GB237731A - Improvements in automatic couplings for railway vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

237,731. Floryanowicz, J. Z. Aug. 5, 1924. Couplings, automatic, convertible to non-automatic.-In an automatic coupling of the chain and hook type in which the last link of the chain is held above the hook of the opposing vehicle to be engaged therewith on impact of the buffers, the chain is adapted to be temporarily shortened by means of a manually-operated shaft for the purpose of coupling or uncoupling the vehicles when the buffers are in contact or even compressed. The end link 47, Fig. 1, of the chain coupling is connected by links 45, 43, provided with a slotted connection 48 to facili. tate coupling on curves, to an arm 40 fixed to a transverse shaft 41 provided wit.h an operating-handle 42 at the side of the vehicle and with a tooth 49 to engage with a notch in a lever 50 pivoted on a transverse shaft 51 which is provided with an arm 50<2> abutting the end of the buffer rod 52 and moved rearwardly with it on collision of the vehicles. In the set position of the coupling, the tooth 49 is engaged in the notch in the lever 50, shown in dotted lines, and on impact of the buffers the shaft 51 is rotated to release the tooth 49 and permit the chain to drop over the opposing draw-hook. A rotary transverse shaft 54 provided with L-shaped lever arms 55 is attached to the headstock and is adaptted to be rotated by a handle at the side of the vehicle to cause the arms 55 to bear against the last link of the coupling chain to shorten the coupling when the vehicles are close together. When the draw-bar is in two axially displaoeable portions, Fig. 10, as described in Specification 206,645, it is automatically extended during the lifting movement of the chain coupling by a pivoted arm 74 connected by the link 77 to the jointed rod 43, a spring 77<1>, or weight, secured to the framing of the vehicle restoring the bar to its shortened position after the coupling has been effected. The draw-bar is retained in its extended position for automatic coupling by a spring plunger 93 secured to the transverse shaft 51, the plunger being rotated with the shaft on impact of the buffers. A forked lever 90 connected to a transverse shaft 91 is adapted to bear against the part 59 of the draw-bar to shorten it and allow the coupling chain to fall after being uncoupled when the vehicles are close together.