Improvements in Pivotal Car Trucks.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1899-Accepted, 14th July, 1900
[Communicated from abroad by WALTER S. ADAMS, of 841, Beechwood Street,
in the City and County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United
States of America, Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Pivotal Car Trucks.
I, WILLIAM HENRY BECK, of 115, Cannon Street, in the City of London, Con-
sulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, 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: —
My invention has reference to improvements hereinafter recited in regard to
car trucks, more especially adapted for the purpose of passenger transportation,
although the same may be advantageously employed in other relations.
My invention has relation to that class of truck in which an equalizing bar,
either in the form of a rigid and inflexible bar, or a longitudinally disposed
semi-elliptic spring are utilized for the purpose of suspending the bolster from
the truck-frame in connection with links supported from the side-bars of the
truck-frame, in which link springs have been employed.
The longitudinal extension of the spring base of the truck, affords considerable
advantages in the equalization of the load upon the truck and the increase of the
transverse spread of the bolster support, which materially reduces and eases the
transverse swing of the bolster, thereby materially increasing the stability of the
car on the truck, and causing the latter to ride with great ease and steadiness.
In the constructions which have preceded my invention, which relate more
particularly to the construction of the link for the support of the equalizing
mechanism, be they either a rigid bar or elliptic springs, the factors of safety,
so far as the link supports are concerned, depend entirely upon the stability of
the pins or other means used for connecting the links with the equalizers and
the truck-frame.
In my construction I increase this factor of safety by decreasing the number of
parts liable to breakage or derangement; as, for example, two pins or bars or
like devices have been used in the link construction, and in my present improve-
ments I dispense entirely with the employment of one set of these pins.
In other trucks of this class the equalizers have been supported from the side
bars by links, the upper ends of which have been pivotally secured by knuckle
joints in the upper portion of the side frame of the truck.
In all previous constructions, a link-spring much shorter than the one employed
in my present improvement was used owing to the necessary interposition of
either the pivotal support of the link from the truck-side-frame or the top of
the strap portion of the link in addition to the cap which was placed upon the
top of the link-springs, the result being that the length of the link and the
radius of its swing was much smaller than is used in my present improvements.
Therefore, among the advantages of my present improvements is that a longer
link can be used so as to reduce the speed of the swing or vibration of the bolster
and a longer link spring may be employed so that many variations in the

page_text: character of the link-springs may be employed to advantageously effect the
spring support of the car-body and their combination with the other truck-
springs, and the number of connecting parts of the links with the truck-frame
and the equalizers is reduced so as to increase the factor of safety.
My invention, therefore, resides in the construction and in the combination of
parts hereinafter recited and more fully pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings forming part of this Specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation
of a truck embodying my improvements, Figure 2 a plan view of one-half of the
truck, or one side thereof, Figure an end view thereof, Figure 4 is an enlarged
sectional elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the side-frame, one end of
one of the equalizing bars, and the link connections between the equalizing bars
and the truck-frame, Figure 5 is a transverse sectional elevation of the same
substantially on the line Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrow,
Figure 6 is a like sectional elevation showing the links and allied parts in full,
Figure is a plan view of the lower spring cup and Figure 8 is a sectional
elevation substantially on the line == Figure 7, Figure 9 and Figure 10 are side
and plan views respectively of the upper spring cap: Figure 11 is an enlarged side
elevation of a portion of the side-frame of another form of truck, in which my
improvements are applied to a semi-elliptic-spring acting as an equalizer, and
Figure 12 is a sectional elevation on line y y Figure 1.
Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.
The particular form of construction of the truck, apart from the features recited
in the claims constitute no part of my present invention.
The particular form of truck in which I have embodied my improvements con-
sists substantially, as to the frame, of the side-bars or wheel pieces 1 connected at
the ends by the cross-bars 2 and centrally by the bolster transoms, supple-
mental or inside wheel pieces 4 being shown as extending between the transoms
and end cross-bars, the pedestals 5 of usual or desired form being secured to the
wheel pieces in which are the axle-boxes 6 for the axles 7, and the wheels 8, and
between the axle-boxes and the top of the pedestals are the usual springs or
cushions 9, which springs may be specially designed for the purpose of entering
into the spring support of the car-body. Pedestal tie-bars and braces and cross-
bars, and truss-rods are shown employed in the conventional manner, but, as
heretofore stated, this particular kind of truck construction forms no part of my
present invention, and I do not therefore, describe it in detail.
At 10 is the bolster, and 11 the bolster-springs, and 12 the sand-plank.
The sand-plank, or spring-plank, as it is sometimes called, is secured in the
construction shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 to the equalizing-bars 13, by bolts 14,
the plank being of any desired form the equalizing bars which, in the form as
shown in Figure 1 etc., are solid bars, longitudinally disposed substantially under
the side-bars 1, on each side, and to which the sand-plank is secured, as shown
in Figures 1 and 2, or in any other desired way, in which the ends of the cross-
bars forming the sand-plank are angularly disposed and bolted to the equalizing-
bar or said equalizers may take the form shown in Figures 11, 12, in which a
semi-elliptic spring is employed, which spring supports the yokes embracing
and extending above the side-bars, which yokes are tied transversely by and
support the bolster, the latter construction eliminating the intermediate spring-
plank and the bolster springs.
In all of the previously recited constructions considerable scope of variation
is allowed to the constructor, as anyone of these forms or any other suitable form
can be utilized without departing from my invention.
At 14 are the links constructed so as to be telescopic or, in other words,
extensible in the direction of their length, the links being in two parts one part
engaging directly with the equalizers and the other part (the upper), passing
directly over and embracing the wheel piece, side-bar, or upper chord of the
truck-frame, whatever that particular part may be termed, and between which
parts the link springs are interposed as hereinafter described.

page_text: The upper portion of the link 14* comprises the yoke or strap 15 which, as
shown in Figures 5 and 6, embraces the wheel piece or side-bar, 1, the strap
being preferably formed of a piece of bar-iron discontinuous between its lower
ends, and brought together at the top 16 by the upwardly converging portions 17
to form a pivotting head, the side portions or bars 18 of the strap being distended
to allow free movement about the side-bar 1 and to receive the lower section of
the link, the ends 19 of the strap being turned inwardly and reduced in diameter
to form engaging lips 20.
Each side-bar I is provided adjacent each pedestal, with a block 21 having side
flanges 22, through which bolts 23 pass, by which said block is secured to the
wheel pieces 1, and a central pivot-block 24 triangular in cross-section (Figure 5)
and which is rounded at its apex to form a bearing for the bearing head 16 of the
strap, the wheel piece being recessed as at 25 to allow of the pivot-block 24
being set down therein to give it a firm bearing, the wheel piece being cut away,
as at 26, to provide for the swing of the strap, the flanges of the block 24 having
lips 27 rising up above the pivoting block so as to receive the head 16 of the
strap between them, as shown in Figure 4, and prevent displacement of the
link.
The lower section of the link comprises the rod or plunger 28 provided with an
apertured eye or enlargement 29 at its ends to engage the journaled end 30 of
the equalizing bar 13, as shown in Figure 4, the upper portion of the bolt or
thrust-bar being screw-threaded 31 to receive the apertured and threaded hub 32
of a cap or follower 33. The cap or follower is recessed in its lower face to form
a spring cap, and its sides are squared 34 and provided with lips 35 to form guides
in conjunction with the side pieces 18 of the strap to prevent rotation of the
plunger therein.
The lower ends 19 of the strap detachably support a spring cup 36 having an
apertured hub 37 through which the bolt or thrust-bar 28 passes, as shown in
Figure 5, the upper face of the cup being recessed.
The lower face of the cup is provided with recesses 38 at each side of the
apertured hub 37 to receive the lips 20 of the strap, and at each side of these
recesses are outwardly extending cars 41 which receive the side bars 18 of the
strap between them, rounded lugs 39 being formed between the recesses and the
edge of the cup to rest in the cavity of the strap ends 19, the edge of the cup
being squared, as at 40, to receive the straight sides of the side pieces 18 of the
strap thereby providing an interlocking joint between the spring cup 36 and the
strap ends 19, preventing the cup from becoming detached horizontally, means
whereby the cup can be readily attached or detached from the strap, and a firm
and stable support for the link springs.
Between the cap and the cup and about the thrust-bar are located the link-
springs 42, preferably spiral springs, as shown. These link-springs, in their
normal condition separate the cap 33 and cup 36, but under the stress of load
the link springs are compressed, the load being primarily taken upon the bolster
springs 11 when they are employed, thence to the link-springs 42 through the
equalizing-bars to the side-frames of the truck, through the axle-box springs 9,
if they are employed, and thence to the axle-boxes and axles, etc
It will be clearly noted from Figures 4, 5, and 6 that the link comprising both
of its parts, which are extensible or depressible in the direction of their length,
can swing bodily from a point above the side-frames of the truck, and that the
support of the bolster on the side-frame is further articulated through the jour-
nalled connection of the equalizing-bars with the thrust-bar 28.
In order to provide for stability of the support of the bolster on the truck the
links 14 are splayed outwardly as indicated in Figures 5 and 6.
Instead of the pivot being formed of a separate casting, as shown herein, it
can be formed on the side-bar itself when the same is made of metal, as shown in
Figures 11, 12.
In this construction a spring-plank, and bolster supporting on the spring-plank,

page_text: -
and inflexible equalizing-bars are omitted, and in their place yokes 43 which
extend upwardly above and embrace the side-bars 1 and downwardly below the
side-bars are supported by the longitudinally disposed, upturned, semi-elliptic-
springs 1, all generally or specifically in manner as shown in my application
for a Patent No. 14,989 of even date herewith, the side-bars 1, pedestals 5 etc.,
being of metal.
Instead of using the block or castings 21 the pivot-head is formed on the side-
bar 1 adjacent to pedestals, as at 24, and the strap is restrained from longi-
tudinal displacement by the integrally formed lips 27; the plunger or thrust
bar 28, instead of being pivotted to the journal end 30 of the equalizing-bars 13
is formed with a rectangular shaped block or housing 28 having a longitudinal
aperture in which the ends 13 of the semi-elliptic-springs are received. The
links otherwise are constructed as previously described.
The construction shown in Figures 11 and 12 may be employed, in many cases
where the previously described construction, by reason of cost or otherwise may
be undesirable, the semi-elliptic springs 1 not only taking the place of the usual
bolster-springs, but that of the equalizing-bars 13 as well.
The yokes or saddles 43 which embrace the side-bars 1 are tied together trans-
versely by the flat bolster bar 10%, on the ends of which is secured the side
bearings 44 by bolts 45, which bolts secure the yokes or saddles, the bolster 10ª,
and the side-bearings 44 together, the opposing yokes 43 (these being one on each
side of each bar 1) and the springs 13 being secured together by the bolts 46.
By means of either of the fore-going constructions an excessively easily riding
truck is produced. The support of the bolster is had at a point, preferably closely
adjacent the axles, through the medium of the links so that the longitudinal
spread of the bolster-support is increased and the weight more evenly distributed
on the axles; means are provided whereby the lifting of either end of the truck,
when braking is prevented through the interposition of the link-springs, the
transverse spread or spring support for the bolster is increased so that the swing
of the bolster will be slower the point of suspension of the links is on or above the
side frames so that a long link, producing a long slow swing, is obtained, the
construction of the link allowing of the employment of a long link-spring; and
by means of the special construction of link, and through so disposing it that
it embraces the side-bar or side-frame, the factors of safety are increased by
decreasing the number of parts therein which are liable to breakage or separation,
the prominent feature of the specific construction of the link being that no con-
necting-pins, ordinarily subjected to a shearing strain, are employed.
I desire it to be understood, where the word "equalizer or equivalent ex-
pression is employed in the claims, that either the equalizing bars, the semi-
elliptic springs, or other equivalent construction is included therein.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
First. The combination in a car-truck, of side-frames having axle-box-pedestals
and side-bars connecting the pedestals, axle-boxes in the pedestals, a bolster,
longitudinally disposed equalizers supporting the holster, links and springs
supports therefore suspended from and embracing the side-bars and supporting
the equalizers, substantially as described.
Second. The combination in a car-truck, of the side-frames each comprising a
side-bar and pedestals, longitudinally disposed equalizers arranged below the
side-bars, a bolster supported by said equalizers, appliances connected to the
ends of the equalizers and pivotally supporting them from and embracing the
Bide-bars, and spiral springs co-acting with said appliances by which said
equalizers are suspended, substantially as described.
Third. The combination in a car-truck of side bars, a bolster, longitudinally
disposed equalizers supporting the bolster, inverted U-shaped and paired links

page_text: pivotally supported at their upper ends on and embracing the side bars, a spring
plate supported at the lower end of each of the links, a spring on the plate, a
follower on the spring, and means for connecting the followers of cach pair of
links with said equalizers, substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination in a car truck of side bars, a bolster, longitudinally
disposed equalizers supporting the bolster, inverted U-shaped and paired links
having open lower ends, said link being pivotally supported at their upper ends
on the side bars, a spring plate detachably supported on and at said open ends,
a spring on the plate, a follower on the spring, and means for connecting the
followers of each pair of links with said equalizers, substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination in a car truck, of side bars, a bolster, longitudinally
disposed equalizers supporting the bolster, inverted U-shaped and paired links
having lower open ends, said links being pivotally supported at their upper ends
on the side-bars, a perforated spring plate detachably supported by and at said
open ends, a spring on the plate, a follower on the spring, and a plunger con-
necting the follower with the end of the equalizer and passing through the plate,
substantially as described.
Sixth. The combination in a car-truck, of the side-frames, springs suspended
from the side-frames by straps which embrace said frames and are pivotally sup-
ported thereon, longitudinally disposed equalizers suspended by said springs, and
a cross-bolster resting on said equalizers, substantially as described.
Seventh. The combination in a car-truck, of the side-frames, the equalizers
movably and resiliently suspended from the side-frames by devices which embrace
the said frames and which are pivotally supported thereon, and a bolster secured
to said equalizers, substantially as described.
Eighth. The combination in a car-truck, of the truck-frame, spring links
depending from the truck-frame, which links embrace and are pivotally supported
upon the side-frames of said truck-frame, longitudinally disposed equalizers con-
necting the links, and means for connecting said equalizers with the car-body,
substantially as described.
Ninth. The combination in a car-truck and its running gear, of the side-frames
supported outside of the wheel-gauge, extensible spring links depending from the
side-frames and supported therefrom by means which embrace the side-frames and
which means are pivotally supported thereon, longitudinally disposed equalizers
supported by said links, and a bolster on and transversely connecting said
equalizers, substantially as described.
Tenth. The combination in a car-truck, of the side-frames having axle-box-
pedestals, each frame having an upper longitudinal side-bar, longitudinally dis-
posed equalizers suspended below said side-bars, a spring suspension for the ends
of said equalizers from the side-bars, said spring suspension including a strap
link-section embracing and which is pivotally supported on the side-bars, and
a holster supported on said equalizers and tying them together, transversely
substantially as described.
Eleventh. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames having axle-
box pedestals, the bolster, longitudinally disposed equalizing supports for the
bolster and resilient connections between the ends of said supports and the side-
frames, said resilient connections including a strap link section pivotally sup-
ported on the side-frames and embracing them, substantially as described.
Twelfth. The combination in a car-truck, of the side-frames comprising
pedestals, side-bars between the pedestals, axle-boxes in the pedestals, spring.
between the axle-boxes and the tops of the pedestals, a bolster, equalizers
supporting the bolster, and spring supporting links which embrace the
side-bars and are supported therefrom at their upper ends, substantially as
described.
Thirteenth. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames, each com-
prising two pedestals, side-bars connecting the pedestals, a car-body supporting
bolster, equalizers supporting said bolster and located below the side bars and

page_text: appliances for suspending said equalizers comprising a link having a strap-link
upper section embracing each of the side-bars and pivotally supported thereon,
substantially as described.
Fourteenth. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames, each com-
prising two pedestals, side-pars connecting the pedestals, of a carbody supporting
bolster, equalizers located below said side-bars, and link appliances secured to
the ends of said equalizers embracing the side-bars and movably suspended on
the top of said side-bars, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames, each comprising
two pedestals, side-bars connecting the pedestals, of a car-body supporting
bolster, equalizers connected to the ends of said bolster and supporting the same,
and elastic link appliances secured to the ends of said equalizers embracing the
side-bars and suspended from the top of the same, substantially as described.
Sixteenth. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames, each com-
prising two pedestals, the side-bars connecting the pedestals, of a car-body sup-
porting bolster, equalizers upon which the ends of said bolsters rest, and links
suspended from above the side-bars and supporting the ends of said equalizers
for the purpose of permitting lateral displacement of said springs with relation
to the side-frames, said links in part embracing the side-bars, substantially as
described.
Seventeenth. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames, each com-
prising two pedestals and a side-bar, of a car-body supporting bolster, and spring-
actuated appliances on which the ends of the bolster rest, said appliances embracing
the side-bars and which are suspended thereon above the bottom of said side-bar,
substantially as described.
Eighteenth. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames, each com-
prising two pedestals and a connecting side-bar, of a car-body supporting bolster,
equalizers upon which the ends of said bolsters rest and suspending appliances
for the ends of said equalizers, one portion of which suspending appliance embraces
the side bars and which are pivotally supported on and within the plane of the
sides of the side-bars, substantially as described.
Nineteenth. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames, of a car-
body supporting bolster elastically suspended from the side bars of said frames by
appliances which embrace the sides of said side-bars and permit said bolster to
move transversely with reference to the side-frames, substantially as described.
Twentieth. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames, of a car-
body supporting bolster suspended from said side-frames by appliances which
embrace the element of the side-frames which support it and which permit it to
move transversely with reference to said side-frames, and elastic appliances for
yieldingly resisting such movement, substantially as described.
Twenty-first. In a car-truck, the combination with the side-frames, each
comprising two pedestals, side-bars connecting the pedestals, of a pair of transoms
arranged transversely of the truck-frame and secured to the side-bars, the car-
body supporting bolster arranged to operate between said transoms, equalizers
supporting said bolster and located below the side-bars, and suspending appliances
connected to the ends of said equalizers and to the side-bars, one element of said
suspending appliances embracing the side-bars and being constructed to swing
transversely of the truck, substantially as described.
Twenty-second. The combination in a car-truck, of side-frames comprising
pedestals and connecting side-bars, axle-boxes in the pedestals, a bolster, equalizers
disposed below the side-bars and supporting the bolster, links, the upper element
of which embraces the side-bar, springs on the upper link element for supporting
the lower link element, the lower link element being connected to the equalizers,
substantially as described.
Twenty-third. The combination in a car-truck, of side-frames, each comprising
upper and lower longitudinal bars and pedestals, equalizers arranged below the
top side-bars, a bolster supported thereby, the ends of the equalizers being sup-

page_text: ported from the side-bars by spring-equipped appliances, a portion of which
embraces and which is pivotally mounted on the side-bars, substantially as
described.
Twenty-fourth. The combination in a car-truck, of the side-frames, each com-
prising side-bars and pedestals, equalizers arranged beneath the side-bars, a
bolster supported by the equalizers, and appliances connected to the ends of said
equalizers and supporting them from the side-bars, said appliances being pivotally
supported from and embracing the side-bars, and spiral springs co-acting with
said appliances by which the said equalizers are suspended, substantially as
described.
Twenty-fifth. The combination in a car-truck, of side-frames, each comprising
side-bars and pedestals with equalizers arranged beneath the side-bars, the car-
body supporting bolster supported by said equalizers and adapted to carry the
weight of the car-body at its centre, the ends of said equalizers being suspended
from the side-bars by spring equipped appliances, said appliances embracing
the side-bars and which are pivotally supported thereon, substantially as described.
Twenty-sixth. In a car-truck, the combination with a bolster transversely dis-
posed equalizers supporting the holster, and links suspending the equalizers from
the truck-frame, each comprising a lower section secured to the respective ends
of the equalizers and an upper section embracing its respective truck-side-bar
and a compression spring interposed between the upper and lower link elements,
substantially as described.
Twenty-seventh. The combination with the side-bars, bolster and equalizers,
of the link comprising the upper strap link-section, a pivot block on the side
bars interposed between the latter and the strap, an apertured spring seat detach-
ably connected to the lower ends of the strap section, a bolt passing through
said aperture and carrying at its upper ends a follower lying between the sides
of the strap and having at its lower end means for connecting it to the equalizers,
and a spring surrounding said bolt and extending between said seat and follower,
substantially as described.
Twenty-eighth. The combination, in a car truck, of the side-bars, the bolster,
and equalizers supporting the holster, of link supports for the equalizers com-
prising an upper strap section continuous except at its lower horizontal portion,
a spring seat detachably supported upon the said lower horizontal portion, the
upper portion of the strap being pivotally supported on the side-bars, a bolt
passing through said spring seat and carrying a follower within the strap, a spring
inserted between the follower and the spring seat, and means for connecting the
equalizers with the lower end of the bolt, substantially as described.
Twenty-ninth. The combination with the strap having inturned ends or lips,
and a spring seat having recesses for receiving suid ends or lips, substantially
as described.
Thirtieth. The combination with the bars of the strap, the lower termini of
which are turned inwardly to form lips, and the spring seat having recesses to
receive said lips, and outwardly extending lips embracing the sides of the straps,
substantially as described.
Thirty-first. The combination of the side-bars having a pivot block of the strap
link section embracing the side-bar, the upper portion of said link being sup-
ported on said pivot block, said link diverging outwardly from its point of
pivotal support and downwardly and embracing the side-bar, a spring embraced
within said strap and supported thereby, a follower on the spring in the strap,
a bolt secured to the follower and extending through the spring and strap, sub-
stantially as described.
Thirty-second. The combination with the side bar of a truck frame, of the link
section comprising the strap having upwardly converging portions forming an
angular hearing and depending side-portions, an angular pivot block on the
side-bar to receive said angular bearing, a spring supported by said strap, a bolt

page_text: supported on the said spring and car supporting means connected with said spring,
substantially as described.
Thirty-third. The link section comprising the strap having upwardly con-
verging portions forming an angular bearing, the angular pivot block having
upwardly extending lips bearing against the sides of the converging portions of
the strap, a spring supported within the side-bars of the strap, a follower on said
spring, and a bolt secured to said follower, substantially as described.
Thirty-fourth. The combination with the side-bar of the pivot block having
flanges bolted to the side-bar, upwardly extending lips on the pivot block, the
angular pivot block below and between the lips, the link-strap having upwardly
converging sections forming an angular bearing resting on the bearing block,
the pendent side portions of the strap, the spring suspended by and within said
side portions, a follower on the spring, and a bolt on the follower, substantially as
described.
Thirty-fifth. The combination with the spring cup 36 having the recesses 38
and rounded lugs 39, of the side-bar 1, the strap 15 pivotally supported on the
side-bar, the said strap having rounded ends 19 ending in lips 20, the rounded
ends engaging the lugs 39, the lips engaging the recesses, a spring on the cup,
a cap or follower on the spring, a bolster, and means for connecting the cap with
said bolster, substantially as described.
Thirty-sixth. The combination in a car truck, of the side-bar, a strap 15 pivotally
supported from the side-bar, the spring cup detachably supported on said strap,
means for preventing displacement of said cup thereon, a bolster, and means
for resiliently connecting the spring cup and bolster together, substantially as
described.
1000
W. H. BECK,
Applicant, 115, Cannon Street, London, E.C.