US3670901A - Car coupler - Google Patents

Car coupler Download PDF

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Publication number
US3670901A
US3670901A US101979A US3670901DA US3670901A US 3670901 A US3670901 A US 3670901A US 101979 A US101979 A US 101979A US 3670901D A US3670901D A US 3670901DA US 3670901 A US3670901 A US 3670901A
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United States
Prior art keywords
knuckle
coupler
couplers
coupling
aligning surface
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US101979A
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English (en)
Inventor
William J Metzger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Midland Ross Corp
National Casting Inc
Original Assignee
Midland Ross Corp
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Publication date
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Publication of US3670901A publication Critical patent/US3670901A/en
Assigned to CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION reassignment CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NATIONAL CASTINGS INC., A DE CORP.
Assigned to NATIONAL CASTINGS INC., A CORP. OF DE reassignment NATIONAL CASTINGS INC., A CORP. OF DE ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: NATIONAL CASTINGS INC., A CORP. OF IL
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Assigned to NATIONAL CASTINGS INC. A CORP. OF DE reassignment NATIONAL CASTINGS INC. A CORP. OF DE RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (CENTRAL)
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61G—COUPLINGS; DRAUGHT AND BUFFING APPLIANCES
    • B61G3/00—Couplings comprising mating parts of similar shape or form which can be coupled without the use of any additional element or elements
    • B61G3/04—Couplings comprising mating parts of similar shape or form which can be coupled without the use of any additional element or elements with coupling head having a guard arm on one side and a knuckle with angularly-disposed nose and tail portions pivoted to the other side thereof, the nose of the knuckle being the coupling part, and means to lock the knuckle in coupling position, e.g. "A.A.R." or "Janney" type

Definitions

  • This invention involves a change in the contour of a knuckle type coupler whereby a substantial increase in gathering range is provided when two couplers approach for coupling with the initial engagement occurring between the knuckles of the couplers. More specifically, the contour of the knuckle nose is modified so as to provide a guiding or gathering surface that is effective when the knuckle is in open position. This surface is adapted, during coupling operations, to engage the knuckle of an approaching mating coupler and efl'ect gathering of laterally displaced couplers into position for coupling.
  • This increase in gathering range is obtained without a reduction of the effective bearing area between two engaged knuckles when the couplers are in pulled condition. Neither is there a reduction in the effective bearing area between a knuckle and the opposing buffing face of a mating coupler when coupled couplers are subjected to buffing forces.
  • the aligning surface on the knuckle is in functioning position when the knuckle is in open position. With the knuckle open, the aligning surface is adapted to engage the rounded nose of a closed knuckle on an opposing coupler to gather the couplers into position from which coupling can be effected. Also, when the aligning surface is in functioning position, it is adapted to slidably engage the corresponding surface on an open knuckle of a mating coupler to align the couplers during coupling operations.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of car coupler knuckle embodying the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of the knuckle shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the knuckle tail being broken away.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of two knuckle couplers not embodying the invention, showing the initial contact between their knuckles as the couplers approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions, one knuckle being open and one knuckle closed.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of two couplers embodying the invention showing the initial contact between their knuckles as the couplers approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions, the knuckle of one coupler being open and the other knuckle being closed.
  • FIG. 5 is a plan of two couplers not embodying the invention showing the initial contact between their open knuckles as they approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions.
  • FIG. 6 is a plan view of two couplers embodying the invention showing the initial contact between their open knuckles as they approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions.
  • FIG. 7 shows the position of the couplers shown in FIG. 3 after they have moved closer together.
  • FIG. 8 shows the couplers of FIG. 7 after they have moved still closer together.
  • FIG. 9 shows the couplers of FIG. 8 after they have moved closer toward coupled position.
  • FIG. 10 shows the couplers of FIG. 9 coupled and subjected to a force in pull.
  • FIG. 11 shows the couplers of FIG. 5 after they have moved closer together.
  • FIG. 12 shows the couplers of moved still closer together.
  • FIG. 13 shows the couplers of FIG. 12 after the knuckle noses are past one another and are in engagement with the opposing tails of the knuckles.
  • FIG. 14 shows the couplers of FIG. 13 in position just prior to final coupling.
  • FIGS; 1 and 2 there is shown a coupler knuckle having a forward nose portion 10 and a rearwardly extending tail portion 12.
  • the knuckle has a vertical opening 14 for receiving a pivot pin for pivotal mounting of the knuckle in the head of the coupler.
  • the knuckle shown confonns in all respects to the Association of American Railroads standard E coupler knuckle except for the flat vertical surface 16 at the lateral extremity of nose 10.
  • the lateral extremity of the knuckle nose is flat instead of generally rounded as at 18 in FIG. 3, wherein an A.A.R. standard E coupler knuckle is shown.
  • line X-X which represents the longitudinal center line of an A.A.R. standard E coupler in relation to its knuckle when the latter is in closed or coupled position.
  • Line Y-Y represents the coupling line of the coupler.
  • the contour of the nose of the A.A.R. knuckle is preferably modified by slicing a section of the nose at its lateral extremity as by a vertical plane which intersects the forward portion of the contour at a point about l-7/l6 inches from the line X-X and which intersects the rearward portion of the contour at a point about 1-17/32 inches from line X- X.
  • the surface 16 thus formed is nearly parallel to the line X-X but actually converges slightly toward line X-X in a direction forwardly of the nose.
  • the rearward edge of surface 16 is disposed slightly forwardly of the coupling line Y-Y of the coupler.
  • Surface 16 forms a coupler aligning or gathering means when the knuckle is in open position as will hereinafier be explained.
  • Surface 16 is of substantial extend, measuring about I-% inches lengthwise of the coupler.
  • FIG. 3 This condition of maximum displacement of l-% inches between two A.A.R. standard E. couplers is shown in FIG. 3, and is measured between the longitudinal center lines of coupler A whose knuckle is closed and coupler A whose knuckle is open. If the couplers are moved together from this position, they should gather and couple. However, if it is attempted to couple them when they are displaced more than 1- A inches, they will fail to gather and will not couple.
  • the couplers of FIG. 3 have the usual guard arm 13.
  • each coupler B and B' has its knuckle nose modified in accordance with the invention
  • the lateral displacement between the couplers is such that, as in FIG. 3, the initial contact occurs between the noses of the knuckles.
  • the displacement shown between couplers is approximately 2- .6 inches or twice that shown in FIG. 4.
  • the couplers of FIG. 4,-when moved together from the position shown will gather and will successfully couple. It will be observed that the forward surface of the nose of the closed knuckle of coupler B engages the forward edge of surface 16 of the open knuckle of coupler B as at a.
  • Surface 16 of the open knuckle is disposed at an angle of about 30 degrees relative to the buffing face of the closed knuckle as well as to a line ZZ perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of coupler B' and passing through point a, and serves as an aligning means to enable the couplers to gather and couple.
  • Surface 16 also lies in a vertical plane directed toward the end of guard arm 13 and in effect serves as a slide, along which the rounded nose of the opposing closed knuckle is guided to bring the couplers into alignment for coupling as the couplers move together. While the couplers will successfully couple from positions of relative lateral displacement of 2-55 inches, as above stated, successful coupling has been obtained when the displacement between the couplers was as great as 3 inches.
  • each coupler gathering operation has now proceeded to the point where each knuckle is well within the contour of the opposing coupler and, once the knuckle noses have moved past each other, movement of the couplers to final coupled position takes place in the same manner as with knuckles not embodying surface 16.
  • the coupled position of the couplers is shown in FIG. 10, wherein the couplers are shown in pulled condition.
  • each coupler is connected to its associated car so as to be able to angle horizontally, as is well known in the art. While the couplers may be displaced or out of line relative to each other at the start of a coupling operation, their longitudinal axes will coincide after the couplers are completely coupled and in a buffed condition. This alignment of the axes of the couplers will likewise exist when the couplers are in a pulled condition, as in FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 5 the couplers are shown the maximum they may be displaced laterally from each other and still be able to couple. With both knuckles open, this maximum displacement is 4 inches. Any displacement of the couplers beyond this 4 inches will preclude coupling of the couplers because the knuckles will close prematurely and thus will not be able to gather and enter the coupler contours.
  • FIG. 6 there are shown two A.A.R. standard E couplers whose knuckle noses have been modified in accordance with the invention, the knuckle of each coupler being shown in open position.
  • the couplers have been laterally displaced in such a direction that the noses of the knuckles engage as the couplers move together for coupling.
  • the forward edges of surfaces 16 on both knuckles are in contact as at f.
  • the couplers in this view are displaced laterally of each other a distance of 5-7/8 inches and will gather and couple successfully from this position.
  • Surfaces 16 in this position of the couplers are disposed in approximately a common plane W-W extending through the forward ends of guard arms 13.
  • FIG. 11 illus trates the relative positions of the couplers after the engagement between the'knuckle noses has progressed to approximately the rnidpoints of surfaces 16.
  • FIG. 14 shows that surfaces 16 in nowise interfere with or impede the rolling action of the knuckles within the coupler contours as they move toward closed position in the final stages of the coupling operation.
  • the knuckle noses are in engagement with the opposing coupler surfaces as at i.
  • the knuckle in each has a radial pulling face on its rearward side for interengagement with the corresponding pulling face of the knuckle of a mating coupler.
  • This radial pulling face in each of the standard coupler knuckles comprises a concavely curved throat surface 19 having a l-inch radius and the immediately adjoining convexly curved surface 17 also having a l-inch radius. It will be noted that surfaces 17 and 19 are approximately symmetrical about coupling line YY.
  • a car coupler of the knuckle type comprising a head having a guard arm on one side thereof and a pivoted knuckle on its other side, said knuckle having a nose portion adapted to interengage with the nose portion of a knuckle of a mating coupler when the couplers are coupled together, said knuckle being swingable from a closed position to an open position, said nose portion having at its lateral extremity a flat vertical aligning surface facing said guard arm when the knuckle is in closed position, said surface, when said knuckle is in open position, being adapted to engage a forward portion of the nose of a closed knuckle on a mating coupler as the couplers approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions, said surface being so disposed as to cause sliding of the nose portion of the closed knuckle of the mating coupler along said surface so as to gather the couplers into position for coupling.
  • a coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface lies in a plane passing through the forward end of said guard arm when said knuckle is in open position.
  • a knuckle for pivotal mounting in the head of a car coupler, said knuckle comprising a forward nose portion and a rearwardly extending tail portion, said knuckle being adapted for pivotal mounting in said head, said nose portion having a pulling face on its rearward side comprising adjoining concave and convex surfaces, said nose portion having at its lateral extremity a flat vertical aligning surface which is nearly parallel to the longitudinal center line of the coupler when the knuckle is in closed position, the rearward edge of said aligning surface intersecting said convex surface at a point slightly forwardly of the coupling line of the coupler, said aligning surface being adapted to be disposed at an angle of about 30 relative to a transverse vertical plane when the knuckle is in open position.
  • a knuckle as set forth in claim 8 in which said aligning surface is of substantial extent in a direction longitudinally of the coupler.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
  • Grinding And Polishing Of Tertiary Curved Surfaces And Surfaces With Complex Shapes (AREA)
US101979A 1970-12-28 1970-12-28 Car coupler Expired - Lifetime US3670901A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10197970A 1970-12-28 1970-12-28

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US3670901A true US3670901A (en) 1972-06-20

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US101979A Expired - Lifetime US3670901A (en) 1970-12-28 1970-12-28 Car coupler

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US (1) US3670901A (it)
JP (1) JPS5329884B1 (it)
AU (1) AU459418B2 (it)
BE (1) BE777087A (it)
BR (1) BR7108521D0 (it)
CA (1) CA951682A (it)
GB (1) GB1330979A (it)
IT (1) IT944051B (it)
ZA (1) ZA717863B (it)

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3779397A (en) * 1972-04-21 1973-12-18 Midland Ross Corp Railway car coupler
US3857495A (en) * 1973-12-26 1974-12-31 Amsted Ind Inc Knuckle structure for coupler
US4024958A (en) * 1976-02-17 1977-05-24 Amsted Industries Incorporated Coupler knuckle contour
US5582307A (en) * 1995-05-08 1996-12-10 Amsted Industries Incorporated Railway car coupler knuckle
US20030127412A1 (en) * 2002-01-07 2003-07-10 Mcconway & Torley Group Railway car coupler knuckle having improved bearing surface
US20050184021A1 (en) * 2002-01-07 2005-08-25 Mcconway & Torley Corporation Railway car coupler knuckle having improved bearing surface
US20090289024A1 (en) * 2008-05-23 2009-11-26 Nibouar F Andrew Railway coupler core structure for increased strength and fatigue life of resulting knuckle
US20090289023A1 (en) * 2008-05-23 2009-11-26 Marchese Thomas A Knuckle formed from pivot pin and kidney core and isolated finger core
US20090289022A1 (en) * 2008-05-22 2009-11-26 Smerecky Jerry R Railway coupler body improvements to improve knuckle rotation
US20090294396A1 (en) * 2008-05-22 2009-12-03 Smerecky Jerry R Central datum feature on railroad coupler body and corresponding gauges
US20090327416A1 (en) * 2008-06-26 2009-12-31 Ca, Inc. Information technology system collaboration
US8196762B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2012-06-12 Bedloe Industries Llc Knuckle formed without a finger core
US8544662B2 (en) 2008-05-22 2013-10-01 Bedloe Industries Llc Central datum feature on railroad coupler body and corresponding gauges
CN104029693A (zh) * 2014-06-27 2014-09-10 齐齐哈尔轨道交通装备有限责任公司 车钩组件和车辆
US9038836B1 (en) 2012-11-15 2015-05-26 Pennsy Corporation Lightweight coupler
US9199652B1 (en) 2012-11-15 2015-12-01 Pennsy Corporation Lightweight, fatigue resistant knuckle
US9452764B2 (en) 2012-11-15 2016-09-27 Pennsy Corporation Railway vehicle coupler
US9604276B2 (en) 2014-02-03 2017-03-28 Pennsy Corporation Coupler and method for production of a coupler with selectable configuration options
US9701323B2 (en) 2015-04-06 2017-07-11 Bedloe Industries Llc Railcar coupler
US10322732B1 (en) 2015-11-11 2019-06-18 Pennsy Corporation Coupler knuckle, cores and method of production
US11345374B1 (en) 2012-11-15 2022-05-31 Pennsy Corporation Lightweight coupler

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2372978B (en) * 2001-03-07 2004-10-20 Mastermover Internat Ltd Coupling

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2007451A (en) * 1931-06-17 1935-07-09 American Steel Foundries Coupler
US2562203A (en) * 1948-05-29 1951-07-31 Nat Malleable & Steel Castings Car coupler
US2922532A (en) * 1958-03-31 1960-01-26 Nat Malleable & Steel Castings Car coupler

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2007451A (en) * 1931-06-17 1935-07-09 American Steel Foundries Coupler
US2562203A (en) * 1948-05-29 1951-07-31 Nat Malleable & Steel Castings Car coupler
US2922532A (en) * 1958-03-31 1960-01-26 Nat Malleable & Steel Castings Car coupler

Cited By (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3779397A (en) * 1972-04-21 1973-12-18 Midland Ross Corp Railway car coupler
US3857495A (en) * 1973-12-26 1974-12-31 Amsted Ind Inc Knuckle structure for coupler
US4024958A (en) * 1976-02-17 1977-05-24 Amsted Industries Incorporated Coupler knuckle contour
US5582307A (en) * 1995-05-08 1996-12-10 Amsted Industries Incorporated Railway car coupler knuckle
US20030127412A1 (en) * 2002-01-07 2003-07-10 Mcconway & Torley Group Railway car coupler knuckle having improved bearing surface
US20050184021A1 (en) * 2002-01-07 2005-08-25 Mcconway & Torley Corporation Railway car coupler knuckle having improved bearing surface
US20060113267A1 (en) * 2002-01-07 2006-06-01 Mcconway & Torley Corporation Railway car coupler knuckle having improved bearing surface
US7337826B2 (en) 2002-01-07 2008-03-04 Mcconway & Torley, Llc Railway car coupler knuckle having improved bearing surface
US8746473B2 (en) 2008-05-22 2014-06-10 Bedloe Industries Llc Railway coupler body improvements to improve knuckle rotation
US8544662B2 (en) 2008-05-22 2013-10-01 Bedloe Industries Llc Central datum feature on railroad coupler body and corresponding gauges
US20090289022A1 (en) * 2008-05-22 2009-11-26 Smerecky Jerry R Railway coupler body improvements to improve knuckle rotation
US20090294396A1 (en) * 2008-05-22 2009-12-03 Smerecky Jerry R Central datum feature on railroad coupler body and corresponding gauges
US8408406B2 (en) 2008-05-22 2013-04-02 Bedloe Industries Llc Central datum feature on railroad coupler body and corresponding gauges
US8201613B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2012-06-19 Bedloe Industries Llc Knuckle formed from pivot pin and kidney core and isolated finger core
US8196762B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2012-06-12 Bedloe Industries Llc Knuckle formed without a finger core
US20090289023A1 (en) * 2008-05-23 2009-11-26 Marchese Thomas A Knuckle formed from pivot pin and kidney core and isolated finger core
US8631952B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2014-01-21 Bedloe Industries Llc Knuckle formed without a finger core
US8646631B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2014-02-11 Bedloe Industries, LLC Knuckle formed from pivot pin and kidney core and isolated finger core
US8662327B2 (en) 2008-05-23 2014-03-04 Bedloe Industries Llc Railway coupler core structure for increased strength and fatigue life of resulting knuckle
US20090289024A1 (en) * 2008-05-23 2009-11-26 Nibouar F Andrew Railway coupler core structure for increased strength and fatigue life of resulting knuckle
US20090327416A1 (en) * 2008-06-26 2009-12-31 Ca, Inc. Information technology system collaboration
US9038836B1 (en) 2012-11-15 2015-05-26 Pennsy Corporation Lightweight coupler
US9199652B1 (en) 2012-11-15 2015-12-01 Pennsy Corporation Lightweight, fatigue resistant knuckle
US9452764B2 (en) 2012-11-15 2016-09-27 Pennsy Corporation Railway vehicle coupler
US11345374B1 (en) 2012-11-15 2022-05-31 Pennsy Corporation Lightweight coupler
US9604276B2 (en) 2014-02-03 2017-03-28 Pennsy Corporation Coupler and method for production of a coupler with selectable configuration options
CN104029693A (zh) * 2014-06-27 2014-09-10 齐齐哈尔轨道交通装备有限责任公司 车钩组件和车辆
US9701323B2 (en) 2015-04-06 2017-07-11 Bedloe Industries Llc Railcar coupler
US10532753B2 (en) 2015-04-06 2020-01-14 Bedloe Industries Llc Railcar coupler
US10322732B1 (en) 2015-11-11 2019-06-18 Pennsy Corporation Coupler knuckle, cores and method of production
US10906568B2 (en) 2015-11-11 2021-02-02 Pennsy Corporation Coupler knuckle, cores and method of production

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5329884B1 (it) 1978-08-23
BR7108521D0 (pt) 1973-06-28
BE777087A (fr) 1972-04-17
IT944051B (it) 1973-04-20
CA951682A (en) 1974-07-23
AU459418B2 (en) 1975-03-27
AU3630171A (en) 1973-06-07
GB1330979A (en) 1973-09-19
ZA717863B (en) 1972-08-30

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AS Assignment

Owner name: CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NATIONAL CASTINGS INC., A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004810/0513

Effective date: 19870807

Owner name: NATIONAL CASTINGS INC., A CORP. OF DE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:NATIONAL CASTINGS INC., A CORP. OF IL;REEL/FRAME:004761/0913

Effective date: 19870818

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Owner name: NATIONAL CASTINGS INC. A CORP. OF DE

Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION (CENTRAL);REEL/FRAME:005152/0735

Effective date: 19890919