GB923199A - Car coupling centering device - Google Patents

Abstract

923,199. Railway vehicle draw gear centering mechanisms. NATIONAL CASTINGS CO. Nov. 21, 1961 [Dec. 5, 1960], No. 41652/61. Class 103(5). The shank 4 of the draw gear, Fig. 14, extends longitudinally through a striker casting 6 secured to a centre sill by its wall 74, Figs. 1, 7, and is supported at its forward end on a carrier 12 between upstanding ears 38, 39 thereon. The carrier normally slides transversely to centralise the shank, but this action can be rendered inoperative so that the draw gear may be easily angled to one side as for coupling up on a curved track. The carrier 12, Figs. 3, 4 is mounted between the side frames of cage 10, Figs. 5, 6, and is normally centralised therein by a resilient cushion or spring 13 positioned by lugs 21, 22 on the carrier and cage respectively. The cage has lugs 42, 43 with a slot 61 therebetween, which lugs engage and slide in a slot 45 in a plate 36 forming the removable bottom of an outer casing 8, Fig. 2. The casing 8 which is permitted vertical movement only within the striker casting 6 is provided with downwardly opening sockets 66, 67 accommodating the tops of springs 71, 72, and the springs which support the weight of the draw gear are located at their bottom ends by plates 81. A lever 57, pivoted on a bolt 59 between downwardly extending cheeks on the bottom of the plate 36, has a detent 60 which in normal draft operation engages in the slot 61, so that the draft gear and carrier 12 may only move transversely of the casting 6 by compressing the spring 13. When, however, the lever 57 is pivoted to remove the detent 60 from the slot 61, the cage 10 and carrier 12 with the gear mounted thereon may be slid easily to one side out of the centralised position.