GB161837A - Improvements relating to couplers for railway and other vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

161,837. Adams, Sir H. Goold-, and Mitchell, J. April 21, 1920. Couplings, automatic.-In a Norwegian hook type of coupling, a tight coupling is automatically maintained by means of spring pressure applied to a wedge-shaped member forming part of a locking-bar which engages with the hooked end of the hook, or with an intermediate member engaging the hooked end, or which forms the pivot pin of the hook. The buffing-heads A, B are shown coupled by means of the hook C pivoted at c engaged in the wedge-shaped locking-bar D. A spring E on the reduced end d<2> oi the locking-bar is in compression and tends to draw the wedge surface c<1> into closer engagement with the hook. A notch d<4> cut in the flat side d<1> of the wedge engages with the end f of a gravity latch F when the wedge is withdrawn for uncoupling purposes. The latch may be operated from the opposite side by the handle F'. In a modification, the wedge D may form the pivot pin of the hook C. Instead of the gravity latch F, a rack cut on the wedge D may engage a pawl pivoted on the side of the buffer head B. In another modification, the spring E is placed on a pin supported by lugs under the wedge, one end of the spring bearing against the lug and the other against the wall b<2> of the buffer head. Instead of one wedge-shaped surface on the locking-bar, two oppositely inclined surfaces may be employed so as to enable the bar to be withdrawn from either side. In another modification, the wedge-shaped locking-bar is recessed and two internally projecting pins receive the spring, one end of this, when the bar is in positicn, bearing against the inside surface of the wall b<2> of the buffer head B. The bar may actuate through its wedge surface an intermediate member, which slides horizontally and has a pin at its end for the reception of the hook. In a further modification, the wedge-shaped surface bears against the end of a bell crank lever, the other end of the lever being approximately at right angles and curved to receive the hooked end of the hook C.