Railcar Coupling Aid and Method of Using the Same

Abstract

A railcar coupling aid is provided to link a sequentially aligned pair of railcars having unactuated couplers so that such couplers may become engaged on a portion of rail more conducive to their actuation or so that such couplers may be serviced at a more convenient location along the rail. It may comprise a first and second length of rugged and flexible material spaced apart by a first and second crossed portion of such material. The crossed portions define a space configured to receive both of a pair of opposing coupler draw heads therethrough. When the net is draped over the opposing draw heads, each of the first and second lengths may be secured to themselves around one each of the coupler's draw shafts. Thus, each railcar may be at least temporarily linked to one another in a manner that avoids risking injury to railworker limbs.

Claims

1. A railcar coupling aid, comprising: a first and a second length of rugged and flexible material spaced apart by a first and second crossed portion of rugged and flexible material, each crossed portion securely attached to said first and second lengths; and means for releasably securing each of the first and second lengths to themselves respectively; wherein the first and second crossed portions define a space sized to receive both of a pair of opposing draw heads comprising a railcar coupler therethrough.

2. The railcar coupling aid of claim 1, wherein the rugged and flexible material is selected from woven para aramid fibers, high modulus polyetherlyne, and industrial polyester, nylon, rayon, and polypropylene yarns.

3. The railcar coupling aid of claim 1, wherein the means for releasably securing each of the first and second lengths to themselves comprise hook and loop fasteners.

4. The railcar coupling aid of claim 3, wherein the loop fasteners are secured to one side of each length and the hook fasteners are secured to an opposite side of each length such that the hook and loop fasteners are operative to secure a portion of each length to itself as a ring.

5. A method of linking a pair of sequentially aligned railcars having unactuated couplers, comprising: draping a railcar coupling aid over both of a pair of opposing coupler draw heads such that the pair of opposing coupler draw heads is received through a portion of the railcar coupling aid; and securing a portion of the railcar coupling to itself around one each of a pair of opposing coupler draw shafts.

6. The method of linking a pair of sequentially aligned railcars having unactuated couplers of claim 5, wherein the railcar coupling aid comprises a first and a second length of rugged and flexible material spaced apart by a first and second crossed portion of rugged and flexible material, each crossed portion securely attached to said first and second lengths; and means for releasably securing each of the first and second lengths to themselves around one each of the opposing coupler draw shafts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a railcar coupling aid in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate a method of using the railcar coupling aid to link opposing coupler draw heads in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows an overhead plan view of the railcar coupling aid operatively linking opposing coupler draw heads in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0030] The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attached figures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enabling description of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without some of the details included in order to provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments. Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

[0031] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. The same reference numerals in different figures denote the same elements.

[0032] The terms first, second, third, fourth, and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms include, and have, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus

[0033] The terms couple, coupled, couples, coupling, and the like should be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or more elements or signals, electrically, mechanically or otherwise. Two or more electrical elements may be electrically coupled, but not mechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled; two or more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical, electrical, or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent or semi-permanent or only for an instant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0035] In an embodiment, the railcar coupling aid may be a modified net defined by rugged and flexible segmented portions securely attached to one another in a manner operative to link unactuated draw heads to one another while avoiding a need of railworkers to risk crushing their limbs or appendages between such draw heads.

[0036] In FIG. 1, for example, the railcar coupling aid may be a net 100 comprising a parallel first and second length 102a, 102b spaced apart by a first and second crossed portion 104a, 104b. Means for securing the net on or around unactuated coupler draw heads is also provided. For instance, a portion of each length 102a, 102b may comprise securably meshable hook 106a, 106b and loop 108a, 108b fasteners. In the figures, such hook 106a, 106b and loop 108a, 108b fasteners are disposed on opposite ends and sides of each length 102a, 102b so that when the net 100 is respectively draped over opposing coupler draw shafts, in an exemplary manner described in further detail below, each length may be effectively meshed with itself to at least temporarily link a pair of sequentially aligned rail cars to one another.

[0037] Each of the crossed portions 104a, 104b as well as any means for securing the net 100 on around unactuated coupler draw heads may be secured to each length 102a, 102b by any desirable means, such as stitching. In this case, each crossed portion 104a, 104b has been stitched to itself in addition to each length 102a, 102b, which may reinforce the strength of each crossed portion 104a, 104b. Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that various factors may contribute to the strength of each seam that secures portions of the net 100. Thus, the particular type of stitch used, seam construction, number of stitches per inch of seam, thread type and size, and even stitch tension may be subject to individualized considerations related to, for example, the weight and dimensions of a particular type of railcar and/or railcar coupler, and even towing capacity of material comprising the net. As such, the particular method of joining elements comprising the railcar coupling aid should not limit the invention. Indeed, it is contemplated that the portions of the net 100 may be strategically knotted to one another, or even glued, such as with shock and impact resistant glue as well as other high strength adhesives.

[0038] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate an exemplary method of linking a pair of sequentially aligned railcars 110a, 110b via their opposing couplers. With reference to FIG. 2, Each coupler comprises, generally, a draw head 122a, 122b, also known as a draw gear, extending outward from the railcar 110a, 110b by way of a draw shaft 124a, 124b. It should be noted that the particular form of the draw head is immaterial for the functioning of the disclosed method and apparatus. Each draw head 122a, 122b may formed as any of a variety of types of those automatic coupler heads known to those skilled in the art the art. For instance an exemplary embodiment of an automatic knuckle coupler is depicted in the drawings. These go by many names in the industry and even vary within types. As such, the couplers in the figures are shown for the sake of example only, not limitation.

[0039] It is contemplated that providing and applying an aid according to the disclosure may allow railworkers to at least temporarily link unactuated coupler draw heads with one another while avoiding risks associated with personal manipulation of such parts. That is, the device may enable a railworker to move sequentially aligned rail cars to a portion of railroad that is more conducive to actuating opposing coupler draw heads or even to a portion of railroad that is available for them to perform maintenance on broken couplers without risk to their limbs.

[0040] More particularly, and with continued reference to FIG. 2, the net 100 comprising an embodiment of the railcar coupling aid may be draped over the top of the opposing draw heads 122a, 122b so that each one each of the parallel first and second lengths 102a, 102b of the net 100 may correspondingly rest along a portion of one each of the opposing coupler draw shafts 124a, 124b. Then, with reference to FIGS. 3-5, each length 102a, 102b may be securely wrapped upon itself around its respective draw shaft 124a, 124b. Because the lengths 102a, 102b of the net 100 are secured in a direction that is normal to typical railcar motion, there is a decreased risk that means for securing each length 102a, 102b will fail when the net is subject to pulling and pushing forces delivered by moving railcars.

[0041] It should be noted that the coupler draw heads 122a, 122b are in general larger in any or all of height, width, and length, relative to any or all of the height, width, and length of each draw shaft 124a, 124b. This may be seen more clearly with reference to the exemplary overhead view of the secured railcar coupling aid in FIG. 6. Positioning each of the first and second parallel lengths 102a, 102b in this manner may ensure that such securely wrapped lengths 102a, 102b may be prevented from sliding over the relatively larger draw heads 122a, 124b, which might otherwise undesirably cause the sequentially aligned pair of rail cars to become unlinked.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will recognize that even automatic railcar couplers, such as the exemplary knuckle couplers depicted in the figures, may be differently shaped. It is contemplated that the railcar coupling aid will be applicable to innumerable variations on automatic coupler design. As just one example, some couplers include a tapered portion joining the draw head and draw shaft. In such a case, it may be desirable to wrap each length 102a, 102b around a portion of the coupler assembly that is relatively smaller in volume than any portion of the draw heads 122a, 122b, so that the net 100 may be prevented from slipping over the opposing draw heads 122a, 122b and causing the sequentially aligned pair of railcars to become unlinked, especially while in motion.

[0043] Similarly, the particular dimensions of the parallel first and second lengths as well as the dimensions and positioning of the crossed portions may vary. For instance, it may be beneficial to provide longer first and second lengths to wrap around opposing railcar couplers having shafts that are relatively broader than other shafts being used in the field. Likewise, crossed portions may be formed at different angles with themselves and secured at different positions along the parallel first and second lengths to accommodate longer, taller, and/or broader draw heads or vice versa, as the case may be.

[0044] It is contemplated that securely aligning at least one of the crossed portions near an end of the parallel lengths may ease use of the device by eliminating at least one tail end.

[0045] With continued reference to FIG. 6, as a result of applying the railcar coupling aid in the manner described, each crossed portion 104a of the net 100 may be relatively horizontally draped between each length along opposite sides of the opposing coupler draw heads 122a, 122b as in FIGS. 3-5. It is contemplated that arranging the crossed portions 104a, 104b in this manner desirably distributes tensile forces both in a horizontal direction corresponding to at least the length of opposing draw heads 122a, 122b together as well as in a vertical direction corresponding to the height of each draw shaft 124a, 124b among at least four resilient segments comprising the crossed portions 104a, 104b, depending on the particular construction of the net 100. Furthermore, tensile forces are distributed on both a benefit is that all tensile forces are distributed around the aligned draw heads, rather than from a certain side or angle. Even further, such forces may be dispersed among each segmented portion of the device in many directions.

[0046] In the exemplary embodiment, meshable hook 106a, 106b and loop 108a, 108b fasteners comprise the means for fastening the railcar coupling aid around opposing draw shafts 124a, 124b. In FIG. 3, for example, it may be seen that the loop 108a, 108b portion faces outward from each draw shaft 124a, 124b along each length 102a, 102b draped thereon, while a hook potion faces inward toward each draw shaft 124a, 124b. Arranged as such, the hook and loop fasteners are configured to be meshable with one another when each length 102a, 102b is wrapped upon itself around its respective draw shaft 124a, 124b. Of course, the hook 106a, 106b and loop 108a, 108b fasteners may be arranged so that each hook 106a, 106b portion faces outward from each draw shaft 124a, 124b while each loop 108a, 108b portion faces inward.

[0047] In some embodiments, hook 106a, 106b and loop 108a, 108b fasteners may be implemented as the means for securing the railcar coupling aid to the opposing couplers for their ease of use and relative ruggedness over other fasteners available in the marketplace. One skilled in the art, however, will of course recognize that other means for fastening the rail car coupling aid, such as clasps, snaps, zippers, and knots are possible.

[0048] Additionally, construction of the net provides additional benefits of being lightweight and easy to manipulate, relative to chains and other accessories used for such purposes, while avoiding any need of placing any portion of their limbs, such as hands and fingers, between or beneath joining portions of opposing draw heads.

[0049] In some embodiments, material comprising the various elements of the railcar coupling aid my be flexible, for easy manipulation about opposing draw heads, and resilient so that it may be reliably reused. In some embodiments, heat resistant fibers may be preferred. In some embodiments, synthetic woven fibers may be fabricated in a manner that is sufficiently flexible and resilient to practice the invention. For instance, woven para-aramid fibers. One type of para aramid fiber available in the marketplace is Kevlar. In particular, woven Kevlar may be preferred because of its high tensile strength of about 3,620 MPa while being a relatively light woven fiber. This may be desirable since railcars are known to be so heavy. Additionally, heat transfer through Kevlar is slower than that of, for example, cotton or leather textiles making it safer for railworkers to handle the net directly after use. Other materials suitable to comprise the railcar coupling aid may be other para aramid fibers, high modulus polyetherlyne (HMPE), and industrial yarns such as polyester, nylon, rayon, polypropylene and even combinations of the same.

[0050] Particular dimensions defining the elements of the device may vary depending, for example, on the type of coupler joining railcars, among other things. As one example however, each of the lengths 102a, 102b and crossed portions 104a, 104b may each comprise woven straps about two (2) inches to about five (5) inches wide. Each length may be about 40 inches to about 60 inches in order to accommodate at least the perimeter of the draw shaft 124a, 124b, and the distance between each length 102a, 102b may be about 25 inches to about 40 inches so that each crossed portion may drape across at least the entire length of the opposing draw heads 102a, 102b.

[0051] Of course, one skilled in the art will recognize that the crossed portions 104a, 104b appear at least slightly slack in the figures. It is contemplated that arranging the net 100 to avoid constant tension in the crossed portions 104a, 104b may increase its life cycle. Still, in the event that the net 100 does fail under tension, it is unlikely that a railworker will be seriously injured, especially in the event that a relatively inelastic material is used to comprise the net.

[0052] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

[0053] Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

[0054] While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the position of the crossed portions relative to any ends of the parallel first and second lengths defining the net may vary. Additionally, specifications related to the manufacture and/or fabrication of the materials, including any fasteners, comprising the railcar coupling aid may vary based on a variety of factors known to those skilled in the art, which may themselves depend on the type of railcar and/or coupling assembly subject to the aid. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

[0055] The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

[0056] Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the railcar coupling aid and method of using the same with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the railcar coupling aid and method of using the same to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the railcar coupling aid and method of using the same is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.

[0057] While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, and apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

[0058] While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system, and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the railcar coupling aid and method of using the same.