The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 04, 2025
Filed:
Feb. 04, 2022
Miner Enterprises Inc., Geneva, IL (US);
Erich A. Schoedl, Sugar Grove, IL (US);
Donald E Wilt, Batavia, IL (US);
Andy R. Kries, Elgin, IL (US);
Miner Enterprises, Inc., Geneva, IL (US);
Abstract
A railroad freight car draft gear includes a friction clutch assembly with friction members arranged in operable combination with an actuator. Each friction member has an outer friction surface which slides along a mating friction surface. A spring assembly is provided for absorbing, dissipating, and returning energy imparted to the draft gear. Recesses are provided on the respective mating friction surfaces of the draft gear. A uniquely designed preformed friction modifying insert is pressed into each recess on the clutch assembly components. Each insert includes an elongated leg having projections extending radially outward from opposed surfaces on the insert leg. Each friction modifying insert is furthermore configured to include a convex inner contact surface to facilitate insertion and active contact along with flared inner edges to improve fit between the insert and related draft gear components.