US1173997A - Coupling. - Google Patents

Description

Jul.. COBB.

COUPLING. APPLICATION FAILED SEPT. u, 1913.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

MwN

J. L. COBB.

COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.11. 191s.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

5 sHEETs-sHEET'z.

J. Ll COBB.

COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. II. I9IA3.

Patented Feb.,29, 1916'.

kvm@ w @w I I. I.. COBBI couPLmG. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I I. 1,9113-l 5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Patente@ 1feb.29,1916.V

JIA L. COBB.

COUPLING. APPucAnoN meu sEPT. 11.11913.

V Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

5 SHEETS-suur s.

' ,fren STATES PATENT' OFFICE.'

JOHNr 1.. COBB, or :nos ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, assieizoza 'ro AUTOMATIC Ain-Loon or ARIZONA.

rnnjmfnriis oournnas COMPANY, or Los ANGELES, crimroanm, A conronarron CQUPLING;

Gontinnation ot application Serial No. 672,005, led `January 1 2, 1 191s. serial No. 789,240.

.To all whom t mayconcern:y I l Be it known that I, JOHN L. COBB, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles,

- train pipe couplers adapted for coupling cuits, or the like, between cars of a train;-

.and this invention conslsts 1n various 1'm' either fluid pressure pipes, electrical cirproyements to produce a coupler which is simple of construction and operation, of long wearing qualities and certain of action.

My coupler is particularly adapted for the' coupling of train pipe and other fluid lpressure pipes and of electrical circuits between the cars of a train; and its mechanism is so arranged that, when the couplers are 'in engagement, the trainpipe air pressure or other. fluid'` pressure, will hold the coupling elements together to` form an efficient joint. I am aware of construction in which it has been proposed to use train pipe pressure to hold coupling elements together; but my invention includes not only improvementsto render tra-in ipe coupling more elicient, but also to inc udethe' possibility of making electrical connections through the same coupler.

Besides numerous minor distinctions there are several fundamental distinctions of my present invention `which I wish to herein particularly emphasize.

My improved Vcoupler is formed of a air of duplicate coupling elements, each inc uding a frame with a flared guidemouth and a tapered guide ton ue, the mouths 4and `tongues yof the opposing elements adapted to cooperate; and va jointforrning member,

or pressure carrying box with ports, .which is movably mounted upon the frame, and preferably pivoted thereon; and coperating means on the tongues and on the joint y:forming members adapted to move the joint forming members away from eachother as the tongues and mouths come into their interlocking positions, and adapted to press' the joint or'ming members toward each otherv at the end of said movement. When the joint forming members are pressed 1n- Wijrdly toward each other, thereis a reaction pressure outwardly o f the tongues away Specification of Letters, Patent Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

912. lThis unification,iled September 11,l n

from each other and the tonguesare thus` Apressed outwardly so that notches in their outer faces are pressed. tightly into engage`v ment with yokes which yare carried on' the back ofthejoint forming members. In this manner, the coupling elements are interlocked by mechanical action, and the joint forming members are pressed together by tive feature which l call attention.

`Another distinctive :featurev to rwhich I 'mechanical action; and this is one distinc- I call attention is the use of' iiuid pressure actuated meanswhicli acts to press the ltongues. and the joint forming members apart. from each other, acting to press the tongues outwardly andthe joint forming members inwardly so that the ljoint forming members are pressed tightl intoI engagement with .each other and t e tongues are pressed outwardly so as to tightly engage their notches with the yokes carried by the joint forming members. Preferably, this part of my apparatus takes the form of dilphragms mounted upon the 'joint forining members and conimnnicating with the forming member presses outwardly against the tongue of the opposing coupling ele-v ment.

Another fundamental matterfof distinc tion and-one whlch l consider most important, is the manner in which the parts of my coupler are mounted and the manner of connections with the pipes .ofthe train.

I have said that ,thejoint forming member is pivoted on the frame member of leach coupler element; I also pivotally 'support the frame on an axis coincident with :the

laxis of the joint .forming member; and the pipes are connected'A to the joint forming member bv universal joints (ball and socket joints)z whichhave their centers of movement on the said axis.v This construction makes all "the parts swing about a single axis, 'fwhich'action at once lnsures simplicity of movement and a -minimum of complica-A tions. 'When "the o'int forming member moves2 `it .swimY a out the pivots `of the en. the frame member and the movement of neither part can disarrange any of the other parts as all the relatively moving parts are connected together along this one axis.

There are several other features of great practical importance, among which l may enumerate, (l) the pivotal mounting of the 'sio of all springs and all spring devices from the improved coupler, and (d) the general practicability and accessibility of allthe parts, including particularly the provision for removal of the joint gaskets without the necessity of uiicoupling a train.

With these general features explained, the advantages of various details of construction will be most readily apparent. j v

I have illustrated preferred forms of my device in the accompanying drawings, 1n

' which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved coupler in connected position attached to an ordinary car coupler and to the .bars'll of' `any*fici-diriary construction.

draw bars of such coupler. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation showing the couplerin connected position with parts in section showing my improved coupler alone. Fig. 3 is a section taken as indicated by line 3-73 of Fig. 2, showing the couplingelements 1n complete interlocked position. Fig. e 1 s a section similar to that of Fig. 3, showing the coupling 'elements as they appear when moving into their j interlocking position. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section taken as 1ndicated by line 5--5 of Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view taken as indicated by line 6-6 of Fig. '4 and illustrating the means of withdrawal of the joint gaskets. Figs. 7 and 8 are detail sections showing the construction of the special valve on the train pipe line, such special valve being for the purpose of relieving the pressure which holds the coupling elements together. Fig. 9 is a detail section showing the preferred construction ci' the longitudinal slip joint in the ltrain brake pipe. Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig. 4 showing the application of electrical connections in my coupler.

Referring now particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 may generally designate an ordinary car coupler, the interlockig heais`,e iyhliicli are mountedon draIug will be understood that the lrawpliars 11 and theeoupier 10 are sin placed as to always effect `interlmlrin or f* thtcoupler elements within all possible variations of position including relative vertical displacement orI the two couplerheads; and it will also be understood that my device is hung so that it will properly interlock under all conditions in which the car coupler will interlock.

In my 4improved form of coupler, the various fluid pressure pipes 20, 21 and 22 are all hung from the draw bars 11, in suitable .vertical frames 24, wherein there are sliders 25 which allow a' certain movement vertically of the pipes to accommodate any necessary vertical movement of the coupling elements. My couplingelements are hung upon vertical ways or frames 26 so as t0 be allowed a certain limited vertical movement.

and they are supported directly from the ear coupler heads in any preferred manner, sucli as by having the ways 26 in U-shape,

so that the coupler elements may rest upon l ments, but also for any variation in the ex- ,y tent to which the cars must approach each` other in order to be coupled together.

Each of my couplerelements includes aV frame designated generally by the letter A and a joint forming member designated generally by the letter B. This joint forming` member carries the ports and gaskets or electrical contacts which co-engageto couple uid pressure or electrical circuits between cars of a train. The frame of each element includes a flaring `mouth' 30 terminating rearwardly ina contracted throat 31, and a tongue 32; and respective guide tongues and guide mouths of opposing elements being adapted to cooperate with each other as is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The

guide tongue of each element is adapted to enter the guide mouth of the other element;

and it will be noted that the guide mouths' are flared both laterally and vertically and that the tongues 'are wedgeshaped in a vertical planewith the general effect that'the ton ies will enter the mouths within wide. limits of divergence of the opposin elements from vertical alinement, an the wedge shape of the tongues will cause the raising of the lower element to the level upon `which the uppermost element may be supported. This vertical discrepancy of position may be due to the draw vhairs and coupler heads hanging slightly -hgher on one car than on another, or may be due to unevenness of road bed; and Vin any case,

the guide tongues are sufciently wedgeshaped to aline the opposing elements .ver-

.tically as they come into their interlocking position.

Each of the frames A is mounted upon a suitable .vertical pivot formed lby hollow split trunnions having bearings in lates 41 which are adapted toslide vertica ly in the ways'26. The plates 41 have projecting ears or lugs 41 which confine them lto the guides; but the plates 4l t loosely in the guides as is best shown in Fig. 3, so that thel are split longitudinally, being held together y by their confinement in the plates 41. 'The pins 45-prevent the plates 41 slipping ofi' the trunnions; and it is seen to be only necessary to remove the pins 45 when the plates 41 may beremoved from the trunnions and the trunnions taken apart to allow the removal ofthe pivots46 of the joint forming members B. The joint forming members B are mounted solely upon these pivots 46, concentric with the pivots of the frames; and it will be noted in Figs. 3 and 4 that the joint forming faces '5 0 of the members B are normally in the plane determined by the vertical axes of the pivots 46. (In Fig. 3 the space between the joint forming `surfaces is exaggerated for clarity of` illustration.)

The joint forming members BA are ,j mounted upon their pivots or trunnions 46 i' in the hollow trunnions 40 so that the members B are allowed a limited pivotal movement on the frame members A. These members B are preferably provided with one or more duid pressure passages; in the present case I have shown three fluid pressure passages or compartments 55, 56 and 57, respectively for the signal pipe, the

ltrain brake pipe and the steam pipe, (or

I may use one or more of these passages for electric conductors). I provide an open space 57l between the steam and air compartment to insulate the steam compartment fronithe'remainder of the member B and tolkeep the joint forming gaskets from deterioration by heat. Each of the pipes 20, v2l'and 22'connects through the medium of the ball and` socket joint 58 with its corresponding passage inthe member B: and these passages have ports 59, G0-and 61 leading through the wall of the member B to the joint vforming face 50. thereof, (or, in case of electrical connections, contact heads take the place of one or more of these gaskets). The port 61 for lthe steam passage is provided with a suitable gasket 62 of the general design shown particularly in Fig. 5; while the ports 59 and 60 are provided with suitable gaskets 63 which are carried in removable slides 64 set in the face 50 of member B. The slides 64 are of any suitable shape, being preferably dvetailed into member B, so that they may be, removed by sliding upwardly without the necessity of uncoupling the coupler elements. The steam passage 57 is provided with a small condensation drainage valve 110 at yits lowest point. This yalve is preferably a simple cone valve mounted in. a. removable plug 111 iand normally opened byaspring .112, when kthe steam pressure is released to allow the condensation to drain out. When the steam pressure is turned on, the valve is immediately -forced. closed.

At this .point I wish to call particular attention to the pivoting of the coupler frame and the joint forming member and the universal connection of the pipes with the joint iforming member concentrically with said pivots. The drawings show the concentric pivoting of the frames andA joint forming members; my preferred construction of hollow trunnions being herein described. And the drawings also show the universal joints with their centers on' the single. pivot axis. This construction provides for all the parts, one single movement aboutv a common axis; and `the fact that Athis axis is common to all the movingparts On the back side 'of each member B, the

side opposite the joint face 50, I provide a diaphragm 70 shown best in Figs. 3, 4 .and 5. lThese diaphragms. are preferably constructed with double diaphragm'plates 71 and 72with a follower plate or disk 73 between them. The whole diaphragm construction is mounted in a plug 74 which is inserted in the outer wall of the member B,- so as to be easily removable'. My double diaphragm construction provides that no water or dust may reach the inner diaphragm plate 72, thus preservingj the diaphragm plate against deterioration which mighteventually causeleakage of the pressure from the compartment'. Itl will be seen that the outer diaphragm plate 7]?"i's is exposed to air pressurein the passage 56. When air pressure is admitted to the coupier, the diaphragms are pressed outwardly as shown in Fig. 3, and the outer plates 72 press against the inner face of the tongues 32, having a tendency to press the ton es outwardly and to press the members lguin toward each other.

The tongues 32 are each provided with a central longitudinal rib 80 having a notch or depression 81 therein, 4which notch is adapted to register with a small projecting lip 83 on the yoke bar 84, which yoke bar is carried on the back face of each member B, and spaced therefrom; so that the tongues may enter between the yokes and the back faces of the members B. As the coupling .elements come into their interlocking position, the tongues 32 enter the flaring mouths 30 and then pass through the throats 31 as .illustrated in Fig. 4; thus generally alining the coupling elements an bringing them into correct relative position to accurately interlock. In the position illustrated in Fig. 4 ,the tongues are just about to enter beneath the yokes 84; and it will be seen that the surfaces .80x of the lips 80 will engage the lips 83 of the yokes 84; the tongues are thus thrown toward each other Aand the members B are thrownoutwardly away from each other. Throwing the members B outwardly away from each other places the gaskets 63 wherethey will not strikeA or rub over each other as the device is coming into final interlocking position. As the elements reach their final positions, shown in Fig. 3, the inner sides of the endsof the tongue 32 ride up over inclined surfaces `the notches 81.

86, reaching ltheir finalpositions just as the notches 81 reach the lips 83; with the effect that the members B are pushed inwardly' toward each other, moving on their .pivots 46, and the tongues 32 are forced outwardly and the yokes 84 follow the members B inwardly so that the lips 83 are forced into It will be noted that the 1ips83 have beveled shoulders 83; and this is for the purpose of allowing the elements B to be pulled apart should they be suhjected to any great pulling strain, as when a train breaks apart; while under all ordinary conditions, the elements are held together sufficiently tightly to make them one solid and rigid whole. are interlocked, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5,

lair pressure is admitted to the passages 56,

the diaphragme bulge outwardly and press against the inner faces of the tongues 32. This action presses the tongues tightly into engagement with the yokesBl, pressing the yokes outwardly away from 9fach other and pressing the members B inwardly toward each other. Thishus the general olfect of locking the elements tightly together und pressing the gaskets tightly face'to face to llhen the elements` form fluid tight connection between the coupling elements. By relieving the fluid ressure, the elements are easily separable rom each other; although, as hereinbetore stated, they may be pulled apart even when the pressure is on by a sufiiciently great force. It will be understood that the J anney coupler primarily holds my coupler together; the devices I herein'explain are intended merely to hold my coupler elements in interlocked position against accidental displacement, such as by vibration, etc., and to hold the gaskets in tight and proper engagement.` It is not intended that my coupler elements should be so tightly locked together that, should the Janney coupler part, any considerable strain would be imparted upon the coupler elements', the train pipes or the various supports. If the J anney coupler parts, my coupler will immediately pull apart. This provision obviates all pos- `sibility of broken train pipe or electrical connections. which would have to be repaired before the broken train .could be again coupled together.

In Fig. 7 I have shown in detail one ot the valves 90 which controlsthe train pipe pressure linel 21. The other valves 91 which control the signal pipe and the steam hoating pipe are of ordinary construction; but the valve 90 is of special construction to relieve the pressure from the passages ell and from the diaphragm 70 when the valves 90 are closed, so as tofacilitate .easy uncou-pling of the couplers. The valve 90 has an ordinary body 92, but its' plug 93, in addition to the ordinary passage 94 therethrough, is provided with a small bypass 95 which will register with the passage through the body 92 when the valve is turned to its closed position. This bypass 95 leads out to atmosphere through the plug 93; with the effect that the pressure from the coupler f compartment 56 will pass back through pipe 21 and through the bypass 95 to atmosphere.

Each of the pipes 20, 21 and 22 has a slip joint 100, and the slip joints 100* on the air pipe 21 are constructed as is particularly` shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, with pistons 101,`the pressure on which tends to press the coupling elements forwardly toward euch other. tioncd, the Coupling elements are more or less loosely hung upon the ways 26; and the effect of the slip joints 100L withtheir pistons is topress the coupling elements forwardly.: thus, a certain amount of longitudinal discrepancy of position is provided for, the coupling elements properl \r acting ii' the Janney coupler heads should slightly var v in their approach to ouch other.

Fig. 1() of the drawings shows how my coupler muy he used in effecting electrical connection between coupled .,c'al's. Preferablyin the upper passage'or compartment Limbo-"z,

55, I place my electric conductors 150 which' lead to suitable insulated yContactv heads 140 mounted in v that compartment. These heads may be of any preferred design and may make any desired kind of contact; I have shown a simple head mounted yon a stem 141 rand pressedforwardly by a. spring 14:2 There` may beany desired number of contactsl and corresponding number of-cir cuits.,- When the joint forming members are pressed together the opposing contact heads are pressed together- The action of the coupler is the same as hereinbefore 'describedg-the only point'of difference beingV `the substitution of electricalcircuits and .electrical contacts forv the fluid pipes and preferred form of yflared mouth and forming a' guide tongue' adapted. toenter theiiared mouth of the other element, a joint formingv memberpivoted on the frame andA having a' jointnform- `ing sideface, a train pipe connected to the.

joint forming member bya ball"joint, a

slip jointin the train pipe, "therebeix'igv a passage leading from the ball .jointthrough the joint forming member to said-,"face, and

pressure operated members -on `said joint forming members, said members. adapted vto press outwardly against :theD guide tongues and .press the said joint forming faces togather.`

. '3. In a train pipejcoupler, joint `forming heads connected `to the ends ofthe train pipesby ball joints and ,having jointfformf mgl surfaces on their'sidesfslip` joints in the train pipes, frames' pivotally 'connected to said heads andadapted to meet side, face vto side ,faceon a line-with the pipes, said' of the guideton L e e t tongues outward y and' press theljoint heads frames formingl guide.' ways hatingsuitable mouths'and guide tongues adapted to enter said mouths, there being passages from i the pipesthrough said ,heads to/t'he joint forming side.l faces of the joint heads,yokes` i carried by said heads for engaging they outer f' sidesfof `the guide tongues, meansfjcarriedj .by said heads for engagngvthe inner vendet es so as 'to ',pres'sthe guide ,toward each other, andL diaphragme extending outwardly fromfthe;Y joint' ,fornng headsand communicating with the'l pres 'wardly ngainst the .guide yto'ngu'esand 'press' the joint heads together.

4. In a train pipe coupler, a coupler mem'- ber haring a yflaring mouth and a contracted throat, a parallel guide plate at one side in such a position that it will enter the throat ofV an opposin coupler niember,` 'a pivoted member Within the coupler member "having compartments therein and ports 'leading therefrom laterally so that the'ports Y of opjuising"couplers coincide with leach other, and means for bringing the contact faces; ofthe pivoted `membersinto vintimate contact with each other.4

5. Ina tralnpipe coupler, a coupler'member having aflaring mouth and av contracted throat, a parallel guide -plate at one side in such: a "position that it will enter-the throatof an opposing coupler momberf,'the

ou'tside'iof tliegide plate hayin'g'b depresj sion, 'al pivoted 'member within said coupli'n ymember having compartments therein an ports leading therefromI laterally so that the ports of 'opposing .couplers registerwith ea'ch other, a bar on the outer'side-ofthel pivvoted member provided withr a tongue which is "adapted to enter the depression in the guide plate of an opposing lcknrpler member,-

.sure pori-3s, 'so that when the` pressure. `is

tur'ne j on the diaphrag'xns' will press. outof thepivoted mem rs of opposing'c0117-,l

andmeuns vf'fr'brining the contact faces plers into Contact wit. eachother.

6. Ina train pipe coupler, a pair of cpu pling members, comprising :interlocking frames and joint' formin ymembersniova'bly mounted thereon,vl and uid pressure loperated means earried by'eacli joint forming member. and adapted to' press against the interlocking frame of'l the 'other coupling- .lneinber to press the joint forming'members together.

loo

A'2,'. In a' train pipe coupleigfa"pairoff'couf i pling members, comprising inter-'locking frames and/joint forming 'members piv` otallyl mounted thereon` and luidfpressure operated-means carried by each joint'f'orm# I ing' member Iand adapted to press" against the'v interlocking 'frame' ofthe other coupling ress the joint form-ing"v mem# l j 8 In a trainlpipecoupler, a' pair of duplilocking. rames,ljoint forming membersipiv- "otallyg mounted thereon an v' having'ports adapted' to register with each "other, and' cooperating meansl on 'f the framesA 'and f joint "catecoupling members, comprising" inter- "foming members `forholcling the? members )apart as 'the' coupling"l members come `Linto'finf tx'arlockingl 'positlon and to allow"l thefi'nembers.

.j 'iconic together when in' interlockinglasfifiolify j f 9; Inatr'ampipe coupler, a' palrofdupln frames having 'gudeimouthsand cate f coupling members, comprising nterguide tongues adapted to' enter the mouths, pressure carrying boxes pivoted` oii the frames having ports adapted to co-registcr, coperatingmeans on the frames and boxes for holding the boites apart as the coupling members come into interlocking position and to allow the boxes to come together when in interlocking position, and Huid `pressure operating means on the boxes and each pressing against the tongues of the other coupling member to press the boxes together.

l0. In a train pipe coupler, duplicate ele- `ments each comprising an outer pivotal ing contact faces which communicatewith the ports of asimilar coupler, means for holding the contact faces from sliding contact .vhilc the opposing members are moving j together, and means operating at the iinal longitudinal movement of the opposing couplers tobi-ing the contact faces together by a lateral movement.

412. In a train pipe coupler, an inner and an outer member pivotally mounted together the inner member having contact surfaces and pressure fluid conduits leading to said contact faces with communicating ports cthrough saidcontact faces, the outer member` having a contact surface, normally on a vertical longitudinal linev with the contact surface of the inner member, the outer member having an open Haring mouth and a guide way to one side of the contact surface, and a guide plate to the other side of the contact surface, said guide plate being Wedge-shaped, so that it will enter the flaring mouth of the similar opposing coupler and vertically center the opposing ports of the inner member.

13. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate couling elements comprising. interlocking' rames, joint forming members movable thereon, and means carried by each frame and member of the duplicate element adapted to zo-engage to keep the saidmembers apart during the interlocking movement of the frames and to positively force the said members together at the end of said movenient by virtue of said movement.

I4. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate couplrng elements each comprising a frame and a joint forming member movable thereon,

each frame including a guide mouth and a corresponding guide tongue, means on ech joint forming member to engage the outer face of the guide tongue of the other coupling element to hold the said members apart during the interlocking movement of the elements, and means on 'each joint forming member to engage the inner face of the guide tongue to force said members together at the end of said movement.

15. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate coupling elements each comprising a frame and a joint forming member movable thereon, each frame including a guide mouth and a corresponding guide tongue, a yoke on each joint forming box, the guide tongue of the opposing coupling element adapted to pass between the yoke and the said member, there being a notch in the outer :tace of each tongue adapted to receive the corresponding yoke, and an inclined surface on the face of each joint forming member adapted to engage the corresponding tongue to press the member away from the tongue.`

16. In a coupler, a pair of .duplicate coupling elements each comprising a frame havingl a guide mouth and a corresponding yguide tongue, a joint forming member pivoted on said frame, said member having a joint forming surface adapted to be pressed together, a yoke carried by each member `spaced from its side opposite the joint forming face, the space between the yoke and said side lying near the guide mouth of the corresponding frame so that when the guide tongues enter the guide mouths, the guide ton ues enter said yolrc spaces, and inclined sur aces on said eide-s of the joint forming members over which the ends of the tongues are adapted to ride, the tongues having notches adaptciil to register with the yolies when their ends ride over the said inclined surfaces.

17. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate'cow pling elements each comprising a pivotally supported frame, said frames adapted to interlock, a joint forming member -pivoted on an axis coincident with the airis of the frame pivot, and means for forcing said joint forming members-toward each other when the frames are interlocked.

V 18. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate coupling elements each comprising a pivotally supported frame, said frames adapted to interlock with each other, "a joint forming member pivotallysupported on the frame on an axis coincident with the frame axis, and universal j oint` connection with the joint forming member, said universal joint having its center on said pivot axis of the frame and joint forming member.A i c 19;` In'acoupler, a pair of duplicate coupling lements each comprising a :traine pivg'iall supported on a'vertical airis, vertically slida le supporting means toi said axis, a

yiis

joint-, forming member pivotally supported on said frame on anaxis coincident With the trame axis, said joint forming member hav 4ing fluid passages therethrough vand having of movement on said axis of the frame and the joint forming member.

20. In a coupler, a pair of duplicate coupling elements each comprising a pivotally supported frame, said frames adapted to interlock by movement Vlongitudinally toward each other, a joint forming memberpivoted on an axis coincident'witlithe axis of the frame pivot, each joint forming member having a joint forming face normally in the plane determinedby the' said axis and parallel to the longitudinal*interlocking movelment of the frames, and means for forcing said joint forming rmembers tovvard each other when 4the frames are interlocked. 21. In a train pipe coupler, a lpair .of duplicate coupling elements each comprising a frame pivotally supported upony a vertical axis, said frames adapted to interlock by movement .toward each other in the plane of their axes, a joint forming member pivoted on the frame concentrically ivitli the framei` axis and khaving a joint forming surface normally inthe plane of said axes, c'opera'tingf means on the frames andinembers to hold said members transversely apart duringv their movement toward each other, 4 and means to force said' members transversely together.

22. In a train' pipe couplena pair ofdu--'` plicate` coupling elements each comprising a' frame-pivotally' supportedupon a vertical axis, said frames adaptedlto interlock movement toward each other in the plane `of their axes, a joint forming member pivoted on the frame concentrically with the ,frame axis and having a joint forming surface norI inally in the plane of saidvaxes, there being iiuid passages through said lmember and ports inits joint formiiigsurface, universal train pipel member aving its cent'er ofmovement in said vertical axis, coperating means on'the frames andmembers to hold whe said mem-y bers transversely apart during their movement toward each other, and means to force said members transversely` together.

23` A train pipe coupling, comprising a" coupler vhead,`a pivoted air box mountedj Y t "the upper" and lower ends of said pivot so thereon, connections fromvsaid air 'box to suitable source of pressure supply, land. means for forcing said air box laterallv` into engagement with a similar box adapted to be operated-by means 'on' theA cooperating l coupler. V f

connection with thefjoint forming4 24. A train pipe coupler, 'comprising a pivoted air box mounted in said head and secured ,thereim said air box being provided ivitli` l`a"plurality of chambers having two series of ports, pivotal connections from one of said" series of ports, connecting the `chambersto suitable sourcesof fluid 'uiide V pressure, 'slidable connections -finterposed iii 'Said' connections, inclosi-ng Walls in said head tolimit the movement of said air box, and means to positively operate said air box when coupled to insurea complete operable contanti f t 25. gAtrain pipe coupling, comprising a hanger, head vmovably mounted therein provided with guiding" lugs having bores and [a pliirality of 'Walls terminating in a Haring hood, and also forming an iiiclosure,

a' guide arm adapted' to enter the hood of an adjoining head, an apeitiired airbox mounted in said inclosiire and pivoted in saidbores, and'mans to force said box in 4 contact-.with an adjoining box when the apertures tilierein| register.

' 26-. train pipe* coupling, comprising a. hanger, ahead slidably moiiiited'therein provided ,witli. a .plurality of apertiired cliambeis,`aiid oppositely disposed guiding 'lugs' on the top and bottoni of saidvlhead, 'having side wallsjoonneeting the top and 27'; In acoiipler, a pair of inter-engaging coupleiyelemeii'ts each carrying a frame, a vertical 'pivot for said frame, 4a movable joint ,forming member mounted in` the frame, and moiii'itings for the upper and lower'Y ends kof `the -vertical' pivot allowing yrelative horizontal movements of the upper Aand lower ends Aof said pivot so v that the" 'frames may adjiistthemselvesfto each other when interlocking. f 28. In a coupler, a pair of inter-engaging coupler elements carrying a frame; a vertical, pivot for said 'fra-ine; a ymovable joint forming member mounted in thev frame on `Vsaid vertical pivot,l and mountings for the '12o Vupper and lower ends ofthe `vertical pivot allowingrelative horizontal movements of that the frames may. 'adjust themselves to eac-h otlie'rfwhen i'nterlocking'.v 29.In a coupler, a pair vof inter-engaging coupler elements :carrying anframe, a vertical pivot for said frame, a movable joint forming member ymounted in the frame,

hanger, a head slidably mounted therein, ja fiuid` pressureineans carried by each joint 13o forming member to press against the frame of the other member to press the joint orming members together, and mountings for the upper and ower ends of the Vertical pivot allowing relative horizontal move ments of the upper and lower ends of said pivot so that the frames may adjust themselves to each other when interlocking.

30.V In a coupler, a pair of inter-engaging coupler elements each embodying a frame, a vertical pivot for said yframe, 'a movable joint forming member mounted in the frame on said vertical pivot, train pipes connected to said joint forming members by universal joints arranged substantially on the axis of said ver-tica pivot, and mountings for'the upper and lower ends of the vertical pivot allowing relative horizontal movements of the upper and lower ends of said pivot so that the frames may adjust themselves to each other when interlocking.' l

31. In a coupler, a pair of inter-engaging coupler elements each embodying a frame, a vertical pivot for said frame, a movable joint forming member mounted in the frame on said vertical pivot, train pipes connected to said joint forming member by universal joints arranged substantially on the axis of said vertical pivot, ylongitudinal expansion joints in said pipes, and mountings for the per and lower ends of the vertical pivot u vallowing relative horizontal movements of the upper and lower ends of said pivot so that the frames may adjust themselves to each other when interlocking.

Inra coupler, an element embodying a frame',"a joint forming member pivoted thereto on ai transverse pivot having a lateral joint forming surface, and means for forcing said member laterally about its pivotal mounting into engagement with a joint forming surface of another element.

33.In a coupler, an element embodying a frame, a pivotal mounting for the frame embodying transverse vertical pivot, a joint forming member in the frame pivotally mounted on said pivot having a lateral vertical joint forming surface, and means for forcing said member laterally about its pivotal mounting into engagement with a joint forming surface of another element.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 12th day of August, 1913.

JOHN L. COBB.

i Witnesses: JAMES. T. Bamrnmiw, ELwoon H. Baiuinmw.

Images