Patent ID: 6644214
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: B61F

Abstract:
A constant contact side bearing for use with a railway car body having a fore and aft longitudinal axis and a wear plate laterally spaced from the longitudinal axis, and with a railway truck including a bolster having a longitudinal bolster axis which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the car body when the body and truck are oriented for straight-ahead rolling movement, the constant contact side bearing comprising:a base member having a center portion mounted on top of the bolster and end portions extending downwardly and outwardly fore and aft beyond the bolster; a top member overlaying and spaced above the base member and having a central portion including a wear pad positioned for constant contact with the body wear plate, the top member also having end portions that overlay the base member end portions, the base and top member end portions cooperating to form a pocket at each end of the base and top members; at least one resilient device positioned in each of the pockets, the resilient devices being configured such that the side bearing provides a predetermined load between the body wear plate and the truck bolster at a predetermined set-up height as measured between the body wear plate and the truck bolster; and the central portion of at least one of the top and bottom members having a feature for limiting the relative rotation and vertical displacement of the base and top members relative to one another, a post formed on one of the top member and the base member, the post being configured to mate with a reciprocal aperture formed on the other member, wherein the post is tapered so as to guide the post into the aperture as the top member moves downwardly relative to the base, thereby aligning the top and bottom members.