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. 07, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 03, 1998
William P O'Donnell, Plainfield, IL (US);
Miner Enterprises, Inc., , DE (US);
Abstract
The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an elastomeric spring adapted for use in combination with a railroad car energy absorption apparatus. The method of the present invention involves the step of stabilizing the elastomeric spring prior to insertion of the energy absorption apparatus on the railroad car. Stabilization of the elastomeric spring is effected by submitting the elastomeric member to a predetermined repetitive compression pattern comprised of a series of individual compression cycles. Cyclically compressing the elastomeric member in the predetermined repeat pattern prior to installation of the energy absorption apparatus on the railroad car effects permanent deformation of the elastomeric member while maintaining the preload force developed for the energy absorption apparatus to remain at a substantially constant maximized level simulating a predetermined wear condition for the energy absorption apparatus.