GB191004195A - Improvements in Automatic Couplings for Railway Vehicles. - Google Patents

Abstract

4195. Boirault, L. Feb. 22, 1909, [Convention date]. Combined buffer and draw gear; couplings, automatic. - Railway-vehicle couplings, more particularly those provided with transverse coupling-bolts operated by a cross-bar or lever subjected to the action of a buffer spring acting by torsion and compression, are provided with means for adjusting the torsion of the buffer spring at the time of fitting. The volute buffer spring 22, Figs. 1 and 2, is arranged between a plate 24, forming part of the framework of the coupling, and the boss 23 of a lever 21, which is mounted at the rear of the front coupling-face and controls the coupling-bolts 20. The larger end of the spring is seated in a ring 25, which engages the end of the spring by means of a hook 26 and may be rotated in one direction to regulate the torsion of the spring by a key engaging notches 28 in the ring, or by a gripping-device integral with the ring. Backward rotation of the ring 25 may be prevented by a spring bolt 27, which engages with notches 28 or with teeth formed on the ring. The Specification as open to inspection under Section 91 (3) (a) contains a reference to Specification 21,546/00, and comprises also an arrangement of coupling-washers on the faces of the coupling for connecting-up the brake and steam-heating conduits. The coupling-face 1. Fig. 1 (cancelled), having coupling-hooks 2 and cavities 3 arranged diagonally as shown, is provided with three coupling-washers arranged upon a vertical centre line, the two upper washers 6 being used for connecting the brakepipes, and the lowest washer 14 for the steamconduit. The rubber washers 6 are L-shaped in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 2 (cancelled), and are secured between a circular rib 7 on the coupling-face and a screwed socket 8. The aperture is provided with a valve 9, which is closed by a spring when the coupling is uncoupled so as to exclude dust &c., but is opened automatically during coupling by the contact of its stem 11 with the stem of a similar valve on the opposing coupling. When the coupling is established, the, air pressure acts upon the integral grooves of the washers 6 to form a tight joint. The conduit 12 from the central washer 6 opens at the end of one of the trunnions 5 of the coupling. The washer 14 is of hard rubber, and Z-shaped in cross-section. as shown in Fig. 4 (cancelled), being held between screwed sockets 15, 16. The socket 16 is screwed into a stop-washer 18, and is pressed outwards when uncoupled by a spring 17. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.