Magnetically-actuated coupler for model railroad cars

Abstract

A magnetically actuated coupling and uncoupling system for model railroads comprised of a drawbar pivotally-mounted to one end of a railroad car, wherein the drawbar contains an integral leaf spring extending from the first end of the coupler to tend to center the drawbar, a coupler body with cantilever springs secured to the second end of the drawbar, a magnetically-actuated post pivotally-secured to the drawbar extending downward from the drawbar, and a pivotally-mounted coupler knuckle secured to the post and pivotally secured to the drawbar such that the pivotally-mounted coupler knuckle will interact with the cantilever spring.

1. A magnetically-actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising
 (a) a drawbar with first and second ends, capable of being pivotally mounted within a coupler pocket in the end of a model railroad car,    (b) formed as an integral part of the first end of the drawbar is a leaf spring extending from the first end of the drawbar,    (c) secured to the second end of the drawbar is a coupler head, wherein the coupler head contains a pair of stops which limit the movement of a pivotally mounted coupler knuckle;    (d) a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar located proximal from the coupler body,    (e) a magnetically-actuated post pivotally secured to the drawbar which extends downward from the drawbar, and    (f) the pivotally mounted coupler knuckle is pivotally secured to the second end of the drawbar such that it is in constant interaction with the cantilever spring to urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position.    
     
     
       2. The magnetically-actuated coupler assembly of claim  1   6  wherein the leaf spring is secured to the first end of the drawbar and extends outward and around the first end of the drawbar to form generally a C-shape. 
     
     
       3. The magnetically-actuated coupler assembly of claim  1   6  wherein an outer tip of the coupler knuckle contains a lip which extends inward toward the post. 
     
     
       4. The magnetically-actuated coupler assembly of claim  1   6  wherein the drawbar includes an extension lip, extending from the drawbar. 
     
     
       5. The magnetically actuated coupler assembly of claim  1   6  wherein the coupler knuckle contains a slot, an edge of which interacts with one of the stops of the coupler head to limit the capability of the coupler knuckle to open. 
     
     
       6. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:    ( a )  a drawbar with first and second ends, capable of being pivotally mounted within a coupler pocket of a model railroad car;      ( b )  a leaf spring formed as an integral part of the first end of the drawbar which extends from the first end of the drawbar;      ( c )  a coupler head secured to the second end of the drawbar,      ( d )  a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar located proximal from the coupler body,      ( e )  a magnetically - actuated post pivotally secured to the drawbar which extends downward from the drawbar, and      ( f )  a pivotally mounted coupler knuckle, pivotally secured to the second end of the drawbar such that it is in constant contact with the cantilever spring to urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position, the cantilever spring having a first portion which curves away from the coupler head and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle to apply a tangential force to the coupler knuckle, the coupler head containing a pair of stops which limit the movement of the pivotally mounted coupler knuckle.     
     
     
       7. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 6    wherein the cantilever spring is molded from engineering plastic.   
     
     
       8. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 6    wherein the cantilever spring and the leaf spring are molded from engineering plastic as a unitary piece with the drawbar.   
     
     
       9. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:      a drawbar capable of being pivotally mounted within a coupler pocket of a model railroad car, the drawbar including a first end having a leaf spring formed as an integral part thereof which extends from the first end of the drawbar, a coupler head formed on a second end of the drawbar, and a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar extending from the drawbar adjacent to the coupler head;        a pivotable coupler knuckle secured to the coupler head; and        a magnetically - actuated post which pivotally secures the coupler knuckle to the coupler head, the magnetically - actuated post being pivotally connected to and extending downwardly from the coupler head, the coupler knuckle being in constant contact with the cantilever spring to urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position, the cantilever spring having a first portion which curves away from the drawbar and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle to apply a tangential force to the coupler knuckle, such that the magnetically - actuated coupler is assembled from three parts and the coupler head containing a pair of stops which limit the movement of the pivotally mounted coupler knuckle.     
     
     
       10. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:    ( a )  a drawbar with first and second ends, the first end being configured for pivotal mounting within a coupler pocket of a model railroad car;      ( b )  a coupler head at the second end of the drawbar,      ( c )  a magnetically - actuated post pivotally secured to the drawbar so as to extend downward from the drawbar,      ( d )  a coupler knuckle pivotally secured to the second end of the drawbar with the post, the coupler head having a pair of stops which limit the pivotal movement of the coupler knuckle on the drawbar, and      ( e )  a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar, the cantilever spring including a first portion extending from the drawbar proximally the coupler head which curves away from the drawbar and the coupler knuckle and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle sufficiently so as to constantly apply a tangential force against the coupler knuckle and urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position in all positions of the coupler knuckle between the pair of stops.     
     
     
       11. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 10    wherein the outer tip of the coupler knuckle contains a lip which extends inward toward the post.   
     
     
       12. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 10    wherein the drawbar includes an extension lip, extending from the drawbar.   
     
     
       13. The magnetically actuated coupler assembly of  claim 10  wherein the coupler knuckle contains a slot, an edge of which interacts with one of the stops of the coupler head to limit the capability of the coupler knuckle to open. 
     
     
       14. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 10    wherein the cantilever spring and the drawbar are molded together as a unitary piece from engineering plastic.   
     
     
       15. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 10    further comprising a leaf spring secured to the first end of the drawbar and extending outward and around the first end of the drawbar to form a C - shape.   
     
     
       16. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:    ( a )  a drawbar with first and second ends, the first end being configured for pivotal mounting within a coupler pocket of a model railroad car;      ( b )  a coupler head at the second end of the drawbar,      ( c )  a magnetically - actuated post pivotally secured to the drawbar so as to extend downward from the drawbar,      ( d )  a coupler knuckle pivotally secured to the second end of the drawbar with the post, the coupler head having a pair of stops which limit the pivotal movement of the coupler knuckle on the drawbar,      ( e )  a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar, the cantilever spring including a first portion extending from the drawbar proximally the coupler head which curves away from the drawbar and the coupler knuckle and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle sufficiently so as to constantly apply a tangential force against the coupler knuckle and urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position in all positions of the coupler knuckle between the pair of stops, and      ( f )  a leaf spring secured to the first end of the drawbar and extending outward and around the first end of the drawbar to form a C - shape.     
     
     
       17. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:      a drawbar having a first end adapted to be pivotally mounted within a coupler pocket of a model railroad car and an opposing, second end,        a coupler head formed on the second end of the drawbar,        a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar extending from the drawbar adjacent to the coupler head;        a coupler knuckle pivotally secured to the coupler head; and        a magnetically - actuated post pivotally securing the coupler knuckle to the coupler head, the magnetically - actuated post being pivotally connected to and extending at least downwardly from the coupler head, the coupler knuckle being in constant contact with the cantilever spring to urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position, the cantilever spring having a first portion which curves away from the drawbar and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle to apply a tangential force to the coupler knuckle, such that the magnetically - actuated coupler is assembled from three parts, and        the coupler head containing a pair of stops which limit the movement of the pivotally mounted coupler knuckle.     
     
     
       18. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 17    wherein the outer tip of the coupler knuckle contains a lip which extends inward toward the post.   
     
     
       19. The magnetically actuated coupler assembly of  claim 17  wherein the coupler knuckle contains a slot, an edge of which interacts with one of the stops of the coupler head to limit the capability of the coupler knuckle to open. 
     
     
       20. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:      a drawbar having a first end adapted to be pivotally mounted within a coupler pocket of a model railroad car and an opposing, second end,        a coupler head formed on the second end of the drawbar,        a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar extending from the drawbar adjacent to the coupler head;        a coupler knuckle pivotally secured to the coupler head; and        a magnetically - actuated post pivotally securing the coupler knuckle to the coupler head, the magnetically - actuated post being pivotally connected to and extending at least downwardly from the coupler head, the coupler knuckle being in constant contact with the cantilever spring to urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position, the cantilever spring having a first portion which curves away from the drawbar and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle to apply a tangential force to the coupler knuckle, such that the magnetically - actuated coupler is assembled from three parts, and        the coupler head containing a pair of stops which limit the movement of the pivotally mounted coupler knuckle; and        a leaf spring secured to the first end of the drawbar and extending outward and around the first end of the drawbar to form a C - shape.     
     
     
       21. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 20    wherein the cantilever spring and the drawbar are molded together as a unitary piece from engineering plastic.   
     
     
       22. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:      a drawbar capable of being pivotally mounted within a coupler pocket in the end of a model railroad car, the drawbar including a first end having a leaf spring formed as an integral part thereof which extends from the first end of the drawbar, a coupler head formed on a second end of the drawbar, and a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar extending from the drawbar adjacent to the coupler head;        a pivotable coupler knuckle secured to the coupler head; and        a magnetically - actuated post which pivotally secures the coupler knuckle to the coupler head, the magnetically - actuated post being pivotally connected to and extending downwardly from the coupler head, the coupler knuckle being in constant contact with the cantilever spring to urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position, the cantilever spring having a first portion which curves away from the drawbar and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle to apply a tangential force to the coupler knuckle, such that the magnetically - actuated coupler is assembled from three parts and the coupler head containing a pair of stops which limit the movement of the pivotally mounted coupler knuckle.     
     
     
       23. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:    ( a )  a drawbar with first and second ends, the first end being configured for pivotal mounting within a coupler pocket in the end of a model railroad car;      ( b )  a coupler head at the second end of the drawbar;      ( c )  a magnetically - actuated post pivotally secured to the drawbar so as to extend downward from the drawbar;      ( d )  a coupler knuckle pivotally secured to the second end of the drawbar with the post, the coupler head having a pair of stops which limit the pivotal movement of the coupler knuckle on the drawbar;      ( e )  a leaf spring being formed as an integral part of the first end of the drawbar and extending from the first end of the drawbar; and      ( f )  a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar, the cantilever spring including a first portion extending from the drawbar proximally the coupler head which curves away from the drawbar and the coupler knuckle and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle sufficiently so as to constantly apply a tangential force against the coupler knuckle and urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position in all positions of the coupler knuckle between the pair of stops.     
     
     
       24. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 23    further comprising the leaf spring secured to the first end of the drawbar extending outward and around the first end of the drawbar to form a C - shape.   
     
     
       25. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 23    wherein the outer tip of the coupler knuckle contains a lip which extends inward toward the post.   
     
     
       26. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 23    wherein the drawbar includes an extension lip, extending from the drawbar.   
     
     
       27. The magnetically actuated coupler assembly of  claim 23  wherein the coupler knuckle contains a slot, an edge of which interacts with one of the stops of the coupler head to limit the capability of the coupler knuckle to open. 
     
     
       28. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 23    wherein the cantilever spring and the drawbar are molded together as a unitary piece from engineering plastic.   
     
     
       29. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:      a drawbar having a first end adapted to be pivotally mounted within a coupler pocket in the end of a model railroad car and an opposing, second end;        a coupler head formed on the second end of the drawbar;        a leaf spring being formed as an integral part of the first end of the drawbar and extending from the first end of the drawbar;        a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar and extending from the drawbar adjacent to the coupler head;        a coupler knuckle pivotally secured to the coupler head;        a magnetically - actuated post pivotally securing the coupler knuckle to the coupler head, the magnetically - actuated post being pivotally connected to and extending at least downwardly from the coupler head, the coupler knuckle being in constant contact with the cantilever spring to urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position, the cantilever spring having a first portion which curves away from the drawbar and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle to apply a tangential force to the coupler knuckle, such that the magnetically - actuated coupler is assembled from three parts; and        the coupler head containing a pair of stops which limit the movement of the pivotally mounted coupler knuckle.     
     
     
       30. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 29    further comprising the leaf spring secured to the first end of the drawbar extending outward and around the first end of the drawbar to form a C - shape.   
     
     
       31. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 30    wherein the cantilever spring and the drawbar are molded together as a unitary piece from engineering plastic.   
     
     
       32. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 29    wherein the outer tip of the coupler knuckle contains a lip which extends inward toward the post.   
     
     
       33. The magnetically- actuated coupler assembly of    claim 29    wherein the drawbar includes an extension lip, extending from the drawbar.   
     
     
       34. The magnetically actuated coupler assembly of  claim 29  wherein the coupler knuckle contains a slot, an edge of which interacts with one of the stops of the coupler head to limit the capability of the coupler knuckle to open. 
     
     
       35. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:    ( a )  drawbar with first and second ends, the first end being configured for pivotal mounting within a coupler pocket of a model railroad car;      ( b )  a coupler head at the second end of the drawbar;      ( c )  a magnetically - actuated post pivotally secured to the drawbar so as to extend downward from the drawbar;      ( d )  a coupler knuckle pivotally secured to the second end of the drawbar with the post, the coupler head having a pair of stops which limit the pivotal movement of the coupler knuckle on the drawbar;      ( e )  a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar, the cantilever spring including a first portion extending from the drawbar proximally the coupler head which curves away from the drawbar and the coupler knuckle and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle sufficiently so as to constantly apply a tangential force against the coupler knuckle and urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position in all positions of the coupler knuckle between the pair of stops; and      ( f )  a spring operably coupled with the first end of the drawbar and configured to be received with the first end of the drawbar in the coupler pocket of the model railroad car.     
     
     
       36. A magnetically- actuated coupler assembly for a model railroad car comprising:      a drawbar having a first end adapted to be pivotally mounted within a coupler pocket of a model railroad car and an opposing, second end;        a coupler head formed on the second end of the drawbar;        a cantilever spring formed as an integral part of the drawbar extending from the drawbar adjacent to the coupler head;        a coupler knuckle pivotally secured to the coupler head;        a magnetically - actuated post pivotally securing the coupler knuckle to the coupler head, the magnetically - actuated post being pivotally connected to and extending at least downwardly from the coupler head, the coupler knuckle being in constant contact with the cantilever spring to urge the coupler knuckle to a closed or coupled position, the cantilever spring having a first portion which curves away from the drawbar and a free end which curves back toward the coupler knuckle to apply a tangential force to the coupler knuckle, such that the magnetically - actuated coupler is assembled from three parts;        the coupler head containing a pair of stops which limit the movement of the pivotally mounted coupler knuckle; and        a spring operably coupled with the first end of the drawbar and configured to be received with the first end of the drawbar in the coupler pocket of the model railroad car.