US3845867A - Car coupler - Google Patents
Car coupler Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3845867A US3845867A US00351166A US35116673A US3845867A US 3845867 A US3845867 A US 3845867A US 00351166 A US00351166 A US 00351166A US 35116673 A US35116673 A US 35116673A US 3845867 A US3845867 A US 3845867A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- lever
- lock
- bearing
- head
- coupler
- 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
Links
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Classifications
-
- 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
- B61G3/06—Knuckle-locking devices
- B61G3/08—Control devices, e.g. for uncoupling
Definitions
- ABSTRACT 52 us. 213/121, 213/129, 213/162
- This invention relates to a railway ear eeupler ef the 51 1111. B6lg 3/06 khhekle type and precedehletly e improvements in the [58] Field 0fSearch,........... 213/121, 125, 129, 162 eeupler Operating meehahism for moving the leek thereof out of locking relation with the knuckle.
- the coupler is of the type that is operated by a direct side pull.
- the invention relates to a car coupler of the type shown in William J. Metzger US. Pat. No. 2,646,896, dated July 28, I953, in which the lock is U-shaped and serves to lock the knuckle in closed position as well as to move it to open position. Whilethe coupler shown in this patent performed well when new, it was found that after a number of years of service certain problems developed which impaired the efficiency of operation of the coupler. For example, wear of the coupler parts at critical points changed the functioning of the parts and created added frictional resistance, which made unlocking and opening of the knuckle more difficult, if not impossible, in many instances.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view in horizontal section taken along line 33 of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view in vertical section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the position of the parts upon actuation thereof by the uncoupling mechanism to open the knuckle.
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the lock anti-creep means in engagement to preclude upward movement of the lock to a position in which the knuckle is unlocked.
- FIG. 7 is a plan view in section of the coupler, the parts being shown in locked position as in FIG. 1.
- FIG. 9 is a partial view in vertical section of a prior art coupler illustrating another position of the parts after wear has occurred in service.
- FIG.'10 is a side elevational view of the lock lift lever shown in FIGS. I to 7.
- FIG. 11 is a plan view of the end portion of the lock lift lever taken along line ll--ll of FIG. in the direction of the arrows.
- FIG. 12 is an end view of the lock lift lever shown in FIG. 10. I Y
- Lock 20 is U-shaped, being formed with a locking portion 20a, a depending leg portion 20b and a horizontal connecting portion 20c.
- Locking portion 20a is adapted to be received between the knuckle tail 16a and sidewall 24 to lock the knuckle in closed position.
- Leg portion 20b is disposed on the opposite side of the knuckle tail from locking portion 20a and extends through an opening 26 in the bottom wall of the coupler head when the lock is in locking position.
- the lock is supported on the knuckle tail 16a by means of connecting portion 20c, as seen in FIG. 1. Thus the lock straddles the knuckle tail when the knuckle is closed and the lock is in locking position.
- the lock is actuated by means of a lock lifting lever 30 which is pivotally connected to the lock by a horizontal finger 32 at one end of horizontal arm 30:: of the lever, which extends through an eye portion 34 on the lock.
- the lever At the other end of arm 30a the lever has a vertical arm 30! which at its upper end has a horizontally extending pivot lug 36 which is received in an opening in an end of link element 40 to pivotally connect these parts.
- Link element 40 extends outwardly of coupler head 10 through an opening 42 in the side of the head and is provided at its outer end with an eye 40a to which the uncoupling mechanism 22 is connected by a link 23.
- a shroud 44 is provided about opening 42 to protect element 40 from damage by foreign objects as might accidentally strike the coupler in service.
- link element 40 is notched intermediate its ends as at 401) to receive the upper portion of sidewall 46 of the coupler head located below opening 42 to support the link element when the coupler is locked, as in FIG. 1.
- Notch 40b has'a shoulder 48 which engages bevelled surface 50 on wall 46 when the parts are in anti-creep position as in FIG. 6 to prevent move ment of the lock out of locking position.
- the functioning of the lock anti-creep means will be explained in a succeeding part of the description.
- lever 30 When coupler knuckle is closed and locked, and the .parts are at rest as shown in FIG. I, the end of lever arm 30a adjacent wall 46 rests on a horizontal shelf 52 which extends forwardly from rear wall 54 of the coupler head. This end of arm 30a is in the form of a foot 56 which is received between rear wall 54 and depending wall 58. It will be observed that foot 56 is of such a width as to have only a small clearance with the adjacent walls 54 and 58 so that the foot will be positively retained on shelf 52 when the lock is in locking position.
- Vertical arm 30b of the lever merges with arm 30a at a point laterally inwardly of foot 56 as viewed in FIG. 1.
- the side of arm 30b facing wall 46 of thehead is face on the underside of bearing 62 is tangential to throat surface 60.
- Opposing bearing 62 is a concavely curved socket 64 in the coupler head for receiving bearing 62 to enable pivoting of lever 30 during the lock lifting operation.
- projection 68 Disposed below and adjacent to socket 64 is projection 68 which has a convexly curved face, the upper end of which is tangent to the socket. It is to be noted in FIG. 1 that in the locked condition of the coupler fulcrum bearing 62 and projection 68 are spaced apart and bearing 62 is in laterally opposed relation to socket 64.
- bearing 62 is disposed at an elevation slightly below that of the upper side of projection 68. In view of the spaced relationship between bearing 62 and projection 68 no wear between or damage to these parts will occur because of coupler jouncing and vibration which occurs during movement ofthe railway vehicle in service.
- the operation of the coupler to effect opening of the knuckle by means of the uncoupling mechanism 22 is as follows: Assuming the coupler parts are in the position shown in FIG. I, i.e., the knuckle closed and lock in locking position, a lateral pull on uncoupling mechanism 22 will swing link element 40 upwardly about pivot lug 36 to substantially a horizontal position wherein its anti-creep shoulder 48 is clear of beveled surface 50 on the coupler head. As the lateral pull of the uncoupling mechanism is continued.,lever is displaced to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 until bearing 62 and projection 68 engage. Thereafter the engagement between the convex surfaces of these members causes bearing 62 to be cammed upwards and into socket 64, as seen in FIG.
- lug 80 clears projection 72 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, and in no way interferes with the unlocking operation.
- FIG. 8 in which the lock lift lever 90, which is similar to that illustrated in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 2,646,896, is shown in a position which it may reach as a result of wear in service and adverse size of parts due to manufacturing tolerances.
- the forward end or foot 92 of the lever is completely off of shelf 52, including the downwardly sloping portion 52a thereof.
- the fulcrum bearing 94 on the lever is in direct opposed engagement with projection 68 in the coupler head as at x.
- lever 90 In this position of the parts it is impossible to lift the lock 20 to unlocking position relative to the knuckle tail because upon actuation oflever by means of the uncoupling mechanism the lever will pivot counterclockwise about point .r and bring lug 96 into engagement with projection 72, as shown in dot-dash, thereby precluding further raising of the lock. It is possible for lever 90 to attain its FIG. 8 position because foot 92 is shorter in extent in the direction of coupler head sidewall 46 and is also narrower in width than that of foot 56 of the improved lever 30. Lever 90 allowed a greater clearance between foot 92 and the adjacent walls 54 and 58 of the coupler head when the parts were in locked position.
- FIG. 9 is shown another condition which develops with a coupler having a lock lift lever 90 as shown in FIG. 8.
- a coupler having lever 90 When a coupler having lever 90 is in locked position, fulcrum bearing 94 rests on projection 68 in the coupler head. This position is illustrated in FIG. I of US. Pat. No. 2,646,896, in which lever fulcrum bearing 54 rests on projection 50.
- notched condition develops between bearing 94 and projection 68, as shown in FIG. 9.
- a depression 68a is formed in projection 68 while bearing 94 becomes somewhat flattened as at 94a.
- a car coupler having a chambered head, a knuckle pivoted to said head for movement from closed position to open position, a lock in said head for locking said knuckle in closed position, a lever in said head operatively connected to said lock for raising said lock out of locking position and link means for actuating said lever, said head having a shelf underlying an end of said lever for supporting the lever when said lock is in locking position, said lever having a fulcrum bearing to permit vertical pivoting of said lever upon actuation of the lever to raise said lock, a socket in said head in spaced opposed relation to said bearing, and a projection in said head having a convex surface adjacent said socket, said surface being in spaced opposed relation to said bearing, said lever upon actuation by said link means being initially movable transversely of the coupler into position in which said bearing engages said convex surface and is cammed into said socket, after which said lever is caused to pivot relative to said socket to raise said lockout of locking position.
- a car coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said head has a vertical wall adjacent a side of said lever end that is supported on said shelf to said main lever end on said shelf when said lock is in locking position.
- a car coupler as set forth in claim 3 in which said fulcrum bearing is convexly curved and is so disposed vertically relative to said projection that the lower portion of said fulcrum bearing engages the upper portion of said convex surface as said lever is moved transversely of the coupler by said link.
- a car coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said fulcrum bearing is disposed above and inwardly of said end of said lever, said bearing being joined to said lever end by a throat portion having a semi-cylindrical concavely curved surface so disposed as to face toward said projection, the radius of curvature of said concave surface being substantially greater than the radius of curvature of said bearing.
- a car coupler as set forth in claim 5 in which said lever comprises a horizontal arm having at one end a foot portion adapted to engage said shelf and a horizontal finger at its other end extending into an eye in said lock to impart lifting movement to said lock upon actuation of said lever by said link.
- a car coupler having a chambered head, a knuckle pivoted to said head for movement from closed position to open position, a lock in said head for locking said knuckle in closed position, a-lever in said head operatively connected to said lock for raising said lock out of locking position, and link means for actuating said lever, said head having a shelf underlying an end of said lever, said lever comprising at one end a foot portion supported on said shelf when said lock is in locking relation with said knuckle, said lever having a fulcrum bearing extending in a direction laterally away from longitudinal centerline of the coupler, said bearing having a convex surface to permit vertical pivoting of said lever, said head having a projection spaced from said bearing and a concave socket disposed above said projection and joined thereto, said bearing being vertically spaced above said shelf such an amount as to engage the upper portion of said projection and be said lever about said bearing relative tosaid socket.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)
- Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)
- Details Of Spanners, Wrenches, And Screw Drivers And Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (7)
Priority Applications (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US00351166A US3845867A (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1973-04-16 | Car coupler |
CA193,082A CA1006464A (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1974-02-20 | Car coupler |
ZA00742138A ZA742138B (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1974-04-03 | Car coupler |
AU67605/74A AU483761B2 (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1974-04-05 | Car coupler |
AR253264A AR198739A1 (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1974-04-10 | A HITCH FOR WAGONS |
BR2930/74A BR7402930D0 (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1974-04-15 | WAGON HITCH |
JP4210274A JPS56259B2 (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1974-04-15 | |
ES1974202272U ES202272Y (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1974-04-16 | A HITCH FOR A RAILWAY CAR. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US00351166A US3845867A (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1973-04-16 | Car coupler |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3845867A true US3845867A (en) | 1974-11-05 |
Family
ID=23379845
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US00351166A Expired - Lifetime US3845867A (en) | 1973-04-16 | 1973-04-16 | Car coupler |
Country Status (7)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3845867A (en) |
JP (1) | JPS56259B2 (en) |
AR (1) | AR198739A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR7402930D0 (en) |
CA (1) | CA1006464A (en) |
ES (1) | ES202272Y (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA742138B (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4119209A (en) * | 1977-06-23 | 1978-10-10 | Midland-Ross Corporation | Locking mechanism of a railroad car coupler |
CN115465071A (en) * | 2022-09-26 | 2022-12-13 | 阿尔特汽车技术股份有限公司 | Connection structure and vehicle |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2183501A (en) * | 1936-08-15 | 1939-12-12 | American Steel Foundries | Coupler |
US2646896A (en) * | 1951-01-13 | 1953-07-28 | Nat Malleable & Steel Castings | Car coupler |
US3450273A (en) * | 1967-11-24 | 1969-06-17 | Midland Ross Corp | Lateral pull-type knuckle coupler |
-
1973
- 1973-04-16 US US00351166A patent/US3845867A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1974
- 1974-02-20 CA CA193,082A patent/CA1006464A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-04-03 ZA ZA00742138A patent/ZA742138B/en unknown
- 1974-04-10 AR AR253264A patent/AR198739A1/en active
- 1974-04-15 JP JP4210274A patent/JPS56259B2/ja not_active Expired
- 1974-04-15 BR BR2930/74A patent/BR7402930D0/en unknown
- 1974-04-16 ES ES1974202272U patent/ES202272Y/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2183501A (en) * | 1936-08-15 | 1939-12-12 | American Steel Foundries | Coupler |
US2646896A (en) * | 1951-01-13 | 1953-07-28 | Nat Malleable & Steel Castings | Car coupler |
US3450273A (en) * | 1967-11-24 | 1969-06-17 | Midland Ross Corp | Lateral pull-type knuckle coupler |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4119209A (en) * | 1977-06-23 | 1978-10-10 | Midland-Ross Corporation | Locking mechanism of a railroad car coupler |
CN115465071A (en) * | 2022-09-26 | 2022-12-13 | 阿尔特汽车技术股份有限公司 | Connection structure and vehicle |
CN115465071B (en) * | 2022-09-26 | 2024-06-11 | 阿尔特汽车技术股份有限公司 | Connection structure and vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES202272Y (en) | 1976-02-16 |
CA1006464A (en) | 1977-03-08 |
AU6760574A (en) | 1975-10-09 |
AR198739A1 (en) | 1974-07-15 |
JPS56259B2 (en) | 1981-01-07 |
ZA742138B (en) | 1975-04-30 |
JPS5052712A (en) | 1975-05-10 |
BR7402930D0 (en) | 1974-12-03 |
ES202272U (en) | 1975-11-01 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
|
AS | Assignment |
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 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:NATIONAL CASTINGS INC.;REEL/FRAME:005221/0541 Effective date: 19890831 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NATIONAL CASTINGS CORPORATION, A CORP. OF DE Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNORS:NATIONAL CASTINGS CORPORATION (MERGED INTO);NATIONAL CASTINGS INC.;REEL/FRAME:005261/0236;SIGNING DATES FROM Owner name: NATIONAL CASTINGS INC., A CORP. OF IL Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:SHER ACQUISITION CO.;REEL/FRAME:005261/0208 Effective date: 19850705 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NATIONAL CASTINGS, INC., ILLINOIS Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE;REEL/FRAME:006804/0192 Effective date: 19931207 |