Vehicle coupling device
AssigneeDellner Couplers AB
InventorsAnders Eliasson, Stefan Heinås, Jean Major
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle coupler including a coupling head and a dampening device attached thereto. A beam is provided and configured to attach to the vehicle. A housing assembly is connected to the beam and configured to receive a portion of the dampening device. A first release mechanism in the form of a shear ring is arranged within the housing assembly and is configured to provide a releasable connection between the dampening device and the housing assembly. A second release device in the form of a plurality of shear elements provides a releasable connection between the beam and the housing assembly. A preload mechanism may also be provided for applying an initial shearing force on the plurality of shear elements.
Claims18
A vehicle coupler comprising:
- a dampening device configured to attach to a coupling head;
- a beam for connecting to a vehicle;
- a housing connected to the beam and configured to receive a portion of the dampening device;
- a first release mechanism enclosed within an interior of the housing between an end of the dampening device and an end of the housing and configured to provide a releasable connection between the dampening device and the housing, wherein the first release mechanism comprises a shear ring arranged within the housing, wherein the shear ring includes:
- an outer annular section which includes an outer annular section face that engages a corresponding annular shoulder arranged in the interior of the housing;
- an inner annular section which includes an inner annular section face that engages an end of the dampening device;
- and
- an intermediate annular section between the outer annular section and the inner annular section that is configured to shear to provide the releasable connection between the dampening device and the housing;
- and
- a second release mechanism providing a releasable connection between the beam and the housing.
A vehicle coupling assembly comprising:
- a dampening device attached to a coupling head;
- a beam for connecting to a vehicle;
- a housing attached to the beam and configured to receive a portion of the dampening device;
- a shear ring arranged within an interior of the housing between an end of the dampening device and an end of the housing and configured to provide a releasable connection between the dampening device and the housing;
- and
- providing a first releasable connection between the dampening device and the housing;
- a plurality of shear elements providing a second releasable connection between the beam and the housing;
- and
- a preload mechanism configured to apply a lateral force on the plurality of shear elements.
A vehicle coupler comprising:
- a dampening device configured to attach to a coupling head;
- a beam for connecting to a vehicle;
- a housing connected to the beam and configured to receive a portion of the dampening device;
- a plurality of shear elements arranged to provide a releasable connection between the beam and the housing;
- and
- a preload mechanism configured to apply a uniform preload force laterally to each of the plurality of shear elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.