COUPLER Russian patent published in 2018 - IPC B61G11/16 

FIELD: rail vehicles.

SUBSTANCE: coupler (10) comprises first gimbal (31; 32) defining a pivot that is secured to mounting (41) for securing to a frame of a vehicle, wherein the pivot also comprises a second gimbal, and in said pivot the axes of the gimbals are mutually perpendicular, wherein the pivot is also secured to buffer column (39), part of which protrudes on an opposite side of the pivot to mounting (41) such that buffer column (39) is moveable relative to mounting (41) with at least two degrees of freedom. Buffer column (39) defines free (42) end that is remote from mounting (41) and that is securable to a further member. Buffer column (39) also includes both a reversible buffer that attenuates buff and draft forces acting between free end (42) and mounting (41), and also a non-reversible buffer that attenuates buff forces acting between free end (42) and mounting (41) and attaining or exceeding a predetermined energy threshold, the reversible and non-reversible buffers overlapping over part of their lengths in buffer column (39) which in turn overlaps one of the pivots.

EFFECT: providing a compact, easy-to-maintain device.

14 cl, 5 dwg