Michael Andrew Ring

US Patent:

6394233, May 28, 2002

Filed:

Jul 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/904948

Inventors:

Wajih Kanjo - Lockport IL
Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN
Scott Natschke - Kankakee IL

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

F16D 6514

US Classification:

188 111R, 188107, 188216, 188 33, 74505

Abstract:

An apparatus for operation a railway car vertical wheel hand brake. A hand brake wheel has a hub fixed on an operating shaft. The operating shaft is rotatably mounted on the hand brake. The hand brake wheel further has a reaction member. A brake release mechanism is fixed on a brake release shaft that is rotatably mounted on the hand brake. The reaction member is engageable with the brake release mechanism when the hand brake wheel is rotated, whereby the position of the brake release mechanism will provide a visual indicator of the brake status.

US Patent:

6971488, Dec 6, 2005

Filed:

Nov 8, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/983908

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
James M. Zemyan - Wilmerding PA, US

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B61H013/00
B60T011/10

US Classification:

188153R, 1882191, 188107, 188 33

Abstract:

A brake rigging comprising first and second brake beams. A brake shoe assembly including a brake shoe adjacent each end of brake beams. A first force transfer mechanism connected intermediate first and second ends thereof to the first brake beam for moving a brake shoe into engagement with confronting wheels during braking. A second force transfer mechanism connected intermediate first and second ends thereof for moving brake shoes into engagement with confronting wheels during braking. A first force transmitting device engageable with such second brake beam for rotating such second force transfer mechanism. An adjustable length second force transmitting device having one end connected to the first force transfer mechanism and another end connected to the second force transfer mechanism and an apparatus engageable with such second force transmitting device and a portion of such brake rigging for changing a length of the second force transmitting device.

US Patent:

7175036, Feb 13, 2007

Filed:

Aug 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/927910

Inventors:

Howard Sommerfeld - Oak Forest IL, US
Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US

Assignee:

Wabtec Holding Corp. - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B61G 9/00
B61G 11/00

US Classification:

213 33

Abstract:

A friction clutch type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front end and a closed rear end forming a ledge for enabling a longer buff and draft travel while fitting into a 24. 625 inch draft gear pocket. A friction clutch mechanism includes a pair of outer stationary plate members, a pair of movable plate members, a pair of inner stationary plate members having an inner surface which is tapered at an angle of approximately 4. 5, a pair of wedge shoe members having an upper surface which is tapered from a point disposed inwardly from the tapered outer surface inwardly toward and at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the friction clutch mechanism, and a center wedge member which includes a pair of correspondingly tapered surfaces frictionally engageable with the upper tapered surface of a respective one of the pair of wedge shoe members. The tapered upper surface of the pair of wedge shoe members is tapered at an angle of approximately 49. 0–50. 0. The pair of tapered surfaces of the center wedge is tapered at an angle of about 49. 5.

US Patent:

7213718, May 8, 2007

Filed:

Oct 22, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/971656

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US

Assignee:

Wabtec Holding Corp. - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B61G 9/00

US Classification:

213 62R

Abstract:

A vertically aligning slackless drawbar for connecting adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway freight cars together in a substantially semi-permanent manner. Such vertically aligning slackless drawbar comprises a first member and a second member pivotably and slideably coupled to each other with a pivot pin, preventing lifting of the body of such railway freight car from the bolster in a light aluminum railway freight car application. A predetermined clearance is designed between the adjacent ends of the first and second member to limit lateral movement of the second member in relationship to the first member in order to limit occurrence of jackknifing. The first member is secured to a yoke with the standard “F” pin. The yoke is further secured between the rear lug and a front lug of a center sill of a railway freight car. A pair of tapered gravity wedges compensate for longitudinal slack and are held in place with a pair of leaf springs disposed between the rear lug and said gravity wedge.

US Patent:

7258243, Aug 21, 2007

Filed:

Aug 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/927912

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
Howard Sommerfeld - Oak Forest IL, US

Assignee:

WABTEC Holding Corp. - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B61G 1/00

US Classification:

213 75R

Abstract:

A draft gear assembly includes a yoke and a coupler follower disposed within the yoke. A front compressible resilient member is disposed intermediate the yoke and the coupler follower. A rear compressible resilient member engages a back wall of the yoke at one end and engages a rear follower at a distal end. A center rod extends through the rear compressible resilient member and the rear follower and engages a shortening member. A plurality of stops members are attached to the back wall of the yoke for limiting compression of the rear compressible resilient member during buff travel. The stop members may be extended toward the coupler follower for limiting compression of the front compressible resilient member during draft travel. Alternatively, a center rod or elastomeric pads may be adapted for limiting compression of the resilient compressible members during buff and draft travel. Stops for limiting compression may be also attached to a center sill.

US Patent:

7264130, Sep 4, 2007

Filed:

Aug 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/927911

Inventors:

Howard Sommerfeld - Oak Forest IL, US
Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US

Assignee:

WABTEC Holding Corp. - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B61G 9/00

US Classification:

213 31

Abstract:

A friction-type draft gear assembly includes a housing having an open front and a closed rear end with a first and second rear portions and a pair of ledge members disposed intermediate such first and second rear portions and enabling the draft gear assembly to fit into a draft gear pocket of a predetermined length. A first rear portion is adapted to receive a compressible cushioning element with a seating arrangement abutting one end thereof which extends longitudinally from the second portion of the closed rear end toward the open front portion. The open front end is adapted to receive a friction cushioning element which has a spring release mechanism for continuously urging the friction cushioning element outwardly from the compressible cushioning element thereby releasing such friction cushioning element after compression of such draft gear assembly. The open front end may incorporate additional side members for direct attachment to a coupler.

US Patent:

7341128, Mar 11, 2008

Filed:

Dec 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/008018

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
James M. Zemyan - Wilmerding PA, US
Michael J. Moriarity - Lansing MI, US

Assignee:

WABTEC Holding Corp. - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B61H 13/00
F16D 51/00

US Classification:

188 33, 188 727, 188343

Abstract:

A brake rigging for a railway vehicle having a singular truck-mounted brake apparatus for generating a braking force and a plurality of disk caliper assemblies for applying the braking force to each wheel. Wedge-like elements are rigidly attached to the braking beams of the truck-mounted brake apparatus and engage a pair of rollers that are pivotably mounted on corresponding ends of a pair of pivoted levers disposed within a disk caliper assembly. The wedge-like elements transmit a generated braking force to the levers, the rocking of which in opposite directions is effective to force the brake shoes against the respective opposite sides of a disc brake rotor to exert the braking force thereon.

US Patent:

7384072, Jun 10, 2008

Filed:

May 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/799730

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
Howard Sommerfeld - Oak Forest IL, US
Scott Natschke - Kankakee IL, US

Assignee:

WABTEC Holding Corp. - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

F16L 35/00

US Classification:

285 25, 137349, 141279

Abstract:

An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.