Articulated connectors are attached to and extend from center sills of adjacent car units of a multi-unit railroad freight car, connecting the car units to each other and to a shared truck. The center sill of each of the car units includes a top member that is of increased thickness at the outer end of the center sill. A weld extending along a shoulder that extends around the main body of s portion of the articulated connector attaches the articulated connector portion to the outer end of the center sill with ample strength to carry draft and buff train loads as well as the weight of the car unit and its lading, without the need for weld joints inside the center sill.

A railroad car coupler assembly knuckle pin including an elongated cylindrical tubular body having an upper end portion, a lower end portion spaced apart from the upper end portion, and an intermediate portion between and connecting the upper end portion and the lower end portion, the body including an elongated cylindrical wall that defines an elongated cylindrical central opening and an elongated slot that extends the length of the wall, a first ring integrally connected to and outwardly extending from a first area of the upper end portion of the body, a second ring integrally connected to and outwardly extending from a second area of the upper end portion of the body, the second ring spaced apart from the first ring along the body, the first ring defining a plurality of first stress relief slots, and the second ring defining a plurality of second stress relief slots.

In an automated guided vehicle, a connection mechanism includes a connecting part and a movable part, and is connected to an object by the connecting part. When the connecting part is in a first state and the movable part is at a first position, an end portion on the other side in a first direction of the connecting part contacts a surface on one side in the first direction of the movable part or penetrates the movable part in the first direction to protrude toward the other side in the first direction with respect to the surface on one side in the first direction of the movable part. When the connecting part is in the first state and the movable part is at a second position, the movable part is away from the connecting part. A force applied to the movable part maintains the movable part at the first position.

A tow hitch assembly for interconnecting two or more wheeled vehicles, such as railbikes, each vehicle having a frame, a front bumper and a rear bumper. The tow hitch assembly includes a linking member and a pair of cross members centrally and transversely attached to opposing ends of the linking member. Each cross member has a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall defining an open-ended lower channel configured to be fitted directly over one of the front and rear bumpers of one of the two or more wheeled vehicles. The linking member includes opposing end openings configured to engage a projecting pin of a corresponding cross member. Using a plurality of tow hitch assemblies, a plurality of wheeled vehicles can be moved between locations.

A tow hitch assembly for interconnecting two or more wheeled vehicles, such as railbikes, each vehicle having a frame, a front bumper and a rear bumper. The tow hitch assembly includes a linking member and a pair of cross members centrally and transversely attached to opposing ends of the linking member. Each cross member has a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall defining an open-ended lower channel configured to be fitted directly over one of the front and rear bumpers of one of the two or more wheeled vehicles. The linking member includes opposing end openings configured to engage a projecting pin of a corresponding cross member. Using a plurality of tow hitch assemblies, a plurality of wheeled vehicles can be moved between locations.

A coupling support for a central buffer coupling of a rail vehicle includes first and second holding plates to be secured to the body of the rail vehicle. The coupling support has a base plate and a transverse bar disposed between the holding plates. The transverse bar is resiliently coupled to the base plate and is disposed above the base plate. First and second pivot levers are disposed on the base plate such that the pivot location of each pivot lever is disposed below the transverse bar, and the pivot locations are connected to the base plate. Each upper portion of the pivot levers is connected to the transverse bar by an articulated connection such that a movement of the transverse bar away from the base plate is restricted by the articulated connections and a movement of the transverse bar towards the base is allowed by the articulated connections.

A coupling support for a central buffer coupling of a rail vehicle includes first and second holding plates to be secured to the body of the rail vehicle. The coupling support has a base plate and a transverse bar disposed between the holding plates. The transverse bar is resiliently coupled to the base plate and is disposed above the base plate. First and second pivot levers are disposed on the base plate such that the pivot location of each pivot lever is disposed below the transverse bar, and the pivot locations are connected to the base plate. Each upper portion of the pivot levers is connected to the transverse bar by an articulated connection such that a movement of the transverse bar away from the base plate is restricted by the articulated connections and a movement of the transverse bar towards the base is allowed by the articulated connections.

A towing device of an automatic guided vehicle is mounted on the automatic guided vehicle for towing a cart. The towing device includes a hook member and a driving device. The hook member is engageable with a cart and is to be engaged with the cart in an elastically biased state at least when towing the cart. The driving device is for driving the hook member.

The present invention relates to a train coupler adapted for energy absorption by the use of a deformation unit. According to the invention an axial expansion module is provided and mounted together with the deformation unit and an anchor in the housing of the train coupler. By expanding the axial expansion module after being mounted into the housing, the deformation unit and the anchor will be biased between the front and rear lugs of the housing and held in place by a predetermined force in the axial direction only.

The present invention relates to a train coupler adapted for energy absorption by the use of a deformation unit. According to the invention an axial expansion module is provided and mounted together with the deformation unit and an anchor in the housing of the train coupler. By expanding the axial expansion module after being mounted into the housing, the deformation unit and the anchor will be biased between the front and rear lugs of the housing and held in place by a predetermined force in the axial direction only.