US1391597A - Coupling - Google Patents

Description

' axial,

J. C. WELLS, SR.

I COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 4, 1920.

1,391 ,597. PatentedSept. 20, 192-1.

// INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESSE$ UNITED STATES JOSEPH C. WELLS, SR., OF ESSERVILLE, VIRGINIA, .ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO W.

PATENT OFFICE.

HATFIELD, 0F ESSERVILLE, VIRGINIA.

coornnve.

Application filed. .Tune 4,

for its object the provision of an automatic coupling device so constructed that when .two cars are brought together the couplingmembers carried by each will be automatically interengaged without the necessity to] 7 any manual operation whatever. Y

An important-ob ect is the provision of a device of this character in whichthe con pling members are provided with manually operable means whereby they may be quickly and easily disengaged to effect uncoupling of the cars.

An additional object is the provision of a device of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture and installation, easy to operate, efficient in use,

durable in service, and a general IIIIPIOVG".

ment in the art. 7

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illus-.

' shown.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sec-' tional view showing them engaged.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the letter A .designates the end portions of cars arranged in end to end relation. In carrying out my invention I provide a draw bar 10 pivotally connected or mounted upon each car in the ordinary manner or by any desired special means. Each draw bar 10 is formed with a head having a longitudinally extending recess 11 having a flaring entrance opening to define an inclined shoulder 12, and is furthermore formed in its bottom, with an elongated slot 13 leading into the recess 11.

Extending longitudinally of and project- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

1920. Serial N6. 386,421.

ing beyond the free end of each draw-bar head 10 is a coupling bar 14 formed, in the present instance, as a loop-shaped bar or a bar having a longitudinal slot 15. 7 This bar is located within a groove 16 formed in the bottom of the draw-bar. At a point spaced considerably from the end of the draw-bar the bar 14 is pivoted upon a transverse pin 17 and the extremity of the bar engages against one end of a coil spring 18 extending within a vertical socket 19 in' the draw-bar. By this construction the spring 18 will. operate to hold the coupling bar in position ready to engage a mating member.

Between the pin 17 and the free end of the draw-bar is disposed a substantially vertical arm 20 which is pivoted upon a trans-' verse pin 21 and this arm extends across the recess 11 and has its free end operable through the slot 13, the end of the arm beingengageable with the end of the slot toward the free endof the head. The arm 20 is right angular in shape so as to provide a substantially horizontal portion 22 disposed in spaced parallel relation to the top of the head and connected with the free end .of this arm portion 22 is a tension spring 23 which is connected with the top of the head by any desired means and which operates to hold the arm 20 in engagement with the forward end of the slot 13.

In order that the arm 20 may be moved out of engagement with the end of the slot 13, I provide an angular lever 24 which is pivoted upon the pin 21 and which includes a hand engaging portion 25 which normally extends substantially vertically above and at one side of the head and which further includes a substantially horizontal portion 26 disposed adjacent the head and engageable with the arm 20. I

In the carrying out of the invention the draw-bars on adjacent cars are arranged in the same relation, as clearly shown, the coupling bars 14 both being at the bottom of the heads. With the heads arranged in this manner, it will be seen that when two cars are brought together and the heads arranged in alinement, the projecting end of one coupling bar 14 will enter the flaring end of the recess 11 in the other head engaging against the inclined shoulder 12. As the cars are then moved together the coupling bar 14 will ride upon the shoulder 12 until it engages the arm 20,. Continued movement pling bar enters the opposite head, the other coupling bar being inoperative and being in reserve ready for use in case-one coupling bar is broken.

' When it is desired to uncouple the cars it is first necessary that the cars be moved to bring the coupler heads close together, after which it is merely necessary that the operator grasp the hand portion 250i the lever 24 engaging the arm 20 in use and swing it toward the meeting point of the heads, whereupon the horizontal portion 26 of the lever engaging the projecting end of the arm 20 will swing the arm so that it will be withdrawn from the slot 13 whereupon there will be nothing engaging the coupling bar and the cars may be separated.

From the foregoing description and a study of the drawings it will be apparent that I have thus provided a comparatively simple and inexpensive coupling device for railway cars or in fact any other wheeled vehicle, the coupling action of which will be entirely automatic and. accomplished merely by bringing the cars together.

VVhile I have shown and described the.

preferred embodiment of my invention, it is of course to be understood that'I reserve the right to make such changes in theform, construction, andv arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the inven tion or the scope of, the subjoined. claim.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim:

ter the recess of theother head, the head being formed in its, underside with a recess spaced from the first named recess, and aspring within the second named recess engaging the. coupling link whereby to hold the latter normally against the underside of the head.

In testimony whereof I affix my si nature.

JOSEPH 0. WELL ,.S.R.

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