Abstract: A lightweight knuckle weighing substantially less than an AAR Standard Knuckle, is described for use in a railroad car coupler. This lightweight knuckle can be used, for example, to replace AAR Standard knuckle which becomes broken or otherwise damaged during operation and requires replacement in the field. Both the contouring and inner coring of an AAR Standard knuckle are radically changed to produce this lightweight knuckle which has all the functioning features of the standard knuckle, so as not to adversely effect the coupling and uncoupling operations of a coupler in which the lightweight knuckle is used.

Abstract: A railroad car coupling mechanism is described as having a yoke which is disposed within, I) a carsill which is attached to the underside of a railroad car adjacent each of the opposing ends of the car, and II) a striker which is secured to the subsill and railroad car. The striker and carsill carry front and rear stops between which the yoke extends and engages the front stops. At least one resilient load cushing device is disposed between the straps of the yoke for cushioning loads impacting the car coupling mechanism. At least one wedging device is disposed within the yoke straps, in tandem, with the load cushioning device, for taking up any slack which develops from worn parts within the yoke. At least one wedging mechanism is disposed outside the yoke between the back end of the yoke and the rear stops to, likewise, take up slack and insure that the yoke remains firmly, in place, between the front and rear stops.

Abstract: A strap fastener buckle for fastening opposing ends of an object encircling strap includes first and second bridge portions partially defining first and second tubular portions and a deformable retainer extending from the buckle intermediate first and second bridge portions. One end of the strap is initially secured to the buckle. The free end of the strap is then secured to the buckle by passing the free end through first and second tubular portions, folding the free end over second bridge portion, severing the free end at a predetermined point short of the second bridge portion, and securing the severed end between first and second bridge portions by deforming the retainer to a position overlying the severed end of the strap.

Abstract: A method of forming a drawn and ironed aluminum container is disclosed herein. The aluminum stock material is initially provided with a thin layer of a particular lubricant applied to one or both surfaces thereof. The lubricant is unemulsified (i) peanut oil and/or (ii) certain oleic acid esters of aliphatic polyhydric alcohols. The method contemplates applying the thin layer of said lubricant to an aluminum stock, cutting a disc and forming a drawn and ironed container utilizing said lubricated disc without additional lubricant being applied to the tooling.

Abstract: A precoated stock material for use in forming a drawn and ironed container and a method of forming such container is disclosed herein. The stock material initially has a layer of lubricant applied to one or both surfaces of the metal base with the lubricant consisting essentially of a fatty acid ester of a mono or polyhydric alcohol and having a distribution of less than 3 mg./in..sup.2. The method contemplates applying the layer of lubricant to a metal stock, such as aluminum, black plate or tinplate, cutting a disc from the metal stock, and transforming the disc into a drawn and ironed container without additional lubricant being applied to the tooling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a seamless container having a sidewall and an integral end wall with opening means in the integral end wall is disclosed herein. The method contemplates forming at least one substantially closed area of reduced thickness in the end wall to produce a fracturable web that defines an opening means during the conversion of a flat disc to a finished container. In one form, the method contemplates initially forming a shallow cup and then forming the opening means in the end wall of the shallow cup before the cup is converted into a drawn and ironed container. In another form, the opening means is formed while the container end wall is being reformed into its final configuration and in a further version, the end opening means is formed in the end wall after completion of the drawing and ironing process. The finished container includes a reformed end wall that is integral with a circular sidewall of a container and has a fracturable web surrounding a protuberance.