TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a train coupler adapter for connecting a first coupler of a first type to a second coupler of a second type, the train coupler adapter comprising an adapter body having a front end for connecting to the first coupler, wherein the front end comprises an interface for contacting the first coupler and the front end also comprises an adapter coupler for coupling to the first coupler, and the train coupler adapter also comprising a first holder arranged in connection with an upper part of the front end of the adapter body, said first holder comprising at least one first engagement part for engaging with a first receiver of the first coupler. The invention further relates to a method for mounting a train coupler adapter on a coupler of a rail vehicle.

BACKGROUND

During rail vehicle operations it is sometimes necessary to couple a rail vehicle to another rail vehicle. If the rail vehicles have couplers of different types or of different geometry, such as when there is a difference in height, width or other dimensions of the couplers, at least one adapter is required in order to perform the coupling. In most cases each rail vehicle will be fitted with an adapter and the adapters will be mechanically connected to each other such that a connection between the rail vehicles themselves is achieved.

The mounting of an adapter on a railway coupler is generally a cumbersome and sometimes dangerous process, since it is required that the human operator mounting the adapter stands beside the coupler and manually lifts the adapter into place. Depending on the height of the coupler, this lifting may cause injury to the operator. Also, in situations where other railway vehicles are moving on adjacent tracks or where other vehicles or machinery are moving in the area, there is a risk of the operator being injured or even killed. One especially dangerous environment is where a live rail (so-called third rail) is used for transmitting power to the vehicles and where the operator risks coming into contact with this rail during handling and mounting of the adapter.

Even if the environment around the railway vehicle may be rendered safe, there is another problem with prior art adapters in that they require a specific tool for mounting the adapter so that a coupling between the adapter and the railway vehicle takes place. This is due to the fact that the operator cannot manually apply sufficient force by pushing on the adapter in order for the coupling to take place. Instead, the use of the tool for pressing the adapter against the coupler together with the use of the manual uncoupling handle on the coupler are generally needed in order for the desired coupling to take place.

There is therefore a need for improvements within this area, both in view of reducing the risk of injury of death for the operator and in view of facilitating mounting of the adapter so that the need of separate tools is eliminated.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is to eliminate or at least to minimize the problems discussed above. This is achieved by a train coupler adapter and a method for mounting a train coupler adapter according to the appended independent claims.

The train coupler adapter according to the present invention comprises an adapter body having a front end for connecting to the first coupler, wherein the front end comprises an interface for contacting the first coupler, and an adapter coupler for coupling to the first coupler, said adapter coupler being arranged at least partly inside the adapter body. Furthermore, the train coupler adapter comprises a first holder arranged in connection with an upper part of the front end of the adapter body, said first holder comprising at least one first engagement part for engaging with a first receiver of the first coupler. Also, the train coupler adapter comprises a second holder comprising at least two side portions and at least two second engagement parts, each of said side portions being arranged in connection with a side of the front end of the adapter body, and each of said side portions being connected to a second engagement part for engaging with a second receiver of the first coupler. The train coupler adapter further comprises a first tightening device that is configured to operate the first engagement part for moving the train coupler adapter towards the first coupler with the interface facing the first coupler, and a second tightening device that is configured to operate the second engagement parts for pressing the adapter body against the first coupler such that the adapter coupler engages with the first coupler.

Suitably, the side portions of the second holder are arranged on opposing sides of the front end of the adapter body.

Also, the first engagement part of the first holder may comprise at least one, preferably at least two, hooks for engaging with a first receiver of the first coupler.

Suitably, the first tightening device comprises a first handle that is operatively connected to the at least one first engagement part such that engaging the first handle causes the first engagement part to be pulled towards the adapter body.

Also, the second engagement part of the second holder may comprise a hook that is pivotably arranged on the side portion.

Suitably, the second tightening device comprises at least one lever for operating each of the second engagement parts of the second holder.

Also, the second tightening device may comprise one handle that is operatively connected to each of the second engagement parts of the second holder, such that operating said handle operates each of the second engagement parts simultaneously.

Furthermore, the first tightening device may be available from an upper side of the adapter body. Suitably, the second tightening device is available from an upper side of the adapter body.

Also, the first holder may be movable between an operating position and a rest position, said rest position being a position in which the first engagement part is not able to engage with the first receiver of the train coupler.

The second holder may be movable to a rest position, said rest position being a position in which the second engagement part is not able to engage with the second receiver of the first coupler.

Suitably, the adapter body comprises a rear end configured for connecting to a second coupler or to a second adapter.

The method according to the present invention comprises providing a train coupler adapter according to the invention, and the method comprises placing the first engagement part into a first receiver of the first coupler, engaging the first tightening device in order to operate the first engagement part for moving the adapter towards the first coupler such that the interface approaches a front face of the first coupler. The method also comprises engaging a second tightening device in order to operate the second engagement part for pressing the adapter body against the first coupler such that the adapter coupler couples with the first coupler, wherein engaging the second tightening device takes place after engaging the first tightening device.

Suitably, the first tightening device comprises a first handle that is available from an upper side of the adapter body and wherein engaging the first tightening device comprises operating the first handle. Also, the second tightening device may comprise at least one second handle connected to at least one of the second engagement parts, and wherein engaging the second tightening device comprises operating said at least one handle.

Furthermore, the second handle of the second tightening device may be available from an upper side of the adapter body.

Suitably, the second handle is configured to simultaneously operate a first side portion and a second side portion of the second holder, said first side portion and second side portion being arranged on opposing sides of the adapter body.

Also, the method may comprise bringing the first holder and/or the second holder to rest positions after the train coupler adapter has been coupled to the first coupler.

Suitably, the method further comprises connecting a rear end of the adapter body to a second coupler or to a second adapter before or after performing the method according to claim 13.

The present invention may also comprise a coupler adapted for receiving an coupling to a train coupler adapter according to the invention. Also, the invention may comprise a train coupler arrangement comprising a coupler and a train coupler adapter.

Many additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by the skilled person in view of the detailed description below.

DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, wherein Fig. la discloses a perspective view from one side of a train coupler adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a front end of a first coupler, a second adapter and a front end of a second coupler; Fig. lb discloses a perspective view of the train coupler adapter, first coupler, second adapter and second coupler of Fig. la from another side;

Fig. 2a discloses a perspective view of an adapter according to the prior art before mounting on a coupler; Fig. 2b discloses a perspective view of the adapter according to the prior art in a first stage of mounting on a coupler;

Fig. 2c discloses a perspective view of the adapter according to the prior art in a second state of mounting on a coupler;

Fig. 2d discloses a perspective view of the adapter according to the prior art in a mounted state on a coupler;

Fig. 3a discloses a perspective view of a train coupler adapter according to an embodiment of the present invention before mounting on a coupler;

Fig. 3b discloses a perspective view of the train coupler adapter of Fig. 3a in a first stage of mounting on the coupler in which a first holder engages with the coupler;

Fig. 3c discloses a perspective view of the train coupler adapter of Fig. 3a during mounting on the coupler in which the train coupler adapter is attached to the coupler; Fig 3d discloses a perspective view of the train coupler adapter of Fig. 3a during mounting on the coupler in which a first tightening device has been engaged to bring an interface of the adapter towards the coupler; Fig. 3e discloses a perspective view of the train coupler adapter of Fig. 3a during mounting on the coupler in which a second tightening device has been engaged to couple the adapter to the coupler;

Fig. 3f discloses a perspective view of the train coupler adapter of Fig. 3f in a mounted state on the coupler with the first holder and the second holder in rest positions;

Fig. 4 discloses the train coupler adapter according to the invention in the mounted state on the coupler, together with the second adapter and the second coupler that are mounted to form a connection between the first coupler and the second coupler via the adapters;

Fig. 5a discloses a planar view from the side of the train coupler adapter according to the invention in the mounted state on the front end of the coupler;

Fig. 5b discloses a cross-sectional view of the train coupler adapter and the front end of the coupler taken along the line B-B of Fig. 5a;

Fig. 6a discloses a planar view from above of the train coupler adapter according to the present invention;

Fig. 6b discloses a planar view from above of the train coupler adapter of Fig. 6a during mounting on the coupler; Fig. 7 discloses a planar view from the side of the train coupler adapter according to the present invention with the first holder and first tightening device in three different positions and with the second holder and second tightening device in three different positions; and Fig. 8 discloses an enlarged view from the side of the first holder and first tightening device of Fig. 7 ; and

Fig. 9 discloses a perspective view from above of the first holder and the first tightening device. All the figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the respective embodiments, whereas other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. Any reference number appearing in multiple drawings refers to the same object or feature throughout the drawings, unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, the train coupler adapter according to the present invention will be disclosed in more detail and the method of mounting the inventive train coupler adapter on a front end of a coupler for a railway vehicle will be described and compared to the mounting of a prior art adapter on a similar coupler.

It is to be noted that the train coupler adapter of the present invention is suitable for use with any kind of coupler for a railway vehicle and also suitable for mounting on a second adapter of any kind. In the mounted state, the train coupler adapter according to the invention is mechanically coupled to the front end of the coupler in some embodiments described above, but it is to be noted that the train coupler adapter could alternatively be secured to the coupler in any other suitable way. Also, although the following description focusses on a mechanical coupling between the train coupler adapter and the coupler, other couplings such as a pneumatic coupling and/or an electrical coupling could alternatively also be made.

In the following, configuration and operation of couplers for rail vehicles will be discussed only inasmuch as they affect the present invention. In all other regards, it is to be assumed that the first coupler and second coupler discussed may be of any suitable type and may have both mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and any other type of couplers that are appropriate for any given application. The couplers may also be connected to or form part of any kind of railway vehicle.

Fig. la-b disclose a train coupler adapter 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention for connecting to a first coupler 100 in order for said first coupler 100 to be able to connect to a second coupler 1000 that may in turn be connected to a second adapter 1010. By using the train coupler adapter 10, the first coupler 100 may be connected to another coupler that is of another type and that may also have another geometry. Thus, due to the use of an adapter both the mode of coupling and other features such as height or width may differ, and the first coupler 100 may still form a reliable connection to the second coupler 1000.

In Fig. la- lb, the train coupler adapter 10 is shown connected to the second adapter 1010 but not connected to the first coupler 100. The inventive method for mounting the adapter will be described further below. In one alternative mounting procedure, the train coupler adapter 10 may be mounted on the first coupler 100 after it has been mounted on the second adapter 1010. This generally takes place by the first coupler 100 and/or the second coupler 1000 approaching at low speed such that the train coupler adapter 10 and the first coupler 100 are automatically coupled to each other. In this regard, it is advantageous that a first holder 20 is at a rest position such that interaction between the first holder 20 and the first coupler 100 is prevented during coupling. This will be explained in more detail further below.

The train coupler adapter 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention thus comprises the first holder 20 that is mounted on an adapter body 11 having a front end 12 with an interface 13 that is configured to contact the first coupler 100 in a mounted state. The interface 13 is suitably designed to match a front face 120 of the first coupler 100 such that a mechanical coupler 110 of the coupler 100 can couple to an adapter coupler 60 held inside the adapter body 11 of the train coupler adapter 10. The first holder 20 of the train coupler adapter 10 comprises at least one first engagement part 21, 22 for connecting to or engaging with a first receiver 101 of the first coupler 100. The first holder 20 is arranged on an upper side of the train coupler adapter 10, and in the first embodiment the first engagement part 21, 22 comprises a first hook 21 and a second hook 22 that each protrude in a first direction D that is perpendicular to the interface 13. A first tightening device 30 is also provided in connection with the first holder 20 and is configured to operate the first engagement part 21, 22 for moving the train coupler adapter 10 towards the first coupler 100 such that the interface 13 is brought towards the first coupler 100 and in some embodiments also brought into contact with the front face 120 of the first coupler 100. In the first embodiment, this means that the first tightening device 30 is operatively connected to the first hook 21 and the second hook 22 such that the first tightening device is able to pull the first hook 21 and the second hook 22 towards the adapter body 11. If the first hook 21 and the second hook 22 engage with the first receiver 101, this means in turn that the adapter body 11 is pulled towards the first coupler 100 so that the interface 13 is able to approach and in some cases also contact the front face 120. It is advantageous to provide the first hook 21 and the second hook 22 symmetrically on either side of a central axis A through the adapter body 11 as will be discussed further below with reference to Fig. 6a.

The train coupler adapter 10 further comprises a second holder 40 having at least two side portions 41, 42 forming a first side portion 41 and a second side portion 42 that are arranged on either side of the adapter body 11 at the front end 12 thereof. Each of the side portions 41, 42 comprises a second engagement part 43, 44 for engaging with a second receiver 102 on the first coupler 100. In the first embodiment, there are two side portions 41, 42 that are arranged on opposite sides of the adapter body 11 such that the side portions 41,42 extend from the adapter body 11 in directions that are perpendicular to the first direction D. The sides on which the side portions 41, 42 are arranged each face away from the adapter body 11 in horizontal directions and are configured to connect the upper side on which the first holder 20 is arranged with a lower side that is underneath the adapter body 11 when the train coupler adapter 10 is in the mounted state.

In this embodiment, each of the side portions 41, 42 comprises a second engagement part 43, 44 that is in the form of a pivotable hook. A second tightening device 50 is operatively connected to the second engagement parts 43, 44 such that operating the second tightening device 50 causes a pivoting movement of the second engagement parts 43, 44. In this embodiment, the second tightening device 50 comprises a single handle 51 such that operation of that handle 51 causes pivoting of both of the second engagement parts 43, 44.

The adapter body 11 of the train coupler adapter 10 also comprises a rear end 14 on which the second adapter 1010 can be mounted. This can be done in any suitable way that is known in the art, and since it is not the main focus of the present invention the mounting of the second adapter 1010 to the train coupler adapter 10 will not be disclosed in more detail.

The mounting of a prior art adapter 10’ will now be described briefly with reference to Fig. 2a-2d, and the mounting of the train coupler adapter 10 according to the present invention will then be described in more detail. When describing Fig. 2a-2d, features that are similar to those of the present invention will be denoted by similar reference numerals, but it is to be noted that this is not intended to give any particular technical information of the features but merely serves to assist in understanding functions of the prior art adapter.

Thus, Fig. 2a discloses a prior art adapter 10’ with a front end 12’ and a rear end 14’ of an adapter body 1 G before mounting on a coupler 100’. The prior art adapter 10’ has a holder 15’ in the form of two hooks on an upper side of the adapter body 1 G, and these hooks are configured to be able to fit into a first receiver 101’ on the coupler 100’.

In Fig. 2b, the prior art adapter 10’ is shown in a first stage of mounting in which the hooks of the holder 15’ are inserted into the receiver 101’ of the coupler 100’. In this stage, the prior art adapter 10’ can be pivoted into place with an interface 13’ of the adapter body 1 G facing a front face 120’ of the coupler 100’.

In a second state of mounting shown in Fig. 2c, the prior art adapter 10’ has been pivoted into place against the coupler 100’ and although the interface 13’ faces the front face 120’ of the coupler 100’ the prior art adapter 10’ is not yet coupled to the coupler 100’ but is held in place only by the holder 15’. In order to achieve a mounted state in which the prior art adapter 10’ is firmly attached to the coupler 100’ by an adapter coupler 16’, a force must be applied in which the prior art adapter 10’ is pushed against the coupler 100’. This force may be applied either by a low speed confrontation with another vehicle or it may alternatively be applied manually by using a tool and often also by operating a manual uncoupling handle that is provided on the coupler 100’ in order to cause coupling of the coupler 100’ and the prior art adapter 10’.

The mounted state is shown in Fig. 2d with the adapter coupler 16’ engaged with a mechanical coupler 110’ of the coupler 100’ and with the interface 13’ fully into contact with the front face 120’ of the coupler 100’. In the mounted state, the hooks of the holder 15’ are disengaged from the first receiver 10 G by the movement of the prior art adapter 10’ towards the coupler 100’. Generally, for prior art adapters such as that shown in Fig. 2a-2d the holder 15’ is not movable in relation to the adapter body 1 G but merely serves to allow contact and correct alignment of the prior art adapter 10’ with the coupler 100’.

As stated above in the background section, problems with prior art adapters include the need for a tool and often also operation of the uncoupling handle of the coupler in order to achieve the coupling of the prior art adapter to the coupler itself. This is due to the magnitude of force required to affect the mechanical coupling. The tightening of the adapter body against the coupler is also generally difficult to achieve correctly since any force applied needs to be applied symmetrically to prevent misalignment of the adapter body and the coupler and to also prevent the hooks of the holder from coming loose from the receivers on the coupler. This means that a second person is sometimes needed in order to mount the prior art adapter and that the mounting process can be cumbersome and difficult. Since adapters in general often weigh in the range of 20-30 kg there is also the risk of injury to personnel when lifting and handling the adapters.

The inventive method of mounting the train coupler adapter 10 according to the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 3a-3f and with particular focus on features that differ from the prior art adapters. In the following, the train coupler adapter 10 is shown without the second adapter 1010 and the second coupler 1000. Fig. 3a shows the adapter 10 before mounting on the first coupler 100 and comprises the features described above with reference to Fig. la- lb.

In Fig. 3b, the first engagement parts 21, 22 are inserted into the first receiver 101 of the first coupler 100 and in Fig. 3c the train coupler adapter 10 is pivoted down into place on the front end of the coupler 100. In this position, the interface 13 faces the front face 120 of the coupler 100 and the first engagement parts 21, 22 are connected to the first receiver 101. In the first embodiment, the first engagement parts 21, 22 comprise a first hook 21 and second hook 22 and the first receiver 101 comprises a first opening for the first hook 21 and a second opening for the second hook 22. When the hooks

21, 22 are held in the first receiver 101, the train coupler adapter 10 is carried by the first engagement parts 21, 22 such that the train coupler adapter 10 hangs on the coupler 100 without requiring further support. However, in the position shown in Fig. 3c the front part 12 of the train coupler adapter 10 is still not pressed against the front face 120 of the first coupler 100, and the train coupler adapter 10 is also not coupled mechanically to the first coupler 100.

In order to move the train coupler adapter 10 against the front face 120 of the first coupler 100, the first tightening device 30 is used to engage the first engagement parts 21, 22. In this embodiment, the first tightening device 30 comprises a first lever 31 that is operatively connected to the first hook 21 and a second lever 32 that is operatively connected to the second hook 22, and the first lever 31 and second lever 32 are joined by a handle 33 that is available from the upper side of the adapter body 11 such that a person standing on the first coupler 100, suitably on a platform 130, is able to grip the handle 33 and pull to pivot the first lever 31 and second lever 32 in a counterclockwise direction as shown when comparing Fig. 3c with Fig. 3d. The first lever 31 and the second lever 32 are each attached to a first frame member 25 and second frame member 26 such that the first lever 31 and second lever 32 may pivot on pivots at the attachment of the levers 31, 32 to the frame members 25, 26. Also attached to the levers 31, 32 are a first connecting member 27 and second connecting member 28 that are in turn connected to the first hook 21 and the second hook 22, respectively. The attachment between the first connecting member 27 and the first lever 31, and between the second connecting member 28 and the second lever 32, are preferably at a distance from the pivot such that a pivoting of the first lever 31 and second lever 32 causes a movement of the first and second connecting members 27, 28 so that the first hook 21 and second hook 22 are pulled in a direction opposite to the first direction D. The first hook 21 and second hook 22 each comprise slots 23, 24 that are mounted on pins 201, 202 such that the first hook 21 and second hook 22 are slidable in the first direction D and the direction opposite. Thus, by pivoting the first lever 31 and second lever 32 in the counterclockwise direction, the first hook 21 and second hook 22 are pulled in the direction opposite to the first direction D and by their connection to the first receiver 101 of the first coupler 100 this causes the adapter body 11 to be pulled towards the first coupler 100.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the first holder 20 and the first tightening device 30 may be realized in different ways as long as the first tightening device 30 is operatively connected to the at least one first engagement part 21, 22 and is able to operate it/ them in order to cause the train coupler adapter 10 to move towards the first coupler 100.

As can be seen when comparing a position of the train coupler adapter 10 in Fig. 3c with a position in Fig. 3d, the second holder 40 is also brought into a position closer to the first coupler 100 by a movement of the second tightening device 50 so that the second holder 40 is able to engage with the second receiver 102 on the side of the first coupler 100.

As mentioned above, the second holder 40 comprises at least one side portion 41, 42 on either side of the adapter body 11 and it is advantageous that the side portions 41, 42 are arranged symmetrically on the adapter body 11 so that a movement pulling each of the side portions 41, 42 towards the second receivers 102 on the first coupler 100 causes the front end 12 of the adapter body 11 to press symmetrically against the first coupler 100. This aids in causing the coupling of the first coupler 100 and the train coupler adapter 10. The second holder 40 thus further comprises a second engagement part 43, 44 on either side of the adapter body 11 so that each side portion 41, 42 is connected to one second engagement part 43, 44. In the first embodiment, the second engagement parts 43, 44 are in the form of pivotable hooks 43, 44 that are each arranged to pivot each around an attachment point where the pivotable hook 43, 44 is mounted on the side portion 41, 42. The pivotable hook is advantageously shaped with a curved surface such that a pivoting of the pivotable hook 43, 44 in the counterclockwise direction causes the second receiver 102 on the first coupler 100 to be pulled towards the side portion 41, 42 of the second holder 40. The pivotable hook 43 on one side of the adapter body is operatively connected with a third lever 53 and the pivotable hook 44 on the other side of the adapter body 11 is operatively connected with a fourth lever 54 such that operating either of the third and fourth levers 53, 54 causes a corresponding pivoting of the pivoting hook 43, 44 that is connected to the levers 53, 54. In this embodiment, the third lever 53 and fourth lever 54 are each joined to or integral with a second handle 51 such that operating the second handle 51 causes a symmetrical movement of the third lever 53 and the fourth lever 54. It is advantageous that the second handle 51 is available from above so that an operator standing on the platform 130 may grip the second handle 51 and pull it in the counterclockwise direction and thereby pivot the pivotable hooks 43, 44.

In other embodiments, the second holder 40 and the second tightening device 50 may be designed in other ways as long as the second holder 40 is able to contact the second receiver 102 of the first coupler 100 and the second tightening device 50 is able to operate the second engagement parts 43, 44 such that the adapter body 11 is pressed towards the first coupler 100 with sufficient force to cause the mechanical coupling. In some embodiments, the second engagement parts 43, 44 could instead be hooks similar to the first and second hook 21, 22 of the first holder 20 and a mechanism similar to the first holder 20 and the first tightening device 30 could be used. Alternatively, other ways of connecting the second holder to the second receiver 102 could be used. It is especially to be noted that the third and fourth levers 53, 54 may be unconnected to each other such that they may be operated independently. However, it is advantageous to be able to operate them symmetrically such that the third and fourth levers 53, 54 move simultaneously.

In the manner described above, a person standing on the platform 130 of the first coupler 100 is able to operate both the first tightening device 30 and the second tightening device 50 by pulling on the first handle 31 and the second handle 51 so that the adapter body 11 is first pulled towards the front face 120 of the first coupler 100 and then pressed towards the first coupler 100 with sufficient force to cause the mechanical coupling of the adapter coupler 60 and the mechanical coupler 110 of the first coupler 100.

It is especially advantageous to be able to operate the first tightening device 30 and the second tightening device 50 while standing on the platform 130 of the coupler 100 since this eliminates the need of standing beside the first coupler 100. This is particularly beneficial in locations where it is necessary to stay on the coupler for safety reasons.

It is also advantageous that the third lever 53 and fourth lever 54 have a sufficient length to be able to transfer a considerable force from the operator to the pivotable hooks 43, 44. This allows for the mechanical coupling of the train coupler adapter 10 and the first coupler 100 without requiring tools or external force.

Although the movement of the levers is described herein as a counterclockwise movement, it is obvious that the first holder 20, second holder 40, first tightening device 30 and second tightening device 50 could alternatively be altered such that clockwise movements are instead used. In Fig. 3e, the train coupler adapter 10 has been brought close to the front face 120 of the first coupler 100 and the operation of the second handle 51 to the position shown in this figure has caused the second receiver 102 to be brought close to the side portions 41, 42 of the second holder 40. In this position, the adapter coupler 60 is mechanically coupled to the first coupler 100. Once the second tightening device 50 is operated such that the pivotable hooks 43, 44 engage with the second receiver 102, the first tightening device 30 is no longer needed to keep the adapter body 11 in place and the first handle 31 may be released and allowed to fall back to the position shown in Fig. 3e. This causes the first and second hooks 21, 22 to move in the first direction D to their end positions.

In Fig. 3f, the first holder 20 and the second holder 40 are brought to rest positions where they no longer engage with the first coupler 100. This is advantageous in preventing wear and damage to them during operation of the first coupler 100 with the train coupler adapter 10 in the coupled state. The first holder 20 is brought to its rest position by the first and second levers 31, 32 being pushed downwards such that the first and second hooks 21, 22 are raised to the position shown in Fig. 3f. The second holder 40 is in turn brought to its rest position by the pivotable hooks 43, 44 being released from the third and fourth levers 43, 44, respectively, and being reattached in the position shown in Fig. 3f. In this way, the third and fourth levers 43, 44 may be brought to rest on the adapter body 11 as shown in the figure. In one advantageous way of reaching the rest position, the second tightening device is brought to its rest position and causes the second holder 20 to also reach the rest position by pressing down onto the first and second levers 31, 32.

Fig. 4 shows the train coupler adapter 10 in the mounted state coupled to the first coupler 100 and with the second adapter 1010 mounted on its rear end 140. The second coupler is in turn attached to the second adapter 1010 in any suitable way.

Fig. 5a shows the train coupler adapter 10 in the mounted state on the first coupler 100, and Fig. 5b shows a cross-sectional view taken along the line B- B of Fig. 5a, disclosing in particular the mechanical coupler 110 of the first coupler 100 connected to the adapter coupler 60. Also, the second holder 40 is shown to be symmetrical with the side portions 41, 42 on either side of the adapter body 11 and with one pivotable hook 43, 44 attached to each of the side portions 41, 42. It also shows the interface 13 of the adapter body 11 in contact with the front face 120 of the first coupler 100. In some embodiments, the second holder 40 could comprise more than two side portions 41, 42 distributed along the sides of the adapter body 11. It is advantageous that a force in the first direction D is generated and causes the interface 13 of the adapter body 11 to move towards the front face 120 of the first coupler with the interface 13 being held parallel to the front face 120 during the movement. This may be created by one side portion 41, 42 on either side of the adapter body 11 but could alternatively be created by a plurality of side portions that are distributed in any suitable way as long as the interface 13 is able to move towards the first coupler 100 in this way.

Fig. 6a shows the train coupler adapter 10 from above and especially shows the second holder 40 and the first holder 20 to be symmetrical in view of a first axis A that extends through a center of the train coupler adapter 10 in the first direction D. The design of the first holder 20, second holder 40, first tightening device 30 and second tightening device 50 are also shown in detail.

Fig. 6b shows the train coupler adapter 10 during mounting when the first holder 20 is engaged and the second holder 40 is not yet operated by the second tightening device 50.

Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show in more detail the operation of the first tightening device 30 and the second tightening device 50 and the resulting movement of the first holder 20 and second holder 40, respectively.

In Fig. 9, the first holder 20 and the first tightening device 30 are shown in a perspective view from above, to more clearly illustrate both their design and their interaction.

The first coupler 100 suitably comprises the first receiver 101 and the second receivers 102 such that the train coupler adapter 10 according to the invention may be mounted as disclosed herein. Since many prior art couplers already comprise the first receiver 101 (see the text above with reference to the mounting of the prior art adapter in Fig. 2a-2d), few modifications are required in order to adapt the coupler 100 to be suitable for use with the present invention. With only an addition of the second receiver 102 to sides of the coupler 100, the train coupler adapter 10 according to the present invention may be mounted and used as described herein. Also, in events where the second receiver 102 is already present on the coupler 100, only very minor or no modifications at all are required.

The present invention also encompasses a coupler for a rail vehicle, wherein the coupler comprises a first receiver on an upper side of a front end of the coupler, and wherein the coupler further comprises a second receiver on either side of the front end of the coupler. Furthermore, the present invention encompasses a coupler assembly comprising a coupler and a train coupler adapter as described above and in the appended independent claim, in which the coupler comprises the first receiver for receiving the first holder of the train coupler adapter and in which the coupler further comprises the second receiver for receiving the second holder of the train coupler adapter.

It is to be noted that features from the various embodiments described herein may freely be combined, unless it is explicitly stated that such a combination would be unsuitable.