Coupler knuckle pin

Abstract

An improved polymeric knuckle pin with at least one indented area that elastomer rings rest in. The indented area is strategically placed in an area on the shaft of the pin where the coupler-knuckle connection exerts impact, force, and stress on the pin. The elastomer rings in the indented area provide cushion to the pin from the impact, force, and stress, allow the pin to avoid hard contact with the coupler and knuckle, distribute the loads exerted by the coupler and knuckle more evenly, realign the coupler and knuckle positions, and protect the pin itself from surface cuts and scratches. The elastomer rings on the shaft of the pin improve the life of both the coupler-knuckle assembly and the pin.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An improved polymeric knuckle pin on a railway car coupler comprising:
 a shaft having at least one indented area extending radially inward;   a head on one end of said shaft;   means for locking the pin into a coupler at the end of said shaft opposite said head; and   at least one elastomer ring in said at east one indented area on said shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one indented area containing said at least one elastomer ring is positioned on said shaft in the area where a coupler and a knuckle connect and impact said knuckle pin. 
     
     
         3 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 1 , wherein said shaft contains two indented areas, each indented area located on said shaft in the area where a coupler and a knuckle connect when secured by said knuckle pin. 
     
     
         4 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 1 , wherein said head is non-round shape. 
     
     
         5 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one elastomer ring is thermal plastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         6 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 1 , wherein said shaft has a center region that is diametrically smaller than the rest of said shaft. 
     
     
         7 . A polymeric knuckle pin on a railway car coupler comprising:
 a shaft having at least one surface relieved portion where stress exertion and impact from a coupler-knuckle connection is exerted on said pin;   a head on one end of said shaft;   means for locking said pin into a coupler at the end of said shaft opposite said head; and   at least one impact and force absorbing ring in said at least one surface relieved portion on said shaft.   
     
     
         8 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one groove containing said at least one elastomer ring is positioned on said shaft where a coupler and a knuckle connect and impact said knuckle pin. 
     
     
         9 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 7 , wherein said shaft contains two indented areas, each indented area located on said shaft in the area where a coupler and a knuckle connect when secured by said knuckle pin. 
     
     
         10 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 7 , wherein said head is non-round shape. 
     
     
         11 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one elastomer ring is thermal plastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         12 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 7 , wherein said shaft has a center region that is diametrically smaller than the rest of said shaft. 
     
     
         13 . A polymeric knuckle pin on a railway car coupler comprising:
 a shaft having at least one indented area;   wherein said at least one indented area is diametrically smaller than the rest of said shaft;   a head on one end of said shaft;   means for locking said pin into a coupler at the end of said shaft opposite said head; and   at least one elastomer ring in said at least one indented area on said shaft.   
     
     
         14 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one indented area containing said at least one elastomer ring is positioned on said shaft where a coupler and a knuckle connect and impact said knuckle pin. 
     
     
         15 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 13 , wherein said shaft contains two indented areas, each indented area located on said shaft in the area where a coupler and a knuckle connect when secured by said knuckle pin. 
     
     
         16 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 13 , wherein said head is non-round shape. 
     
     
         17 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one elastomer ring is thermal plastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         18 . The polymeric knuckle pin of  claim 13 , wherein said shaft has a center region that is diametrically smaller than the rest of said shaft.