A railcar end unit is operable to be mounted in a center sill between buff and draft sill stops. The buff and draft end bodies are configured to be shiftably mounted relative to the center sill to engage the respective sill stops and to shift axially relative to one another along a unit axis. The end unit includes a buff spring pack operably mounted between the end bodies and compressible along the unit axis from a neutral condition to a compressed condition.

A knuckle pin, coupling system, and method for producing a knuckle pin are provided, the knuckle pin having a cylindrical body with a longitudinal slot therein separating vertical edges of the cylindrical body, with one or more first retaining elements that span outward of the cylindrical body, and a second retainer that includes one or more of opposing apertures, and bendable legs. A method for producing the knuckle pin is provided, where a blank is stamped into a workpiece that corresponds to the pin to be produced, and the stamped workpiece is rolled to produce the pin with the slot.

A knuckle pin, coupling system, and method for producing a knuckle pin are provided, the knuckle pin having a cylindrical body with a longitudinal slot therein separating vertical edges of the cylindrical body, with one or more first retaining elements that span outward of the cylindrical body, and a second retainer that includes one or more of opposing apertures, and bendable legs. A method for producing the knuckle pin is provided, where a blank is stamped into a workpiece that corresponds to the pin to be produced, and the stamped workpiece is rolled to produce the pin with the slot.

A knuckle of a coupler of a rail vehicle includes a leading beam having a pulling face, a lateral offset beam extending from the leading beam, a tail extending from the lateral offset beam, an extension wall extending from the lateral offset beam towards an end of the tail, and a tapered lock engagement wall extending from the extension wall to the end of the tail. The tapered lock engagement wall is angled in relation to the extension wall. The tapered lock engagement wall is configured to engage an interior face of a main body of a lock of the coupler. The interior face defines a knuckle-engaging surface that is configured to bear against the tapered lock engagement wall.

A process for producing a coupler knuckle and an improved coupler knuckle design are provided. The process produces a coupler knuckle by constructing a mold having the shape of the coupler knuckle. The mold is coated with a material that is resistant to melting at the molten melt temperatures of the molten metal used to form the knuckle. With the mold coated, the cavities in the mold interior are filled by placing an inert material therein. The molten metal used for forming the knuckle contacts the mold and consumes it, while the coating serves to provide a shape for the knuckle.

A process for producing a coupler knuckle and an improved coupler knuckle design are provided. The process produces a coupler knuckle by constructing a mold having the shape of the coupler knuckle. The mold is coated with a material that is resistant to melting at the molten melt temperatures of the molten metal used to form the knuckle. With the mold coated, the cavities in the mold interior are filled by placing an inert material therein. The molten metal used for forming the knuckle contacts the mold and consumes it, while the coating serves to provide a shape for the knuckle.

A knuckle pin, coupling system, and method for producing a knuckle pin are provided, the knuckle pin having a cylindrical body with a longitudinal slot therein separating vertical edges of the cylindrical body, with one or more first retaining elements that span outward of the cylindrical body, and a second retainer that includes one or more of opposing apertures, and bendable legs. A method for producing the knuckle pin is provided, where a blank is stamped into a workpiece that corresponds to the pin to be produced, and the stamped workpiece is rolled to produce the pin with the slot.

A knuckle pin, coupling system, and method for producing a knuckle pin are provided, the knuckle pin having a cylindrical body with a longitudinal slot therein separating vertical edges of the cylindrical body, with one or more first retaining elements that span outward of the cylindrical body, and a second retainer that includes one or more of opposing apertures, and bendable legs. A method for producing the knuckle pin is provided, where a blank is stamped into a workpiece that corresponds to the pin to be produced, and the stamped workpiece is rolled to produce the pin with the slot.

A railroad coupler knuckler meets AAR contour requirements and it includes unique external weight reducing features that strategically reduce weight without compromising strength or fatigue life. The design of the railroad knuckle of the present invention allows for formation of the knuckle through forging or coreless casting techniques and thus allows for the use of a better grade of steel compared to AAR Grade E and such forged or cast knuckle will yield much higher fatigue life compared to cast knuckles.

A railroad coupler knuckler meets AAR contour requirements and it includes unique external weight reducing features that strategically reduce weight without compromising strength or fatigue life. The design of the railroad knuckle of the present invention allows for formation of the knuckle through forging or coreless casting techniques and thus allows for the use of a better grade of steel compared to AAR Grade E and such forged or cast knuckle will yield much higher fatigue life compared to cast knuckles.