GB851293A - Improvements in and relating to coupling devices for railway vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

851,293. Couplings for railway vehicles. DOWTY HYDRAULIC UNITS Ltd. May 7, 1958 [Feb. 7, 1957; Dec. 6, 1957], Nos. 4275/57 and 38050/57. Class 103(5). An automatic coupler for a railway vehicle mounting side buffers 6 is of the twin interlocking hook type engaging by inclined swing and comprises horn like guide members 18, 19 lying in a longitudinal plane, at 45 degrees for example to the vertical, whereby opposed horns 18a, 19a on an adjacent vehicle will engage with the horns 18, 19 in a crossing plane at right angles thereto, the horns converging from their outer extremities towards their inner portions which lie parallel to the longitudinal axis of the coupling, and providing gathering surfaces 23 and aligning surfaces 24, the surface 24 lying in vertical and horizontal planes which intersect at the longitudinal axis of the coupling, Fig. 3. Gravity and spring urged pivoted latches 27 interengage in the coupled position and are locked by pivoted levers 33 engaging projections 36. The levers 33 which have unlocking tail portions 41 and turn in bearing blocks 35 situated within the lower horn 19, are operated by a lever 38 and a chain 39. The latches engage with the buffers 6 slightly compressed and each horn has a buffing stop 43 which co-operate with the stops on the horns of the adjacent vehicle. An automatic vacuum pipe connection 45 slidably mounted on a block 47 is spring loaded by a rubber block 49, and the weight of the head is supported by a spring pressed plunger 53. The head is controlled in its horizontal movement by a torsion spring 56, and may be swung sideways after operating a latching lever 57 to the dotted line position, Fig. 1, to bring a hook 59 into a coupling position.