed second end thereof: (b) a compressible cushioning means disposed within a cavity of said housing member abutting at least a portion of an inner surface of said end wall disposed at said first end of said housing member, said compressible cushioning means extending longitudinally from said first end; (c) a friction clutch mechanism disposed at least partially within said open end of said housing member, said friction clutch mechanism including; (d) a spring seat member having at least a portion of a first surface thereof abutting the opposite end of said compressible cushioning means and a second surface for engaging predetermined portions of said friction clutch mechanism, said spring seat member being mounted to move longitudinally within said housing for respectively compressing and releasing said compressible cushioning means during application and release of a force on said draft gear assembly.