GB936925A - Improvements in or relating to devices for automatically releasing and re-setting the locking members of automatic couplers for rail vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

936,925. Operating devices for automatic couplings. ENGLISH STEEL CORPORATION Ltd. Feb. 6, 1962 [Feb. 14, 1961], No. 5361/61. Class 103(5). A device for automatically operating the lock of an automatic coupling, such as a Willison coupling Fig. 3, having a pivoted lock operating lever 14 depending below the coupler head and a fixed depending projection 15, comprises a carrier 24 Figs. 4, 5 pivotally mounted on pins 21 in brackets 20 fixed in a well below the rails, a slide 25 movable transversely with respect to the carrier in a guide channel 27 and mounting a central projection 45 and side cheeks 51 and a spring pressed plunger 34 which normally holds the carrier by a pivot pin connection 32 in the full line position, Fig. 5, but allows it to pivot forwardly to the dotted line position if abutted by a part of the vehicle such as 65. In operation, Fig. 8, the couplers A, B, of adjacent vehicles either locked up or engaged for locking together, are passed longitudinally with their cars over the slider 25 so that their pivotable lock operating members 14 and their fixed depending members 15, (see also Fig. 3,) enter the channels defined between the projection 45 and the side cheeks 51. The members 14, 15, of each coupler A, B, then engage the projection 45 and are moved relatively apart as they pass through the slider, Fig. 10 so that the members 14 are pivoted to lock or unlock their respective couplings as the case may be. The slider 25 is moved from side to side of the carrier by the progressive movement of the member 15, and the carrier is provided with sloping ends 59, 60 which may be depressed by the part 65 of the car 8 against the action of the plunger 34. A particular form of coupler which is designed for operation by the device is described and shown in Specification 936,923.