The Janney freight car coupler Bumper Sticker

Janney couplers were first patented in 1873 by Eli H. Janney (U.S. Patent 138,405).[1][2] Andrew Jackson Beard was amongst various inventors that made a multitude of improvements to the knuckle coupler; Beard's patents were U.S. Patent 594,059 granted 23 November 1897, which then sold for approximately $50,000, and U.S. Patent 624,901 granted 16 May 1899.In 1913, American Steel Foundries (ASF) developed the Janney "Type D" coupler, that was then made the MCB standard coupler for North America; new and rebuilt rolling stock had to be fitted with this coupler. INFORMATION From Wikipedia,