COMBINED STOP AND SUPPORT ARRANGEMENT FOR THE REAR END OF THE RETURN SPRING ASSEMBLY OF A RAILWAY VEHICLE CUSHIONING UNIT

摘要

A combined stop and support arrangement is disclosed for confining the rear end of the return spring assembly of a railway vehicle cushioning unit between the laterally spaced, vertical flange portions of the longitudinally extending center sill of a railway vehicle underframe. The arrangement includes a plate secured to the rear end of the return spring assembly so as to extend generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the center sill and the line of action of the applied force from the cushioning unit. A pair of vertically spaced, horizontally arranged plates are secured to the rear face of the return spring assembly plate, and a pair of blocks are secured to the inner surfaces of the vertical flange portions of the center sill so as to nest between the horizontally arranged plates. The blocks thus function as stops for preventing rearward longitudinal movement of the return spring assembly and also to prevent vertical movement of the rear end of the return spring assembly with respect to the center sill. The plate on the rear end of the return spring assembly has a width substantially equal to the lateral spacing between the inner surfaces of the vertical flange portions of the center sill so that the rear end of the spring assembly is confined against lateral movement in the sill. A plurality of gusset blocks are secured to the upper and lower surfaces of the horizontally arranged plates on the return spring assembly rear plate, and to the outer surface of the latter plate, for increased strength.