GB845250A - Improvements in or relating to car couplers - Google Patents

Abstract

845,250. Automatic buffer couplings and draw gear. NATIONAL MALLEABLE & STEEL CASTINGS CO. July 11, 1958 [July 12, 1957], No. 22381/58. Class 103(5). An automatic buffer coupler supported for both vertical and horizontal angling comprises a generally flat front face surface, a coupling hook adapted to interlock with the hook of another similar coupler centrally through their opposed face surfaces, and means for aligning the couplers comprising a pair of wings extending laterally from opposite sides of the head and providing a projection and a pocket respectively adapted to mate with the pocket and projection of a similar coupler. The hook 27, Fig. 1, pivots on a vertical pin 30 which takes the full pulling load, and is limited in its upward movement by a flange 32 extending from the top wall 25. The hook is urged into a coupling position by a pre-compressed spring, and consists of upper and lower bevel surfaces 34, 38, Figs. 9, 9a, 9b, a crown surface 33 therebetween, and a recess 29 engageable by an arm 31a on an uncoupling cam 31, Fig. 3a on an opposing coupler. A flat guide surface 43 gathers the uncoupling arm 31a on the opposed coupler, and other guide surfaces are also provided which ensure that relative sliding will occur between hooks of opposing couplers as they move vertically and transversely of one another during aligning (see also Spcification 836,478). Lateral wings 58, 59, Fig. 1, merging with and leading immediately away from the coupler face 22 not only align opposing couplers but also provide interlocks against relative vertical and horizontal movement. Wing 58, Figs. 1 and 3a, has a forward projection 62 with a front face 62a extending diagonally rearwardly toward the longitudinal centre line of the coupler, a surface 62c extending directly rearwardly, and horizontal top and bottom surfaces 62b. Surface 64 is parallel to 62a and merges into the front plate 22, surfaces 66, 67 slope upwardly and rearwardly, and surfaces 68, 69 slope downwardly and rearwardly. Pocket portions 74 are provided comprising horizontal and vertical walls, and the wing 58 also has diagonal guide surfaces 76 for aligning opposing couplers. Wing 59 comprises a rearwardly open pocket 78 adapted to receive a projection 62 and co-operate with its horizontal walls 62b and with the side surfaces 62c, and between lugs 79, 80 is an outwardly aligning surface 81 sloped complementally to surface 64 and parallel to 62a. Extending forwardly from surface 81 are triangular surfaces 82, 83 sloped complementally to surfaces 67, 69, and other guide surfaces and a flange 89 are provided to co-operate with the projection 62 of a mating coupler. Train service connectors 94, 95, and 96 are formed integrally with the front plate 22 of the coupler.