US3716146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slack adjuster for railway car couplers
Assignee: Amsted Industries Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-26
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1991-08-26
Abstract
Abstract A gravity-feed wedge shaped shim disposed within the coupler, is utilized as a slack adjuster in conjunction with positioning means to establish the desired minimum clearance between abutting parts to substantially compensate for slack along the longitudinal axis of the coupler.
Inventors
- 👤 R Altherr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:28
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61G; B61G1/00; B61G1/28; B61F; B61F5/00; B61F5/02; B61F5/16; B61G5/00; B61G5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
In an articulated connection for adjacent ends of articulated railway cars of the type having a female member, with an open ended cavity formed therein, secured to the end of one of the cars, a male member secured to the end of the other car and received within the cavity, said members being located on a common longitudinal axis, a pin extending vertically through and pivotally connecting the members, and a vertical follower block having a front spherical surface and a flat back surface disposed between the end of the male member and the interior surface of the cavity, the improvement comprising: a. the interior end of the cavity and the flat back surface of the follower block diverging upwardly at an acute angle; b. a wedge shaped shim disposed between the follower block and the interior surface of the cavity, said shim being automatically adjustable by gravity to compensate for wear in the connection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an articulated connection for adjacent ends of articulated railway cars of the type having a female member, with an open ended cavity formed therein, secured to the end of one of the cars, a male member secured to the end of the other car and received within the cavity, said members being located on a common longitudinal axis, a pin extending vertically through and pivotally connecting the members, and a vertical follower block having a front spherical surface and a flat back surface disposed between the end of the male member and the interior surface of the cavity, the improvement comprising: a. the interior end of the cavity and the flat back surface of the follower block diverging upwardly at an acute angle; b. a wedge shaped shim disposed between the follower block and the interior surface of the cavity, said shim being automatically adjustable by gravity to compensate for wear in the connection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an articulated connection for adjacent ends of articulated railway cars of the type having a female member, with an open ended cavity formed therein, secured to the end of one of the cars, a male member secured to the end of the other car and received within the cavity, said members being located on a common longitudinal axis, a pin extending vertically through and pivotally connecting the members, and a vertical follower block having a front spherical surface and a flat back surface disposed between the end of the male member and the interior surface of the cavity, the improvement comprising: a. the interior end of the cavity and the flat back surface of the follower block diverging upwardly at an acute angle; b. a wedge shaped shim disposed between the follower block and the interior surface of the cavity, said shim being automatically adjustable by gravity to compensate for wear in the connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
155 words
In an articulated connection for adjacent ends of articulated railway cars of the type having a female member, with an open ended cavity formed therein, secured to the end of one of the cars, a male member secured to the end of the other car and received within the cavity, said members being located on a common longitudinal axis, a pin extending vertically through and pivotally connecting the members, and a vertical follower block having a front spherical surface and a flat back surface disposed between the end of the male member and the interior surface of the cavity, the improvement comprising: a. the interior end of the cavity and the flat back surface of the follower block diverging upwardly at an acute angle; b. a wedge shaped shim disposed between the follower block and the interior surface of the cavity, said shim being automatically adjustable by gravity to compensate for wear in the connection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said interior end surface is inclined downwardly and inwardly toward the center line of the pin, and the back surface of the follower block is vertical.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said acute angle is less than 14*.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
the improvement as defined in claim 3 further comprising means formed in the female member for providing access to said shim to raise said shim during connection of the male member to the female member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement as defined in claim 4 wherein said access means comprises an aperture formed In the side of the female member for inserting a shim adjusting tool within said aperture.
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) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |