Abstract: A gladhand coupling that prevents inadvertent separation of the coupling halves without the need for additional structure or manipulation to connect and disconnect the halves. Each half is equipped with a lug having a ramped pad and a flange defining a channel having a corresponding ramped pad. When two halves are positioned together then rotated into the locked position, the ramped pad of the lug is positioned proximately to the ramped pad of the flange to prevent inadvertent lateral compression of the two halves that could cause unintentional uncoupling. The coupling may be disconnected by simple rotation of one coupling half relative to the other and by pulling the coupling apart as done by current rail car decoupling procedures without the need for manual manipulation of extraneous locking mechanisms.

Abstract: A gladhand coupling that prevents inadvertent separation of the coupling halves without the need for additional structure or manipulation to connect and disconnect the halves. Each half is equipped with a lug having two spaced apart ramped pads and a flange defining a channel having a corresponding ramped pad. When two halves are positioned together then rotated into the locked position, the ramped pad of the flange is positioned proximately to the either of the ramped pads of the flange to prevent inadvertent lateral compression of the two halves that would otherwise cause unintentional uncoupling. The coupling may be disconnected by simple rotation of one coupling half relative to the other so that the ramped pad of the lug is positioned between the spaced apart ramped pads of the lug and by pulling the coupling apart as done by current rail car decoupling procedures.

Abstract: A vent cap for a transmission is provided. The vent cap includes an insertion part for attaching the vent cap to the transmission. The insertion part has portions forming a first channel through the insertion part. The vent cap also has a vent part for attaching the vent cap to a hose. The vent part is attached to the insertion part. The vent part may have a vent base and a hose attachment portion extending from the vent base, wherein the hose attachment portion defines a second channel therethrough. The second channel is in communication with the first channel. The second channel may be orientated substantially perpendicular to the first channel. The insertion part may have at least one insertion attachment feature that mates with at least one vent attachment features of the vent part.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed for use with a train consist. The consist communication system may have a first fluid conduit, a first coupling connected to the first fluid conduit, a first cover connected to the first coupling and configured to close an end of the first fluid conduit, and at least a first cable disposed within the first fluid conduit. The system may also have a second fluid conduit substantially identical to the first fluid conduit, a second coupling substantially identical to the first coupling, fixedly connected to the second fluid conduit, and connectable to the first coupling, and a second cover connected to the second coupling and configured to close an end of the second fluid conduit. At least a second cable may be disposed within the second fluid conduit in communication with the at least a first cable through the first and second covers. The first and second fluid conduits may be pressurized.

Abstract: A consist communication system is disclosed for use with a train consist. The consist communication system may have a fluid conduit, at least a first cable disposed within the fluid conduit and configured to transmit communication signals, and at least a second cable disposed within the fluid conduit and configured to transmit electrical power. The communication conduit may also have a coupling fixedly connected to an end of the fluid conduit, a first transformer coil connected to the at least a first cable, and a second transformer coil connected to the at least a second cable and disposed in an orthogonal orientation relative to the first transformer coil.

Abstract: A swivel-type cast iron swinger gladhand is provided. The gladhand has a mounting bracket, a cast iron coupler support body, and a cast iron coupler body. The cast iron coupler body includes a pivot arm, a coupler and a clamp integrally formed from a single casting. The cast iron coupler body is pivotally supported by the mounting bracket and the cast iron coupler support body.

Abstract: A male-female connection device, wherein the male connection device includes a sleeve and a slide that is adapted to occupy, relative to the sleeve, a position in which the slide is advanced in the sleeve, the device also including a tubular film folded back on itself and pressed between the slide and the sleeve. The female connection device includes a sleeve and a slide that is adapted to occupy, relative to the sleeve, a position in which the slide is set back in the sleeve, the device also including a tubular film folded back on itself and pressed between the slide and the sleeve. The male and female connection devices can be engaged within each other.

Abstract: A male-female connection device, wherein the male connection device includes a sleeve and a slide that is adapted to occupy, relative to the sleeve, a position in which the slide is advanced in the sleeve, the device also including a tubular film folded back on itself and pressed between the slide and the sleeve. The female connection device includes a sleeve and a slide that is adapted to occupy, relative to the sleeve, a position in which the slide is set back in the sleeve, the device also including a tubular film folded back on itself and pressed between the slide and the sleeve. The male and female connection devices can be engaged within each other.

Abstract: The male connection device comprises a sleeve (4) and a slide (5) that is adapted to occupy, relative to said sleeve (4), a position in which said slide (5) is advanced in said sleeve (4), said device also comprising a tubular film (6) folded back on itself and pressed between the slide (5) and the sleeve (4). The female connection device comprises a sleeve (40) and a slide (41) that is adapted to occupy, relative to said sleeve (40), a position in which said slide (41) is set back in said sleeve (40), said device also comprising a tubular film (42) folded back on itself and pressed between the slide (41) and the sleeve (40). The male-female connection system comprises such a male connection device (2) and such a female connection device (3) which are provided to be engaged within each other.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for contamination-free and/or sterile sealing between two interconnectable connecting elements having opposing openings. Interconnection allows transfer of a fluid between the openings. Sealing elements are arranged on the connecting elements around the openings, and protective films are provided, covering the sealing elements and the openings and adapted to be removed in the final interconnection. The sealing elements are each provided with at least one recess which extends wholly or partly around the associated opening and receives a gas. In use the sealing elements are moved into engagement with each other, interleaved with the protective films, to reduce the volume of the recesses and, thus, increase the pressure of the gas therein. During removal of the protective films, the gas flows out of the recesses to the environment to prevent penetration of contamination into the openings.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for interconnecting, sealed against contamination, the ends of tubes by two cooperating connecting components, each having an inlet and an outlet for connection to each other. The connecting components each have a connecting plane, into which the outlets open, each covered by a protective component, and which are movable into engagement with each other with the outlets facing each other. A locking element, which is slidably arranged on one connecting component, is, in a controlled manner and without interruption of the sliding movement, movable onto the other connecting component to a distinct end position. The protective components are removable by means of the locking element when this is moved, and the outlets are sealingly pressable against each other. The locking element is prevented from moving until a predetermined force is applied in the moving direction.

Abstract: “An air brake hose coupling member includes a locking device having a housing with a first aperture for attachment to the air brake hose coupling member and a second aperture for attachment to a hose support member which is adjusted to provide a predetermined clearance between the air brake hose coupling and a rail track. A locking pin is mounted for reciprocal movement within the housing and is being urged. by a resilient member in one direction for preventing undesirable complete rotational uncoupling of such pair of mating air brake hose coupling members. The locking pin is manually movable in the opposite direction during coupling and uncoupling under normal operating conditions. Alternatively, the housing is provided as a boss formed on a body of the air brake hose coupling.

Abstract: A plurality of cylindrical port defining portions project from a passage defining member defining a plurality of passages. A supply line defining body defining a plurality of supply lines is formed of an elastic member. The supply line defining body includes a plurality of openings each communicating with a corresponding one of the liquid supply lines. Each of the port defining portions extends perpendicularly to the direction in which each of the passages extends. Each of the openings extends perpendicular to the direction in which each of the liquid supply lines extends. A securing member fastens the port defining portions with respect to the corresponding openings collectively, by applying fastening force to the passage defining member and the supply line defining body in the axial direction of each port defining portion.

Abstract: Rod linkage for rod segments for a horizontal earth drill, whereby the rod segment ends can be interconnected by displacing the rod segment axes in parallel. The invention relates to a rod linkage for horizontal earth drilling which is characterized in that the ends of the rod segments can be interconnected by displacing the rod segment axes in parallel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved handle for a clothing steamer which solves the problem of steam delivery hose working free of a barbed fitting. The handle is fitted with a plurality of protrusions that impinge the outer diameter of the hose, thereby securing it in place through friction with the protrusions and also by forcing the inner diameter of the hose against the barbs of the barbed interference fitting.

Abstract: An improved air brake hose coupling member for a rail car including a pivotally mounted pawl. The pawl has a ramp for engaging another coupling member. The engagement causes the pawl to be raised to an unlocking position automatically during coupling of the members. The axis of rotation of the pawl is in a plane substantially parallel to an inner coupling face of the member and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a tubular body of the member. The coupling member also has a biasing element that causes the pawl to drop down into a locking position after coupling of the members is complete, thereby enabling the pawl to prevent undesired rotational decoupling of the members. A method for modifying existing non-locking coupling members with a pivotally mounted pawl.

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.

Abstract: A seal for use in fluid couplings, such as those utilized in compressed air braking systems for tractor trailers and the like, has a lower portion, an intermediate portion, and an upper portion. The outer diameter of the intermediate portion is less then the outer diameters of the lower and upper portions and the outer diameter of the upper portion is less then the outer diameter of the lower portion. A bore extends through the lower, intermediate, and upper portions for providing fluid communication through the seal. The outer diameter of the upper portion and the upper surface of the upper portion at the bore are formed to have bevels such that the propensity for swaging or folding over of the upper surface during the coupling process is reduced. The seal is molded of polyurethane and color coded to mitigate the potential for cross connecting of the normal and emergency compressed air lines of a truck's braking system.

Abstract: A handle is disclosed for use in conjunction with a rotatable interlocking coupling on the end of an air line of a brake system. The coupling conventionally has a laterally facing surface including a central opening for communication with a similar coupling, a forwardly projecting tongue on a distal end thereof, a shoulder situated on a proximal end thereof including a rearwardly facing opening for communication with the air line, and a flange at least partially overlying the laterally facing surface defining a tongue-receiving slot for engaging the tongue of a similar coupling. The handle is illustrated in three different embodiments but in all embodiments the handle has an outer surface sized to be easily grasped by a human hand for facilitating the engagement and disengagement of the laterally facing surface and tongue of the coupling in such a manner as to avoid the application of coupling or uncoupling forces to the air line thereby reducing the incidence of line failure.

Abstract: An improved hose coupling for railway vehicle brake pipe hoses, which hose coupling is characterized by a nipple portion disposed at an angle relative to the axis of the coupling head and an angular extension of the lower end of the coupling lip for preventing premature or inadvertent uncoupling due to excessive bouncing motion of the vehicle and, therefore, vertical oscillation of the hoses.

Abstract: A coupling for air and electrical connections between a vehicle and a trailer having two telescopically connected cupped sections with concentric sealed air passages when the sections are interconnected. Both the electrical and pneumatic connections are made simultaneously with the telescopic interconnection.

Abstract: An improved hose coupling for railway vehicle brake pipe hoses, which coupling is characterized by a straight nipple portion and an angular extension of the lower end of the coupling lip for preventing inadvertent uncoupling due to excessive bouncing motion of the vehicle and, therefore, vertical oscillation of the hoses.