Railroad car air brake failure indicator

Claim 2

In an air brake system for a vehicle having brakes wherein there is a brake cylinder having a brake operating member connected to the brakes, an air pressure line, and valve means connected to the cylinder and the line for positioning the member in the brake released position in response to a first pressure in the line and positioning the member in the brake applied position in response to a second pressure in the line, the improvement comprising: a signaling device on said vehicle for indicating a malfunction in the system, said device including: pressure responsive means connected to said line and having a first movable part in a first position in response to said first pressure and in a second position in response to said second pressure; a second movable part connected to said member and positioned in a first position when said member is in an incorrect position for Brake application and positioned in a second position when said member is in a correct position for brake application; and sensible signal means operatively associated with said movable parts to give a signal indicative of proper operation when both said parts are in the first positions, to give a signal indicative of proper operation when both said parts are in the second position and to give a signal indicative of improper operation when the first part is in the second position and the second part is in the first position.

Claim 3

A signaling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensible signal means comprises flags at both sides of said vehicle, a rod extending transversely of said vehicle and attached to said flags, and means for rotatably supporting said rod.

Claim 4

A signaling device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said rod normally is positioned so that said flags are in the position at which they give a signal indicative of proper operation, a spring connected to said rod and urging said rod toward the position at which the flags give a signal indicative of improper operation, abutment means on said rod, said first part being positioned to contact said abutment means and block the movement of the rod at said normal position when the first part is in the first position and to unblock the movement of the rod when the first part is in the second position, said second part being positioned to contact said abutment means and block the movement of the rod at said normal position when the second part is in the second position and to unblock the movement of the rod when the second part is in the first position.

Claim 5

A signaling device as set forth in claim 3, wherein the second part is in the first position when the member moves too little to set the brakes and when the member moves too much in setting the brakes.

Claim 6

A signaling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second part is in the first position when the member moves too little to set the brakes and when the member moves too much in setting the brakes.

Claim 7

A signaling device as set forth in claim 1, including a rod rotatably mounted and forming a part of said signaling means, said rod being normally positioned at which a signal is given indicative of proper operation, a spring connected to said rod and urging said rod toward the position indicative of improper brake operation, abutment means on said rod, said first part being positioned to contact said abutment means and block the movement of the rod at said normal position when the first part is in the first position and to unblock the movement of the rod when the first part is in the second position, said second part being positioned to contact said abutment means and block the movement of the rod at said normal position when the second part is in the second position and to unblock the movement of the rod when the second part is in the first position.

Claim 8

In an air brake system for a vehicle having brakes wherein there is a brake cylinder having a brake operating member connected to the brakes, an air pressure line, and valve means connected to the cylinder and the line for positioning the member in the brake released position in response to a first pressure in the line and positioning the member in the brake applied position in response to a second pressure in the line, the improvement comprising: a signaling device on said vehicle for indicating a malfunction in the system, said device including: a housing; sensible signal means including a first shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, spring means connected to the shaft for urging the shaft in one rotational direction, and abutment means attached to the shaft and projecting therefrom and positioned within the housing; a second shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and extending generally transverse to the first shaft, means connecting said second shaft to the member for positioning the second shaft in one rotational position when the member is in the brake released position aNd for positioning the second shaft in another rotational position when the member is in the brake applied position, a finger attached to the second shaft and projecting therefrom and positioned within the housing, said finger being positioned to contact the abutment means and block it against movement in said one rotational direction when the second shaft is in the said other rotational position and to be free of said abutment means when said second shaft is in said one rotational position; and pressure responsive means connected to said air pressure line and including a plunger movable between two positions within said housing in response to variations in air pressure applied to the pressure responsive means by said air pressure line, said plunger being in a first position at which it contacts the abutment means and blocks it against movement in said one rotational direction when said first pressure exists in said air pressure line and being in a second position at which it is free of said abutment means when said second pressure exists in the air pressure line.

Claim 9

In an air brake system for a vehicle having brakes wherein there is a brake cylinder having a brake operating member connected to the brakes, an air pressure line, and valve means connected to the cylinder and the line for positioning the member in the brake released position in response to a first pressure in the line and positioning the member in the brake applied position in response to a second pressure in the line, the improvement comprising: a signaling device on said vehicle for indicating a malfunction in the system, said device including: a housing; sensible signal means including a first shaft rotatably mounted in the housing, spring means connected to the shaft for urging the shaft in one rotational direction, and abutment means attached to the shaft and projecting therefrom and positioned within the housing; a second shaft rotatably mounted in the housing and extending generally transverse to the first shaft, means connecting said second shaft to the member for positioning the second shaft in one rotational position when the member is in the brake released position aNd for positioning the second shaft in another rotational position when the member is in the brake applied position, a finger attached to the second shaft and projecting therefrom and positioned within the housing, said finger being positioned to contact the abutment means and block it against movement in said one rotational direction when the second shaft is in the said other rotational position and to be free of said abutment means when said second shaft is in said one rotational position; and pressure responsive means connected to said air pressure line and including a plunger movable between two positions within said housing in response to variations in air pressure applied to the pressure responsive means by said air pressure line, said plunger being in a first position at which it contacts the abutment means and blocks it against movement in said one rotational direction when said first pressure exists in said air pressure line and being in a second position at which it is free of said abutment means when said second pressure exists in the air pressure line.