(19)
(11) EP 1 055 580 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
16.05.2001 Bulletin 2001/20

(43) Date of publication A2:
29.11.2000 Bulletin 2000/48

(21) Application number: 00304481.5

(22) Date of filing: 25.05.2000
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B61G 5/04, B61G 7/08
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 27.05.1999 GB 9912340

(71) Applicant: William Cook Cast Products Limited
Bishop Auckland, County Durham DL13 2YR (GB)

(72) Inventor:
  • Hagger, Paul
    Carbridge, Northumberland NE45 5LW (GB)

(74) Representative: Sanderson, Nigel Paul et al
Harrison Goddard Foote, Fountain Precinct, Leopold Street
Sheffield S1 2QD
Sheffield S1 2QD (GB)

   


(54) Couplers


(57) An automatic coupler for a vehicle is described. An automatic coupler portion (23) is moveable about a substantially vertical axis (27) between a use position and a stored position in which a draw hook (24) is exposed for use. An arm (30) is moveable about a substantially vertical axis (32) relative to the automatic coupler between a first position in which the arm (30) retains the automatic coupler portion (23) in the use position and a second position in which the arm (30) retains the automatic coupler portion (23) in the stored position. Automatic coupler portion (23) comprises an abutment surface (40) which operatively acts on an end surface (60) of the arm (30) distant from the first end to prevent rotation of the automatic coupler portion (23) when the arm (30) is in its first position. A finger (35) at the end of the arm (30) distant from the first end co-operates with a recess in a side of the automatic coupler portion (23) to prevent rotation of the automatic coupler portion (23) when the arm (30) is in its second position.






Search report