Plastic knuckle pin lock

Abstract

The KNUCKLE PIN LOCK is designed to fit an American Association of Railroads articulated locklift assembly's connector and up the bottom part of the attached toggle to a point where it would contact the bottom of the lock of the rail car knuckle. When the knuckle is in the closed or locked position, the knuckle pin lock when applied, would make opening the knuckle to separate a rail car from another rail car impossible. The Knuckle Pin Lock blocks the accidental or malicious disconnection of rail cars by blocking the ability of anyone or anything pulling up on the operating lever to open the knuckle. This mechanism can be made from plastic, metal, wood or any other rigid material. The thickness of the material depends on the type of material used. For instance, a plastic unit would be approx. 1/8″ thick. The larger “key” shaped holes are where fastening devices such as multi-purpose zip-ties would be threaded through and around the toggle and tightened. This secures the Knuckle Pin Lock to the locklift assembly. The smaller holes allow the device to be removed easily by breaking the plastic unit off when no longer needed on the rail car. When the unit is made from metal, the holes make it lighter and easier to handle. In this design, a more permanent fastening device such as a chain may be used.

Description

This Knuckle Pin Lock can be made using plastic or metal as well as any other rigid material with plastic being the preferred material.

It is approximately ⅛″ thick, 4½″ long and 2″ high. This device fits onto an American Association of Railroads Articulated locklift assembly's connector and up the bottom part of the attached toggle to a point where it would contact the bottom of the lock of the rail car knuckle. When knuckle is in the closed position, the Knuckle Pin Lock would secure the knuckle and subsequently the operating lever in the closed position.

The Knuckle Pin Lock is held onto the toggle by a harness such as a “zip-tie”. A larger “zip-tie” is employed as a security device that is also threaded through the Knuckle Pin Lock and is used as an emergency release or a means of removing knuckle Pin Lock when no longer needed.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

“not applicable”

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

“not applicable”

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

“not applicable”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This device pertains to transportation using railroad cars and the ability to make the joints between the cars more secure from tampering or accidental opening of the knuckles.

When this mechanism is installed on the knuckle pin, it becomes impossible to open or separate the rail cars unless device is removed.

This device is very affordable and easily installed.

This device is effective in preventing electrical cable damage on generator sets of refrigerated goods when single rail cars are used.

Specialty purposes also include “continuous welded rail train sets where cars are now “wired together with considerable time and effort”

This device can turn a single rail car into a continuous or “multi-platform” railcar of whatever size is required.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Device installs onto an American Association of Railroads locklift assembly's connector and makes opening a railcar knuckle impossible until it is removed.

Device can be made of various rigid materials with plastic being the easiest and most practical to work with.

Device has an extra large “zip-tie” attached which acts as a quick release in emergencies or when device is no longer needed.

Device has extra holes drilled into it to make it lightweight and easily removable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The drawing shows the piece of plastic cut into its final form. The smaller holes are ¼″

The two lager “key-holes” are ½″ and the notch is ½″×¼″ used to attach the “zip-tie” on.

The upper notch is 1″ wide and ½″ deep.

the lower notch is ½″ wide and ¼″ deep.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The KNUCKLE PIN LOCK is made from ⅛″ thick plastic. It has ¼″ holes drilled into to make it flexible. It has two ½″ key-shaped holes opposite each other to thread a “zip-tie” through to secure to the locklift assembly at its toggle. The upper 1″ notch and the lower ½″ notch secure the device in place while in use. The devices overall dimensions are 4½″×2″ and can be mass produced.

Claims

1. The claim being made here is for the ability to secure operating levers in the locked position by immobilizing the A.A.R. articulated locklift assemblys ability to open by using this device.