A buffer coupling for rail vehicles comprises a first coupling part which has a receiving shoulder adjacent its end with a first cylindrical portion spaced from the end of said first coupling part of increased diameter from said shoulder and forming a rib in a second cylindrical portion of smaller diameter than the rib forming a cylindrical slide surface over which a sleeve is slidable. The sleeve is urged away from the rib by a spring so that it projects outwardly from the second cylindrical portion of smaller diameter so that it may engage over respective legs of a forked end of the second coupling part which engages with the first coupling part so that the shoulder of the first part fits within the legs of the second coupling part. The sleeve is urged by the spring to engage over the outer cylindrical surface of the second coupling part. The leg portions of the forked end of the second part have openings which align vertically with an opening of the shoulder of the first part and a vertical bolt extends through the aligned openings and pivotlly interconnects the two coupling parts. A cam is engaged on the bolt and is rotatable and has surfaces engagable with the sleeve to urge it in a direction against the biasing of the spring to a position in which this sleeve no longer overlies the bifurcated end of the second coupling part and permits pivotal movement of the two coupling parts.
