Sideframe wheelbase gauge

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gauge for measuring a horizontal dimension and more particularly, a gauge useful in measuring the wheelbase of a cast steel railway freight car sideframe.

The traditional three-piece railway freight car truck is comprised of two cast steel sideframes that are identical in design and are aligned parallel with the railway track. A bolster opening is located at a central portion of each sideframe to receive a spring group upon which a cast steel bolster is supported. Thusly, a three piece railway freight car truck is comprised of three major structural components, the two sideframes and the transversely mounted bolster. Each sideframe also includes pedestal jaws near each end thereof for receipt of a roller bearing assembly and, in turn, the end of a railway freight car axle. The wheels of such axle are mounted laterally inboard from the sideframe.

It is desirable in assembling the three-piece railway freight car truck to have the axles as parallel as possible to assist in steering and to improve other performance characteristics of the railway freight car truck. Accordingly, it is desirable to utilize two sideframes that have as nearly as possible the same wheelbase such that the axles when received in the pedestal jaws of the opposite sideframes are nearly as parallel as possible. Wheelbase is of course the horizontal spacing between the pedestal jaws of each sideframe.

A prior art wheelbase gauge is known and in use in certain foundries that produce cast steel sideframes. Such wheelbase gauge is comprised of two elongated aluminum rectangular bar stock sections joined by two sliding fit support braces. Each support brace is located about one quarter the length of the entire wheelbase gauge inward from each end of the wheelbase gauge. In use, such wheelbase gauge is usually placed on a railway freight car sideframe that is lying on its side on an appropriate holding table. Such prior art wheelbase gauge includes depending legs that are affixed near either end of the gauge and extend downwardly therefrom. In placing such prior art gauge on a cast steel sideframe, each depending leg is placed into one of the pedestal jaws of the sideframe and the two main sections of the gauge are moved relative to each other such that a horizontally outboard edge of one leg and a horizontally inboard edge of another leg contact respective edges of the pedestal jaw. The gauge is then moved horizontally such that the other edges of the depending legs contact the other edges of the pedestal jaw. Readings are made from each of the two contact positions and averaged to come up with the wheelbase for the sideframe.

It is known that errors can occur due to the difficulty in the relative sliding of each component main section of the wheelbase gauge for there is the possibility of bending under horizontal force applied by the two workers who must position the gauge on the sideframe. One worker must pull the respective end of the gauge and the other worker must push the respective end of the gauge in order to contact the edges of the sideframe pedestal jaws. The process is then repeated in reverse wherein the first worker is pushing his end of the gauge into contact with an inboard end of the pedestal jaw whereas the other worker is pulling his end of the gauge into contact with an outboard edge of the pedestal jaw. Adding to the difficulty was the weight of this wheelbase gauge, about 85 lbs.

A first measurement reading was taken by comparing indicator lines etched in the top of one section of the main gauge body with a reference line on the top of the other section of the main gauge body for a standard size of sideframe thereby determining if the wheelbase was exact or slightly oversized or slightly undersized. An indication was then provided on each sideframe by leaving an appropriate number of protruding dots to indicate whether the sideframe was slightly oversized or undersized from the standard wheelbase. Similarly sized sideframes would be assembled in the same freight car truck. Further details and description of the prior art wheelbase gauge will be provided in the detailed description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wheelbase gauge to be utilized in measuring the horizontal wheelbase of a railway freight car sideframe.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved wheelbase gauge for use in measuring the horizontal wheelbase of a railway freight car sideframe, wherein such gauge is readily applied, easy to handle and easily readable.

The improved wheelbase gauge of the present invention is comprised of a main body section that is aluminum rectangular tubing with solid aluminum handles on the ends. Other lightweight metals such as titanium could be used, but for cost reasons aluminum is preferred. The main horizontal body section of aluminum tubing is about eight feet long, with a stationary leg affixed to and depending from near one end of the main horizontal body section. A bearing slide assembly is affixed near the other end of the horizontal main body section. Such bearing slide assembly is generally comprised of two steel bearing slides affixed to the main horizontal body section, with each bearing slide extending horizontally. A measuring leg is affixed to the bearing slides such that it is moveable horizontally along such bearing slides. The measuring leg also depends downwardly from the bearing slides in a manner similar to the stationary leg.

In operation, the wheelbase gauge is placed on a sideframe that is resting on its side, usually with the cope surface of the sideframe one piece steel casting facing upwardly to receive the wheelbase gauge. The stationary leg is placed into contact with an outboard edge of a pedestal jaw at one end of the sideframe. With the operator holding the wheelbase gauge into such contact at one end of the sideframe, the operator of the other end of the wheelbase gauge gently pushes the measuring leg along the bearing slide assembly into contact with the inboard edge of the other pedestal jaw of a sideframe. A reading is taken from an indicating scale that is located on the measuring leg relative to a standard wheelbase represented by a line etched in the surface of the main horizontal body section.

The operator at the stationary leg end of the wheelbase gauge then pushes the wheelbase gauge such that the stationary leg is in contact with the inboard edge of the first pedestal jaw. The operator at the other end of the wheelbase gauge would then gently pull the measuring leg along the bearing slide assembly into contact with the outboard edge of the other pedestal jaw edge. A reading would then be taken from the measuring scale. The first reading and the second reading are then averaged to establish the wheelbase of the sideframe. The measured wheelbase is permanently marked on the sideframe by leaving an appropriate number of protruding buttons to indicate whether the sideframe was slightly oversized or undersized from the standard wheelbase. Similarly marked and sized sideframes are paired in an assembled three piece railway freight car truck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings,

FIG. 1

is a top view of a wheelbase sideframe gauge in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2

is a side view of a wheelbase sideframe gauge in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3

is a side view of a wheelbase sideframe gauge being utilized to measure the wheelbase of a sideframe;

FIG. 4

is a top view of a wheelbase sideframe gauge being used to measure the wheelbase of a sideframe;

FIG. 5

is a top view of a prior art wheelbase sideframe gauge;

FIG. 6

is a side view of a prior art wheelbase sideframe gauge;

FIG. 7

is a top partial view in detail of the measuring scale of a prior art wheelbase sideframe gauge;

FIG. 8

is a partial view of the measuring leg and bearing slide assembly of the present invention being utilized and applied to the pedestal jaw area of a sideframe;

FIG. 9

is a detailed partial view of the measuring scale on the measuring leg in relation to the standard markings for sideframe wheelbases on a wheelbase gauge in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10

is a partial view of a sideframe pedestal jaw area showing the permanent indications of the wheelbase;

FIG. 11

is a partial view of the measuring leg of the wheelbase sideframe gauge of the present invention being itself measured for tolerance; and

FIG. 12

is a side view of the wheelbase sideframe gauge of the present invention itself being positioned on a master gauge for tolerance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to

FIGS. 1-4

of the drawings, a wheelbase gauge in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at

10

. Wheelbase gauge

10

is comprised of wheelbase gauge main horizontal body section

12

which usually is a single metal bar stock of approximately 8 feet in length, about 2 inches in width and 4 inches in height. Aluminum is the preferred metal of construction due to its lightweight and strength, but other more exotic lightweight metal such as titanium may be utilized. It also would be possible to use a hollow aluminum or steel tube structure, or a traditional standard arrangement such as an I-beam configuration.

Stationary leg end

14

is referenced and is seen to terminate with a reduced width and height end handle

18

to make the handling of wheelbase gauge

10

by two operators easier with one operator being able to pick up and carry the gauge utilizing stationary end handle

18

. The total weight of wheelbase gauge

10

is in the neighborhood of 40 lbs.-45 lbs. Stationary leg is usually formed of steel or other hardened metal and is affixed by stationary leg mounting bolts

30

to slots

32

in main horizontal body section

12

. Mounting bolts

30

allow stationary leg

22

to be adjusted in its horizontal connected position to main horizontal body section

12

.

It can be seen that stationary leg

22

depends downwardly from stationary leg end

14

of main horizontal body section

12

, and is about 12 inches in length and about 5 inches in width. Outboard contact surface

24

is affixed to the outboard surface of stationary leg

22

, and inboard contact surface

26

is affixed to the inboard edge of stationary leg

22

. Such contact surfaces

24

and

26

are identical in construction and are usually comprised of hardened steel as such surfaces come in contact with the cast steel sideframe being measured. It is further seen that contact surfaces

24

and

26

include a top indented section shown at

25

and

27

, respectively, to ease the positioning of wheelbase gauge

10

onto sideframe

60

being measured. Spacing bar

28

of hardened steel is affixed with mounting bolts

29

to a back surface of stationary leg

22

. Spacing bar

28

assures the uniform positioning of wheelbase gauge

10

in the pedestal jaw opening of sideframe

60

.

It is also seen that wheelbase gauge main horizontal body section

12

at its opposite end includes measuring end handle

20

again of reduced width and height to aid the operator at that end in carrying and positioning wheelbase gauge

10

. Bearing slide assembly

36

is affixed at measuring leg end

16

of wheelbase gauge main horizontal body section

12

. Bearing slide assembly

36

is usually comprised of two horizontal bearing slides, usually made of steel, to support and enable measuring leg

34

to depend from and extend downwardly from bearing slide assembly

36

. Bearing slide adapter

38

is affixed to measuring leg

34

and is adapted to allow measuring leg

34

to move horizontally along bearing slide assembly

36

and accordingly along a portion of the horizontal length of wheelbase gauge main horizontal body section

12

. Measuring leg

34

is rather similar to stationary leg

22

in that it is about 12 inches long and about 5 inches wide and is usually comprised of a steel material. Measuring leg inboard contact surface

40

and measuring leg outboard contact surface

42

are affixed to the respective inboard and outboard edges of measuring leg

34

to aid in positioning measuring leg in the other pedestal jaw of sideframe

60

. Again, it can be seen that projections

41

on measuring leg inboard contact surface

43

on measuring leg outboard contact surface aid in the uniform positioning of measuring leg

34

in the other pedestal jaw of sideframe

60

. Further, measuring leg spacing bar

46

is affixed to the backside of measuring leg

34

by mounting bolts

44

. Such measuring leg spacing bar

46

allows the uniform positioning of measuring leg

34

in the other pedestal jaw opening of sideframe

60

.

Although to be described further in detail, indicator scale

48

is seen mounted at the top of measuring leg

34

, and includes indications of horizontal distance. Further, indicator marks are formed in a metal piece affixed to the top of main horizontal body section

12

to indicate certain standard pedestal jaw wheelbases for standard sideframes

60

. Handle

52

also extends in an outward direction from measuring leg bearing slide adapter

38

to allow the ready movement of measuring leg

34

along bearing slide assembly

36

. An additional point with regard to the location of indicator scale

48

is that it is located a distance A from the end of measuring end handle

20

. Distance A is typically about 1 foot. This relatively small distance allows a ready reading of the wheelbase from scale

48

by the operator at measuring leg

34

end of wheelbase gauge

10

.

Sideframe

60

itself is a uniform cast steel structure comprised of a top compression member

61

and diagonal tension members

63

and

65

. Sideframe

60

is usually in the neighborhood of 8 feet in length and includes a first pedestal jaw end

62

and a second pedestal jaw end

68

. These pedestal jaw ends are mirror images of each other and form adapters to each receive a roller bearing assembly wherein the end of a wheel axle would be received in the pedestal jaw opening. First pedestal jaw end

62

includes outboard edge

64

and inboard edge

66

. Likewise, second pedestal jaw end

62

includes outboard edge

70

and inboard edge

Referring now to

FIGS. 5 and 6

, a prior art wheelbase gauge is shown generally at

80

. Wheelbase gauge

80

is seen to be comprised of a first main section

82

and a second main section

84

. Each of such main sections are seen to be comprised of generally elongated rectangular bar stock, usually of aluminum, and of a thickness of about one half inch and a height of about 3 inches and a length of about 5.5 feet. First main section

82

and second main section

84

are slideably joined by first main support

90

and second main support

92

. Each of such main supports comprises a coupling type arrangement that receives both of main sections

82

and

84

of wheelbase gauge

80

. It is seen that first main support

90

is bolted to first main section

82

and slideably receives second main section

84

therethrough. Second main support

92

is bolted to second main section

84

and slideably receives first main section

82

therethrough. First main section

82

terminates in handle

88

which is basically a slot formed near the end of first main section

82

. Second main section

84

terminates in a second main section handle

88

which again is basically a slot formed near the end of second main section

84

.

First stationary leg

101

is affixed by mounting bolts

110

to near an end of first main section

82

. First stationary leg

101

depends downwardly from first main section

82

and is usually comprised of steel and is about 5 inches wide and extends downwardly about 1 foot. First stationary leg

101

also includes an inboard contact surface

104

and an outboard contact surface

106

. Both such contact surfaces are usually comprised of hardened steel and are affixed usually by screwing or bolting into the appropriate inboard and outboard edges of first stationary leg

101

. Further, spacing bar

108

is affixed to the rear of first stationary leg

101

. Spacing bar

108

is usually comprised of hardened steel and is about 5 inches long and about 1 inch in height and width. Inboard contact surface

104

and outboard contact surface

106

are also in the neighborhood of 6 inches long and about 1 in width and in height.

Second stationary leg

94

is similar to first stationary leg

101

except that second stationary leg

94

is affixed by mounting bolts

102

near an end of second main section

84

. Second stationary leg

94

includes an inboard contact surface

98

and an outboard contact surface

96

. Both such contact surfaces are usually comprised of hardened steel and are affixed usually by screwing or bolting into the appropriate inboard and outboard edges of second stationary leg

94

. Further, spacing bar

100

is affixed to the rear of second stationary leg

94

. Spacing bar

100

is usually comprised of hardened steel and is about 5 inches long and about 1 inch in height and width. Inboard contact surface

98

and outboard contact surface

96

are also about 6 inches long and about 1 inch in width and height.

Referring now to

FIG. 7

, a detail of prior art wheelbase gauge

80

is shown wherein an indicating scale

112

is shown as scribed lines about 0.075 inches apart, on a top surface of second main section

84

. Indicator mark

114

and indicator mark

116

are shown as registering lines scribed on the top surface of first main section

82

. When wheelbase gauge

80

is utilized to measure the wheelbase between pedestal jaws of a railway truck sideframe, first main section

82

is pulled such that outboard contact surface

106

engage an outboard edge of the pedestal jaw and second main section

84

is pushed such that inboard contact surfaces

98

engage an inboard edge of the opposite pedestal jaw of the sideframe being measured. Referencing the appropriate nominal indicator mark

114

or

116

as determined by the nominal wheelbase of the sideframe, the wheelbase is gauged by reading the position of the appropriate indicator mark, shown as

114

in

FIG. 7

, on indicating scale

112

. If indicator mark

114

was located in this central or

3

section of indicating scale

112

, the wheelbase would be normal without a plus or minus tolerance. However, if indicator mark

114

were in section

1

, it would indicate a reduced wheelbase of two 0.075 inch increments. Similarly, if indicator mark

114

were in section

5

of indicating scale

112

, it would indicate an increased wheelbase of two 0.075 inch increments from normal for the indicated sideframe. Such gauging of the sideframe would be permanently indicated on the sideframe by removal of a certain amount of raised buttons on the sideframe above the pedestal jaw.

Similarly, an additional measurement of the wheelbase between pedestal jaws of a sideframe is taken by utilizing prior art wheelbase gauge

80

. Such second measurement requires the operator at first main section handle

86

to push first main section

82

inwardly such that first inboard contact surface

104

of first stationary leg

101

contacts an inboard edge of the pedestal jaw of the sideframe being measured. Similarly, the operator at second main section handle

88

pulls second main section

84

such that second stationary leg outboard contact surface

96

is in contact with an edge of the opposite pedestal jaw outboard edge. A similar reading is made as described above utilizing indicating scale

112

and indicator mark

114

or indicator mark

116

as may be appropriate with the nominal wheelbase. Once the two readings are made, they are averaged and an appropriate indication is made on the casting. If 3 buttons were left, it would indicate a 3 reading, or normal. If 5 buttons were left, it would indicate an increased wheelbase of two more than three, or an increased wheelbase of two times 0.075 inches.

Referring now to

FIGS. 8 and 9

, the application of the present invention wheelbase gauge

10

to sideframe

128

is shown. Sideframe

128

is seen to comprise a pedestal jaw outboard edge

130

and a pedestal jaw inboard edge

132

with a roof

134

forming the entire pedestal jaw opening adapted to receive a roller bearing and an end of an axle in the ultimate assembly of a railway freight car truck. Measuring leg

34

is seen to be positioned between sideframe pedestal jaw outboard bearing support

136

and sideframe pedestal jaw inboard bearing support

138

. These are raised sections extending inwardly within the pedestal jaw to precisely fit the bearing axle end. Measuring leg outboard contact surface

42

is seen to be in contact with sideframe pedestal jaw outboard bearing support

36

. Such contact is readily accomplished by gently pulling on handle

52

of measuring leg

34

thereby sliding measuring leg

34

along bearing slide assembly

36

to readily place measuring leg outboard contact surface into contact with sideframe pedestal jaw outboard bearing support

36

. At the same time, not shown in

FIGS. 8 and 9

, stationary leg end

14

would be in contact with an inboard edge of the pedestal jaw opening at the end of sideframe

128

. Such contact would be with a sideframe pedestal jaw inboard bearing support for that pedestal jaw opening. A reading is taken on the scale as best shown in

FIG. 9

by comparing indicator scale

48

with the nominal indicator mark

50

for the wheelbase of the particular sideframe being measured. When appropriate contact is made using measuring leg

34

and stationary leg

22

, a reading is taken using expanded portion

120

of indicator scale

48

. As seen in

FIG. 9

, such expanded portion makes it easier to read the position of indicator mark

50

in indicating scale

48

. For example, if measuring leg

34

is drawn to the outer most acceptable limit where indicator mark

50

would be positioned opposite scale section 5 ,this would indicate that two increments of 0.075 inches were present beyond the normal wheelbase for the particular sideframe being measured.

A second reading is always taken whereby stationary leg

22

would be moved by moving the entire main horizontal body section

12

such that inboard contact surface

24

of wheelbase gauge

10

would be brought into contact with the outboard pedestal jaw edge. Measuring leg

34

would be gently slid into position against inboard bearing support

38

edge of sideframe pedestal jaw as shown in

FIG. 8. A

reading would be taken in a manner similar to that described above and the two would be averaged to indicate the proper wheelbase for the sideframe. As noted in

FIG. 10

, the button indicator system is utilized whereby such a measurement would indicate that the five buttons would be left in a raised position above the pedestal jaw opening for the particular measurement shown in FIG.

9

. The button indication in

FIG. 10

reflects such measurement of two increments over the normal reading of three.

Referring now to

FIG. 11

, it is necessary to measure the wheelbase gauge itself from time to time, usually daily. Such a measurement is indicated in

FIG. 11

as being performed by use of caliper

144

to indicate that the space between measuring leg contact surfaces

40

and

42

is in tolerance. Further, as shown in

FIG. 12

, it is also desirable to place wheelbase gauge

10

itself on master gauge

148

which is kept in a gauging room and is not subject to a manufacturing environment. Wheelbase gauge

10

itself is set to see that its normal dimension as indicated by the position of indicator mark

50

on indicator scale

48

is within the acceptable range for the normal dimension indicated by the master gauge

148

. If necessary, stationary leg

22

can be loosened by loosening stationary leg mounting bolts

30

to reposition stationary leg while measuring leg

34

is held in a zero tolerance situation as indicated by the position of indicator mark

50

opposite indicator scale

48

.