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US 8,297,455 B2Granted
Knuckle for a railway car coupler
AssigneeStrato, Inc.
InventorAndrew Smyth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A knuckle for a railway coupler system is made without internal voids or cores. Instead, external pockets are formed on the front face and tail portion surface to reduce weight. The knuckle is formed by investment casting, which permits a pulling face to be provided without a draft angle or parting line typical of a cast part. As a result of these innovations, the knuckle according to the invention has an improved fatigue life.
Claims12
A knuckle for a railway car coupler system, comprising:
- a front portion comprising a front face generally opposite a pulling face;
- a cast utility hole in a top surface of the knuckle;
- a pivot pin hole extending from a top surface of the knuckle to a bottom surface of the knuckle;
- a tail portion;
- wherein said pivot pin hole is located generally between the front portion and the tail portion;
- wherein said knuckle is free of internal voids, said front portion comprises a plurality of ribs defining front external weight reduction pockets, and said tail portion comprises a second plurality of ribs defining rear external weight reduction pockets;
- and
- wherein a total weight of the knuckle is in a range of about 75 to about 90 lbs.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.