Kenneth L James

US Patent:

20200385033, Dec 10, 2020

Filed:

Apr 23, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/856592

Inventors:

- Geneva IL, US
Andy R. KRIES - Elgin IL, US
Bradley J, HAYMOND - North Aurora IL, US
Kenneth A. JAMES - West Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

B61G 11/12
B61G 11/18

Abstract:

An energy absorption system for a railcar having an elongated sill with front and rear stops defining a pocket therebetween. To facilitate use of known railcar structures, the energy absorption system can be used in combination with a railcar also having a sill with center stops disposed between the front and rear stops. A coupler having a head portion and a shank portion is arranged in operable combination with the energy absorption system. The energy absorption system also includes a first cushioning assembly positioned in the sill pocket. A first follower is urged toward and engageable with the front stops under the influence of the first cushioning assembly and is operably engageable with a free end of the shank portion of the coupler. A second cushioning assembly is positioned in generally axial alignment with first cushioning assembly. A second follower is positioned and normally urged by the energy absorption system toward and configured to engage with the center stops. An axially elongated yoke encompasses the first and second cushioning assemblies, terminates in an open forward end, and is coupled to the shank portion of the coupler. The first and second cushioning assemblies act in series relative to each other to absorb and cushion impact forces directed against them when the energy absorption system operates in a buff direction. Advantageously, the second follower acts in concert with the center stops and the second cushioning assembly to minimize excessive system cycles while better dissipating train action energy when the energy absorption system operates in a draft direction.

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.