Robert Allen Herron

US Patent:

6709068, Mar 23, 2004

Filed:

Jul 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/201888

Inventors:

Robert A. Herron - Charleston IL

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B60T 1370

US Classification:

303 13, 303 15, 188 33, 188107

Abstract:

An apparatus comprising an operating mechanism having at least a portion thereof engageable with at least one gear of a gear assembly disposed in a housing member of a hand brake assembly for operating such gear assembly. A source of fluid pressure is connected to the operating mechanism for periodically supplying a pressure to such operating mechanism. A control device is connected to the source of pressure for initiating the supply of such pressure to the operating mechanism. A further control device is connected to the source of pressure for regulating the supply of such pressure to the operating mechanism thereby causing an automatic application of such brake by the hand brake assembly. An additional control device is connected to the source of pressure for stopping an automatic application of such brake in case of an emergency or a reversal of an unintended activation.

US Patent:

6789855, Sep 14, 2004

Filed:

Sep 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/245449

Inventors:

Robert A. Herron - Charleston IL

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B60T 1702

US Classification:

303 13, 188 33, 188107, 192 15, 74504, 74505, 74575

Abstract:

An automatic application hand brake apparatus is provided for automatically applying at least one brake member secured to a railway vehicle with the hand brake assembly. The apparatus comprises an operating member having at least one ratchet attached to a drive shaft of said hand brake assembly. An application cylinder is connected to a drive arm pivotally attached to the drive shaft and containing and operating pawl engaging the operating ratchet. The reciprocating motion of the drive arm caused by the application cylinder enables reciprocal rotation of the operating arm and furthermore causing application of at least one brake member. A plurality of control valves are connected to the source of the fluid pressure for initiating and regulating the supply of fluid pressure to the application cylinder and for stopping an automatic application of such hand brake in case of the emergency or a reversal of the unintended activation.

US Patent:

6902042, Jun 7, 2005

Filed:

Aug 13, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/217570

Inventors:

Michael E. Ring - Crown Point IN, US
Scott Natschke - Kankakee IL, US
Robert Herron - Charleston IL, US

Assignee:

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation - Wilmerding PA

International Classification:

B61H013/00

US Classification:

188 33, 188107, 303 13

Abstract:

An automatic application hand brake mechanism is provided for automatically applying at least one brake member secured to a railway vehicle with the hand brake assembly. The mechanism comprises an operating member having at least one ratchet engageable with at least one gear of the hand brake assembly for operating the gear assembly in a direction which will cause an application of the at least one brake member. The apparatus also includes an application cylinder and a drive arm extending from an end thereof having a first portion which is connected to the operating member. The drive arm is capable of reciprocating with respect to the application cylinder upon the application of a force thereto to supply a predetermined pressure to the operating member to cause an automatic application of the at least one brake member.