GB190917278A - Improvements in and relating to Automatic Train Pipe Couplers. - Google Patents

Abstract

17,278. Cary, L. C. July 25, 1908, [Convention date]. Couplings, disconnectible for railway-vehicle brake, signal, and steam pipes. The coupler heads are similar and are alined by projections 13, 16 on each coupler engaging corresponding openings 14, 17 on the other. They are capable of limited vertical movement on rectangular bolts 41<a>, by which they are connected to supporting-bars 41 hung from the draw-bars 11 of the usual car-couplings by clamps 43. The bars 41, normally retracted by springs 51, are moved forwards to cause engagement of the couplers by air pressure from the main pipe acting on a piston 47 working in a cylinder 48, preferably made in two similar parts bolted together, that only in which the piston works being machined. The valve 50 controlling the air supply to the cylinder 48 may be a threeway cock, so that the cylinder can be opened to the atmosphere. Mounted in the coupler head is a transverselymovable block 19 having the required number of ports 20 with gaskets 21 held by plates 23 and connected with the main pipe lines by flexible pipes or by metal pipes with ball - and - socket joints 37. The blocks 19 are normally retracted by springs 26<a>, but are moved to make joint between the gaskets by air pressure passing from the main pipe-line through a branch 29 and acting on a piston 26 in a cylinder 27 connected to the coupler head. The cylinder 27 may be opened to the atmosphere through a cock (not shown). Cocks may be arranged to control the passage of air through the main and branch pipes separately or together. In order to prevent damage to the gaskets in the event of accidental uncoupling, the blocks 19 may be retracted by providing the projection 13 with a slot 32, Fig. 6, and cam projections 33 which engage the head of a stud (not shown) on the block 19 as uncoupling takes place. The steam pipes have traps 38 with valves (not shown) to allow escape of water of condensation. The Specification in the original form, as open to inspection under Section 91 (3) (a), describes modifications in which the rod of the piston 47 is tubular, and communicates through a flexible tube with the air-port of the coupler. thus dispensing with one pipe, and the rod of the piston 26 is tubular, supplying air to the cylinder 27, dispensing with the pipe 29. This tubular piston rod may carry rollers withsimilar function to, and in place of. the above-mentioned stud on the block 19. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.