Coupler carrier with improved lug structure for railroad cars

摘要

A self-lubricating, non-metallic type F coupler carrier improves upon state of the art railroad car coupler carrier arrangements. The coupler carrier is mounted within a cage, which coupler carrier comprises certain structures formed from an ultra high molecular weight polymer. The coupler carrier is shaped to define a load support surface for supporting a coupler shank. Further, oppositely facing forward and back carrier walls define vertically disposed slide surfaces formed for close fitted engagement with the inner and outer walls of the striker cage. Lugs, integrally formed with the coupler carrier comprise outwardly and upwardly facing slide surfaces for close fitted engagement with cage side walls and retainer plates, respectively. The lugs may further comprise concave relief portions intermediate the lug slide surfaces and the walls to which the lugs are integrally formed to provide stress concentration relief to said type F non-metallic coupler carrier.