Abstract: An uncoupling cam is incorporated into a hook-type coupler. Couplers of this variety are typically found on railway transit vehicles, one hook-type coupler being fixed to each end of each transit vehicle. Moving two transit vehicles toward each other so that their ends come together will eventually cause their respective hook-type couplers to couple together automatically. It is in this manner that a passenger transit train is formed with each of its vehicles being mechanically linked to an adjacent vehicle. Each hook-type coupler has a pivotally mounted hook member that can be pivoted between a latch position and an unlatch position. A biasing means inside the hook-type coupler is used to keep the hook member normally biased to the latch position. The uncoupling cam features a solid body and a roller. The body of the cam has a uniform polygonal cross-section to an edge of which the roller is rotatably secured. The roller is adapted to rollably engage a surface of the hook member.

Abstract: A railroad coupling knuckle hoist and method is provided which facilitates the movement, lifting and placement of a knuckle in an operative position in the coupling head of a drawbar in a safe and efficient manner by using a portable, lightweight knuckle hoist which is temporarily attached to the upper surface of a drawbar and which serves to mechanically move, lift, and maintain a knuckle in position to be received in the coupling head.

Abstract: A mechanical coupling for coupling together two spaced conveyor rods adapted to be moved on rollers on a suspension conveyor system, the rods extending in their direction of transport and being aligned with respect to each other, the coupling comprising two coupling members and each of the coupling members being arranged on one of the conveyor rods. Each coupling member includes a coupling face, the coupling face of each being adapted to be moved relative to the coupling face of the other coupling member. In the coupled condition, the coupling faces of the two coupling members engage one behind the other in a direction transverse to the longitudinal center line. In order to permit the use of a mechanical coupling of this type in an automated sequence of operations, a rigid coupling connection is provided so that the distance between the conveyor rods remains essentially constant even under the influence of transporting forces.

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 railway coupler is provided having a coupler head comprising pulling lugs, behind which compound fillets of variable increasing radii have been inserted. The compound fillets reduce the stress concentration behind the lugs by distributing load over a greater curved surface area in order to decrease the possibility of fatigue cracking and failure of the pulling lugs.

Abstract: A hook-type railroad car coupling includes a hook vertically centered and laterally offset in a pocket opening in the front face and a guide pin and hole at opposite top corners. At one side of the bottom a guide horn extends beyond the hook, the front plate having an opening beside the horn and below the hook. A guide wedge is inside the opening to contact the horn of the mating head and improve the parallelism of the front faces of the heads as they come together.

Abstract: A device for uncoupling central buffer couplings on rail vehicles having a rotatable disk hook includes a cam operatively connected to a worm wheel for rotation therewith which, in turn, is connected to an electric motor. The cam is rotatably operative to engage a bridge member connected to the disk hook in order to rotate the disk hook and also to engage a switch for energizing and de-energizing the motor.

Abstract: The head portion of a railway car coupler is provided with forwardly projecting horizontal upper and lower shelves. The leading edge of the top shelf is angled upwardly and rearwardly to provide clearance for coupler droop. Additionally, the leading angle of the coupler can be extended upwardly to establish an improved relation between the leading edges of the mating couplers, thereby minimizing the tendency to have one leading edge slipping under the other during a droop condition of the couplers.

Abstract: An improved coupler knuckle wherein the tail surface contour is formed by a mathematical function curve so that upon closing the portion of the surface, which interfaces with the lock becomes closer to the knuckle pivot thus providing increased clearance for the lock movement.

Abstract: An automatic coupler for railway and other vehicles which includes an outer housing carried by the vehicle and formed of a plurality of welded metal plates, with a spring urged coupler hook mounted therein for horizontal pivotal movement for engagement with the hook of a coupler mounted on an adjacent vehicle. The coupler hook on the adjacent vehicle is urged into engagement position and retained therein by a keeper arm which is engaged with the coupler hook on the first vehicle for movement therewith. The coupler hook is unlocked by a cam bearing on it and which may also act on the opposed interengaged coupler hook from the adjacent vehicle, which cam may be operated manually or automatically.

Abstract: A visual indicator engageable and operable by a movable locking member of an automatic type railway car coupler for indicating a locked or unlocked condition of the locking member and, therefore, the coupled or uncoupled condition of the coupler, said indicator being readily visible from both sides of the coupler or train.