Importance

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Abstract

A railtruck apparatus is provided for supporting a railcar body on two longitudinally spaced wheel and axle sets. The railtruck includes a frame having two side frame members, each defining a pair of longitudinally spaced cradles. A bearing housing is received in each cradle and includes a top wall, two longitudinally spaced side walls depending from the top wall, and an open bottom sized for receipt over a journal bearing of one of the wheel and axle sets. A removable bottom cap closes off each bearing housing to permit assembly and disassembly of the wheel and axle sets. A primary suspension is positioned between each bearing housing and the frame for supporting the frame on the bearing housing, and is retained in position on the frame when the frame is raised relative to the bearing housing. Thus, when the wheel and axle sets are removed from the apparatus, the bearing housings and the primary suspension assemblies are retained on the frame. The railtruck apparatus can also be provided with a load-equalizing spring assembly for supporting each bearing housing on one of the wheel and axle sets, the load-equalizing spring assembly being operatively interposed between the bearing housing and the wheel and axle set along the path of transmission of loads between the bearing housing and the wheel and axle set so that when the set is lowered in the bearing housing, the load exerted on the set by the frame is transmitted through the primary suspension and the load-equalizing spring assembly acting in series.

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First Claim