Coupling system

Abstract

A coupling system mounted on an underframe of a first locomotive is provided. The coupling system includes a first member defining a first pocket configured to detachably receive a first coupler. The coupling system also includes a second member defining a second pocket spaced apart from the first. The second member configured to detachably receive a second coupler. The first locomotive is connected to a second locomotive by one of the first coupler and the second coupler.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coupling system mounted on an underframe of a first locomotive, the coupling system comprising:
 a first member defining a first pocket configured to detachably receive a first coupler; and   a second member defining a second pocket spaced apart from the first pocket and configured to detachably receive a second coupler, and wherein the first locomotive is connected to a second locomotive by one of the first coupler and the second coupler.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the first member and the second member have different lengths with respect to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pocket is located at a greater height than the second pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupler and the second coupler corresponds to a coupler of the same type. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupler and the second coupler corresponds to a coupler of different types. 
     
     
         6 . A locomotive consist comprising the first locomotive characterized by  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is coupled to the underframe by a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first member and the second member includes a bracket defining the corresponding first pocket and the second pocket. 
     
     
         9 . An underframe for a locomotive, the underframe defining a first axis and a second axis, the underframe comprising:
 a first member defining a first pocket configured to detachably receive a first coupler, the first coupler disposed along the first axis; and   a second member defining a second pocket spaced apart from the first pocket along the second axis and configured to detachably receive a second coupler, the second coupler disposed along the second axis;   and wherein the locomotive is connected to another locomotive by one of the first coupler and the second coupler.   
     
     
         10 . The locomotive of  claim 9 , wherein the first member and the second member have different lengths along the first axis with respect to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The locomotive of  claim 9 , wherein the first pocket is located at a greater height than the second pocket. 
     
     
         12 . The locomotive of  claim 9 , wherein the first coupler and the second coupler corresponds to a coupler of the same type. 
     
     
         13 . The locomotive of  claim 9 , wherein the first coupler and the second coupler corresponds to a coupler of different types. 
     
     
         14 . A locomotive consist comprising the locomotive characterized by  claim 9 . 
     
     
         15 . The locomotive of  claim 9 , wherein the first member is coupled to the underframe by a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         16 . The locomotive of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one of the first member and the second member includes a bracket defining the corresponding first pocket and the second pocket. 
     
     
         17 . A locomotive comprising:
 an underframe;   a coupling system mounted on the underframe, the coupling system comprising:
 a first member defining a first pocket configured to detachably receive a first coupler; and 
 a second member defining a second pocket spaced apart from the first pocket and configured to detachably receive a second coupler, and wherein the locomotive is connected to another locomotive by one of the first coupler and the second coupler. 
   
     
     
         18 . The locomotive of  claim 17 , wherein the first member and the second member have different lengths with respect to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The locomotive of  claim 17 , wherein the first pocket is located at a greater height than the second pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The locomotive of  claim 17 , wherein one of the first coupler and the second coupler corresponds to a first type of coupler, and wherein another of the first coupler and the second coupler corresponds to a second type of coupler.