US 12,139,180 B2
Railcar uncoupling lever apparatus and methods of using the same
Paul Lindemulder, Saint John, IN (US); John B. Brewster, Homewood, IL (US); and Christopher D. Roberts, New Lenox, IL (US)
Assigned to Holland, L.P., Crete, IL (US)
Filed by Holland, L.P., Crete, IL (US)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/992,077.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/281,792, filed on Nov. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0159067 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. B61G 7/02 (2006.01)
CPC B61G 7/02 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A railcar uncoupling lever apparatus comprising:
a telescoping bar having a first end and a second end;
a handle on the first end of the telescoping bar;
a hook on the second end of the telescoping bar;
wherein the handle is configured to thread through a bracket on a railcar without removal of the bracket, and the hook is configured to be removable from the telescoping bar,
wherein the telescoping bar comprises a first bar portion, a second bar portion, and a third bar portion, wherein the first bar portion is slidably disposed on a first side of the second bar portion and slides relative to the second bar portion, and the third bar portion is slidably disposed on a second side of the second bar portion and slides relative to the second bar portion,
wherein the first bar portion or the third bar portion is held to the second bar portion via at least one bearing, wherein the at least one bearing is held in place by a retaining clip comprising a first plate welded to a first side of the second bar portion, a second plate welded to a second side of the second bar portion, and a third plate extending between the first plate and the second plate, wherein the first, second, and third plates form a space wherein the at least one bearing is held within the space.