US1301397A - Buffing mechanism for cars. - Google Patents

Description

A. C. DAVIDSON. BUFFING MECHANISM FOR CARS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-27.1913.

Patented Apr, 22,1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

A. c. DAVIDSON. BUFFING MECHANISM FOR CARS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- Zh 1913- Patented Apr. 22,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNTTEI) STATES PATENT @FFTFE. ARTHUR C. DAVIDSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, IASSIG'NOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WAUGI-I DRAFT GEAR- GOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BUFFING MECHANISM FOR CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

Application filed February 27, 1913. Serial No. 750,961.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, .ARTHURC. DAvmsoN, a. citizen. of the United. States, residing at Chicago, in the. county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful'Iniprovements 1n Buffing Mechanism for Cars, of which the. following is a specification.

This invention relates to strain resisting mechanism for railway cars and the like and'has for-its object the provision of an improved arrangement for absorbing bufling and other strains and cushioning the cars against violent and injurious shocks. More specifically the invention aims to produce a buffing device whereinin an improved manner a graduated resistance is effected and in which the extent of compression which can be imparted to the spring resistance elements is limited so as to prevent injury thereto from going solid or becoming set. The invention further provides for improved gearsupporting and guiding means and gear-retaining means to prevent displacement of the elements while at the" same time affording means for their ready assembling. A

further object ofthe invention is the provision of means whereby to increase the angular flexibility of the buffer to maintain the opposed faces of the buffers carried by adjacent cars in contact when rounding sharp curves.

Other objects and advantages of the in? vention will be apparent from the accom panying drawing and the detailed description based thereon wherein is set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention. Obviously the invention is capable of embodiment in other and varied constructional forms, wherefore the drawing and description is to be construed in an illustrative and not in an unnecessarily limiting sense.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a skeleton cast steel platform embodying the invention, certain portions being shown in horizontal section;

Fig. 2 is a'vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar section on the line ie-4L of Fig. 1; i

Fig. is a fragmentary sectional detail showing therelation ofthe gear supporting and guiding members and wear plate in their relation to the spring disks; and

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing one of the members of the interlocking follower;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a composite platform frame embodying the invention;

Fig. 8 is a vertical longitudinal section taken-on the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 9-9 of Fig. .7 g and Fig. 10 is a similar section on theline 10 10 of Fig. 7 with slight modifications as to details.

In Figs. 1-6 of the drawings the invention is illustrated as embodied in a cast steel platform construction integral with the car underframe end sill and it is in this connection that the invention will be first described, although it is to be understood that the invention is capable of ei'nbodiment with the underframe structure of cars having no platforms and with composite or built-up platform frames as distinguished from an integral skeleton structure.

Herein the reference numeral 11 desig nates the end sill of a cast steel car underframe of the type now in general use, and formed integral with and projecting forwardly therefrom is a skeleton platform frame composed of a series of vertically disposed longitudinally eXtending web members 12. Spaced apart from and .in substantially parallel relation to the end sill, and formed integral with and fixed rigidly to the forward end of said longitudinal web members is a buffer beam 13 ofthe usual construction. Located upon the central portion of the buffer beamis a threshold plate 14: while in front of the buffer beam 13 is positioned a buffer 15, provided on top with a horizontal plate 16 adapted to slide beneath the threshold plate 14. The buffer 15 is carried by the forward ends of a pair of side buffer stems 17, 17, pivoted to said buffer at 18, 18, and

the central portion of the buffer bears against the forward end of a center buffer stem 1.9, all of these stems being arranged to slidefreely through alined openings 20 and 21 formed in the front and rear walls of the buffer beam 13. In line with the axis of the car and in'the space between two adjacent webs 12 which occupy such central position is mounted the buffing gear. These two web members ex tend from an integral connection with the end sill at 22 to a substantially integral connection with the buffer beam at23. Although parallel and practically straight, these members are shown as having a slight offset at 24, 24 which defines the dividing line between the forward portion 12 and the rear portion 12", the former being entirely open and the latter of a solid structure cored out to provide a pair of pockets 25, 25 each adapted to accommodate a pair of coiled concentrically arranged gear springs26 and 27. The two springs are of dissimilar length and strength, the outer spring 26 being longer and of less resistance than the inner spring 27.

The forward portions 12 of the web members 12 are provided below with inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges 28 and upon their inner walls with inwardly projecting gear-guiding or bearing ribs 29, and above for a portion of the length with inwardly projecting gear-retaining flanges 30.

Upon the flanges 28 is supported a rear follower 31 having a concave front face and a flat rear face, the latter bearing against the forward ends of the springs 26. Immediately in front of the follower 31 and bearing against its concave front face and supported by the flanges 28 is a series of fiat spring plates 32, and immediately in front of the spring plates 32 is a front follower 33 having a convex rear face bearing against the flat plate springs and provided in its front face with a recess adapted to receive the inner end of the center bufling stem 19.

A wear plate 34 may be advantageously inserted between the spring plates 32 and-the supporting flanges 28, and bearing flanges 29, the functions of the parts and their operation being the same in either case.

The front follower may also be advantageously formed of interlocking members 35 and 36 in order to facilitate the assen'ibling of the parts of the gear. The follower member 35 is provided in its front face with a recess 37 and on each side thereof with a beveled portion 38, while the follower member 36 which has a width corresponding to the distance between the beveled portions of the member 35 has upon its rear face a projection 39 adapted to enter the recess 37 and upon its front face a recess 40 adapted to receive and accommodate the rear end of the center buffing stem 19.

The gear-retaining flanges 30, it will be observed, extend but a portion of the distance from the cored housing 12 toward the front end of the open housing 12, and immediately in front of the end of the flanges 30 is arranged a gear-retaining cover plate 41 which is removably secured in place by the screws 42.

Extending laterally from and connecting the longitudinal web members 12 are integral transverse web members 43 and 44. The

transverse web members 43 are provided with apertures 45 in longitudinal alineinent with the apertures 210f the butfing beam. Vithin each of the apertures 45 is mounted a sleeve 46 having at its forward end a flange 47 which bears against the front face of the web 43 while the body of the sleeve itself extends for aconsiderable distance to the rear of the flange 43. The side stem 17 extends through the sleeve 46 and has threaded upon its rear end a nut 48 which is advantageously fixed in adjusted position by a cotter pin 49, while the coil spring 50 is mounted upon the side stem 17 so as to bear rearwardly upon the flange 47 of the sleeve 46 and forwardly upon the washer 51 which bears in turn toward the front against a shoulder 52 formed on the side stem and also against the rear face of the buffer beam.

By the arrangement of the resistance mechanism applied to the center stem and side stems of the buffer the said bufl'er previous to coupling is maintained under spring pressure in a forward position slightly in ad Vance of the coupling line, this pressure being exerted through the center stem by the initial compression of the springs 26 and through the side stems by the initial compression of the springs 50 bearing to the rear on the flange 47 and to the front on the washer 51 and the shoulder 52. \Vhen coupled the buffer is displaced to the rear, the side stem nuts 48 also traveling to the rear away from the sleeve 46, and the followers 31 and 33, and plates 32 traveling bodily to the rear upon the supporting flanges 28 and between the bearing ribs 29 until the follower 31 contacts with the springs 27 and places the latter under slight compression. Any subsequent bufiing strains serve to move both the side stems and center stem farther to the rear and such additional strains are first absorbed by the resistance of the spring 27 added to that of the spring 26 until the rear ace of the follower 31 contacts with the front portion of the cored housing 12 which arrests its rearward movement and thereafter the buffing strain is sustained by the high resistance plates 32.

When rounding short curves the rearward pressure upon that end of the buffer at the inside of the curve pushes its side stem to the rear turning the buffer upon the center stem as a pivot and throwing the opposite end of the buffer farther to the front than its normal position. Under such circumstances the sleeve 46 yields to the forward pull of the nut 48 on the side stem and travels bodily toward the front until the nut itself'engages the rear face of the web 43 thus permitting a wide range of, angular moven'ient GIT-the part of the buffer.

gear the springs 26 and 27 are first inserted iii) from the front into the pockets 25, the rear follower 31 is dropped into the forward housing through the space to the front of the gear-retaining flanges 30 and moved backward into contact with the springs. The spring plates'32 are then inserted one at a time in a similar manner and then the front follower membe 35 is dropped into place. At this time the spring members of the buffing gear are not under compression and the rearmost plates 32 are in a position to the front of the front end of the retaining flange 30. In order to place the springs under initial compression and to force all of the plates 32 far enough to the rear so as to be beneath the retaining flanges 30 suitable wedging devices are employed coacting on the one hand with the beveled faces 38 of the follower member 33 and on the other hand with the rear face of the buffer beam whereby to wedge the followers and spring plates to the rear and place the spring 26 under compression. While the wedges re main in position the follower member 36' is dropped into place in front of the follower member 35 and the wedges are then removed permitting the member 35 to spring forward and the projection 39 to enter the recess 37 The center stem 19 then engages within the recess 40 and the interlocked follower members 35 and 36 are positioned against upward displacement. The removable retaining plate ll is then secured in position and the entire buffing gear is safely housed against displacement. v

In that form of the construction shown more in detail in Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive the referencenumeral 61 designates the forward portion of the center sills of a car while 62 indicates a transverse sill or end sill. as the case may be, forming a part of the car underframe. The buffer beam 63 is mounted on the forward end of the center sills which latter form the longitudinal members of a housing to accommodate therebetween the bufiing gear. The. composite or built-up structure here shown is essentially the same so far as the present generic invention is concerned as the integral skeleton structure previously shown and described. Upon the inner walls of the center sills'6l are fixedly ecured by bolts or rivets 64 a pair of reinforcing web members 65, 65 each of which has upon its lower edge an inwardly projecting integral gear supporting flange 66 and along its upper edge an inwardly projecting gear retaining flange 67, while between its upper and lower edges it is provided with an inwardly projecting bearing orguiding rib 68.

The rear portion of the space within the housing betweenthe webs -65 is. as in the construction previously described. cored out to form pockets for the interior and exterior springs 69and 70, the front wall 71 of the pocket structure serving as a rear abutment or stop for the rear follower 72 which bears normally upon the front end of the springs 70. In front f the follower 72 in contact with its concave face and below the retainingfianges 67 is disposed upon the supporting flanges 66 a eries of spring plates 73 andin front of the spring plates and bearing thereon is the interlocking follower 74:. As in the former case the flanges 67 do not extend forwardly above the front follower 74 but are cut away and their function is performed by a transverse retaining plate 7 5 secured to the upper edge of the center sills 61 and provided on its lower face with downwardly projecting ribs 76 which bear upon the upper edge of the front follower and the forward members of the spring plates.

Upon the outer faces of the center sills 1 are mounted a pair of brackets 77 horizontally apertured to serve as a rear bearing support for side stems 78 which are slidably supported within alined apertures 79 of the buffer beam 63 and which are pivoted at 80 to the buffer 81 which latter rest in its central portion against the front end of the center stem 82 guided within apertures 83 and S4 f the buffer beam with its rear end seated in the recess 85 of the duplex interlocking follower 74*.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a slight modification in which the webs are integral with the sills and in which the gear retaining flanges instead of being formed integral with the longitudinal webs 65 are formed as separate members 86 and secured to the sill 61 by means of rivets or bolts 87 which also serve together with the bolts 88 to hold the bracket 77 in place. In this form, the gear supporting flanges 89 and the gear guiding ribs 90 are formed integral with the longitudinal sills. 'I have also in Fig. 10 shown the employment of a wear plate 91 between the lower edges of the spring plates 73 and the supporting flanges 89.

As in the former construction the side stems 78 are equipped with springs 92 which 1 and bearing ribs, substantially as described.

In a buffing mechanism, the combination of a car underframe, a buffer beam, a

pair of longitudinally extending spaced members having fixed relation to the underframe, said members having integral inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and bearing ribs, the latter arranged intermediate the top and bottom 011 the inner faces of said members, substantially as described.

3. In a buffing mechanism, the combination of a car underframe, a buffer beam and a pair of longitudinally extending parallel spaced members arranged in fixed relation to said underframe, said members having inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and bearing ribs, and a spring housing between the ends of said members, substantially as described.

4:. In a bufling mechanism, the combination of a car underframe, a bufier beam and a pair of longitudinally extending parallel spaced members arranged in fixed relation to said underframe, said members having in wardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and bearing ribs, and a wear plate for the gear bearing on the upper face of the flanges and the inner faces of the ribs, substantially as described.

5. In a buffing machanism, the combination of a car underframe end sill, a composite. frame associated therewith and including a buffer beam and a pair of longitudinally extending spaced web. members, said members having along their lower edges inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and along their inner faces intermediate the top and bottom thereof gear-bearing ribs, substantially as described.

6. In a buffing mechanism, the combination of a car underframe end sill, a composite frame associated therewith and including a buffer beam and a pair of longitudinally extending spaced web members,- said members having, along their lower edges integral inwardly rojecting gear-supporting flanges and along their inner faces intermediate the top and bottom thereof integral gear-bearing ribs, and a spring housing between the ends of said members, substantially as described.

7. In a buffing mechanism, the combination of a car underframe end sill, a composite platform frame associated therewith and including a buffer beam and a pair of longitudinally extending spaced web members, said members having along their lower edges integral inwardly projecting giearsupporting flanges and along their inner faces intermediate the top and bottom thereof integral gear-bearing ribs, and a wear plate for the gear bearing on the upper face of the flanges and the inner faces of the ribs, substantially as described.

8. In a buffing mechanism, the combination of a car underframe, a buffer beam, and a pair of longitudinally extending spaced web members arranged, to the rear. .ofcthe buffer beam, said members havingalong their lower edges inwardly projecting gearsupporting flanges, and along their upper edges inwardly projecting gear-retaining flanges, and between their lower and, upper edges inwardly rojecting bearing ribs, substantially as described.

9. In a buffing mechanism,- the combination of a car underframe, a bufl'erbeamfand a pair of longitudinally extending spaced web membersarranged to the rear of the buffer beam, said members having along their lower edges in their forward portion integral inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and along their upper edges in their medial portion integral inwardly projecting gear-retaining flanges, and along their forward portion between their 'lo wer and upper edges inwardly projecting integral bearing ribs, and a removable gearretaining plate disposed uponthe members forward of the gear-retaining flanges, substantially "as described. I r I j 10. In a bufiingmechanism, the combination of a car underframe, a buffer beam, a. pair of longitudinally extending spaced web members arranged to the rear of the buffer beam, said members having along their lower edges in their forward portion integral inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and along their upper edges in their medial portion integral inwardly projecting gear-retaining flanges, and along their forward portion between their lower and upper ed es-inwardly projectingintegral bearing ri. s, and a removable gear-retaining plate disposed upon the members forward of the gear-retaining flanges, and a spring housing integral with and between the rear ends of the members, substantially -as' described.

11. In a bufiing mechanism, the combination of a supporting frame including longitudinal spaced members, brackets projected laterally therefrom, a buffer beam, a buffing gear, a bufler, a centerstem connecting the buffer and ear, and side stems connected with the bufier and guided for longitudinal movement in alined apertures of the beam and brackets, a flanged sleeve mounted on each of the side stems and guided within one of the apertures with its flange bearing upon the front face of the bracket, and a compression spring on the side stem between the flanged sleeve and the rear wallof the beam, substantially as described.

12. In a buffing mechanism, the combination of a supporting frameincluding longitudinal spaced members, brackets projected laterally therefrom, a buffer beam, a buffing gear, and side stems connected with the buffer and guided for longitudinal move-V ment in alined apertures of the beamrand brackets, a flanged sleeve mounted on'the free end of each of the side stems and guided within the aperture of the bracket with its flange bearing against the forward face of said bracket and its rear end projecting beyond the rear face, and a spring on the side stem between the bracket and beam and bearing to the rear on the flanged sleeve and to the front upon a shoulder of the stem and the rear face of the beam, and a stop on the free end of the stem and bearingon the rear end of the sleeve, substantially as described.

13. In a bufling mechanism, the combination of a supporting frame including longitudinal spaced members, brackets projected laterally therefrom, a buffer beam, a bufling gear, a center stem connecting the buffer and gear, and side stems connected with the buffer and guided for longitudinal .mndvement in alined apertures of the bracket and beam, a flanged sleeve mounted on the free end of each of the side stems and guided within the aperture of the bracket with its flange bearing against the forward face of said bracket and its rear end projecting beyond the rear face, and a spring on the side stem between the bracket and beam and bearing to the rear on the flanged sleeve and to the front upon a shoulderof the stem and the rear face of the beam, and a nut thread ed on the free end of the side stem and adapted to engage the rear end of the sleeve, substantially as described.

14:. In a bufling mechanism, the combination of a car underframe end sill, a composite platform frame associated therewith and including a bufler beam and longitudinal Web members with laterally projecting brackets, buffingi mechanism mounted be tween the longitudinal web members, a buffer, a center stem connected with the gear and the buffer, side stems connected to the buffer and guidedwithin alined apertures of the brackets and beam, a flanged sleeve mounted on the free end of each side stem andguided within the aperture of the rear bracket with its flange bearing on the front facethereof and its rear endextending beyond the rear face, a shoulder formed on the stem, a washer bearing upon the shoulder and upon the rearface of the beam, a spring on the stem and bearing to the rear upon the flange of the sleeve and to the front upon the washer, and a stop carried by the free end of the side stem and adapted to engage the rear edge of the sleeve, substantially as described. a

15. In a bufling mechanism, the combination of a car underframe end sill, a platform frame associated therewith and including longitudinal and transverse web members, a

pair of the adjacent longitudinal web members having along their lower edgesfinwardly projecting gear supporting flanges, and upon their inner faces gear-bearing ribs, buffing gear mounted within the space between said longitudinal members upon the supporting flanges and between the bearing ribs, a buffer, a center stem connected with the gear and the buffer, side stems connected to the buffer and guided within alined aper tures of the transverse webs, a flanged sleeve mounted on the free end of each side stem and guided within the aperture of the rear transverse web with its flange bearing on the front face thereof and its rear end extending beyond the rear face, a shoulder formed on the stem, a washer bearing upon the shoulder and upon the rear face of the forward web, a spring on the stem and bearing to the rear upon the flange of the sleeve and to the front upon the washer, and a stop carried by the free end of the side stem and adapted to engage the rear edge of the sleeve, substantially as described.

16. In a buffing mechanism, the combina' tion of a car underframe end sill, a platform frame associated therewith and including longitudinal and transverse web members, a pair of the adjacent longitudinal web members having along their lower edges in wardly projecting gear supporting flanges, and upon their inner faces gear-bearing ribs, and along their upper faces inwardly projecting gear-retaining flanges, bufling gear mounted within the space between said longitudinal members beneath the gear-retaining flanges upon the supporting flanges and between t-he bearing ribs, a buffer, a center stem connected with the gear and the buffer, side stems connected to the buffer and guided within alined apertures of a pair of transverse webs, a flanged sleeve mounted on the free end of each side stem and guided within the aperture of the rear web with its flange bearing on the forward face thereof, a shouL der formed on the side stem, a washer bearing on the shoulder and upon the rear face of the forward transverse member, a spring on the stem and bearing to the rear upon the flange of the sleeve and to the front upon the washer, and a nut on the end of the side stem and adapted to engage the rear end of the sleeve, substantially as described.

17. In a buffing mechanism, the combination of a supporting frame comprising longitudinal members, certain of the members having along their forward lower portion inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and along their medial upper portion inwardly projecting gear-retaining flanges, the retaining flanges terminating short of the space between one end of the members, and gear housing between the other ends of the members, coil springs disposed between the members in the housing, a follower and a series of springs resting on the supporting flanges beneath the retaining flanges, and a second follower resting upon the supporting flanges and in advance of the ends of the retaining flanges, a removable retaining plate overlying the second follower, a buffer, and a buffer stem disposed between the bufferand the second follower, substantially as described. 1

18. In a bufling mechanism, the combination of a supporting frame comprising lon gitudinal members, certain of the longitudinal members having along their forward portion inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and along their medial upper portion inwardly projecting gear-retaining flanges, the retaining flanges terminating short of the forward ends of the members, a gear housing betweenthe rear ends of the memcoil springs disposed between the memhere in the housing, a rear follower, and a series of spring plates resting on the supporting flanges beneath the retaining flanges, and a front follower resting upon the supporting flanges in advance of the ends of the retaining flanges, a removable retaining plate overlyingthe front follower, a buffer, and a bufler stem disposed between the buffer and the front follower, substantially as described.

19. In a bufling mechanism, the combination of a supporting frame comprising longitudinal members, certain of the longitudinal members having along their forward portion inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and along their medial upper por tion inwardly projecting gear retaining -flanges, the retaining flanges terminating short of the forward ends of the members, a gear housing between the rear ends of the members, coil springs disposed between the members in the housing, a rear follower, and a series of spring plates resting on the supporting flanges beneath the retaining flanges, and a front follower resting upon the supporting flanges in advance of the ends of the retaining flanges, a removable retaining plate overlying the front follower, a buffer, and a buffer stem disposed between the buffer and the front follower, the front follower comprising two interlocking mem bers, one follower member provided with means to place the springs under initial tension preparatory to the introduction of the other follower member, substantially as described.

"20. In a bufling mechanism, the combination of a supporting frame comprising 1ongitudinal members, certain of the longitudinal members having along their forward portion inwardly projecting gear-supporting flanges and along their medial upper portion inwardly projecting gear-retaining flanges, the retaining flanges terminating short of the forward ends of the members, a gear housing between the rear ends of the members, coil springs disposed between the members in thehousing, a rear follower, and a series of spring plates resting on the sup porting flanges beneath the retaining flanges,

and a front follower resting upon the supporting flanges in advance of the ends of the retainin flan es a removable retalnin plate overlying the front follower, a buffer,'

and a buffer stem disposed between the buffer and the front follower, the front follower COD'IPI'lSlDg two interlocking members, one having a rear bearing facefor engagement with the spring provided with a recess and withbeveled per-- tions adjacent thereto adapted to be engaged by a wedge member to place the springs under initlal tension, and the other follower member having on its rear face a projection' for engagement wlthln the recess and on Its recess to accommodate the end front face a of the center stem, substantially as described.

21. In a bufling mechanism, the combina tion of a supporting frame comprising lon gltudinal and transverse web'members, certain of the longitudinal members having along their forward lower portion inwardlyj pro ecting gearsupporting flanges and along their medial upper portion inwardly projecting gear-retaining flanges, the retaining flanges terminating short of the forward ends of the members, a gear housing between the rear ends of the members, coil springs disposed between the members plates resting on the supporting flanges beneath the retaining flanges, and a front follower resting upon the supporting flanges advance of the ends of the retainingflanges,

a removable retaining plate overlging the plates and a frontface in the hous-f s, it real follower, and a ser1es of spring der and on the rear face of the front transverse web member, a spring on the side stem and bearing rearwardly upon the flange of thesleeve and forwardl upon the washer,

and a stop carried by the free end of the side stem and adapted to engage with the rear end of the sleeve, substantially as described. e 22. In combination with a car underframe including center sills, transverse sills, and buffer beam of longitudinal reinforcing wefb members secured to the inner faces of the center sills and having along their lower portion inwardly projecting gear supporting flanges, and a bufllng gear housed in the space between the said web members above the supporting flanges, substantially as described. I i

23. In combination with'acar underframe including center sills, transverse sills, and buffer beam, of longitudinal reinforcing web members secured to the inner faces of the center sills and having along their lower portion inwardly projecting gear supporting flanges, and along their upper portion inwardly projecting gear retaining flanges, and a bufling gear housed within the space between the said members and between the upper and lower flanges, substantially as described.

24. In combination with a car underframe including center sills, transverse sills, and louder beam, of longitudinal reinforcing web members secured to the inner faces of the center sills and having along their lower portion inwardly projecting gear supporting flanges, along their medial portion inwardly projecting gear guiding ribs, and along their upper portion inwardly projecting gear retaining flanges, and a buffing gear housed within the space between the said members and between the flanges and ribs thereof, substantially as described.

25. In combination with a car underframe including center sills, transverse sills, and bufler beam, of longitudinal reinforcing Web members secured to the inner faces of the center sills and having along their lower portion inwardly rojecting gear supporting flanges, and a ong their upper portion inwardly projecting gear retaining flanges, a bufiing gear housed within the space between the said members and between the upper and lower flanges, apair of brackets secured to the outer faces of the center sills at the rear of and substantially in the horizontal plane of the buffer beam, a buffer, a center stem connecting the buffer and gear,

and said stems connected with the buffer and guided for longitudinal movement in alined apertures of the beams and brackets, substantially as described.

ARTHUR C. DAVIDSON.

Witnesses:

MARY C. Bnownn, L. E. HANNEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G."

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