Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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A MALE CONNECTION MEMBER FOR A SLACKLESS DRAWBAR
ASSEMBLY USING A BALL AND RACE ASSEMBLY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to slackless type drawbar
assemblies which
are used in the railway industry to couple together the adjacently disposed
ends of a pair of
railway type freight cars in a substantially semi-permanent fashion and, more
particularly,
this invention relates to a male connection member which is adapted to carry a
ball and race
assembly at one end thereof that is utilized in an improved slackless type
drawbar assembly
and, still more specifically, this invention provides a male connection member
which can,
also, be utilized effectively in combination with a prior art type connection
at an opposed
end of such slackless type drawbar assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As is well known in the railroad industry, these slackless type drawbar
assemblies
have 'been used for several years to connect together the adjacently disposed
ends of a pair
of railway freight
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cars, in a substantially semi-permanent fashion, prior to the
development of the present invention.
These particular railway cars are normally of the type used
in what is most commonly referred to, in the railroad industry, as
dedicated service. Railway freight cars of such dedicated service
type will at least include: those cars which are normally utilized
to haul coal, coke, and/or various other types of raw minerals;
automotive type transport carriers, tank cars which transport
various types of liquids, as well as, railway cars which are used
in transporting various types of building materials.
Examples of some other raw minerals transported in these
dedicated service railway cars include: various ores, cement and
stone. The various types of liquids transported by such dedicated
service railway cars will at least include a number of different
chemicals. Building materials transported in this manner include:
lumber, dry wall, plywood, paneling, etc.
Most, if not all, of the slackless type drawbar assemblies,
which are known by applicants to be in use prior to the present
invention, include a relatively large number of surfaces located
on a number of different components which require that they be
placed into frictional engagement» Each pair of these frictionally
engaged surfaces is designed in a manner to allow movement to occur
relative to one another.
The frictional wear exhibited by these engaged surfaces will
usually result in rather frequent and costly maintenance having to
be performed on these prior art slackless drawbar assemblies in
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order to maintain them in both an acceptable and relatively safe
operating condition for in-track service.
In addition to the rather substantial and, also, verifiable
direct out of pocket expenses which are incurred by the railroad
industry for both the labor arid materials required to maintain
these slackless drawbar assemblies, this relatively frequent
maintenance requirement has a significantly higher indirect cost
that is associated therewith.
One of such indirect costs incurred is directly related to
th~,e fact that such railway freight cars will have to be, at least
temporarily, removed from any type of revenue generating service,
during the period of time that either a necessary repair or such
routine maintenance on the slackless type drawbar assembly is being
carried out. Obviously, not only the direct cost but all of the
indirect cost incurred by the railroads must be passed on to their
customers, usually, in the form of higher freight rates.
One example of a prior art slackless type drawbar assembly is
taught in U.S. Patent No. 5,000,330. Illustrated therein is a pair
of railway cars having their adjacently disposed ends connected
together by a slackless drawbar assembly. This particular drawbar
assembly, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, is constructed to operate
with a positioner apparatus.
This drawbar includes a shank portion having a non-rotatable
fiaced end secured to the center sill of a first railway car, and a
roitatable end received in the center sill of an adjacently disposed
second railway car. Each of the fixed end and the rotatable end
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e:rctend into pocket castings and follower block members which differ
s:Lightly but, otherwise, the center sill portions and the pocket
casting components of both cars are substantially identical.
The fixed end of the drawbar is held in place against the
follower block disposed in the pocket casting by a key. The pocket
casting is positioned in the center sill opening, which is defined
ai: it's inboard end by rear stops which butt against the side wall
extensions of the pocket casting.
The pocket casting has a cup-like cavity. Such cavity is
formed by an end wall and an encircling skirt. Within the cavity
the end wall presents an inclined face formed with a generally
shallow V'-shaped concavity .
A wedge is seated in the cavity and frictionally engages the
face of the pocket casting. Such wedge has an inboard inclined
bearing surface which is convex-shaped to be complementary to the
concave face of the pocket casting. An outboard wedging surface on
the wedge is formed as a shallow V-shaped concavity that engages a
follower block. The follower block is formed with a complementary
inboard wedging convex V-shaped face which engages such concave
outboard surface of the wedge.
The wedge is provided with laterally projecting guide tabs to
minimize lateral shifting. Hook shaped lifting lugs project from
the sides of such wedge. Access to the lifting lugs and wedge is
accomplished by access openings formed in the skirt of the pocket
casting and corresponding apertures located in the top web of the
center sill and in a lower channel (which supports the pocket
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casting ) so a tool to engage the wedge lifting lugs can be inserted
without having to remove the pocket casting. The wedge may be
positioned vertically by inserting a tool through an opening formed
in the pocket casting and the side walls of the center sill.
Another embodiment of the wedge has a depending tail piece which
extends downwardly through a bottom opening in the skirt and in a
lower channel to facilitate vertical repositioning of the wedge.
The outboard face of the follower block is formed with a
spherical. concave face which receives a convex spherical butt
portion disposed on the fixed end of the drawbar shank. Retaining
ttie fixed end in the center sill pocket is a key that extends
through slots in such center sill side castings and a key slot
provided in the shank of the drawbar.
The end of the key slot has a concave surface concentric to
the follower block spherical conr_ave face and convex spherical butt
er,~d of the drawbar shank. Bearing against the concave surface is
a convex face of a key bearing block to facilitate horizontal
angling of the drawbar. The bearing block has a groove of
semicircular cross section along it's edge opposite such convex
face. Seated therein is a complementary convex edge of the key. A
resilient pad is disposed between the top of the key slot and the
top face of the key to permit vertical angling of the drawbar.
The rotatable end of the drawbar is received in another center
sill opening. Within the center sill opening is a pocket casting,
having a wedge, and a follower block of structure similar to that
described above, although it may extend outwardly of the pocket
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casting t,o engage a portion of the rotatable end. Similar wedge
access slots are provided in the pocket casting and the top web and
sides of the center sill.
The rotatable end of this drawbar is formed as a ball having
t~~o spherically shaped portions generated from a common center
disposed inwardly and outwardly, respectively, of the follower
block. These spherically shaped portions are attached to a
cylindrical barrel having a smaller diameter. The outward
spherical surface engages the spherical concave face of the
follower block. To retain the ball end in the center sill pocket
there is provided a bottom pulling block and an interlocking top
pulling block which engage the inward spherical surface.
The bottom pulling block is generally in the form of a
semicircular ring provided with a base and a pair of upstanding
wall portions. This bottom pul7.ing block has a concave partially
spherical surface engaging the inwardly disposed portion of the
spherical ball. The base of the lower pulling block includes a
generally "V" shaped notch to reduce the lowermost bearing area of
the concave surface.
A pair of lugs project from the top of the lower pulling block
and are seated in notches formed in the upper pulling block. The
upper and lower pulling blocks include complementary semicircular
openings through which the shank of the drawbar extends. These
partially spherical surfaces are non-symmetrical with the concave
surface of the lower pulling block being notably larger.
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A front draft stop restrains the pulling blocks against
longitudinal movement out of the center sill opening. A cross
p_Late fastened across the bottom flanges of the center sill member
'supports the pulling blocks therein. Channels are, also, secured
across the center sill to support the pocket casting and wedge
for the fixed and rotatable ends of the drawbar. This reference
considers two features of the construction receiving the rotatable
end significant. These features are a horizontal shim positioned
between the upper pulling block and the top of the center sill, and
a cradle located on a cross plate to support the ball.
It is taught that the centers for generating the arcuate
surfaces should be horizontally aligned; however, when draft loads
are applied to the drawbar, the ball will tend to rise across the
lower pulling block and spread the pulling blocks apart. Should
that occur the aforementioned centers for the pulling blocks will
separate vertically and lose concentricity with the abutting ball
surface. The result of this is to increase resistance to angling
anal rotation of the drawbar. Also, the ball moves so as to cause
th.e wedge to drop and reposition the follower block to reduce the
available wedge and follower adjustment for wear compensation.
The cradle supports the ball at the desired position for
alignment with the follower block and pulling block during or when
the drawbar is unloaded, as occurs at the transition from buff to
draft loading (or vice versa) or when the car is rotated and the
wedge slightly retracts. The cradle has a concave arcuate surface
to receive the barrel of the ball.
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It can-be readily determined from the above description of a
typical prior art type slackless drawbar assembly that there is a
need for an improved slackless drawbar assembly which substantially
rE~duces the number of components which must move relative to one
another a.nd, therefore, be subjected to excessive frictional wear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a male connection member which
is capable of carrying a ball and race assembly at a first end
thereof. Such male connection member is specifically designed for
use in conjunction with a specially configured female connection
member disposed at least at one end of a slackless type drawbar
assembly. This slackless type drawbar assembly connects together,
in a substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently disposed
ends of a pair of railway cars. Such male connection member
includes a first end portion which exhibits a first predetermined
configuration. At least a portion of such first end portion of the
male connection member is capable of being movably disposed within
a cavity formed in such female connection member. This cavity is
defined by an inner surface of a back wall portion, having a second
predetermined configuration, and an inner surface of each of a pair
of side wall portions, having a third predetermined configuration.
An aperture, having a fourth predetermined configuration, is formed
through a predetermined portion of the first end portion of such
male connection member. Such aperture is capable of receiving
therein bath at least a portion of a spherical shaped member having
a :pair of horizontally disposed shaft members extending outwardly
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from opposed surfaces thereof which are engageable in respective
first and second opposed openings, having respective fifth and
sixth predetermined configurations, formed in a pair of side wall
portions of such female connection member and at least a portion of
a race assembly. The male connection member of this invention has
a second end portion, having a seventh predetermined configuration,
secured to such first end portion. An elongated rod-like member is
connected to the second end portion of such male connection member.
Additionally, there is provided a means engageable with such second
end portion of the male connection member and such elongated
rod-like member for securing such second end of the male connection
member to a second end of another male connection member to form a
sT.ackless type drawbar assembly.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide a male connection member capable of carrying
a ball and race assembly at a first end thereof for use with a
sl.ackless type drawbar assembly that connects together, in a
substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently disposed
ends of a pair of railway freight cars in which such ball and race
assembly can be utilized in conjunction with a specially configured
female connection member disposed adjacent at least one end of such
slackless drawbar assembly.
Another important object of the present invention is to
provide a male connection member capable of carrying a ball and
race assembly at a first end thereof for use in conjunction with a
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specially configured female connection member disposed at least at
one end of a slackless type drawbar assembly that connects
together, in a substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently
disposed ends of a pair of railway freight cars which will enable
a:n absolute minimum number of components which must move relative
t~o each other to be used, especially, when compared to the
relatively high number of components that are required to move with
respect to each other in the presently known prior art type
s:Lackless drawbar assemblies.
Still another significant object of the present invention is
to provide a male connection member capable of carrying a ball and
race assembly at a first end thereof for use in conjunction with a
specially configured female connection member disposed at least at
one end of a slackless type drawbar assembly that connects
together, in a substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently
disposed ends of a pair of railway freight cars which will,
generally, require substantially less repair and/or routine
maintenance, particularly, when compared to the repair and/or
routine maintenance requirements of presently known prior art type
sl.ackless drawbar assemblies.
Yet another important object of the present invention is to
provide a male connection member capable of carrying a ball and
race assembly at a first end thereof for use in conjunction with
a specially configured female connection member disposed at least
at. one end of a slackless type drawbar assembly that connects
together, in a substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently
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disposed ends of a pair of railway freight cars which will exhibit
a relatively long operating service life, especially when compared
to the normal operating service life exhibited by such presently
known prior art type slackless drawbar assemblies.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a
male connection member capable of carrying a ball and race assembly
at a first end thereof for use in conjunction with a specially
c~~nfigured female connection member disposed at least at one end
o:f a slackless type drawbar assembly that connects together, in a
substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently disposed ends
o:E a pair of railway freight cars which will be significantly more
cost effective for the user.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a
male connection member capable of carrying a ball and race assembly
ai: a first end thereof for use in conjunction with a specially
configured female connection member disposed at least at one end
oi: a slackless type drawbar assembly that connects together, in a
substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently disposed ends
oi: a pair of railway freight cars which can be easily retrofitted
into existing railway freight cars.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to
provide a male connection member capable of carrying a ball and
race assembly at a first end thereof for use in conjunction with
a specially configured female connection member disposed at least
at. one end of a slackless type drawbar assembly that connects
together, in a substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently
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disposed ends of a pair of railway freight cars which is lighter in
weight than previously used conventional type couplers that require
t:he use of yokes, draft gear, draft key members and follower
m~smbers .
It is a still further object of the present invention to
provide a male connection member capable of carrying a ball and
race assembly at a first end thereof for use in conjunction with
a specially configured female connection member disposed at least
ai: one end of a slackless type drawbar assembly that connects
together, in a substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently
d~_sposed ends of a pair of railway freight cars which requires an
ak>solute minimum number of frictionally engageable surfaces to be
subjected to excessive frictional wear.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a
male connection member capable o:f carrying a ball and race assembly
at. a first end thereof for use in conjunction with a specially
configured female connection member disposed at least at one end
of a slackless type drawbar assembly that connects together, in a
substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently disposed ends
of a pair of railway freight cars which does not require the use
of any specialized tools and/or other equipment to install on a
railway freight car.
Although a number of specific objects and advantages of the
present invention have been described in some detail above, various
additional objects and advantages of such male connection member
for use with a slackless type drawbar assembly which incorporates
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a ball and race assembly at one end thereof will become much more
readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the railway
freight car coupling art from the following more detailed
description of the invention, particularly, when such detailed
description is taken in conjunction with both the attached drawing
Figures and with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top view, partially in cross section, which
illustrates one presently preferred embodiment of a male connection
member capable of carrying a ball and race assembly at a first end
thereof for use in conjunction with a specially configured female
connectian member disposed at least at one end of a slackless type
drawbar assembly constructed according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view, partially in cross section,
oj: such male connection member illustrated in Figure 1; and
Figure 3 is an end view taken along the lines III-III of
Figure 1 which is, also, partially in cross section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
.20 Prior to proceeding to the considerably more detailed
description of the present invention, it should be noted that, for
th.e sake of clarity, identical components, which have identical
functions, have been designated with identical reference numerals
throughout the several views that have been illustrated in the
drawings.
Additionally, it should be noted that, even though the male
connection member of the present invention will be described in
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detail as it would apply to a complete slackless type drawbar
assembly having such male connection member disposed at each end
thereof, such male connection member can be used effectively in
conjunction with a specially configured female connection member
equally as well at a single end such slackless drawbar assembly.
This feature is particular desirable because it enables conversion
to the improved slackless drawbar assembly in stages when repairs
to existing prior art type slackless drawbar assemblies are
required.
Reference is now made, more particularly, to the attached
drawing Figures 1 through 3. Illustrated therein is a male
connection member, generally designated, 10. The male connection
member 10 is specifically designed to carry a ball and race
assembly, generally designated, 20 at a first end portion 12
thereof. Such male connection member 10 is, also, designed for
use in conjunction with a specially configured female connection
member, generally designated, 30 disposed at least at one end of a
slackless type drawbar assembly, generally designated, 40. This
slackless drawbar assembly 40 is designed to connect together, in
a substantially semi-permanent fashion, the adjacently disposed
ends (not shown) of a pair of railway cars (not shown).
The shape of the first female connection member 30 is designed
in such a manner that it will enable the first female connection
member 30 to be substantially disposed entirely within and engaged
with a first end of a center sill portion 13 secured to a bottom
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portion ( not shown ) of a car body member ( not shown ) of a first
r~~ilway car (not shown).
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the
first end portion 12, of such male connection member 10, has a
first predetermined configuration. At least a portion of the first
end portion 12 of such male connection member 10 must be capable
of being movably disposed within a cavity 14 formed in such female
connection member 30.
The configuration of cavity 14 formed in the female connection
member 30 is defined by an inner surface 16 of a back wall portion
lfl, having a second predetermined configuration, and a respective
inner surface 22 and 24 of each of a pair of side wall portions 26
ar.~d 28. Inner surfaces 22 and 24 have a third predetermined
configuration. The second predetermined configuration of the inner
surface 16 of such back wall portion 18 will, preferably, be
generally concave in both a vertical direction and a horizontal
direction. The third predetermined configuration of such inner
surfaces 22 and 24, on the other hand, will normally exhibit a
convex shape in at least a horizontal direction. Preferably, such
inner surfaces 22 and 24 will have a, generally, convex shape in
both such horizontal direction and in a vertical direction to
permit the relative movements required by such male connection
member 10.
The end surface portion 19 of such first end portion 12 of the
male connection member 10 which is disposed facing the inner
surface 16 of such back wall portion 18 of such female connection
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member 30 will, preferably, exhibit a generally convex shape in
each of a vertical direction and a horizontal direction.
Preferably, except for such end surface portion 19, the first end
portion 12 of such male connection member 10 will be generally
rectangular in shape except for radius portions adjacent the outer
edges thereof and a slight arcuate shape of the top and bottom
surfaces .
The ball and race assembly 20 carried by the male connection
mE~mber 10, according to the presently preferred embodiment of the
invention, includes a ball-like member 32 (hereinafter referred to
as spherical shaped member 32) and a race member 34.
An aperture 36, having a fourth predetermined configuration,
is formed through a predetermined portion of such first end
portion 12 of such male connection member 10. This aperture 36
is configured to receive therein both at least a portion of such
s~~herical shaped member 32 and at least a portion of the race
member 34. According to the presently preferred embodiment of the
irwention, such aperture 36 will be generally round and have a
predetermined diameter. Nevertheless, it is to be understood that
various other shapes can be readily envisioned for such first
aperture 36 and that such various other shapes are contemplated to
be: within the broad scope of the claims directed to such invention.
Spherical shaped member 32 includes a pair of horizontally
disposed shaft members 38 and 42 extending outwardly from
respective opposed surfaces thereof. Such shaft members 38 and 42
are engageable in respective first and second opposed openings 44
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a.nd 46, having respective fifth and sixth predetermined
configurations, formed in the pair of side wall portions 26 and 28
o~f such female connection member 30. In this embodiment of the
invention, such fifth predetermined configuration of the first
opening 44 will at least include each of a generally round portion
58 and a generally open bottom portion 62. The specific function
of such round portion 58 and the open bottom portion 62 of such
first opening 44 will become more clear as the description of the
present invention proceeds. It is presently preferred that the
sixth predetermined configuration of such opposed second opening 46
will be substantially identical to such fifth predetermined
configuration of the first opening 44. However, it is to be
understood that the present invention is not to be limited thereto.
A second end portion 48 of such male connection member 10,
having a seventh predetermined configuration, is secured to the
first end portion 12. Additionally, there is an elongated rod-like
member 50 connected to the second end portion 48 of such male
connection member 10. In the presently preferred embodiment of the
invention, such second end portion 48 and such first end portion 12
ojF the male connection member 10 will be formed as an integral
s:Lngle piece casting. It is, also, within the scope of the present
invention for such elongated rod-like member 50 to be formed
integrally with such first end portion 12 and such second end
portion 48 of the male connection member 10.
The final essential element of the male connection means 10,
oj: the present invention, is a means, generally designated, 60
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engageable with the second end portion 48 of such male connection
member 10 and such elongated rod-like member 50 for securing the
second end portion 48 of the male connection member 10 to a second
end (not shown) of another male connection member (not shown) to
form a slackless type drawbar assembly 40.
In assembling such slackless drawbar assembly 40 the female
connection member 30 is restrained against any longitudinal
movement within the center sill portion 13 in a first direction by
rear stop members 52 and in an axially opposed second direction by
front draft stop members 54. There is a support plate member 56
provided which is, preferably, removably secured to the center sill
p~~rtion 13 beneath the female connection member 30. Such support
plate member 56 substantially eliminates any downward vertical
movement of such female connection member 30.
At least a predetermined portion of such spherical shaped
member 32 is disposed within the aperture 36 formed through such
f:~rst end portion 12 of the male connection member 10. In the
presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer surface
oiE the spherical shaped member 32 will be a polished surface.
Si:ill more preferably, the polished outer surface of the spherical
shaped member 32 will be a polished chrome plated surface.
At least a portion of shaft member 38 is disposed within the
geanerally round portion 58 of such first opening 44 formed through
such first side wall portion 26 and at least a portion of the
second shaft member 42 of such pair of shaft members 38 and 42 is
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disposed within the second opening 46 formed through the second
side wall portion 28 of such pair of side wall portions 26 and 28.
Each respective one of such pair of shaft members 38 and 42
includes axially opposed and substantially flat surface portions 64
a:nd 66 formed thereon. The function served by the substantially
flat surface portions 64 and 66 will become clear as the detailed
description of the invention proceeds.
Although the invention is not to be limited thereto, it is
presently preferred that both such spherical shaped member 32 and
such pair of shaft members 38 and 42 will be formed as an integral
s:i.ngle piece component .
The race member 34 has at least a portion thereof disposed
w:Lthin and adjacent the perimeter of such aperture 36. Such race
meamber 34 is secured to such first end portion 12 of the male
connection member 10. According to the presently preferred
embodiment of the invention, such race member 34 will be secured to
the first end portion 12 of such male connection member 10 in a
reamovable manner. However, it is considered to be within the scope
of the present invention for such race member 34 to be welded to
such first end portion 12 of the male connection member 10.
An inner surface of such race member 34 is disposed around
such portion of the spherical shaped member 32 positioned within
such aperture 36 formed in such first male connection member 40.
In~, this manner, the spherical shaped member 32 is, preferably, held
substantially centered within such aperture 36.
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In one alternative form of the presently preferred embodiment
of the invention, there will be provided a substantially solid type
lubricating liner member 68, such as manufactured by Kahr Bearing
C:o. and marketed by them under the tradename "KARLON", disposed
between the outer surface of such spherical shaped member 32 and
the inner surface of such race member 34.
In order to secure the shaft members 38 and 42 into their
respective openings formed in the side wall portions 26 and 28 of
the female connection member 30 there is provided a pair of wedge
means, generally designated, 70. Such wedge means 70 includes a
wedge member 72 having a bolt 74 disposed therethrough in a
longitudinal direction and washer means 76. Preferably such washer
means 76 will be Bellville type washers.
A first one of such pair of wedge means 70 includes a tapered
surface 78 engaged with a flat surface portion 64 of such axially
opposed and substantially flat surface portions 64 and 66 formed on
t:he pair of shaft members 38 and 42. A substantially flat and
vertically disposed surface 80 disposed on the first one of the
wedge means 70 is engaged with a mating vertically disposed surface
8;2 of a respective front draft stop member 54. The second one of
such first pair of wedge means 70 includes a tapered surface 84
engaged with a second flat surface portion 86 of such axially
opposed and substantially flat surface portions 64 and 66 formed on
the pair of shaft members 38 and 42. There is a substantially flat
acid vertically disposed surface 88 on the second one of the wedge
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means 70 engaged with a mating vertically disposed surface 90 of a
respective front draft stop member 15.
The means 60 which secures the second end portion 48 of such
male connection member 10 to the second end portion of another male
connection member may be a simple weldment. In this case, the
second end portion 48 of such male connection member 10 and the
second end portion of such other male connection member will have
a predetermined length which will be at least sufficient to provide
the spacing required between the adjacently disposed ends of the
pair of railway cars connected together by the improved slackless
d:rawbar assembly 40 to enable such railway cars to negotiate any
carves encountered on a track structure.
In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention,
however, such securing means 60 will include a bar or pipe-like
member 92 disposed intermediate and secured to the second end
portion 48 of the male connection member 10 and to the second end
portion of such other male connection member.
When such pipe-like member 92 is utilized for securing such
second end portion 48 of the male connection member 10 and such
second end portion of the other male connection member together,
then such second end 48 of each of such male connection member 10
and the second end of such other male connection member will,
preferably, include a male member 50 inserted into respective
opposed ends of such pipe-like member 92. On the other hand, when
a solid bar-like member is used to secure such second end portion
4E. of the male connection member 10 and the second end of such
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other male connection member together, then such second end 48 of
t;he male connection member 10 and the second end of such second
other male connection member will, preferably, include a sleeve-
like portion to receive a respective end of the bar-like member
therein.
While a number of presently preferred and various alternative
embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail
above, with particular reference to the drawing Figures, it should
x~e understood by those persons who are skilled in the railway car
type coupling art that it is possible for a number of additional
modifications and/or other adaptations of such male connection
member capable of carrying a ball and race assembly at a first end
thereof for use in conjunction with a specially configured female
connection member disposed at least at one end of a slackless type
drawbar assembly to be made without departing from either the
spirit or the scope of the appended claims.
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