Railroad car side bearing

A railroad car side bearing including a cage, a cap, a lock out insert configured to be removably connected to the cage, and an elastomer element configured to mate with the lock out insert. The lock out insert includes a key that is dimensioned based on a diameter of an interior channel of the elastomer element. Different lock out inserts with different dimensioned keys for different elastomer elements enable a common cage and a common cap to be used with different elastomer elements with different interior channel dimensions, thus reducing the need to have different cages.

BACKGROUND

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.

FIGS. 1,2,3,4A,4B,4C, and4D generally illustrate sets of commercially available constant contact side bearing assemblies. Each different side bearing assembly shown inFIGS. 4A,4B,4C, and4D is configured to provide a different amount of pre-load. Each different side bearing assembly generally includes a different cage (i.e., one of the cages116A,116B,116C, and116D respectively shown inFIGS. 4A,4B,4C, and4D), a different elastomer element (i.e., one of the elastomer elements114A,114B,114C, and114D respectively shown inFIGS. 4A,4B,4C, and4D), and a same cap (i.e.,112shown in each ofFIGS. 4A,4B,4C, and4D).

More specifically,FIG. 1shows part of a bolster102of a rail car truck. The bolster102is attached at a first end to a side frame (not shown) that extends transverse to the bolster102. The opposite or second end (not shown) of the bolster102is also attached to a second side frame (not shown). The bolster102ofFIG. 1includes a bolster bowl106configured to receive a center plate (not shown) of a car body (not shown) as described above.

FIG. 1also shows an exploded view of one of these known constant contact side bearings108attached to a bearing pad110on the bolster102. The bearing pad110provides a flat surface for securement of the constant contact side bearing108.

An enlarged exploded view of this known side bearing108is better illustrated inFIG. 2and an assembled view of this side bearing108is better illustrated inFIG. 3. The side bearing108includes a cap112, an elastomer element114, and a cage116. This cage116(which is one of the four different cages ofFIGS. 4A,4B,4C, and4D) is configured to be secured to the bolster102, and in particular is connected to the bolster102and/or the bearing pad108via mounting bolts extending through mounting holes202.

The cage116illustrated inFIGS. 1,2, and3includes a base204integrally formed with and connected to a side wall206. The cage116also includes an integrally formed and connected key208that extends upwardly from the base204in the inner compartment defined by the cage116. The side wall206of the cage116defines cap receiving channels212A and212B. The cap receiving channels212A and212B are defined in opposite sides of the side wall206. These cap receiving channels212A and212B are configured to receive corresponding cap side wall extensions216A and216B of the cap112to facilitate the coupling of the cap112to the cage116. The cap side wall extensions216A and216B are respectively received in the cap receiving channels212A and212B to enable the cap112to move vertically in relation to the cage116while at the same time preventing the cap112from rotating relative to the cage116.

The top or top wall218of the cap112illustrated inFIGS. 1,2, and3is configured to engage the bottom of the car body (or a plate thereon). The cap112moves vertically within the cage116based on the upward force exerted by the elastomer element and the downward force exerted by the car body. In certain instances, the vertical movement of the cage116in relation to the cap112is based on forces received via the bolster102.

The elastomer element114shown inFIGS. 1 and 2is configured to be positioned in the cage116between the base204of the cage116and inside the cap112to absorb the vibrations between the car body and the bolster, to counteract downward forces applied by the car body toward the bolster102, and/or to apply an upward force against the bottom of the car body. The elastomer element114includes an interior channel210which has a diameter corresponding to a diameter of the key208of the cage116. The key208is formed in a cross shape to engage the interior channel210of the elastomer element114at the four edges of the cross. The connected cage116and cap112enclose the elastomer element114as shown inFIG. 3. The range of vertical of travel of the cap112in relation to the cage116is based in part on the dimensions of the elastomer element114and other elastomer properties of the element114. The Association of American Railroads (AAR) defines the acceptable or desired amount of travel of the cap in relation to the cage as the travel of the side bearing. The AAR specifies maximum travel distances based on the type of freight railroad cars utilizing the side bearing.

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 byFIGS. 4A,4B,4C, and4D, which show commercially available different cages116A,116B,116C, and116D and different elastomer elements114A,114B,114C, and114D. The AAR specifies that different side bearings are to have certain compressive (e.g., preload) properties based on a type of freight railroad car. For instance, the side bearing may have to include an elastomer element with relatively rigid elastomer properties to support freight railroad cars that are heavier when empty. One known way to change properties of the elastomer element is to vary the diameter of the interior channel. Such elastomer elements with interior channels that have relatively larger diameters tend to be more compressible (e.g., support relatively lighter loads) compared to such elastomer elements with interior channels that have relatively smaller diameters. Different cages116A,116B,116C, and116D with different diameter keys must be employed to accommodate the different interior channels210A,210B,210C, and210D and diameters of the channels of these different elastomer elements. The exterior dimensions of the different cages (e.g., the cages116A,116B,116C, and116D) are typically the same to reduce manufacturing variations.

FIGS. 4A,4B,4C, and4D generally show that the same cap112may be used with each of the combinations of different cages and different elastomer elements. The cap112includes an element cap post402that can fit within each of the interior channels210A,210B,210C, and210D of the elastomer elements. To accommodate all of the diameters of the interior channels, the element cap post402may not fully contact some of the interior channels that have relatively large diameters. In these instances, the elastomer element may have a relatively loose connection with the cap.

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 cages116A,116B,116C, and116D has a different respective key208A,208B,208C, and208D with a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the respective interior channels210A,210B,210C, and210D of the elastomer elements. For example, the cage116A includes the key208A that has a relatively large diameter compared to the keys208B,208C, and208D. The diameter of the key208A is dimensioned to accommodate the interior channel210A to enable the elastomer element114A to attach to the cage116A. In other words, the diameter of the key208A is sized to have a relatively strong or tight fit or connection with the interior channel210A when the elastomer element114A is placed in the cage116A during manufacture of the side bearing.

Similarly, the cage116B includes the key208B that has a diameter that corresponds to the interior channel210B of the element114B, the cage116C includes the key208C that has a diameter that corresponds to the interior channel210C of the element114C, and cage116D includes the key208D that has a diameter that corresponds to the interior channel210D of the element114D. In each of these different combinations, the same cap112can be connected to any of the cages116A,116B,116C, and116D as mentioned above.

Thus, it should be appreciated that to manufacture each of the different combinations illustrated inFIGS. 4A,4B,4C, and4D, a manufacturer must make each of these different cages and the each of these different elastomer elements. In many instances, the cages are relatively costly and time consuming to manufacture in part because they are cast from steel or iron. Additionally, the manufacturer has to track, inventory, and package each of the different cages. Any mistakes in tracking the different cages can result in a cage being paired with a wrong elastomer element, thereby potentially violating AAR standards. Moreover, if the manufacturer does not properly inventory the cages, the manufacture of the ordered side bearing may be delayed until additional cages are made. It should be appreciated that the need to manufacture four different cages substantially increases manufacturing expenses, and waste time and energy. Accordingly, there is a need to solve these problems.

SUMMARY

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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.

FIGS. 5,6,7A,7B, and8illustrate an example cage500and an example lock out insert600of one embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, cage500is configured to receive any one of a plurality of different lock out inserts. The cage500includes a base or base wall506having a bottom or first side508and a top or second side510. The cage500includes a side wall512integrally formed with the base506. The side wall512extends upwardly from the base506to form an element receiving area704(shown inFIG. 5). The based506defines a key opening502(shown inFIGS. 5 and 7B). The base506and the side wall512define locking the tab receiving slots504A and504B (shown inFIGS. 5 and 7B) configured to respectively receive locking tabs612and618of the lock out insert600as further described below. The cage500includes attachment feet511A and511B that respectively define mounting holes505A and505B used to connect the cage500directly to a bolster or to a bearing pad (such as the bearing pad110ofFIG. 1) on a bolster. The side wall512of the cage500also defines cap receiving channels507A and507B configured to receive the cap side wall extensions of a cap112as discussed above and below.

The bottom or first side508of the base506includes or defines a lock out insert receiving channel702as best illustrated inFIG. 7B. The channel702is recessed into the bottom or first side508of the base506to accommodate the lock out insert600(as best shown inFIG. 7A). In this illustrated embodiment, the lock out insert600is configured to be attached to the cage500such that a bottom side of the lock out insert600extends flush with the bottom side508of the base506(as best shown inFIG. 7A), thereby causing the cage500to be level when attached to a bolster or bearing pad on a bolster. The lock out insert receiving channel702is configured based on the configuration of the body602and the arms608and614of the lock out insert600(which are further described below). However, it should be appreciated that the bottom of the lock out insert does not need to be flush with the bottom of the base of the cage in all embodiments of the present disclosure.

The base506and the side wall512define the locking tab receiving slots504A and504B which each have a curvature partially defined by the side wall512. The locking tab receiving slots504A and504B are respectively configured to receive the locking tabs612and618of the lock out insert600as 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 opening502enables a key620of the lock out insert600to extend through the base506into the element receiving area704. The key opening502is dimensioned to enable keys of varying diameters on different lock out inserts to extend through the opening502. In this manner, the key opening502enables the same cage500to be used with different lock out inserts with different diameter keys.

The dimensions of the example illustrated cage500are shown by the relation of dimensions and/or features of the side wall512and the base506. 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.

FIG. 6shows a top perspective view of an example lock out insert600that is connectable to the cage500. The lock out insert600includes a body602having a first end604and a second end606. A first arm608is attached to the first end604. The first arm608includes an extension section610and a locking tab612. A second arm614is attached to the second end606of the body602. The second arm614includes an extension section616and a locking tab618. Extension section610is located between the first end604and the locking tab612. Extension section616is located between the second end606and the locking tab614. In this illustrated embodiment, the extension sections610and616fit within the lock out insert receiving channel702of or defined by the base506of the cage500. The extension sections610and616provide structural support for the body602when the respective locking tabs612and618are positioned in and engaged with the base506and/or the side wall512of the cage500. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the lock out insert includes only one arm or more than two arms.

In this illustrated embodiment, the locking tabs612and618securely attach the lock out insert600to the cage500by snapping into the respective locking tab receiving slots and contacting the base506and the side wall512. More specifically, in this illustrated embodiment, each of the locking tabs612and618respectively include curved walls613and619that respectively defined grooves613A (not shown) and619A configured to receive opposite edges of the base506. More specifically, in this illustrated embodiment, the locking tabs612and618are connected to the base506by causing the respective walls of the locking tabs that define the grooves to securely engage the edges and/or lips of the base506that 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 base506and/or the side wall512. 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 tabs612and618to be respectively removed from the locking tab receiving slots504A and504B and disengaged from the base506. In this illustrated example embodiment, surfaces of the locking tabs612and618also engage the side wall512which defines the top of the respective slots504A and504B. It should be appreciated that the locking tabs612and618may alternatively be connected to the base506and/or the side wall512in 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 insert600also includes a key lip622and a cylindrical key620that tangentially extends from the key lip622and the body602of the lock out insert600. The key lip622has a diameter that corresponds to a diameter of the key opening502defined by the base506. The key620has a diameter that is smaller than the key opening502. In this illustrated embodiment, when the lock out insert600is connected to the cage500, the key lip622securely engages with the circular edge of the base506that defines the key opening502to provide support, alignment, and positioning for the key620, and to further provide the snap fit of the lock out insert to the base506. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates different diameter keys620with a common diameter key lip622so that different lock out inserts can be attached to the same cage500. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments, the key lip622does 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.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bshow that in this illustrated embodiment, the lock out insert600is attached to the cage500by aligning the key620with the key opening502and pressing the insert600into the cage500so that the body602and arms608and614fit within the lock out insert receiving channel702. By pressing the insert600into the cage500in this illustrated embodiment, the locking tabs612and618engage the edge of base602and the side wall512that defines the corresponding locking tab receiving slots504A and504B. When the lock out insert600is connected to the cage500, the body602and/or the arms608and614provide support for the key620by contacting the bottom or first side508of the base506in this illustrated embodiment. After connecting the lock out insert600to the cage500, an elastomer element can be attached to the key620of that lock out insert. In this illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the key620corresponds to a diameter of an interior channel of one of the elastomer elements (such as one of elements114A,114B,114C, and114D) that is to be engaged with the key620. In this illustrated embodiment, the key620diameter is dimensioned so that the interior channel210of a corresponding element can accommodate and/or fit over the key620while having enough contact force on the inner cylindrical wall of the key620to attach and/or engage with the key620. In other words, in this embodiment, the cylindrical outer side wall of the key620contacts the inner wall which defines the interior channel210to connect the key620to the element. Thus, in this embodiment, the key620functions as a lock out that ensures only the element114with a correspondingly dimensioned interior channel210is paired with the appropriate lock out insert600during production of the side bearing. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, the key may be configured to not cause a direct contact with the inner wall(s) of the element, and that in further embodiments, the key may be configured to cause limited direct contact with the inner wall(s) of the element. The present disclosure further contemplates that in certain embodiments, one or more fastening mechanisms such as but not limited to one or more pins may be employed to maintain the element on the key of the lock out insert.

In the illustrated embodiment, the key620has a height that corresponds to a height of the interior channel210of the respective or matching elastomer element. Further, the shape of the key620corresponds to a shape of the interior channel210of 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 insert600including, for example, the body602, the arms608and614, the key620, and/or the key lip622can 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.

FIGS. 9A,9B,9C, and9D shows a set of example lock out inserts600A,600B,600C, and600D and corresponding example elastomer elements114A,114B,114C, and114D that can be used with the example cage500ofFIGS. 5,7, and8and the example cap112ofFIGS. 1,2,3,4A,4B,4C, and4D,9A,9B,9C, and9D to create different side bearings depending on the desired specifications of those side bearings. The lock out inserts600A,600B,600C, and600D each have the same configuration of the lock out insert600illustrated inFIGS. 6,7, and8. In this example, the same cap112and the same cage500can be used with any of the different insert-elastomer element combinations as shown inFIGS. 9A,9B,9C, and9D, which significantly reduces the number of different cages that have to be manufactured and inventoried. Further, while the example different combinations shown inFIGS. 9A,9B,9C, and9D, each include the lock out inserts600A,600B,600C, and600D with cylindrical keys620A,620B,620C, and620D, it should be appreciated that each of the keys620A,620B,620C, and620D could have different shapes based on the shapes of the corresponding interior channels210A,210B,210C, and210D.

In this illustrated example set of side bearings: (a) the lock out insert600A includes the key620A with a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the interior channel210A; (b) the lock out insert600B includes the key620B with a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the interior channel210B; (c) the lock out insert600C includes the key620C with a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the interior channel210C; and (d) the lock out insert600D includes the key620D with a diameter that corresponds to the diameter of the interior channel210D. Thus, the diameter of the key620A prevents the elements114B,114C, and114D from being attached to the lock out insert620A because the interior channels210B,210C, and210D are too narrow to accommodate (e.g., fit around) the key620A.

The examples embodiments ofFIGS. 9A,9B,9C, and9D show that each of the lock out inserts600A,600B,600C, and600D include the same size key lip622so that the inserts600A,600B,600C, and600D can each be attached to the base506of the cage500. Additionally, the example lock out inserts600A,600B,600C, and600D include suitable different identifiers used to determine which respective insert should be used with which of the elastomer elements to form the differently rated side bearings. For example, the identifier (e.g., SBXII-30) indicates that the insert600A is to be installed within a SBXII-30 side bearing and/or associated with the SBXII-30 elastomer element114A. In other embodiments, each of the different lock out inserts may have or be of different colors that identify which of the inserts (e.g., similarly colored inserts) are associated with which of the elastomer elements to form the differently rated side bearings.

While the example ofFIGS. 9A,9B,9C, and9D shows four combinations, it should be appreciated that other sets may include fewer or additional combinations. Further, the example keys620A,620B,620C, and620D may be of alternative shape and/or may have additional key features such as tabs, fins, indentations, and grooves, (all not shown) that are associated with corresponding keyed features within the respective interior channels210A,210B,210C, and210D. It should also be appreciated that the present disclosure contemplates that the key of the lock out insert can be solid or hollowed out.

Turning now toFIGS. 10 and 11, an alternative embodiment of the lock out insert of the present disclosure is generally illustrated. This alternative lock out insert800(similar to lock out insert600described above) includes: (a) a body802having a first end804and a second end806; (b) a first arm808attached to the first end804and including an extension section810and a locking tab812; (c) a second arm814attached to the second end806of the body802and including an extension section816and a locking tab818; (d) a key lip822extending from the body802; and (e) a key820extending from the key lip822. In this embodiment, the lock out insert800includes base attachers830and832respectively extending upwardly from the locking tabs812and818. These base attachers830and832are configured to engage the top surface510of the base506of the cage500as generally shown inFIG. 11to hold the lock out insert800onto the cage. It should be appreciated that in this embodiment, the lock out insert800and in particular the arms808and814are suitably flexible to enable the arms to bend when the lock out insert800is attached to the cage and thus snapped into place such that the base attachers hold the lock out insert to the cage. It should also be appreciated that the base attachers can be somewhat flexible for flexing during attachment to the base. It should also be appreciated that these base attachers do not interfere with the positioning of the elastomer element. It should further be appreciated that in accordance with the present disclosures: (a) the shape of the base attachers may vary; (b) the position of the base attachers may vary; and (c) the quantity of baser attachers may vary.

For example, turning now toFIG. 12, a further alternative embodiment of the lock out insert of the present disclosure is generally illustrated. This alternative lock out insert900(similar to lock out insert600described above) includes: (a) a body902having a first end904and a second end906; (b) a first arm908attached to the first end904and including an extension section910and a locking tab912; (c) a second arm914attached to the second end906of the body902and including an extension section916and a locking tab918; (d) a key lip922extending from the body902; and (e) a key920extending from the key lip922. In this embodiment, the lock out insert900includes base attachers930,932,934, and936respectively extending from the corners of locking tabs912and918. These base attachers930,932,934, and936are configured to engage the top surface510of the base506of the cage500to hold the lock out insert900onto the cage.

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.