| 摘要 |
<p>A coupling is described for coupling two items together and is particularly suitable for, although not limited to, coupling semi-trailers to bogies in the road and rail transport system described in EP-A 0143614. One of the items to be coupled carries a coupling part in the form of a locating member and the other item carries a coupling part in the form of a receiving member (10) formed with an aperture (14) of closed peripheral outline in which the locating member can be received. The receiving member (10) is of stepped form having a lower step portion (11) and an upper step portion (12), the riser (13) between the two step portions forming an abutment and guide surface extending around substantially half the aperture (14), the internal wall of which slopes or curves inwardly. The coupling is made by moving the locating member over the lower step portion (11) in a first, e.g. horizontal, direction until it engages the riser (13) which guides the locating member until it is substantially in register with the aperture (14), whereupon movement in a second direction normal to the first, e.g. vertical, mates the locating member in the aperture (14). Means may be provided, if required, to lock the locating member and receiving member (10) to prevent relative rotation between them or separation in said second direction.</p> |
