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[quote user="cordon"] <IMG alt=Smile src="http://cs.trains.com/trccs/emoticons/icon_smile.gif"> I didn't mean to re-start all the analysis, but now that we are here again...... I think that the angle of the large ridges (2/2A and 3/3A in my photos on page 4 of this thread above) is enough so that stretching forces (along the tracks) create considerable force at the forward end of the tang on the knuckle towards the right (as you face forward) against the lock, even though there may be some sticking between the ridges.  I don't think any sticking between the ridges would be anywhere near enough to inhibit the knuckle from opening.  Therefore a stretching force will open the knuckle when the lock is raised out of the way. I think that the reaction force (reaction to the force towards the right against the lock) is a force towards the left from ridges 2 and 3 against ridges 2A and 3A.  And those same ridges carry most of the stretching force. In addition, with the knuckle closed, ridges 1/1A and 4/4A carry any load in the location of the knuckle pin.  OTOH, with the knuckle in the open position, ridge 1 is not in contact with ridge 1A and ridge 2 is not in contact with ridge 2A; and the knuckle pin is the only thing holding the knuckle to the coupler. <IMG alt=Smile src="http://cs.trains.com/trccs/emoticons/icon_smile.gif">   <IMG alt=Smile src="http://cs.trains.com/trccs/emoticons/icon_smile.gif"> [/quote] I think we are picking up exactly where we left off.  I always had kind of a lingering feeling that there were a couple issues left unresolved.  I want to think more about your above quote, but in the meantime, consider this: In lieu of a graphic diagram, consider a clock face and compass directions for reference to the knuckle movement:   Say you are looking down on the end of a coupler with the knuckle pin on the left.  That pin is the center of a clock face.  The pulling load is applied at 3 o’clock and pulls south.  The knuckle tang is at 12 o’clock and loads east against the locking pin.  How can that force not create a reaction force that loads west against the knuckle pin at the clock center?
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