A conditioning insert of a friction device includes a body having a conditioning surface configured to engage a wheel, opposite first and second sides intersecting the conditioning surface, and opposite third and fourth sides intersecting the conditioning surface. Each of the first and second sides extend from the third side to the fourth side. The body includes one or more of (a) a recess extending into one or more of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and is configured to receive friction material of the friction device and/or (b) a protrusion extending out of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and into the friction material of the friction device.

A conditioning insert of a friction device includes a body having a conditioning surface configured to engage a wheel, opposite first and second sides intersecting the conditioning surface, and opposite third and fourth sides intersecting the conditioning surface. Each of the first and second sides extend from the third side to the fourth side. The body includes one or more of (a) a recess extending into one or more of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and is configured to receive friction material of the friction device and/or (b) a protrusion extending out of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and into the friction material of the friction device.

A brake shoe includes a backing plate, a composition friction material forming a brake pad. The brake pad has first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite lateral sides. A wear indicator is formed in at least one of the ends. The wear indicator extends outwards from at least one of the first end surface, the second end surface, the first lateral side surface, and the second lateral side surface at a set vertical position with respect to the back surface.

A brake shoe includes a backing plate, a composition friction material forming a brake pad. The brake pad has first and second opposite ends and first and second opposite lateral sides. A wear indicator is formed in at least one of the ends. The wear indicator extends outwards from at least one of the first end surface, the second end surface, the first lateral side surface, and the second lateral side surface at a set vertical position with respect to the back surface.

A vehicle brake system is provided that includes (or is formed from) a back plate configured to support a composite pad, at least one conditioning insert coupled to the back plate and configured to contact a surface of a wheel during a braking event and thereby to condition at least a portion of the surface of the wheel, and fins coupled with the at least one conditioning insert and configured to conduct heat generated by contact of the at least one conditioning insert with the at least the portion of the surface of the wheel away from the at least one conditioning insert.

A brake cylinder device having a parking spring brake mechanism, provided with a clutch mechanism configured so as to transmit or block urging force of a piston to or from a brake force transmitting unit; a latch member for restricting displacement of the brake force transmitting unit relative to the piston by engaging with the clutch mechanism, and allowing displacement of the brake force transmitting unit relative to the piston by disengaging from the clutch mechanism; a latch lock member for engaging at an inclined part with a protruding part of the latch member; and a rotation-preventing part for preventing the latch lock member from rotating.

A debris eradicating brake head for use in a side frame mounted braking system in a railway vehicle. The brake head being mounted on an end of a brake beam and including a brake shoe carrier associated with the brake head, a brake shoe secured to a face portion of the brake shoe carrier, and a brake head extension extending from a side portion of the brake shoe carrier for associating the brake head within a unit guide in a side frame of the railway vehicle. The brake head extension including at least one of a first and a second tapered surface configured for breaking up and pushing debris out of the unit guide in the side frame. Eradication of debris within the side frame increases the braking efficiency of the railway vehicle as it reduces the amount of force necessary for applying the brake shoes to the wheels.

A friction-braking apparatus for a transportation system, having at least one caliper, at least one piston structured and arranged to move the at least one caliper; and at least one brake pad arranged on the at least one caliper. The at least one caliper is structured and arranged to selectively move the at least one brake pad into engagement with at least one rail of the transportation system.

A friction-braking apparatus for a transportation system, having at least one caliper, at least one piston structured and arranged to move the at least one caliper; and at least one brake pad arranged on the at least one caliper. The at least one caliper is structured and arranged to selectively move the at least one brake pad into engagement with at least one rail of the transportation system.

A conditioning insert of a friction device includes a body having a conditioning surface configured to engage a wheel, opposite first and second sides intersecting the conditioning surface, and opposite third and fourth sides intersecting the conditioning surface. Each of the first and second sides extend from the third side to the fourth side. The body includes one or more of (a) a recess extending into one or more of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and is configured to receive friction material of the friction device and/or (b) a protrusion extending out of the first side, the second side, the third side, or the fourth side and into the friction material of the friction device.