US2233972A - Railway truck - Google Patents

Description

March 4, 1941.

D. s. BARROWS RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Oct. 8, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EON/74.0 S 54/??0/4 5 March 4, 1941. D. s. BARROW$ RAILWAY TRUCK Filed UCt. 8. 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Qwuawfom Patented Mar. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY TRUCK Application October 8, 1938, Serial No. 234,037

9 Claims.

This invention relates to railway trucks with specific reference to a load carrying member or bolster portion thereof and associated parts.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an arrangement of elements whereby existing truck bolsters may be modified to form a structure capable of pivoting or angling in a horizontal plane with respect to associated side frames and thereby impart flexibility to the truck structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide means associated with existing truck bolsters that have been slightly modified to present a substantially unitary structure capable of vertical and horizontal angling movements with respect to associated side frames within a predetermined limit and provide surface bearing relation between the associated parts.

A feature of the invention is to provide, in a railway truck, a bolster having vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined together by spaced vertical side walls, a base member associated with the bolster having a bed or spring plate underlying and bearing against the bolster bottom wall and having reliefs or recesses inwardly of the vertical planes of the side walls, spaced arms forming side frame engaging lugs being removably secured to the side walls, and shoes secured to the bolster between adjacent arms; the shoes having angular portions underlying and secured to the bolster bottom wall and extending within the reliefs or recesses.

Another feature of the invention is to provide cylindrical convex surfaces on the shoe portions of a bolster juxtapositioned with respect to cylindrical concave surfaces on side frames so as to afford a pivotal movement of the bolster with respect to theside frames, and substantially coradial surfaces on the arms to engage correspondingly formed surfaces on the side frames so as to limit the horizontal pivotal movement of the bolster 'by the engagement of coplanar surfaces.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from an inspection of the drawings which disclose a form of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a truck bolster typical or illustrative of the type most commonly in use at the present time insofar as the integral side lugs and the perpendicularly disposed side frame engaging surfaces are concerned.

Figure 2 is a partial horizontal sectional and partial plan view of a railway truck embodying an illustrative form of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a transverse view shown partially in section and partially in elevation taken along the lines 33 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a front view shown partially in elevation and partially in section taken along the lines 44 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure'5 is a detailedinverted view of the base member, arms and shoes associated with the bolster structure of Figures 2 to 4 and removed therefrom to more clearly illustrate the invention, the view being taken along the lines 55 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like parts are designated by like reference characters, the numeral I generally indicates a railway truck which comprises laterally spaced side frames 2, only a part of onebeing illustrated, but, as will be understood, a side frame is disposed longitudinally of the truck structure adjacent each side thereof. The side frame comprises a top chord or compression member 3 spaced vertically from a bottom chord or tension member 4. compression and tension members are longitudinally spaced guide columns 5 forming a window or bolster opening'fi therebetween. Each guide column is provided with an inwardly facingcylindrical concave surface I which is preferably and substantially struck from an axis formed by the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse vertical planes of the respective side frame, which will be hereinafter referred to as the vertical axis of the side frame.

Forming continuations of the cylindricalcoaxial surfaces 1 are inner and outer surfaces 8 which lie in planes radiating substantially from the vertical axis of the associated side frame. Hence, the inner and outer radial surfaces 8 of each side frame are substantially coradial with respect to one another.

Forming a tie or connection between the laterally spaced side frames is a load carrying member or bolster 9 having its respective ends Iii, only one being illustrated, extending into and occupying the upper area of the window opening 6 of each side'frame. The bolster of the instant structure is primarily a bolster of the type most prevalent in service at the time of this Writing and slightly modified to accommodate the structure associated therewith to alter or change its functional relationship with respect to the side frames. The existing type of bolster, referred to above, is illustrated by Figure .1 wherein the end Integrally joining the portions H3, in which the present invention is primarily interested, comprise vertically spaced top and bottom walls H and I2, respectively, joined adjacent their transverse edges by substantially vertical side walls 13. tion of the bolster, which is closely associated with a side frame, is provided with inner and outer guide lugs I4 formed integrally with and outstanding from each bolster side wall to embrace side frame guide columns.- In this manner the bolster, when forming a load carrying member of a truck structure, is restricted from transverse movement with respect to the side frames.

It will be noted that, bythe particular configuration of the side walls and guide lugs, the guide column engaging surfaces are perpendicularly disposed to one another and, by reason of this construction, there can be no surface bearing between the bolster and engaged portion of the side frame when the bolster tends to pivot in a horizontal plane about the side frame. As will be apparent, any pivotal movement of the bolster will create line contacts between the engaging portions of the. bolster and side frame which, due to the resilient support of the bolster and its substantially constant vertical movement during service, will wear at a remarkable rate. of speed until such time as suitable restraining surfaces have been formed. As these latter surfaces are being gradually worn the bolster structure will also deviate from its permissible angularity with respect to the side frames for which the truck structure was initially or originally designed with bearing against the bottom wall I 2.

the result that one side frame of the truck struc ture will be leading the other or the corresponding side frame beyond a predetermined amount and the wheel flanges, due to the over-canting of the axles, arethen free to override the subjacent rails to derail the truck. It is to avoid or overcome the series of actions outlined above that an existing truck bolster is modified and additional structure incorporated therewith to thereby allow the bolster to angle in a horizontal plane within a predetermined limit and present surfaces of appreciable area for engagement with correspondingly formed surfaces on the side frames. 7

To accomplish this result the integral guide lugs l4, formed on the side walls l3 of the bolster illustrated in Figure l, are removed by any desirable method, along the lines M indicated diagrammatically, to present relatively smooth or plane and parallel outer-surfaces l5-on the side walls. This being accomplished, a base member I6 is associated with each end In of the bolster, as illustrated in the various figures of the drawings, excepting Figure 1, and shown in detail in Figure 5. The base member i6 is formed by a bed plate I! in subjacent relation to the bolster and having a relatively plane top surface I'l In effect, the bed plate forms a top spring plate for a group or nest of springs l8 interposed between each bolster end and associated side frame tension member to resiliently support the bolster from the sidev frame. The bed plate desirably extends beyond the lateral limits of and outwardly from each end portion of the bolster and accordingly is provided with depending flanges I9 to rigidify the plate as well as extend partially around helical or coil springs 20 which form a part of the spring group to thereby'assist in retaining the helical springs in operable position. Centrally The end pordisposed of each helical spring is an annular depending boss 2! extending into the springs to assist the adjacent portion of the flange IS in preventing the accidental displacement of the upper extremity of the helical spring.

Positioned in the vertical axis of each side frame and centrally of the spring group is a downwardly opening spring pocket 22 formed on the base plate and defined by a substantially continuous depending rib 23 for the reception of a band or clip 24 of a transversely disposed elliptic spring 25, the latter of which forms the remaining portion of the spring group. Extending upwardly from the base plate outwardly of and intersecting the plane of the bolster bottom wall is an upstanding reinforcing flange 26 which overlies and bridges the outer two helical spring seats. A constant relation is maintained between the bed plate and bolster by means of spaced studs l (i which extend into suitable apertures 12 in the bolster bottom wall I2.

In order to limit the horizontal angling movement of the bolster each bolster side wall is provided with inner and outer upstanding or vertical arms, lugs or abutments 21 which are positioned in overlapping relation with the respective side frame guide columns. The lugs 21 are preferably spaced transversely and longitudinally of the truck structure and each is formed preferably substantially angular in horizontal cross section to present a leg 28 having a plane inner surface 28 in bearing relation with the associated side wall surface I! and a projection 29 spaced outwardly from the guide column adjacent edge of the leg. The abutment legs 28 are secured to the bolster side walls by means of welds 30. Each abutment projection 29 has an inwardly facing surface 3! disposed in a plane radiating substantially from the vertical axis of the side frame and preferably spaced from the adjacent side frame radial surface 8. The abutment surfaces 3| are angularly related to the side frame radial surfaces 8, and the included angle between the associated surfaces is determinative of the permissible horizontal angling movement of the bolster with respect to the side frames. In this manner, by the association of radial surfaces, the bolster is not only afforded a pivotal movement to incorporate a desired degree of flexibility in the truck structure but this arrangement also presents surface contacts of appreciable area and extent to not only limit the angling movement of the bolster but also materially reduce wear between the contacting or engaging surfaces. Each abutment 2'1 has a ledge or foot 2'! adjacent the lower extremity thereof and which bears upon the upper surface Il of the bed plate to form an extension of the bolster bottom wall.

The radial surfaces 8 and 3| play little part in limiting the movement of the bolster with respect to the side frames longitudinally of the truck structure, but to accomplish this purpose shoes, shims or wear blocks 32 are interposed between each bolster side wall and associated guide column. Each shoe is desirably substantially of angular configuration in vertical cross section and comprises an upright stem or web 33 provided on its inner side with a flat or plane surface 34 in bearing relation with the associated bolster side walls. The opposite or other side of the shoe stem or web is formed cylindrically convex, as at 35, having an axis which coincides substantially with the vertical axis of the associated side frame. By reason of this arrangement, therefore, the

convex surfaces are substantially coaxial with one another as well as with the guide column concave surfaces '1, and in this manner the bolster is free to pivot relatively to the side frames. This association of concave and convex surfaces will also present bearing areas of extended dimension to materially reduce Wear of the contacting or engaging portions of the bolster and side frames.

Each shoe stem is desirably formed of a width less than the distance between the associated abutment projections 29, and in this manner grooves or indentations are formed for the application or reception of vertical welds 36 which bind the transverse edge of each shoe stem and associated projection 29 to the bolster side wall to prevent a displacement or relative shifting of the assembled elements. The top edge of each shoe stem is bound to the bolster side wall by a horizontal weld 3'! which forms a continuation of the leg welds 30. Extending inwardly of the vertical plane of each bolster side wall from adjacent the lower extremity of the shoe stem is an angularly disposed leg or extension 38 underlying the bolster and in bearing relation with the bottom wall l2 so as to substantially relieve the welds 36 and 3? of stresses during vertical movements of the bolster.

The bed plate of each base member I6 is provided with spaced reliefs or recesses 39 to for-m pockets for the reception or accommodation of the shoe extensions 38. The shoe extensions are of a dimension preferably less than the corresponding substantially occupied pocket, and in this manner a channel M] is provided which may, if found desirable, accommodate a weld (not shown), thereby securing the extensions 38 to the bottom wall of the bolster. However, it is preferred to leave the channels 40 clear so as to provide a tolerance between the shoe extensions and associated portion of the bed plate, and accordingly the inner top edge of each extension is bevelled, as at l I, to form, together with the adjacent portion of the bolster bottom wall, an undercut which presents a pocket for a weld 42, thereby securing the shoe extensions to the bolster.

If, for various reasons, it is desired to follow the teachings of the instant invention, bolster structures may be cast or originally formed with substantially vertical, plane side wall surfaces and the base members and shoes may be associated therewith as it is not the present intention to limit the present invention to the alteration and modification of old structures.

As will be clearly understood, merely an exemplary form of the invention is illustrated, and various changes and alterations may be made to the disclosed structure without departing from Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a truck bolster end having vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined by spaced vertical plane side walls, the combination of a base member comprising a bed pl-ate removably associated with and bearing against said bottom wall, upstanding arms positioned adjacent each side of said bed plate and being welded to said side walls to form side frame engaging lugs, a ledge formed on each arm in bearing relation with said bed plate, said bed plate having spring means engaging portions on its lower surface and recesses extending inwardly of the vertical planes of said side walls, a shoe secured to each side wall intermediate adjacent arms, and an extension on each shoe projecting inwardly of the bolster within the corresponding recess; said extensions being bevelled to form pockets for the accommodation of welds.

2. In a. truck bolster end having a bottom wall and spaced vertical side walls, the combination of a base member comprising a bed plate removably associated with and bearing against said bottom wall, longitudinally and transversely spaced upstanding arms in bearing relation with and welded to said side walls, spring seats on a lower surface of said bed plate, a flange spaced outwardly of said bottom wall and formed on said bed plate bridging underlying spring seats, shoes each comprising a stem bearing against a side wall and interposed between associated arms and each shoe having an extension underlying said bolster and projecting into a recess formed in said plate, said stems and extensions being spaced from their associated structures to provide channels to accommodate welds for securing said arms and shoes to said bolster.

3. In a truck bolster end adapted to angle horizontally with respect to an associated side frame having vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined by plane vertical side walls, the combination of a base member comprising a bed plate removably asosicated with and bearing against said bottom wall, upstanding arms positioned adjacent sides of said bed plate embracing said side walls therebetween, said arms being welded. to said side walls and provided with inwardly facing surfaces substantially coradial with a vertical axis of the associated side frame to limit the angling movement therebetween, shoes each having a stem bearing against a side wall and interposed between associated arms, a convex surface on each shoe stem engaging correspondingly formed surfaces on said side frame to permit said horizontal angling, each shoe having an extension underlying said bolster and positioned in a recess formed in said bed plate,

said stems being spaced from the upstanding arms to present channels, and Welds in said channels to thereby secure said shoes and arms to said bolster.

4. In a truck bolster end adapted to angle horizontally with respect to an associated side frame and having vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined by plane vertical side walls, the combination of a base member comprising a bed plate underlying said bottom wall and in bearing relation therewith, said bed plate being removably associated with said bottom wall, arms adjacent transverse extremities of said plate in bearing relation with said side walls and plate, welds binding said arms to said side Walls, inwardly facing surfaces on said arms substantially coradial with the vertical axis of said side frame and adapted to engage correspondingly formed surfaces on said side frame to limit the angling movement of said bolster, a pair of shoes associated with said bolster end and each comprising a stem having an outer cylindrically convex surface coaxial with respect to said vertical axis, and an angularly disposed leg formed on said shoe underlying said bottom wall and positioned within a recess in said bed plate; sufficient clearance being provided between each shoe and the associated base member to form a groove for the reception of a weld.

5. In a truck bolster end adapted to angle horizontally with respect to an associated side frame and having vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined by plane vertical side walls,

the' combination of a base member comprising a bed plate underlying said bottom wall and in bearing relation therewith, said bed plate being removably associated with said bottom wall, arms upstanding from said plate in bearing relation with said side walls, welds binding said arms to said side walls, inwardly facing surfaces on said arms substantially coradial with the vertical axis of said side frame and adapted to engage correspondingly formed surfaces on said side frame to limit the angling movement of said bolster, a pair of shoes associated with said bolster end and each comprising a stem having a plane inner surface in bearing relation with said side wall and-an outer cylindrically convex surface coaxial with respect to said vertical axis, and an angularly disposed leg extending inward.- ly of the bolsterformed adjacent the lower extremity of each stem and positioned within a re cess in said bed plate, said shoes being welded to said bolster.

6. In a truck bolster end having vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined by spaced vertical side walls having plane outer surfaces, the combination of a base member comprising a bed plate bearing against and removably associated with said bottom wall, upstanding arms positioned adjacent each side of said plate and secured to said side walls, said arms each having an inner plane surface in bearing relation with said side wall surfaces and an angularly disposed surface coradial with the vertical axis of an associated side frame, a ledge formed adjacent the lower extremity of each arm and bearing upon said bed plate, shoes secured to said bolster end each having a stem provided with an inner plane surface in bearing relation with the adjacent side Wall surface and an outer cylindrical convex surface coaxial with said vertical axis, and an extension on each shoe underlying said bolster bottom wall and positioned in a recess formed in said bed plate.

7. In a truck! bolster end having vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined by spaced vertical planeside walls, the combination of a base member comprising a bed plate removably secured to saidbottom wall, upstanding arms positioned adjacent each side of said bed plate and being welded to said side walls to form side frame engaging lugs, said bed plate having recesses extending inwardly of the vertical planes of said side walls, a shoe secured to each side wall intermediate adjacent arms, and an extension on each shoe projecting inwardly of the bolster within the corresponding recess.

8. In a truck bolster end having vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined by spaced side walls, the combination of a base member comprising a bed plate in bearing relation with and removably associated with said bottom wall, spring means engaging portions on a lower surface of said bed plate, recesses in said bed plate extending inwardly of the planes of said side walls, a shoe secured to each side wall, an extension on each shoe in the plane of said bed plate projecting inwardly of the bolster within the corresponding recess, and welds securing said shoes and extensions to said bolster.

9. In a truck bolster end adapted to angle horizontally with respect to an associated side frame and having vertically spaced top and bottom walls joined by plane vertical side Walls, the combination of a base member comprising a bed plate in subjacent relation to and removably associated with said bottom wall, recesses formed in said bed plate, shoes in bearing relation with said side walls and each having an extension adjacent an extremity: thereof projecting inwardly of the bolster to within the corresponding recess, and welds securing said shoes to said side walls and said extensions to said bottom walls; said shoes having cylindrical convex surfaces coaxial With respect to one another adapted to engage correspondingly formed surfaces on said side frame to allow said horizontal angling movement of said bolster.

DONALD S. BARROWS.

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