Damped railway car suspension

A variable rate friction damper for a railcar suspension, comprising:

• means connectable with a railcar body forming a frictional damping surface;
• a damping element;
• spring means for supporting said body;
• and
• force resolving means positionable in load transmitting relation between a vehicle axle and the body for supporting said spring means in load bearing relation with the body and for supporting said damping element in frictional force generating relation with said frictional damping surface such that said spring means will be compressed while simultaneously therewith said damping element will be urged into frictional engagement with said frictional damping surface in response to relative movement of the body and the vehicle axle.

A railcar suspension having two relatively moveable arm assemblies, comprising:

• moveable load arm means for supporting one of the two assemblies;
• a spring element;
• means in force transmitting relation with the other of the two assemblies forming a frictional damping surface;
• a damping element;
• and
• force resolving means carried by said load arm means between the two assemblies for supporting said spring element in load bearing relation with said other assembly and for supporting said damping element in frictional force generating relation with said frictional damping surface such that said spring element will be compressed while simultaneously therewith said damping element will be urged into frictional engagement with said frictional damping surface in response to relative movement of the two assemblies.