Slackless drawbar assembly using a ball and race assembly at each end of the drawbar

Slackless drawbar includes female member, having a cavity, engaging end of a railway car. Openings through first and second side walls of cavity. A male member has portion movably disposed in cavity. An aperture formed through such male member. A ball has portion disposed in such aperture and shafts extending from outer surfaces thereof. A portion of one shaft disposed in one opening and a portion of another one disposed in another opening. Such shafts have flat surface portions. A race assembly disposed in such aperture and secured to male member. An inner surface of race surrounds such ball. A second female member, having a cavity, engages end of second car. Openings are formed through second pair of side walls. Another male member has portion movably disposed in second cavity. An aperture formed through the second male member. Another ball includes portion disposed in second aperture and shafts extending from outer surfaces thereof. A portion of one shaft is disposed in one opening and a portion of another one is disposed in another opening. Each such shaft has a flat surface portion. Another race is disposed in such second aperture and secured to such second male member. An inner surface of the second race surrounds such second ball. A securing system secures second end of such first and second male members together. A first pair of wedges engage flat surfaces on such first pair of shafts. A second pair of wedges engage flat surfaces on such second pair of shafts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
This application is related to an application titled, "A Female Connection 
Member For A Slackless Drawbar Assembly Using A Ball And Race Assembly" 
and an application titled, "A Male Connection Member For A Slackless 
Drawbar Assembly Using A Ball And Race Assembly" which are being filed 
concurrently herewith and are assigned to the assignee of the present 
invention. The disclosure of each of these concurrently filed applications 
is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates, in general, to slackless type drawbar 
assemblies which are used in the railway industry to couple together the 
adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway type freight cars in a 
substantially semi-permanent manner and, more particularly, this invention 
relates to an improved slackless type drawbar assembly which is 
specifically designed to make use of a ball and race assembly disposed 
substantially adjacent each end of such assembly to achieve the requisite 
amount of angling movements which is required between such pair of railway 
freight cars during their operation on a track structure. 
2. Background of the Invention 
Prior to the development of the present invention, as is generally quite 
well known in the railroad industry, such slackless type drawbar 
assemblies have been in widespread use for a number of years to couple 
together the adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway cars in a 
substantially semi-permanent fashion. 
These railway freight cars are normally of the type used in the railroad 
industry in what is most commonly referred to as dedicated service. Such 
dedicated service type railway cars will include; by way of example only, 
cars which are used to haul coal, coke, and/or various other types of raw 
minerals, light truck and automobile transport carriers, tank cars used 
for the transport of various types of liquids, as well as, cars which are 
quite often used to transport various types of building materials. 
Examples of raw minerals transported in these dedicated service type 
railway cars include; various ores, cement and stone. The various types of 
liquids which are known to be transported by such dedicated service type 
railway cars will at least include a number of different chemicals. 
One example of a prior art slackless type drawbar assembly is taught in 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,330. Illustrated therein is a pair of railway cars 
having their adjacently disposed ends connected together by a slackless 
drawbar. This particular drawbar, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is 
constructed to operate with a positioner apparatus. 
The drawbar is made from a cast metal, such as steel, and includes a shank 
portion on which there is provided a non-rotatable fixed end securable to 
a center sill portion of the car body, and a rotatable end received in the 
center sill portion of an adjacently disposed car body. Each of the fixed 
end and rotatable end of the slackless drawbar assembly extends into 
pocket castings and follower blocks which differ slightly but otherwise 
the center sill portions and pocket casting parts of both car bodies are 
substantially identical and are best seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 3A. 
The fixed (non-rotatable) end is held in place in the center sill portion 
of such car body by a key and against a follower member disposed in a 
pocket casting. The pocket casting is received within the center sill 
opening, which is defined at it's inboard end by rear stop members. These 
rear stop members abut against side wall extensions of the pocket casting. 
A shim may be disposed intermediate the rear stop members and the pocket 
casting side wall extensions. The shim may be replaced with a thicker 
shim, should wear require the pocket casting to be spaced further from the 
rear stop members. 
The pocket casting has a cup-like cavity formed by an end wall portion and 
an encircling skirt portion. Within the cavity the end wall portion 
presents an inclined face which is formed with a generally shallow 
V-shaped concavity (as best seen in FIG. 2). 
As can best be seen in FIG. 3A, a wedge member is seated in the cavity and 
frictionally bears against the face of the pocket casting. Such wedge 
member has an inboard inclined bearing, or friction, surface which is 
convex-shaped so as to be complementary to the pocket casting face. An 
outboard wedging surface disposed on the wedge member is formed as a 
shallow V-shaped concavity that bears against a follower block. The 
follower block is formed with a complementary inboard wedging convex 
V-shaped face which bears against such concave outboard surface of the 
wedge member. 
One embodiment of the wedge member, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, is provided 
with a pair of laterally projecting guide tabs to minimize lateral 
shifting thereof. Lifting or positioning lugs of generally hook shape also 
project from the sides of such wedge. Access to the lugs and the wedge is 
made possible by the provision of access openings or slots formed in the 
skirt portion of the pocket casting and corresponding apertures are 
provided in the top web of the center sill portion and in a lower channel 
member (which supports the pocket casting) thereby enabling the insertion 
of a tool to engage the lugs of the wedge without having to remove the 
pocket casting itself. The wedge may also be vertically positioned by 
inserting a tool through an opening, or slot, formed in the pocket casting 
and the side walls (not shown) of the center sill portion. 
Another embodiment of the wedge, as shown in FIG. 3A, is provided with a 
depending tail piece portion which extends downward through bottom 
openings in the pocket casting skirt portion and in a lower channel and 
thereby facilitates vertical repositioning of the wedge member. 
The outboard face of the follower block is formed with a spherical concave 
face which receives a convex spherical butt on the fixed end of the 
drawbar shank. Retaining the fixed end within the center sill pocket is a 
key which extends through slots in such center sill side castings and a 
key slot in the drawbar shank. 
The end portion of the key slot is formed with a concave surface concentric 
to the follower block spherical concave face and convex spherical butt of 
the drawbar shank. Seated and bearing against the concave surface is a 
complementary convex face of a key bearing block. This facilitates 
horizontal angling of the drawbar assembly while the fixed end is held by 
the key. The bearing block has a groove of semicircular cross section 
along its edge opposite such convex face. Seated within the groove is a 
complementary convex edge of the key. A resilient pad is disposed 
intermediate the top of the key slot and the top face of the key to permit 
vertical angling of the drawbar assembly while maintaining the key seated 
in the groove of the bearing block. This facilitates the vertical angling 
of the drawbar assembly on the key. 
The rotatable end of the drawbar assembly is, also, received in a center 
sill opening of the car body. Within the center sill opening is a pocket 
casting, having a wedge, and a follower block of structure similar to that 
described in connection with the stationary or fixed end, although it may 
extend outwardly of the pocket casting to engage a larger portion of the 
rotatable end. A shim may be disposed between the rear stop members and 
the pocket casting wall as, also, described at the fixed end. Similar 
wedge access slots and apertures are, also, provided in the pocket casting 
and the top web and sides of the center sill portion. 
The rotatable end of the drawbar assembly is formed as a ball having two 
spherical portions generated from a common center disposed inwardly and 
outwardly, respectively, of the follower block. These spherical portions 
are attached to a cylindrical barrel of smaller diameter (to fit within 
the center sill pocket). The outward spherical surface engages the 
spherical concave face of the follower block. Retaining the ball end 
within the center sill pocket is a bottom pulling block segment and an 
interlocking top pulling block segment (shown in detail in FIGS. 4-8) 
which engage the inward spherical surface. 
The bottom pulling block (as shown in FIGS. 6-8) is generally in the form 
of a semicircular ring provided with a base portion and a pair of 
generally upstanding walls portion. The block segment is formed with a 
concave partially spherical surface which engages the inwardly disposed 
portion of the spherical ball. The base of the lower pulling block is 
provided with a generally "V" shaped notch which reduces the lowermost 
bearing area of the concave surface. All of the spherical surfaces are 
concentric to lessen the resistance to angling of the drawbar assembly 
during curve negotiation and the rotary dump operation. 
A pair of lug members project from the top of the block and are seated in 
notches or recesses formed in the upper pulling block segment. Such upper 
pulling block segment (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) is, also, in the general 
form of a semicircular ring and in which the inner surface is formed as a 
partially spherical concave surface. This concave surface bears against 
the inwardly disposed portion of the spherical ball and coacts with the 
bottom pulling block concave surface to embrace the ball. The upper and 
lower pulling blocks are formed with complementary semicircular openings 
through which the shank of the drawbar assembly extends. It is to be noted 
that the partially spherical surfaces are non-symmetrical with the concave 
surface of the lower pulling block being notably larger. 
Restraining the pulling blocks against longitudinal movement out of the 
center sill opening is a front stop member. A removable cross plate member 
is fastened by bolts or the like, across the bottom flanges of the center 
sill to support the pulling blocks within the opening of such center sill. 
Channels are, also, removably secured, by bolts or the like, across the 
center sill to support the pocket casting and the wedge for both the fixed 
end of the drawbar assembly as well as the rotatable end. This reference 
considers two features of the construction receiving the drawbar assembly 
rotatable end to be important. These features are a horizontal shim 
positioned between the upper pulling block and the top of the center sill, 
and a cradle positioned on a cross plate to support the drawbar end ball. 
Both features are illustrated in FIG. 3A and provide means to maintain the 
pulling blocks, ball and follower in proper orientation. 
It is taught that the centers for generating the arcuate surfaces should be 
horizontally aligned; however when draft (pulling) loads are applied to 
the drawbar assembly, the ball will tend to rise across the lower pulling 
block and spread the pulling blocks apart. Should that occur the 
aforementioned centers for the pulling blocks will separate vertically and 
lose concentricity with the abutting ball surface portion. The result is 
to increase resistance to angling and rotation of the drawbar assembly. 
Additionally, the ball moves so as to cause the wedge member to drop and 
reposition the follower thereby reducing the available wedge and follower 
adjustment for wear compensation. 
The cradle serves to support the drawbar assembly ball at the proper level 
for alignment to maintain concentricity with both the follower and pulling 
block during or immediately after the system is unloaded such as the brief 
transition from buff to draft loading (or vice versa) or when the car is 
rotated and the wedge member slightly retracts or during partial 
disassembly. The cradle has an arcuate surface that is concave to receive 
the barrel portion of the ball. 
Should a slack adjusting wedge member, and/or adjacent parts, become worn 
to the point such that the wedge member will no longer function to 
eliminate slack, the wedge member can be lifted by extending a tool 
through the openings and apertures into engagement with the wedge lugs. 
Another method is to insert a tool through the bottom openings in the 
pocket casting skirt portion and lower channel and applying a vertical 
force to the bottom of wedge shim, or by pushing upward on a wedge tail 
piece if so provided. This will allow the worn parts to be spaced further 
from the rear stop members and a shim member to be disposed between the 
rear stop members and a the pocket casting wall, or shim to be replaced 
with a thicker shim to compensate for dimensional changes in worn but 
still usable parts. Similarly if it becomes necessary to disconnect the 
drawbar assembly, this can be accomplished at either or both ends by 
lifting the wedge member and removing either, or both, the key and the 
pulling blocks (by first removing the cross plate). 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides significant improvements in slackless type 
drawbar assemblies which are specifically designed to connect together a 
pair of adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway cars in a 
substantially semi-permanent fashion. The invented slackless type drawbar 
assembly includes a first female connection member which is engageable in 
one end of a center sill portion, disposed beneath a bottom portion of a 
car body member, of a first railway car. A first cavity is formed in such 
first female connection member. Such first cavity essentially being 
defined by a back wall portion and a first pair of side wall portions. 
There is a first opening formed through a first one of such first pair of 
side wall portions and an axially opposed second opening is formed through 
a second one of such first pair of side wall portions. The slackless type 
drawbar assembly further includes a first male connection member. At least 
a predetermined portion of a first end of such first male connection 
member is movably disposed within such first cavity formed in the first 
female connection member. A first aperture is formed through such 
predetermined portion of such first end of the first male connection 
member. At least a portion of a first ball member (hereinafter referred to 
as a first spherical shaped member) is disposed within such first aperture 
formed through the first end of such first male connection member. A first 
pair of horizontally disposed shaft members extend outwardly for a 
predetermined distance from axially opposed outer surfaces of such first 
spherical shaped member. At least a portion of one of such first pair of 
shaft members is disposed within the first opening formed through the 
first one of such first pair of side wall portions and at least a portion 
of another one of such first pair of shaft members is disposed within the 
second opening formed through the second one of such first pair of side 
wall portions. Moreover, each respective one of such first pair of shaft 
members includes an axially opposed and substantially flat surface portion 
formed thereon. There is a first race assembly disposed within such first 
aperture and secured to the first end of such first male connection 
member. An inner surface of the first race assembly is disposed around 
such portion of the first spherical shaped member disposed within the 
first aperture formed in such first male connection member. The slackless 
type drawbar assembly of the present invention also includes a second 
female connection member engageable in one end of a center sill portion, 
which is secured to a bottom portion of a car body member, of a second 
railway car. A second cavity is formed in the second female connection 
member. Such second cavity is, also, essentially defined by a back wall 
portion and a second pair of side wall portions. There is a third opening 
formed through a first one of such second pair of side wall portions of 
the second cavity. An axially opposed fourth opening is formed through a 
second one of such second pair of side wall portions of such second 
cavity. A second male connection member is provided which has at least a 
portion of a first end thereof movably disposed within the second cavity 
formed in such second female connection member. In addition, a second 
aperture is formed through a predetermined portion of such second male 
connection member adjacent the first end thereof. A second ball member 
(hereinafter referred to as a second spherical shaped member) is provided 
which has at least a portion thereof disposed within such second aperture 
formed through the first end of such second male connection member. There 
is a second pair of horizontally disposed shaft members provided which 
extend outwardly for a predetermined distance from axially opposed outer 
surfaces of such second spherical shaped member. At least a portion of one 
of such second pair of shaft members is disposed within the third opening 
formed through the first one of such second pair of side wall portions and 
at least a portion of another one of such second pair of shaft members is 
disposed within such fourth opening formed through the second one of such 
second pair of side wall portions. Like the first pair of shaft members, 
each respective one of such second pair of shaft members has an axially 
opposed and substantially flat surface portion formed thereon. A second 
race assembly is disposed within the second aperture and is secured to the 
first end of such second male connection member. An inner surface of such 
second race assembly is disposed around such portion of the second 
spherical shaped member disposed within the second aperture formed in such 
second male connection member. Another essential element of the slackless 
drawbar assembly is a means engageable with a second end of such first 
male connection member and a second end of such second male connection 
member for securing such second end of such first male connection member 
to the second end of such second male connection member. The slackless 
type drawbar assembly of the present invention further includes a first 
pair of wedge means. A first one of such first pair of wedge means is 
engaged with a first one of such axially opposed and substantially flat 
surface portions formed on the first pair of shaft members and a second 
one of such first pair of wedge means is engaged with a second one of such 
axially opposed and substantially flat surface portions formed on such 
first pair of shaft members. Finally, there is a second pair of wedge 
means provided. A first one of such second pair of wedge means is engaged 
with a first one of the axially opposed and substantially flat surface 
portions formed on the second pair of shaft members and a second one of 
such second pair of wedge means is engaged with a second one of such 
axially opposed and substantially flat surface portions formed on the 
second pair of shaft members. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to 
provide an improved slackless type drawbar assembly for connecting 
together the adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway cars, in a 
substantially semi-permanent fashion, in which a ball and race assembly is 
utilized adjacent each end of such slackless drawbar assembly. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved slackless 
type drawbar assembly for connecting together the adjacently disposed ends 
of a pair of railway cars, in a substantially semi-permanent fashion, 
which requires an absolute minimum number of component parts which must 
move relative to each other when compared to the number of movable 
components required in the prior art type slackless drawbar assemblies. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
slackless type drawbar assembly for connecting together the adjacently 
disposed ends of a pair of railway cars, in a substantially semi-permanent 
fashion, which will generally require substantially less routine 
maintenance when compared to the routine maintenance requirements of the 
prior art type slackless drawbar assemblies. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
slackless type drawbar assembly for connecting together the adjacently 
disposed ends of a pair of railway cars together, in a substantially 
semi-permanent fashion, which will exhibit a relatively long service life 
when compared to the service life of such prior art type slackless drawbar 
assemblies. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
slackless type drawbar assembly for connecting together the adjacently 
disposed ends of a pair of railway cars, in a substantially semi-permanent 
fashion, which will be significantly more cost effective for the user. 
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
slackless type drawbar assembly for connecting together the adjacently 
disposed ends of a pair of railway cars, in a substantially semi-permanent 
fashion, which is relatively easy to retrofit into existing railway cars. 
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
slackless type drawbar assembly for connecting together the adjacently 
disposed ends of a pair of railway cars, in a substantially semi-permanent 
fashion, which is significantly lighter in weight than a conventional type 
coupler which requires yokes, draft gear, draft key members and follower 
members. 
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
slackless type drawbar assembly for connecting together the adjacently 
disposed ends of a pair of railway cars, in a substantially semi-permanent 
fashion, which is relatively easy to assemble. 
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an 
improved slackless type drawbar assembly for connecting together the 
adjacently disposed ends of a pair of railway cars, in a substantially 
semi-permanent fashion, which includes an absolute minimum number of 
frictionally engageable wear surfaces. 
An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improved 
slackless type drawbar assembly for connecting together the adjacently 
disposed ends of a pair of railway cars, in a substantially semi-permanent 
fashion, which does not require any specialized tools and/or other 
equipment to install on a railway car. 
Although a number of specific objects and advantages of the present 
invention have been described in some detail above, various other objects 
and advantages of the slackless type drawbar assembly incorporating a ball 
and race assembly at each end thereof will become much more readily 
apparent to those persons who are skilled in the railway car coupling art 
from the following more detailed description of the invention, 
particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with both the 
attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY 
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
Prior to proceeding to the considerably more detailed description of the 
present invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, 
identical components, which have identical functions, have been designated 
with identical reference numerals throughout the several views that have 
been illustrated in the drawings. 
Now reference is made, more particularly, to the attached drawing FIGS. 1 
through 3. Illustrated therein is an improved slackless type drawbar 
assembly, generally designated, 10 for connecting together the adjacently 
disposed ends (not shown) of a pair of railway cars (not shown) in a 
substantially semi-permanent fashion. Such slackless drawbar assembly 10 
includes a first female connection member, generally designated, 20 which 
has a first predetermined configuration. The shape, of the outer surface 
portions of such first predetermined configuration, of the first female 
connection member 20 is designed in such a manner that will enable the 
first female connection member 20 to be substantially disposed entirely 
within and engaged with a first end of a center sill portion 12 secured to 
a bottom portion (not shown) of a car body member (not shown) of a first 
railway car (not shown). 
First female connection member 20 is restrained against any longitudinal 
movement within the center sill portion 12 in a first direction by rear 
stop members 13 and in an axially opposed second direction by front draft 
stop members 15. There is a support plate member 17 provided which is 
removably secured to the center sill portion 12 beneath the first female 
connection member 20. Such support plate member 17 prevents downward 
vertical movement of such first female connection member 20. 
A first cavity 14 is formed in such first female connection member 20. Such 
first cavity 14 is at least defined by an inner surface 16, having a 
second predetermined configuration, of a back wall portion 18 and, 
respective, inner surfaces 22 and 24 of a first pair of side wall portions 
26 and 28. Each of such inner surfaces 22 and 24 have a third 
predetermined configuration. 
The second predetermined configuration of the inner surface 16 of such back 
wall portion 18 will, preferably, be generally concave in both a vertical 
direction and a horizontal direction. The third predetermined 
configuration of such inner surfaces 22 and 24, on the other hand, will 
normally exhibit a convex shape in at least a horizontal direction. 
Preferably, such inner surfaces 22 and 24 will have a, generally, convex 
shape in both such horizontal direction and in a vertical direction. 
Formed through the first side wall portion 26 of such first pair of side 
wall portions 26 and 28 is a first opening 30. Such first opening 30 has a 
fourth predetermined configuration. In this embodiment, such fourth 
predetermined configuration of the first opening 30 will at least include 
each of a first generally round portion 32 and a first generally open 
bottom portion 34. The specific function of such first round portion 32 
and the first open bottom portion 34 of such first opening 30 will become 
more clear as the description of the present invention proceeds. 
There is an axially opposed second opening 36, having a fifth predetermined 
configuration, formed through the second side wall portion 28 of such 
first pair of side wall portions 26 and 28. It is presently preferred that 
the fourth predetermined configuration of such first opening 30 will be 
substantially identical to such fifth predetermined configuration of the 
second opening 36. However, it is to be understood that the present 
invention is not to be limited thereto. 
The slackless drawbar assembly 10 further includes a first male connection 
member, generally designated, 40 which has a sixth predetermined 
configuration. At least a portion of a first end 38 of such first male 
connection member 40 is disposed for rotatable movement within the first 
cavity 14 formed in such first female connection member 20. 
The end surface 42 of such first end 38 which is disposed facing the inner 
surface 16 of such back wall portion 18 of such female connection member 
20 will exhibit a generally convex shape in each of a vertical direction 
and a horizontal direction. Preferably, except for such end surface 42, 
the first end 38 of such male connection member 40 will be generally 
rectangular in shape except for radius portions adjacent the outer edges 
thereof. 
A first aperture 44 is formed through a predetermined portion of such first 
male connection member 40 adjacent the first end 38 thereof. According to 
the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, such first aperture 
44 will be generally round and have a first predetermined diameter. 
Nevertheless, it is to be understood that various other shapes can be 
readily envisioned for such first aperture 44 and that such various other 
shapes are contemplated to be within the broad scope of the claims 
directed to such invention. 
Further included in the slackless drawbar assembly 10 is a first spherical 
shaped member 46. At least a predetermined portion of such first spherical 
shaped member 46 is disposed within the first aperture 44 formed through 
such first end 38 of the first male connection member 40. In the presently 
preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the first 
spherical shaped member 46 will be a polished surface. Still more 
preferably, the polished outer surface of the first spherical shaped 
member 46 will be a polished chrome plated surface. 
There are a first pair of substantially horizontally disposed shaft members 
48 and 50 which extend outwardly for a predetermined distance from axially 
opposed outer surfaces 52 and 54 of such first spherical shaped member 46. 
At least a portion of a first shaft member 50 is disposed within the 
generally round portion 32 of such first opening 30 formed through such 
first side wall portion 26 and at least a portion of a second shaft member 
48 of such first pair of shaft members 48 and 50 is disposed within the 
second opening 36 formed through the second side wall portion 28 of such 
first pair of side wall portions 26 and 28. 
Each respective one of such first pair of shaft members 48 and 50 includes 
an axially opposed and substantially flat surface portion 52 and 54 formed 
thereon. The function served by the substantially flat surface portions 52 
and 54 will become clear as the detailed description of the invention 
proceeds. 
Although the invention is not to be limited thereto, it is presently 
preferred that both such first spherical member 46 and such first pair of 
shaft members 48 and 50 will be formed as an integral single piece 
component. 
There is a first race assembly 56, having at least a portion thereof, 
disposed within and adjacent the perimeter of such first aperture 44. Such 
first race assembly 56 being secured to such first end 38 of the first 
male connection member 40. According to the presently preferred embodiment 
of the invention, such first race assembly 56 will be secured to the first 
end 38 of such first male connection member 40 in a removable manner. 
However, it is within the scope of the present invention for such first 
race assembly 56 to be welded to such first end 38 of the male connection 
member 40. 
An inner surface of such first race assembly 56 is disposed around such 
portion of the first spherical shaped member 46 positioned within such 
first aperture 44 formed in such first male connection member 40. In this 
manner, the first spherical shaped member 46 is, preferably, held 
substantially centered within such first aperture 44. 
In one alternative form of the presently preferred embodiment of the 
invention, there will be provided a substantially solid type lubricating 
liner member 57, such as manufactured by Kahr Rearing Co. and marketed by 
them under the tradename "KARLON", disposed between the outer surface of 
such first spherical shaped member 46 and the inner surface of such first 
race assembly 56. 
The slackless type drawbar assembly 10, of the present invention, includes 
a second female connection member (not shown), which, preferably, is a 
mirror image of the first female connection member 20. Such second female 
connection member has a seventh predetermined configuration which, 
preferably, is substantially identical to the first predetermined 
configuration of such first female connection member 20. 
Additionally, such second female connection member is engageable in one 
adjacently disposed end (not shown) of a center sill portion (not shown) 
which is secured to a bottom portion of a second car body member (not 
shown) of a second railway car (not shown). 
A second cavity which is, preferably, substantially identical to such first 
cavity 14 formed in such first female connection member 20 is formed in 
the second female connection member. Such second cavity being defined by 
an inner surface, having an eighth predetermined configuration, of a back 
wall portion and respective inner surfaces of a second pair of side wall 
portions. Each of the respective inner surfaces of such second pair of 
side wall portions having a ninth predetermined configuration. 
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the eighth 
predetermined configuration of such inner surface of the back wall portion 
will be substantially identical to the second predetermined configuration 
of the inner surface 16 of the back wall portion 18 of such first female 
connection member 20. Furthermore, the ninth predetermined configuration 
of such respective inner surfaces of such second pair of side wall 
portions will, preferably, be substantially identical to the third 
predetermined configuration of the respective inner surfaces 22 and 24 of 
the first pair of side wall portions 26 and 28. 
Formed through the first side wall portion of such second pair of side wall 
portions is a third opening, which has a tenth predetermined configuration 
which, preferably, is substantially identical to the fourth predetermined 
configuration of such first opening 30. In the presently preferred 
embodiment, such tenth predetermined configuration of the third opening 
will, also, at least include each of a third generally round portion and a 
third generally open bottom portion. The specific function of such third 
round portion and the third open bottom portion of such third opening will 
become more clear as the description of the present invention proceeds. 
There is an axially opposed fourth opening, having an eleventh 
predetermined configuration, formed through the second one of such second 
pair of side wall portions of such second cavity. As has been previously 
discussed above, with respect to the first opening 30 and the second 
opening 36, it is presently preferred that the tenth predetermined 
configuration of such third opening will be substantially identical to 
such eleventh predetermined configuration of the fourth opening. Once 
again, however, the present invention is not to be limited thereto. 
In the present invention, the improved slackless type drawbar assembly 10 
further includes a second male connection member which has a twelfth 
predetermined configuration. Although the invention is not to be limited 
thereto, such twelfth predetermined configuration will, preferably, be 
substantially identical to the above-mentioned sixth predetermined 
configuration of such first male connection member 40. At least a portion 
of the first end of such second male connection member is disposed for 
rotational movement within the second cavity formed in such second female 
connection member. 
A second aperture is formed through a predetermined portion of such second 
male connection member adjacent the first end thereof. According to the 
presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the second aperture will 
be substantially identical to such first aperture 44. In other words, the 
second aperture will, preferably, be generally round and have a second 
predetermined diameter. 
However, it is to be understood that various other shapes can be 
envisioned, by persons who are skilled in the slackless type drawbar 
assembly art, for such second aperture and that any of these various other 
shapes are contemplated to be within the broad scope of the claims 
directed to such invention. 
A second spherical shaped member, preferably, substantially identical to 
such first spherical shaped member 46 is provided. At least a portion of 
such second spherical shaped member is disposed within the second aperture 
formed through the first end of such second male connection member. This 
second spherical shaped member has a second pair of horizontally disposed 
shaft members extending outwardly for a predetermined distance from 
axially opposed outer surfaces thereof. 
At least a portion of a first one of such second pair of shaft members is 
disposed within the generally round portion of such third opening formed 
through a first side wall portion of such second pair of side wall 
portions and at least a portion of a second one of such second pair of 
shaft members is disposed within such generally round portion of the 
fourth opening formed through the second side wall portion of such second 
pair of side wall portions. 
Like the first pair of shaft members 48 and 50, each respective one of such 
second pair of shaft members includes axially opposed and substantially 
flat surface portions formed thereon. Preferably, such second spherical 
member and the second pair of shaft members will, also, be formed as an 
integral single piece component. 
A second race assembly, having at least a portion thereof disposed within 
such second aperture, is, preferably, secured in a removable manner to the 
first end of such second male connection member. Similar to the first race 
assembly 56, an inner surface of such second race assembly is positioned 
around that portion of the second spherical shaped member that is disposed 
within the second aperture formed in such second male connection member. 
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the second race 
assembly will, also, be substantially identical to such first race 
assembly 56. 
Additionally, in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, there 
will be provided another substantially solid type lubricating liner 
member, such as manufactured by Kahr Rearing Co, disposed between the 
second spherical shaped member and the inner surface of the second race 
assembly. 
A means, generally designated, 60 is engageable with both a second end 58 
of such first male connection member 40 and a second end (not shown) of 
such second male connection member for securing the second end of such 
first male connection member to the second end of such second male 
connection member. 
Such means 60 may be as simple as providing a weldment which secures the 
second end 58 of such first male connection member 40 to the second end of 
such second female connection member. In this case, the second end 58 of 
such first male connection member 40 and the second end of such second 
female connection member will have a predetermined length which will be at 
least sufficient to provide the spacing required between the adjacently 
disposed ends of the pair of railway cars connected together by the 
improved slackless drawbar assembly 10 to enable such railway cars to 
negotiate any curves encountered on a track structure. 
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, however, such 
securing means 60 will include a bar or pipe-like member 62 disposed 
intermediate and secured to the second end 58 of the first male connection 
member 40 and to the second end of such second male connection member. 
When such pipe-like member 62 is utilized for securing such second end 38 
of the first male connection member 40 and such second end of the second 
male connection member together, then such second end 38 of each of such 
first male connection member 40 and the second end of such second male 
connection member will, preferably, include a male member 58 inserted into 
respective opposed ends of said pipe-like member 62. On the other hand, 
when a solid bar-like member is used to secure such second end 38 of the 
first male connection member 40 and the second end of such second male 
connection member together, then such second end 38 of the first male 
connection member 40 and the second end of such second male connection 
member will, preferably, include a sleeve-like portion to receive a 
respective end of the bar-like member therein. 
Further provided in the presently preferred embodiment of such slackless 
type drawbar assembly 10 is a first pair of wedge means, generally 
designated, 70. Such wedge means 70 includes a wedge member 64 having a 
bolt 66 disposed therethrough in a longitudinal direction and washer means 
68. Preferably such washer means 68 will be Belleville type washers. 
A first one of such first pair of wedge means 70 includes a tapered surface 
72 engaged with a first flat surface portion 52 of such axially opposed 
and substantially flat surface portions 52 and 54 formed on the first pair 
of shaft members 48 and 50. A substantially flat and vertically disposed 
surface 74 disposed on the first one of the wedge means 70 is engaged with 
a mating vertically disposed surface 76 of a respective front draft stop 
member 15. The second one of such first pair of wedge means 70 includes a 
tapered surface 78 engaged with a second flat surface portion 54 of such 
axially opposed and substantially flat surface portions 52 and 54 formed 
on the first pair of shaft members 48 and 50. There is a substantially 
flat and vertically disposed surface 80 on the second one of the wedge 
means 70 engaged with a mating vertically disposed surface 82 of a 
respective front draft stop member 15. 
A second pair of wedge means (not shown) is provided in the slackless 
drawbar assembly 10 of the present invention. Such second wedge means, 
also, includes a wedge member having a bolt disposed therethrough in a 
longitudinal direction and washer means. Preferably, such washer means 
will be Belleville type washers. 
A first one of such second pair of wedge means includes a tapered surface 
engaged with a first flat surface portion of such axially opposed and 
substantially flat surface portions formed on the second pair of shaft 
members. A substantially flat and vertically disposed surface on the first 
one of the wedge means is engaged with a mating vertically disposed 
surface of a respective front draft stop member. The second one of such 
second pair of wedge means includes a tapered surface engaged with a 
second flat surface portion of such axially opposed and substantially flat 
surface portions formed on the second pair of shaft members. There is a 
substantially flat and vertically disposed surface on the second one of 
the wedge means engaged with a mating vertically disposed surface of a 
respective front draft stop member. 
While a number of presently preferred and various alternative embodiments 
of the present invention have been described in detail above, with 
particular reference to the drawing Figures, it should be understood by 
those persons who are skilled in the railway car type coupling art that it 
is possible for a number of additional modifications and/or other 
adaptations of such slackless type drawbar assembly to be made without 
departing from either the spirit or the scope of the appended claims.