US1740357A - Restraining device - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 17, 1929. 0. K. KJOLSETH RESTRAINING DEVICE Filed July 24, 1928 Inventor: Ole K. K olseth,

Hi5 Attorneg;

Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE OLE K. KJOLSETH, OF SCOTIA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK RESTRAINING DEVICE Application filed July 24,

My invention relates to restraining devices for locomotives or cars which are adapted to restrict oscillatory movement between the frame structure of adjacent units of a locomotive or between adjacent platform structures of locomotives or cars which are coupled together.

It is necessary to couple locomotives or cars in such manner that the frame or platform structures thereof can move laterally relative to each other in rounding a curve. As a result, when they are running along a straight portion of the track the unevenness in the track sets up oscillation or nosing of the frames or platform structures which is objectionable because it subjects the track to excessive lateral stresses, causes rapid wearing of the wheel flanges and also makes riding uncomfortable for passengers. It has been proposed heretofore to restrict this oscillation or nosing of the frames of locomotives or cars by spring pressed buffer plates engaging the coupling between them so as to resist lateral movement of the coupler relative to the frames. The use of bufiers for this purpose has not been effective because the buffer plates soon become worn and offer little or no resistance to oscillation of the frames or platform structures and, moreover, such buffers do not exert any force tending to restore longitudinal alignment of theframes or platforms with each other. It has also been proposed to use springs for resisting this swaying or nosing, but they have ordinarily been connected so that the force exerted thereby on the frames increased in proportion to their displacement laterally with respect to each other. This arrangement tended to exaggerate any oscillation set up between the frame structures because considerable energy was stored up in the springs when the frames were moved laterally with respect to each other, which could only be dissipated by the frictional resistance of the coupling and restraining device. As this frictional resistance was comparatively small considerable oscillation between the frames was required to absorb the energy stored up in the springs.

The object-of my invention is to provide 1928. Serial No. 294,991.

an improved restraining device which is adapted to exert a force tending to restore longitudinal alignment of the frame or platform structures of locomotives or cars that are coupled. together, which is substantially constant throughout the range of lateral relative movement between the frame or platform structures when they are displaced relative to each other due to unevenness of the track or other causes, and which will not prevent the relative movement between the frame structures required when the locomotive or cars round a curve. I accomplish this by providing means connected between the frame or platform structures of locomotives or cars which permits relative lateral movement between them and exerts a substantially constant force urging the frame structures into longitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom, comprising a spring carried by each of the frame structures and a suitable linkage connecting the springs.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following description referring to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

The single figure of the drawing illustrates the frame structures of adjacent locomotives or cars, which are coupled together, having my improved restraining device applied thereto.

Referring to the drawing, two adjacent frames 10 of locomotives or cars are coupled together by a link 11 which is pivotally con nected to each of the frames at 12, although it is to be understood that any other suitable coupling device may be used to couple the frames.

When the locomotives or cars are running on a straight portion of the track unevenness therein causes the frames 10 to oscillate or sway relative to each other. The swaying or nosing of the frames of the locomotives or cars is avoided in accordance with my invention byproviding meansfor applying a substantially constant'force throughout the range of their movement relative to each other without preventing the degree of relative movement between them required in rounding a curve.

When the coupled locomotive units or cars round a sharp curve the relative movement between them may be considerable, and in order to provide for the necessary movement and at the same time exert a substantially constant force urging them into longitudinal alignment, I mount similar mechas nisms on each of the frames which are connected together by a suitable linkage. In the particular construction which I have shown, as illustrative of one manner of carrying out my invention, each of these mechanisms comprises a rocker 13 having bearing portions 14% which are spaced apart transversely of the frame on which the rocker mounted and which engage seats 15 formed in a bearing member 16 bolted at 17 to the frames. The bearing portions 14 of the rocker 13 are normally retained in engagement with seats 15 of the bearing member by coil springs 18 and 19. These springs are retained in compression between the bearing member 16 and a spring retainerQO, by a tension bar 21. The tension bar, which ex: tends axially through the springs 18 and 19 and the spring retainer, is pivotally connected to the rocker 13 at 22 and is threaded to receive nuts 23 for adjusting thetension of the springs.

The spring retainer 20- is provided with a bearing portion 2a which slijdably fits in an opening 25 formed in the frame 10 so that springs 18 and 19 will be maintained in axial alignment when they are compressed by a tilting movement of the rocker 13. on hearing member 16. The rockers 13 attached to eachof the frames 10 are pivotally connected at 26 to a link 27 which of such length that when the frames 10 are in longitudinal align ment, the bearing portions 14 of each of the rockers is retained in engagement with the seats 15 of the bearing members. It will therefore be apparent that when the frames 10 are in longitudinal alignment the springs do not exert any force thereon. However, when the frames 10 move laterally relative to each other the linl; 27 tilts one or both of the rockers 13 about one of the bearing portions, 14 thereof in engagement with one of the seats 15 and raises the other bearing portion from the other of the seats 15 which normally engages the same so to cgmpress the springs 18 and 19 and exert a force tending to restore the frames to longitudinal alignment, course, the relative movement e n the ame is ery reat, as in mind: a a b h reck r fl w l. be tilt d in this m r 1 1 O der t mak th ter e b al y n tant hich is ex r ed y the p i g nding Whiting the fr re s 1 s l ngitudin l alignment ea g P913 me 6f th 30919. 3 15 are 9 arranged aative to the pivotal connection 26 to the tension bar 22 that the lever arm of the force exerted by the springs 18 and 19 on the lOClier 13, which resists tilting of the rocker, 1s decreased in approximately the same proportion as the compression of the spring increases. In this way the moment'of force exerted by the springs on the rockers is substantially constant as this moment is equal to the product of the force of the springs and the lever arm of the force about the bearing portion, engaging the seat on the bearing member.

In view of the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided an improved restraining device between adj acent, coupled locomotires 0 rsvh h il s e cly r sist b-- jecti'onable swaying or nosing without pre venting the relative movement between them required in rounding a curve.

Vvhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination with two adjacent frame structures of locomotives or cars, means forconnecting said frame structures together so as to permit lateral relative movement be: tween them, and means for applying a substantially constant force urging said frame structures into longitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom, said means comprising a rocker and spring attached to each of said frame structures and linh con: necting said rockers 2. In combination with two adjacent frame structures of locomotives or cars, means for connecting said frame structures together so as to permit lateral relative movement between them, and means for applying a sub: stantially constant force urging said frame structures into longitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom, said means comprising a rocker, a compression spring attached to each of said frame structures, and a link connecting said rockers.

3. In combination with two adjacent frame structures of locomotives or cars, means for connecting said frame structures together so as to permit lateral relative movement between them, and means for (1137 plying a substantially constant force urging said frame structures into longitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom; said means comprising a rocker on each of said frame Structureshaving bearing por tions spaced apart transversely of said frame structures, a spring associated with eachof said rockers, means including a tension bar connected to each of said rockers between the bearing P ion th reef for reta nin said p i g d r mpresses, a d, a inkec inesaid ckers.

4-112 e biila en th We edi f am s ru tures f l se-m ti es or" care ment between them, and means for applying a substantially constant force urging said frame structures into longitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom,

5 said means comprising a rocker on each of said frame structures having bearing portions spaced apart transversely of said frame structures, a spring associated with each of said rockers, a tension bar connected to each m of said rockers between the bearing portions thereof for retaining said springs under compression, and a link extending transversely between said frame structures and connecting said rockers.

15 5. In combination with two adjacent frame structures of locomotives or cars, means for connecting said frame structures together so as to permit lateral relative move ment between them, and means for applying 20 a substantially constant force urging said frame structures into longitudinal alignment when they are displaced therefrom. said means comprising a rocker on each of said platforms having hearing portions spaced apart transversely of said platforms,

a spring associated with each of said rockers,

a tension bar connected to each of said rockers between the bearing surfaces thereon for retaining said spring under compression, a

so guide for each of said tension bars carried by said platforms, and a link connecting said rockers.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 23rd day of July, 1928.

OLE K. KJOLSETH.

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