US1058759A - Mail-bag catching and delivering apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

H. KBRSHAW MAIL BAG CAICHING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

' INVENTOI? Kersham- WI TNESSES A H. KBRSHAW. MAIL BAG GATGHING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION I{L ED FEB.5,1913.

Patented Apr. 15, 19 7? 3 SHEETSSELE! iva WW/TNESSES H. KERSHAW. MAIL BAG CATCHING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

' APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1913. 1 58,759. Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 W/ZWESSES. [NYE "TOR K H, K E r- 5 h a LU. flh Br v Lib um/rm HENRY KEBSHAW, OE KEARNEY, NEW JERSEY.

MAIL-BAG OATCKING AND DELIVERING APPARATUS.

Specification 0! Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 15, .1 913.

Application filed February 5, 1818. Serial No. 746,381.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY KERSHAW, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Kearney, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Mail-Ba Catchin and Delivering Apparatus, 0 which he following is a specilicution.

My invention relates to mail bag catching and delivery apparatus.

An important object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, will both catch and deliver the mail bag or bags with the least injury to the same, and which is easy to o erate.

A further object o the invention is to provide novel means for securely and detachably holding the mail ba or bags upon the delivery means, whereby t e bag or bags cannot he accidentally disconnected therefrom, and at the same time allowin them to be quickly and easily transferre to the catching means when such catching means is brought into the proper osition.

A further object of tie invention is to improve the construction of mail bag catching apparatuses in general with a view of increasing their efficiency and durability.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be a parent during the course of the following escription.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throu bout the same, Figure 1 is a side view 0 two complete apparatuses, one carried by a car and the other arranged at a station. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view, taken at a right angle to the showing in Fig. 1, of a swinging arm and associated elements included in the delivery means. liig. 3 is a plan view of the same, the arm being disposed in its inner position. Fi 4 is a side view of the bag or he. s detacha le connecting means, the same being shown in its open position to release the bag from the arm of the delivery means. Fig. It is a plan view of the two apparatuses, showin the parts thereof arranged so that each wi deliver and catch a mail ba to and from the other. Fi 0 is a detai section taken on line 6-0 of ig. 2. Fi 7 is an enlar ed detail view of the connecting joint inclu ed in the catching means, and, Fig. 8 is a side view of the supplemental plate and associated elements.

I have shown two apparatuses, one carried by a car 8 and the other arranged at a station 9. As these apparatuses are alike, except in the manner in which the same are connected with their supports, a detail do scription of one apparatus \Vlll sullice for both, a different description, however, being;

'ven of the manner in which each apparatus is connected with its su port.

In the preferred embodiment of my in vention, each apparatus comprises delivery means, including relatively stationary horizontal arallel rods 10. The. rods 10 included in the ap aratus carried by the ear 8 are dis 086d 9. 'acent the car door opening an are rigi ly connected at their ends with brackets 11, which are in turn rigidly connected with the car. The rods 10 included in-the station apparatus, are disposed above the rods 10 included in the car apparatus, and are connected at their ends with uprights or red 10 carries at its ends shock absorbers 13. which are preferably formed of rubber.

The delivery means in each apparatus, comprises a carria e 14, adapted to slide or move longitudinalg' of the horizontal guide rods 10 such carriage being provided with gertured cars 15, to receive t 1e guide rods.

onnected with each carriage 14, by means of screws or bolts 16, is a bracket 17, as shown. This bracket carries at one end thereof spaced knuckles 18, to fit between spaced knuckles 19, formed upon an enlarged head 20, which in turn is formed u on a horizontally swinging arm 21.

1e knuckles 18 and 19 are pivotally connected. by a pintle 22. As clearly shown in Fig. 3, the bracket 17 is suitably spaced from the end of the carriage 14, which 15 adjaocnt the swinging arm .21. It. is thus seen that the arm 21 is only capable of being swung through an are 0 a circle of substantially 45, the same engaging in its inner position the end of the carriage 14 and in its outer position the end of the bracket 17. Means are provided to detachably lock the swinging arm 21 in its outer and inner position. Such means comprises a double actin pawl 28, provided at its opposite ends with spending teeth 24. This double acting pawl operates within a transverse opening 5, formed through enlarged head 20. Aaclearly shown in Fig. 8, the double acting posts 12, as shown. Each lower itln iii)

pawl 23 is disposed between spaced aper-v turcd ears or knuckles 26 carried bya. supplemental plate 27, said double acting pawl also operating through a slot 28 ormed througi the supplemental plate, as shown. A pin 29 passes through the apertured ears or muckles 26, and serves to pivotally suport the double acting pawl. The ears or knuckles 26 extend into the opening 25, as shown. The supplemental plate 27 is detachably and rigidly connected with the enlarged head by means of screws or the like. A curved leaf spring 31, is disposed above the head 20 and connected therewith as shown at 32, to extend downwardly and engage the opposite ends of the double acting pawl, to normally retain the same in a horizontal position. It is thus seen that when the arm 21 is swung to its outer )osition, the outer dc )cnding tooth 24 will engage with a tixe catch, finger or lug 83, formed upon or connected with the bracket 17, thus serving to lock the arm 21 in the outer position, as more clearly shown in Fig. 6. When the arm 21.is swung to its inner position. as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, the inner depending tooth 24 will engage with a fixed or stationary catch, finger or lug 34, connected with one end of the carriage 14, to lock the arm in the inner position. t is obvious that the arm 21 may be readily released when locked in either its outer or inner position, by proper mani ulation' of the double acting pawl 24. Eac arm 21 is provided at its outer end with a head 85, carrying spaced upper and lower extensions or bolts 36 and 37, preferably disposedin the same vertical plane. The bolt 36 is providcd with an enlarged head 38, while the bolt 37 preferably has no head.-

The numeral 89 designates detachable means for connecting a mail be or mail bags with the arm 21. Such dctac table connecting means comprises a pair of swinging members or arms 40, pivotally connected at their upper ends as shown at 41. These arms 40 are curved longitudinally outwardly for providing a large space therebetween. Formed upon the upper ends of the curved arms 40 are co-acting laws 42 having openings 43 and 44 former therethrough, to receive respectively the bolts 86 and 87. "The jaws 42 are provided it on their inner engaging faces with inter itting tongues 45, as shown. livotally connected with the lower portions of the' curved arms 40,'are inwardly extending arms 4Gand47,'as shown at '4 The arms 46 and 47 are pivotally connected at their inner ends, as shown at 49. The arm 40 is provided at its innerendwith a cylindrical head 50, fittin within a curved extension 51 of the'arm 4 ,"said arm 47'being provided with a head 52, the bolt 49 passing through the heads 50 and'52. When the arms 46 and 47 are swung upwardly their inner pivot point 49 is disposed in a horizontal lane slightly above the pivot points 48, the free end of the curved extension ,51 engaging with the arm 46 adjacent the head 49, to positively limit the further upward movement of the arms 46 and 47.

The numeral 53 designates a shield which is rigidly mounted upon the arm 47, and extends upwardly to cover and protect the heads 50 and 52, for a urpose to be hereinafter more fully descri ed.

Connected with the curved arms 40 below the pivot points 48 is a retractile coil spring 54, as shown at 55. It is thus seen that when the arms 46 and 47 are moved to their upper position, they together with the spring will securely lock the arms 40 in their outermost position. Any increased inward pull upon the lower ends of the arms 40 serves to more securely hold the arms 46 and 47 in their upper-most position, which will in turn more securely lock said arms 40, in their outer position.

The arms 40 are provided at their extreme lower ends with rin s or.cyes 56, for receiving a chain 57 or the like, which carries a book 58, having connection with a mail bag 59. Although I have shown only one mail bag connected with the chain 57 it is obvious that two or more mail bags may be just as easily connected therewith.

In each apparatus the catching means comprises a ork 60, having an ott-set portion 01 at one end thereof, which carries an enlarged head 62. This head (32 is pivotally mounted upon a carriage 03, by a bolt (34, to swing in a vertical lane. The head 62 is provided with curve slots (35, for receiving clamping or locking bolts 66, which are connected with the carria e 63. It is thus seen that the fork may is vertically adjusted to the desired an is and securely locked in such desired angu ar position by proper manipulation of the bolts (it). The carriage (33 includes a sleeve 07, carrying clamping bolt 08. In the car apparatus, the sleeve 07 is mounted upon a stub-shaft (it) which is rigidly mounted upon the car. it is thus seen that the fork 60 may be swun in a horizontal plane into and out of (he car door openin as the sleeve (37 is free to turn upon t e stub-shaft (it), the same being su ported by a fixed ring or collar 70. The sleeve 67 carries a depending arm 71, adapted to engage with stops 72 and 723. When the fork is swung to its outer position, the de iending arm 71 will engage the stop 72 ant in its inner position with stop 73, which stop 73may be in the form of u bolt. In the station a paratus, the rotatable sleeve 7 and the fixed ring are mounted upon the post 12. All other parts of the construction remain the same.

The operation of delivering the mail bag from the car delivery means to the station lib hing means, is as follows:--\Vhen the 7 included in the station apparatus into the opening between the arms of the train apparatus, such forlti0 engage the shield 53, whereby the arms d 47 will be swung downwardlv. The re mail. bag attaching means together with the ail bag is of course caught upon the fork Prior to the abov described. operation, the carriage 14 and associated nents v rre arranged at the forward ends ods 10, with respect to the .vel of the car; It is obvioiis r we fork 60 engages the shield 53, will be free to move longitudi car, whereby the delivery wit be effected with the injnries to the same and apparatus. In the event that 1 be moved longitudinally for length of the aide rods 10, the same will engage the shoe absorbing 1 cans i3 and be stopped thereby.

c5 It i t iisatching means from the stag means, the carriage 14 and :s are arranged at the near g e rods with respect to the non at travel of the car. It-is thus seen that when the fork 60 of the car catching means engages with the shield 53, the ii and associated elements will be free to be moved longitudinally inthe direcof the apparatus. The fork may now be swung inwardly through the car door opening, if desired.

It is to be understood that the form of my to be taken asa preferred example of the same, and that certain changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts ma. be resorted to without departing from t e spirit of the invention or thoscope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus fully dose my invention, I nsim:- I p In apparatus of the character described,

rec direction to the direction ration of delivering the hall tion of travel of the car, during the 'disen-' invention, herewith shown and described, is

plane and provided with a transverse opening, a double acting pawl pivotally mounted engaged by the double act-ing pawl and connected with the carriage upon opposite sides of the arm, means 'to detachably connect a mail bag with the cm, and means to operate the detachable connecting means.

3. In apparatus of the character described, a support, an arm pivotally conne: *1 therewith to swing in a substantially V. orizontal plane and provided with a transverse opening adjacent the support, a double acting pawl pivotally connected with the arm and operating within the transverse" opening, stationary catches connected with the support upon 0 posite sides of the arm to be engaged by t 1e double oting pawl, a spring to normally hold the double acting pawl in its horizontal position, means detachably connecting a mail bag with thearm and means to operate the mailbag connecting means, 4. In apparatus of the character described, an arm pivotally connected therewith to ,swing in a substantially horizontal pl? and provided with a transverse openin adjacent the support, a supplemental plate pawl mountedbetween the spaced apertured ears, :1 pin passing through the spaced apertured ears and the double acting pawl, a lea i. spring connected with the arm and extend ing downwardly at its opposite ends to engage the opposite ends of the double acting pawl, stationa catches connected with the support and 'dlSPOSBd upon opposite sides of the arm to be engaged by the double acting pawl, means for detachably connecting a mailbag with the arm, and means for operating the mail ba connectingmeans.

5. In apparatus of t e character described, a plurality of substantially horizontally arranged spaced guide rods, a carriage mounted'to move longitudinally of the guide rods and provided with apertured ears for receiving the same, an arm pivotally connected with the carriage to swing in a substantially horizontal plane with relation thereto, means to lock the arm in its inner and outer positions with relation to the car ria means for detachably connecting mail bag with the arm, and means toopei the mail bag connecting means.

In apparatus of the character scribed, a suitably supp arm, a l ally extending element c a. pair of non-crossing 1 jaws adaptedto with to swing in a substantially horizontal within the transverse opening, catches to be carrying spaced apertured ears extending lnto the transverse opening, a double acting .7. In apparatus of the character described, a suitably su ported arm, a securing element connecte therewith, pivotally connected arms having jaws rigidly connected therewith and disposed upon the same side of the pivot point with the arms carrying them, and adapted to engage the securing elements, a pair of pivoted arms pivotally connected with the lower portions of the first named pivoted arms, means to engage the pair of pivoted arms to swing the same in one direction, and mail bag attaching means connectedwith the first named .pivoted arms.

8. 'In apparatus of the character described, a suitably supported arm, a securing element connected therewith, pivoted arms, jaws connected with the pivoted arms and adapted to engage with the securing element, inwardly extending arms pivotally connected at their inner ends and connected with the first named arms at their outer ends, means to limit the upward movement of the inwardly extending arms, means to more the inwardly extending arms in one direction, and mail bag attaching means connected with the first named arms at points below the pivotal connection of the same with the inwardly extending arms.

9. In apparatus of the character described, a suitably supported arm, a securing element connected therewith, pivoted outwardly curved arms, jaws'connected with the pivoted outwardly curved arms and adapted to engage the securing element, inwardly extending arms connected with the curved arms near the lower ends thereof and pivotally connected with each other at their inner ends, a' spring connected with the curved arms below the point of pivotal connection between the curved arms and the inwardly extending arms to draw the curved arms inwardly,the mail ba attachin means connected with the curved arms be 0w the connection ;that the same have with the spring, and means to move the inwardly extending arms in one direction.

10. In apparatus of the character de scribed, a suitably supported arm, a plurality of laterally extending securing elements connected, therewith and disposed in spaced relation in a substantially vertical plane, a pair of pivoted clamping jaws having openings formed therein to receive the laterally extending securing elements, arms connected with the clamping jaws, means to normally retain the arms in their outer positions, means to operate the first named means, and mail bag attaching means connected with said arms.

11. In apparatus of the character described, a suitably supported arm, a. device detachably connected therewith and having an opening formed therethrough, mail bag attaching means connected with the device, a catching fork to enter the opening of the device and operate parts thereof, a support with which the catching fork is pivotally connected to swing in a substantially vertical plane, and means to clamp the fork in adjustment at different vertical angular po" sitions.

12. In apparatus of the character described, a suitably supported arm, a device detachably connected therewith and having an opening formed therethrough, mail bag attaching means connected with the device, a catchin fork to enter the opening of the devicean operate parts thereof, a horizontally swinging support, means pivotally connecting the catching fork with the horizontally swinging support so that said fork may be swung in a vertical plane, means to lock the fork in adjustmentat different vertical angular positions, and means ,to lock the horizontally swinging support in adjustment at different horizontal positions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY KERSHAW.

Witnesses CHARLES C. BAXERLE, CHARLES R. Coon.

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