Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Sept., 1887
Specification Accepted, 21st Oct.,
1887
United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors 6, Lord Street, Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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 certain new and useful improvements in brako beams for
railway trucks etcetera, as more fully hereinafter described and more particularly
pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan view and Figure 2 an end view of a device embodying the
invention.
Figure 3 is a view of a "blank" from which the brake beam is constructed.
Figure 4 is a modification, Figures 5 and 6 another modification.
Heretofore brake beams have been made of heavy bars of wood or metal requiring
a very considerable heft and being quite expensive.
This invention is to provide a brake beam which shall be much lighter than those
heretofore made, yet of superior strength and which shall also be more economical in
construction, and of a single piece of metal.
This object is accomplished by constructing the brake beam of plate or sheet metal
as follows.
A represents the improved brake beam. Said beam is stamped or cut from plate or
sheet metal into a "blank" of desired form as for instance shown in Figure 3.

page_text: This blank is then bent in any proper manner as by a suitable machine, to the
shape desired.
It is preferably bent to form a loop a and extended flanges a² a², the loop forming a
tubular rib a extending the length of the beam forming a firm strong body to the
beams. The lateral edges of the blank are brought together, as shown, forming a
longitudinal stiffening Hange or web a', which may be broadest intermediate of the
ends, as illustrated in Figure 1, to strengthen the beam at that point still more
effectually.
If it is desirable to still more strengthen the beam, this invention contemplates also
the location of a tubular bar or piping B within the tubular rib, as shown in Figure 4
and extending the entire length of said rib. This will evidently afford a very strong
beam. To present a neater finish it may be desirable in some cases, as on passenger
cars to locate a plug C on each end of the rib. This plug may be of any material and
will not only close the open end of the rib, but will occasion greater strength at the
ends, and especially prevent any possibility of accidental damage thereto.
This plug, if employed may be used, either with a beam provided with the piping B
or with a beam when the said piping is not used, as the construction of the improved
brake beams is contemplated either with or without the piping B and also either with
or without the plug C. On freight cars where freight beams of more economical
construction are desired the plugs may be omitted.
The brake shoe bracket D is preferably constructed with a loop d engaged upon the
end of the beam as by a bolt d', which may be the usual supporting rod, whereby
the beam is suspended in place. This loop d is formed integral with the bracket,
and being made to receive the end of the beam, as shown in Figure 2, the shoe is
prevented from turning on the beam or vice versâ, the integral construction giving
great firmness.
A suitable clevis or analogous device D' is secured upon the beam intermediate of
its ends, said clevis being constructed to be connected with the usual brake lever in
any proper manner.
For this purpose the ends of the strap forming the clevis are brought together to
form a jaw which is preferably given a partial twist as shown in Figure 1 at d³ for the
more ready connection of the lever therewith.
By making the web broader intermediate of the ends of the beam, as shown in
Figure 1, this broader portion in reality acts as a truss to strengthen the beam, while
at the same time the whole construction is of a single integral piece of metal. This
truss action of the web is effected by curving the edge of the web from the centre
toward the ends.
The clevis D' may be rivetted upon the web, and the web be also provided with
additional rivets, as shown at d³.
By the use of rivets, nuts are dispensed with, and their liability to work loose is
avoided.
In Figures 5 and 6 the form is somewhat modified, the tubular portion being
made to extend from edge to edge forming a hollow shell, oval in cross section.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A tubular brake beam constructed of plate or sheet metal, said metal cut to form
a "blank" and bent into desired shape, substantially as described.
2. A brake beam constructed of plate or sheet metal bent to form a longitudinal
rib and a stiffening web, substantially as described.
3. A brake beam constructed of plate or sheet metal bent to form a longitudinal
tubular rib, and in combination therewith a strengthening bar or pipe located within
said rib, substantially as described.
4. A brake beam constructed of plate or sheet metal bent to form a longitudinal
tubular rib, having a strengthening flange or web, and in combination therewith plugs,
engaged in the open ends of said rib, substantially as described.

page_text: 5. A brake beam constructed of plate or sheet metal bent to form a rib a³, and in
combination therewith a bar or pipe inclosed in said rib, and plugs closing the ends of
said rib and pipe, substantially as described.
6. A brake beam constructed from a single piece of plate or sheet metal bent into
tubular form with the meeting edges lapped to form a strengthening web or flange,
substantially as described.
7. A brake beam constructed from a single piece of plate or sheet metal bent to
form a longitudinal rib and strengthening web, said web broadened intermediate of
its end, substantially as and for the purpose described.
13
1 1
Th
11 1
2 a
1
1007
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.