Coupler height adjuster for railway cars

Abstract

The coupler height of a railway car is adjustable by means of a shim disposed between the coupler carrier and the wear plate and inserted through an opening provided at one side of the striking casting. An enlarged central portion of the shim extends toward the draft bar yoke of the coupler to avoid any reduction of bearing surface between the coupler carrier and the wear plate. A portion of the shim also lies within the side opening, which opening is defined by an enlarged outwardly extending portion of the striking casting having holes therein in axial alignment with a hole in the shim portion for the reception of a fastener to retain the shim in place. The aligned holes are offset from the longitudinal centerline of the shim so as to effect a misalignment of the holes upon incorrect insertion of the shim. Moreover, either the upper surface of the carrier member or the lower surface of the wear plate is convexly curved for effecting a self-alignment of the coupler with a mating coupler as the wear plate is permitted to rock about its transverse axis to thereby effect a uniform interface pressure between the wear plate and the coupler.