公开(公告)号：EP1066187A1

公开(公告)日：2001-01-10

申请号：EP99911351.7

申请日：1999-03-08

申请人： Buckeye Steel Castings Co.

发明人： ENGELBRECHT, Rodney, A.

IPC分类号： B61G9/00 ,  B61G1/10 ,  B61D3/00 ,  B61D5/00

CPC分类号： B61G7/10

摘要： A coupler (10) is provided for a railroad rotary dump car (2, 4 and 6). The coupler (10) comprises a housing (16), a coupler head (12), a buff loading shim (90), and as most preferred, a plurality of spring tab fasteners (212). The coupler housing (16) defines a coupler cavity with a cavity end (216). The coupler head (12) has a spindle (14), is mounted to the coupler housing (16), and is adapted for rotary movement relative to the housing (16). The spindle (14) has a spindle end (72) adjacent the cavity end (216). The shim (90) interposes the spindle (14) and the cavity end (216). The spring tabs (202) are spaced one from another. Each includes a spring portion (210) and a fastener portion (212). The fastener portions (212) provide for removable fastening of the spring tabs (202) to the coupler housing (16). The spring portions (210) bias the shim against the cavity end (216) and away from the spring tabs (202). The spring portions (210) are curved relative to the fastener portions (212). The spring tab fasteners (202) removably fasten the spring tabs (202) along the fastener portions (212) to the coupler housing (16) adjacent the shim (90). Among other advantages, the shim (90) is positioned and spring biased for abutment by the spindle end (72) and against the cavity end (216) in buff loading and upward and against the cavity end (216) for increased life and reduced wear and damage. Also, the spring tabs (202) may be removed and the shim (90) removed and replaced as necessary due to wear of all components.