MAGNETICALLY ACTUATED MODEL RAILROAD COUPLER

摘要

A model railroad car coupler assembly comprises a coupler with an upper shank having a coupler knuckle at a distal portion and a flat proximal portion, a lower shank having a coupler thumb at a distal portion and a flat proximal portion, and a coil spring terminating in first and second end portions, with a first turn of the coupler spring interlocked with the upper shank and a second turn interlocked with the lower shank. A mounting box has a circular mounting post that accepts circular openings in the shanks permitting them to rotate relative to each other between a closed coupled position and an open uncoupling position. The spring end portions engage the mounting box to bias the shanks into their coupled position. The knuckle carries a ferrous actuating pin that cooperates with a magnetic pad along a track to rotate the upper shank into its open position.

主权项

1. A coupler for a model railroad car, the coupler comprising:
a first shank comprising a distal portion with a first coupler member and a proximal portion with a mounting arrangement for mounting said first shank to the railroad car for rotation about an axis generally transverse to the direction of travel of the model railroad car along a track provided therefor; a second shank comprising a distal portion with a second coupler member and a proximal portion with a mounting arrangement for mounting said second shank to the railroad car for rotation about an axis generally transverse to the direction of travel of the railroad car along the track, wherein said first and second shanks are rotatable relative to each other about an axis transverse to the direction of travel of the model railroad car along the track, said first and second shanks being rotatable between a closed position in which said coupler members cooperate with a coupler on another model railroad car to couple the railroad cars together and an open position in which said coupler members permit the railroad cars to separate; and a coil spring with an axis generally parallel to the axes of rotation of said first and second shanks and having a first turn interlocked with said first shank and a second turn interlocked with said second shank, said first and second turns terminating in respective first and second end portions for engaging structure on the railroad car to bias said first and second shanks into their closed position.