US 5,207,718 A · Slackless drawbar

Abstract

A drawbar for a slackless drawbar system comprises an elongated bar having a load support portion adjacent its one end for connection to one of a pair of adjacent cars in a train, a pin receiving opening extending through the load support portion, a hemispherical recess extending partially around the pin receiving opening and a pin bearing having a hemispherical outer surface receivable in the hemispherical recess and a cylindrical inner surface to receive a pin. The pin bearing preferably is constructed of two symmetrical halves retained in the hemispherical recess by a retaining clip of spring material and the pin receiving opening is provided with a recess to receive the pin bearing retaining clip. The drawbar is provided with a second load support portion at its other end which may be the same as the load support portion at its one end or which may be different if required to connect to a railway car with a different form of coupling.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A drawbar for a slackless drawbar system for interconnecting adjacent ends of a pair of adjacent cars in a train, said drawbar comprising:

(a) an elongated bar having a load support portion adjacent its one end for connection to one of such pair of adjacent cars;
(b) a pin receiving opening extending through said load support portion;
(c) a hemispherical recess extending partially around said pin receiving opening;
and
(d) a pin bearing including at least two individual substantially identical portions supported and retained in said hemispherical recess, each of said at least two of said individual substantially identical portions having an outer surface closely matching a surface of said hemispherical recess and received therein and an inner surface of cylindrical shape to receive a pin therein.

2 more elements

A drawbar for a slackless drawbar system for interconnecting adjacent ends of a pair of adjacent railway cars in a train, said system including said drawbar, a connecting element securable to one of such pair of adjacent railway cars, a pivot pin connecting said drawbar to said connecting element and ultimately transmitting draft loads from said drawbar to such one of such pair of adjacent railway cars, a follower in contact with said drawbar and having a hemispherical recess, a draft stop for transmitting buff loads from a railway car to said follower, and slack take-up means interposed between said follower and said draft stop, said drawbar comprising:

(a) an elongated bar having a load support portion adjacent a first end, said load support portion having a top first surface and a bottom second surface;
(b) a generally cylindrical pivot pin receiving opening extending through said load support portion from said top first surface to said bottom second surface, said pivot pin receiving opening being flared adjacent a top first end outwardly from its center and upwardly toward said top first surface of said load support portion and being flared adjacent a bottom second end outwardly from its center and downwardly toward said bottom second surface of said load support portion to permit limited rocking about a pivot pin received in said pivot pin receiving opening about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of said pivot pin;
(c) a butt end portion of generally hemispherical convex configuration for mating engagement with said hemispherical recess in said follower;
and
(d) a generally hemispherical recess in said pivot pin receiving opening, substantially symmetrically located with respect to a longitudinal centerline of said drawbar and having a substantially semicircular back wall having a first end and a second end each intersecting said pivot pin receiving opening at a predetermined slope transition points, said slope transition point being located more than 180 degrees from each other along said back wall of said hemispherical recess.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Slackless drawbar

Life of this patent

Slackless drawbar

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18