US3640402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internally reinforced shank for a railway coupler
Assignee: Amsted Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1969-11-10
•
Granted: 1972-02-08
•
Expires: 1989-11-10
Abstract
Abstract The key slot of a railway coupler shank is modified to distribute tensile forces to the top, bottom and sidewalls of the shank. Upper and lower straps angle away from the key bearing wall of the key slot and into the top and bottom walls of the shank providing openings above and below the key slot thereby lightening the shank and improving the containment of the key slot core for more effective manufacturing. An upper and a lower support rib in each opening is respectively connected to the top wall and the upper strap and the bottom wall and the lower strap to properly locate the key in the key slot.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell G Altherr
- 👤 Paul F Shramovich
- 👤 Nelson D Metzger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:29
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61G; B61G3/00; B61G3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
In a railway coupler of the type having a shank with a key slot therein and key projecting through said key slot, the improvement comprising: a. a rearward key bearing wall in said key slot; b. an upper strap having a lower inner surface blending into said key bearing wall of said key slot, said upper strap being angular relative to said key slot; c. a top wall connected to said upper strap and extending forward therefrom, said top wall having a lower inner surface spaced from said key; d. an upper support rib connected to and projecting forward from said inner surface of said upper strap and connected to and projecting downward from the lower surface of said top wall, said upper support rib having a lower surface defining a portion of said key slot: e. a lower strap having an upper inner surface blending into said key bearing wall of said key slot, said lower strap being angular relative to said key slot; f. a bottom wall connected to said lower strap and extending forward therefrom, said bottom wall having an upper inner surface spaced from said key; and g. a lower support rib connected to and projecting forward from said inner surface of said lower strap and connected to and projecting upward from said upper surface of said bottom wall, said lower support rib having an upper surface defining a portion of said key slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
In a railway coupler of the type having a shank with a key slot therein and key projecting through said key slot, the improvement comprising: a. a rearward key bearing wall in said key slot; b. an upper strap having a lower inner surface blending into said key bearing wall of said key slot, said upper strap being angular relative to said key slot; c. a top wall connected to said upper strap and extending forward therefrom, said top wall having a lower inner surface spaced from said key; d. an upper support rib connected to and projecting forward from said inner surface of said upper strap and connected to and projecting downward from the lower surface of said top wall, said upper support rib having a lower surface defining a portion of said key slot: e. a lower strap having an upper inner surface blending into said key bearing wall of said key slot, said lower strap being angular relative to said key slot; f. a bottom wall connected to said lower strap and extending forward therefrom, said bottom wall having an upper inner surface spaced from said key; and g. a lower support rib connected to and projecting forward from said inner surface of said lower strap and connected to and projecting upward from said upper surface of said bottom wall, said lower support rib having an upper surface defining a portion of said key slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The railway coupler set out in claim 1 wherein one of said straps extends forward along a portion of said key slot away from said rearward key bearing wall to define an upper portion of said key slot and then angles relative to said key slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The railway coupler set out in claim 1 wherein both of said straps extend forward along a portion of said key slot away from said rearward key bearing wall to define portions of said key slot and then angle relative to said key slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The railway coupler set out in claim 1 wherein a forward reinforcing rib interconnects said top and bottom walls and defines a portion of said key slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The railway coupler set out in claim 1 wherein upper and lower lightener cavities are respectively located in the top and bottom portion of said shank rearward of said upper and lower straps.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
The railway coupler set out in claim 1 wherein a plurality of spaced upper support ribs are connected to and project forward from said inner surface of said upper strap and are connected to and project downward from the lower surface of said top wall, said upper support ribs having lower surface defining a portion of said key slot, and a plurality of space lower support ribs are connected to and project forward from said inner surface of said lower strap and are connected to and project upward from said upper surface of said bottom wall, said lower support ribs having upper surfaces defining a portion of said key slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The railway coupler set out in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower support ribs are spaced from the sides of said shank.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The railway coupler set out in claim 7 wherein said upper and lower support ribs respectively blend into said top and bottom walls forward of said key slot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The railway coupler set out in claim 1 wherein a foRward wall interconnects said top and bottom walls and defines a portion of the key slot, and said upper and lower support ribs terminate at said forward wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The railway coupler set out in claim 9 wherein a forward reinforcing rib interconnects said top and bottom walls and is connected to the forward surface of said forward wall.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |