Kenneth Darnell James

US Patent:

20210331721, Oct 28, 2021

Filed:

Apr 6, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/223868

Inventors:

- GENEVA IL, US
Erich A. Schoedl - Sugar Grove IL, US
Keith A. Salis - Clare IL, US
Kenneth A. James - West Chicago IL, US
Richard B. Biehl - St. Charles IL, US

International Classification:

B61G 5/00
B61G 1/36

Abstract:

A railroad freight car coupling system utilizing purely mechanical cushioning assemblies at opposed ends of the car. Each cushioning assembly includes an elongated draft gear assembly including two individually operable and axially spaced assemblies for absorbing both buff and draft forces. Each draft gear assembly includes an axially elongated and hollow metal housing with a first open end and a second open end disposed in longitudinally spaced relation relative to each other. The draft gear assembly is provided with first and second spring biased assemblies at opposed open ends of the housing for absorbing, storing and returning energy directed against a railroad freight car with which the draft gear assembly is arranged in operable combination.

US Patent:

20170166225, Jun 15, 2017

Filed:

Feb 10, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/429911

Inventors:

Erich A. SCHOEDL - Sugar Grove IL, US
Kenneth A. JAMES - West Chicago IL, US
Andy R. KRIES - Elgin IL, US

International Classification:

B61G 9/04
B61G 11/18
B61G 9/24

Abstract:

A railroad car coupling system including a draft sill with front and rear stops, a coupler along with an energy management assembly for receiving and dissipating external forces experienced by the coupler. A yoke also forms part of the coupling system and is operably coupled to the coupler. The yoke includes top and bottom walls which each include two forward facing stops. A follower is mounted substantially between the top and bottom walls of the yoke for receiving forces experienced by the coupler. The follower is configured with two laterally spaced vertical extensions disposed toward opposed upper corners of the follower and two laterally spaced vertical extensions disposed toward opposed lower corners of the follower. Forward facing surfaces on the follower extensions arc arranged in generally coplanar relationship relative to each other. Rearward facing surfaces on the follower extensions are arranged in generally coplanar relationship with each other and operably engage with the forward facing stops on the yoke to enhance the distribution of forces when the follower engages the front stops on the center sill when the coupling system is in a full draft condition.

US Patent:

20170080956, Mar 23, 2017

Filed:

Dec 1, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/366627

Inventors:

Kenneth A. JAMES - West Chicago IL, US
Erich A. SCHOEDL - Sugar Grove IL, US

Assignee:

MINER ENTERPRI SES. INC. - Geneva IL

International Classification:

B61G 9/04

Abstract:

A railcar yoke for a railcar energy absorption/coupling system. The yoke includes a rigid and elongated top wall joined to and axially extending from a back wall toward an open forward end of the yoke along with a rigid and elongated bottom wall joined to and axially extending from said back wall toward the open forward end of the yoke. The top and bottom walls of the yoke are separated by a distance whereby allowing an energy management system to be disposed therebetween. Each of the top and bottom walls of the yoke have two forward-facing stops thereon and which extend in opposed lateral directions from each other. The forward-facing stops on the top wall of the yoke are arranged in a generally coplanar relationship with the two forward-facing stops on the bottom wall of the yoke.

US Patent:

20160137212, May 19, 2016

Filed:

Nov 13, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/540209

Inventors:

Kenneth A. JAMES - West Chicago IL, US
Erich A. SCHOEDL - Yorkville IL, US

Assignee:

MINER ENTERPRISES, INC. - Geneva IL

International Classification:

B61G 7/10
B61G 11/00

Abstract:

A railcar energy absorption/coupling system including a cushioning assembly arranged in operable combination with a coupler and a yoke. The cushioning assembly is positioned in a draft pocket defined by a draft sill on a railcar between the front and rear stops. The yoke consists of a back wall along with top and bottom walls which are joined to and axially extending from the back wall toward a forward end of the cushioning assembly. The back wall of the yoke is disposed to contact the rear end of the cushioning assembly. The top and bottom walls of the yoke are operably coupled to a shank portion of the coupler toward a forward end of the yoke. The top and bottom walls of the yoke each include stop members which extend in opposed lateral directions from each other and limit draft travel while maximizing buff travel and limit total combined travel of the energy absorption/coupling system. The energy absorption/coupling system has a neutral position, a full buff position disposed a first predetermined distance from the neutral position, and a full draft position disposed a second predetermined distance from the neutral position, with the full buff and full draft positions for the energy absorption coupling system being disposed in opposite directions from the neutral position.