Improvements in Bolster-beams and Truck Transoms for Railway Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1899-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1899
Improvements in Bolster-beams and Truck Transoms for Railway
Vehicles.
I, JOHN PLAYER, of the Atchison, Toepak & Santa Fe Railroad Company.
Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, United States of America, 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 principal object of my invention is to provide simple, economical and
efficient car bolsters and truck transoms for railway cars. A further object
is to provide a simple, economical and efficient car bolster and also a truck
transom, of such construction and arrangement that they may be easily
assembled or disassociated for purposes of repair or replacement. Further
objects will appear from an examination of the drawings and the following
description and claims.
The invention consists principally in the combination of two independent
side bars, and spring seats removably secured to such side bars to hold them
together. The invention consists further, and finally, in the features, combina-
tions and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a car bolster
constructed in accordance with my improvements; Fig. 2 a plan view of the
same; Fig. 3 a longitudinal sectional elevation, taken on line 3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 a side elevation of a truck transom constructed in accordance with my
improvements showing one of the transoms as unprovided with spring seat;
Fig. 5 a plan view of the same, shown partly in section and taken on the
irregular line 5 of Fig. 4; and Figs. 6 and 7 transverse sectional views, taken
on lines 6 and 7, respectively, of Fig. looking in the direction of the arrows.
In the art to which this invention relates, it is usual to make car bolster
and truck transom castings in which all of the parts are formed in one
integral piece. There are various objections to this class of structures-(1)
in that they are heavy and cumbersome to handle while operating on them
to render them fit for commercial use: (2) they are expensive to ship, in that
they take up considerable space and are heavy and cumbersome to handle;
and (3) they are expensive to use, in that as soon as one part of the structure
is broken or worn out the entire structure had to be thrown away. The
principal object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a simple, economical
and efficient bolster, and also truck transom, made in several operative parts
and adapted to interlock or engage with each other in such manner that one
part acts to tie and sustain some other part, and which will be economical to
handle or repair.
In constructing a car bolster in accordance with my improvements—and as
shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I make two independent side bars A and A¹, of
the desired size, shape and strength, and which are practically cambered in
appearance-that is, widest at the center and narrowest at the ends, so as to
These side bars
resist the maximum strain and stress when subjected to use.

page_text: are provided with internally projecting ribs a, forming trusses, as it were, to
connect the upper and lower flanges a¹ of the side bars together, and which
tend to distribute the strains and stress incident to use throughout the entire
bolstér. These bars are provided with perforated lugs or loops a², a³, a
and a to receive the other parts.
To connect the side bars together, firmly hold them in position, and present
parts which are necessary to form an operative car bolster, I provide two
spring plates or seats B, having strengthening ribs projecting upwardly
therefrom and transversely thereof. These spring seats are provided with four
vertical lugs 61, two arranged at or near each lateral edge thereof and adapted
to be passed through the perforated lugs or loops a³ of the side bars, thus tying
and connecting. the same together.
Two side bearings Care provided having downwardly projecting lugs a
thereon, one at or near each lateral edge of the same, and which are adapted
to be passed through the perforated lugs or loops at or near the ends of the
upper part of the side bars. These lugs are located directly over the spring
seats and act to connect the side bars at or near their upper portion together.
A center plate D is provided, which has two downwardly projecting lugs d
at or near each lateral edge thereof adapted to be passed through the perforated
lugs or loops at on the side bars, and which act to connect the same together
at or near their upper central portion. A center tie plate E is next provided,
which has two upwardly projecting lugs e passed through the perforated lugs or.
loops. on the side bars, and which act to connect the car bolster at or near
its lower portion.
.
From the foregoing description of construction and an inspection of the
drawing, it will be seen that the only parts of which this bolster is com-
posed are the side bars, spring seats, center plate, side bearings, and the center
tie plate all of which are so constructed and arranged that they interlock
with the side bars and each acts to modify some other part and hold it in its
operative position. As a consequence of this construction and arrangement,
the car bolster is formed of the least amount of material adapted to resist the
maximum strains. Further, the different parts may be made in quantities
independently of the other, operated upon economically, assembled with the
least possible expense of labor and time; and, finally, the bolster is rendered
economical to use, in that worn out or broken parts may be easily replaced
or repaired. It will also be observed that the usual expensive process of
'coreing can be dispensed with when the castings are formed in this way..
One of the principal advantages incident to the use of my improvements.
is that I have so constructed and arranged the parts as to take advantage of
the lines of force incident to use. For instance, the spring seats are placed
on the under side of the end portions of the bolster, so that the force of pressing
the springs against the transom plates acts to lock the parts of the bolster more
tightly together. Again, the center plate is so arranged that the weight of the
car body on the bolster tends to lock this part more closely in engagement with
the side bars of the bolster. The same is true of the side bars, and the same
is also true of the center tie plate.
"
"
In constructing a truck transom in accordance with my improvements—and
as shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7-two independent transom sides G and G are
provided and arched in the proper manner. These transom sides are provided
with outwardly extending ribs or flanges 9 arranged longitudinally and gl
vertically disposed, between which the web is cut out so as to form openings g
which provides for extreme lightness; or, in other words, the distribution of
a minimum amount of metal to withstand the maximum strains.
In order to lock or secure these transom sides together and at the same time
provide spring seats, two spring seats H are provided having outwardly ex-
tending T-shaped lugs arranged to be inserted through the T-shaped open-
ings arranged at or near each end and on the lower portion of the transom

page_text: sides. From an inspection of Figs. 4 and 5 it will be seen that the T head of
the lugs passes through the large portion of the opening 93 of the transom sides,
so that the neck portion of the lugs drops down in the narrow portion of the
opening and efficiently locks the parts together. These spring seats are pro-
vided with upwardly extending ribs which form recesses or pockets, as it
were, in which springs of any desired form or shape may be inserted, as may
be required.
As above stated, the transom sides are provided with vertical ribs g', one of
which is arranged at or near the center. At this point a center brace I is
arranged, provided with in-turned ends which clasp the lower extending
flange and are bifurcated to span the vertical rib or flanges, and thus serve as a
tie to secure the transom sides together at or near their central portion. This
brace is provided at or near its longitudinal and transverse center with a per-
foration through which the usual bolster pin may be passed.
In order to provide for attachment of the transom to the usual arch bars-
not shown the ends of each transom side are provided with four lugs k which
form square grooves k adapted to receive the usual arch bars, and the transom
bars at or near this point are perforated, as at 2, through which column bolts
may be passed and which act to secure the transom sides and arch bars together.
While the spring seats act as ties to assist primarily in securing the transom
sides together, they also have to sustain the weight of the bolster and whatever
load is placed thereon, so that it is desirable to support such spring seats by
something other than the T-shaped lug. In order to accomplish this result,
the transom side bars are provided at or near each lower end
thereof and underneath the T-shaped openings therein with inwardly
projecting shoulders L, shown particularly in the
section views
of the drawings, upon which the lateral edges of the spring seats rest. By this
arrangement it will be seen that the spring seats are supported independently
of their lugs, so that the lugs merely act to assist in tying the transom sides
together.
cross
The advantages incident to a truck transom constructed in accordance with
my improvements are, that the parts are economical to manufacture; simple
to understand and assemble; provide for the efficient distribution of the
minimum amount of metal; and, by making interchangeable spring seats of
different heights, different constructions are provided for and adapted for com-
bination with various styles of trucks and bolsters. Further, economical con-
struction is provided, in that the making of cores is dispensed with.
From the foregoing description of construction and operation, it will be
readily understood that the subject matter of my invention may be used in
connection with all kinds of truck transoms, cars bolsters, and similar
mechanisms; and I therefore do not desire to be understood as limiting myself
to its use in connection with truck transoms only, any further than is pointed
out in the following claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of two independent
transom side bars, a spring seat at or near each end removably engaged with
the transom side bars, and projections on one set of such parts engaging the
other parts to lock such parts together and hold them in position for use, sub-
stantially as described.
2. In a truck transom for railway cars, the combination of two independent
transom side bars having perforations at or near each end, a spring seat at or
near each end provided with lugs or projections adapted to engage with the
perforations in the transom sides and lock the parts together, substantially as
described.

page_text: 3. In a truck transom for railway cars, the combination of two independent
transom side bars having T-shaped perforations at or near each end at the
lower portion thereof, and a spring seat at or near each end provided with
T-shaped lugs or projections engaging with the perforations in the transom
sides to lock the parts together, substantially as described.
4. In a truck transom for railway cars, the combination of two independent
transom side bars provided with T-shaped perforations at or near each end
and the lower portion thereof, and a spring seat arranged at or near each end
provided with T-shaped projecting lugs engaging with the perforations in the
transom side to lock the parts together and with upwardly extending ribs or
flanges for the purpose of strengthening the seat and forming a recess for
springs, substantially as described.
21
'
2
5. In a truck transom for railway cars, the combination of two independent
transom side bars provided with horizontal projecting ribs, a spring seat at or
near each end removably engaged with the transom side bars locking such
parts together, and a center brace provided with in-turned' ends engaged with
the ribs on the two side bars and assisting in locking them together, substan-
tially as described.
6. In a truck transom for railway cars, the combination of two independent
transom side bars provided with T-shaped perforations at or near' each end
and arranged in the lower part thereof, a spring seat provided with T-shaped
projecting lugs engaging the perforations in the side bars and arranged at each
end of the side bars to lock the same together, four projecting lugs on each
transom bar at or near each end thereof and forming recesses for the reception
of the usual arch bars, substantially as described.
7. In a truck transom for railway cars, the combination of two independent
transom side bars provided with T-shaped perforations at or near each end and
arranged in the lower part thereof, a spring seat provided with T-shaped pro-
jecting lugs engaging the perforations in the side bars and arranged at each
end of the side bars to lock the same together, four projecting lugs on each sidė
bar at or near each end thereof forming recesses for the reception of the usual
arch bars, and a center brace perforated at its center portion and provided with
in-turned lugs removably engaging the transom sides to assist in locking the
parts together, substantially as described.
8. In a car bolster, the combination of two independent side bars having
integral perforated lugs extending out laterally therefrom, and a spring seat
at or near each end provided with projections adapted to engage with the per-
forated lugs on the side bars and lock the parts together, substantially as
described.
9. In a car bolster, the combination of two independent side bars provided
with integral perforated lugs and spring seats, side bearings and center plate
provided with integral projections removably engaging the perforated lugs to
lock the parts together, substantially as described.
10. In a car bolster, the combination of two independent side bars provided
with truss ribs projecting inwardly and laterally therefrom, integral perforated
lugs extending out laterally therefrom, and two spring seats, two side bearings,
a center tie-plate and a center plate provided with integral projecting lugs or
studs removably engaged with the perforated lugs to lock the parts together,
substantially as described.
Total 11.
Ou
1
2000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.