Small scale model railway vehicle coupling devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

A coupling device for a small scale railway vehicle includes two shanks, a coil spring, and a spring prop. Each shank has coupling and lever ends, and is mounted on a pivot post for selectively pivoting, in opposite directions, between open and closed configurations. When open, the coupling ends are splayed apart for selective coupling to a second coupler. Any load borne by the coupling ends, from the second coupler, is transferred via the pivot post to the railway vehicle. The coil spring extends between the lever ends. It is biased towards the closed configuration. The spring prop partially bisects the coil spring and, via the coil spring, urges the shanks towards the closed configuration and the coupling ends, in opposing transverse directions, towards a centered position for secure coupling engagement with the second coupler.

1 . A coupling device, for use with a second coupler and with a pivot post secured to a small scale model railway vehicle, wherein the coupling device comprises:
 a head shank having a head coupling end and a head shank lever end; a retainer shank having a retainer coupling end and a retainer shank lever end; wherein the head shank and the retainer shank are stacked together with each other, and each is centrally and pivotably mounted on the pivot post;   wherein the head shank and the retainer shank are selectively pivotable about the pivot post, in opposite directions relative to each other, between an open configuration and a closed configuration; wherein in the open configuration, the head coupling end is splayed apart from the retainer coupling end, such that the coupling device can be selective coupled to, and uncoupled from, the second coupler in the open configuration; wherein in the closed configuration, the head coupling end of the coupling device is adapted for secure coupling engagement with the second coupler; and wherein any load borne by the head coupling end and the retainer coupling end, from the second coupler, is transferred via the pivot post to the small scale railway vehicle;   a coil spring defining a spring axis; wherein the coil spring engages and extends between the head shank lever end and the retainer shank lever end; wherein the spring axis is transverse to a forward/backward direction of movement for the small scale model railway vehicle; wherein the coil spring is compressed in the open configuration and biased towards the closed configuration; and   a spring prop that engages and at least partially bisects the coil spring and, via the coil spring, urges the head shank and the retainer shank towards the closed configuration, and urges the head coupling end and the retainer coupling end, in opposing transverse directions, towards a substantially centered position relative to the small scale model railway vehicle for secure coupling engagement of the coupling device with the second coupler.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the head coupling end has an inward bevel and a knuckle hook, and the retainer coupling end has an inner bearing surface; wherein when the second coupler is selectively urged against the inward bevel and the inner bearing surface, the head shank and the retainer shank are pivoted towards the open configuration to facilitate automatic coupling; wherein after the second coupler clears the inward bevel, the coil spring urges the head shank and the retainer shank towards the closed configuration, whereat the knuckle hook securely engages the second coupler, for said secure coupling engagement of the coupling device with the second coupler. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the head shank is positioned above the retainer shank when they are stacked together with each other as aforesaid. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a coupler box that securely engages the pivot post and is securely mounted on the small scale railway vehicle. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a mounting screw that securely mounts the coupler box to the small scale railway vehicle; and wherein the mounting screw passes through the coupler box and through a hole in the pivot post. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a mounting screw that securely mounts the coupler box to the small scale railway vehicle; and wherein the pivot post is secured to the small scale railway vehicle via the coupler box. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling device according to  claim 4 , further comprising a shim member; wherein the spring prop securely engages and extends from the shim member; wherein the coupler box has inside side walls, and the shim member securely engages the inside side walls to securely fix the spring prop in a fixed position against the aforesaid urging by the coil spring of the head shank and the retainer shank towards the closed configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring prop is secured, relative to the small scale model railway vehicle, in a fixed position against the aforesaid urging by the coil spring of the head shank and the retainer shank towards the closed configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the head shank lever end and the retainer shank lever end each has a spring landing portion that securely engages the coil spring; wherein the spring landing portion has a tapering diameter; wherein a widest point of the tapering diameter is wider than an inside diameter of the coil spring, and a narrowed point of the tapering diameter is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the coil spring; wherein the coil spring securely engages the narrowed point and is biased against slipping over the widest point. 
     
     
         10 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the coil spring is secured to the head shank lever end and to the retainer shank lever end by adhesive and/or mechanical attachment means. 
     
     
         11 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the retainer shank lever end has an extension that engages the spring prop when the retainer shank is pivoted away from said substantially centered position and the retainer coupling end is pivoted towards the spring prop; wherein when the extension engages the spring prop, the coil spring is restricted from further compression adjacent to the retainer shank lever end, and the retainer shank is restricted from further pivoting away from said substantially centered position for said secure coupling engagement of the coupling device with the second coupler. 
     
     
         12 . The coupling device according to  claim 11 , wherein the extension is selectively removable. 
     
     
         13 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the head shank has a connecting ridge and the retainer shank has a connecting tab; wherein: (a) the connecting ridge engages and pivots the retainer shank, together with the head shank, upon continued pivoting of the head coupling end after the head shank and the retainer shank have been pivoted into the closed configuration; (b) the connecting ridge engages the connecting tab and pivots the retainer shank, together with the head shank, upon continued pivoting of the head coupling end after the head shank and the retainer shank have been pivoted into the open configuration; and (c) the connecting tab engages the connecting ridge and pivots the head shank, together with the retainer shank, upon continued pivoting of the retainer coupling end after the retainer shank and the head shank have been pivoted into the open configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the head coupling end has a magnetically actuated uncoupling pin for selective magnetic movement of the head coupling end towards the open configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring prop restricts movement of the spring. 
     
     
         16 . The coupling device according to  claim 15 , wherein the spring prop enables selective compression and tension of the coil spring adjacent to the head shank lever end at least somewhat independently of any compression or tension in the coil spring, on the other side of the spring prop, adjacent to the retainer shank. 
     
     
         17 . The coupling device according to  claim 1 , wherein the spring prop comprises a plate member, a flange member, and/or a post member.