CA2233243C - Roller equipped uncoupling cam - Google Patents
Roller equipped uncoupling cam Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2233243C CA2233243C CA002233243A CA2233243A CA2233243C CA 2233243 C CA2233243 C CA 2233243C CA 002233243 A CA002233243 A CA 002233243A CA 2233243 A CA2233243 A CA 2233243A CA 2233243 C CA2233243 C CA 2233243C
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- Prior art keywords
- hook member
- hook
- uncoupling cam
- cam
- uncoupling
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61G—COUPLINGS; DRAUGHT AND BUFFING APPLIANCES
- B61G3/00—Couplings comprising mating parts of similar shape or form which can be coupled without the use of any additional element or elements
- B61G3/04—Couplings comprising mating parts of similar shape or form which can be coupled without the use of any additional element or elements with coupling head having a guard arm on one side and a knuckle with angularly-disposed nose and tail portions pivoted to the other side thereof, the nose of the knuckle being the coupling part, and means to lock the knuckle in coupling position, e.g. "A.A.R." or "Janney" type
- B61G3/06—Knuckle-locking devices
- B61G3/08—Control devices, e.g. for uncoupling
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
Abstract
A hook-type coupler for attachment to an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining adjacent ends of a pair of railway transit vehicles, wherein the hook-type coupler has a hook member pivotally mounted therein being pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position, and adapted to engage a second pivotally mounted hook member in a second hook-type coupler of compatible design, and includes an uncoupling cam for forcibly pivoting the hook member to the unlatch position, and a roller rotatably secured to the uncoupling cam to rollably engage a surface of the hook member when the uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting such hook member to the unlatch position without significant sliding frictional engagement between the uncoupling cam and the hook member.
Description
ROLLER EQUIPPED UNCOUPLING CAM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to what is known in the art as hook-type couplers, as used to mechanically join adjacent disposed ends of a pair of railway passenger transit vehicles, such as electric trolley: and subway cars. More particularly, this invention relates to a unique and improved, uncoupling cam as incorporated within an electrically operated hook-type coupler whereby the uncoupling cam includes a roller at its biasing edge to significantly reduce friction at the interface of the uncoupling cam and hook member, which not only results in a srnoother, non-binding camming action to significantly reduces wear of the interacting surfaces of the cam and hook member 1=o prolong their life, but further renders a "grease-less" characteristic to the coupler to thereby eliminate problem: resulting from 'the presence of grease.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is generally wel:L known that most light rail passenger transit vehicles, such as trolleys, subway cars, and the like, are capable of being independently operated as a single passenger transit vehicle and are often operated as a single vehicle, particularly, during times when passenger travel is at a low volume. It is also generally well known that there are times wizen such transit vehicles are operated as a unit of two, three, or even more such transit vehicles joined together, particularly, during times of high volume passenger travel, such as the morning and evening "rush hours". Accordingly, in order to permit the operation of such multiple car units, such transit vehicles must be provided with a coupling means at their forward and rearward ends for selectively joining and un-joining the transit vehicles together as the needs change.
Most railway passenger transit vehicles of the prior art have utilized simple ~~:hook-type~~ couplers for joining the adjacent: ends of one ouch vehicle to another, which are pneumat;_cally or hydraulically operated to uncouple the coupler incident. to the disjoining of such joined adjacent ends of railway transit vehicles . That is to say, the coupler hooks are normall~r spring biased to a coupling position, so that when the coupler on one transit vehicle is brought into contact with another, the coupler hool~a will automatically engage each other to effect a coupling. The pneumatic or hydraulic control incorporates responsive hardware that merely re-positions the engaged hooks so that the two transit vehicles are not coupled together, thereby permitting either one of the transit vehicles to be driven away from the other.
A new generation of railway passenger transit vehicles are coming into use which are entirely electric, and are not provided with a source of fluid pressure, pneumatic or hydraulic. For use in such a new generation of transit vehicles, it was therefore essential that couplers be designed that are entirely electrically operated as no fluid pressure would x~e available to operate such a coupler. These newer electrically operated couplers utilize a pivotal hook disposed within a gathering core recessed within a coupler head, and includes a biasing spring to bias the pivotal hook to closed or latch position. Therefore, when a pair of such coupler heads, one eactl attached to an end of a transit vehicle, are brought into contact, the gathering cores are aligned so that the hook in each gathering core will engage the hook in the other gathering core to physically lock the two coupler heads together. Each gathering core includes an electrically operated, rotatab:Le unlatching cam, adapted to pivot each hook away from the other hook to an unlatch position for purposes of uncoupling a pair of joined transit vehicles. Because the rotatable uncoupling cam is triangular in form, a considerable degree of friction results between the working edge of the rotatable uncoupling cam and the hook member side surface against which the cam is acting. Because the action is entirely a sliding action, a considerable degree of wear results not only to the active, camming surface of the uncoupling cam, but also to the side surface of the hook member. To minimize such wear and to assure that the cam is freely rotatable, it is common practice to pack sufficient lubricant; i.e., grease, into the gathering core anc9 particularly around the uncoupling cam to lubricate the frictional contacting interface surfaces.
Since the outward end of any uncoupled transit vehicle will naturally have an unused coupler, the gathering core in such an unused coupler will be e:~posed to the elements, including dust, dirt and debris, which will be attracted to and contained within the grease packing within the gathering core . Such contaminated grease will, of course, adversely affect the operation of the coupler and particularly the rotatable cam, often contributing to wear which the grease is intended to minimize, and even preventing proper operation of the uncoupling cam. Therefore, proper preventative maintenance requires that the gathering cores be periodically wiped and cleaned of old contaminated grease a.nd replaced with fresh clean grease.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is predicated our conception and development of a new and improved electrically operated hook-type coupler, and pari~icularly a new and improved, uncoupling cam therein which includes a rotatable roller mounted thereto which is disposed at a location to be biased and rotated against the adjacent: coupler hook member thereby greatly reducing, if not completE:ly eliminating the sliding frictional forces between the uncoupling cam and coupler hook member. The reduced frictional forces will not only provide a smoother operation to the caroming action and prolong the life of the two main wear components (the cam and hook member) and better assure their continued proper operation, but will further eliminate the need for any lubricant, such as grease, to render a ~~grease-less~~
charactE~ristic to the coupler.
In essence, the subject invention is directed to a hook-type coupler for attachment to an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining adjacent ends of a pair of such railway transit vehicles, which like prior art hook-type couplers includes a coupler head having a gathering core, with a hook member :pivotally mounted. within the gathering core, and being pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position, and of course, is adapted to engage a second pivotally mounted hook member in a second hook-type coupler of compatible design, when the gathering cores are brought into contact. The physical structures of each coupler must be compatible to the extent that a protruding end of each pivotal hook member will pass into the gathering core of the other coupler while such hooks members are pivoted to said latch position, and the two hook members spring biased so that they will close on and engage each other to lock the two respective transit vehicles together. To that end, the coupler of this invention, like those of the prior art, must include a biasing means within the gathering core for pivotally biasing the pivotally mounted hook member to the latch position.
Like prior art couplers, the coupler of this invention further include: an uncoupling cam within the gathering core for overcoming the biasing means to selectively pivot the hook member i~o the unlatch position, and an electrically operated actuator_ to selectively rotate the uncoupling cam through an angle sufficient to pivot the hook member to the unlatch position, to thereby uncouple the two hook members and, accordingly, permit uncoupling the joined transit vehicles.
Unlike the prior art, however, the uncoupling cam of this invention is provided with a roller at the edge thereof contacting the hook memY>er to eliminate, or at least greatly minimize, sliding friction at the interfaces between the uncoupling cam and the hook member, which not only provides a smoother operating cam and significantly reduced wear on the uncoupling carn and hook member to greatly increase their life but also eliminates, or at least greatly reduces, the need for a lubricant to render a "grease-less" characteristic to the coupler.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved uncoupling cam for use in an electrically operated hook-type coupler for use on electrically operated railway passenger transit vehicles whereby the uncoupling cam is provided with a roller for contacting and pivoting the coupler hoof: member to an unlatch position.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved electrically operated hook-type coupler having a new and improved uncoupling cam therein which eliminates or substantially reduces sliding frictional forces between the cam and coupler hook member.
A further object of this invention is to provide an electri<:ally operated hook-type coupler for use on electrically operated railway passenger transit vehicles which includes an uncoupl:Lng cam provided with a roller for rollably contacting and pivoting the coupler hook member to an unlatch position thereby eliminating or reducing sliding frictional forces between the cam and coupler hook member.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an electrically operated hook-type coupler for use on electrically operated railway passenger transit vehicles which includes an uncoupling cam provided with a roller for rollably contacting and pivoting the coupler hook member to an unlatch position thereby significantly reducing wear on the contacting surfaces of the uncoupling cam and. coupler hook member.
An even further object of this invention is to provide an electrically operated hook-type coupler for use on electrically operated railway passenger transit vehicles which includes an uncoupling cam provided with a roller for rollably contacting and pivoting the coupler hook member to an unlatch position to thereby render a "grease-less" characteristic to the electrically operated hook-type coupler.
These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawincfis as described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of a pair of spaced prior art coupler heads with both hook members in the latch position as necessary to be coupled together.
Fi<fiure 2 is another schematic cross-sectional plan view of a pair of prior art coupler heads identical to Figure 1, but instead showing the couplers in the joined together condition.
Figure 3 is again another schematic cross-sectional plan view of a pair of prior art coupler Beads like Figures 1 and 2, but instead shows the uncoupling cam in the activated position with the hook members unjointed to permit uncoupling of the two coupler heads.
Figure 4 is a side view of an uncoupling cam in accordance with a presently preferrE~d embodiment of this invention.
Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of a pair of coupler heads each including a roller equipped uncoupling cam as illu~;trated in Figure 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Prior to proceeding with a detailed description of the subject invention, it is noted that for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views of the attached drawings.
Re f:erence to Figure: 1-3 will illustrate in cross-section, a pair of prior art elects°ically operated hook-type couplers for attachmE~nt to an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining together adjacent ends of a pair of such railway transit vehicles. Such prior art. couplers normally comprises a coupler head, generally designated 10, having a shank portion 12 for connecting the coupler head 10 to a frame member (not shown) of a transit vehicle (not shown). The coupler head 10 includes a gathering core 14, which in essence comprises a cavity in a flat, forward face 16 of the coupler head 10. A hook member 20 is pivotally mounted for partial rotation on pivot pin 22 within gathering core 14, and is suitably disposed to one side of gathering core 14 so that the exposed portion of a comparable hook member 20A, from another compatible coupler head 10A, can be inserted into the gathering core 14 to engage hook member 20.
In a like manner and at the same time, the exposed portion of hook member 20 will be inserted within gathering core 14A so that hoop members 10 and 10A engage each other to effect the desired coupling, as shown in Figure 2. In contrast to Figures 1 and 2, Figure 3 illustrates the same components, wherein the uncoupling cam 32 has been activated by a partial rotation thereof t:o pivot hook memx>ers 20 and 20A outwardly and away from each other to the unlatch position.
As can be seen by contrasting Figures 1 and 2 with Figure 3, hook member 20, as pivotally mounted on pin 22, is pivotal between a latch position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and an unlatch position as illustrated in Figure 3. A biasing means 24, such. as a composite multiple leaf spring as shown, is also secured within gathering core 14 for purposed of biasing hook member 20 to the latch position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, whereby flat surface 26 of hook member 20, is biased against an elongated, flat, side surface 34 on uncoupling cam 32.
As noted above, also mounted within gathering core 12 is uncoupling cam 32, which is partially rotatable for forcibly pivoting the hook memY~er 20 to the unlatch position as illustrated in Figure 3, thereby overcoming the biasing action of biasing means 24 and moving hook member 20 to the unlatch position where it will not and cannot be latched to an adjacent hook member 20A. As can be seen in Figure 3, the uncoupling cam 32 biases each of the hook members 20 and 20A away from each other t:o an extent that they no longer engage each other, thereby permitting the transit vehicles to be unjointed. Also included is an electrically operated actuator (not shown) , which functions to electrically operate the uncoupling cam 32; i.e., partially rotating cam 3_?., 1:o selecti_ve~ly pivot hook member 20 to the unlatch position as shown in Figure 3, permitting the hook members 20 and 20A be become unlatched, thereby e.ffecti_ng an uncoupling of the joined coupler heads 10 anti 10A, as well as permitting an uncoupling of the transit vehicles (not shown) to which the couplers are attached. Actuators (not shown) for partially rot:ati_ng uncoupling cam 32 are well known to those familiar w.it:h the subject art and need not be described here, suffice i.t t;o note that such actuators (not, shown) are not normally disposec:l within the generating core 18, but are normally attached to the o~..rt:er surface of the coupler head 10, and are linked to partially rot:at::e~ pin 34 to which uncoupling cam 32 i.s rigidly attached. An example of such an actuator is disclosed arid described i.n LI.S. Patent. Ncv. i, 499, 728, assigned to L.he assignee of this invention, whir_h c:an t>e e.ither elec-tri.cal_ly or manually operated.
With regard to the prior art uncoupling cam 32 as illustrated, and aga.i_n contrasting figures 1 and 2 w_i.th Figure 3, the action of uncoupling cam 30 can be ~~een. Specifically, in the latch position ( Figure 1 ) , no rotating f_orc~e is applied 'to uncoupling cam 32 so that the flat surface 26 on hook member :?0, is biased against the elongated, flat, side surface 34 on cam 32. For uncoupling, cam 32 is used to pivot hook member 20 to the a nlatchr position (Figure 3). Cam 32 must: be rotated counterclockwise so t=hat uncoupling cam 32 will force the hook member 20 o~.~t:wardly, against the biasing action of spring means 24 until se~~ond flat surface 36, on uncoupling cam 32 engages flat surface 26 on hook member 20. As shown in Figure 3, when both hook members 20 and 20A are pivoted to the unlatch position, they no longer engage each other and, accordingly, the coupler heads 10 and 10A are no longer joined together, which thereby permits one transit vehicle to be driven away from the other.
While it is not essential that surface 36 on cam 32 be flat, the fact that it is flat will make it serve as a detent to at least temporarily hold hook member 20 in the unlatch position without the need to maintain an applied force on uncoupling cam 32.
When the: coupler heads 10 and 10A are withdrawn from each other so that the two transit vehicles (not shown) are no longer joined together, the actuator (not shown) can be inactivated, permitting biasing means 24 to pivotally bias hook member 20 back to the latch position. If for some reason cam 32 becomes stuck in the rotational position where hook member 20 is pivoted to the 'unlatch position, it can be seen in Figure 3 that any effort 1~o again join together a pair of coupler heads 10 and 10A, wi:l1 cause hook member 10A to contact flat surface 38 on cam 32, thereby forcing rotation of cam 32 as necessary to disengage hook member 20 from the unlatch position, allowing it to return to the latch position by the force of biasing means 24. While flat surface 38 on uncoupling cam 32 does not otherwise function in the camming action of uncoupling cam 32, the flatness and angle thereof with regard to the other surfaces 34 and 36 is critical only to the extent that it must not interfere with movement of hook member 10A when the two hook members 10 and 10A are closed together as shown in Figure 2.
As should be apparent from Figure 2, any outward extension thereof could prevent the hook member 10 or 10A from fully engaging the other hook member 10 or 10A, to prevent a proper engagement of the two hook members.
The crux of this invention resides in the inventive uncoupling cam 50 as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. Reference to Figure 4 will illustrate a side view of the inventive uncoupling cam 50 in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of this invention, while reference to Figure 5 illustrates in partial cross-section, a pair of couplers 10', each having a gathering core 14' with abutting forward faces 16' . Each gathering core 14' contains a pivotal hook member 20' pivotally attached to a pin 22' with each biased toward the latch position by a biasing means such as a multiple leaf spring 24'. Each gathering cora_ 14' includes an uncoupling cam 50 of this invention (only one of which is shown in cross-section), which is rigidly attached to pivot pin 52, and as can be seen, uncoupling cam 50 is substantially the same as prior art uncoupling cam 32 except, for fact that it includes roller 54 transversely disposed at the intersection of surfaces 34' and 36' , such that each of surfaces 34' and 36' is generally tangent with a cylindrical side of roller 50. Accordingly, roller 54, in essence, replaces the sharp angled intersection of surfaces 34 and 36 of the prior art uncoupling cam 32. As can be seen in Figure 4, the inventive uncoupling cam 50 does include a pivot pin 64' as well as surfaces 34' , 36' and 38' which in essence function like pivot pin 64 and surfaces 34, 36 and 38 on prior art uncoupling cam 32. While not a part of this invention, Figure 5 also shows a lever arm 56 within each gathering core 14' which is rigidly attached to pin 52, so that an actuator (not shown) acting through lever arm 56 will partially rotate uncoupling cam 50 to the unlatch position as illustrated in Figure 5. As previously noted in discussing the prior art, the actuator (not shown) and the interconnecting lever arm 56 may or may not be positioned within gathering core 14 or 14', and most commonly, both are disposed on the outer surface of coupler head 10, as shown in the above-referenced patent.
Having described in detail a presently preferred embodiment of this invention, it should be apparent that other embodiments could be utilized and modifications incorporated without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it should be quite apparent that the uncoupling cam 50 could take different forms depending on the design and configuration of the specific: coupler to which it is incorporated. While an irregular, circular form typical of most cams could be developed, the flat side surfaces on cam 50 provide end point detents,, as described above which are advantageous. In addition the couple head and gathering core as described in the above specification could take any one of a number of differing designs including designs which may completely eliminate a gathering core. Clearly, therefore, other modifications could be included and other embodiments designed without departing from they spirit of the .invention as defined in the appended claims.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to what is known in the art as hook-type couplers, as used to mechanically join adjacent disposed ends of a pair of railway passenger transit vehicles, such as electric trolley: and subway cars. More particularly, this invention relates to a unique and improved, uncoupling cam as incorporated within an electrically operated hook-type coupler whereby the uncoupling cam includes a roller at its biasing edge to significantly reduce friction at the interface of the uncoupling cam and hook member, which not only results in a srnoother, non-binding camming action to significantly reduces wear of the interacting surfaces of the cam and hook member 1=o prolong their life, but further renders a "grease-less" characteristic to the coupler to thereby eliminate problem: resulting from 'the presence of grease.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is generally wel:L known that most light rail passenger transit vehicles, such as trolleys, subway cars, and the like, are capable of being independently operated as a single passenger transit vehicle and are often operated as a single vehicle, particularly, during times when passenger travel is at a low volume. It is also generally well known that there are times wizen such transit vehicles are operated as a unit of two, three, or even more such transit vehicles joined together, particularly, during times of high volume passenger travel, such as the morning and evening "rush hours". Accordingly, in order to permit the operation of such multiple car units, such transit vehicles must be provided with a coupling means at their forward and rearward ends for selectively joining and un-joining the transit vehicles together as the needs change.
Most railway passenger transit vehicles of the prior art have utilized simple ~~:hook-type~~ couplers for joining the adjacent: ends of one ouch vehicle to another, which are pneumat;_cally or hydraulically operated to uncouple the coupler incident. to the disjoining of such joined adjacent ends of railway transit vehicles . That is to say, the coupler hooks are normall~r spring biased to a coupling position, so that when the coupler on one transit vehicle is brought into contact with another, the coupler hool~a will automatically engage each other to effect a coupling. The pneumatic or hydraulic control incorporates responsive hardware that merely re-positions the engaged hooks so that the two transit vehicles are not coupled together, thereby permitting either one of the transit vehicles to be driven away from the other.
A new generation of railway passenger transit vehicles are coming into use which are entirely electric, and are not provided with a source of fluid pressure, pneumatic or hydraulic. For use in such a new generation of transit vehicles, it was therefore essential that couplers be designed that are entirely electrically operated as no fluid pressure would x~e available to operate such a coupler. These newer electrically operated couplers utilize a pivotal hook disposed within a gathering core recessed within a coupler head, and includes a biasing spring to bias the pivotal hook to closed or latch position. Therefore, when a pair of such coupler heads, one eactl attached to an end of a transit vehicle, are brought into contact, the gathering cores are aligned so that the hook in each gathering core will engage the hook in the other gathering core to physically lock the two coupler heads together. Each gathering core includes an electrically operated, rotatab:Le unlatching cam, adapted to pivot each hook away from the other hook to an unlatch position for purposes of uncoupling a pair of joined transit vehicles. Because the rotatable uncoupling cam is triangular in form, a considerable degree of friction results between the working edge of the rotatable uncoupling cam and the hook member side surface against which the cam is acting. Because the action is entirely a sliding action, a considerable degree of wear results not only to the active, camming surface of the uncoupling cam, but also to the side surface of the hook member. To minimize such wear and to assure that the cam is freely rotatable, it is common practice to pack sufficient lubricant; i.e., grease, into the gathering core anc9 particularly around the uncoupling cam to lubricate the frictional contacting interface surfaces.
Since the outward end of any uncoupled transit vehicle will naturally have an unused coupler, the gathering core in such an unused coupler will be e:~posed to the elements, including dust, dirt and debris, which will be attracted to and contained within the grease packing within the gathering core . Such contaminated grease will, of course, adversely affect the operation of the coupler and particularly the rotatable cam, often contributing to wear which the grease is intended to minimize, and even preventing proper operation of the uncoupling cam. Therefore, proper preventative maintenance requires that the gathering cores be periodically wiped and cleaned of old contaminated grease a.nd replaced with fresh clean grease.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is predicated our conception and development of a new and improved electrically operated hook-type coupler, and pari~icularly a new and improved, uncoupling cam therein which includes a rotatable roller mounted thereto which is disposed at a location to be biased and rotated against the adjacent: coupler hook member thereby greatly reducing, if not completE:ly eliminating the sliding frictional forces between the uncoupling cam and coupler hook member. The reduced frictional forces will not only provide a smoother operation to the caroming action and prolong the life of the two main wear components (the cam and hook member) and better assure their continued proper operation, but will further eliminate the need for any lubricant, such as grease, to render a ~~grease-less~~
charactE~ristic to the coupler.
In essence, the subject invention is directed to a hook-type coupler for attachment to an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining adjacent ends of a pair of such railway transit vehicles, which like prior art hook-type couplers includes a coupler head having a gathering core, with a hook member :pivotally mounted. within the gathering core, and being pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position, and of course, is adapted to engage a second pivotally mounted hook member in a second hook-type coupler of compatible design, when the gathering cores are brought into contact. The physical structures of each coupler must be compatible to the extent that a protruding end of each pivotal hook member will pass into the gathering core of the other coupler while such hooks members are pivoted to said latch position, and the two hook members spring biased so that they will close on and engage each other to lock the two respective transit vehicles together. To that end, the coupler of this invention, like those of the prior art, must include a biasing means within the gathering core for pivotally biasing the pivotally mounted hook member to the latch position.
Like prior art couplers, the coupler of this invention further include: an uncoupling cam within the gathering core for overcoming the biasing means to selectively pivot the hook member i~o the unlatch position, and an electrically operated actuator_ to selectively rotate the uncoupling cam through an angle sufficient to pivot the hook member to the unlatch position, to thereby uncouple the two hook members and, accordingly, permit uncoupling the joined transit vehicles.
Unlike the prior art, however, the uncoupling cam of this invention is provided with a roller at the edge thereof contacting the hook memY>er to eliminate, or at least greatly minimize, sliding friction at the interfaces between the uncoupling cam and the hook member, which not only provides a smoother operating cam and significantly reduced wear on the uncoupling carn and hook member to greatly increase their life but also eliminates, or at least greatly reduces, the need for a lubricant to render a "grease-less" characteristic to the coupler.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved uncoupling cam for use in an electrically operated hook-type coupler for use on electrically operated railway passenger transit vehicles whereby the uncoupling cam is provided with a roller for contacting and pivoting the coupler hoof: member to an unlatch position.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a new and improved electrically operated hook-type coupler having a new and improved uncoupling cam therein which eliminates or substantially reduces sliding frictional forces between the cam and coupler hook member.
A further object of this invention is to provide an electri<:ally operated hook-type coupler for use on electrically operated railway passenger transit vehicles which includes an uncoupl:Lng cam provided with a roller for rollably contacting and pivoting the coupler hook member to an unlatch position thereby eliminating or reducing sliding frictional forces between the cam and coupler hook member.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an electrically operated hook-type coupler for use on electrically operated railway passenger transit vehicles which includes an uncoupling cam provided with a roller for rollably contacting and pivoting the coupler hook member to an unlatch position thereby significantly reducing wear on the contacting surfaces of the uncoupling cam and. coupler hook member.
An even further object of this invention is to provide an electrically operated hook-type coupler for use on electrically operated railway passenger transit vehicles which includes an uncoupling cam provided with a roller for rollably contacting and pivoting the coupler hook member to an unlatch position to thereby render a "grease-less" characteristic to the electrically operated hook-type coupler.
These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawincfis as described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional plan view of a pair of spaced prior art coupler heads with both hook members in the latch position as necessary to be coupled together.
Fi<fiure 2 is another schematic cross-sectional plan view of a pair of prior art coupler heads identical to Figure 1, but instead showing the couplers in the joined together condition.
Figure 3 is again another schematic cross-sectional plan view of a pair of prior art coupler Beads like Figures 1 and 2, but instead shows the uncoupling cam in the activated position with the hook members unjointed to permit uncoupling of the two coupler heads.
Figure 4 is a side view of an uncoupling cam in accordance with a presently preferrE~d embodiment of this invention.
Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of a pair of coupler heads each including a roller equipped uncoupling cam as illu~;trated in Figure 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
Prior to proceeding with a detailed description of the subject invention, it is noted that for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views of the attached drawings.
Re f:erence to Figure: 1-3 will illustrate in cross-section, a pair of prior art elects°ically operated hook-type couplers for attachmE~nt to an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining together adjacent ends of a pair of such railway transit vehicles. Such prior art. couplers normally comprises a coupler head, generally designated 10, having a shank portion 12 for connecting the coupler head 10 to a frame member (not shown) of a transit vehicle (not shown). The coupler head 10 includes a gathering core 14, which in essence comprises a cavity in a flat, forward face 16 of the coupler head 10. A hook member 20 is pivotally mounted for partial rotation on pivot pin 22 within gathering core 14, and is suitably disposed to one side of gathering core 14 so that the exposed portion of a comparable hook member 20A, from another compatible coupler head 10A, can be inserted into the gathering core 14 to engage hook member 20.
In a like manner and at the same time, the exposed portion of hook member 20 will be inserted within gathering core 14A so that hoop members 10 and 10A engage each other to effect the desired coupling, as shown in Figure 2. In contrast to Figures 1 and 2, Figure 3 illustrates the same components, wherein the uncoupling cam 32 has been activated by a partial rotation thereof t:o pivot hook memx>ers 20 and 20A outwardly and away from each other to the unlatch position.
As can be seen by contrasting Figures 1 and 2 with Figure 3, hook member 20, as pivotally mounted on pin 22, is pivotal between a latch position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and an unlatch position as illustrated in Figure 3. A biasing means 24, such. as a composite multiple leaf spring as shown, is also secured within gathering core 14 for purposed of biasing hook member 20 to the latch position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, whereby flat surface 26 of hook member 20, is biased against an elongated, flat, side surface 34 on uncoupling cam 32.
As noted above, also mounted within gathering core 12 is uncoupling cam 32, which is partially rotatable for forcibly pivoting the hook memY~er 20 to the unlatch position as illustrated in Figure 3, thereby overcoming the biasing action of biasing means 24 and moving hook member 20 to the unlatch position where it will not and cannot be latched to an adjacent hook member 20A. As can be seen in Figure 3, the uncoupling cam 32 biases each of the hook members 20 and 20A away from each other t:o an extent that they no longer engage each other, thereby permitting the transit vehicles to be unjointed. Also included is an electrically operated actuator (not shown) , which functions to electrically operate the uncoupling cam 32; i.e., partially rotating cam 3_?., 1:o selecti_ve~ly pivot hook member 20 to the unlatch position as shown in Figure 3, permitting the hook members 20 and 20A be become unlatched, thereby e.ffecti_ng an uncoupling of the joined coupler heads 10 anti 10A, as well as permitting an uncoupling of the transit vehicles (not shown) to which the couplers are attached. Actuators (not shown) for partially rot:ati_ng uncoupling cam 32 are well known to those familiar w.it:h the subject art and need not be described here, suffice i.t t;o note that such actuators (not, shown) are not normally disposec:l within the generating core 18, but are normally attached to the o~..rt:er surface of the coupler head 10, and are linked to partially rot:at::e~ pin 34 to which uncoupling cam 32 i.s rigidly attached. An example of such an actuator is disclosed arid described i.n LI.S. Patent. Ncv. i, 499, 728, assigned to L.he assignee of this invention, whir_h c:an t>e e.ither elec-tri.cal_ly or manually operated.
With regard to the prior art uncoupling cam 32 as illustrated, and aga.i_n contrasting figures 1 and 2 w_i.th Figure 3, the action of uncoupling cam 30 can be ~~een. Specifically, in the latch position ( Figure 1 ) , no rotating f_orc~e is applied 'to uncoupling cam 32 so that the flat surface 26 on hook member :?0, is biased against the elongated, flat, side surface 34 on cam 32. For uncoupling, cam 32 is used to pivot hook member 20 to the a nlatchr position (Figure 3). Cam 32 must: be rotated counterclockwise so t=hat uncoupling cam 32 will force the hook member 20 o~.~t:wardly, against the biasing action of spring means 24 until se~~ond flat surface 36, on uncoupling cam 32 engages flat surface 26 on hook member 20. As shown in Figure 3, when both hook members 20 and 20A are pivoted to the unlatch position, they no longer engage each other and, accordingly, the coupler heads 10 and 10A are no longer joined together, which thereby permits one transit vehicle to be driven away from the other.
While it is not essential that surface 36 on cam 32 be flat, the fact that it is flat will make it serve as a detent to at least temporarily hold hook member 20 in the unlatch position without the need to maintain an applied force on uncoupling cam 32.
When the: coupler heads 10 and 10A are withdrawn from each other so that the two transit vehicles (not shown) are no longer joined together, the actuator (not shown) can be inactivated, permitting biasing means 24 to pivotally bias hook member 20 back to the latch position. If for some reason cam 32 becomes stuck in the rotational position where hook member 20 is pivoted to the 'unlatch position, it can be seen in Figure 3 that any effort 1~o again join together a pair of coupler heads 10 and 10A, wi:l1 cause hook member 10A to contact flat surface 38 on cam 32, thereby forcing rotation of cam 32 as necessary to disengage hook member 20 from the unlatch position, allowing it to return to the latch position by the force of biasing means 24. While flat surface 38 on uncoupling cam 32 does not otherwise function in the camming action of uncoupling cam 32, the flatness and angle thereof with regard to the other surfaces 34 and 36 is critical only to the extent that it must not interfere with movement of hook member 10A when the two hook members 10 and 10A are closed together as shown in Figure 2.
As should be apparent from Figure 2, any outward extension thereof could prevent the hook member 10 or 10A from fully engaging the other hook member 10 or 10A, to prevent a proper engagement of the two hook members.
The crux of this invention resides in the inventive uncoupling cam 50 as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. Reference to Figure 4 will illustrate a side view of the inventive uncoupling cam 50 in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of this invention, while reference to Figure 5 illustrates in partial cross-section, a pair of couplers 10', each having a gathering core 14' with abutting forward faces 16' . Each gathering core 14' contains a pivotal hook member 20' pivotally attached to a pin 22' with each biased toward the latch position by a biasing means such as a multiple leaf spring 24'. Each gathering cora_ 14' includes an uncoupling cam 50 of this invention (only one of which is shown in cross-section), which is rigidly attached to pivot pin 52, and as can be seen, uncoupling cam 50 is substantially the same as prior art uncoupling cam 32 except, for fact that it includes roller 54 transversely disposed at the intersection of surfaces 34' and 36' , such that each of surfaces 34' and 36' is generally tangent with a cylindrical side of roller 50. Accordingly, roller 54, in essence, replaces the sharp angled intersection of surfaces 34 and 36 of the prior art uncoupling cam 32. As can be seen in Figure 4, the inventive uncoupling cam 50 does include a pivot pin 64' as well as surfaces 34' , 36' and 38' which in essence function like pivot pin 64 and surfaces 34, 36 and 38 on prior art uncoupling cam 32. While not a part of this invention, Figure 5 also shows a lever arm 56 within each gathering core 14' which is rigidly attached to pin 52, so that an actuator (not shown) acting through lever arm 56 will partially rotate uncoupling cam 50 to the unlatch position as illustrated in Figure 5. As previously noted in discussing the prior art, the actuator (not shown) and the interconnecting lever arm 56 may or may not be positioned within gathering core 14 or 14', and most commonly, both are disposed on the outer surface of coupler head 10, as shown in the above-referenced patent.
Having described in detail a presently preferred embodiment of this invention, it should be apparent that other embodiments could be utilized and modifications incorporated without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it should be quite apparent that the uncoupling cam 50 could take different forms depending on the design and configuration of the specific: coupler to which it is incorporated. While an irregular, circular form typical of most cams could be developed, the flat side surfaces on cam 50 provide end point detents,, as described above which are advantageous. In addition the couple head and gathering core as described in the above specification could take any one of a number of differing designs including designs which may completely eliminate a gathering core. Clearly, therefore, other modifications could be included and other embodiments designed without departing from they spirit of the .invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (21)
1. A hook-type coupler for attachment to an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining adjacent ends of a pair of such railway transit vehicles, said hook-type coupler comprising:
(a) a coupler head;
(b) a hook member pivotally mounted to said coupler head, and being pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position, and adapted to engage a second pivotally mounted hook member on a second hook-type coupler of compatible design, when said coupler head is brought into contact with a second coupler head of compatible design, and both of said pivotally mounted hook members are pivoted to said latch position;
(c) a biasing means attached to said coupler head for pivotally biasing said pivotally mounted hook member to said latch position;
(d) an uncoupling cam rotatably attached to said coupler head for forcibly pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position;
(e) a roller rotatably secured to said uncoupling cam adapted to rollably engage a surface of said hook member when said uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position with a minimum of sliding frictional engagement between said uncoupling cam and said hook member.
(a) a coupler head;
(b) a hook member pivotally mounted to said coupler head, and being pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position, and adapted to engage a second pivotally mounted hook member on a second hook-type coupler of compatible design, when said coupler head is brought into contact with a second coupler head of compatible design, and both of said pivotally mounted hook members are pivoted to said latch position;
(c) a biasing means attached to said coupler head for pivotally biasing said pivotally mounted hook member to said latch position;
(d) an uncoupling cam rotatably attached to said coupler head for forcibly pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position;
(e) a roller rotatably secured to said uncoupling cam adapted to rollably engage a surface of said hook member when said uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position with a minimum of sliding frictional engagement between said uncoupling cam and said hook member.
2. A hook-type coupler, according to claim 1, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body secured to a pivot pin and is at least partially rotatable on said pivot pin to effect said forcible pivoting of said hook member to said unlatch position.
3. A hook-type coupler, according to claim 2, in which said roller is rollable on an axis of rotation parallel to an axis of rotation of said pivot pin.
4. A hook-type coupler, according to claim 1, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform polygonal cross-section having at least two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller.
5. A hook-type coupler, according to claim 3, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform generally triangular cross-section having two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller.
6. A hook-type coupler, according to claim 3, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform triangular cross-section having two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller such that a first of said oblique side surfaces will abut against said hook member when said hook member is in a latch position, and a second of said oblique side surfaces will abut against said hook member when said hook member is in an unlatch position.
7. A hook-type coupler for attachment to an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining adjacent ends of a pair of such railway transit vehicles, said hook-type coupler comprising:
(a) a coupler head having a gathering core;
(b) a hook member pivotally mounted within said gathering core, and being pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position, and adapted to engage a second pivotally mounted hook member in a second hook-type coupler of compatible design, when said coupler head is brought into contact with a second coupler head on said second hook-type coupler of compatible design, and both of said pivotally mounted hook members are pivoted to said latch position;
(c) a biasing means within said gathering core for pivotally biasing said pivotally mounted hook member to said latch position;
(d) an uncoupling cam within said gathering core for forcibly pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position;
(e) a roller rotatably secured to said uncoupling cam adapted to rollably engage a surface of said hook member when said uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position without significant sliding frictional engagement between said uncoupling cam and said hook member.
(a) a coupler head having a gathering core;
(b) a hook member pivotally mounted within said gathering core, and being pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position, and adapted to engage a second pivotally mounted hook member in a second hook-type coupler of compatible design, when said coupler head is brought into contact with a second coupler head on said second hook-type coupler of compatible design, and both of said pivotally mounted hook members are pivoted to said latch position;
(c) a biasing means within said gathering core for pivotally biasing said pivotally mounted hook member to said latch position;
(d) an uncoupling cam within said gathering core for forcibly pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position;
(e) a roller rotatably secured to said uncoupling cam adapted to rollably engage a surface of said hook member when said uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position without significant sliding frictional engagement between said uncoupling cam and said hook member.
8. A hook-type coupler, according to claim 7, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body secured to a pivot pin and is at least partially rotatable on said pivot pin to effect said forcible pivoting of said hook member to said unlatch position.
9. A hook-type coupler, according to claim 8, in which roller is rollable on an axis of rotation parallel to an axis of rotation of said pivot: pin.
10. A hook-type coupler, according to claim 7, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform polygonal cross-section having at least two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller.
11 A hook-type coupler, according to claim 10, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform generally triangular cross-section having two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller.
12. A hook-type coupler, according to claim 10, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform triangular cross-section having two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller such that a first of said oblique side surfaces will abut against said hook member when said hook member is in the latch position, and a second of said oblique side surfaces will abut against said hook member when said hook member is in the unlatch position.
13. An uncoupling cam for use in a hook-type coupler attached to an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining adjacent ends of a pair of such railway transit vehicles, wherein said hook-type coupler includes a hook member pivotally mounted thereto, and being pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position, and further having a biasing means for pivotally biasing said pivotally mounted hook member to said latch position, said uncoupling cam comprising:
a solid body having a roller rotatably secured at an exposed side thereof, said uncoupling cam adapted to rollably engage a surface of said hook member when said uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position without significant sliding frictional engagement between said uncoupling cam and said hook member.
a solid body having a roller rotatably secured at an exposed side thereof, said uncoupling cam adapted to rollably engage a surface of said hook member when said uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position without significant sliding frictional engagement between said uncoupling cam and said hook member.
14. An uncoupling cam, according to claim 13, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body secured to a pivot pin and is at least partial rotatable on said pivot pin to effect said forcible pivoting of said hook member to said unlatch position.
15. An uncoupling cam, according to claim 14, in which said roller is rollable on an axis of rotation parallel to an axis of rotation of said pivot pin.
16. An uncoupling cam, according to claim 13, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform polygonal cross-section having at least two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller.
17. A uncoupling cam, according to claim 16, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform triangular cross-section having two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller.
18. A uncoupling cam, according to claim 16, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform triangular cross-section having two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller such that a first of said oblique side surfaces will abut against said hook member when said hook member is in a latch position, and a second of said oblique side surfaces will abut against said hook member when said hook member is in an unlatch position.
19. An uncoupling cam for use in a hook-type coupler at an end of a railway transit vehicle for joining adjacent ends of a pair of such railway transit vehicles, and having a pivotally mounted hook member therein pivotal between a latch position and an unlatch position, with means for biasing said hook member to said latch position, said uncoupling cam comprising:
a solid body having a uniform polygonal cross-section and a roller rotatably secured at an edge thereof adapted to rollably engage a surface of said hook member when said uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position without significant sliding frictional engagement between said uncoupling cam and said hook member.
a solid body having a uniform polygonal cross-section and a roller rotatably secured at an edge thereof adapted to rollably engage a surface of said hook member when said uncoupling cam is activated through a partial rotation thereby pivoting said hook member to said unlatch position without significant sliding frictional engagement between said uncoupling cam and said hook member.
20. An uncoupling cam, according to claim 19, in which said uncoupling cam is a solid body having a uniform generally triangular cross-section having two oblique side surfaces tangent to said roller.
21
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002233243A CA2233243C (en) | 1997-09-10 | 1998-03-26 | Roller equipped uncoupling cam |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/926,635 US5954211A (en) | 1997-09-10 | 1997-09-10 | Roller equipped uncoupling cam |
| US926,635 | 1997-09-10 | ||
| CA002233243A CA2233243C (en) | 1997-09-10 | 1998-03-26 | Roller equipped uncoupling cam |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2233243A1 CA2233243A1 (en) | 1999-03-10 |
| CA2233243C true CA2233243C (en) | 2002-10-08 |
Family
ID=25680107
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002233243A Expired - Fee Related CA2233243C (en) | 1997-09-10 | 1998-03-26 | Roller equipped uncoupling cam |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2233243C (en) |
-
1998
- 1998-03-26 CA CA002233243A patent/CA2233243C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2233243A1 (en) | 1999-03-10 |
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