US 6,206,215 B1 · Rail car coupler

Abstract

Disclosed herein is improvement of the standard Type-E or Type-F coupler, which is compatible with the existing standard couplers, for providing automatic uncoupling features. The improved coupler includes a coupler head of the type having standard coupling knuckle, guard arm, and an standard interior knuckle-control structure within a lock-receiving chamber. Said interior knuckle-control structure includes the standard components such as a knuckle-lock attached to a lock-lift assembly, a knuckle thrower and other standard components. In order to provide the coupler with automatic uncoupling feature, an electric actuator, such as a motor or a solenoid, is installed within a chamber provided behind said guard arm. Said actuator controls the movement of the lock-lift assembly via a leverage system provided so that the coupler lock can be lifted to the lock-set position by said actuator. The actuator is connected to and controlled by the serialization and operation-control system of the train.

Claims13

Dependent claims

In a railroad freight-car coupler having a coupler head having a guard-arm side and a knuckle side including

a chamber formed within said coupler head at said knuckle side,
a knuckle swingable about a vertical axis supported by said coupler head with a tail portion thereof extending from said knuckle,
said knuckle being movable between thrown and locked positions,
a knuckle thrower supported by said head for movement between thrown and locked positions,
said knuckle thrower being engageable by and movable with said knuckle toward their locked positions, and
a coupler lock including a lower leg portion depending from an upper lock portion situated within said chamber,
said lock being movable within said chamber between thrown, lockset, and locked positions,
said lock being movable, due to gravity, toward its locked position wherein said lock is in the path of movement of said tail portion of said knuckle;
the improvement therein comprising
a lock-lift assembly including an elongated toggle means for moving said lock toward its lockset and thrown positions and movable with said lock toward its locked position, and
actuation means installed on said coupler head and operating at lower portion of said toggle means for moving said coupler lock toward its lockset and thrown positions.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Rail car coupler

Life of this patent

Rail car coupler

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13