US2832477A

US2832477A - Car coupler

Info

Publication number: US2832477A
Application number: US287155A
Authority: US
Inventors: William J Metzger
Original assignee: National Malleable and Steel Castings Co
Current assignee: National Malleable and Steel Castings Co
Priority date: 1952-05-10
Filing date: 1952-05-10
Publication date: 1958-04-29
Anticipated expiration: 1975-04-29

Description

April 29, 1958 w. J. METZGER 2,332,477

CAR COUPLER Filed May 10. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 COUPLING LINE\ COUPLING LINE INVENTOR. WILL/AM METZGER April 9 w. J.,METZ\GER 2,832,477

CAR COUPLER Filed May 10, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. VVILL/AM J METZGER A T TO/PNE Y April 29, 1958 w. J. METZGER 2,832,477

CAR COUPLER Filed May 10. 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /COUPLING LINE Fig. 3

X OF PROPOSED AAR- TYPE F l/VTERLOCK 1N8 COUPLER COUPLING LINE INVENTOR. WILL/AM J METZGL'R BYDZQ 446 ATT RNEY April 29, 1958 w. J. METZGER- CAR COUPLER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 10. 1952 INVENTOR. W/LL/AM' J METZGER BY W g A TTOANE Y CAR COUPLER William J. Metzger, East Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to National Malleable and Steel Castings Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 10, 1952, Serial No. 287,155 10 Claims. (Cl. 213-151) This invention relates to railway car couplers.

During switching of cars in railroad classification yards, miscoupling of cars occasionally occurs when, either through inadvertence or accident, the knuckles of the couplers on two cars approaching for coupling are partially or completely closed. When the couplers come together under these conditions, the noses of the opposing knuckles will engage and in addition the heel of each knuckle will engage the inner side of the guard arm of the opposing coupler, resulting in a wedging action which exerts a force against the guard arm and may cause guard arm distortion or failure. standard E couplers, the danger of distortion of the guard arms is remote, since very little wedging action against the arms is produced as the couplers engage with their knuckles in closed position.

However, under the above conditions, when an E coupler is engaged with an interlocking type coupler, such as the proposed A. A. R. Type-F interlocking coupler, which has an extended guard arm, a severe wedging action occurs. This action has actually resulted in the distortion and failure of the guard arm of the Type-F couplers in service. This severe wedging action also occurs when two Type-F couplers come into engagement with their knuckles closed. Substantially the same condition exists when two A. A. R. tightlock couplers approach for coupling with their knuckles closed.

My invention consists in so forming the contour of the inner side of the guard arm of the interlocking type coupler that when, under the above conditions, the coupler is engaged with a similar coupler, or with an E coupler, the wedging action tending to distort the guard arms of the couplers is materially reduced. More specifically, the improved contour is directed to that portion of the guard arm which lies forwardly of the coupling line of the coupler. This contour is preferably so formed as to provide an abutment which is adapted to be engaged by the heel of the knuckle of the opposing coupler, thereby considerably reducing the wedging action tending to distort the guard arm.

The Various features and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of couplers embodying my invention, the couplers being shown in the position they assume upon engagement with their knuckles in closed position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a coupler embodying my invention and an A. A. R. standard E coupler, the couplers being shown in the position they assume upon engagement with their knuckles in closed position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view of the guard arm of a coupler embodying my invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a pair of A. A. R. standard E couplers engaged with their knuckles in closed position.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the existing proposed A. A. R.

States Patent Considering two A. A. R.

TypeF Interlocking coupler and an A. A. R. standard E coupler engaged with their knuckles in closed position.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a pair of existing proposed A. A. R. Type-F Interlocking couplers engaged with their knuckles in closed positio Reference will be made firstto the miscoupling conditions that may occur with the present A. A. R. standard E coupler and the present proposed A. A. R. Type-F Interlocking coupler.

Referring to Fig. 4, there are shown two E couplers which have been brought into engagement with their knuckles 10in closed position. I't will be noted that the end surface 12 of guard arm 14 lies on the coupling line of the coupler. Moreover, the lateral spacing of the guard arm from the nose of the knuckle is such that the heel of the knuckle of the opposing coupler engages the guard arm at the juncture of end surface 12' with the inner side 16 of the guard arm, as at 1.8. Engagement also occurs between the noses 20 of the knuckles as at 22. The tangents to points of

contact

18 and 22 form a wedge angle of about 89 /2 degrees. Under these conditions, it will be apparent that the longitudinal force, as the couplers come together, is transmitted to the guard arms of the couplers very nearly as a direct bufiing force W applied at the end of the guard arm, thus producing very little wedging action tending to distort the guard arms laterally outwardly.

Referring to Fig. 5, there are shown the E coupler and the existing proposed A. A. R. Type-F Interlocking coupler in engaged position, with their knuckles closed. The guard arm 30 of the Type-F coupler extends a substantial distance forwardly of the coupling line of the coupler so that the lateral spacing between the nose 3.2 of the knuckle 34 and the guard arm for reception of the knuckle of an opposing coupler is greater than in the E coupler. Consequently the heel of the E knuckle 10 engages the guard arm 30 along the inner side thereof at a point inwardly of the end of the guard arm, but forwardly of the coupling line, as at 33. The knuckle noses engage as at 35. The wedge angle formed by tangents to these points of contact is about 59% degrees. It will be apparent that with such a wedge angle for any given longitudinal blow applied to the couplers, the force W exerted against guard 'arm 30 has a substantial lateral component. Moreover, due to the increased length of the guard arm, the force W is applied at a moment arm, as measured from the intersection of the inner side 36 of the guard arm with front surface 37 of the coupler head of approximately 6 inches, as compared with a moment arm of about 3 inches for the E couplers shown in Fig. 4. The wedging action thus produced against guard arm 30 may cause distortion thereof in the event the couplers come into engagement under severe bufiing blows.

It will be noted in Fig. 5 that a wedge angle of about 88 /2 degrees exists with respect to the E coupler. This angle is substantially the same as exists between two E couplers, as shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 6, there are shown two existing pro posed Type-F interlocking couplers engaged under the same conditions as in Figs. 4 and 5. The wedge angle formed between the tangents to the points of contact between the couplers is about 64 degrees and the moment arm of the force W exerted against the guard arm by the opposing knuckle is about 6 inches. While this wedge angle is not as small as for the couplers in Fig. 5, the force W has a substantial lateral component and. the danger of guard arm distortion under severe bufl'ing blows applied to the couplers is present.

Referring now to Fig. 1 there is shown a pair of existing proposed A. A. R. Type-F Interlocking couplers each having, in accordance with my invention, the inner side 36 of the guard arm 36 relieved, as at 38, from the point X outward to the end of theguard arm. The contour of surface 38 preferably closely follows that of the heel portion 40of' the coupler knuckle. Surface 38 as thus formed provides a curved abutment portion 42 adjacent point X for engagement with the heel 40 of the closed knuckle of the opposing coupler. While the heel of one knucklecngage's the opposing; guardarm f along abutment 42,-the knuckle noses engage asat 44. 'Theweclge angle, as measured between tangents to the two points of contact, is approximately 92-'deg rees.' This results in the application of the force'W' against the guard arm in a directionmore nearly lengthwise of the coupler, with a smaller lateral component than exists with couplers not'provided the improved contour. Also,1the moment arm of the force .W, as measured from the intersection of the innersurface 36 with the front-face 37 of the coupler head, is'about 4 /2 inches, which is substantially less-than that for the existing couplers,.a s shown in'Figs. 5" and 6. =Ac-. cordingly, when. two Type-F. couplers, embodying my invention, come intocontact with-their-knuckles closed; asin Fig. 1 ,'the danger of guard arm distortion is subs'ta'ntially lessened;

Referringto Fig. 2, the coupler on the left is the existingfproposed Type-F Interlocking coupler to which the improved contour has been applied, as in Fig. 1, while the coupler on the right is the standard E coupler. When the'couplers come together with their knuckles closed, as in this view, the wedge angle for the Type-F coupler formed by thetangents to the points of contact between the two couplers is about 87 degrees. The wedge angle for the E coupler is about 89 degrees, or nearly identical with the wedge angle between two E couplers, as in Fig. 4. Itwill beseen that the force W exerted against the guard 30 is directed more nearly in a longitudinal direction, as in Fig. l, and the'mo'ment arm of this force is about 4 1 inches. Thus the danger of distortion of the F coupler guard arm under the condition shown is considerably lessened, as compared with the couplers shown in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 3 dimensions for the improved contour of the guard arm of the Type-F coupler have been shown. However, it is to be understood that the contour need not correspond exactly to the dimensions given in order to obtain the benefits of the invention. Thus, if desired, the inner side 36 of guard arm 30 may be relieved a greater amount than as shown at 38. In this connection, the dimension A, which represents the distance from the coupling line of the point where the improved contour commences, has been omitted. It is preferred, however, that surface 38 commences at point X forward of the coupling line of the coupler. The dot-dash line represents the contour of the guard arm as it'now exists on the proposed A. A. R. Type F interlocking coupler.

While my invention substantially lessens the danger of guard arm distortion caused by miscoupling of the couplers, as above described, the improved guard arm contour'in nowise interferes with or impedes normal coupling of the couplers. Moreover, the danger of miscoupling of couplers embodying the improved contour has been decreased since it is possible to effect proper couplingunder conditions where couplers not provided with this construction would miscouple. Thus, as two Type-F couplers not embodying the improved contour approach for coupling, with the knuckle of one coupler closed, the knuckle of the opposing coupler must be in a certain minimum, partly opened position in order to efiect successful coupling. However, with the improved contour applied to these couplers the knuckle on the opposing coupler may be closed a material amount from the minimum,'partly opened position necessary with the existing couplers, and successful coupling may still be obtained. Similarly the danger of miscoupling is decreased when an E coupler is being coupled to a Type-F coupler having the improved contour.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features tween two couplers as they approach with their knuckles in closed position, said means comprising a forwardly facing abutment surface on the inner side of said guard arm for engagement with the knuckle of an opposing coupler, said abutment surface'being of substantial lateral extent and'being disposed forwardly of the coupling line of the coupler, said inner side being relieved from said abutment surface to the end of said arm.

2. A car coupler comprising a pivoted knuckle and a guard arm, said guard arm having a forwardly and outwardly extending inner side for engagement with the knuckle ofan opposing coupler during coupling operations, said guard arm inner side being formed with an abutment portion for engagement with the closed knuckle of an opposing coupler when the couplers approach with their knuckles in closed-position, said abutment portion comprising aforwardly facing curved surface disposed intermediate the .end of said arm and the coupling line of the coupler.

. 3. In a car. coupler having a pivoted knuckle and a forwardlyextendingguard arm, said arm extending forwardly of the coupling line of the coupler, the inner side of said arm being relieved at a point commencing forwardly of said coupling line and extending to the end of the arm to'form a curved forwardly facing abutment sur- 1 face of'subs'tantial lateral extent for engagement with the heel portionof the knuckle of an opposing coupler when the .c'ouplersapproach with their knuckles in closed position. i

V 4. A car coupler comprising a pivoted knuckle and a guard arm extending forwardly of the coupling line of the coupler, said guard arm having a forwardly and outwardly extending inner side for engagement with the knuckleof an opposing coupler during coupling operations, said guard arm inner side being so formed as to provide forwardly of the coupling line a contour which closely follows that of the heel portion of the knuckle of an opposing coupler, said contour at the end thereof nearest the coupling line providing -a forwardly facing abut ment for engagement with the heel portion of the knuckle of an opposing coupler when the couplers approach with their knuckles in .closed position.

5. In a'car coupler having a pivoted knuckle and a guard arm extendingforwardly of the coupling line of the coupler, the inner side of said arm being relieved commencing from a point forwardly of the coupling line and extending to theend of said arm, said relieved portion Ofsaid arm providing a forwardly facing abutment of substantial lateral extent for engagement with the heel portion of the closed knuckle of an opposing coupler when the couplers, approach with their knuckles in closed position, said abutment being disposed at the commencement of said relieved portion.

6. A car coupler comprising a pivoted knuckle and a guard arm, said arm having an inner side which extends forwardlyand outwardly beyond the coupling line of the .coupler, the contour of the inner side of said arm being so formed as to provide a knuckle heel-engaging abutment so disposed that with said knuckle in closed position as an opposing similar coupler approaches with its knuckle in closed position engagement will occur between the noses of the coupler knuckles while the heel of'the knuckle of the opposing coupler will engage only said abutment, whereby the force exerted by the heel of the opposing knuckle against said abutment is substantially in a direction lengthwise of said coupler, said abutment being of substantial lateral extent.

7. In an interlocking coupler matable with a non-interlocking coupler and having a head, a pivoted knuckle and a guard arm and wing pocket on opposite sides of said head, the improvement comprising a bufling shoulder on an inner surface of said guard arm and positioned longitudinally of said coupler to be engaged by a closed knuckle of said non-interlocking coupler simultaneously with engagement of the closed knuckle of said interlocking coupler with a guard arm of said non-interlocking coupler, said shouldered guard arm being relieved laterally outwardly of said shoulder to accommodate said knuckle of said non-interlocking coupler and permit said simultaneous impact on bufiing of said couplers with knuckles closed.

8. In an interlocking coupler matable with a non-interlocking coupler and having a head, a pivoted knuckle and a guard arm and wing pocket on opposite sides of said head, the improvement comprising a pocket in an inner face of said guard arm conforming in contour to a heel of a knuckle of said non-interlocking coupler, said pocket being positioned longitudinally of said coupler for accommodation of and impact with said heel of said knuckle of said non-interlocking coupler simultaneously with impact of a guard arm of said non-interlocking coupler with the closed knuckle of said interlocking coupler on bufiing of said couplers with knuckles closed.

9. In an interlocking coupler having a head, a pivoted knuckle and a guard arm and wing pocket on opposite sides of said head, the improvement comprising a recess in an inner face of said guard arm and having the contour of a heel of a knuckle of a non-interlocking coupler, said recess terminating inwardly longitudinally of said coupler in a shoulder engageable by said knuckle of said non-interlocking coupler on buffing of said couplers with knuckles closed.

10. In an interlocking coupler matable with a noninterlocking coupler and having a head, a pivoted knuckle and a guard arm and wing pocket on opposite sides of said head, the improvement comprising a pocket formed in an inner face of said guard arm and having substantially the contour of a heel of a knuckle of said non-interlocking coupler, said pocket being olfset laterally outwardly of the longitudinal axis of said coupler to accommodate the closed knuckle of said non-interlocking coupler between said guard arm and closed knuckle of said interlocking coupler on impact of a guard arm on said noninterlocking coupler with said knuckle of said interlocking coupler, and a shoulder on said interlocking coupler guard arm defining the inner extremity of said pocket and engageable by said knuckle of said non-interlocking coupler simultaneously with said engagement of said guard arm of said non-interlocking coupler and knuckle of said interlocking coupler on aligned bulfing of said couplers with said knuckles closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 971,882 Gallagher Oct. 4, 1910 1,752,764 Van Dorn Apr. 1, 1930 2,178,062 Bazeley Oct. 31, 1939