Abstract: A coupler having a support provided through the body of the coupler and a plurality of openings in the coupler which are configured as open cavities. The coupler structure includes a shank that has a vertical support as well as lateral support. The coupler may be configured with a double I-beam structure with openings into the shank. Cores that may be fixed to the mold may be used to form the coupler and produce the openings in the shank.

Abstract: An improved coupler knuckle with an improved interior configuration for handling forces imparted on the knuckle and transferring said imparted forces through the knuckle and improving handling of linear force loads and their transmission the interior having a force handling structure that includes spaced apart layers and cavities, with a cavity extending between the nose section and the tail section of the coupler knuckle.

Abstract: A coupler having a support provided through the body of the coupler and a plurality of openings in the coupler which are configured as open cavities. The coupler structure includes a shank that has a vertical support as well as lateral support. The coupler may be configured with a double I-beam structure with openings into the shank. Cores that may be fixed to the mold may be used to form the coupler and produce the openings in the shank.

Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented comprising an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an off-grid propane gas range appliance incorporating a waist-high broiler, the gas range operating without electricity in off-grid applications. The off-grid propane gas range appliance comprises an oven compartment having a first heating element or baking burner arranged at the bottom of the oven compartment and a second heating element or a broiling burner arranged at the top of the oven compartment eliminating the need for a separate broiler drawer. The first and second heating elements are arranged and connected to the main gas manifold of the gas range so that only one of the heating elements is operable at a single time.

Abstract: A jaw closure transmission system is presented comprising an input sub-system, output sub-system and a transmission sub-system.

Abstract: A rerailer device for rerailing a railway vehicle onto a track, the device including a body with a ramp adapted to support a wheel of a railway vehicle thereon, a sloped face provided on said body and being configured with a slope that declines in a preferred direction toward the track on which the railway vehicle wheel is to be rerailed, and support means for supporting said sloped surface and railway vehicle wheels thereon, where the support configuration, material or combinations of configurations and materials facilitate lightweight construction.

Abstract: A knuckle thrower for a railway coupler assembly, the thrower having a knuckle actuating leg, a leg lock seat, an upper pivot structure, a lower trunnion, and stress relief feature for relieving stresses imparted on the thrower, which, according to some embodiments may include a recess provided in the perimeter wall thereof, and one or more supporting ribs.

Abstract: A process for producing a coupler and an improved coupler are provided. The process produces a coupler by constructing a mold that is a replica of the coupler and is constructed from a plurality of mold components that are selected and assembled to form a mold having the shape of the coupler. The mold components may include a front mold component section that forms the head of the coupler, a rear mold component section that forms the shank of the coupler, and, optionally one or more shelf components forming a shelf of the coupler. The front, rear and shank mold components may themselves be made from a plurality of mold components that are assembled together. The mold is formed from a consumable material, coating with a heat resistant material so that the assembled mold components are within a mold volume, and molten metal is added to the mold volume.

Abstract: Lightweight yokes are provided. According to some embodiments, the basic overall appearance of the yoke may be maintained, but the actual material of which it is constructed is changed. According to other embodiments, the yoke is provided with an improved lightweight construction, and, yet other embodiments the yoke may be provided with an improved construction and formed from a preferred material. Yokes may be constructed from cast austempered ductile iron; whereas cast iron has a density, 0.26 lbs/in^3, which is approximately 8% less than steel, 0.283 lbs/in^3, thereby allowing for a reduction in weight over steel. A suitable austempering process is used to produce the austempered metal yoke. Yokes have improved configurations which may require less metal to produce the yoke. Both, the lightweight material and improvements in configuration of the yoke structure may combine to provide a lighter weight yoke.

Abstract: A coupler having a support provided through the body of the coupler and a plurality of openings in the coupler which are configured as open cavities. The coupler structure includes a shank that has a vertical support as well as lateral support. The coupler may be configured with a double I-beam structure with openings into the shank. Cores that may be fixed to the mold may be used to form the coupler and produce the openings in the shank.

Abstract: An improved coupler knuckle with an improved interior configuration for handling forces imparted on the knuckle and transferring said imparted forces through the knuckle and improving handling of linear force loads and their transmission the interior having a force handling structure that includes spaced apart layers and cavities, with a cavity extending between the nose section and the tail section of the coupler knuckle.

Abstract: An improved coupler knuckle with an improved interior configuration for handling forces imparted on the knuckle and transferring said imparted forces through the knuckle and improving handling of linear force loads and their transmission the interior having a force handling structure that includes spaced apart layers and cavities, with a cavity extending between the nose section and the tail section of the coupler knuckle.

Abstract: E-type and F-type yokes improve the ability of the yokes to be constructed having lighter weight yet function to handle loads from car coupling assembly components, such as, for example, a coupler mounted on the yoke. The E-type and F-type yokes have straps and openings provided in the straps, and are constructed from austempered ductile iron. Embodiments may be constructed with a tail or butt portion that includes sloped walls that form cavities in the butt portion of the yoke, where a supporting structure spans between the yoke rear wall and the draft gear seat wall.

Abstract: A railcar coupler having a head portion extending from a shank portion, the coupler head portion is configured to couple to a first coupler knuckle for coupling the railcar coupler to a second railcar coupler of an adjacent railcar. The coupler has weight reduction features that also are configured to provide strength to the coupler when handling forceloads. The coupler may have a head with a front face with bores provided in the front face a cavity extending through the coupler, a guard arm with cavities formed therein, and a shank having a plurality of longitudinal cavities and adjacent ribs separating the cavities. Preferred embodiments may be constructed from an austempered metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas cook top assembly that is capable of operating in off-grid applications where no electricity is available and that is also adaptable to operating in on-grid applications. The cook top is provided with a first control loop with a battery pack for powering the control valves for releasing gas to the gas burners and a spark ignition module for generating a spark to ignite the corresponding gas burner in an off-grid application. The cook top is also provided with second control loop for delivering power from an on-grid AC power source to the control valves and spark ignition module. The second control loop may operate independently of the first control loop or may be connected in parallel with the first control loop, the second control loop receiving AC power through an AC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an off-grid propane gas range appliance incorporating a waist-high broiler, the gas range operating without electricity in off-grid applications. The off-grid propane gas range appliance comprises an oven compartment having a first heating element or baking burner arranged at the bottom of the oven compartment and a second heating element or a broiling burner arranged at the top of the oven compartment eliminating the need for a separate broiler drawer. The first and second heating elements are arranged and connected to the main gas manifold of the gas range so that only one of the heating elements is operable at a single time.