A DRAFT BOX WEAR LINER

Field of the Invention

[1 ] The present invention relates to railway component protection devices and in particular to a draft box wear liner.

Background of the Invention

[2] Turning now to figure 1 , there is shown a railway coupling system 25 in accordance with the prior art. Specifically, the railway coupling system 25 comprises a railway carriage or railway car coupler 20. In use, the railway carriage coupler 20 moves with respect to the railway carriage so as to absorb energy so as to prevent damage to the railway carriage. Also, the railway coupling system 25 comprises a strike plate 15 adapted to limit the displacement of the railway carriage coupler 20.

[3] The railway coupling system 25 comprises a draft gear 10 adapted to absorb the energy of an impact between the carriage couplers 20 of two railway cars, for example when the railway cars are being shunted or coupled, or during operation when the railway cars are being hauled. Draft gears 10 may comprise friction clutches, compression springs, hydraulic impact absorbing cushions, and the like, which are used to absorb the impact energy. Examples of such draft gears can be found in US patent US 3,332,364.

[4] The design of such coupling systems 25 are generally standard, since flexibility and convenience are maximised if all rolling stock can be coupled together.

[5] The draft gear 10 carriage coupler moves within a draft box 5 during "buff" and "draft". Such buff and draft does not only occur during coupling, and forces acting on the coupling system 25 when the train is being hauled by the locomotive can also cause the draft gear 10 to move within the draft box 5. However, when such forces act between two railway coupling system 25 the railcars are not always in alignment, and such misalignment can result in relatively substantial forces in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the carriage. Because of this, the rail coupling system 25 may suffer from the disadvantage of the wearing of the draft gear 10 on account of the friction between the draft gear 10 and the draft box 5.

[6] In this regard, draft gears 10 have finite lifespan after which the draft gears 10 are discarded on account of excessive wear.

[7] The present invention seeks to provide a draft box wear liner, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [8] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[9] According to one aspect, there is provided a draft box wear liner. The draft box wear liner comprises an interior adapted to substantially conform with an outer profile of a draft gear in use.

[10] Preferably, the interior may also be adapted to substantially conform with an outer profile of a draft gear in use so as to allow the draft box wear liner to be used for more than one type of draft gear.

[1 1 ] Preferably, the draft box wear liner may comprise at least one interior rib for material savings, and strength purposes.

[12] Preferably, the draft box wear liner is adapted to fasten to a draft gear in use, such as by substantially surrounding the draft gear in use. In this manner, the draft box wear liner is adapted to move with respect to a draft box in use.

[13] The draft box wear liner preferably comprises at least two portions such that the draft box wear liner is bifurcated. The at least two portions may be adapted for fastening together and may comprise complementary mechanical interlock portions, such as mechanical interlock portions are clip type portions.

[14] The draft box wear liner preferably comprises a polymer.

[15] A draft box wear liner configured for insertion between a draft box and a draft gear in order to reduce wear between the draft box and the draft gear.

[16] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner defines an inner profile adapted to substantially conform with at least part of an outer profile of a draft gear in use.

[17] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner extends to a position closer to the draft box than the draft gear, thereby reducing contact between the draft box and the draft gear.

[18] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner defines an outer profile adapted to substantially conform with at least part of an outer profile of a draft gear in use.

[19] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner further comprises a body member composed of abrasion resistant polymer.

[20] In one embodiment, the the draft box wear liner further comprises at least one locating formation configured for locating the body member in snug engagement with the outer profile of a draft gear in use.

[21 ] In one embodiment, the locating formation comprises at least one interior rib. [22] In one embodiment, the the draft box wear liner further comprises at least one locating formation configured for locating the body member in snug engagement with an inner surface of a draft box in use.

[23] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner is adapted to fasten to a draft gear in use.

[24] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner further comprises a securing arrangement configured for securing the draft box wear liner to a draft gear in use.

[25] In one embodiment, the securing arrangement is configured for engaging the draft box wear liner directly with a draft gear in use.

[26] In one embodiment, the securing arrangement is configured for securing a plurality of complementary draft box wear liners to a draft gear in use.

[27] In one embodiment, the securing arrangement is configured for securing a plurality of adjacent draft box wear liners to each other on substantially opposed outer faces of a draft gear in use

[28] In one embodiment, the securing arrangement comprises clipping-type formations configured for clipping adjacent draft box wear liners to each other on opposed outer faces of a draft gear in use.

[29] In one embodiment, one or more draft box wear liner is adapted to at least partially surround the draft gear in use.

[30] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner is adapted to allow movement of the draft gear with respect to the draft box in use.

[31 ] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner is configured for snug engagement inside a draft box in use.

[32] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner comprises at least two complementary portions configured for locating against an outer surface of a draft gear in a complementary fashion.

[33] In one embodiment, the complementary portions are pivotably connected to each other.

[34] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner is bifurcated.

[35] In one embodiment, the at least two portions adapted for fastening together.

[36] In one embodiment, the at least two portions respectively comprise complementary mechanical interlock portions.

[37] In one embodiment, the mechanical interlock portions are clip type portions.

[38] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner is composed of a plastic.

[39] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner is integrally formed.

[40] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner is integrally moulded with a strengthening fibre. [41 ] A draft box wear liner configured for lining at least a portion of an interface between a draft box and a draft gear of a railway coupling system, the draft box wear liner comprising

a. a body member adapted and configured for snugly engaging at least a portion of an outer surface of a draft gear;

b. wherein at least part of the body member is composed of abrasion resistant plastic material.

[42] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner comprises locating formations for locating the draft box wear liner against said at least a portion of an outer surface of a draft gear.

[43] In one embodiment, the draft box wear liner comprises a securing arrangement for securing the draft box wear liner to said at least a portion of an outer surface of a draft gear.

[44] In one embodiment, the securing arrangement is configured for securing a plurality of draft box wear liner is around an outer surface of a draft gear in a complementary manner.

[45] In one embodiment, the securing arrangement is configured for securing a pair of complementary draft box wear liners around an outer surface of a draft gear.

[46] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

[47] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Brief Description of the Drawings

[48] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[49] Figure 1 shows a cutaway top perspective view of a railway coupling system in accordance with the prior art;

[50] Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of the inside of a draft box wear liner;

[51 ] Figure 3 shows a top perspective view of the outside of the draft box wear liner of Figure 2;

[52] Figure 4 shows a top view of the inside of the draft box wear liner of Figure 2;

[53] Figure 5 shows a side view of the of the outside of one of a pair of draft box wear liners of Figure 2 ; [54] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of the outside of one of a pair of draft box wear liners of Figure 2;

[55] Figure 7 shows a front view of the outside of one of a pair of complementary opposed draft box wear liners of Figure 2;

[56] Figure 8 shows a top view of a pair of draft box wear liners mounted on opposed sides of a draft gear shown in broken lines;

[57] Figure 9 shows a cutaway top view of a pair of draft box wear liners mounted on opposed sides of a draft gear shown in broken lines; and

[58] Figure 10 shows a front view of a pair of draft box wear liners mounted on opposed sides of a draft gear shown in broken lines, and inside a draft box, also shown in broken lines.

Description of Embodiments

[59] It should be noted in the following description and with reference to figures 2

- 9, that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[60] Referring to figure 2, there is shown a draft box wear liner 100. As will become apparent in the description below, the draft box wear liner 100 is configured and/or adapted to substantially surround a draft gear 2000 so as to reduce the wear of the draft gear 2000 against a draft box 3000 so as to prolong the service life of the draft gear 2000 and reduce costs.

[61 ] The draft box wear liner 100 is adapted to be sacrificial nature wherein, at regular service intervals, a worn draft box wear liner 100 is removed to be replaced by a new draft box wear liner 100. As will become apparent from the description below, the draft box wear liner 100 is adapted for ease of installation and removal.

[62] The draft box wear liner 100 comprises a body 1 10 that is preferably composed of abrasion resistant materials such as abrasion resistant plastic or polymer in order to provide high abrasion resistance, low cost and high strength. In a preferred embodiment, the draft box wear liner 100 can be at least partially composed of polymer reinforced with fibrous material, such as assault fibre, carbon fibre or glassfibre. However, it is also envisaged that the draft box wear liner 100 can be composed of alternative materials.

[63] Preferably the body 1 10 is integrally formed, preferably in an injection moulding or other plastic moulding process.

[64] The draft box wear liner 100 defines an inner facing profile configured for locating against and engaging with an outer profile of at least a portion of a draft gear

2000 in use. The draft box wear liner 100 also defines an outer facing profile configured for abutment with the inside of a draft box 3000 (shown in figure 9) in use. In a preferred embodiment, the body 1 10 defines an outer facing profile with substantially planar surfaces 135.

[65] The draft box wear liner 100 specifically comprises locating formations in the form of interiorly facing ribs 125 that define the inner facing profile, and are adapted to substantially conform with, and snugly engage against an outer profile of at least part of, and preferably half of a draft gear 2000 in use. The draft box wear liner 100 can be adapted for use with various types of draft gears 2000 and/or draft boxes 3000 including the TF-880™, R500™ draft gears 2000, and others. In the embodiments shown, the outer profile of the body member 1 10

[66] In one embodiment, the interior of the draft box wear liner 100 is configured specifically for a particular type of draft gear 2000. However, in a preferred embodiment, the interior of the draft box wear liner 100 is adapted to accommodate various types of draft gears 2000 so as to allow for a more universal fit. It is envisaged that the draft box wear liner 100 can have removable inserts that allow it to be fitted to more than one type of draft gear outer profile.

[67] In order to locate snugly with the outer surface profile of the draft gear 2000, the draft box wear liner 100 preferably comprises locating formations in the form of interior ribs 125 (as shown in figure 2). The interior ribs 125 define a profile adapted to conform to the outer profiles of various draft gears 2000, and are configured to engage snugly with an outer profile of a draft gear 2000, in order to prevent movement which can increase the rate of abrasion on the draft box wear liner 100.

[68] In the embodiment shown in figure 8, a draft box wear liner 100 is configured to snugly engage against one side of the draft gear 2000, and extends a distance (shown as reference numeral d1 in figures 8 and 10) past the outermost surface of the draft gear 2000, to a point closer to the draft box 3000 than the draft gear 2000. In this way, movement of the draft gear 2000 and draft box wear liner 100 towards the draft box 3000 will initially cause contact of the draft box wear liner 100 with the draft box 3000, to thereby prevent contact of the draft gear 2000 with the draft box 3000.

[69] It is envisaged that the draft box wear liner 100 can also extend a distance sideways outwardly past the furthest edge of the draft gear as (shown in figure 10 as reference numeral d2).

[70] In order to fit within the draft box 3000, and at least partially over the outside of the draft gear 2000, the outer profile of the draft box wear liner 100 is preferably configured to fit snugly within the draft box 3000 in a manner that prevents relative movement between the draft gear 2000 and the draft box 3000. In this way, the draft box wear liner 100 provides support against lateral forces acting on the coupling system.

[71 ] In an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the draft box wear liner 100 can be configured to fit more loosely within the inside cavity of the draft box 3000.

[72] The interior ribs 125 provide material savings for the draft box wear liner 100, allowing for a lightweight construction. Furthermore, by suitable engineering design, the ribs can be configured to resist transverse loading on the coupling system and provide high strength in compression, keeping the draft box 3000 and the draft gear 2000 apart from each other. P

[73] In a preferred embodiment, the at least two portions are adapted for fastening together and as such, comprise complementary mechanical interlock portions.

[74] In a preferred embodiment, the draft box wear liner 100 is manufactured from a high-strength polymer to provide low-cost, high strength and cost-effective construction.

[75]

[76] In one preferred embodiment (not shown), the draft box wear liner 100 comprises a securing arrangement for fastening to an adjacent similar draft box wear liner 100, or to an adjacent complementary draft box wear liner 100 that is configured for engagement with and opposed side of the draft gear 2000. In another embodiment (not shown) the draft box wear liner is configured for fastening to the draft gear 2000 in use. In this way, inadvertent detachment from the draft gear 2000 is prevented during draft and buff movements. In one embodiment (not shown), the securing arrangement comprises clip or snap-fit type formations that are configured to engage in an elastic manner with each other and/or the draft gear 2000.

[77] In one embodiment (not shown), it is envisaged that the draft box wear liner 100 can comprise lip formations configured for extending around an engaging with a ridge on the draft gear 2000.

[78] However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that several alternative configurations may be possible, including the use of fasteners such as screws, the use of a locking pin that locks engagement of opposed draft box wear liners to each other on opposed sides of the draft gear 2000, and/r the use of webbing or strapping that can be tightened around the outside of draft box wear liners on opposed sides of the draft gear 2000;

[79] In this regard, preferably a pair of draft box wear liners 100 are adapted to substantially surround the draft gear 2000 in use, or one draft box wear liner 104 surrounding half of the draft gear 2000. As such, as the draft gear 2000 moves with respect to the draft box 3000, the draft box wear liner 100 moves with the draft gear 2000 also, preventing wear occurring between the draft gear 2000 and the draft box 3000.

[80] As alluded to above, and as substantially shown in figure 2, the draft box wear liner preferably can comprise two portions and further preferably takes on a configuration wherein the draft box wear liner is bifurcated or in two portions. In this manner, the at least two portions are adapted for fastening together to surround the draft gear 2000.

[81 ] The 2 portions of the draft box wear liner 100 can be separated from each other, or coupled or coupleable to each other, for example by means of a pivoting arrangement, such as a hinge, plastic flap, or the like.

[82] As such, in use, in order to install the draft box wear liner 100, the first portion would be laid on a flat surface whereafter the draft gear 2000 is laid lengthwise across the ribs 125 of the first portion of the draft box wear liner 100. Once in place, the second portion of the draft box wear liner 100 is lowered on top of the draft gear 2000 so as to encase the draft gear 2000 within the draft box wear liner 100.

Interpretation

Embodiments:

[83] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[84] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[85] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. Different Instances of Objects

[86] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives

"first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[87] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth.

However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[88] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[89] For the purposes of this specification, the term "plastic" shall be construed to mean a general term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic polymerization products, and generally consisting of a hydrocarbon-based polymer.

[90] As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. [91 ] As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

[92]

Comprising and Including

[93] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[94] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. Scope of Invention

[95] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[96] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[97] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the railway industries.