Abstract: An integrated impact energy management system is provided for managing a wide range of impact energies exerted upon impact of a vehicle with an object. The system includes a cover structure adapted for attachment to a vehicle, the cover structure being designed to deform elastically when impact energy is exerted thereon, and having an inner surface with a preformed detent. The system also includes a folding coupler mechanism including a shank having a proximate end adapted to attach to the vehicle, and a longitudinal axis that extends from the proximate end to a distal end in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The shank has an energy absorption element for absorbing energy caused by compressive forces exerted along the longitudinal axis of the shank. The folding coupler mechanism also includes a coupling head pivotally attached to the distal end of the shank for pivoting between an extended position and a stowed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a center buffer coupling for railroad cars that has a coupling head 1 and a coupling shaft 2 that holds the coupling head 1 on its front end 3, whereby the rear end 4 of the coupling shaft 2 is attached to the frame of the railroad car so that it can swivel horizontally. In the case of a crash, i.e. during the occurrence of extreme impact energies, in order to shorten the coupled couplings in such a way that the energy absorbing elements 22 on the body side dissipate the impact energy transferred between the adjacent car bodies during the impact without additional space being needed when the coupling head 1 is taken out of the force flow, according to the invention, a section 6 of the coupling shaft is formed of a first partial piece 7 and a second partial piece 8, whereby the two partial pieces 7, 8 are connected to each other by means of an overload safety device 9.

Abstract: A central buffer coupling for coupling a first rail car body with a second, adjacent rail car body of a multiple-unit rail vehicle, has a coupling head pivotally connected by a coupling shaft to a linking housing of the rail car body, and a pivoting unit pivoting the coupling shaft. The pivoting unit has a guide participating in horizontal pivoting of the shaft that runs about a vertical pivot axis. Pressure surfaces symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the shaft which correspond to a respective pressure device, bring about horizontal re-centering of the shaft. The respective pressure devices are supported on the linking housing of the shaft to bias the related pressure surfaces against the guide. The guide is positionable with the action-linked coupling shaft in every position of the planned pivot region, via an activation device.

Abstract: An improved ball and race connection assembly for use in connecting together adjacently disposed ends of railway vehicles is provided. This ball and race connection assembly is particularly useful as a connection member in slackless type drawbar assemblies. The improved ball and race connection assembly includes a race member which is formed from a polymeric and/or composite material, specifically a resin impregnated filament wound material which is wound on a polytetrafluoroethylene/polyester mesh sleeve and cured. The use of these materials enables the race member to have sufficient strength and to be self-lubricating, thus eliminating the costs of providing a lubricating material at the ball and race interface, as is necessary when using a metal race, as well as reducing the amount of friction at this interface resulting in lower L/V ratios.

Abstract: A retainer member for use in either an articulated coupling arrangement and/or a slackless drawbar arrangement for retaining a spherical member in an operating position within a male connection member for connecting together adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway vehicles in a semi-permanent manner is provided. The retainer member comprises a one piece circular member which is engageable with at least a portion of an inner surface formed by an aperture in a modified male connection member. The circular member is engageable within this aperture of the male connection member to hold the spherical member within the aperture of the male connection member and to form a substantially spherical surface upon which the spherical member rotates against, enabling the male connection member to rotate with respect to the female or car connection member of the railway coupling device.

Abstract: A coupler is provided for a railroad rotary dump car. The coupler comprises a coupler housing, a coupler head, a buff loading shim, and as most preferred, a plurality of spring tabs, and spring tab fasteners. The coupler housing defines a coupler cavity with a cavity end. The coupler head has a spindle, is mounted to the coupler housing, and is adapted for rotary movement relative to the housing. The spindle has a spindle end adjacent the cavity end. The shim interposes the spindle end and the cavity end. The spring tabs are spaced one from another. Each includes a spring portion and a fastener portion. The fastener portions provide for removable fastening of the spring tabs to the coupler housing. The spring portions bias the shim against the cavity end and away from the spring tabs. The spring portions are curved relative to the fastener portions. The spring tab fasteners removably fasten the spring tabs along the fastener portions to the coupler housing adjacent the shim.

Abstract: A rotary type slackless drawbar assembly for connecting one end of a first railway freight car to an adjacently disposed end of a second railway freight car in a substantially semi-permanent fashion. Such drawbar assembly includes a rear block member having a substantially flat front face portion which is disposed in a generally vertical direction. A first spherically shaped cavity is formed in a center of the front face portion of such rear block member. A ball-like member has a first portion of an outer surface thereof disposed in such first cavity. An elongated drawbar member is connected at a first end thereof to a radially opposed second portion of such ball-like member. There is a generally U-shaped front block member which includes a substantially flat inner face portion disposed in a generally vertical direction and a second spherically shaped cavity is formed in such flat inner face portion of such front block member.

Abstract: A slackless drawbar assembly connecting adjacent ends of a pair of freight cars together includes a pair of rear draft stop members and a pair of front draft stop members engageable with and securable to a pair of side wall portions of a center sill member disposed along a longitudinal centerline of such car. Each one of at least one of the pairs of rear and front draft stop members having a substantially flat surface portion. There is an elongated drawbar member having an aperture formed therethrough. A ball member has at least a portion thereof disposed in such aperture and a race assembly is secured to such drawbar member adjacent such aperture and having an inner surface thereof surrounding such at least a portion of such ball member disposed in such aperture. A pair of elongated shaft members extend outwardly from radially opposed sides of such ball member. Each of such pair of shaft members includes at least a portion thereof being wedge shaped.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a central buffer coupling for rail-borne vehicles with a two-part coupling shaft formed by a front shaft part (2) carrying the coupling shaft (1) and by a rear shaft part (3) hinged horizontally pivotably to the chassis of the rail-borne vehicle, wherein the two shaft parts (2 and 3) of the two-part coupling shaft are connected to one another by a vertical connecting pin (5). A locking bar (7), which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction to a limited extent in the coupling shaft, is provided as the fixing device, and the said locking bar can be displaced, in the mutually extended position of the two shaft parts (2 and 3), by the force of a spring (13), into a locked position, in which the locking bar (7) associated with one of the shaft parts (2 or 3) engages the vertical groove (6) associated with the other shaft part (3 or 2) to make the coupling shaft rigid.

Abstract: Slackless drawbar includes female member, having a cavity, engaging end of a railway car. Openings through first and second side walls of cavity. A male member has portion movably disposed in cavity. An aperture formed through such male member. A ball has portion disposed in such aperture and shafts extending from outer surfaces thereof. A portion of one shaft disposed in one opening and a portion of another one disposed in another opening. Such shafts have flat surface portions. A race assembly disposed in such aperture and secured to male member. An inner surface of race surrounds such ball. A second female member, having a cavity, engages end of second car. Openings are formed through second pair of side walls. Another male member has portion movably disposed in second cavity. An aperture formed through the second male member. Another ball includes portion disposed in second aperture and shafts extending from outer surfaces thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides an articulated coupling apparatus which connects one end of one railway car to an adjacent end of a second railway car in a semipermanent manner. Such coupling apparatus includes a male connection member, a female connection member, a bearing assembly, and a device for securing such bearing assembly to the coupling apparatus.

Abstract: A railway vehicle drawbar slackless rotary dump arrangement having one end fixed against rotation to one railway vehicle and the other end connected to be rotatable in a second adjoining railway vehicle. Slack elimination is provided by a wedge at each connection. The rotatable connection includes a drawbar ball end held between concentric pulling blocks and follower block with a shim and cradle arrangement to maintain alignment of the concentric parts. Appurtenances are provided to the drawbar shank to simulate striker castings and interlocked E and F type couplers so as to accommodate the drawbar for use with indexing apparatus at the unloading site. Means are also incorporated to move cars in case of failure of system components.

Abstract: The invention relates to an omnibus which is suitable for train formation, can be driven independently and can either be freely steered or guided on tracks. In order not to disfigure the omnibus front by protruding coupling devices, and to be able to carry out the coupling operation without an assistant from the driver's position of the particular omnibus to be coupled, it is envisaged that at least the front coupling is designed in the form of a bar which can be extended or retracted under remote control. In the extended state, the bar can be moved under control within limits and can be engaged with the counter coupling head of the omnibus in front. The coupled omnibuses of a train are simultaneously and uniformly controlled from the driver's position of the first omnibus with regard to all their traction and braking functions.

Abstract: An arrangement for horizontal central arresting and releasing of an intermediate buffer coupling has a horizontally swingable coupling rod, a guide member at a rear end of the coupling rod and following the swinging of the latter, two rocking levers pivotally mounted on a vehicle and having abutment faces, a roller supported on the guide member and located between the rocking arms so as to abut against their abutment faces, and an actuating device connected with the rocking levers and operative for opening of the latter in the sense of allowing free movement of the intermediate buffer coupling.

Abstract: An automatic coupling for streetcars and like vehicles comprises a connecting rod pivotally connected to the vehicle and a coupling head pivotally connected to the connecting rod. The coupling head is pivotally disposed in the horizontal plane between an operative position in an extension of the connecting rod, in which position the coupling head extends beyond the front profile of the vehicle, and an inoperative position beside the connecting rod, in which position the coupling head is located inside the front profile of the vehicle. The coupling head co-operates with a locking device, by means of which the coupling head may be locked to the connecting rod in the operative and inoperative positions.