Abstract: This invention provides a female connection member of an articulated coupling arrangement. Such female connection member includes a center sill engaging portion disposed adjacent a first end of such female connection member and a male connection member receiving portion disposed adjacent a readily disposed second end of such female connection member. A cavity having an open top portion and an open front portion is formed in such male connection member receiving portion. Such cavity is formed by a bottom wall portion, a pair of readily opposed side wall portions which extend upwardly from such bottom wall portion and a back wall portion also extending upwardly from the bottom wall portion and between such pair of side wall portions. A radially opposed opening is formed through each of such pair of side wall portions which opening includes an arcuate portion and a generally rectangular portion.

Abstract: An adjustable securing device for securing spaced wedge members to provide for movement of the wedges together or apart comprises a threaded bore in one wedge that has threads opposite in direction from a threaded bore in the second wedge. A threaded member has threaded portions engageable with the threaded bores of the wedge members and upon engagement therewith, rotation of the threaded member in one direction moves the wedges apart while rotation in the other direction moves the wedges together. The wedge members preferably have tongues which fit complementary members, such as flanges, on blocks so that engagement of the wedge members with the blocks and movement of the wedges together or apart will either push the blocks apart or pull the blocks together.

Abstract: A railroad car moving vehicle has a main frame on which are mounted front and rear axles with steel wheels for engaging the railroad track. Front and rear coupler assemblies have a set of coupler arms with a cross rail member extending between one end of the arms. A coupler is reciprocally mounted on the cross rail member and adapted for coupling with the railroad car. The other ends of the coupler arms are rotatably mounted on a pivot shaft supported by the main frame. The pivot shaft extends between opposed sides of the main frame at its center line. Each set of front and rear coupler arms are mounted on a common pivot shaft such that the horizontal portion of any shock load imparted to one coupler will pass directly through the pivot shaft to the other coupler and not to the main frame. Each end of the pivot member is supported by an isolator assembly. Each isolator assembly is mounted on the main frame and includes a resilient mount.

Abstract: An apparatus which provides versatility in securing an articulated coupling arrangement to a center sill member of a railway car is provided. Such apparatus includes a bottom wall portion which matingly engages a bottom wall of such center sill member and a top wall portion which matingly engages one of a top wall of such center sill member and a bottom surface of such railway car. A pair of vertically disposed side wall portions are disposed between such top wall portion and such bottom wall portion. Each of such pair of side wall portions have a predetermined configuration which provides such enhanced versatility in securing such articulated coupling arrangement to such center sill member.

Abstract: A train of railroad cars having an articulated connection between adjacent railway cars which share a common truck. The articulated connection employs a connecting element having a series of truncated conical resilient elements connected together by a series of interposed truncated conical rigid elements. The thickness of the resilient elements and the width of the cross-section of the resilient and rigid elements vary in relation to the position of the elements.

Abstract: A conveying unit for a suspension conveying system having an elevated rail which unit includes two roller supports for rolling on a rail and a supporting element connected to the roller supports, on which the object to be conveyed are to be disposed. A coupling is provided in order to be able to couple the conveying unit to other conveying unit. In order to be able to better adapt the conveying unit to special operating conditions the coupling is arranged directly on the roller support.

Abstract: This invention provides a connecting pin member which facilitates a rotatable connection being achieved between a female connection member and a center bowl portion of a bolster. Such connecting pin member has a substantially round rod-like member which is tapered at each outer end thereof. A groove-like portion carrying a resilient member is disposed in an outer surface of such rod-like member. The present invention further provides a method of producing such connecting pin member as well as an improved center plate member for use with such connecting pin member. Such center plate member incorporates an arrangement for the removal of such connecting pin member if it should be accidently sheared off during service.

Abstract: The present invention provides an articulated coupling apparatus which connects one end of one railway car to an adjacent end of a second railway car in a semipermanent manner. Such coupling apparatus includes a male connection member, a female connection member, a bearing assembly, and a device for securing such bearing assembly to the coupling apparatus.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for retention of a drawbar is provided in which a single retention member of unitary construction extends laterally within the center sill and fits completely about a longitudinal portion of the butt end of the drawbar. A vertical connecting pin passes through a vertical opening in the drawbar and is also received in aligned vertical openings in the retention member to connect the drawbar to the retention member. The longitudinal draft loads of the drawbar are distributed over the entire interfacing portions of the vertical connecting pin and the retention member for transfer to striker members which are integrated with the center sill and ultimately dispose the longitudinal draft loads into the center sill. The retention arrangement is easily installed and removed and no welding is required between the retention member and the center sill.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strengthening mechanism for a female connection member used in a articulated coupling arrangement. Such female connection members include a first end portion configured for connection to one end of a railway car center sill member and a second end portion formed integrally with such first end portion. A cavity is formed in such second end portion and is defined by a bottom wall portion, a rear wall portion and a pair of side wall portions. Such cavity being open adjacent the front and top surface thereof. An opening is formed through a portion of each of such side wall portions. Each such opening includes a slot-like portion and a generally arcuate portion spaced below such slot-like portion.

Abstract: Provided is an articulable spherical connection for a railway coupling arrangement. The connection includes a male connection member having a spherical connection portion secured to one end of a body portion and a female connection member having a split body portion. Each body portion of such femal connection member having a spherical cavity formed therein to receive a portion of the spherical connection portion of the male connection member therein. A securing device is provided to secure such split body portion together around the spherical connection portion of the male member.

Abstract: A drawbar coupler for a railway car having a center sill is disclosed for connecting two railway cars together in a slackless arrangement and provide uni-train service. The drawbar coupler is particularly characterized by a quick disconnect feature. The coupler includes a drawbar having at each end a vertical pin hole to receive a cylindrical pin that is held at its top and bottom end portions in a drawbar support casing that is in turn connected by weld to the center sill. Draft loads are imposed on a bearing block having curved bearing surfaces and fitted in the pin hole between the drawbar and the pin. Buff loads are transferred from the butt portion of the drawbar to a bearing block that is acted upon by a gravity actuated wedge placed between the bearing block and end wall of the support casing. Two support plates extend across the bottom of the casing and can be removed to permit removal of the vertical pin as well as the bearing block.

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: An assembly mechanism is provided for removably securing a bearing assembly carried by a male connection member to a female connection member of an articulated coupling system. Such assembly mechanism includes at least one vertically disposed lug member secured to an outer surface of a vertically disposed side wall of a cavity formed in one end of such female connection member adjacent an opening formed in such side wall portion. There is at least one horizontally disposed lug member secured to such outer surface adjacent another portion of such opening in such side wall portion. A locking member is engageable with each of such vertical lug member and such horizontal lug member and a portion of a shaft-like member extending outwardly from such bearing assembly. The locking member removably secures such shaft-like member against rotation in such opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides an articulated coupling apparatus which connects one end of one railway car to an adjacent end of a second railway car in a semipermanent manner. Such coupling apparatus includes a male connection member, a female connection member, a bearing assembly, and a device for securing such bearing assembly to the coupling apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for securing a bearing assembly to an articulated coupling apparatus which connects one end of one railway car to an adjacent end of a second railway car in a semipermanent manner. Such coupling apparatus includes a male connection member, a female connection member, a bearing assembly, and such device for securing such bearing assembly to the coupling apparatus.

Abstract: An articulated rail car connector for joining the adjacent ends of rail car platforms which are supported on a common truck bolster, the connector including in one preferred embodiment a pair of nested center plates which support the adjacent car platforms upon such a truck bolster and which are longitudinally slideable with respect to one another, and a drawbar pivotally connected between the adjacent car platforms to transmit longitudinally directed buff and draft loads therebetween.

Abstract: A slackless railcar connector system includes a gravity wedge shim that has a tail piece extending from the narrow edge of the sim through an aligning groove in a sill pocket casting, or the like. A biasing member may also be located adjacent the aligning groove to engage the tail piece.

Abstract: An articulated coupling for two rail vehicles supported by a common bogie comprises: (A) a toroidal part (1) connected to one of the vehicles, said part being frustoconical in its bottom zone and cylindrical in its top zone, and having a cylindrical ball in its center and a shoulder around the top thereof; and (B) a support part connected to the other vehicle, enveloping the toroidal part, and comprising a sole plate (9), a toroidal articulated coupling element made of resilient composite material, a cylindrical peg (17) fixed to the sole plate, engaged in the ball of the toroidal part, and terminated by a horizontal shoulder; and an internal cylindrical part (20) facing the cylindrical external surface (3) of the toroidal part.

Abstract: A brake hose coupling having a locking mechanism and a pressure relief valve for connecting a telemetry unit to the air brake pipe line of a railway train. The locking mechanism positively latches the brake hose coupling to the "glad hand" brake pipe hose coupling and causes the venting of the entrapped pneumatic pressure by the relief valve when the locking mechanism is unlatched.

Abstract: An articulated coupling having a center coupling and a plurality of side bearings or couplings coaxial along a lateral axis to facilitate yaw and pitch between two cars while restricting roll. The side bearings each have a cylindrical member on one car received in a cylindrical recess associated with another car. The center coupling includes a mating of two spherical members with one of the member longitudinally movable to allow pitch. The axes of the cylindrical side bearings are coaxial and include the center of the spherical center coupling.

Abstract: A safety hitch pin having an enlarged upper end or head that is adapted to rest upon apertured parts secured by the pin. An annular retention device or keeper adapted to receive the lower end of the pin therethrough is provided that has a retainer chain attached. The free end of the chain and enlarged upper end of the pin are provided with parts that are adapted to coact so that a selected portion of the chain can be releasably secured to the upper end or head portion of the hitch pin.

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 conveyor car used in combination with one or more conveyors to transport loads from one conveyor to another includes modular end units, modular conveyor units, a rigid coupling for coupling end units to conveyor units and a hinge coupling for coupling the two conveyor units to each other. The hinge coupling allows the two conveyor units to pivot up and down near the center of the car but provides a rigid coupling to prevent horizontal movement of the conveyor units relative to each other.

Abstract: A coupler mount assembly 14 includes an open-side box to which may be secured a housing 10 of an item of electronics or other equipment. A first jaw member including upper and lower, parallel hooks 54A, 54B and a second jaw member including upper and lower, parallel hooks 58A, 58B are supported by the open-sided box for relative translative movement. To install the coupler mount assembly on the coupler 12 of a railway vehicle, the hooks of the first jaw member are inserted through respective relief holes 84A, 84B in coupler side wall 12A and the hooks of the second jaw member are inserted through respective relief holes 86A, 86B in the coupler side wall. The first and second jaw members are then drawn toward each other by rotation of a rod (through a handle 66) passing through and effectively bearing on the first jaw member and threadedly received in the second jaw member, until the hooks thereof clamp an intermediate portion of the coupler side wall between the relief hole pairs.

Abstract: A railway coupler connection is provided for use in a coupler shank-yoke or a drawbar-yoke configuration. Self adjusting slack reduction is provided by a wedge shaped shim or an angled follower block. Vertical and horizontal angling of the coupler connection is provided for by the curved shape of the contacting surfaces of the butt portion of the shank or drawbar and the follower block and the yoke.

Abstract: A freight car includes main side and end frame beams. Wall structures are connected to the beams and extend downwardly therefrom. A floor structure is connected to the wall structures to provide a lower well arrangement for receiving a trailer therein.

Abstract: An arrangement consisting of coupling elements allowing both pitch and yaw pivotal motion between two coupled modules or coaches, is disclosed. A transverse rod located at the end portion of one module is rigidly secured to a pair of arms and is supported thereby. These arms are rigidly connected to a king-post located in a casing. The king-post is adapted to pivot about its vertical axis. The end portion of the other module is provided with a pair of longitudinally-oriented shafts, each having an outer end provided with a pair of jaw members. The latter can open and close to effect coupling of the modules and are adapted to pivotally grip jaw-receiving portions on the transverse rod.

Abstract: An electric motor driven toy train is disclosed which comprises multiple cars, each of which is articulated about a vertical axis and each of which has only a single axle so as to minimize the turning radius of the train set. A child sits upon the second car, the coal tender, and steers the first car, the locomotive of the set. A small battery driven electric motor drives one wheel of the tender to impart motion of the train set. The cars are interconnected by pivotally articulated connectors having a novel latch structure for interlocking the connectors.

Abstract: Stabilizing apparatus for preventing derailment of moving railway cars is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of interconnected elongated members that overlie and are secured to a string of coupled cars. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated members are automatically connected at their ends by interengageable coupling members. The elongated members include cables that act as vibration dampers to prevent swaying and rolling motion of the cars on uneven track. The coupling members are specially configured to prevent a chain-reaction derailment of all the cars if one car derails.

Abstract: A coupling device for railway motor cars includes a pole or tongue on the motor car with a cam member pivoted on the distal end thereof. A coupling box with converging side walls is secured to the end of the trailing car and has a coupling pin extending from top to bottom. When the pivoted cam enters the box it is cammed by first, a sidewall, and then the back wall to pivot and hook around the coupling pin. During the course of this movement, a spring-biased locking pin rides on the flat, top surface of the cam to drop behind it when the coupling is complete, thus preventing reverse pivotal movement. A chain, is secured from the locking pin to an arm extending radially from a long shaft extending laterally to the side of motor car and terminating in an operating arm which, when raised, lifts the locking pin to release the pivoted cam for uncoupling.

Abstract: Ends of two adjacent railroad cars may be joined by an articulating device when a series of such cars comprises a semi-permanent unit. The articulating device includes a male member which is connected to a sill of the first car and a female member connected to a like sill of the second car. Each connecting member has an inner end portion disposed within the respective sill. The structure of the inner end portion allows it to be joined to the sill by a select pattern of welds. These welds join the connecting member to the sill to form a connection therebetween which may withstand the high static and dynamic forces transmitted from the railroad cars to the articulating device during travel of the unit.

Abstract: Coupling apparatus for releasably interconnecting cargo pallets to form trains thereof for transporting exceptionally long cargo usually co-mingled with cargo of more normal dimension. Such apparatus is operative to preserve the trainlike arrangement of such pallets, one to another, throughout movement over, and transfer between, various conveying apparatuses customarily employed for the handling of said pallets even though the apparatuses may be misaligned, one to the other, either laterally, vertically or angularly or combinations thereof. The coupling apparatus is particularly adaptable to pallets framed by extruded members having a plurality of spaced apart symmetrically distributed recesses formed therein and, in coacting relationship with alternate recesses, a plurality of hingedly mounted securing rings.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a motor power unit, a load carrier and a track along which the motor power unit and the load carrier can move. A vacuum pad is mounted on the motor power unit and extends rearwardly and a vacuum power unit is mounted on said motor power unit for applying vacuum to the vacuum pad. A plate is mounted on and extends forwardly of the load carrier and is adapted to be engaged by the vacuum pad whereby when the vacuum pad engages the plate and is activated a coupling is provided between the motor power unit and said load carrier so that the motor power unit will move the load carrier along the track in either direction.

Abstract: Articulating devices may be used to combine railroad cars into a semi-permanent unit. Each device includes a male and female connecting member having ends attached respectively to adjacent ends of the railroad car bodies forming the unit. A pin disposed in aligned apertures formed in the outer end of each member forms a joint therebetween. To allow for vertical and horizontal movements between the members during operation of the unit, the pin aperture in the male member is larger than the pin and has a rear surface portion providing a substantial contact area with the pin. To maintain the pin aperture and pin in a controlled slack relationship, the male member is urged forward by a follower which is carried within the female member and engages an end surface of the male member. The position of the follower in turn is regulated by a wedge element which engages a pair of resilient elements carried by the follower.

Abstract: In a transportation system of the kind in which vehicles move along a guideway which includes diverging junctions and a vehicle-mounted track selection mechanism can be set to control which side of the junction the vehicle is to follow, both by an on-board operating member and by an on-guideway operating member. In normal use, the on-guideway operating member would be set to cause the vehicle to take the route with the highest traffic level so that intervention by the on-board operating member is necessary only when divergence from such route is desired.

Abstract: A device for adjusting adjacent differently immersed amphibious vehicle or floating bodies to a common coupling level, in which the oppositely located end or side walls of the vehicle or floating bodies to be interconnected are provided with supporting arms and abutment surfaces while the supporting arms arranged on the respective higher located vehicle or floating body are pivoted below abutment surfaces of the respective lower located vehicle or floating body which in response to a further movement of the pivotable supporting arms are automatically lifted into the common coupling level.

Abstract: An interconnected series of in excess of twenty-five railroad cars may be shunted about a yard by attaching a vertically displaceable carriage of a forklift truck to the coupler of the first car in the series through a load bearing coupling adaptor and raising the forklift carriage until a sufficient portion of the weight of the railroad car is transferred to the driving wheels of the forklift to give the forklift sufficient traction to move the series of railroad cars.A load-bearing coupling adaptor suitable for such load-bearing attachment of railroad car coupler to fork-lift carriage may be fabricated from a means for rigidly mounting to the fork-lift truck, a coupling pin means for securingly engaging the coupler interiorly of said coupler, and a load-bearing member rigidly connecting the means for mounting to the coupling pin means and extending therebetween at a level beneath said coupler.

Abstract: An adaptor device for the coupling of Janney and Willison couplers on railway vehicles has a body portion one side of which has a rigid configuration conforming to the configuration of a Janney coupler in the locked position and the other opposed side having a rigid configuration conforming to the configuration of a Willison coupler in the locked position. The device may also be provided with stop structures for limiting the vertical movement of the adaptor device with respect to both the Willison and Janney couplers.

Abstract: A lead vehicle is hitched to a semitrailer-type follower vehicle by a universal coupling including a pair of generally horizontal arms, rigid with the respective vehicle bodies, which terminate in interfitted knuckles with part-spherical surfaces. The outer knuckle forms a pair of prongs firmly embraced by inner wall surfaces of a surrounding split housing whose halves, meeting in a vertical plane, are interconnected by a bolt carrying a spherically convex boss supporting the inner knuckle. The vehicles ride on a track transverse to the bolt axis, two sets of wheels of the lead vehicle being mounted on a pair of wheel mountings that are swingable about that axis and have extensions forming the housing.

Abstract: A rotary type railway car coupler is provided wherein the shank and yoke collar can be assembled only in the proper orientation with respect to one another. Either the shank or yoke collar is provided with a projection and the other is provided with a corresponding groove.

Abstract: An intermediate vehicle intercouples a tractor or the like with an ordinary railroad car for shuttling a number of railroad cars along the rails for purposes of loading, switching, and spotting of same. The intermediate vehicle is supported by rail wheels and has an ordinary railroad-type mechanical coupling on one end thereof for coupling with a railroad car, while the other end possesses a tractor-drawn-implement-type coupling for connection with an ordinary three-point hitch of the tractor. Hydraulically extendible, rail engaging wheels are fitted to the tractor for guidance thereof along the rails while the ordinary rubber driving wheels of the tractor are suitably spaced apart for traction engagement with the rails.

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.

Abstract: A semi-permanent connection for freight cars having a point of connection and articulation at its center for easily separating the cars and having an alignment control arrangement at the same articulation point so as to provide limited angling as required to meet curve negotiation requirements.