Telescoping uncoupling lever

Abstract

A three-part telescoping uncoupling lever assembly is disclosed for railroad cars which are equipped with standard draft gear cushioning. The assembly includes a plastic sleeve formed from ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (U.H.M.W.) and a pair of unitary extension bars in sliding engagement within the sleeve. One end of each extension bar is bent to form a lock lifter hook or a handle for performing the uncoupling function. Each extension bar includes a shaft and an integral bent retainer, the bent retainers being positioned within the sleeve. The retainers are maintained in parallel sliding arrangement within juxtaposed channels extruded in the U.H.M.W. polyethylene sleeve. The hook and the handle are located on opposite ends of the assembly, the total length of which can be varied automatically between maximum and minimum lengths, dependent upon the corresponding distance between the coupler and sill bracket as that distance changes due to coupler impact and side swing. The assembly includes a pair of pins secured across respective channels to engage the bent retainers to prevent the extension bars from sliding free of the sleeve.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In an uncoupling lever device for a railroad car having a coupler mounted at one end thereof for side to side swinging movement and movement longitudinally of the car in response to buff and draft forces and including a lock lifter for uncoupling the coupler, with said uncoupling device including a lever assembly comprising a lock lifter section including .[.a hook eye portion.]. .Iadd.means .Iaddend.at the distal end thereof adapted to operatively engage the lock lifter .[.for support by the coupler.]., a handle section including a handle portion at the distal end thereof adapted to be pivotally secured .[.to the car.]. to one side of the end of the car to swing about a pivot point to .[.move said hook eye portion to.]. operate said lock lifter, .[.for mounting the lever assembly in operative relation on the car,.]. and an elongate housing telescopingly receiving the proximal .[.end.]. .Iadd.ends .Iaddend.of said .[.sections.]. .Iadd.handle section and lock lifter section .Iaddend.in substantially parallel relation, with said .[.lever sections.]. .Iadd.handle section and said lock lifter section .Iaddend.being in torque transmitting relation to said housing, the improvement wherein:   said housing comprises.[.:.]. an elongate sleeve defining within same and extending longitudinlly thereof a pair of channels in substantially parallel relation and each defining a slide-way surfacing therealong formed from a polymer having self-lubricating characteristics,   said sleeve defining outboard and inboard ends of said housing at the respective ends of said sleeve,   said .[.device sections.]. .Iadd.handle section and said lock lifter section .Iaddend.each .[.comprising.]. .Iadd.comprise .Iaddend.a rectilinear bar shaft integral with a U-shaped retainer .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.at the respective proximal ends thereof,   with said retainer .[.portions.]. .Iadd.portion .Iaddend.of .[.each of.]. said .[.device sections.]. .Iadd.handle section and lock lifter section .Iaddend.defining a U-bend and a free end length spaced laterally of and substantially paralleling the shaft thereof and extending in the direction of the distal end .[.thereof and below said bar shaft.]. thereof,   with said bar shaft and said retainer portion .[.thereof.]. .Iadd.of .Iaddend.said handle section being slidably received in one of said sleeve channels for free sliding movement longitudinally thereof with said handle portion of said handle section being movable therewith toward and away from said housing outboard end,   and .Iadd.with .Iaddend.said bar shaft and said retainer portion .[.thereof.]. of said lock lifter section being slidably received in the other of said .Iadd.sleeve .Iaddend.channels for free sliding movement longitudinally thereof with said .[.hook eye portion.]. .Iadd.engaging means .Iaddend.of said lock lifter section being movable therewith toward and away from said housing inboard end,   a first stop pin .Iadd.is .Iaddend.fixed across said .[.sleeve.]. one channel .Iadd.of said sleeve .Iaddend.transversely thereof .Iadd.and .Iaddend.adjacent the outboard end of said housing.Iadd., .Iaddend.and positioned to be disposed between the paths of movement of said .[.handle section.]. bar shaft and said free end length of .[.same.]. .Iadd.said handle section .Iaddend.with said handle section U-bend disposed in said one .[.sleeve.]. channel inboard of said first stop pin,   a second pin .Iadd.is .Iaddend.fixed across said .[.sleeve.]. other channel .Iadd.of said sleeve .Iaddend.transversely thereof .Iadd.and .Iaddend.adjacent the inboard end of said housing.Iadd., .Iaddend.and positioned to be disposed between the paths of movement of said .[.lock lifter section.]. bar shaft and said free end length of .[.same,.]. .Iadd.said lock lifter section .Iaddend.with said lock lifter section U-bend disposed in said .[.sleeve.]. other channel outboard of said second stop pin,   said handle section and said lock lifter section .[.being.]. .Iadd.are .Iaddend.proportioned lengthwise of said sleeve for positioning of, in the retracted relation of the lever .Iadd.assembly.Iaddend., .Iadd.the handle portion of .Iaddend.said handle section .[.handle portion.]. at said outboard end of said housing, and .Iadd.the engaging means of .Iaddend.said lock lifter section .[.hook eye portion.]. at said inboard end of said housing, with the respective .Iadd.proximal ends of said .Iaddend.handle section and lock lifter section .[.free end lengths.]. substantially remaining in torque transmitting relation with said sleeve within their respective channels, .Iadd..Iaddend.   said handle section and said lock lifter section .[.being.]. .Iadd.are .Iaddend.proportioned lengthwise of said sleeve for positioning of, in the maximum extended relation of the lever .Iadd.assembly.Iaddend., .Iadd.the retainer portion of .Iaddend.said handle section .[.retainer portion.]. in stopped relation with said first stop pin adjacent said outboard end of said housing and .Iadd.the retainer portion of .Iaddend.said lock lifter section .[.retainer portion.]. in stopped relation with said second stop pin adjacent said inboard end of said housing, with the respective .Iadd.proximal ends of said .Iaddend.handle section and lock lifter section .[.free end lengths.]. substantially remaining in torque transmitting relation with said sleeve within their respective channels,   and with said .[.handle section.]. bar shaft and said free end length .[.thereof.]. .Iadd.of said handle section .Iaddend.riding on said surfacing of said one channel lengthwise thereof for .[.antifrication.]. .Iadd.friction-reduced .Iaddend.bearing engagement of both said .[.hand section.]. bar shaft and said free end length .[.thereof.]. thereagainst,   and with said .[.lock lifter section.]. bar shaft and said free end length .[.thereof.]. .Iadd.of said lock lifter section .Iaddend.riding on said surfacing of said other channel lengthwise thereof for .[.antifriction.]. .Iadd.friction-reduced .Iaddend.bearing engagement of both said .[.lock lifter section.]. bar shaft and said free end length .[.thereof.]. thereagainst.   
     
     
       2. The improvement set forth in claim 1 .[.wherein.]. .Iadd.in which.Iaddend.: .[.said handle section.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.bar shaft, U-bend, and free end length .Iadd.of said handle section .Iaddend.and said one channel are in substantially coplanar relation with a first plane extending longitudinally of said housing,   .[.and said lock lifter section.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.bar shaft, U-bend, and free end length .Iadd.of said lock lifter section .Iaddend.and said other channel are in substantially coplanar relation with .Iadd.a .Iaddend.second plane extending longitudinally of said housing, .Iadd.and .Iaddend.   said first and second planes .[.being.]. .Iadd.are .Iaddend.in substantially parallel relation.   
     
     
       3. The improvement set forth in claim 1 .[.wherein.]. .Iadd.in which.Iaddend.: said pins are formed from a polymer having self lubricating characteristics and are bonded in fixed relation to said surfacings of the respective channels in which they are received.   
     
     
       4. The improvement set forth in claim 1 in which: said handle section is of one piece bar stock construction.[., and said lock lifter section is of one piece bar stock construction.]..   
     
     
       5. The improvement set forth in claim 1 .Iadd.in .Iaddend.which: said sleeve surfacings are formed from polyethylene of ultrahigh molecular weight characteristics.   
     
     
       6. The improvement set forth in claim 5 in which: said sleeve is formed from said polyethylene and said pins are formed from said polyethylene,   with said pins being spin welded to said sleeve. .Iadd.   
     
     
       7.  The improvement set forth in claim 1 in which: said free end length of said retainer portion extends below said bar shaft of said handle section and said lock lifter section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.8. The improvement set forth in claim 1 in which:   said lock lifter section is of one piece bar stock construction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.9. In an uncoupling lever device for a railroad car having a coupler mounted for movement at one end thereof and including a lock lifter for uncoupling the coupler, with said uncoupling device including a lever assembly comprising a lock lifter section including means at the distal end thereof adapted to operatively engage the lock lifter, a handle section including a handle portion at the distal end thereof adapted to be pivotally secured to the car, and an elongate housing telescopingly receiving the proximal ends of said handle section and lock lifter section in substantially parallel relation, with said handle section and said lock lifter section being in torque transmitting relation to said housing, the improvement wherein:   said housing comprises an elongate sleeve defining within same and extending longitudinally thereof a pair of channels in substantially parallel relation and each defining a slide-way surfacing therealong formed from a polymer having self-lubricating characteristics and adapted for friction-reduced bearing engagement of portions of said handle section and lock lifter section, said sleeve defining outboard and inboard ends of said housing at the respective ends of said sleeve,   said handle section and said lock lifter section each comprise a rectilinear bar shaft and a U-shaped retainer portion at the respective proximal ends thereof, with said retainer portion of said handle section and lock lifter section defining a U-bend and a free end length spaced laterally of the shaft and extending in the general direction of the distal end thereof, with said bar shaft and said retainer portion of said handle section being slidably received in one of said sleeve channels for free sliding movement longitudinally thereof with said handle portion of said handle section being movable therewith toward and away from said housing outboard end, and with said bar shaft and said retainer portion of said lock lifter section being slidably received in the other of said sleeve channels for free sliding movement longitudinally thereof with said engaging means of said lock lifter section being movable therewith toward and away from said housing inboard end,   a first stop pin is fixed across said one channel of said sleeve transversely thereof and adjacent the outboard end of said housing, and positioned to be disposed adjacent the paths of movement of said bar shaft and said free end length of said handle section with said U-bend disposed in said one channel inboard of said first stop pin, and   a second stop pin is fixed across said other channel of said sleeve transversely thereof and adjacent the inboard end of said housing, and positioned to be disposed adjacent the paths of movement of said bar shaft and said free end length of said lock lifter section with said U-bend disposed in said other channel outboard of said second stop pin. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. The improvement set forth in claim 9 in which:   said handle section and said lock lifter section are unitary members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. The improvement set forth in claim 9 in which:   only a single sleeve operatively connects said lock lifter section and said   
     
     
        handle section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12.  The improvement set forth in claim 11 in which: said housing is formed only of said polymer. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13. In an uncoupling lever device for a railroad car having a coupler mounted for movement at one end thereof and including a lock lifter for uncoupling the coupler, with said uncoupling device including a lever assembly comprising a lock lifter section including means at the distal end thereof adapted to operatively engage the lock lifter, a handle section including a handle portion at the distal end thereof adapted to be pivotally secured to the car, and an elongate housing telescopingly receiving the proximal ends of said handle section and lock lifter section in substantially parallel relation, with said handle section and said lock lifter section being in torque transmitting relation to said housing, the improvement wherein:   said housing consists essentially of an elongate sleeve formed from a polymer having self-lubricating characteristics, and defining within said and extending longitudinally thereof a pair of channels in substantially parallel relation and each defining a slide-way surfacing therealong, said sleeve defining outboard and inboard ends of said housing at the respective ends of said sleeve,   said handle section and said lock lifter section each comprise a rectilinear bar shaft and a U-shaped retainer portion at the respective proximal ends thereof, with said retainer portion of said handle section and lock lifter section defining a U-bend and a free length spaced laterally of the shaft and extending in the general direction of the distal end thereof, with said bar shaft and said retainer portion of said handle section being slidably received in one of said sleeve channels for free sliding movement longitudinally thereof, and with said bar shaft and said retainer portion of said lock lifter section being slidably received in the other of said sleeve channels for free sliding movement longitudinally thereof,   a first stop pin is fixed across said one channel of said sleeve transversely thereof and adjacent the outboard end of said housing, and positioned to be disposed adjacent the paths of movement of said bar shaft and said free end length of said handle section with said U-bend disposed inboard of said first stop pin, and   a second stop pin is fixed across said other channel of said sleeve transversely thereof and adjacent the inboard end of said housing, and positioned to be disposed adjacent the paths of movement of said bar shaft and said free end length of said lock lifter section with said U-bend disposed outboard of said second stop pin. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. The improvement set forth in claim 13 in which:   said handle section and said lock lifter section are unitary members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. An uncoupling lever device for a railroad car having a coupler mounted for movement at one end thereof and including a lock lifter for uncoupling the coupler, said uncoupling device consisting essentially of:   a lever assembly including a lock lifter section having means adapted to operatively engage the lock lifter at a distal end thereof, and a handle section having a handle portion at a distal end thereof, wherein said handle section and said lock lifter section have a rectilinear bar shaft and a U-shaped retainer portion at the respective proximal ends thereof,   an elongate housing formed entirely of a polymer having self-lubricating characteristics and defining therein a pair of longitudinally extending channels, one of which is adapted to telescopingly receive the proximal end of said handle section therein, and the other of which is adapted to telescopingly receive the proximal end of said lock lifter section therein, such that said handle section and said lock lifter section are in torque transmitting relation to said housing,   a first stop pin fixed across said one channel of said housing transversely thereof and positioned to receive the U-shaped retainer portion of said handle section, and   a second stop pin fixed across said other channel of said housing transversely thereof and positioned to receive the U-shaped retainer   
     
     
        portion of said lock lifter section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16.  The uncoupling lever device set forth in claim 15 in which: the retainer portions of each of said handle section and lock lifter section defines a U-bend and a free end length spaced laterally of the shaft and extending in the general direction of the distal end thereof,   with said bar shaft and said retainer portion of said handle section being slidably received in said one of said housing channels for free sliding movement longitudinally thereof so that the first stop pin is positioned to be disposed in the path of movement of the U-bend of said handle section, and   with said bar shaft and said retainer portion of said lock lifter section being slidably received in said other of said channels for free sliding movement longitudinally thereof so that the second stop pin is positioned to be disposed in the path of movement of the U-bend of said lock lifter   
     
     
        section. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17.  The uncoupling lever device set forth in claim 15 in which: said handle section and said lock lifter section are unitary members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. An uncoupling lever device for a railroad car having a coupler mounted for movement at one end thereof and including a lock lifter for uncoupling the coupler, said uncoupling device consisting essentially of:   a unitary lock lifter section, one end of which includes means for operatively engaging the lock lifter and the other end of which includes a U-shaped retainer having a free end which generally faces the lock lifter engaging means,   a unitary handle section, one end of which includes a handle and the other end of which includes a U-shaped retainer having a free end which generally faces the handle, and   a single housing member having a pair of longitudinal channels in parallel spaced relation to one another, one of which receives the retainer of the lock lifter section and the other of which receives the retainer of the handle section, and means for engaging each of said retainers to retain said retainers within said channels during respective longitudinal movement of said lock lifter section, said handle section and said housing member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. The uncoupling lever device set forth in claim 18 in which:   the single housing member is comprised only of a polymer having   
     
     
        self-lubricating qualities. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20.  The uncoupling lever device set forth in claim 18 in which: said retainer engaging means are stop pins fixed in position in said housing and extending across said channels so as to engage said U-shaped retainers. .Iaddend.