Coupler and method for production of a coupler with selectable configuration options

摘要

A process for producing a coupler and an improved coupler are provided. The process produces a coupler by constructing a mold that is a replica of the coupler and is constructed from a plurality of mold components that are selected and assembled to form a mold having the shape of the coupler. The mold components may include a front mold component section that forms the head of the coupler, a rear mold component section that forms the shank of the coupler, and, optionally one or more shelf components forming a shelf of the coupler. The front, rear and shank mold components may themselves be made from a plurality of mold components that are assembled together. The mold is formed from a consumable material, coating with a heat resistant material so that the assembled mold components are within a mold volume, and molten metal is added to the mold volume.

主权项

1. A method for producing a coupler comprising:
selecting a plurality of mold component sections which when assembled together replicate the configuration of the coupler to be produced; and assembling together the selected mold component sections to form a replica of the coupler to be produced; wherein said mold has a plurality of mold component sections including at least one front mold component section corresponding with the shape of the coupler head and at least one rear mold component section corresponding with the shape of the coupler shank, wherein said front mold component section and said rear mold component section each include a cavity therein, and wherein said front mold component section cavity and said rear mold component section cavity communicate when said mold sections are assembled together.