US194448A - Improvement in elastic draft-links - Google Patents

Description

W. e. LE we. ELASTIC DRAFT-LINKS.

N0- 19L448. Patented Aug. 21,1877.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATEs WILLIAM G. LE DUO, OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO A. V.

' GARDNEB, OF NEW YORK CITY.

IMPROVEMENT IN ELASTIC DRAFT-LINKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194.448, dated August 21, 1877; application filed March 13, 1877.

i To all whom it may concern:

ings.

In Figures 1, 2, and 3, a a a a represent strips or ribbons of spring steel, brass, or other metal, bent and setin a semi-elliptical form and attached to the eyes or hooks c by bolts, rivets, or otherwise.

In Fig. 2, R is a rubber ball, cylinder, or ellipse introduced between the metal springs ac to catch up the draft, should it be too great for the springs.

In Fig. 1, d d are supplemental springs, of metal, for the same purpose. 0 is an eye, the opening in which is perpendicular to the face of the ribbons of metal; and c is a snaphook.

In Fig. 2, c is an eye, open at the side of the spring, and e is a fastening for buggytrace.

It is evident that the kind of fastening books or eyes may be varied at pleasure also, that the metallic strips or ribbonsmay be increased in number, length, or form, as the necessities or convenience of the case may rei quire.

Fig. 4 is a closed link, of spring-steel or other metal, either round or flat, of elliptical 1 shape, re-enforced at the draw-eyes by thickenin g the steel or other metal at the ends, or by riveting a re-enforce wearing-piece, substantially as appears in thedrawing.

It is evident that the metal used in these various forms of the elastic draft-link may be either flat, round, or half-round, or of other shape, and may be continuous strips or hands, or may be pieces of metal jointed with one or more joints, (oneform of which is shown in Fig. 5,) according to the service required of the link.

The object of my invention -is to break the force of the sudden shock or jar of the draft in starting or drawing loads, either applied by horse or steam power, and thus prevent the ill effects of sudden strain upon the horses shoulders or upon the machinery, and also to economise the power necessary to start a heavy load, and to equalize the varying resistance of traction. It is also apparent that the elastic link may be used as a dynamometer.

I claim' 1. The elastic draft-link, composed of elliptically-curved band or bands, rod or rods, of suitable metal, provided at their ends with books or eyes, all substantially as set forth.

2. The elastic draftlink, composed of the curved band or bands, rod or rods, of suitable metal, provided with end-fastening devices, in combination with the intermediate springs or their equivalent, all substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

THOMAS C. OoNNoLLY,

Jos. T. FALES.

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