U.S. patent number 3,586,306 [Application Number 04/804,751] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-22 for railway vehicle suspension height adjustment device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to General Steel Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard L. Lich, James J. Reece.
United States Patent |
3,586,306 |
Reece , et al. |
June 22, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
RAILWAY VEHICLE SUSPENSION HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT DEVICE
Abstract
A device for adjusting the height of vehicle springs comprising
a pair of elements underlying the spring, one of said elements
being divided into a plurality of equal sectors each divided into a
plurality of steps, the other of said elements having equiangularly
spaced surfaces selectively engageable with corresponding steps of
each sector, whereby upon relative rotation of said elements with
respect to each other the combined height of said elements may be
varied, said device also including means for lifting the spring
load from said elements to permit their relative rotation.
Inventors: |
Reece; James J. (Caseyville,
IL), Lich; Richard L. (Town and Country, MO) |
Assignee: |
General Steel Industries, Inc.
(St. Louis, MO)
|
Family
ID: |
25189738 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/804,751 |
Filed: |
March 6, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
267/3; 74/533;
248/161; 248/188.5; 267/153; 267/177; 74/527; 105/198.7; 248/188.2;
248/357; 267/175 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61F
5/50 (20130101); Y10T 74/20672 (20150115); Y10T
74/20636 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
B61F
5/00 (20060101); B61F 5/50 (20060101); B61f
005/08 (); F16f 001/04 (); F16m 011/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/161,188.2,188.5,357
;74/527,533 ;105/197,199 ;248/161,188.2,188.5,357
;267/3,4,36A,153,175,177 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: La Point; Arthur L.
Assistant Examiner: Beltran; Howard
Claims
We claim:
1. A height adjustment device comprising a bottom adjuster element
having a horizontal bottom surface, the top surface of said bottom
adjuster element being divided into a plurality of equiangular
sectors, each of said sectors being divided into a plurality of
equiangular subsectors in sequential vertically stepped relation
with each other accurately in a single direction along one radial
face of the sector, the opposite radial face of each said sector
being vertical, all of said sectors being stepped in the same
direction, and a top adjuster element having equiangularly spaced
depending individual teeth in the same number as said sectors, said
top and bottom adjuster elements being rotatable about a common
vertical axis to seat said teeth on selected subsectors of said
bottom element whereby to vary the height of said device.
2. A height adjustment device according to claim 1 wherein said
subsectors and said teeth are formed with matingly recessed and
projecting opposing top and bottom surfaces respectively.
3. A height adjustment device according to claim 1 wherein said
teeth are of sector shape in plan of substantially the same
angularity as said subsectors.
4. A height adjustment device according to claim 1 wherein said
teeth are of sector shape of substantially the same angularity as
said subsectors and said subsectors and teeth are formed with
matingly recessed and projecting opposing surfaces.
5. A height adjustment device according to claim 18 wherein said
adjuster elements have mating vertical cylindrical bearing
surfaces.
6. A height adjustment device according to claim 5 wherein said
bottom element is of annular shape, its cylindrical bearing surface
being its inner circumferential surface, the cylindrical bearing
surface of said top element being a central cylindrical portion
connecting said radial teeth.
7. In a vehicle suspension system spring support structure, a
height adjustment device comprising a bottom adjuster element
having a horizontal bottom surface seated on said spring support
structure, the top surface of said bottom adjuster element being
divided into a plurality of equiangular sectors, each of said
sectors being divided into a plurality of equiangular subsectors in
sequential vertically stepped relation with each other arcuately in
a single direction along one radial face of the sector, the
opposite radial face of each said sector being vertical, all of
said sectors being stepped in the same direction, and a top
adjuster element having equiangularly spaced depending individual
teeth in the same number as said sectors, said top and bottom
adjuster elements being rotatable about a common vertical axis to
seat said teeth on selected subsectors of said bottom element
whereby to vary the height of said device.
8. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 7, a spring
seat supported on said top adjuster element, there being a separate
base member supporting said bottom element.
9. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 8, a flat pad
of elastomeric material interposed between the top of said top
adjuster element and said spring seat.
10. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 7, said top
adjuster element being fixed against rotation and said bottom
adjuster element being rotatable.
11. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 10, an
upright spring being seated in said spring seat and a load
supporting structure carried on said spring.
12. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 11, said top
adjuster element being supported from and being elevatable with
said spring seat, there being means for elevating said pring seat
and said top adjuster element to permit rotation of said bottom
adjuster element to bring said teeth of said top adjuster element
into vertically opposing relation with different stepped subsectors
of said bottom element and thus vary the height of said spring
seat.
13. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 12, said
elevating means comprising vertically spaced apart downwardly and
upwardly facing surfaces on said spring seat and said spring
supporting structure respectively whereby jacks may be inserted
between said vertically spaced surfaces.
14. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 13, at least
two of said surfaces on said spring seat spaced apart symmetrically
thereabout.
15. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 14, a pair of
said surfaces being spaced apart diametrally of said spring
seat.
16. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 7, said
bottom adjustment member being centrally vertically cylindrically
apertured and said spring support structure being formed with an
aligned cylindrical aperture, said top adjustment element being
formed with a depending cylindrical post extending downwardly
through said bottom element and said spring support structure.
17. In a vehicle suspension system according to claim 16 including
railway wheels supporting said spring support structure on a track
rail, said cylindrical apertures and said post being in substantial
alignment with said wheels whereby the supporting railway track
rail may provide stable and solid support for a jack placed under
said post for raising said top element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to railway rolling stock and consists
particularly in improved means for adjusting the height of truck
springs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In railway rolling stock it frequently becomes necessary to adjust
the height of body supporting springs due to wheel wear. This is
sometimes accomplished by jacking the spring-supported structure
and placing shims under the springs or under the spring seats.
It is an object of the invention to provide easily adjustable means
for varying the height of railway vehicle truck springs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a railway truck embodying the
invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the truck illustrated in FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view along line 3-3 of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of one of the spring seats and
adjacent portion of the truck frame, showing the height adjustment
device.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical view along line 5-5 of
FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the height adjuster.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional views
along line 7=-7 of FIG. 4, showing the height adjuster set
respectively for new wheels and worn wheels.
FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a truck incorporating a modified
form of height adjuster.
FIG. 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view along line 10-10 of
FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The numeral 1 indicates railway flanged wheels mounted in spaced
pairs on spaced axles 2 and 3, on the ends of which are mounted
journal boxes 5.
A rigid frame comprises transversely spaced, longitudinally
extending side members 7, connected to each other intermediate
their ends by a transverse transom 9. Side members 7 are formed at
their ends with downwardly open pedestal jaws 11, which embrace
journal boxes 5 on which the frame is resiliently supported. The
center portions 13 of side members 7 and transom 9 are depressed to
substantially the level of the axles to provide a low-level spring
support for transverse load supporting bolster 15.
Bolster 15 is depressed at its center and is formed with a
body-supporting central bearing part 17, in which is pivotally
received a mating central bearing part 19 secured to body
underframe member U.
Bolster 15 is a box section with its bottom wall 1 removed at its
ends to provide downwardly open spring pockets 21, in which are
received upright coil springs 23 seated in upwardly open cup-shaped
spring seats 25.
For transmitting longitudinal forces (traction and braking) between
truck frame 7, 9 and bolster 15, and maintaining the bolster
transverse of the truck frame, while accommodating transverse and
vertical movements of the bolster relative to the truck frame,
mediate central bearing 17 and bolster spring pockets 21, the
bolster is formed with depending clevislike brackets 22 extending
longitudinally of the truck from one side of the bolster, and
transom 9 is formed with similar upstanding brackets 24 adjacent
the other side of the bolster and longitudinally aligned with
brackets 22. Both sets of brackets 22 and 24 are connected
respectively by longitudinally extending anchor links 26, which are
connected to the respective brackets by universal pivot means.
In order to maintain the height of bolster 15 and underframe U
substantially constant irrespective of wheel wear, spring seats 25
are supported on the low-level center portions 13 of truck frame
side members 7 by means of height adjusters each comprising a
bottom element 27, rotatably seated on the flat top surface of side
member center portions 13 and a nonrotatable top element 29 resting
on the bottom element. For permitting additional lateral motion of
bolster 15 with respect to the truck frame, a sandwich comprising a
flat pad 31 of elastomeric material with metal plates 33 bonded to
its upper and lower surfaces is positioned between spring seat 25
and top adjuster element 29. Plates 33 are formed with a pair of
diametrically disposed ears 35 for attachment respectively to
spring seat 25 and the top of top adjustment element 29, through
similar ears 37 thereon.
Bottom adjustment element 27 comprises a disc 38 with a wide
upstanding annular rim divided into four equiangular sectors 39
each of which is divided into three equiangular subsectors 41, 43
and 45 in vertically stepped relation with each other upwardly from
bottom step 41.
Top adjustment element 29 includes a disc 46 with an integral
depending rib structure comprising a central cylindrical rib 47
pivotally engageable with the inner surface of the bottom element
annular rim, and four equiangularly spaced teeth 49 of sector shape
in plan and suitably dimensioned of similar angularity with
subsectors 41, 43 and 45 to mesh closely with selected steps 41, 43
and 45 of bottom adjustment element 27.
For retaining top and bottom adjustment elements 27 and 29 in
selected relative positions, the top surfaces 51 of steps 41, 43
and 45 are preferably formed with radial V-shaped depressions and
the bottom surface 53 of teeth 49 are formed with corresponding
radial V-shaped projections adapted for mating relation with top
surfaces 51.
To provide a center of rotation for bottom element 27, it is formed
with a depending central cylindrical boss 55, which is pivotally
received in a suitable bearing recess 57 in the top surface of
truck frame side member depressed center portion 13.
On trucks with new wheels, bottom adjustment element 27 would be
set with its bottom steps 41 in engagement with ribs 49 of top
element 29 (FIG. 7). As wheel wear progressed, bottom element 27
would be rotated initially until its intermediate steps 43 engaged
ribs 49 of top element 29, and finally when maximum wheel wear
occurs, bottom element 27 would be rotated until its top steps 45
engaged ribs 49 of top element 29.
For maintaining bottom element 27 in any selected angular position
on the truck frame, the bottom of the bottom element is preferably
formed with at least three round holes spaced apart the same
angular distance as adjacent steps 41, 43, 45, and the truck frame
side member depressed portion sidewalls, 61 are recessed inwardly
so that the projecting end 63 of the frame top wall forms a shelf
having a threaded vertical hole 65 on the transverse centerline of
the truck. A bolt 67, threadably received in hole 65 and held
securely therein by a lock washer 69 projects upwardly into a
selected hole 59 in the bottom adjustment element for preventing
rotation of the latter and thus fixing it in selected angular
relation with nonrotatable top element 29.
To facilitate rotation of bottom elements 27, means are provided
for removing the load from them and elevating top elements 29. This
is accomplished by forming each spring seat 25 with a pair of wings
71 extending lengthwise of the truck above the flat upper surface
of the frame side member depressed portion 13. Wings 71 may also be
utilized to provide spring seat connections respectively for
lateral shock absorbers 73 and vertical shock absorbers 75 mounted
on the sides of bolster spring pocket end portions 21.
For raising the spring seat a pair of small hydraulic jacks may be
seated on the truck frame top wall 63, with their plungers P
bearing against the undersides of spring seat wings 71. Upon being
simultaneously energized, jacks J will raise the spring seat, and
with it sandwich 31, 33 and top adjustment element 29, since the
latter is fastened to spring seat 25 by means of sandwich 31, 33.
Bolt 67 may then be partly unscrewed until its upper end is flush
with the upper surface of frame top wall 63, and clear of the
bottom adjustment element, after which bottom adjustment element 27
is rotated until the desired steps 41, 43 and 45 are vertically
aligned with top element ribs 49. Jacks J are then lowered,
permitting bottom surfaces 53 of top element teeth 49 to seat on
top surfaces 51 of the selected bottom element steps.
A modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10,
in which parts corresponding to those in the first embodiment bear
the same reference characters, substantially modified parts bear
the same reference characters followed by the letter a, and
entirely different parts bear different reference numerals.
The basic truck structure is generally similar to that previously
disclosed, differing mainly in that it is arranged for pneumatic
springs, of the diaphragm type. Bolster 15a is formed at its ends
with downwardly open shallow cylindrical pockets 21a, which form
the upper cylinders of the springs. The centers of pockets 21a are
preferably in substantial vertical alignment, transversely of the
truck, with the heads of tack rails R, R. Each spring includes an
inner bottom cylinder 81 connected to top cylinder 21a by a
flexible diaphragm 83, the intervening space being filled with
compressed air from surge chambers 85 formed in the hollow interior
of the box section bolster, vertical and lateral movements of the
bolster on the springs being accommodated by compression of and
displacement of the contained air and flexure of the
diaphragms.
Bottom cylinders 81 are secured directly to top elements 29a of
modified height adjusters which include bottom elements 27a
rotatably seated on top wall 63a of truck frame side member
depressed portion 13 a.
Height adjusters 27a, 29a are generally similar to height adjusters
27, 29 previously described, except that bottom element 29a is of
annular shape with a central circular aperture 87, and central
circular rib 47a is extended downwardly to form a cylindrical post
passing through bottom element 87 and through vertically aligned
circular apertures 89 in the top and bottom walls of transom
9a.
The arrangement of steps on bottom adjustment element 27a and of
radial ribs 49a on element 29a is similar to that of the previously
described adjuster 27, 29.
However, the means for elevating the spring and top adjuster
element 29a to permit rotation of bottom element 27a is different.
Top adjustment element posts 47a are centered with respect to
springs 21a, 81, 83 and hence are in vertical alignment,
transversely of the truck, with track rails R, so that, when height
adjustment is required for any reason, such as to compensate for
wheel wear, jacks J can be seated on railheads R, which provide a
solid, stable support beneath posts 47a and the jacks are
energized, raising posts 47a and top elements 29a to vertically
clear bottom elements 27a, which may then be freely rotated around
posts 47a to bring the desired steps of bottom elements 27a into
vertical alignment with ribs 49a of the top adjustment element.
* * * * *