Coupling device suitable for rail and other vehicles

455,415. Automatic couplings for vehicles. MICHELIN & CIE, Clermont Ferrand, Puy de Dome, France. Feb. 3, 1936, No. 3277. Convention date, Feb. 28, 1935. [Class 103 (v)] In an automatic coupling for vehicles of the kind in which the respective parts are guided into coupling position by means of coacting male and female conical surfaces 32 and 10, 11, Fig. 1, the coupling elements comprise hooks 13 pivoted, e.g. on the female part and adapted to engage pins 24 on the other part, the pins being longitudinally displaceable for the purpose of subsequently tightening the coupling. The arrangement may include either a female member on each vehicle and a separable duplicate male member, or a single male and female member, one on each vehicle, Figs. 1A, 1B, (not shown). The female or socket member 10, Fig. 1, is preferably swivelled to its draw-bar 1 by means of a union comprising a sleeve 3 with an internal rubber cushion 4, and the hooks 13 are mounted on transverse trunnions 12. The male member comprises a tube or bar 19 terminating in a conical nose 32 having a renewable tip 35, a rotatable threaded sleeve 25 being disposed on a reduced portion 21 of the bar 19 for effecting a longitudinal adjustment of a screwed collar 22 carrying the pins 24. Rotation of the sleeve 25 is produced through the medium of a toothed intermediate sleeve 29 engageable with a slidable toothed sleeve 44, which is rotated by means of handles 45 and is associated with a clutch for throwing it into operative or inoperative position. As the tightening is thus accomplished after the coupling is made entry of an operator between the vehicles in the act of coupling is obviated. During the actual coupling operation a transverse bar connecting the two hooks 13 is raised by a ramp 49 on the male element, and then allows the hooks to drop behind the pins 24. Flats 33, 34 on the end of the cone 32 ensure that the male member is carried in correct position for engaging the opposite head. In a modification the hooks are carried upon the male member and the pins on the female, while means are provided to prevent undesired rotation of the screw collar 32 with consequent accidental unlatching of the coupling.