US3591017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic line connector for railway cars
Assignee: Amsted Industries Inc
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Filing: 1969-09-19
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1989-09-19
Abstract
Abstract An automatic line connector for railway cars useful in automatically connecting the airbrake lines of the cars upon mechanical coupling of the cars as well as electrical conductors and/or other air lines. The connector includes a gathering head adapted to universally mate with identical gathering heads of other railway cars. Positioned rearwardly of the gathering head is a first support plate which is attached to the railway car coupler. Means such as a spring act between the gathering head and the support plate for yieldably urging the gathering head to a forward position and permitting rearward motion of the gathering head either upon contact with a mating gathering head or during motion of the railway car. Tethering means, such as chains, are provided for limiting the forward travel of the gathering head under the influence of the spring and permitting oblique movement of the gathering head upon mating and during movement of the railway car. In a preferred embodiment the chains are attached at one end to the support plate and at the other end to a second support plate which is affixed to a shaft extending rearwardly from the gathering head, the shaft serving to transmit air between the railway cars.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey W Cope
- 👤 Swamidas K Punwani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:02
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61G; B61G5/00; B61G5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
257 words
An automatic line connector for a railway car, which connector comprises: a gathering head adapted to mate with the corresponding gathering head of another railway car, said gathering head including a top wing extending obliquely from one side thereof, the top wing having a vertically extending lateral interlocking planar surface for engagement with the side of a mating head, and a horizontally extending vertical interlocking planar surface along the bottom thereof, and a bottom wing which extends obliquely from the opposite side of said head, the bottom wing also having a vertically extending lateral interlocking surface for engagement with the side of a mating head and a horizontally extending vertical interlocking planar surface at the top thereof, the vertical interlocking surfaces of the top and bottom wings being almost coplanar so that upon mating of the gathering head with another gathering head, the vertical interlocking surface of the top wing of one head will abut the vertically extending surface of the bottom wing of the other head; a first support plate positioned rearwardly of said gathering head; means for mounting said first support plate to said railway car; means acting between said first support plate and said gathering head to yieldably urge said gathering head to a forward position but permit rearward movement of said head when a force is applied thereto; and tethering means acting between said first support plate and said gathering head which limit the forward travel of the gathering head while permitting longitudinal and oblique movement thereof during mating of said gathering head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
257 words
An automatic line connector for a railway car, which connector comprises: a gathering head adapted to mate with the corresponding gathering head of another railway car, said gathering head including a top wing extending obliquely from one side thereof, the top wing having a vertically extending lateral interlocking planar surface for engagement with the side of a mating head, and a horizontally extending vertical interlocking planar surface along the bottom thereof, and a bottom wing which extends obliquely from the opposite side of said head, the bottom wing also having a vertically extending lateral interlocking surface for engagement with the side of a mating head and a horizontally extending vertical interlocking planar surface at the top thereof, the vertical interlocking surfaces of the top and bottom wings being almost coplanar so that upon mating of the gathering head with another gathering head, the vertical interlocking surface of the top wing of one head will abut the vertically extending surface of the bottom wing of the other head; a first support plate positioned rearwardly of said gathering head; means for mounting said first support plate to said railway car; means acting between said first support plate and said gathering head to yieldably urge said gathering head to a forward position but permit rearward movement of said head when a force is applied thereto; and tethering means acting between said first support plate and said gathering head which limit the forward travel of the gathering head while permitting longitudinal and oblique movement thereof during mating of said gathering head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The connector of claim 1 wherein said tethering means comprise: at least three chains, each of which has one end fixed to said first support plate and the other end fixed relative to said gathering head for limiting forward movement of and for positioning said gathering head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The connector of claim 2, including: means for adjusting the length of the chains which serve to tether the first support plate and the gathering head to permit adjustment of the position of the gathering head relative to the first support plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The connector of claim 1, wherein said first support plate has an aperture therebetween and said connector includes: a shaft extending rearwardly from said gathering head and passing through said first support plate, one end of said shaft being affixed to said gathering head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The connector of claim 15, including: a second support plate through which said shaft passes and to which said shaft is attached, said second support plate being positioned between said first support plate and said gathering head, and wherein said means acting between said first support plate and said gathering head comprises: a spring, one end of which abuts said first support plate and the other end of which abuts said second support plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector of claim 5, wherein said tethering means has one end fixed to said first support plate and has the other end fixed to said second support plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US1797167A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |