GB455332A - Improvements in or relating to railway coach couplings - Google Patents

Abstract

455,332. Automatic couplings for vehicles. LEOPOLD, K., 22, Moritzstrasse, Berlin. Jan. 8, 1936, No. 685. [Class 103 (v)] In an automatic coupling for railway &c. vehicles each coupler-head comprises a casing 3 having a coupling-bar 5 adapted to enter a recess in the opposed casing and to be engaged by spring-controlled catches or pawls 6, the casing also being provided centrally with a compartment through which pass pipes 20, 21, Fig. 3, for the flow of steam and for use in the vacuum or compressed air braking systems, and also conductors 23 of the lighting system. Each casing 3 is preferably flexibly supported by means of pivoted links 2 and tension springs 4 upon the shanks of buffers 1, and uncoupling is effected by admitting vacuum or compressed air from the pipe 21 to a cylinder 19 in which slides a piston 18 operatively connected to the catches 6 by a forked member 16, Fig. 1. Communication between the cylinders 19 and pipes 21 is established by pipes 22 and valves 8 which are actuated by links 33 and control rods 7 with handles 32 at the sides of the vehicles. The pipes 20, 21 are fitted with valves 27, 28 which are automatically opened when the casings 3 approach by means of levers 29 connected to plungers 30, which normally project beyond the faces of the casings, but which are forced inwardly by impact. In a modification, the valves are associated with fixed seatings and are displaced therefrom by being attached to sliding sleeves which are normally pressed outwardly from the casings by springs, but are forced inwardly when a coupling is being effected. In a similar manner the contacts of the electric conductors may be normally held in a retracted position by springs, but are forced outwardly when the vehicles approach by means of contact plungers and levers.