US137225A - Improvement in car-couplings - Google Patents

Description

H. E. MAR CHAN D.

Car-Couplings.

Patented March 25, 1873.

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UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY E. MAROHAND, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters PatentNo. 137,225, dated March 25, 1873.

. State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Oar-Gouplin g,

p of which the following is a specification:

' The invention consists, first, of an arm or trigger stepped into a recess or seat formed in the bottom of the draw-head, and capable of vibrating forward from a vertical position by its own gravity, so as to cause its upper end to engage with a shoulder on the coupling-pin when the latter is in an elevated position, for supporting the same until the connecting-link of an opposite car enters the draw-head, when the trigger is retracted or disengaged from the coupling-pin, thus permitting the descent of the same through the link, which accomplishes the coupling operation. The second part of the invention consists of a notched couplingpin provided with an enlarged lower end and with lateral ribs, to operate in respectto ways or grooves formed in the draw-head in combination with a ring for maintaining the coup ling-pin in an elevated position, as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal view, representing the devices in position for coupling. Fig. 2 is a corresponding view, illustrating the position of the various parts when the coupling operation is accomplished. Fig.3 is a longitudinal section, showin g the form of couplin g-pin, 850.

The draw-head A is generally formed in one piece, and may be made of cast-iron, steel, or malleable iron, and, for the sake of lightness and convenience, be formed with open sides. The couplin g-pin B,which operates or slides vertically through the draw-head, passes through an opening, 0, formed in the top of the latter, and is provided with ribs D on its sides, which enter corresponding grooves or ways formed in the side walls of the pin-opening. The lower end of the coupling-pin is enlarged laterally, or provided with ribs, and has a portion of its rear surface cut away to form a shoulder, G, for the purpose hereinafter stated. A vibrating trigger-arm, H, is arranged in the draw-head, and has its lower end inserted or stepped in a seat, I, in the floor or base of the draw-head, immediately in rear of the coupling-pin. The

elevating the pin B until it reaches the limit of its upward movement, when the triggerarm, by its inherent gravity, which causes it to always assume a position forward of its center, will engage with the shouldered rear end G of the coupling-pin, as shown in Fig.

1. The coupling-link of an opposite car, upon its entrance into the draw-head, will, by its impact against the trigger-arm, force'the same backward, thus removing the support of a coup ling-pin, the descent of which is thus permitted through the opening N in the floor of the draw-head at the same time the lip R on the coupling-link will enter the recess or seat I,

which prevents the backward movement of the link when it comes in contact with the triggerarm H, as shown in Fig. 2. The upper end of the trigger-arm will, in its backward movement, enter the slot in the top of the drawhead, the rear end of which then acts as a stop for limiting the movement of the trigger beyond a vertical position. If it is desirable to elevate the coupling-pin and retain it in a position to prevent a coupling being made, I provide a pivoted latch, 0, consisting of a link passing through an eye in front of the opening in the top of the draw-head, and adapted to engage with a notch or groove, Q, in the front face of the coupling-pin, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1. Each link is provided with a projecting heel or lip, R, at the rear en d,

which, when the link is pushed into the drawhead, enters an opening, S, formed in the floor Y of the latter, near its rear end, while the front end of the link is received into a curved seat at the mouth of the draw-head, thus causing the auxiliary link to lie secure in the drawhead, while not offering any impediment to the proper movement of the link used for coupling.

It will be perceived, from the above description, that it is impossible to withdraw the cou a p 7 ames ling-pin through the top of the draw-head, and it is therefore obvious that the same must be inserted through the lower opening, which is made sufficientlylarge for this purpose,a suitable ring or link, U, being then applied to the upper end of the pin for limiting the descent of the same and for facilitating the ascent of the pin.

The automatic mechanism for effecting the coupling operation is simple and compact 5 and, as no fulcrum-pin, rivets, or such devices for the trigger-arm or coupling-link is resorted to, all the parts are susceptible of being readily applied and detached.

It will be seen from the construction and arran gement of the trigger-arm H and couplingpin, that when the cars are coupled, and in a forward motion, the trigger-arm bears a great portion of the strain, thus relieving the coupling-pin.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The trigger-arm H, provided with shoulders and a tenon, K, as described, and having its bearing within the seat I for operation in connection with the coupling-pinB and alink, substantially as described.

2. The notched oouplingpin 13 provided with an enlarged shouldered end, G, and with lateral ribs D to operate in respect to ways or grooves in a draw-head, in combination with a pivoted ring, 0, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

- In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set myhand this 5th day of March, 1873.

HENRY E. MAROHAND.

Witnesses:

J AMES L. NORRIS, Emr. F. BROWN.

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