US142492A - Improvement in car-couplings - Google Patents

Description

A. MIDDLETON,1`r. Gar-Bouplivngs.

"910.142,492. Patented September 2, 1873.

ITNrrED STATES PATENT ALLEN MIDDLETON, JR., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

`Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 142,492, dated September 2, 1873; application filed January 2, 1873.

" junction with springs D D', substantiallyas shown in the inverted plan view in the accompanying drawing, so that in starting the train the pulling-force exerted at one end of the car'will be exerted, through the medium of the spring, at the opposite end of the car, and-will be transmitted through the entire frame-work, the said springs also serving as bumpersprings to absorb the shocks which take place when the cars meet.

Gr represents the frame-work of an ordinaryl car, and near the opposite ends ofthe same are secured springs D and D', each consisting in the present instance of two side plates, a a, two cross-plates, b and b', and `intervening elastic medium of any appropriate character.

-The rod A extends from one spring to the other, and passes through both springs, and has at each extreme end a head, d, contained within the adjoining draw and bumper head B so as to bear against shoulders in the same when the rod is drawn in one direction, but so as to slide freely in, and independently of, the bumper-head when the rod is drawn in the opposite direction.

Supposing the bumper-head B at the end of `the car-to the right to be drawn in the direction of the arrow, the rod A must necessarily follow, and thisit will do without acting upon the spring D' 5 it will, however, pull the drawhead at the opposite end of the car against 4 the plate b of the spring D, the elastic medium of which` will, in a measure, lessen the shock, but the further pulling-force exerted by the rod to draw the car forward in the direction of the arrow will be transmitted through the entire frame-work of the car from the spring D outward 5 hence the frame cannot be subjected to the severe strains which, with the usual connections, it will experience on starting a train. When the car is drawn in a direction opposite to that pointed out by the arrow the pull takes place from the spring D', and when two cars meet the bumper-heads are forced against the plates b 'of the springs, and the latter consequently diminish the shocks.

It is not essential, in carrying out my invention, that the Vsprings at the opposite ends of the car should be connected by a rigid bar, A, as a chain, or a system of links, or other equivalent'connecting medium might be substituted for the said bar.

I am aware that the couplings at opposite ends of a car have been connected by longitudinal rods, and that sprin gs have been arranged between each of said couplings and the end beam of the car. I, therefore, do not claim, broadly, couplings, rods, and` springs so arranged; but

I claim as my invention-` The combination of the draft-rod J, extending from end to end ofthe ear, with springboxes D and D', and draw-bars B and B', the draft-rod extending through both boxes and through their fixed and movable plates b' and b, and having at its opposite ends heads d adapted to the draw-bars, all4 substantially as as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed myl name to this specification in the two subscribing' witnesses.

` ALLEN MIDDLE'LON, JR.

presence ot I Witnesses WM. A. STEEL, HUBERT HowsoN.

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