Automatic application hand brake winding mechanism

Abstract

An automatic application hand brake mechanism is provided for automatically applying at least one brake member secured to a railway vehicle with the hand brake assembly. The mechanism comprises an operating member having at least one ratchet. The at least one ratchet is engageable with at least one gear of a gear assembly disposed in a housing member of the hand brake assembly for operating the gear assembly in a direction which will cause an application of the at least one brake member. The apparatus also includes an application cylinder mounted on the railway vehicle and a drive arm extending from an end of the application cylinder. The drive arm has a first portion which is connected to the operating member. The drive arm is capable of reciprocating with respect to the application cylinder upon the application of a force thereto to supply a predetermined pressure to the operating member at least a sufficient amount so as to cause an application of the at least one brake member. A pressure supply source is connected to the application cylinder for supplying a force to the drive arm thereby causing an automatic application of the at least one brake member by the hand brake assembly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.