US1576722A - Draft gear - Google Patents

Description

March 16 1926.

DRAFT GEAR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1` Filed March 25, 1923 March 16 1926. 1,576,722 W H. COTTON DRAFT GEAR Filed March 23, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 16, 1926.

y UNITED stares WALTER H. common, oncnronso, ILM-ners, Assrenon lro einen nnaF'ronnR-coi,

Aconnonnmionror ILLINOIS. i

DRAFT ',GEAB.-

Application filed March 23,1923. .Serial No. ,627,073.

To all 'whom t 'may concern:

Beit :known ,that I, NAL'rnRl-I. 1COTTON, a citizen Aof -the United States, ,resident of Chicago, county ,of Cook, and State .of Illinois, ,have ,invented .certain new ,and use- .ful Improvements in Dra-ft Gears, of which the followingis a specification,.and which are illustrated in the accompanying draw`r ings, forming apart thereof.

The invention relates to :draft gears or shock-.absorbing devices for use in connecrtion with railway cars; and has for its 4olo- .jects to secure simplicity o f Iconstruction and application, together. with high efficienc7 and .long range of compressive movement. c

The invention consists in a device as hereinafter described, and as illustratedin ,the `aecompanying drawings, `in which Q Fig. 'f1 is `a detail plan view,.partlyin section, of the -underframing .of ,a .car and of .the improved gear;

Figs. 2 .and 3 vare .details ofwedging elements forming parts of the gear; 1 v U Fig. 4 is a View -i-n ,perspective .of a fr1ction plate `forming a part ofthe ,gearg Fig. ,5 is ,a View in perspective of one -o-f the fgllowers forming a part-.of the gear;

6 isa view similar to Fig. 1, showthegear under compression; and

Fig. ,7 is a view similar toFig. ,1,show1ng a v,Iriodied -form of construction.

The ,usual center sills-of a car, which may be .of any desired form Iof construction, vare ,shown at 10, 11; a pair of .draft lugs applied, respectively, ,to the two sills, at 1 2, 13, and vva pair of buffnglugs similarly lapplied, lat 14, 15. 'Elie butt of a .coupler 1s shown at 1,7, and the coupler extensionfor volte at 18, ,this element :taking the form of a :loop Vfor inclosing the gear.

Themlraft gear comprises :front and rear followers 19 20, which engage, respectively, the draft ,and buffi-ng lugs, the end .of `,the coupler butt andthe rear end ofthe yoke. The inner facesgof the followers ,are beveled inwardly from their side margins `toward .the center of the gear, :to form wedging faces as shown. -K c A .pall-r of triangular wedge-blocks `21, 24, .are seated .against the inclinedfaces of .the follower 19, aand :a similar pair of blocks 423, v26, are seated Aagainst the inclined faces of the follower 20. A pair of triangular frfotonehlocksi), fare seated against and cooperate with fthe opposite wedging faces of the blocks 21, 24,"and ,a similarcpairiof friction- blocks 28, 39, cooperate in like man- .vner with .the blocks .23, 26. `A pairy of ,.wedgefblocksv22, 25,',are interposed between ,and cooperate, respectively, with the fbloclrs 28, and with the blocks 29, 30.

c The several llwed,ge-blocks 21 to r26 are similarrin form, one of them being shown in F.ig.12.l The several blocks 27 to .30V are csimilar in `form, .one 4of l,them being. lrepresented Yirlvrii'g. 3. The follower 19..,is simi.'- lar in Vform to the .follower y2O, whichv .is shown in Fig. .5. i

A friction plate 31is located `on the anis .of the gear and in 4engagenlent with ,the facesof.the`:blocl sf27, 28,129 and 30 which are'parallel thereto. The length lof lthe ,plate 31 is less .than the distance between .the inner faces .of the followers19, v2O, when i the ,gear is .expandel, and this ,plateldetermines ,the limit of `compressive ,movement 'lghe range of .this movement may bre-.exs

tended, without `shortening n.the lpl-ate ,31,7 providing ther followers with vertical re 1w cesses, as shownatl20, .within which )the .ends of `:the plate may enter.

Eachof .the wedgeeblocksiQl .to 26 isilper-y .forated Aon its median -line which istrans- ...verse tothe raxis ofthe gear, and atension rod, as 32, 33 and 34, extends through vfthe apertures Vof each pair of thesehlocks,` The `plate A31 is slotted inw-ardllv from itsends, ,as shown at 231, l231, `to yaccommodate..fthe rods 32 and l:34 andpermit its free move- ,ment with reference thereto.` Itis Valso cen- Vtrally apertured, as shown at 131, t'o receive Athe `rod33. This perforation may :be-of Vvappropgimately Ithe diameter -of the rod, as the two elements have -n'o vrelative movement.

',Ehe `several rods 32,33 and 34 `are shown as 'of .equal length, and as' extending through openings .110.11.111 the sills 10 and 1,1-` Upon each v.of these rods :is slowed a pair of spring seats 3.5, located `outside of the sills #but harngwinwardly projecting stoms which :seat againstrtho outer faces of the wedge-blocks through which jthe nod passes.` Upon lthe outer, ends iof ,each offthe ,rods is .-meunted ,a pair ofsplifng seats v36,.

which ,boar outwardly against Retaining )nuts 3.7 Screwed Lupon the ends of the rod.' A, Helical springs 3,8, .arecmountjedlnponithe .end Aloo-.rtons;olf yeach of ,the itensionrods,

reacting between the inner and outer seats 35, 36. In order to secure ample spring resistance without employing an excessively heavy spring, an inner helical spring, as 39, may be inclosed within each of the springs 38.

lVhen the followers i9, 20, are provided with the recesses 120, their wedge faces may be transversely grooved, as shown at 220, to provide clearance for the adjacent tension rods Vwhen the gear is compressed. The'blocks 27 to 3() are similarly recessed as shown.

When the gear is installed the several springs are placed under sufficient tension to hold all of the cooperating faces of the various frictional elements of the gear in contact. The. length of the wedge-blocks 2l to 26, transverse to the avisV of the gear, is such as to permit sufficient outward movement of these blocks, due to the complete compression of the gear, without interference with the sills l0, l1. Thelength of the blocks 27 to 30, transverse to the avis of the gear, may be such that their outer ends are approximately in contact with the inner faces of the sills when the gear is expanded.

When the gear is compressed, as by a bufling action, the follower 2O remains at rest against the bufling lugs, the follower 19 is pushed backwardly, forcing outwardly, by a wedging action, the blocks 2l, 24, against the resistance of the springs 38. These blocks, while sliding upon'the blocks 27, 29, are also moved backwardly, pushing back the blocks 27, 29, which force Aoutwardly and backwardly the blocks 22,

25. The latter blocks similarly act upon the blocks 2S, 30, forcing outwardly the blocks 23, 26.

In addition to the backward movement of the'blocks 27 to 30, they have an inward 'movement due to the wedging action, which brings them into frietional engagement Awith the plate 3l. AThe several tension rods move laterally with the wedge-blocks through which they pass as the latter are carried backwardly, and the friction plate '3l' travels with the central rod.

lVhen the gear is relieved from the buffing force, it isrestored to the normal posi- 'tion of Fig.' l by the expansion of the 'several springs and the consequent inward scribed, differing in action only in that the frictional engagement of the blocks 4:1, 42, with the follower is increased. YWhile the range of movement is decreased the capacity may be the same. In the construction of Fig. l it is entirely feasible to provide for a compressive movement of four and one-half inches, without lenlgthening the gear beyond usual practice, the range of movement depending upon the pitch of the wedging faces.

As the gear is compressed friction is developed between all of the contacting faces of the various elements, and the area of these faces is sufficient to provide for the absorption of a very large percentage of the force applied, but with comparatively,7 little wear of the parts.

rlhe gear may be made at comparatirely low cost, as the cheaper grades of: metal may be employed and practically no machining is required. It is of such simple form that it may be easily assembled wilhout the employment of skilled labor. AFor the same reason repairs and rcplacements may be easily elfecl'ed, and usually without requiring the removal of the entire geur from the car.

While preferred forms of construction are shown, various changes of detail may be made without departing` from the scope of the invention. The number of tension rods and of cooperating parts may be varied.

I claim as my invention:

lQIn Va draft gear, in combination, a follower the inner face of which is wedgeshaped, a friction plate on the longitudinal median line of the gear and normally out of engagement with the follower, a friction block bearing against each face of the plate and having a face receding from the adjacent wedge face of the follower, a wedge block interposed between the named face of the block and such adjacent face of the follower, spring means for advancing the wedge block, and means for resisting lateral movement of the friction 'block away from the wedge block.

-' 2. In a draft gear, in combination, a follower the inner face of which 1s wedge- 'shaped, a friction plaie on the longitudinal median line of the gear, a friction block bearing against each face of the plate and having a face receding from the adjacent wedge face of the follower, a wedge block interposed between the named face of the block and such adjacent face of the follower, spring means for advancjng the wedge block, and means for yieldingly resisting lateral movement of the friction block away from the wedge block.

3. In a draft gear, 'in combination, a follower the inner face of which is wedgeshaped, a friction plate on the longitudinal i l gear, a spring on cach end portion of the rod and reacting between the adjacent wedge block and a head on the rod, and means for resisting lateral movement lofv the friction block away from the wedge block.

4L. In a draft gear, in combination,a follower t-he inner face of which is wedgeshaped, a friction plate on the longitudinal median line of the gear and normally ont of engagement with .the followcr, a friction block bearing against each face of the plate and having a face receding from the adjacent wedge face of the follower, a wedge block interposed between the named face of the block and suchadjacent face of the follower',` spring means for advancing the wedge block, and wedge means for resisting lateral movement of the friction block away from the wedge block.

5. In a draft gear, in combination, a follower the inner face of which is wedgeshaped, a friction plate on the longitudinal median line of the gear, a friction block bearing against each face of the plate and having a face receding from the adjacent wedge face of the follower, awedge-block interposed between the named face of the block and such adjacent face of the follower, spring means for advancing the wedgeblocl, wedge means for .resisting lateral movement of the friction block away from the wedge-block, and resilient means for` resisting movement of such wedge means.

6. In a draft gear, in combination, a follower the inner face of which is wedgeshaped, a friction plate on the longitudinal median line of the gear, a triangular friction block bearing against each face of the plate and having a face receding from the adjacent wedge face of the follower, a wedge block interposed between the named face of the block and such adjacent face of the follower, spring means for advancing the wedge block, a wedge block engaging the third face of each friction block, spring means for advancing the last-named wedge block, and means for resisting lateral movement of such block away from the friction block.

7. In a draft gear in combination` a pair of followers, the inner face of each being wedge-shaped, a friction p-late located on the longitudinal median line of the gear and of less length than the normal distance between the followers, a series of triangular friction blocks engaging each face of theplate, such blocks with the inclined faces of the" fol'- lowers forni-ing af succession of surfaces outwardly inclined from the median line ofV the gear,` adjacent surfaces being oppositely inclined, a series of wedge blocks interposed between adjacent inclined surfaces?, rods projecting v through oppositely disposed wedge blocks, and. springs mounted on each end portion of eaclf rod for resistingout-f ward movement ofthe wedge blocks associated tlierewith.

8. In a draftfgear, in combination, a 'fol lower the vinner face of which is wedgeshaped, a friction plate on the longitudinal median line of the gear, a friction blockv bearing against each faceof the plate and havinga face receding from the adjacent' wedge face of thefollower, ra wedge block `interposedl between the named face of the block and such adj acent face of the follower,v spring means for advancing the wedgebl'oek, means for yieldingly resisting lateral neove-l niegnvt fofl thefriction block away from the wedge block, afnd means for maintaining thev friction plate in constant relative relation to the two followers.

9. A pair .of opposed followers, a floating friction plate on the longitudinal median line of the gear, the length of the plate being less than the normal distance between the followers, two sets of friction and wedging elements, one at each end portion of the gear, for cooperating with the followers and plate,a pair of wedges interposed between the two sets, a rod extending through the wedges and through a close-fitting apperture in the friction. plate, and springs on the rod urging the wedges inwardly.

10. A draft gear comprising in combination a pair of lug engaging followers, a pair of opposed wedge blocks slidingly engaging the inner face of each follower,k the inner face of each block being inclined away from the center line of the gear and from the adjacent follower, friction blocks slidably engaging such inclined faces and complementary thereto, and a friction platev on the longitudinal center line of the gear and j slidably engaging the friction blocks.

1l. A draft gear comprising in combination a pair of lug engaging followers the inner face of each being wedgeI shaped, a floating friction plate on the center line of the gear and o-f less length than the normal distance between the followers, triangular friction blocks slidably engaging the' side faces of the platel and a. wedge block interposed between each inclined face of the followers and the adjacent face of a friction block.

12. A draft gear comprising in combination a pair of lug engaging followers the inner face of each being wedge shaped, a floating friction plate on the center line of the gear and of less length thanv the normal distance between the followers, two pairs of triangular friction blocks engaging opposite sides of the plate, and wedge blocks interposed between contiguous faces of the followers and friction blocks and of the friction blocks of each pair.

13. A draft gear comprising in combina.- tion a pair of lug engaging followers, a pair of opposed wedge blocks slidingly engaging the'inner face of each follower, a tension rod extending through the members of each pair of wedge blocks trantverse to the axis of the gear, springs mounted on each rod and urging the blocks toward each other, a friction plate located on the axis of the gear and friction blocks engageable with each side of the gear and with the wedge blocks, the engaging faces of the wedge and friction blocks being oblique to' the axis of the gear.

14. A draft gear comprising in combination a pair of wedge shaped followers7 a floating friction plate located on the axis of the gear between the followers and normally out of contact with each, a pair of triangular friction blocks slidably engaging each side of the plate, three pairs of triangular wedge blocks, one pair thereof being interposed between each of the followers and the adjacent friction blocks and the third pair being interposed between the members of each pair of friction blocks, a tension rod passing through the members of each pair of wedge blocks transverse to the axis of the gear and springs mounted on the end portions of each rod and bearing inwardly on the wedge blocks associated therewith.

15. A draft gear comprising, in combination, a pair of lug engaging followers a pair of opposed wedge blocks slidingly engaging the inner face of each follower, the inner face of each block being inclined away from the center line of the gear and from the adjacent follower, friction blocks slidably engaging such inclined-faces and complementary thereto, a friction element on the longitudinal center line of the gear and slidably engaging the friction blocks and means for resiliently holding the elements in frieti on al engagement.

WALTER H. COTTON.

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