US2350470A - Car coupler - Google Patents

Description

June 6, 1944. w. METZGER 2,350,470

' CAR COUPLER 7 Filed Nov J15 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 5 William J. liezzyer ATTORNEY June 6, 1944.

w. J YMETZGER CAR COUPLER Filed Nov. 15, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y E N R O T Tl A lNVENTOR w & m M .m.

June 6, .1944. w. J. METZGER CAR COUPLER Filed NOV. 15, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Williamd BY 7%: er

ATTORNEY June 6; 1944. w, METZGER 2,350,470

CAR COUPLER Filed Nov. 15, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 12.

l I un INVENTOR 1' i l' /g'lliam we? ATTVORNEYVQ Patented June 6, 1944 UNITED STATES I CAR COUPLER,

William J. Metzger, tiona'l Malleable Cleveland, Ohio,

Euclid, 'Ohio, assignor to Na- .and Steel Castings Company, a'corporation of-Ohio Application November 15, 1941, Serial No. 419,329

21 Claims.

This invention relates to car couplers, and more particularly pertains to anticreep means for the lock and to an improved lock operating and knuckle throwing mechanism. l

The invention is concerned with the types ofrailway car couplers having a pivoted knuckle and a vertically movable lock for holding-the knuckle in closed position. In this type of coupler it is very important that means be provided to' prevent undesired upward-creeping of the lock such as would result in unlocking of the knuckle. It is an object of thein-vention to provide a'positive anticreep for thelock of rugged construction which may be easily released by the lock" it is desired to raise operating mechanism when the lock for uncoupling cars.

My improved anticreep means is simple in construction and. has a substantial overlap with'one of the parts of the coupler which maybe renewed when the anticreep lug becomes worn so as to restore the anticreep means to its original'condition. My improved anticreep comprises a pivoted member on the bottom of the lock which underlies a lug on the knuckle tail and which is withdrawn from anticreep position by the same means that raises the lock. The anticreep means may readily be seen from the front of the coupler so that a simple inspection thereof will determine whether or not it is functioning properly.

A further object of my invention is the provision of novel operating means for raising the lock and for throwing the knuckle, one of the features of which is a direct contact between the rotor lever mounted on the bottom of the coupler and the bottom of the lock for forcing or jolting the look from its initial seated position. vA 'further feature of the lock operating'means is the provision of a positive lockset position of the lock on the knuckle thrower. My improved lock operating means also provides for increased power for throwing the knuckle due to an improved toggle action between the flock and lifter link and .due to the direct engagement of theli'fter link with the knuckle thrower near the end of the knuckle throwing movement.

A still further featureof the invention lies in the positioning of the 'rotor lever so as to prevent it from being hit by flying objects and thus eliminate accidental uncoupling by this means. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: I v

Figure 1 is .a longitudinal sectional view through a coupler embodying my invention; showing the parts in locked position,

Figure2 is a partial view in longitudinal section, showing the initial engagement of the rotor lever with the bottom of the lock, and showing the, anticreep disengaged.

Figure 3 is a partial view in longitudinal section, showing the lifting force transferred from thecrotorlcver to the lifter link, a portion of the lock being broken away.

Figure-'4. is .a partial view in longitudinal section, with the .lock in lockset position.

Figure :5 is .a partial view in longitudinal section, showing, engagement between the lock and knuckle. thrower at the start of knuckle throw.

Figure 6isa. view similar to Fig.; 5, with the parts moved until the lifter link engages the knuckle throwerrj V Figure 7 is a .view similar to Fig. 5, showing the parts at the end of knucklethrow.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing the parts in locked position. v

Figure 9 is a view-similar to Fig. 8, showing engagement-between the leg .of .lock and knuckle thrower atthe start of knuckle throw.

Figure lO'is a view similar to Fig. :8, with the knuckle partially'open and showing engagement between thelifter'link and the knuckle thrower.

Figure -11 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the knuckle fully thrown.

Figure 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view,

taken generally :along line |2-| 2 ofFig. 1.

Figure 13 is apartial view in longitudinal section, showing the lock moved upwardly until the anticreep is in engagement, part of the lock being broken away; and

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the same relation of-parts as Fig. 13.

Referring to the-drawings, the head it of the coupler has a pivoted knuckle H having :a tail l2 and a locking face l3. Projecting laterally from the knuckle tail at the bottom of the locking face is aprojection Id. The lock l5, when the part-s are in locked position, engages locking face l3 of the knuckle and a wall it at the opposite side of the lock cavity to prevent pivotal movement of the knuckle. The lock has a leg I? extending downwardly'into an opening I 8 in the bottomof the coupler and is formed with a laterally projecting trunnion I 9. Pivotally mounted on trunnion I9 is a lifter link 20 having a portion 2| projecting above the trunnion and normally'underlying projection M on the knuckle tail. Extending downwardlyfrom the trunnion, link 20 has a portion 22 formed with a slot 23. A rotor lever 24' is pivotallymounted on the coupler head-rearwardlyof the lock on trunnions 25 and has a slotted arm '26 which receives porengagement with arm 33. During the remainder tion 22 of the l ft r lin A v t P s of the knuckle throwing movement force is transhro s o 3 p a v io s a m 26 with the mitted from the rotor lever through link 20 dibottom of link 20. An eye 28 is formed on each rectly to the knuckle thrower. The transition side of lever 24 to receive an operating rod 29 5 from the lock leg to the link is gradual and thus (Fig. 12) for rotating the lever and raising the a smooth knuckle throwing movement is oblock, as will be hereinafter described. tained. Surface 40 on the link slopes away from Referring to Figs. 1-11 inclusive, the succesthe side of arm 33 of the thrower s'o'that only the sive steps in the movement of the look from locked outer end of surface 40 engages the arm and thus position to knuckle thrown position will be ,dethe force of the link against the throweracts at scribed. Projecting laterally from arm 26 of substantially the greatest moment arm from rotor lever 24 is a lug 30 which upon rotary move- V trunnion 36. Although the engagement of surment of the lever is adapted to engage under: face 40 with arm 33 reduces the lever arm for surface 3| of the lock. By this direct engage rotating the knuckle, lever 24 has been rotated to ment, or by a few successive blows if necessary l5 such' a position that the force from the lever to disengage the lock, the latter is moved upthrough link to arm 33 is very close to being in wardly as the rotor lever is pivoted. Upon movethe same direction as the movement of arm 33. ment of the lever 24 from the position shown in This direct action therefore compensates for the Fig. l. to that shown in Fig. 2, the pivot point reduction in length of the lever arm. Figs. 7 between the lever and link 20, which is the rivet 20 and 11 show the position of the parts at the end This moved forwardly and upwardly, causing the of knuckle throw at which time the force is still rivet to move forwardly and upwardly in'slot 23. exerted on the knuckle thrower by link 20. It and forcing arm 22 of link 20- forwardly. -At the will be'observed that after the arm 33 has moved same time upper po tion 2|-of link 20 is moved away from the lock leg, as shown in Figs. 6 and '7, rearwardly and withdrawnfrom'beneath projecthe lock has no further function in the knuckle tion l4 on the knuckle taiL- As rotary movement throwing movement,

of lever 24 progresses the lock moves upwardly In- Fig. 13 the lock is shown moved upwardly faster than lug-3B and the lifting force is transuntil the .upper end 2| of link 2|! is in engageferred to rivet 21 (Fig.- 3) and link 20 which'being ment with projection M on the knuckle tail, pivoted to the lock on trunnion I9 raises the 3 which constitutes an anticreep ll F rther lock upwardly. It will be observed that slot 23 is undesired movement of the lock upwardly is thus formed of two angularly disposed parts. The effectively preventeda d the knuckle remains selower portion of the slot slopes slightly forwardcurely locked- There s, a substantial Overlap ly and upwardly and the upper portion slopes uptwe n the e g ging surfaces on link 20 and pro wardly and rearwardly. As rivet 21 moves l1p.35 i n as will e observed f o Fi s. 12 and wardly in the lower portion of the slot very little Moreov r, sin e the bottom portion of le movement of-link 22' takes place. Hence, the upof the lock is confined against substantial lonperend of the link moves only a small amount inal ov ent by Walls 4| and 42 of the from beneath projection l4. However, after the Coupler a the ig t amount of movement of rivet reaches the junction of the two portions it the lock longitudinally of the coupler will have wil1 slide in the upper portion and very rapidly little or noeffect on the amount of overlap withdraw the remainder of arm 2| from beneath tween the anticreep es.

projection I4. Thus the slight amount of jig- .Surface43 on the under side of projection I4 gling of lever 24 that takes place as the car moves a radius o Cu tu e T (Fig. 14) shorter over the track .will not affect link 22 to such an 5 h n t length 0f arm of link A he extent as would withdraw arm 2| from beneath engaging u f e 44 at the end of arm 2| is formed the anticreep projection on the knuckle. with a radius slightly less than that of surface In Fig. 4 the lock is shown in lockset position 43 to s e ewdvcontect with Surface with the shoulder 32 on the rear side thereof resttherefore, Wlth Surfafies 43 and 44 i e gement ing on arm 33 of the knuckle thrower 34. It will so as S w in e 13 and 14, rotor lever 24 should be observed that as the lock moves into lockset h accidentally struck whi e the trains in moposition the force thereon exerted by the rotor tion and moved pw y so s to tend to rotate lever through link 20 is directed rearwardly and the upper end of l' k 20 from beneath projecupwardly, thus the bottom of the lock is moved tion 14, the would first have to be Pulled rearwardly toward arm 33 of the knuckle thrower downwardly due the Camming and a positive lockset is assured. In the view face 3 against surface 44. This feature of my hawn th parts ar at rest, with rivet, 21 engaginvention is illustrated in Fig. 14 in which, are a ing the lower end of slot 23 inlink 20. V is drawn through the outermost point on arm 2| Figures 5 and 9 show the position of the parts about the center 45 of trunnion l9. It will be at the beginning of knuckle throw. The initial no apparent, therefore, that portion 46 of abutment movement of the knuckle thrower is caused by I4 which is below arc a, will preclude withdrawal the look, through the engagement ofleg |1 thereor arm 2| from beneath the abutment. Before of with the endrof arm 33 at point 35. The learm 2| can pivot rearwardly from the position ver arm from point 35 to the center of trunnion shown, lock |5 must move downwardly an amount 36 on the knuckle thrower, which is the pivot suflicient to permit end surface 44 to clear portion point thereof, is substantially the maximum that 46 of the abutment. Downward movement of the can be obtained. As the knuckle thrower is rolock, however, must proceed against the pressure tatedby the lock, arm 31 of the thrower acts of the knuckle tail which is sufiicient tocause arm upon .surface 38 of the knuckle and rotates the 2| to remain in its anticreep position. Also-{in latter about its pivot 39. In a position of the the event that the lock should accidentally creep parts intermediate those shown in Figs. 5 and 9, upward, with the arm. withdrawn part way from and6 and 10, boththe lock leg and link 20 are beneathprojection L4, any further withdrawal in engagement with arm 33 of the knuckle throwmust be accompanied by downwardmovementof er. 'By the time the parts have reached the p0 1 the lock against the pressure .of the knuckle tail sition shown in Figs. 6 and 10, only link 2|! is in 15 as aforementioned and is therefore precluded;

age-50,470

Moreover, the slight-amountbf=vibration of the knuckle andlock" that takes place as the train is moving and thecamming action of --surf- aces 43 and 44 will-cause the link-tomove-back to the position illustrated-in-Figs. 1'3 andl14. The placing of-surfaces 43and -44 forwardly of the pivot point 45 of link 2i] as shown, hasthe-etfect 'of increasing the amount of abutment which lies below are a ar-id. therefore increases the 'camming action between those surfaces.

In Fig. l thecarrier iron -for the coupler is shownin dot-dash lines. It will be observed that rotor lever 24 has been pivoted onthe coupler-as high as is practical. and as=a result no -part of it extends below the carrier iron. The rotorilever then is protected'bythe carrier-iron against fiying objects that may be thrownforwardlyand upwardly from the 'track or the underside of the car. 7

While I haveillustrated the invention in connection with'whatis known asa wedge lock in which the locking surfaces -on the lock and knuckle are tapered, it will be understood that the invention can be .used .with a lock .and knuckle having vertically engaging surfaces, without departing fromthe spiritofitheinvention.

The terms-and-expressions which I.-haveemployed are usedas termsofldescriptionland not of limitation, and I have-nointention,'in..the use of such terms and expressions-ofexcluding. any equivalents of the features shown and. described or portions thereof, :butrecognize that various modifications are possible within the scopeof the invention claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A car coupler having ..a knuckle, a vertically movable lock for. said knuckle, .operating means for raising said lock to unlock said knuckle, and means shiftableby said operating means adapted in one position .to engagegsaid knuckle to limit undesired upward "movement ,of said lock and in another positionito allowiupward movement of saidlock.

2. A car coupler having. a.tknuckle,and-,:avertically movable lock, :a .lever pivoted on said coupler to the rearof said lockya link;pivotally joining said lever and lock,:means on :said :link adapted to engage said-knuckleitolimit upward movement of said look .when said linkis inzone position, and means ,comprising said .lever for moving said link to, a,position,.allowing upward movement of saidlock.

3. A car coupler having aknuckle and avertically movable look, a lever vpivotedion said coupler to the rear of said lock, a linkpivotedto said lock and slidably joined to said lever, said knuckle having aportion adapted .to. overlie the upper-end of saidlink whensaid lockisin locked position to limit upward movement-of saidzlock, and said lever being adapted to pivot saidlink'andmove the upper end thereof from :beneath said portion of the knuckle to allowlupwardmovement'of said lock.

4. In a car coupler a knuckle, a vertically movable lock having a downwardly extending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, said lever having a portion normally spaced from said leg adapted to be pivoted into engagement with said leg to effect upward movement of said lock, and means operatively connecting said lock and lever adapted to raise said lock after a predetermined amount of direct raising thereof by said lever upon further rotation of the latter.

5. In a car coupler a knuckle, a vertically movablelock having a downwardly-extending leg,-a" rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, and a-link operatively connecting said lock and lever, said leverhaving-a portion normally spacedfrom-said leg, said link-and lever being-con-structed and arrangedso thatupon actuation of said lever-toefiect u-ncouplingsaid portion engagessaid lock to raise the latter a predetermined amount after which further raising of said lock is effected by the actionof said link against said-lock.

6-. Ina carcoupler a knuckle, avertically-movable lock having a downwardly extending leg,-a rotor'lever pivoted to said coupler havinga pair of spaced arms, and a link extendingbetween saidarms,--said link being operatively connected to saidarmsandto said lock, one of said arms having a portion normally spaced fromsaid leg which upon-actuation of said -leveris adapted to engage the under side-of "said *legtoeifect initial raising of said *lock after which further raising thereof is eifected bythe-actionof said link'againstsaid lock. 1

7. In a car coupler a-knuckle,-averticallymov able lock :havin-ga-downwardly extending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, alink operativel-y connecting saidlock and lever, means on said lever-normally spaced from said-leg adapted to engage said leg upon actuation of said lever to raise said lock,"saidlink being=adapted'to cooperate with-said lockand leversothat after-a predetermined amount of raising of said 'lock directly by'said-lever'further raising thereof is effected through said link.

8. In a car coupler-a knuckle, -a-vertically'movable and rearwardlyswing'able-lock having adepending leg; a knuckle thrower pivoted inter -mediate its ends and adapted to rotate in a horizontal'plane, a rotor lever pivotedto said coupler, and a link operatively joining said lock and lever, said link being adaptedto move said lock leg into engagement with one-end of said thrower tomove the latter toward knuckle thrownpositiongsaid link after a predetermined amount ofmovement of said thrower being-adapted to =move into knuckle throwing-engagement-with said thrower to pivot the latter to fullknuckle thrown position.

9. In a car coupler a-knuckle, a vertically movable and rearwardly swingable lock having 'a downwardly extending leg, a knuckle thrower pivoted for movement-ma horizontal plane and having a laterally eXtendingar-m, arotor lever pivoted to said coupler, a "link positioned adjacent said leg and operatively connecting said lock and lever, said'link'being adapted'to move said leg into engagement with the outerend of said arm to rotate said'thrower toward knuckle thrown position, -said "link 1 after a I predetermined amount of movement of said thrower being adapted to'engage saidarm directly topivot said thrower to fullknuckle'thrown'position.

10. In a car coupler a knuckle, a vertically movable andrearwardly swingable lock having a-downwardly extending leg, a knuckle throwerpivotedfor movementin a=horizontal plane, said thrower having an arm extending from the pivot point thereof and positioned rearwardly of said look, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, and a link operatively joining said lock and lever, said link being positioned adjacent said leg and pivotally connected thereto, said link being adapted to move said leg into engagement with the outer end of said arm to pivot said thrower toward knuckle thrown position and after a predetermined amount of movement of said thrower,

'ing said lock and lever,

being adapted to engage said arm directly to complete the knuckle throwing operation.

, 11. Ina car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movable lock, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, and a link operatively connectthe upper end of said link underlying said tail to limit upward movement of said lock when the latter is in locked position, V

' 12. In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movable lock, a rotor lever pivoted to saidcoupler, and a link operatively connecting said lock and lever, said link being pivotally connected intermediate the ends thereof to said lock, one end of said link underlying said tail to limit upward movement of saidlock when the latter is in locked position.

1 13, In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movable lock, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, and a link operatively connecting said lock and lever, means on said link underlying said tail to limit upward movement of said lock when the latter is in locked position.

14. In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movable and rearwardly swingable lock, a knuckle thrower pivoted for movement in a horizontal plane having a laterally extending arm, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, a link operatively connecting said lock and lever, means on said link underlying said movement of said lock when the latter is in locked position, and means on saidlink adapted to move into engagement with said arm to actuate said thrower toopensaid knuckle. I

15. In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movable lock, arotor lever pivoted to said coupler, and a link pivotally connected to said lock and lever, the upper end of said link underlying a portion of said tail and adapted to engagefthe under side thereof to limit upward creeping of said look when the latter is in locked position, the end surface of said link and the under surface of said tailportion-being curved in such a manner that upon engagement therebetween said lock must move downwardly a predetermined amount before said end of said link can pivot from beneath said tail portion.

16. In a car coupler a knuckle having a tail, a vertically movable lock having a downwardlyextending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, a link pivoted to said lock and lever, said link having an upwardly extending arm underlying a portion of said tail when said lock is in locked position and adapted to engage the under side thereof to limit upward movement of said lock, the under surface of said tail portion being so shaped that the rearmost point of contact between said link and surface is a shorter distance from the pivot-point of said lever than points on said surface forwardly of said point of contact, and the end surface of said arm having substantially the same curvature as said under surface.

' 1'7. In a car coupler a a vertically movable lock having a downwardly extending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to 7 said tail to limit upward uncoupling saidarm remains in anticreep relacoupler, a

tion to said tail.

knuckle having a tail, 7

18. In a car coupler having a knuckle, a verticallymovable lock having a downwardly extending leg, a rotor lever pivoted to said coupler, a link-pivoted intermediate its ends to said leg, the upper end of said link underlying a portion of said tail when said lock is in locked position to limit upward creeping of the latter, the lower end of said link having a slot, and a pin in said slot joining said linkrand lever and adapted to pivot said link upon rotation of said lever, said pin normally being positioned at the lower end of said slot when said coupler is locked, the lower portion of saidslot being shaped to follow substantially the path of travel of said pin during a predetermined amount of initial rotation of said lever so that saidupper end of said link remains in anticreep relationto said tail.

19. Inacar coupler having a knuckle, a vertically movable. lock having a downwardly extending leg, arotor lever pivoted to said coupler, a link pivoted intermediate its ends to said leg, the upper end of said link underlying a portion of said tail when said lock is in.locked position to limitupward creeping of the latter, the lower end of said link having a slot, and a pin in said slot joining said link and lever and adapted .to pivot said link upon rotation of said lever, said pin normally being positioned at the lower end of said slot when said coupler is locked, said slot having a lower portion sloping substantially in the direction of the path of travel of said pin during a predetermined amount of initial rotaan; upper portion sloping in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of said pin so that when the latter slides in said upper portion said upper end of said link is withdrawnfrom beneath said tail.

' 20. A knuckle for-a car coupler having a locking face, a lug projecting laterally from said looking face adapted to be engaged by the lock operating means of the lock engaging said face when the parts are assembled in a .coupler to limit undesired upward movement of the lock.

21. A knuckle for a car coupler having a locking face, a lug projecting laterally from said face beneath atlock :when said parts are assembled in a coupler, said lug being adapted to be engaged by a movable member on a lock operating mechanism .to limit upward movement of the look when said member is in a position beneath said lug.

tion of said lever and 1 WILLIAM J. METZGER.

Images