Improvements in Car Trucks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June, 1896-Accepted, 20th Mar., 1897
Improvements in Car Trucks.
I, GEORGE WASHINGTON LACY, of 20 Furnace Street, Kingston, County of Ulster
and State of New York, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention relates to that class of trucks especially designed for use on car's
which are driven by their own motors.
The principal object of the invention is to provide a car truck, the side frame of
which between the pedestals, may be easily lengthened or shortened without the
necessity of changing the shape or angles of the pedestal casting when it is desired to
increase or diminish the length of the wheel base line; thereby doing away with the
trouble and expense of keeping different shaped and angled pedestals on hand to fit
the side frames of trucks which have a different length of wheel base line. A further
object of my invention is to provide a car-truck, the side frames of which shall be as
strong as possible and yet be comparatively light in weight; and have the greatest
powers of enduring both lateral and vertical strains and to provide a car truck with
springs between the axle-box and the pedestals, and with springs between the side
frames and bolster plates, so that the oscillation of the car body when the car is in
motion will be reduced to a minimum.
The invention consists of the novel features of construction hereinafter set forth and
described and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.
Referring to the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a car-truck embodying my preferred form of invention,
with the bolster plate and load bearing springs supporting said plate removed from one
side of the truck.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of said truck, partly in section and partly broken away.
Fig. 3 is a section of the pedestal, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 is a central vertical section of the pedestal and axle box.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the same on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the same on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is a central vertical section of the tie piece or tie plate.
Fig. 8 is a top view of the spring seats, partly in section.
Fig. 9 is a modified form of the outer ends of the bar-members and springs.
Fig. 10 is a section of the same on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9.
Fig. 11 is a front view of the guide and support for the brake head.
Fig. 12 is a modified form of one truss portion when the lower bar member is
double.
Fig. 13 is a section of the saine on line 13-13 of Fig. 12.
Fig. 14 is a section on the line 14-14 of Fig. 12.
Fig. 15 is a central vertical section of the tie plate when the lower bar member
s double.
Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.
In the drawings, A denotes one of the side frames, of the truck and A', the other...
Each of these side frames is a duplicate of the other, their corresponding parts being
imilar in form, construction and arrangement. A description of one of the side
rames on one side of the truck will therefore be sufficient.

page_text: BB are the wheels CC the axles; DD the axle boxes and E E, the pedestals
holding the axle boxes in position.
a-a denote lugs on the axle boxes which form seats for the load bearing
springs aa which are adapted to fit into the chambers a²² in the pedestals
which are supported mainly by these springs. e denote bridges made integral
with the pedestals forming seats for the upper portion of the springs a'-a'. b is a
buffer made of rubber or other suitable material, located between the top of the axle
box and the bridge b' made integral with the pedestal. The pedestals EE are made
preferably in the form of a yoke and of malleable iron cast in one piece, provided
with cylindrically shaped webs - gradually tapering at the forward and rear ends
and terminating at their lower forward and rear ends in horns or projections c¹-c¹
thereby forming jaws c² c². d-d denote ribs or shoulders on the pedestals,
d-d flanges and d-d², rivet receiving sleeves, all preferably made integral with
said pedestal to prevent the rattling of parts when the car is in motion.
The distance from the outer side of the pedestal to the inner side is about five
inches.
When the lower bar member of the side frame is composed of double bars as shown
in Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the drawings, the lower part of the yoke of the pedestal
is provided with shoulders d-d, flanges d', d and rivet receiving sleeves -
similar to those of the upper portion of the pedestal.
The side frame in my preferred form of invention is composed of the upper bar
members F and F', identical in form, construction and arrangement; and the lower
bar member G in connection with the pedestals EE and the tie pieces or tie plates
hereinafter described. The upper bar members have two obtuse angled portions
united by a central bar portion. The lower bar members are similar in configuration,
the lower member having its angles inverted and opposite the angles of the upper
member, whence it results that the entire side frame is symmetrical in figure, not only
longitudinally, but bilaterally, the extreme ends forming acute angles of equal slope
or isosceles triangles, taken in connection with the enclosed pedestals. This form
ensures great strength, as well as the capacity for being made of any required length
without modification of design.
These upper and lower bar members are secured by means of bolts at their outer
ends, to the castings h'-h' provided with spring seats h²² to accommodate and
support the springs -.
For convenience of description the upper bar members may be sub-divided into
the parts 2-3 and the lower bar member into the parts g'-g'—
When double bar members are employed in either the upper or the lower members
of the side frame, the bars are made preferably of flat steel about three inches wide
and one half an inch in thickness, the said steel plates being preferably vertically
disposed as to greatest width.
The above dimensions are however only approximate and may be varied according
to the weight of the load to be carried and the service in which the truck is to be
employed.
The
parts are connected with the flanges on the pedestal and form an obtuse
angle with each other; the parts g'-g2 are connected with the lower portion of the
pedestal and likewise form an obtuse angle in relation to each other. The outer
ends are extended so as to form an acute angle near their outer ends.
The central bar members f3-3-3 connect respectively the four upper bar
members ff and the two lower bar members 92-92.
These central bar members f³ and g³ are a short distance apart from each other
and as shown in the drawings, substantially parallel with each other.
I do not,
however, hereby intend to limit the invention to a side frame wherein the central
members are substantially parallel, as it is obvious that as long as they are a short
distance apart and do not intersect or cross each other, the spirit of my invention will
not be departed from.

page_text: - denote tie-plates connecting the upper and lower bar members, located between
the upper and lower bar members so as to prevent the bars from bending side-
ways or vertically. Each of these tie plates consists preferably of a single casting
provided with rivet receiving sleeves made integral with it and with ledges or
shoulders at its upper part, upon which the bar members rest, and terminating
at its lower part with a jaw, in which the lower bar member is secured.
When however the lower bar member is composed of double bar members, the
lower portion of this tie plate is constructed. similar to the upper portion, as shown
in Fig. 15.
kk denote the motor hanger bars, having their ends attached to the vertically.
movable spring bolt which has its upper end attached to the spring seated
in the cup-shaped casting 3, secured between the upper bar members by means of
rivets, the inner ends of which are countersunk so as not to interfere with the
working of the springs 2. These castings also serve as tie pieces to bind the upper
members together.
- are cup-shaped castings secured between the upper bar members by means of
rivets the heads on the inner ends of which are countersunk so as to not interferė
with the working of the springs - which are seated in said castings. These
castings also serve as tie pieces to bind the upper members together.
mm denote castings secured between the upper bar members and serve not only.
as seats for the elliptical springs m'-m', but as tie devices between the upper bar
members.
n denotes the bolster plate upon which the car body rests and is designed to be
secured. The bolster plate is supported by, and rigidly secured to, the various springs
heretofore described, located between it and the side frame of the truck.
o is a stay or compression picce adapted to fit into the recess between the lower
ends of the pedestal yoke. This compression piece is provided with lugs or
shoulders oo which brace against the sides of the pedestal ends and prevent the
lower portions of the pedestal yoke from being bent together. o denotes a cup-shaped.
chamber in said stay piece which serves as a seat for the spring o³ located between the
stay piece and the axle box.
These stay pieces make the lower bar member or members of the side frame.
practically continuous and unbroken, and are removably secured by means of
bolts o passing through the rivet receiving sleeves oo and the lower part
of the pedestal yoke. The stay piece may therefore be easily removed so as to
permit the axles and wheels, and axle boxes to be taken out of the side frame
whenever that may be desirable.
p denotes the brake head and pl, the brake shoe. The brake head is provided
with an arm or projection which is adapted to slide forward and backward as the
brake is put on or off, in the guide, p³ secured to the lower bar member or members.
pp denote the brake beans connecting the brake heads on each pair of wheels.
and p, springs attached to a cross bar for keeping the brake shoe normally out of
contact with the wheels.
p denotes a lever and p'-p'-p-p connections between the brake heads and
power transinitter for actuating the brake.
The various parts of the side frame are secured to each other and with their
connecting parts by means of rivets driven and headed preferably when red-hot,
where it is not otherwise specified, to insure greater strength and to prevent the parts
from becoming loose and rattling.
In Fig. 9 a modification of construction is shown at the outer ends of the side
frame, which consists of an extension of the upper bar members to accommodate another
spring between the side frame and the bolster plate, so that the frame may be"
lengthened to accommodate itself to the car bodies of open cars.
9 is a spring bolt for the purpose of counteracting the upward tension of the
springs and at the same time relieve the other springs from the 'push and thrust
of the car frame when the car is set in motion.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
clain is.:
1. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar, symmetrical truss portions,
connected by an intermediate device, formed of adjacent bars, one member of each
truss and of the intermediate connection being double, with a pedestal secured between
the members of each truss portion, substantially as specified.
2. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical truss portions
composed of double members, connected by an intermediate device formed of adjacent.
double bars, with a pedestal. secured between the members of each truss portion,
substantially as specified.
3. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical truss portions,
the upper member of which is double, connected by intermediate adjacent bars joined
to the inner ends of each of the truss members, the upper bar being double, the two
bars being tied at intervals, and pedestals secured between the members of the truss
portions respectively, substantially as specified..
4. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two truss portions composed of similar
obtuse angled upper and lower members respectively, connected by intermediate
horizontal adjacent members, the lower angles of the truss portions being inverted, in
combination with pedestals secured between the angles of each truss portion,
substantially as specified.
5. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two truss portions composed of similar
obtuse angled upper and lower members respectively, connected by intermediate
horizontal adjacent bar members, one continuous member throughout the frame being
composed of double bars, the lower angles of the truss portions being inverted, in
combination with pedestals secured between the angles of each truss portion,
substantially as specified.
6. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical truss portions
composed of continuous upper and lower members, having an angular expansion in the
centres respectively, connected by adjacent horizontal bar members, one continuous
member throughout the truss and bar being double, in combination with a pedestal
secured in each expanded truss portion between the upper and lower members
respectively, substantially as specified.
7. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two truss portions composed of
similar angular upper and lower members respectively, the lower angles being
inverted, connected by intermediate horizontal adjacent bars, tied together at
intervals by suitable stays, in combination with pedestals located one in each truss
portion, in the widest part thereof, substantially as specified.
8. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two truss portions composed of
similar angular upper and lower members respectively, one of which is double. the
lower angles being inverted, connected by intermediate horizontal adjacent bars,
one of which is double, tied together at intervals by suitable stays, in combination
with pedestals located one in each truss portion, in the widest part thereof,
substantially as specified.
9. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two truss portions composed of
similar obtuse angled continuous upper and lower members respectively, the lower
angles being inverted, joined by intermediate horizontal adjacent bar members,
tied together at intervals, in combination with pedestals secured to the top and
bottom members of the truss portions respectively at the widest part thereof, the
outer extremities of the said upper and lower members being firmly secured
together at an acute angle to each other at each end, forming with the said
pedestals, triangles of isosceles formi, substantially as specified.
10. In a car truck, a side frame comprising a double bar upper member having
two obtuse angled portions connected by a horizontal depressed portion, and single
bar lower member having two inverted obtuse angled portions symmetrical with the
angular portions of the upper member, connected by a horizontal elevated portion,

page_text: tied at intervals to the upper horizontal portion, the said upper and lower members
firmly secured together at their outer extremities in an acute angle of equal sides
at each end forming extended side frames, in combination with pedestals secured
between the said upper and lower members at their points of greatest divergence,
forming bases of isosceles triangles with the extended acute angled portions aforesaid,
substantially as specified.
11. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical truss portions,
connected by an intermediate device formed of adjacent bars, in combination with
pedestals secured, one in each truss portion at the widest part thereof, each pedestal
being provided with a cylindrical web, and angle box and a spring located upon said
angle box, enclosed by said web, and sustaining the said pedestal, substantially as specified.
12. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical truss portions,
connected by an intermediate device formed of adjacent bars, in combination with
a pedestal secured in the expanded portion of each truss, each having flanges d d
jaws c², and a spring connection between the side of the axle box and the top
of the said pedestal, substantially as specified.
13. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical obtuse angled
truss portions connected by adjacent bar portions, in combination with a pedestal
secured in each truss portion, an axle box in each a stay piece provided with a spring
seat, and a spring between each stay piece and axle box, substantially as specified....
14. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical obtuse angled
truss portions connected by adjacent horizontal bar portions, in combination with. a
pedestal secured in each truss portion, an axle box in each, a spring connection
between the sides of the axle boxes and the tops of the pedestals, respectively, and
buffers located between the pedestals and the tops of the respective axle boxes,
substantially as specified.
15. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical obtuse angled
truss portions connected by adjacent horizontal bar portions suitably tied together,
the upper and lower bar members of the said truss portions meeting in an acute angle
of equal sides at their outer ends, and there secured to blocks or castings having
spring seats, springs located thereon, and a bolster plate supported on the said springs,
substantially as specified.
16. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical obtuse angled
truss portions connected by adjacent horizontal bar portions suitably tied together,
the upper and lower bar members of the said truss portions being formed of similar
flat structural material vertically disposed as to greatest width, meeting in an acute
angle of equal sides at their outer ends, and there secured to blocks or castings
having spring seats, springs located thereon, a bolster plate supported on the said
springs, and intermediate springs as m¹, 12 interposed between the side frame upper
bar member and the said bolster plate, substantially as specified.
17. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical angular truss
portions connected by adjacent horizontal bar portions suitably tied together, the
upper and lower members of the said truss portions being formed of similar flat
structural material, vertically disposed as to greatest width, in combination with a
yoke-formed pedestal secured in each truss portion and provided with a bridge
made integral with the said pedestal, an axle box within each yoke, and a buffer
interposed between each axle box and the corresponding bridge, substantially as
specified.
18. In a car track, a side frame comprising two similar symmetrical angular truss
portions connected by adjacent horizontal bar portions, in combination with a yoke-
formed pedestal secured in each truss portion, each having a bridge b' formed integral
with the pedestal, an axle box within each yoke, a buffer between each axle box
and the corresponding bridge, stay pieces o having vertical shoulders o' of spring
cap o and horizontal sleeves o' with bolt connections of all substantially as specified.
19. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two truss portions composed of similar
obtuse angled upper and lower members respectively, the angles of the lower members
being inverted, the said truss portions being connected at their inner extremities by

page_text: intermediate horizontal adjacent bar members, the latter being united together at
suitable intervals by tie devices i, having rivet receiving sleeves ; made integral
with the ties, and shoulders, all substantially as specified.
20. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two truss portions composed of similar
obtuse angled upper and lower members respectively, the angles of the lower members
being inverted, the said truss portions being connected at their inner extremities by
intermediate horizontal adjacent bar members, the latter being united together at
intervals by tie devices i, having rivet receiving sleeves ¹, made integral with the
ties, shoulders and jaws, all substantially as specified.
21. In a car truck, a side frame in combination with a cup-shaped spring seat,
serving as a tie device, secured to the bar members of said frame by means of rivets,
, the heads of which on the inside of said seat are countersunk, substantially as described.
22. In a car truck, a side frame in combination with a cup-shaped spring seat
serving as a tie device secured to the bar members of said side frame by means of
rivets, the heads of which on the inside of said seat are countersunk and a motor
.hanger bark and spring bolt kl, substantially as described.
23. In a car truck, a side frame comprising two truss portions composed of upper
and lower bar members, the upper bar. members being extended at their outer ends
beyond the point where they meet the lower bar members and secured to a block or
casting, to form an extended side frame, suitable tie devices between said upper and
lower bar members, a bolster plate and spring connections between said side frame
.and bolster plate, substantially as described.
Dated this 30th day of June 1896.
F. WISE HOWORTH,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.