Patent ID: 7837046
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: B61G

Abstract:
1. A type F coupler carrier, the F coupler carrier being constructed from polyethylene material and comprising an upper portion, a bottom portion, and forward, rearward, and opposed side walls, the bottom portion comprising opposed, three-dimensional lug regions adjacent the side walls, the lug regions being spatially defined by structural volume (I) inferior to a first frontal plane parallel to the upper portion, and (II) lateral to inner transverse planes parallel to the respective side walls, the lug regions each being substantially (A) U-shaped in a first dimension orthogonal the frontal and inner transverse planes, and (B) Y-shaped in a second dimension parallel to the first frontal plane, the lug regions each comprising (1) wall-based portions further respectively defined by opposed mid-transverse planes parallel to the inner transverse planes coplanar with side wall surfacing, (2) lug portions further respectively defined by outer transverse planes parallel to the inner and mid-transverse planes, (3) convex surfacing in the first dimension intermediate the inner and outer transverse planes opposite the frontal plane, (4) concave surfacing in the first dimension intermediate the mid- and outer transverse planes opposite the frontal plane, and (5) convex surfacing in the second dimension intermediate the inner and mid-transverse planes, the lug portions thus forming laterally-opposed lugs, the lugs each arch-extending outwardly from the side walls and comprising a wear zone, the wear zone being further defined by a second frontal plane parallel to the first frontal plane opposite the upper portion, the wear zones being wearable such that the material thickness of the lug regions adjacent the wear zones remains constant during lug wear, the three-dimensional lug regions for resisting stress fractures therewithin.