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THE FULLY AUTOMATIC COUPLER

Until this coupler is made fully automatic the progress of car construction and train operation will not achieve full potential. Consideration and study of several alternative plans have resulted in the concept of a hook type coupler similar to that used on subways. This coupler basically is of the same general construction as a heavy duty subway coupler used in Rapid Transit operation. One of the basic improvements is the application of a positive lock. The Coupler comprises the main body, a hook spring, a positive lock, an operating cam with an integral lock operating lever and linkage, a cam operating lever and an air cylinder. This coupler is always ready for coupling, it is simply brought into contact with the mating coupler and the hooks engage and lock immediately after the faces are in contact. In the coupled position, the hooks are fully engaged and the positive lock is seated behind the hook nose of the mating coupler to eliminate any possiblity of an unwanted uncoupling for any reason. In order to uncouple, the air cylinder is activated and moves the cam operating lever in a counter-clockwise direction. The first increment of movement of the cam and the integral arm is used to shift the positive lock clear of the hook nose, and then the cam spreads the hooks to effect an uncoupling. Both hooks must be moved over the full limit of travel against the hook springs in order to uncouple. Since the positive lock secures the hook of the mating coupler it is necessary to provide means to operate the positive lock of the mating coupler when uncoupling manually or under certain conditions of automatic operating. To do this an interacting linkage has been provided which, when coupled, forms a parallelogram through the coupler to transmit the operating lever movements to the operated coupler to the mated coupler operating lever and thus actuate both positive locks simultaneously.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Symington Wayne Corporation

    2 Main Street
    Depew, NY  United States 
  • Authors:
    • Martin, A
  • Publication Date: 1965-9-23

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00037722
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: Tech Proc
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Jul 8 1994 12:00AM