Combined Car And Air Train Line Patents (Class 213/76)
  • Patent number: 9914495
    Abstract: An electronic docking vehicle includes a vehicle body including a docking subject mechanism that docks with a first surrounding vehicle and a docking object mechanism with which a docking subject mechanism of second surrounding vehicle docks. A vehicle manipulating mechanism is provided in the vehicle body and includes a driving force generator providing a driving force to driving wheels. A steering manipulator controls a steering angle of the driving wheels. A braking manipulator generates a braking force in the driving wheels. A controller is configured to allow one vehicle to combine with the surrounding vehicle through the docking subject mechanism or the docking object mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jong Wook Han, Seong Youn Kwak, Hee Song Ham, Jeong Seok Ha
  • Patent number: 9828007
    Abstract: An air hose hanger for supporting flexible air hoses of a trainline braking system of a rail car includes a head including a mounting plate for mounting the hanger to a coupler of a rail car, the mounting plate including first and second apertures for receiving bolts for attaching the mounting plate to the coupler, and an arm removably attached to the head. The arm includes a first arm removably attached to the head extending in a substantially vertical direction away from the head, and a second arm integral with the first arm and extending in a horizontal direction substantially parallel to an axis of the coupler. The head is attached to the coupler at three preformed holes formed in the coupler. The head is attached to the arm via respective connector plates having a mating dove-tail connection for connecting the arm and head together to ensure proper installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: A. Stucki Co.
    Inventors: Scott D. Miner, Victoria K. Livingston, James S. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 9521772
    Abstract: A housing for receiving electrotechnical components includes a first and a second housing shell having, respectively, a first housing web that forms a sealing face and a second housing web that forms a further sealing face. The first and second housing webs are part of an inner wall of a double-walled casing portion of the housing. Two resilient sealing elements for sealing a transition portion are formed between the housing shells. In the assembled state, the first and second housing webs are aligned one above the other and substantially flush and the longitudinal edges thereof facing each other are arranged at a distance apart. A carrier element forms a bridging element between the housing webs and presses the sealing elements in the transverse direction or in the assembly direction against the sealing faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: KEBA AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Etlinger
  • Patent number: 9108644
    Abstract: A coupling system for a train consist is disclosed. The coupling system may include a first conduit associated with a locomotive of the train consist, a second conduit associated with a tender car of the train consist, and a fluid coupling connecting the first and second conduits. The coupling system may also include a first mechanical coupler associated with the locomotive and a second mechanical coupler associated with the tender car and configured to engage and lock with the first mechanical coupler. The coupling system may further include a locking device driven by fluid passing through the fluid coupling that is configured to inhibit disengagement of the first mechanical coupler and the second mechanical coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Wayne Steffen, Aaron Gamache Foege
  • Publication number: 20140263146
    Abstract: A railcar coupler assembly allowing rotation of a coupler between a stored position within the railcar and an extended position for engagement with the coupler of an adjacent railcar. The coupler can be locked into either the stored or extended position with a locking pin. A corresponding rotatable brake pipe is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BRANDT ROAD RAIL CORPORATION
    Inventor: David Brodie
  • Publication number: 20140251937
    Abstract: Coupler head includes a coupler house for containing components included in a mechanical coupling and for supporting a front plate. The coupler house has two separate elongate shell-shaped house parts, which in mutually opposite and open long sides are individually joined to the outside of a beam running centrally in the coupler head and in a rear end is adapted to be coupled to a drawbar and in a front end adapted for bearing a main shaft included in the coupling, the parts being joined to the outside of the beam by welding seams running in the beam's longitudinal direction, whereby tractive forces are transferred from the coupling to the drawbar via the beam without loading the parts and seams, while thrust forces are transferred from the plate to the beam and the drawbar via the parts and seams without loading the coupling, its main shaft and the latter's bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: EGO INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Anders Westman, Anders Svedbo
  • Patent number: 7850128
    Abstract: A suspension device for supporting an air brake hose on a rail car is disclosed. The device includes a strap having a clevis at one end and a plurality of apertures in spaced relation lengthwise along the strap. A clevis pin is used to attach the clevis to a lug on the coupling of the air brake hose. The strap is inserted through a fitting on the coupler of the railcar and received within the bore of a collar. A through hole in the collar receives a strap pin that also extends through the apertures in the strap to lock the collar in place. The collar prevents the strap from passing through the bracket. The suspension device is provided as a kit wherein all of the components are integrally molded together and connected by sprue portions. A method of molding the device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Pennsy Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne H. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7780022
    Abstract: A trainline support casting is provided to support flexible brake hoses between adjacent rail cars. The trainline support casting is capable of partial rotational movement during use and is supported on a mounting bracket adapted to mount directly to a coupler head of a cushioned car coupler, insuring a constant distance from the end of the coupler to the trainline support casting and a constant distance of the brake hoses above the ground according to AAR standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Strato, Inc.
    Inventors: George Vermesi, Michael Foxx
  • Patent number: 7748549
    Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic hose connector for a railway car, comprising a coupler head adapted to mate with the corresponding coupler head of another railway car. The coupler head is comprised of concave and convex male and female coupling means, and each said coupling means includes an airway for joining with the corresponding airway of the coupler head of another railway car. Finally, there is at least one internal channel joining the male and female coupling means airways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Norfolk Southern Corporation
    Inventor: Don Robert Browning
  • Patent number: 7726993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for connecting an item of equipment and two cables, one of which carries electrical data and the other of which carries pneumatic data. The device comprises an electrical socket and a pneumatic socket, both mounted on an item of equipment, an electrical plug secured to a cable, the electrical plug being intended to be connected to the electrical socket, and a pneumatic plug secured to a cable, the pneumatic plug being intended to be connected to the pneumatic socket. According to the invention, when the pneumatic plug is in a connected but unlocked position, the electrical plug cannot be plugged in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Marc Simeon, Jean-Philippe Pineau, Jean-Claude Brizion
  • Patent number: 7637381
    Abstract: A brake hose support comprises: a bracket fixedly attached to the yoke of the coupling apparatus of a rail car and a swivel fitting attached to the bracket which is rotatable around a pivot center. The swivel fitting can be rotated so that the angle of the end hose opening with respect to the angle cock is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Strato, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Foxx, Lin Hua
  • Patent number: 7631774
    Abstract: A trolley hanger for supporting brake hose connections between rail cars which hangs securely on a trolley rod, and preferably is directly connected to an intermediate hose flange, a train line support casting flange, or trolley pipe flange, prevents lateral and rotational movement of a brake hose connection, thereby reducing unwanted brake hose uncoupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Strato, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Foxx, Larry Hixon, Lin Hua
  • Publication number: 20090166479
    Abstract: A trainline support casting is provided to support flexible brake hoses between adjacent rail cars. The trainline support casting is capable of partial rotational movement during use and is supported on a mounting bracket adapted to mount directly to a coupler head of a cushioned car coupler, insuring a constant distance from the end of the coupler to the trainline support casting and a constant distance of the brake hoses above the ground according to AAR standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: STRATO INC.
    Inventors: GEORGE VERMESI, MICHAEL FOXX
  • Patent number: 7467812
    Abstract: An apparatus for lifting a brake hose including a glad hand secured to one end thereof. The brake hose to be lifted into an elevated position is attached to an end of a railway car. Such apparatus further maintains the brake hose in such elevated position during in track service. Such apparatus includes a first member engageable with a predetermined portion of such railway car and a second member engageable with one of such glad hand and such brake hose. There is at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member disposed between and engageable with such first and second member. Additionally, a supply line having a choke is disposed in fluid communication with such at least one fluid pressure actuated expansion member and a source of fluid pressure for expanding the expansion member in a longitudinal direction and thereby raise such brake hoses to a predetermined elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: WABTEC Holding Corp.
    Inventors: Michael E. Ring, Howard Sommerfeld, Scott Natschke
  • Publication number: 20080156762
    Abstract: A rail vehicle having a vehicle body (WKA) comprising on at least one vehicle end a compression zone (STA) located behind an end carrier (ETR) of the vehicle body, and having a central buffer coupling (KUP) extending from a substantially vertical pivot axis (SWA) to the vehicle end and connected to said vehicle body via a coupling carriage (KSL) wherein said coupling carriage (KSL) is attached to said end carrier (ETR) and extending from said end carrier (ETR), bridging said compression zone (STA), towards the vehicle centre, and which is guided longitudinally slidable on the vehicle body (WKA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: SIEMENS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS GMBH & CO KG
    Inventors: Markus Seitzberger, Thomas Platter, Wilhelm Mayer
  • Patent number: 7267306
    Abstract: A hybrid support bracket for supporting a flexible end hose of a railcar air brake hose assembly is described. The bracket has a free end of a predetermined length and a train line support unit is displaceable along the displaceable free end. The train line support union has a connector which connects an end of the flexible end hose to the brake hose assembly. The hybrid bracket is secured to the yoke of a coupler and is displaceable therewith. The displaceable free end and train line support union permit relative displacement between the hybrid bracket and the hose support to compensate for the slack of the coupler due to wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Consolequip Inc.
    Inventors: Charles G. Eason, Varoujan Khatchadourian
  • Patent number: 7178660
    Abstract: A manufacturing operation having a first production area, a second production area, and a plurality of platforms each having independently controllable drive assemblies for moving the platforms through the production and delivery areas. Adjacent platforms are spaced from one another a first distance in the delivery areas and a second distance in the production areas, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance and, preferably, where the second distance creates a “zero” gap between adjacent platform decks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventors: Noel F. Dehne, Gerald E. Chilson, Earl A. Raynal, Jr., James J. Bedells, Lewis R. Poole, Timothy R. Crumbaugh
  • Publication number: 20040155005
    Abstract: A support assembly suspends the end of an elongated flexible member such as the end of an elongated railroad air brake hose in a predetermined elevation. The assembly includes an elongated suspension strap having spaced apertures which are elongated lengthwise of the strap and resilient wire attachment clips, each formed of a single piece of wire. One of the clips attaches the strap to a fixture on the end of the rail car and another attaches the strap to the end of the air hose. Each clip has a first end terminating in a hook which is dimensioned to pass through a selected strap aperture when the clip is angularly positioned relative to the length of the strap but which is retained within the aperture when the clip is oriented lengthwise of the strap. The clips further comprise a first arm which extends from the hook, and a second arm which is joined to the first to form a U-shaped portion which is capable of being grasped by the hand of a worker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Pennsy Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne H. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6745910
    Abstract: An end of car mounting block assembly for electrical interconnections between rail cars. The assembly includes a housing having an opening therethrough adapted to receive an electrical plug and an electrical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Kip P. Flint, Johnny L. Burch, Gene A. Timourou
  • Patent number: 6705478
    Abstract: An integrated electrical and pneumatic train line connector is provided. In a typically glad hand connector for connecting the pneumatic lines on either end of a train car, each glad hand also includes an integrated electrical connector for the train electrical line which runs along the length of the train. Each glad hand comprises an inner and outer face to which are connected respective male and female connectors for the electrical train line. The male contact is preferably provided on the lower portion of the glad hand and a correspondingly figured female connector is provided on the upper portion of the glad hand. When a glad hand from one railcar is attached to the glad hand of a second railcar the cooperating male and female connectors of each of glad hands are automatically connected as the pneumatic line is connected. One step electrical and pneumatic coupling is therefore provided for railroad cars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas L. Engle
  • Patent number: 6290079
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for connecting electric and air lines of railroad cars incident to their mechanical coupling. The connector includes a junction plate with an outer perimeter surrounded by a housing that has connector-to-connector gathering means and is resiliently attached to a bracket on the coupler body. Formed near to the geometric center of the junction plate is a hole retaining a gasket which seats against the end of an elongated tube mechanically secured to the junction plate and passing through a compression spring and the housing and its remote wall where the assembled length is controlled by the flange of an air line fitting contacting the housing. The automatic electric and air line capability supplements the automatic coupling capability within an increased gathering range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Sharma & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell G. Altherr
  • Patent number: 6189714
    Abstract: An adapter is designed to interconnect the two glad hands that extend from the adjacently disposed ends of a pair of rail vehicles in a train. The housing of the adapter includes first and second connector bodies and an intermediate portion situated between the two connector bodies. The adapter housing encloses a flow chamber that runs from the first connector body through the intermediate portion to the second connector body. The intermediate portion defines a vertically disposed access port in communication with the flow chamber of the adapter housing. The connector bodies are formed on opposite, vertically oriented sides of the adapter housing. Each connector body features a mating surface from which a flow port in communication with the flow chamber emerges. Each connector body also includes a mechanism that allows the connector body to mechanically couple to one of the glad hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventors: Paul J. Kettle, Jr., Edward W. Gaughan, Jonathan A. Cohen
  • Patent number: 5865329
    Abstract: A standard hermaphroditic pneumatic glad-hand coupler includes a data bus connector containing a pair of contacts, each contact having an axis tangential to the arc along which the connector is carried during rotation of the coupler during establishment of a pneumatic connection. The pair of contacts can be in the form of a pair of hermaphroditic contacts, or one female and one male contact. In the female/male version, the female contact is surrounded on all sides except the mating and termination ends by an elastomeric dielectric projection and the male contact is situated in a pocket bordered by elastomeric dielectric material and arranged to receive the elastomeric dielectric projection when the male and female contacts are mated together upon coupling the glad-hand coupler with an identical glad-hand coupler so as to surround both contacts and also isolate the contacts from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Sumner Gay, David Otis Gallusser, Gregory John Oleksik
  • Patent number: 5676266
    Abstract: A rail car having dual air hose connections at each end at upper and lower positions. The dual air hose connection provides universal connectability between adjacent cars having a single connection hose having ends at either an upper or lower position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Johnstown America Corporation
    Inventor: William E. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 5658159
    Abstract: The invention provides a connector system and methods for attaching a first and second connector. Each connector includes an elongate connector body and a coupling nut rotatably coupled about the connector body. Each coupling nut includes a center plate and a pair of latch arms, with each arm having a groove therein to define a tooth at a distal end of each arm. The arms are substantially parallel to the connector body. Each connector further includes at least one resilient member which resists movement of the arms away from their parallel orientation relative to the elongate body. The first and second connectors may be connected by abutting the connector bodies and rotating the coupling nuts so that the grooves and teeth of corresponding arms mate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: BIW Connector Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Gardner, Robert F. Buckheit
  • Patent number: 5586668
    Abstract: Electrical connections are provided between coupled railway cars by a connector which mates with the industry standard brake line air hose connector. Electrical contacts may be imbedded in the mating surfaces of two joined connectors, or on modules attached to the standard connector. The valve which admits air to the air hose connector after it is joined to another connector may also actuate a switch which completes electrical circuits when the air valve is opened. In cases where end to end reversal of a railway car would cause interchange of circuits, a compensating switch is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Craig A. Miller
  • Patent number: 5480042
    Abstract: A retainer is provided for retaining a catch mounted to a first portion of a split ramp car in its unlocked position as a second portion of a ramp car exits a locking area in which it is previously locked. An arm portion of the retainer extends into the locking area and controls the operation of the retainer in response to the movement of the ramp and the locking area. A fluid coupler, automatically couples a first and second portions of a main reservoir pipe and a first and second portions of a brake pipe connected to each first and second portion of the ramp car respectively, when the ramp is in its raised and travel position. Valves in each of the main reservoir passages close the main reservoir passage when the first and second housings are separated and opens the main reservoir passages when the first and second housings are joined. An electrical coupler is also automatically coupled as the two portions of the ramp car are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Knorr Brake Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas H. Engle
  • Patent number: 5378054
    Abstract: A fluid pressure system and stoplight control circuit for a towed vehicle which is either an intermediate unit or the last unit of a vehicle train includes an inlet supply line for receiving fluid pressure from a preceding unit and an outlet supply line which is connected to a corresponding coupling of a succeeding unit when the vehicle is an intermediate unit and which is connected to a coupling hanger when the unit is the last unit of a vehicle train. A pressure responsive stop light switch is connected into the coupling hanger. Accordingly, when the outlet supply line is connected to the coupling hanger, the contacts of the stop light switch are closed, thus permitting power to the stop lights when a brake application is effected. However, when the outlet supply line is connected to a succeeding vehicle, the coupling hanger is vented, so that the contacts of the pressure responsive switch are open, thus interrupting power to the stop lights and conserving power on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Eberling
  • Patent number: 4986500
    Abstract: An adjustable support arrangement for suspending an air brake hose from the coupler of a railway vehicle including an elongated rubber bungee and a pair of spring wire clip connectors. The rubber bunges includes a resilient circular cross-section intermediate portion and two rectangular cross-section end portions, each having a plurality of axially spaced elongated through holes. Each of the pair of spring wire clip connectors including a hook portion, which is threaded through a selected one of the elongated holes formed in the respective ends of the rubber bungee, and including a thumb-engaging loop portion for opening and closing the spring wire clip connectors and for being interlocked with the hook portion when excessive deformation occurs to either of the spring wire clip connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 4813555
    Abstract: A coupling system for connecting convertible rail-highway vehicles which are adapted to operate on highways as conventional semi-trailers as well as on railway tracks in an articulated rail mode. The coupling system enables automatic coupling of vehicles when a vehicle is backed into a stationary vehicle and the transmission of large forces due to compression and tension in long trains while permitting the requisite movements of relative roll, pitch and yaw at a point between end faces of the coupled vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Inventors: Alan R. Cripe, Christopher A. Cripe
  • Patent number: 4703862
    Abstract: An automatic air couplter for railroad cars includes a bracket (26) which supports a cylinder housing (72) underneath the coupler mechanism of a railroad car. A face plate (60) is disposed on a piston (70) which reciprocates within the cylinder housing (72). A spring (76) is maintained in compression between the face plate (60) and the cylinder housing (72) to provide an outward force. Alignment devices (62) and (64) allow for automatic alignment of the face plate (60) such that orifices (66) can mate therebetween to allow air to pass therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Inventor: George S. Werner
  • Patent number: 4497414
    Abstract: A mechanical central buffer coupling for a so-called model Scharfenberg for rail vehicles which have a main conduit connected to a coupling lock in a brake actuator coupling lock, comprises a controlled pneumatic valve for opening the lock which is characterized by an air valve connected with the main air conduit and to the pneumatic valve. The air valve is connected to the brake actuator so that in case of unintentional severing of the central buffer coupling the air valve actuates the brake of the rail vehicle by venting the main conduit. The model Scharfenberg mechanical central buffer coupling generally includes an arrangement of a rotary pivotable lever system between two mechanical coupling members in such a way that the mechanical coupling members can pivot even without moving the lever system, so as to make possible an actuation of the air-shut off member only upon actuating the releasing device of the coupling members but not heretofore upon an unintentional severing of the coupling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Scharfenbergkupplung GmbH
    Inventors: Hilmar Forster, Heinz-Georg Wonka
  • Patent number: 4392575
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a swivel fitting is used to connect the glad hand to the rigid portion of the brake system on the car. The swivel fitting includes a freely rotatable swivel extension which extends through an opening in a support structure. A rigid curved pipe section is connected to the swivel extension with a 45.degree. elbow. The rigid pipe section and 45.degree. elbow may swivel about a horizontal axis. The curved pipe extends upwardly and inboard of the car where it joins brake piping extending inboard of the car. A conventional end cock is attached to the swivel fitting with appropriate fasteners. A 45.degree. elbow is used to removably connect the glad hand of the train line to the end cock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1983
    Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas B. Baker, Richard J. Mandrell
  • Patent number: 4391380
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a safety interlock for rail car couplers wherein a detent positioned by the rail car compressed air braking system prevents the rail car couplers from being unlocked as long as the rail car brake system is supplied with compressed air. An expansible motor operated detent functions to selectively permit or prevent translation of the coupler pin controlling pivoting of the coupler knuckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Inventor: Demetrius H. Hoose
  • Patent number: 4301932
    Abstract: A bracket is provided as part of an "E" type railway coupler and located totally below and within the envelope of the coupler guard arm for attachment of an air line fitting. A hose is attached for coupling the air line to the adjacent car and to which another hose is attached for connection to the air line on the car body. The hose is oriented in the direction of the coupling line and supported in a position where the glad hand carried thereby is a controlled distance above the rail height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Amsted Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Russell G. Altherr
  • Patent number: 4099702
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pivoted double handle self-locking mechanism for operating a valve. Each of a pair of oppositely extending handles is pivotally mounted on a socket member secured to a key that rotates the valve, each handle being provided with a gear segment that meshes with a corresponding gear segment on the other handle whereby rocking of either handle about its pivot by a lever connected thereto effects rocking of the other handle so that a lug on one handle is moved to a position in which it will not engage a stop carried by the valve body upon subsequent arcuate movement of both handles while in their rocked position in response to a manual pull exerted on the lever connected to either one of the handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Fred Temple
  • Patent number: 4081083
    Abstract: An air line connector for use on an automatic coupler having a combination seal in the form of an apertured seal holder containing annular grooves in a front and rear face with seal members therein and a locating seal member about the diametral periphery of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Wilbert Gordon Glauser, Walter Cabble Dilg
  • Patent number: 4071148
    Abstract: An automatic pneumatic connector for air brakes for mounting on couplers of railroad cars for relative elevational, longitudinal, and swivel motion with air-tight integrity being obtained by springs compresssing abutting gaskets and with guides to bring the gaskets into engagement as the railroad cars are coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1978
    Inventor: Lilburn E. Tibbs
  • Patent number: 4049128
    Abstract: An electro-pneumatic control system for effecting coupling and uncoupling action of automatic rapid transit type car couplers in a manner which assures that fluid pressure lines are cut off and that electrical contacts are disconnected before actual physical disengagement of the couplers themselves can occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: William B. Jeffrey
  • Patent number: 4015720
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically coupling pneumatic brake lines on railway wagons and other articulated vehicles. The apparatus comprises an axially and resiliently compressible tubular projection which is fitted to the end of the vehicle to extend outwardly beyond the coupling plane of the vehicle. The head at the free end of the projection is formed to align and connect airtightly with a similarly formed head at the free end of a like formation on an adjacent vehicle when the draw-gear of the vehicles is coupled. This action compresses each projection thereby opening a valve between the bore of the projection and the brake line of its associated vehicle. The valve is releasably locked in the open position so that if the vehicles are uncoupled deliberately or accidentally, air in the brake line will be dissipated thus applying the brakes of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1977
    Assignee: Achille George Richman
    Inventor: Jack Peche
  • Patent number: 3941254
    Abstract: Air hose couplings for railway cars are prevented from uncoupling by wire form locking means reacting between the body of one coupling and the lip of the other coupling. In certain embodiments a wire form is an integral part of the air hose coupling assembly and has a laterally extending arm for manual unlocking. In another embodiment a detachable bifurcated wire form is applied to coupled air hose couplings after a train is made up and may be discarded when the respective cars are uncoupled. Alternatively, the detachable wire form also can be mounted on the clamp that secures the air hose to the coupling, or on a clamp that fits over the hose clamp, or mounted directly on the main body portion of a coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1976
    Assignee: Illinois Railway Equipment Company
    Inventor: Theodore J. Sweger