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.

Abstract: A railway vehicle coupler including a coupler body and a knuckle rotatable about a vertical axis. A stress relieving bracket extends integrally from the coupler body and engages the knuckle in bearing relationship between upper and lower pivot connections mounting the knuckle for pivotal movement on the body. The stress relieving bracket when in bearing relationship with knuckle serves to transfer stresses from the knuckle to the coupler body during train operation.

Abstract: A slackless railcar connection system includes a gravity wedge shim that has an extension means extending upwardly from the broad edge of the shim through an opening in a railcar center sill. A reference post may also be located adjacent the opening to visibly indicate the degree of wear of the wedge.

Abstract: In a railway coupler connection, an improved slackless connection in which an arcuate conical surface is provided about the butt end of a vertically restrained coupler member which is seated within the pocket of a self-adjusting follower member having a corresponding arcuate conical surface about a pocket therein. The corresponding arcuate conical surfaces interface in mated alignment in order to permit horizontal angling of the coupler member while restraining the butt end of the coupler member in a lateral and longitudinal position within the center sill. As in-service wear occurs, the self-adjusting follower member will drop with respect to the coupler member to maintain this zero-slack arrangement. The coupler member may be placed in the upper portion of the center sill permitting a lower center sill height while staying within the coupler height range specified by the American Association of Railroads.

Abstract: A gravity wedge shim includes a cavity and aperture at the top thereof and a lifting tool is extended through an opening in a sill ceiling above the wedge, inserted into the aperture and twisted so as to engage the wedge for lifting same.

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: An improved railway coupler head is provided having a modified lock chamber which is asymmetrical about its longitudinal center line such that the rear horn wall has a greater length on the guard arm side than the knuckle side of the longitudinal center line and the knuckle side wall has a shorter length than the guard arm side wall. The modified lock chamber creates an increase in the section area of the top face of the coupler head and allows for a reduction in stress concentration as the forces transmitted through the top face are distributed over the increased section area.

Abstract: A center plate for railway cars is provided that comprises outwardly projecting positioning lugs which are seated in corresponding-shaped notches located proximate the underedge of the center sill pocket. The center plate is entirely groove welded to the center sill pocket. The corresponding-shaped seating arrangement will only accept the positioning lugs when the center plate is in its proper orientation.

Abstract: Am improved railway vehicle coupler head is provided having knuckle pin retaining element which is free to fully rotate with the knuckle pin to enable continuous rotation of the knuckle pin during use. An elastic ring located within a circumferential groove on a bottom portion of the knuckle pin precludes the knuckle pin from unintentional upward removal during use while allowing for continuous rotation therewithin. The continuous rotation of the knuckle pin allows for the distribution of stress about the circumference of a knuckle pin resulting in a longer fatigue life for the knuckle pin.

Abstract: A fifth wheel for an over the road tractor having an operating rod for the locking mechanism which requires only longitudinal and rotary motion thus facilitating operation thereof in the space between tractor frame and trailer and permitting that space to be reduced in that no vertical lifting motion is imparted to the operating rod.

Abstract: A rotary railway drawbar coupler is provided which comprises two elongated shank members each having a convex butt surface at one end and a generally circular butt surface at the other end. The two elongated shanks are positioned between the two railway cars being coupled such that the circular butt ends are adjacent each other. A connecting collar surrounds the circular flange of which the circular butt surface is a part. Each elongated shank may have a longitudinal cavity extending inwardly from the circular butt surface to accommodate a cylindrical bar that extends between the elongated shanks.

Abstract: A railroad car coupler arrangement particularly suited to cars with single axle trucks including means defining a coupler pocket, a coupler head with a coupler shank and a butt end, a draft gear cushioning device in the pocket with a follower plate captured against transverse movement. The butt end and follower plate include interengaged means to restrain the butt end against transverse movement.

Abstract: A fifth wheel bracket mounting arrangement for fastening the bracket to the frame of a tractor having a frame including spaced channels. The mounting arrangement includes a mounting plate having one edge clamped to the horizontal flange of the channel member adjacent the free edge of the flange and secured to an angle member on the opposing side of the channel.

Abstract: A railway coupler connection is provided for slackless arrangements wherein spacer lugs are provided between the coupler shank and the sill side castings to restrain lateral movement of the coupler member at about the draw key; and access ports are provided in a pocket casting to facilitate withdrawal of a wedge holding the coupler parts together whereby the parts may be disassembled.

Abstract: A coupler knuckle made from cast metal and having cored sections providing exterior walls adjacent the location subject to stress in use. These wall sections are formed in such a manner as to withstand the stresses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drawbar railway coupler connection. The drawbar contacts a follower block which in turn contacts a wedge shaped shim. Such shim provides an essentially slackless feature to the coupling connection. Further, surfaces of the follower block and the shim or of the shim and the rear cavity wall are modified such that alignment of the shim within the cavity is assured despite any angling or slight rotation of the drawbar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articulated railway coupler connections. The butt end of the male articulating connection contacts a follower block which in turn contacts a wedge shaped shim. Such shim provides an essentially slackless feature to the coupling connection. Further, surfaces of the follower block and the shim or of the shim and the rear cavity wall are modified such that alignment of the shim within the cavity is assured despite any angling or slight rotation of the male connection member.

Abstract: A railway draft sill and slackless draft assembly including a pair of lengthwise spaced draft sills having a drawbar extending therebetween. One of the drawbar ends is connected for rotation relative to one of the draft sills and the other end is fixed against rotation relative to the other draft sill. Slack take-up structure is are provided to maintain bearing surfaces at the respective attachment ends in engagement when wear occurs.

Abstract: A railway coupler yoke assembly is provided. A yoke, draft gear and follower are assembled as a unit assembly and maintained as such by the installation of bands at various locations about the assembly. Such yoke assembly can then be shipped and stored as an assembly until the time of installation in a railway car. At such time, the bands are cut and the assembly is placed in the railway car.

Abstract: This invention relates to a railway car coupler having an improved anticreep protection assembly so as to prevent inadvertent uncoupling during movement of the railway car along a track. The improvement comprises the provision of a chamfered locklift connector or a chamfered coupler structure that lies in the path of movement of the connector so that an anticreep prong of the connector may be free to engage with a front face ledge of the coupler head to provide positive anticreep protection against accidental unlocking of the coupler.