Vehicle couplings

1,006,659. Railway vehicle couplings. VSESOIUZNEY NAUCHNO-ISSLEDOVALETSKY INSTITUT ZHELEZNODOROZHNOVO TRANSPORTA. Oct. 17, 1961, No. 37198/61. Heading B7T. An automatic coupler mounting train service lead connectors on a movable plate 8, has a jaw 5 provided with a horizontal face 4, which face in the coupled up position engages with a face 3 on a guide horn 1 of the mating coupling and is provided with a lug 6 which slides against the underside of the horn 1. When coupling up, the sides 9 of the horns 1 each pivot a bell crank 11, Fig. 5, about pins 12 so that the forked ends 13 of the cranks 11 push outwardly the slidable connectors 7 which mutually engage and align with the aid of horns 15, 16. As the connectors 7 engage, plungers 17, Fig. 7, are pushed inwardly, so that air flows from the braking system via tubes 13a into the chambers 18, through holes 18a and through ball valves 21 into hoses 22, Fig. 9. Air from each tube 22 then enters a piston and cylinder 23, Fig. 3, which moves a rod 24 downwardly and pushes on links 25, 26. The train service lead connector plates 8, which are mounted on pivoted links 43, are then moved by the links forwardly towards one another against the action of springs 40 and 45 and engage guide plugs 27 into mating holes 28. As the plates 8 engage, tubes 29 are pushed inwardly against springs, and valves 20, Fig. 12, are opened so that the main air brake system and electrical connections 37 are made up. When uncoupling, the operation of the coupler head locking device (not shown) moves a lever 38, Fig. 9, to operate both valves 39 thus venting the tubes 22 and the cylinders 23 to atmosphere so that the connector plates 8 withdraw and valves 20 close. Should the couplers break in operation, then a latch 34 on each coupler is operated to hold the valves 20 open and allow the brakes to operate.