Patent ID: 6902042

Claim:
An apparatus engageable with a hand brake assembly for automatically applying at least one brake means secured to a railway vehicle with said hand brake assembly, said apparatus comprising: (a) an operating means having at least one ratchet, said at least one ratchet being engageable with at least one gear of a gear assembly disposed in a housing member of said hand brake assembly for operating said gear assembly in a direction which will cause an application of said at least one brake means, said operating means further including a lever having a first and second portion, said second portion being engageable with said at least one ratchet, and an operating pawl secured to said lever for engaging a tooth within said ratchet upon the application of said force to said lever and to cause rotation of said at least one ratchet; (b) an application cylinder mounted on said railway vehicle; (c) a drive arm extending from an end of said application cylinder, said drive arm having a first portion pivotally engageable with said first portion of said lever of said operating means, said drive arm capable of reciprocating with respect to said application cylinder upon the application of a force thereto to supply a predetermined pressure to said operating means at least an amount which is sufficient to cause such application of said at least one brake means; and (d) a pressure supply source connected to said application cylinder for supplying a force to said drive arm thereby causing an automatic application of said at least one brake means by said hand brake assembly.