Patent ID: 7093694

Claim:
A release hold mechanism for a railcar hand brake, said release hold mechanism comprising: (a) a release shaft having a first shaft portion with a first and a second end, said second end is keyed, said release shaft further having a detent portion disposed adjacent said first shaft portion at said first end, said detent portion having a force receiving portion, said release shaft additionally having a pivot portion extending outwardly from said detent portion, said pivot portion having a threaded cavity of a predetermined diameter and a predetermined depth, said threaded cavity axially disposed within said pivot portion; (b) a release handle substantially engaging said second end of said first shaft portion, said release handle is keyed onto said second end of said first shaft portion; and (c) a holding pawl having a cavity for rotatable coupling to said release shaft at said first shaft portion, said holding pawl further having a ratchet engaging portion, said holding pawl additionally having a force transmitting portion cooperating with said force receiving portion of said release shaft.