Patent ID: 6688482
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: B61G,F16C

Abstract:
A connection assembly for use in one of an articulated coupling arrangement and a slackless drawbar assembly utilized in connecting together, in a substantially semi-permanent manner, adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway cars, such one of an articulated coupling arrangement and a slackless drawbar assembly including at least one male connection member and at least one female connection member, said connection assembly comprising:(a) a substantially spherical member having a predetermined diameter; (b) a male connection member having an end, said end having an aperture formed therein having a predetermined configuration so as to form an inner surface within said male connection member; (c) a retainer member engageable with at least a portion of said inner surface of said male connection member, said retainer member and said at least a portion of said inner surface of said male connection member cooperating together so as to form a substantially spherical inner surface capable of retaining said substantially spherical member therein, said spherical inner surface formed by at least a portion of said inner surface of said male connection member and at least a portion of said retainer member enabling movement of such male connection member in relation to such female connection member in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction over a predetermined range of angles; (d) a securing means for securing said retainer member within at least a portion of said inner surface of said male connection member; and (e) a joining means for joining said spherical member to such female connection member so as to facilitate connection of adjacent ends of such pair of railway vehicles.