Ronald J Sprainis

7981348, Jul 19, 2011

May 1, 2008

12/150925

Ronald J. Sprainis - Springfield OR, US
Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
Bradley Anderson - Des Plaines IL, US
Jonathon Marlow - Hobart IN, US

WABTEC Holding Corp. - Wilmerding PA

B29C 43/18

264320, 264319, 264274, 264248, 264249, 264273

A method of making a compressible elastomeric pad from a preselected polymer material includes the steps of providing a preform including a substantially solid body having a predetermined cross-section disposed normal to a central axis of the preform and a pair of axial ends, each having a substantially flat surface disposed normal to the central axis and a central socket formed within at least one substantially flat surface. Next, providing a pair of forming plates, at least one of the pair of forming plates having a raised annular ring and an axially aligned cavity provided on one surface thereof. Then, positioning the preform between the pair of forming plates and axially aligning the exterior peripheral edge of the annular ring with a peripheral edge of a respective central socket. Finally, forming the pad and removing the pad from engagement with the pair of forming plates.

8096431, Jan 17, 2012

May 1, 2008

12/150808

Ronald J. Sprainis - Springfield OR, US
Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
Bradley Anderson - Des Plaines IL, US
Jonathon Marlow - Hobart IN, US
David Meyer - Lebanon PA, US
Michael Moriarity - Lansing IL, US
Wajih Kanjo - Homer Glen IL, US

WABTEC Holding Corp - Wilmerding PA

B61G 9/00

213 26, 213 22, 213 45, 213 32 R

A draft gear assembly for cushioning buff and draft dynamic impact forces being applied to a center sill member of the railway vehicle during make-up of a train consist and in-track operation of such train consist includes a resilient cushioning member and a friction mechanism both axially mounted within the yoke with the friction mechanism positioned between the front end of the resilient cushioning member and the front coupler follower. A pair of the resilient cushioning members with the friction mechanism mounted therebetween may also be provided.

8096432, Jan 17, 2012

May 1, 2008

12/150927

Ronald J. Sprainis - Springfield OR, US
Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
Bradley Anderson - Des Plaines IL, US
Jonathon Marlow - Hobart IN, US

WABTEC Holding Corp - Wilmerding PA

B61G 9/00

213 32R, 213 26, 213 40 R, 213 75 R, 213 45

A draft gear assembly for cushioning both buff and draft dynamic impact forces being applied to a center sill member of a railway vehicle includes a housing member closed at one end and open at an opposed end, the housing member having a rear portion adjacent the closed end and a front portion adjacent the open end. At least one compressible elastomeric spring is positioned within the rear portion and has a rear end thereof abutting at least a portion of an inner surface of the closed end. A friction clutch mechanism is also provided in abutting engagement with each of the front end of the compressible elastomeric spring and the coupler shank. The housing member may be provided with a pair of ledge portions disposed intermediate its ends and attachment members disposed on the open end for attaching the housing member directly to the coupler shank.

8136683, Mar 20, 2012

May 1, 2008

12/150777

Ronald J. Sprainis - Springfield OR, US
Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
Bradley Anderson - Des Plaines IL, US
Jonathon Marlow - Hobart IN, US
David Meyer - Mt. Lebanon PA, US
Michael Moriarity - Lansing IL, US
Wajih Kanjo - Homer Glen IL, US

Wabtec Holding Corp - Wilmerding PA

B61G 9/00

213 40R, 213 75 R, 213 45, 213 32 R

A draft gear assembly which is mountable within a yoke of the railway vehicle for cushioning buff and draft dynamic impact forces encountered during make-up and operation of a railway vehicle includes a compressible spring positioned intermediate the front coupler follower and the rear follower in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the yoke. A pair of axially aligned compressible springs may be also provided being either separated by a center plate or by a wall of the yoke.

8336209, Dec 25, 2012

May 1, 2008

12/150929

Ronald J. Sprainis - Springfield OR, US
Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
Bradley Anderson - Des Plaines IL, US
Jonathon Marlow - Hobart IN, US

WABTEC Holding Corp - Wilmerding PA

B23P 13/00
F16F 7/00

2989693, 298969, 294322, 294321, 213 40 R, 248300, 2671411

A method of making a compressible elastomeric spring including at least one compressible elastomeric pad enclosed by a pair of metal plates includes the steps of forming plates with a center aperture and a plurality of prongs positioned about a peripheral edge thereof, forming each end of the pad with an axial projection and abutting groove, aligning the plurality of prongs with each respective projection and respective groove and applying axial force to one end of the spring to frictionally interlock the plurality of prongs with such projection and groove. The method also provides for making a multi-tiered stack of pads separated by plates in the above described manner and pre-shortening the spring prior to installation into the conventional yoke. The above described method additionally improves axial straightness and lateral stability of the multi-tiered spring assembly.

8465009, Jun 18, 2013

May 1, 2008

12/150928

Ronald J. Sprainis - Springfield OR, US
Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
Bradley Anderson - Des Plaines IL, US
Jonathon Marlow - Hobart IN, US

WABTEC Holding Corp. - Wilmerding PA

B60G 11/22

267292, 267140, 267141, 267145, 267153

A compressible resilient elastomeric pad includes a body defining a central axis, the body formed from a predetermined material and having each of a peripheral side surface, a first axial end and a second axial end, each of the first and second axial ends having a flat surface thereof disposed normal to such central axis. A first raised projection is centrally formed on the flat surface of the first axial end and a second raised projection is centrally formed on the flat surface of the second axial end. A first groove is formed in the flat surface of the first axial end in abutting relationship with a peripheral side surface of the first projection and a second groove is formed in the flat surface of the second axial end in abutting relationship with a peripheral side surface of the second projection.

8528483, Sep 10, 2013

May 18, 2010

12/782116

Ronald J. Sprainis - Springfield OR, US
Andrew Robitaille - Batavia IL, US
Giuseppe Sammartino - Mount Prospect IL, US
Jonathon Marlow - Hobart IN, US
Pete Gregar - Chesterton IN, US
Bradley Anderson - Des Plaines IL, US

WABTEC Holding Corp - Wilmerding PA

E01B 3/00

104 16

A constant contact side bearing assembly for a railcar includes a housing having a base, a pair of mounting apertures formed through a thickness of the base, a generally cylindrical housing wall upstanding on the base, a pair of diametrically opposed channels, a pair of diametrically opposed openings and a guide member disposed centrally on and upstanding from an inner surface of the base. A cap is disposed for reciprocal axial movement relative to the housing. An elastomeric spring is disposed within a generally closed chamber formed by a combination of the housing and the cap. A pair of air passages is provided for dissipating heat generated during operation of the constant contact side bearing assembly. Each air passage is defined by a pair of aligned openings formed through a wall portion of the cap. Each opening may be disposed within a pocket provided within the cap wall.

20080283720, Nov 20, 2008

May 1, 2008

12/150926

Ronald J. Sprainis - Springfield OR, US
Michael E. Ring - Saint John IN, US
Bradley Anderson - Des Plaines IL, US
Jonathon Marlow - Hobart IN, US

F16M 13/00
F16F 1/36

248618, 267153

A plate for a compressible elastomeric spring is formed from a predetermined material and has each of a first substantially flat surface, an opposed second substantially flat surface, a predetermined thickness and a predetermined shape. Prongs are provided on at least one surface of the plate and extend outwardly at a predetermined angle relative thereto for mechanically interlocking the plate with an axial end an abutting elastomeric pad. Prongs may have trapezoidal shape. An axial aperture may be also provided with the prongs located on or in close proximity to a peripheral edge of the apertures. Prongs may be also provided on the opposed surface of the plate for mechanically interlocking the plate with an axial end of another abutting elastomeric pad. Annular ring-like projections are also provided for mechanically interlocking the plate to at least one elastomeric pad.