SE2150757A1

SE2150757A1 - Coupler comprising a blocking mechanism for preventing coupling of the mechanical coupler

Info

Publication number: SE2150757A1
Application number: SE2150757A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Fredrik Tunell
Original assignee: Dellner Couplers Ab
Priority date: 2021-06-11
Filing date: 2021-06-11
Publication date: 2022-12-12
Also published as: CN117460657A; WO2022260581A1; EP4351949A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a coupler comprising- a coupler head (11) that houses a mechanical coupler (18) comprising a hook plate (14) with a recess (16) and a shaft (15) mounted on a first end of the hook plate,- a blocking mechanism (20) for preventing coupling of the mechanical coupler, the blocking mechanism (20) comprising a first member (21) with a first contact portion (23), the first member (21) being connected to the hook plate (14), and the blocking mechanism (20) also comprising a second member (22) with a second contact portion (24), the second member (22) being connected to the coupler head (11), and wherein the first contact portion (23) and the second contact portion (24) are configured to contact each other in a blocking position so that movement of the first member (21) in relation to the second member (22) is prevented, thereby blocking rotation of the hook plate (14) of the mechanical coupler (18).

Description

COUPLER COMPRISING A BLOCKING MECHANISM FOR PREVENTING COUPLING OF THE MECHANICAL COUPLER TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention comprises a coupler for a railway vehicle having a blocking mechanism for preventing undesired coupling of the mechanical coupler. BACKGROUND Railway couplers are used to couple railway cars to each other through a mechanical coupling and often also through other forms of couplings as well (e.g., electrical, pneumatical). The mechanical coupler generally comprises a hook plate inside the coupler head, connected to a protruding shaft that is configured to fit into a recess of a hook plate on another coupler. As the protruding shafts of two couplers each extend into the coupler head of the meeting coupler and engage with the recess there, the hook plates are rotated simultaneously and thereby lock the shafts in place so that retraction is prevented until the hook plates are rotated again to release them.

However, since the mechanical coupler generally takes place automatically as soon as one coupler hits another with sufficient force, it is difficult to prevent undesired coupling in situations where a coupler may impact against another, but where coupling is not intended. Once an undesired coupling has taken place, the couplers need to be disengaged again before normal operation may resume and this is time consuming and cumbersome.

At present, there are no known solutions where unintended coupling of railway couplers can be prevented. There is therefore a need for improvements within this area. SUMMARY The object of the present invention is to eliminate or at least to minimize the problems discussed above. This is achieved by a coupler according to the appended independent claims.

The coupler according to the present invention comprises a coupler head that houses a mechanical coupler comprising a hook plate that is pivotably mounted in the coupler head, the mechanical coupler also comprising a shaft mounted on a first end of the hook plate and a recess arranged on a second end of the hook plate for receiving a shaft from second coupler so that a rotation of the hook plate causes a mechanical coupling. Furthermore, the coupler comprises a blocking mechanism for preventing coupling of the mechanical coupler. The blocking mechanism comprises a first member With a first contact portion, the first member being connected to the hook plate, and the blocking mechanism also comprises a second member With a second contact portion, the second member being connected to the coupler head. Also, the first contact portion and the second contact portion are configured to contact each other in a blocking position so that movement of the first member in relation to the second member is prevented, thereby blocking rotation of the hook plate of the mechanical coupler.

A main advantage of the present invention is that undesired coupling of the coupler can be avoided. Generally, mechanical coupling takes place by one coupler being brought into contact With another, Wherein the protruding shafts of each coupler enter the recesses of the opposite couplers and cause a rotation of the hook plates that couple the couplers to each other. HoWever, by providing the blocking mechanism on the mechanical coupler the rotation of the hook plate is efficiently prevented, thereby allowing the couplers to contact each other Without the mechanical coupling taking place. It is particularly to be noted that the mechanical coupling is prevented by the present invention even When the invention is arranged on only one of the couplers, since preventing the rotation of even one of the hook plates Will also prevent rotation of the other. This is especially advantageous since it suffices that the blocking mechanism is provided on one of the couplers in order to achieve this main benefit.

Suitably, the first member is pivotably connected to the hook plate in an attachment point that is arranged between the first end and the second end of the hook plate in a circumferential direction, so that a rotation of the hook plate causes movement of the first member in a transversal direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction along the coupler, and so that a movement of the first member in the transversal direction causes rotation of the hook plate. Thereby, rotation of the hook plate can be efficiently prevented by preventing the first member from moving in the transversal direction. This is a particular advantage since the first member eXtending in the transversal direction can give access to the first member from outside of the coupler head, in particular Where the first member protrudes through an opening to an outside of the coupler head.

Also, the first contact portion suitably comprises a notch With a first blocking surface and the second contact portion is arranged on an engagement member of the second member configured to enter the notch so that the second contact portion contacts the first blocking surface for preventing movement of the first member in relation to the engagement member of the second member. Thereby, the first contact portion and second contact portion are able to engage in an efficient and reliable Way so that movement of the first member can be prevented When the blocking mechanism is engaged.

Suitably, the engagement member is a hook that is pivotably arranged on the second member and said hook is configured to pivot into the notch and contact the first blocking surface in the blocking position. Thereby, the engagement member is held more stably against the first blocking surface so that disengagement of the blocking mechanism is prevented. It is particularly advantageous to provide the engagement member in the form of a hook since this allows for a gripping of the first blocking surface that renders the engagement between the engagement member and the first member stable and reliable.

Also, the blocking mechanism may further comprise a control member that is configured to move the engagement member into the blocking position. Thereby, the engagement member is operated in a reliable and efficient Way Without requiring handling of the engagement member directly.

Suitably, the control member also comprises a biasing device configured to bias the engagement member towards the first member in the blocking position. Thereby, the engagement member is stably and securely held, and since the spring is able to be compressed and eXpanded longitudinal forces against the control member may be absorbed by the spring to avoid damage to the blocking device. In some embodiments, the biasing device comprises a spring.

Further, the blocking mechanism may comprise a handle for operating the control member, said handle being accessible from one side of the coupler head and the handle being configured to move along a path that is at least partly transversal for moving the engagement member into the blocking position and to move in the opposite direction for moving the engagement member out of the blocking position. Thereby, the operation of the blocking mechanism is rendered efficient and reliable Without requiring additional components, While at the same time the path being at least partly transversal efficiently prevents undesired disengagement of the blocking mechanism due to longitudinal forces acting on the coupler head or on the parts of the blocking mechanism or mechanical coupler.

The blocking mechanism suitably comprises a second handle that is accessible from a second side of the coupler head, Wherein the second handle is connected to the control member for operating the control member.

Thereby, manual operation of the blocking mechanism is possible regardless of on Which side of the coupler the operator is located, rendering the engaging and disengaging of the blocking mechanism even more convenient.

Also, the coupler may comprise a trigger connected to the first member for triggering a movement of the first member When the blocking mechanism is not in the blocking position. Thereby, the mechanical coupling is facilitated When the blocking mechanism is not engaged.

The second contact portion of the second member is suitably configured to interact With the first contact portion of the first member in the blocking position so that triggering of the first member is prevented. Thereby, the blocking position not only prevents rotation of the hook plate but also the functioning of the trigger, so that undesired coupling is prevented even further.

In embodiments comprising the trigger, the trigger is suitably configured to cause movement of the first member in a trigger direction, and the second contact portion is then configured to push against the first contact portion in the blocking position to prevent movement of the first member in the trigger direction. Thereby, the trigger is efficiently blocked by the blocking mechanism.

Many additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by the skilled person in view of the detailed description below. DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein Fig. 1 discloses a perspective view of a coupler according to the prior art; Fig. 2 discloses a cross-sectional view from above of a first embodiment of the present invention with a coupler in an uncoupled state and a blocking mechanism disengaged; Fig. 3 discloses a cross-sectional enlarged view from above of the circle of Fig. 2 showing the blocking mechanism; Fig. 4 discloses a cross-sectional view from above of the first embodiment with the coupler in a coupled state and the blocking mechanism disengaged; Fig. 5 discloses a cross-sectional enlarged view from above of the circle of Fig. 4 showing the blocking mechanism; Fig.

Fig.

Fig. 9a 9b 10a 10b discloses a cross-sectional view from above of the first embodiment with the coupler in an uncoupled state and the blocking mechanism engaged; discloses a cross-sectional enlarged view from above of the circle of Fig. 5 showing the blocking mechanism; discloses a cross-sectional view from above of the first embodiment with the coupler in an uncoupled state and the blocking mechanism during disengagement; discloses a cross-sectional enlarged view from above of the circle of Fig. 7 showing the blocking mechanism; discloses a detailed view from above of a second embodiment of the invention with the blocking mechanism engaged; discloses a detailed view from above of the second embodiment with the blocking mechanism disengaged; discloses a planar view from above of a third embodiment of the invention with the blocking mechanism engaged; and discloses an enlarged view from above of the circle of Fig. 10a showing the blocking mechanism.

All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the respective embodiments, whereas other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. Any reference number appearing in multiple drawings refers to the same object or feature throughout the drawings, unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The design and function of railway couplers are well-known within the art.

However, before describing the present invention with reference to Fig. 2 onwards, the main parts and function of a coupler according to the prior art will be brieﬂy described with reference to Fig. 1.

Thus, Fig. 1 discloses a coupler 100 for railway vehicles, comprising a bracket 102 for mounting on an end of a railway car and a coupler head 101 for coupling to a second coupler of similar design that is mounted on an end of another railway car. Between the bracket 102 in a rear end of the coupler 100 and the coupler head 101 in a front end of the coupler 100, a drawbar 103 is provided and other components such as buffers and deformation tubes 104 are provided in connection with the drawbar 103 so that forces can be elastically or non-elastically absorbed. In the coupler head 101, a mechanical coupler 108 comprising a pivotable hook plate 104 from which a shaft 105 protrudes through a first opening 109. The hook plate 104 is arranged to be rotatable around a substantially vertically oriented axis and also comprises a recess 106 that is accessible through a second opening 110. On the coupler head 101, additional couplers 107 are generally also provided, and these may include an electrical coupler, a pneumatic coupler, and optionally also other kinds of couplers.

The mechanical coupler 108 operates by the shaft 105 extending in a forwards direction, i.e. away from the rear end at the bracket 102, so that when meeting the second coupler (not shown) the shaft 105 is able to protrude into the second opening of the second coupler and fit into the recess of the hook plate of the second coupler. At the same time, the shaft of the second coupler protrudes into the second opening 110 of the coupler 100 of Fig. 1 and contacts the recess 106 of the hook plate 104. By the shafts pushing into the recesses, the hook plate 104 is brought to rotate so that the coupler 100 of Fig. 1 is mechanically coupled to the second coupler. The coupling itself takes place automatically when the coupler 100 and the second coupler are brought into contact with each other with sufficient force so that a buff stroke is created that causes the hook plates to rotate.

In order to uncouple the mechanical coupler 108, the hook plates 104 are brought to rotate back so that the shaft 105 is released from the recess of the second coupler and so that the shaft of the second coupler is released from the recess 106 of the coupler 100 of Fig. 1.

When the term "connected" is used herein, this is to be understood as one component being joined to or attached to another component, either directly or via at least one intermediate component or object. Thus, two parts that are connected may be integrated to form a single part or may be joined to each other in any suitable way. Alternatively, they may be connected to each other by one of them being joined or attached to an intermediate component that is in turn joined or attached to the other of them. Also, they may be connected to each other by a series of such intermediate components that together form the connection between one component and another. The invention will now be described in more detail.

Fig. 2 discloses a coupler 10 with a coupler head 11 in which a mechanical coupler 18 is arranged. The mechanical coupler 18 comprises a hook plate 14 that is pivotably mounted in the coupler head 11 on a hook plate pivot 12. On a first end 141 of the hook plate 14, a shaft 15 is mounted and the shaft 15 is suitably pivotable on a shaft pivot 151 that is fixed to the hook plate 14 and that may comprise a protruding pin that is mounted on the hook plate 14 or that is integrated with the hook plate 14. On a second end 142 of the hook plate 14, a recess 16 is provided. In the first embodiment of Fig. 2, the first end 141 and the second end 142 are opposite ends of the hook plate 14 so that they are arranged diametrically opposite on either side of the hook plate pivot 12. In some embodiments, the first end 141 and the second end 142 may instead be at a distance from each other in a circumferential direction around the hook plate 14 so that they are separated but not diametrically opposite.

The hook plate pivot 12 may comprise a pin that is fixed in relation to the coupler head 11, and furthermore a spring 13 may be provided and be arranged to bias the hook plate 14 in a rotational direction so that the hook plate 14 is urged towards a position where the shaft 15 is extended from the coupler head 11, i.e. a direction that is counter-clockwise in Fig. 2. This corresponds to an uncoupled position.

In Fig. 2, the coupler 10 is shown in an uncoupled state with a second coupler ' that is of similar design as the coupler 10. The second coupler 10' thus comprises a second coupler head 11' housing a second mechanical coupler 18' with a second hook plate 14' that is pivotable on a second hook plate pivot 12' and to which a second shaft 15' is pivotably attached on a second shaft pivot 151'. The second hook plate 14' also comprises a second recess 16' and a second spring 13 that urges the second hook plate 14' towards the uncoupled state where the second shaft 15' is extended from the second coupler head 11', i.e. in a counter-clockwise direction of Fig. 2.

In the uncoupled state shown in Fig. 2, the shaft 15 of the mechanical coupler 18 protrudes towards the second recess 16' of the second hook plate 14' and the second shaft 15' of the second mechanical coupler 18' protrudes towards the recess 16 of the hook plate 14 but the hook plates 14, 14' are not rotated towards a coupled position in a coupled state.

Fig. 4 shows the coupled state where the shaft 15 and the second shaft 15' each are pushed into their respective receiving recess 16, 16', causing the hook plate 14 and the second hook plate 14' to rotate to the coupled state. In this state, the shafts 15, 15' cooperate with the recesses 16, 16' so that a secure coupling of the coupler 10 to the second coupler 10' is achieved.

Also shown in Fig. 2 is a blocking mechanism 20 that is configured to prevent the mechanical coupler 18 from coupling when the blocking mechanism 20 is engaged. In Fig. 2 and shown in more detail in Fig. 3, the blocking mechanism is disengaged.

The blocking mechanism 20 comprises a first member 21 that is connected to the hook plate 14. In the first embodiment, the first member 21 is pivotably mounted on the hook plate 14 in an attachment point A so that a rotation of the hook plate 14 causes a movement of the first member 21 at least partly in a transversal direction T that is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction L along the coupler 10 from the rear end. The first member 21 further comprises a first contact portion 23 that in the first embodiment is in the form of a notch on the first member 21. In the first embodiment, the first contact portion 23 is arranged on or near one end of the first member 21 that is opposite to an end of the first member 21 that is attached to the hook plate 14. In other embodiments, however, the first contact portion 23 may instead be arranged near the hook plate 14.

The blocking mechanism 20 also comprises a second member 22 that is connected to the coupler head 11, and the second member 22 comprises a second contact portion 24 configured to interact with the first contact portion 23.

Fig. 2-3 and Fig. 4 each show the blocking mechanism 20 in a disengaged state where the hook plate 14 is free to rotate and thereby to couple and uncouple. However, Fig. 5-6 show the blocking mechanism 20 in an engaged state where the second contact portion 24 contacts the first contact portion 23 so that a blocking position is achieved. Movement of the first member 21 is then prevented by the interaction of the first contact portion 23 and the second contact portion 24, and by thus holding the first member 21 in the blocking position a rotation of the hook plate 14 is prevented so that no coupling can take place.

The attachment point A for the first member 21 in the hook plate 14 is in the first embodiment between the first end 141 and the second end 142 in a circumferential direction of the hook plate 14. This is to be understood as a movement along a circumference of the hook plate 14 from the first end 141 passing the attachment point A before reaching the second end 142. In the first embodiment, the attachment point A is about half-way between the first end 141 and the second end 142 in the circumferential direction, but in other embodiments the attachment point A could instead be arranged closer to either the first end 141 or the second end 142.

By the first member 21 being attached in this way to the hook plate 14, a rotation of the hook plate 14 causes a movement that is at least partly in the transversal direction T. Conversely, a movement of the first member 21 in the transversal direction T causes a rotation of the hook plate 14 around the hook plate pivot 12. When the first member 21 is held in the blocking position the rotation of the hook plate 14 is therefore prevented so that coupling of the mechanical coupler 18 is no longer possible.

In the first embodiment, the first contact portion 23 comprises a notch in the first member 21 with a first blocking surface 23', and the second contact portion 24 is arranged on an engagement member 25 that in the blocking position is held in the notch so that the second contact portion 24 contacts the first blocking surface 23'. The engagement member 25 is preferably in the form of a hook that pivots into the notch 23 and that is held against the first blocking surface 23' so that movement of the first member 21 in the transversal direction towards the hook plate 14 is prevented by the second contact portion 24 on the hook 25 contacting the first blocking surface 23'.

It is an advantage to provide the engagement member 25 as a hook, since the blocking position is more firmly established where the engagement member 25 cannot be pushed linearly out of contact with the first contact portion 23 by a longitudinally applied force. Instead, the hook 25 needs to be pivoted in an arc to come out of engagement with the first blocking surface 23' of the first contact portion 23.

In the first embodiment, the second contact portion 24 comprises a second blocking surface 24' that in the blocking position grips the first blocking surface 23 '.

In other embodiments, the engagement member 25 could instead be provided as an object that performs a linear movement towards the first member 21 in the longitudinal direction or that moves in another direction, such as parallel to the first member 21.

The engagement member 25 forms part of the second member 22 and the blocking mechanism 20 also comprises a control member 40 that is connected to the engagement member 25 and that is configured to move the engagement member 25 into the blocking position. The control member 40 is in the first embodiment moved by operating a handle 41, 42 connected to the control member 40, but other ways of operating the control member are also possible within the scope of the present invention as will be described in more detail further below. 11 In the first embodiment, the control member 40 is connected to the engagement member 25 via a biasing device 26 that is configured to bias the engagement member 25 towards the first member 21 in the blocking position. In other embodiment, the control member 40 could instead be connected to the engagement member 24 in other ways, operating the engagement member 25 and the biasing device 26 simultaneously or in series so that the biasing device is brought into a position where it can bias the engagement member 25 towards the first member 21. Alternatively, the control member 40 can operate the engagement member 25 only, while the biasing device 26 is held stationary or is moved in another way. In the first embodiment, the biasing device 26 comprises a spring.

In some embodiments, the control member 40 is connected to a first handle 41 or same-side handle 41 that is arranged on a first side 11' of the coupler head 11 so that it is operable from a side of the coupler head 11 where the blocking device 20 is arranged. In other embodiments, the control member 40 is instead connected to a second handle 42 or opposite side handle 42 that is arranged on a second side 11" of the coupler head so that it is operable from an opposite side of the coupler head 11 from the first side 11". In the first embodiments described herein, both a first handle 41 and a second handle 42 are provided so that an operator can operate the handle 41, 42 to engage the blocking mechanism 20 regardless of which side of the coupler head 11 he is located at. The handles 41, 42 are connected to each other via the control member 40 itself that eXtends through the coupler head 1 1 in a direction that is at least partly transversal so that the handles 41, 42 are rendered accessible from both sides of the coupler head 11. When operating the control member 40 to engage the blocking mechanism 20, the control member 40 is moved along a path that is at least partly in the transversal direction T towards the side of the coupler head 11 where the blocking mechanism is held, whereas a disengaging of the blocking mechanism 20 takes place in an opposite direction along the path towards the opposite side of the coupler head 11. In other embodiments, the movement for engaging and disengaging the blocking mechanism 20 may be in other directions as well. It is advantageous that the 12 direction of movement of the control member 40 is at least partly transversal, since this decreases the risk of an impact to the coupler head causing unintended engaging or disengaging of the blocking mechanism 20. Any impacts to the coupler head 11 during use are likely to occur mainly in the longitudinal direction since this is the direction of movement of the coupler head 11 along a rail, and therefore such impacts are very unlikely to cause engaging or disengaging of the blocking mechanism 20 by movement of the control member 40 When a path that is at least partly transversal is used for this purpose. In the first embodiment, the path is substantially transversal so that a longitudinal component of the path is kept as small as possible or even eliminated. This further decreases or even eliminates said unintended operation of the control member 40. In some embodiments, a lock can also be provided to lock the control member 40 in place With the blocking mechanism and this is also engaged in the blocking state and/ or disengaged, advantageous in preventing unintentional operation of the control member 40.

In some embodiments, the coupler 10 also comprises a trigger 30 that is connected to the first member 21 so that a movement of the first member 21 is triggered by activating the trigger 30 When the blocking mechanism 20 is not engaged. This aids in causing the coupling of the mechanical coupler 18 since the triggered movement of the first member 21 that is attached to the hook plate 14 causes a rotation of the hook plate 14 that is continued by a shaft pushing against the recess 15 of the hook plate 14. When the blocking mechanism 20 is engaged so that the second contact portion 24 is held against the first contact portion 23 in the blocking position, the triggering is prevented so that rotation of the hook plate 14 caused by the trigger 30 is not possible. The trigger 30 acts by an impact caused by the second coupler 10' against the trigger 30 causing a movement in a trigger direction D that is substantially parallel to or coinciding With the longitudinal direction. HoWever, in the blocking position, the blocking mechanism 20 of the first embodiment is configured so that the second contact portion 24 pushes against the first contact portion 21, preferably at least partly in a direction that is opposite to the trigger direction D, so that the engagement member 13 acts against any movements of the trigger 30 and suitably so that the biasing device 26 provide a bias in the direction that is opposite to the trigger direction D. Thereby, any movements of the trigger 30 are absorbed by the biasing device 26 and the biasing device 26 continues to urge the engagement member 25 towards the first member 21 so that rotation of the hook plate 14 is prevented despite the triggering of the trigger 30. Even if a small movement of the first member 21 should take place before being absorbed by the biasing device, this movement will not be large enough to cause the first member 21 to exit the blocking position. For this purpose, a shoulder 31 may be provided on the trigger 30 (see Fig. 8) so that only a movement that brings the first member 21 past this shoulder 31 may allow the rotation of the hook plate 14.

Engaging the blocking mechanism 20, i.e. causing the blocking mechanism 20 to enter the blocking position and thereby prevent coupling of the mechanical coupler 18, will now be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2-3 and Fig. 5-6.

Starting from Fig. 2-3, the mechanical coupler 18 is in an uncoupled state and the blocking mechanism 20 is not engaged. In order to engage the blocking mechanism 20, the first handle 41 or the second handle 42 is pushed in the transversal direction T as shown by the arrow of Fig. 5. This movement causes the engagement member 25 of the second member 22 to pivot in the counter clockwise direction from a disengaged position as shown in Fig. 2-3 to an engaged position as shown in Fig. 5-6 so that the second contact portion 24 is brought into contact with the first contact portion 23 of the first member. The pivoting movement of the engagement member 25 that is in the form of a hook in the first embodiment causes the movement to the engaged position as shown by the arrow of Fig. 6, so that the hook at least partly enters the notch 23 of the first member 21. The movement of the control member 40 caused by operating the first handle 41 or the second handle 42 also pushes the biasing device 26 into place so that the biasing force is applied in the direction shown by the arrow of Fig. 6. 14 It is advantageous that the hook 25 contacts the first blocking surface 23' and that the first blocking surface 23' is arranged at least partly in a direction perpendicular to the transversal direction, since this allows the hook 25 to hold the control member 21 by the second blocking surface 24' of the second contact portion 24 contacting the first blocking surface 23' so that a transversal movement towards the hook plate 14 is prevented. It is also advantageous that the first blocking surface is inclined so that the hook 25 may grip it and prevent the hook being pushed away from the first member 21 in a direction opposite to the arrow of Fig. 6, since this prevents the hook 25 from coming loose from the notch 23 of the first member 21 if a trigger force is applied from the trigger 30 or if any other force should be applied in a longitudinal direction on the first member 21.

When disengaging the blocking mechanism 20, the first handle 41 or second handle 42 is moved in a direction from the first side 11' of the coupler head 11 towards the second side 11", and this is a direction opposite to the one used to engage the blocking mechanism 20. This is shown by the arrow of Fig. 7.

When disengaging, the movement of the control member 40 causes the hook 24' to be pivoted out of the notch 23 and the biasing device 26 to be removed so that the second contact portion 24 on the second engagement member 25 of the second member 22 is no longer pressed towards the first contact portion 23 of the first member 21. This releases the first member 21 so that it is both able to move when the hook plate 14 rotates in the counter clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow on the hook plate 14, and when it is triggered by the trigger 30.

Fig. 8 discloses the disengaging of the second contact portion 24 in more detail, showing the movement of the engagement member 25 and the freedom of movement for the first member 21 caused by the removal of the second contact portion 24.

In the first embodiment, the first member 21 is a rod but in other embodiments it could be realized in other ways as long as it is able to be mounted on the hook plate 14 and be held immobile in relation to the second member 22.

Fig. 9a-9b disclose a second embodiment With automatic operation of the blocking mechanism 20 using a solenoid 43 With a rod 44 that is extended or retracted and that pushes the control member 40 so that the second contact portion 24 is engaged or disengaged.

Fig. 10a-10b disclose a third embodiment With automatic operation of the blocking mechanism 20, using a motor 45 that controls a position of the second contact portion 24 and that causes the second contact portion 24 to extend towards the first contact portion 23 of the first member 21. The control member 40 is in this embodiment may in this embodiment be held inside a housing 40' that is connected to the second member 22 in order to protect against dust or dirt.

In both the second and the third embodiment, the blocking mechanism 20 may be operated remotely by a train operator from inside the train in Which the coupler 10 is mounted. Alternatively, the blocking mechanism 20 may be engaged and/ or disengaged automatically When given criteria are fulfilled, such as When the coupler 10 is moving above or below a given speed or When the coupler 10 is in a given area such as a station Where coupling might take place.

In the first embodiment, the blocking mechanism 20 is largely arranged outside of the coupler head 11, but in other embodiments the blocking mechanism 20 could instead be held inside the coupler head 11 With only the first or second handle 41, 42 available from outside the coupler head 11. In yet other embodiments, the control member 40 could also be operated automatically as described above, and the means for operating the control member 40 could in such embodiments be placed outside the coupler head 1 1 or inside.

It is to be noted that features from the various embodiments described herein may freely be combined, unless it is explicitly stated that such a combination Would be unsuitable. 16 17

Claims

1. Coupler for coupling a rail vehicle to a similar coupler of another rail vehicle, the coupler (10) comprising - a coupler head (11) that houses a mechanical coupler (18) comprising a hook plate (14) that is pivotably mounted in the coupler head (11), the mechanical coupler (18) also comprising a shaft (15) mounted on a first end (141) of the hook plate (14) and a recess (16) arranged on a second end (142) of the hook plate (14) for receiving a shaft from second coupler so that a rotation of the hook plate (14) causes a mechanical coupling, - a blocking mechanism (20) for preventing coupling of the mechanical coupler, the blocking mechanism (20) comprising a first member (21) With a first contact portion (23), the first member (21) being connected to the hook plate (14), and the blocking mechanism (20) also comprising a second member (22) With a second contact portion (24), the second member (22) being connected to the coupler head (11), and Wherein the first contact portion (21) and the second contact portion (22) are configured to contact each other in a blocking position so that movement of the first member (21) in relation to the second member (22) is prevented, thereby blocking rotation of the hook plate (14) of the mechanical coupler (18).

2. Coupler according to claim 1, Wherein the first member (21) is pivotably connected to the hook plate (14) in an attachment point (A) that is arranged between the first end (141) and the second end (142) of the hook plate (14) in a circumferential direction, so that a rotation of the hook plate (14) causes movement of the first member (21) in a transversal direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction along the coupler (10), and so that a movement of the first member (21) in the transversal direction causes rotation of the hook plate (14).3. Coupler according to claim 2, Wherein the first contact portion (23) comprises a notch With a first blocking surface (23') and Wherein the second contact (24) portion is arranged on an engagement member (25) of the second member (22), the engagement member (25) being configured to enter the notch so that the second contact portion (24) contacts the first blocking surface (23') for preventing movement of the first member (21) in relation to the engagement member (25) of the second member (22).

3. . Coupler according to claim 3, Wherein the engagement member (25) is a hook that is pivotably arranged on the second member (22) and Wherein said hook is configured to pivot into the notch and contact the first blocking surface (23') in the blocking position.

4. . Coupler according to claim 3 or 4, Wherein the blocking mechanism (20) further comprises a control member (40) that is configured to move the engagement member (25) into the blocking position.

5. . Coupler according to any previous claim, Wherein the blocking mechanism (20) also comprises a biasing device (26) configured to bias the engagement member towards the first member in the blocking position, said biasing device (26) preferably comprising a spring.

6. . Coupler according to claim 5 or claim 6 When dependent on claim 5,

7. Wherein the blocking mechanism (20) further comprises a handle (41) for operating the control member (40), said handle being accessible from one side of the coupler head (11) and the handle (41) being configured to move along a path that is at least partly transversal for moving the second member (22) into the blocking position.

8. . Coupler according to claim 7, Wherein the blocking mechanism comprises a second handle (42) that is accessible from a second side of the coupler head (11), Wherein the second handle (42) is connected to the control member (40) for operating the second member (22).

9. Coupler according to any previous c1aim, further comprising a trigger (30) for triggering a movement of the first member (21) When the blocking mechanism (20) is not in the blocking position.

10. Coupler according to c1aim 9, Wherein the second contact portion (24) of the second member (22) is configured to interact With the first contact portion (23) of the first member (21) to form the blocking position so that triggering of the first member (21) is prevented.

11. Coupler according to c1aim 10, Wherein the trigger (30) is configured to cause movement of the first member (21) in a trigger direction, and Wherein the second contact portion (24) is configured to push against the first contact portion (23) in the blocking position to 15 prevent movement of the first member (21) in the trigger direction.