US1065676A - Strain-resisting mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

G. H. FORSYTH, A. G. DAVIDSON & F. S. GALLAGHER. STRAIN BESISTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.12, 1906. 1,065,676. Patented June 24,1913.

` MJ 2' 17 J3 12 21 14/ 77w19 1 ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. FORSYTH AND ARTHUR C. DAVIDSON, OF CHICAGQILLINOIS, AND FRED- BRICK S. GALLAGHER, OF COLLINWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO FORSY'IH BROTHERS COMPANY, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS. y

STRAIN-RESISTING MECHANISM.

and useful Improvement-sin Strain-Resisting Mechanisms, of which the following is.

a specification. t

' This invention relates to strain-resisting `devices for railway-cars' and other uses, and v has for its principalobject to provide an improved mechanism for .absorbing bufiing and other strains and cushioning the cars and other devices against violent and 1njurious' shocks. I

More specifically, the invention aims to yproduce a bufli'ng device wherein a gradu' ated resistance is effected."

- Another' object of the invention is to prolluce a device of the charactesA named in whichtheextent of compression that can be imparted to the lstrain-resisting spring .or springsislimited, thuspreventinginjury to said' spring orsprings from going solid or becoming set.

l Still another object of the'invention is to provide a simplified'and improved housing or support for the element of the bufting mechanism capable of incorporation in the platform casting` thus reducing the space usually required for' theseparts at the end of the car.

Other minor objects and advantages of the invention Awill be apparent from the following description, taken in, connection 40 with the accompanying drawings which 'illustrate av preferred embodiment of the invention, and in whicli,'-

Figure 1 is a plan View of the lmechanism as applied to the platform casting of arail? way car; Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section, substantially on the median line of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-section through. the platform casting on the offset line 3-3 of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrows the springs being omitted; Fig. 4 is a detail plan view of the central buffer stem and its cooperating follower, illustrating as a modification an adjusting device that may he employed; and Fig. 5 is a perspective Specification of Letters Patent.

ratenteaaune 24, 1913.

Application filed December 12, 1906. Serial No. 347,496.

view of the inner or rear follower of the buffing mechanism. Referring to the drawings, 10 (Fig. 2) may designatethe forward end portion of. one of Athe usual center sills of the underf frame of a railivav car, and 11 `designates 60 as an entirety a skeleton platform casting projecting in advance of said center sills.

. lnasmuch as this platform casting has been specially designed by' us for the housing and support of themain elements-0f 'the 65 buling mechanism properand in part constitutes the subject-matter ofourpresent ir'ivention,A we have shown and will describe the same somewhatI in detail.` This housing comprises essentially'a central or inter-me- 70 diate portion of generally box-like form, the inner or rear part -of which, ldesignated by 12,- is solid except for lthe provision-of a pair' of parallel bores 13 .which -may be round or `of other. shape and' (Fig.' 3i) vof 75 sufficient length.- and diameter' to lit and I' house the major portionyof theitwo main buHing. springs 14, While the outer or lfor- -ward' portion (Figz 3) "contain's a rectangular chamberl open at the top and 8 0 provided With aLremovablecap or dover 17 held in position bythe bolts 1 7..Inthe.

chamber 16 are housedY a pair .of front and\ rear' follower plates or blocks 18'- and 19, re-

' spectively, the former of which has a convex 85 'rear face and the latter a concave frontwface, as shown in Fig. 1. Between the Aopposed convex and concave faces ofthe-se followers is interposed a series of flatelastiemetal plates, designated by 20. l/Vithin the main l bufling springs lltvve also preferably employ a pair of smaller auxiliary springs 21, which latter are slightly shorter thanl the main springs 14, so as Yto be called intoA ac tion later during the bufling thrust.' either side of the intermedia-te box-like portion of the casting and connected thereto by horizontal webs 22 (Figs. l and 3) are a' pair of skeletonhousings 23 desi ned to accommodate 'the side stems of the buffer-100 plate, and comprise essentially parallel longitudinal ribs 24 preferably of the full depth or/thi'ckness'of the platform casting,r and transverse ribs 25 and 26, both of which are apertured for the passage of the sideV stems, the' front transverse ribs 25 constituting the portions of the front transverse Wall of the casting. Beyond and outside of the (Fig. 2) of said casting.

ing shank 32- of the coupler 33; but this latter feature may be omitted Where other means for supporting the coupler shank or drawbar are provided; and is not essential to our invention.

34 designates the movable buffer-plate, the same being supported on the forwardly projecting ends of the side stems 35 that are pivoted thereto. These side stems extend through registering apertures in the bufferblock 30, sill 2S, and transverse ribs 25 and Q6, being supported and guided therein, and within the housings 23 have' reduced portions surrounded by springs 36. These springs bear at one end against shoulders 3T on the side stems and at their other ends against the rear transverse ribs 26. The rear ends of said side stems extend somewhat beyond the ribs 2G and are encircled by springs 38 confined between the ribs 26 and nuts 39 on the ends of the stems. Springs 3S are preferably somewhat stronger than springs tiggandtheir purpose is to allow such an angular swing of the buffer-plate 34 as shall enable the two cooperating buferplates on adjacent cars of a train to remain in Contact throughout while the train is passing over a curve. 40 designates the cent-ral butter stem, -which is somewhat heavier than .the side stems and is supported and guided in apertures formed through the stationary buffer block 30, sill 28, and front wall of the platform casting, 'the inner end of said stem entering a recess 41 in the outer or front face of the forward follower 18. The outer end of said stem 40 normally contacts with the inner side' of the movable buffer-plate 34 or a. striking-plate 34 thereon, as hereinafter described.

1t will`be observed by reference to Fig. 2 that the springs 14, as likewise their contained springs 21, project sonic distance forwardly of the forward end of the.' rear por-,

tion 12 of the central housing. so that in the normal condition of the parts there is a space provided between the forward face of the. rear housing portion 12 and the rear side of the rear follower lil for the inward travel of the latter under bullngr'traius. which space less than the distance between the forward face of the stationary buffer-block 30 at its central point, and the inner side of the movableA buffer-plate 3l. From this it will be seen that when the movable buffer-plate is thrust inwardly, the rear follower 19 will move inwardly, cou.- pressing first the springs 14, subsequently compressing and meeting the added re sistance of the inner springsY 21 until the follower' strikes the forward face ot' the rear housing portion 12, after which the elastic and frietional resistance of the stronger plate springs '20 will be called into marin-al acti-ou to dampen the recoil and withstand the further inward thrust of the initier-plate. By means of the nuts on the inner ends of the side-stems-not only can the springs 3G be tensioned as desired, but the distance of the movable butler-plate 34 from thefstationary bulfer-bloek 30 can be nicely adjusted according to the extent of inward movement permitted by the yielding of the elastic resistance elements. 'lo provide adjustment arising from possible variations in the parts, as well as to act as wear strips, one or more strips 42 (Fig. 4) may be interposed between the bottom of the recess 41 of 'the front follower and the adjacent end of the central stem 40. Bythis device wear on the inner' end of the stein 40 and the consequent shortening of the extent of yielding movement of the resistance elements can be compensated for. 7e also prefer to employ between the outer end of the central stem 40and'the inner face of the movable bufferplate 34 a. striking-plate 34a that is preferably secured tosaid buffer-plate and has a convexed inner face, as shown,v adapted to coperate with the concaved outer end of the stem. To provide clearance for said striking plate, the adjacent face of the stationary buffer-block 30 may be suitably rccessed or mortised, as shown at 30 in `Fig. 2.

lVhen the parts are assembled, the butterplate 34 or the striking-plate 34a preferably normally bears under pressure against the forward end of thecentral buffer stem 40-7 whichI prevents objectionable striking of said parts together under butling thrusts. To effect this relation of the parts, the butlerplate may be drawn inwardly against the end of the central butter stem'40 by simply tightening up the nuts 89, if desired; or, the desired. adjustment may be effected by inserting or withdrawing one or more of the strips 42. The several buil'er stems are all loosely fitted in their bearings with suiiicient. clearance to permit a limited degree of angular' movement of the butler-plate so as to preserve Contact between two adjacent butlenplates in passing over curves.

ln order to afford as large an extent of contacting surface as possible. to the forward end of the spring,housingx 1;). and the rear face of the rear follower 1t).v we prefer` ably eut away the cover 1T as shown at and provide on the upper edge of t-he follower 19 a projection 192L substantially coextensive laterally with and movable through the cut. out portion of the cover. A similar depending projection 19" (Fig. 2) is also preferably emp'loyed on said follower for the saine purpose. said projection lying between the ledges 15a (Fig. S5) on which the ends of the followers and plate-springs Q0 rest.

`Vhile we havel shown and described the housing of the resistance elements as elnbodied in and cast integral with the plat-- form casting. yet. so far as the novel features of said housing are concerned it is apparent that it need not necessarily form a part of the platform casting. The operA ation of the mechanism has to a considerable extent been already set forth in the description of the mechanism itself. but may be brieflyv reviewed as follows. linder an inward thrust upon the movable buffer-plate 1li tla` springs 36 surrounding the side stems offer a limited degree of elastic resistance to the end portions of the buffer-plate, but thc main resistance is afforded by the twin coil springs 14V, the followers 18 and 19 and plate-springs 20. As soon as theY rear face of the follower 19 contacts the projecting ends of the inner auxiliary springs 21, the resistance of these latter is also added to the ii'icreasing resistance of the springs 14.. and both sets of springs cooperate in opposing the inward travel of the follower 1f) until the latter contacts the forward face of the rear housingr portion 12. This occurs before either set of springs is exhausted or goes solid, and consequently prevents'the injurious results that fiow from the setting of said springs. Further inward movementof the butler-plate is then resisted by the elasticity and friction of the group of platesprings 20 which unitedly offer a much greater spring resistance than do the coil springs, but .which are capable of bending or bowing slightly between the opposed convex and concave faces of the followers 18 and 19. so that the final portion of the inward movement of the buffer-plate is opposed by the combined resistance of the springs 1l. Q1 and 20, and at the point of farthest inward movement permitted by the spring resistance elements. the movable buffer-plate fl is brought inte substantial contact with the stationary buffer-block 30. Uponthe release of the butling strain, the several springs of course re-act to throw the buffer-plate t forwardly and maintain the same in contact with the buffer-plate on the next adjacent car. The relation of the buffer-plate 341 to the coupler i?, is preferably such that when adjacent couplers are engaged. the superposed adjacent buffer-plates engage each other under some pressure which prevents their separation and maintains a substantially continuous surface between adjacent platforms. It wille-be apparent from this description that the heavier shock-absorbing or resistance parts do not become substantially operative until the coupling is effected and the buffers reach a position at or back of the coupling line.

While we have shown but a single group o-f .plate-springs betweenand cooperating with a pair of followers, it is evident that the principle might be extended to yinclude a plurality of such groups with interposed followers, the plate-springs being of the same or of varying number and capacity. It will also be apparent that, as regards the coil springs 14 and 21. either set may be made the longer or the stronger, according to individual preference or special conditions.

lt will be observed that thc side walls of the central housing extend from end to end of the skeleton platform casting and thereby constitute in etfect reinforcing ribs for said platform casting and for the end of the car.

lt will be evident to those skilled in the art that the specific, details of the structure shown and described mightl be considerably varied within the principle of the invention and without sarritieing the benefits and ad vantages lseemed thereby. and hence we do not limit theinvcntion to the specific structure shown, except to the extent clearly indicated in specific claims.

le claim:

1. In a buffer for railway cars, a skeleton platform embodying as an integral portion thereof, a housing for the resistance elements, the forward portion whereof is of box-like form and the rear portion whereof has a plurality of longitudinal cores, in combination with a plurality of coiled resistance springs in said cores and projecting forwardly thereof, and a pair of transverse followers and interposed platesprings in said forward portion, a buffer-plate, and a thrust member between the latter and the forward one of said followers, substantially as described.

2. In a buffer for railway ears, a skeleton platform embodyingas an integral portion thereof a housing for the resistance elements, the forward portion whereof is of boxlike form and the rear portion whereof is longitudinally cored, in combination with a resistance member in said cored rear portion projecting forwardly thereof, and a pair of transverse followers and interposed plate springs in said forward portion, a buffer-plate, and a thrust 'member between the latter and the forward one of said followers, substantially :is described.

3. In a bu tfer mechanism for railway ca rs, a skeleton platform embodying as an integral portion thereof a housing for the re- 'thrust transmitting sistanee elements, the front portion o. said l housing being of box-like form and the rear portion thereof beingl lon` itudinally cored, :i resistente member in said cored portion and projectingr forwardly thereof, a pair of transverse follmvers in said front portion, a spring between said followers, :1. butler plate, and a thrust member between said l butler plate'and the front follower, substantially as described.

In a. buling" device. the combination of a buffer, a.. housing, two sets of buffer springs within said housing, the front set l comprising transversel-v-disposed bodily-I' movable spring plates ot' greater stiffness] than the springs of the rear set, a transverse t follower between said front and rear sets of springs, a fixed stop to limit the rear- Il ward movement of said follower, and a] means between the buffer and the frontset of springs, Where'- by during bufing action the front set of springs moves bodily until the follower engages the stop, thereby compressing the rear set of springs Without substantial tlexng of the plate springs and upon further pressure the plate springs may be substantially j flexed, substantially as described. J

:5. In a nailing mechanism for railway ears, the Combination of a butler having a butler-sten@ a, housing, a pair of transverse followers within said housing, a rear spring member engaging the rear follower, bodilyniovable transverse spring plates between said followers, a stop for .limitingr the reen ward travel of the rear follower and soring plates, the butler stem engaging the front follower, whereby during the initial buffing action said spring plates are bodily moved toward said rear spring' member and the latter is compressed, until said rear follower engages said stop, and during the ultimate buing action said spring plates :1re flexed `in the line of thrust, snbstantially as de scribed;

GEORGE H. FORSYTH. ARTHUR C. DAVIDSON. ,f FREDERICK S. GALLAGHER. lVitnesses to the signatures el. George H Forsyth and Arthur C. Davidson:

SAMUEL N. POND, 1 l `nrnemo1i C. GOODWIN. Witnesses to tbe signature of Frederick Gallagher:

F. Il. lflonon'rtm', C. A. BURnoUens.

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