US194792A - Improvement in car-couplings - Google Patents

Description

D. V.IB. SMART. CAR-COUPLINGS.

No. 194.791 Patented sept. 4,1877.

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UNI-Tan" STATES PATENT @Frio-a? DAViD-fvg B .j SMART, oETRoY, New YORK nvlPRovEMENT IN cAR-couPLlNes.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,792, dated September 4, 1877; application filed` March 6, 1876.

. clare that the following is a full, clear, and

exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l represents a side elevation of my improved car-coupling; Fig. 2, partly a plan viewand partly a horizontal section; and Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same.

This invention relates to an improved carcoupling of that class which interlock in selfacting manner without requiring the brakeman to enter between the cars and expose himself to danger 5 and the invention consists of a draw-bar with enlarged front or head, which is stiiiened by horizontal brace-bars, and provided at one side with an enlarged and backwardly-inclinedshoulder or catchbar, on which a pivoted and spring-acted coupling-hook of the connecting draw-bar couples at any height.

The coupling-hook is pivoted between the stiiening-braces of the draw-bar, and extended beyond the head sufficiently to provide for the enlarged catch-bar of the connecting draw-bar.

In the drawing, A represents the draw-bar of my improved car-coupling, and B the front or head of the same, which is extended upward and downward to sufficient length to provide for the convenient coupling of cars having platforms ot' different heights. The upper and lower ends of the head B are connected by curved or diagonal braces B1 with the draw-bar, which has a central longitudinal recess for the coupling-hook D that is pivoted at the rear part of the recess, curved sidewise, and extended beyond the head B, having a hook end, F, whose outer side is curved to couple self-actingly, and whose inner side is inclined in backward direction.

The head B is stiffened at intermediate points between the ends by horizontal bracebars B2 that impart the required strength and rigidity to the head to resist the concussions of the cars in coupling with each other.

The coupling-hook D is forced against the arranged with a vertical ange or catch-bar,

E', that increases gradually in thickness toward the outer edge, and which has at the inside or rear face an angle of inclination corresponding to that of the inner side ofthe hook end F. This secures the intimate and reliable interlocking of the coupling-hook of one draw-bar with the enlarged catch-bar of the connecting draw-head, while it increases the strength of the same at the point ofl greatest strain. The heads B are also provided with a horizontal opening, I, for the entrance ot' the ordinary coupling-link, and with holes J in the top, and intermediate brace-bars for the coupling-pin.

The approach of the cars for coupling brings rstthe curved ends of the hooks in contact with the enlarged catch-bars, and causes their lateral spreading until they have passed back of the catch-bars, and are then thrown inwardly by their springs, so as to interlock with the same in reliable manner.

By drawing back the coupling-hooks the cars are easily uncoupled, and thus a coupling of simple construction, but considerable strength and durability, obtained.

I am aware that car-couplings have heretofore been made with enlarged head, a re-enforced face-plate braced at the top and bottom and on the sides, in connection with spring-hooks, and I do not claim such devices broadly.

In my construction the hook with a beveled face engages with lthe beveled ii'ace of the opposite draw-head, and the draw-heads are made with braces Bl and B2, thus making a light, strong draw-head, and at the same time providing a long beveled front face to engage with the hook.

Having thus described my invention., what I claim as new is- In automatic car-couplings, the draw-bar A,

having kan'. acutely-beveled hookrD, piivoised top and; bottom, by:(iaiggigixial:k bpaoeABv, andat itisl rear extremity, and supportedy by a, alsov internai` horizontal 'braces B21v substan-i-v spring extending` forward and beyond the tially as shown and described.

pivot of the hook, and an enlarged head, B, DAVID V. B. SMART. formed with a face-plate, E, re-enforced upon Witnesses: one side by a vertical Harige or ca tchfbanE l T B. liogJIER,

having an acute edge, and supported aA:x the F.1ROBERTB.

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