Bracket Mounting on Coupler Head Lug to Avoid Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brake line support systems for railcars, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,587,868 and 7,780,022, face issues with interference with car body equipment, require non-standard fasteners, and lack adjustability and compactness, particularly when mounted on 'E' and 'F' type coupler heads.
Innovation Solution
A coupler head with an integral lug on the guard arm side, featuring apertures for secure fastening of a brake line support bracket, which is designed to be inboard of the coupler head's lateral surface, allowing for conventional fastener use and adjustable positioning without interfering with the car body or angle cock valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the bracket is mounted on the external face of the guard arm side of the coupler head, then the bracket can be attached in a fixed position, but the bracket may interfere laterally with equipment on the rail car body
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the mounting location from the external lateral face to the internal end face of the coupler head, effectively changing the dimensional plane of mounting. This allows the bracket to be positioned inboard, eliminating lateral interference while maintaining stable attachment through the end-face apertures
2Strength
If all four conventionally provided openings on the coupler head are used for mounting the bracket, then the bracket can be securely attached, but the mounting is not adaptable to variations in coupler head designs and prohibits mounting of end-of-train devices
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the coupler head structure by adding a dedicated lug with its own apertures, separating the bracket mounting function from the main coupler body apertures. This allows the bracket to be mounted on the lug while leaving the main apertures available for end-of-train devices, and the lug can be configured for different coupler designs
3Ease of manufacture
If the bracket is positioned far to the side of the coupler, then mounting is simplified, but the bracket may interfere with the angle cock valve on many current cushioned car designs
Solution Approach 1:
The lug acts as an intermediary element between the coupler head and the bracket. It provides a mounting interface that is positioned away from the angle cock valve, mediating the connection in a way that avoids interference while maintaining secure attachment capability
4Ease of manufacture
If the coupler-mounted bracket is attached using existing apertures in the coupler head, then attachment is possible, but non-standard fasteners are required to accommodate the shape and dimensions of typical coupler head designs
Solution Approach 1:
The lug is designed with apertures that are compatible with conventional fasteners, making the mounting system universal and adaptable to standard hardware. This allows the same lug design to work across different coupler head variations without requiring specialized fasteners
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler head and mounting bracket combination for supporting a brake hose fitting uses a lug formed integrally with the coupler head and a support bracket mating with the lug. In embodiments, the bracket may be installed in a plurality of vertical positions on the coupler head. The bracket is maintained in a position inboard of the lateral side of the coupler head, to reduce or eliminate the likelihood that the bracket will interfere with the other equipment or the car body. Embodiments of the invention are particularly adapted for “E” type and “F” type coupler heads.