Patent ID: 6691883
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
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, said connection assembly member 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, at least a portion of said retainer member engageable with at least a portion of said inner surface of said male connection member said at least a portion of 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; (d) a securing means for securing said retainer member within at least a portion of said inner surface of said male connection member; (e) a one piece liner member having a substantially spherical inner surface for positioning around a predetermined outer portion of said spherical member, said one piece liner member having an outer spherical surface for engaging said substantially spherical inner surface formed by such male connection member and such 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; (f) a means for affixing said one piece liner member within said aperture of said male connection member; and (g) a joining means for joining said spherical member to a female connection member so as to connect adjacent ends of such pair of railway vehicles.