Appeal No. 2003-0387 Page 6
Application No. 09/772,275
The usual form of the friction wedges is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 3.
The wedge 52 has a column or friction surface 56 which frictionally engages the
opposed surface 50 of the side frame column 44. In addition, it has a surface 48
sloping at an angle 2 (in the order of 35 degrees relative to the column surface 56),
which surface 48 frictionally engages the opposed sloping surface 54 of a pocket 42
formed in the bolster 40. The pocket 42 accommodates the wedge 52, which is urged
upwardly between the side frame column and the bolster by the wedge spring 60, as
shown. The primary motion during truck hunting is shown in Figure 4. The side frames
10 remain parallel with each other while forming the warp angle Q with the bolster 14.
Now referring particularly to Figures 3 and 5, open pockets 42 are formed at
each end of the bolster 40 respectively opposite the columns 44 of the associated side
frame. The opening into each pocket faces the adjacent side frame column. The
pocket is provided with parallel opposed sides 46, and the opposite sides 58 of the
wedge 52 are parallel thereto. In the square condition of the assembly the column
surfaces of the wedges are in full face engagement with the faces of the side frame
columns, and the sloping surfaces respectively of the bolster pockets and the wedges
are in full face engagement. When the assembly warps, the bolster assumes a position
such as that shown in Figure 6. This results in a binding between the corners of the
wedges 52 and the faces 50 of the side frame columns. The resulting forces Fc,
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Last modified: November 3, 2007