Universal backing ring

1. A one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring, comprising:

an integrally formed, one piece annular structure having a center opening configured to be translated over a journal of a railcar axle and engage a dust guard and a dust guard fillet of the railcar axle, the annular structure comprising:

an inner contoured surface having a profile that is contoured for a fit with a complementary surface of the dust guard fillet;

a dust guard lip which projects over the dust guard fillet and is configured to engage the dust guard by a mechanical interference fit, the dust guard lip generally parallel with an axis of the annular structure and having a length of 0.000-0.375 inches; and

a relief groove disposed between the inner contoured surface and the dust guard lip, the relief groove having a radius of curvature and having a radial depth of 0.040-0.438 inches from the dust guard lip;

wherein the annular structure further comprises a radially contoured edge portion extending from the dust guard lip with a radius of curvature toward an outer surface of the annular structure and terminating at an edge of the annular structure.

2. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 1 , wherein the annular structure is made of material exhibiting a predetermined stiffness allowing portions of the annular structure at the relief groove, the radially contoured edge portion and the dust guard lip to deflect, facilitating the mechanical interference fit of the dust guard lip with the dust guard.

3. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 1 , wherein the radially contoured edge portion has a radius of 0.030-0.375 inches.

4. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 1 , wherein the radially contoured edge portion is convex.

5. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 1 , wherein the relief groove has a radius of 0.030-0.438 inches.

6. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 1 , wherein the relief groove is concave.

7. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 1 , wherein the integrally formed, one piece annular structure comprises ductile iron or steel.

8. A one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring, comprising:

an integrally formed, one piece annular structure having a center opening configured to be translated over a journal of a railcar axle and engage a dust guard and a dust guard fillet of the railcar axle, the annular structure comprising:

an inner contoured surface having a profile that is contoured for a fit with a complementary surface of the dust guard fillet; and

a dust guard lip which projects over the dust guard fillet and engages the dust guard, the dust guard lip having a length extending generally parallel with an axis of the annular structure;

wherein the dust guard lip is configured to provide a mechanical interference fit of the dust guard lip with the dust guard of 0.052-0.1875 inches with a maximum diameter of the dust guard for each Class of railcar axle; and

wherein the annular structure further comprises a radially contoured edge portion extending from the dust quard lip with a radius of curvature toward an outer surface of the annular structure and terminating at an edge of the annular structure.

9. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 8 , further comprising:

a relief groove disposed between the inner contoured surface and the dust guard lip, the relief groove having a radius of curvature and having a radial depth extending radially from the dust guard lip.

10. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 9 , wherein the relief groove has a radial depth of 0.040-0.438 inches from the dust guard lip.

11. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 9 , wherein the relief groove has a radius of 0.030-0.438 inches.

12. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 9 , wherein the relief groove is concave.

13. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 8 , wherein the annular structure is made of material exhibiting a predetermined stiffness allowing portions of the annular structure at the relief groove, the radially contoured edge portion and the dust guard lip to deflect, facilitating the mechanical interference fit of the dust guard lip with the dust guard.

14. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 8 , wherein the radially contoured edge portion has a radius of 0.030-0.375 inches.

15. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 8 , wherein the radially contoured edge portion is convex.

16. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 8 , wherein the dust guard lip has a length of 0.000-0.375 inches.

17. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 8 , wherein the railcar axle is rated Axle Class E, Axle Class F, Axle Class K, or Axle Class G.

18. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 17 , wherein the maximum diameter of the dust guard on the railcar axle is:

7.032 inches for an Axle Class E, 7.532 inches for an Axle Class F, 7.532 inches for an Axle Class K, and 8.002 inches for an Axle Class G.

19. The one-piece, integrally formed universal backing ring of claim 8 , wherein the integrally formed, one piece annular structure comprises ductile iron or steel.