US2240363A - Draft rigging - Google Patents

Description

A ril 29, 1941. D. s. BARROWS ET AL DRAFT RIGGING 2 Sheet's-Sheet 1 Filed April 27, 1957 Dona./d SBa/FOWS,

April 29, 1941.

D. s. BARROWS ET AL DRAFT RIGGING Filed April 27, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 29, 1941 DRAFT RIGGING Donald S. Barrows and Emil H. Blattner, Rochester, N. Y., minors to The Symington-Gould Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application April 27, 1937, Serial No. 139,278

23 Claims.

The invention pertains to draft riggings for railway vehicles with particular reference to the connection between a yoke or yoke-acting means and an associated coupler.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision, in a railway draft rigging, of an auxiliary or supplementary yoke and the novel connection thereof to an associated coupler and yoke or yoke-acting means whereby the coupler is free to rotate, with respect to the latter, on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging.

Another object of the invention is the pro-. vision of a universal connection between the coupler and yoke or yoke-acting means of a railway draft rigging thereby allowing the coupler to move horizontally with respect to said yoke while the railway vehicle is traversing a curve as well as move vertically with respect to said yoke in order to compensate for the displacement of the coupler through the range of movement required in hump yard service or for irregularities in the rails and for the varying height of associated vehicle bodies with respect to the rails.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a universal coupler-yoke connection comprising a supplementary yoke connected substantially rigidly to an associated drawbar or coupler and connected universally to an associated yoke or yoke-acting means, both. of said connections being readily adjustable in order to compensate for wear therein which may result from the continued use thereof.

The structure of the present invention may be used in combination with a tight-lock coupler, that is, a coupler which will retain two associated couplers in constant relation without relative movement in a longitudinal direction.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by referring to the accompanying drawings which comprise a part of the present specification and disclose exemplary forms of the present invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a railway draft rigging embodying a form of the present invention, the medial portion of which is shown in section, taken along the longitudinal axis of the structure to more clearly illustrate the invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1,,looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional view, takenvalong the lines 3-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a structure embodying a modified form of the invention disclosed by Figures 1 to 3 with the medial portion thereof shown in section in order to more clearly illustrate the modified structure.

Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts, and considering initially the embodiment of the invention illustrated by Figures 1 to 3 thereof, the yoke or yoke-acting means I comprises a pair of spaced arms 2,- the rear portions of which are adapted to embrace and to bear against a cushioning mechanism (not shown). While the rear portions of the arms 2 are illustrated as being located in vertically spaced horizontal planes to form a vertical yoke, it will be understood that they may equally as well be positioned in spaced vertical planes to form links or a horizontal yoke, generally referred to as yokeacting means. It is, therefore, to be noted that the yoke or yoke-acting means will be hereinafter referred to as a yoke. The arms 2 are connected intermediate their ends by an integrally formed rear wall 3 which provides an abutment or bearing wall for the cushioning mechanism and a forwardly opening front wall 4 positioned in spaced relation to the rear wall. Extendin between the front wall 4 and rear wall 3 are a medial web 5 and horizontally spaced reinforcing webs B positioned intermediate the arms 2, which transmit bufling forces applied to the draft rigging from the front wall to the rear wall. The front wall 4 is formed preferably as a spherical ring sector, the outer portions 1, which extend beyond the vertical plane of the arms 2, being connected to the forward extremity of the arms by flanges 8, thereby presenting a bellshaped hood adjacent a forward portion of the yoke I adapted to receive a rear portion of the supplementary yoke 9.

In the present embodiment of the invention the supplementary yoke 9 is substantially of U-shape in plan and comprises laterally spaced members I 0 connected integrally adjacent their forward portions by vertically spaced reinforcing webs II which prevent the arms it from spreading when the coupler is moved in a horizontal direction from the normal longitudinal axis. The members l0 extend rearwardly to within the bell-shaped hood of the yoke i and are connected adjacent their rear extremities by an arcuate web l2 which is concentric with the front wall 4. The web I2 is provided with an outer convex spherical surface l3 engaging the spherically disposed concave surface l4 of the front wall 4, thereby presenting an adequate bearing area between the arcuate web and front wall for the transmission of bufling forces as well as permitting the suppelmentary yoke to move freely in a vertical or horizontal direction with respect to the yoke I.

In order to provide means for the transmission of draft forces from the supplementary yoke 3 to the yoke I, a ball I5, formed preferably with an outer convex spherical surface I6 concentric with and engaging the inner concave spherical surface l6 of the web I2, is connected to the arms 2 of the yoke by means of a vertically disposed bolt IT. The bolt I1, arranged to move in a rearward direction longitudinally of the draft rigging, has a wedge-shaped head ll positioned within an aperture l8 provided in the top arm 2 and a stem portion l9 extending through the medial portion of the ball l5 and a substantially aligned aperture l8 provided in the, lower arm of the yoke I. It will be here observed that the bolt 11 is restricted against rotative movement by reason of the formation of the head I1 The aperture l8, occupied by the wedge-shaped head ll of the bolt, has the rear portion 20 thereof spaced from the head I! to provide clearance for the rearward movementpf the head and the forward portion 20 inclined and engaged by a correspondingly inclined portion of the head H The aperture I8, which is preferably larger than the aperture l8, has the rear portion 2| thereof spaced from the bolt stem 19 for the purpose of providing clearance for the rearward movement of the bolt stem, while the forward portion 2| is inclined at substantially the same angle of inclination as the portion 20 and is engaged by an associated wedge 22 which forms a bearing for the stem l9 and is retained in position by the nut 23 provided on the free end of the bolt.

By a manipulation of the nut 23, so as to shorten the effective length of the bolt, the head ['1 and wedge 22 will be urged inwardly of the yoke I and, by reason of the inclined portions 20 and 2|, the bolt l1 and ball IE will move rearwardly of the draft rigging thereby urging the convex surface l5 of the ball into surface bearing engagement with the inner concave surface l6 of the arcuate web l2. The rearward movement of the bolt l1 and ball 15 will also urge the outer convex surface l3 of the arcuate web into bearing relation with the concave surface E4 of the front wall 4. Thus, by a manipulation of the nut 23, the juxtapositioned surfaces of the ball l5, arcuate web l2 and front wall 4 may be easily maintained in bearing relation thereby compensating for any wear in the supplementary yoke-yoke connection which may result therein from continued use.

Positioned between the spaced members l and reinforcing webs ll of the supplementary yoke is a shank or stem portion 24 of the coupler 25 having side walls 26 thereof preferably engaging the inner surfaces 21 of the members Ill. The rear portion of the stem 24 is provided with a concave spherical surface 28 concentric with and engaging the convex surface E of the ball I5 thereby providing an adequate bearing area between the ball and coupler stem for the transmission of forces resulting from buffing shocks applied to the coupler.

Forming a connection between the coupler stem 24 and the supplementary yoke 9 for the transmission of draft forces applied to the draft rigging, a horizontally disposed bolt 29 extends through substantially aligned apertures 30 and 30 in the members In of the supplementary yoke and the slot 3| in the coupler stem.

In order to assist the bolt 29 in providing a substantially rigid connection between the.

coupler stem and the supplementary yoke, the arms in of the supplementary yoke have, proiecting inwardly therefrom, longitudinally disposed shear lugs 32 extending on either side of the apertures 30 and 30 and engaging complementary grooves or recesses 33 formed in the side walls 26 of the coupler stem. The shear lugs 32 and the complementary grooves 33 also provide a guiding means in order toproperly position the coupler stem on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging and thereby retain the concave surface 28 coaxial with the ball l5. It will, of course, be understood that the shear lugs 32 may, if so desired, be formed on side walls 26 of the coupler stem and the complementary grooves 33 formed in the arms ll! of the supplementary yoke.

By reason of the concave surface 28 engaging the convex surface it) of the ball l5 and the shear lugs 32 extending within the grooves 33, there will not be any hinging action of the coupler about the bolt 23, due to the displacement of the coupler in a vertical direction. Any hinging action of the coupler about the bolt 29 will be' prevented upon the displacement of the coupler in a horizontal direction by reason of the concave surface 28 of the coupler stem engaging the ball [5 in addition to the surface bearing relation between the side walls 26 and the surfaces 21 of the coupler stem and members In respectively.

To compensate for wear, which may result from continued use, the coupler-supplementary yoke connection is also made adjustable so that the surface 28 of the coupler stem may, at all times, be easily retained in engagement with the ball i 5. The aperture 30 receiving the wedgeshaped bolt head '34 has the rear portion 35 thereof spaced from the bolt head to provide clearance for the rearward movement of the head and a forward inclined portion 36 engaging a correspondingly inclined portion of the wedgeshaped head so that the bolt head, upon being moved inwardly of the supplementary yoke, will be urged in a longitudinal direction. The aperture 30 has the rear portion 35 thereof spaced from the bolt stem 31 to provide clearance for the rearward movement of the stem and the forward inclined portion 36 tapered at substantially the same angle of inclination as the portion 36, which is engaged by an associated wedge 38. The wedge 38, acting as a bearing for the bolt stem 31, is adapted to be urged inwardly of the yoke to within the slot 3| in the coupler stem by means of the nut '39 provided on the threaded end of the bolt.

Thus, it will be observed that, upon manipulation of the nut 39 so as to shorten the effective length of the bolt 28, the bolt head 34 and wedge surface 28 of the coupler stem and the convex surface l of the ball II.

From the preceding description it will be noted that buffing forces applied to the coupler stem will be transmitted to the forward wall 4 of the yoke l, and consequently to the cushioning mechanism, directly through the ball l5 and arcuate web I! of the supplementary yoke, while draft forces applied to the coupler stem will be transmitted to the supplementary yoke through the bolt 29 and to the arms 2 of the'yoke through the bolt l1.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5 which illustrate a modification of the previously described structure,'the yoke I comprises a pairof spaced arms 2 connected intermediate their ends by an integrally formed rear wall 3 which forms an abutment for the cushioning mechanism (not shown) and a front wall 4 spaced from and integrally united with the rear wall by means of a medial web 5 and horizontally disposed reinforcing webs 6. The front wall, comprising arcuate side portions 1 projecting outwardly beyond the vertical plane of the arms 2 which are connected to the forward extremities of the arms 2 by means of integral gussets or flanges 8 to present a forwardly opening bell-shaped hood, is provided with a recessed portion 40 for the reception of a removable bearing or wear block 4i.

In the modified structure the auxiliary or supplementary yoke 9 is substantially U-shape in plan and comprises laterally spaced members I0 connected adjacent their forward portions by integrally formed reinforcing webs i I. The members Ill of the supplementary yoke extend rearwardly to within the bell-shaped hood of the yoke I and are directed toward one another to merge on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging to thereby form an arcuate web l2. The web l2, adapted to transmit buffing forces to the bearing block 4! and the yoke I, is provided with a substantially spherical outer convex surface l3 engaging a spherically disposed concave surface i4 provided in the bearing block 4| so as to permit the free universal movement of the supplementary yoke 9 with respect to the yoke I. The ball I 5, preferably formed with a convex spherical surface 15 concentric with and engaging the inner concave spherical surface iii of the web i2, is connected to the yoke by means of a vertically disposed bolt I1 which provides for the transmission of draft forces from the supplementary yoke to the arms 2 of the yoke I. The bolt I1 is also arranged so as to move the ball l5 rearwardly and thereby ensure a bearing relation between the Juxtapositioned surfaces of the ball l5, arcuate web I2 and wear block 4|.

The bolt l1 extends through the medial portion of the ball l5 and aligned apertures 42 and 42 provided in the arms 2 of the yoke. The aperture 42, occupied by the wedge-shaped bolt head H, has theJrear portion 43 thereof spaced from the bolt head while the forward portion 43 thereof is inclined and engaged by a correspondingly inclined portion of the bolt head. The

aperture 42, formed slightly larger than the aperture 42, is provided with a rear portion 44 thereof spaced from the bolt stem If! to allow for the rearward movement thereof while the forward portion 44 is inclined at substantially the same angle of inclination as the portion 43. Forming a bearing for the bolt stem l9 and engaging the inclined portion 44 of the aperture 42 is a wedge 22 which is retained in position and adapted to be moved inwardly of the yoke by means of the nut 23. An inwardly extending flange 42 defining the aperture 42 provides a bearing for the ball l5 in order to retain the axis of the ball on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging.

By manipulating the nut 23 so as to shorten the effective length of the bolt I'l, it will be observed that the bolt head and wedge will be urged inwardly of the yoke I and, by reason of the inclined portions 43 and 44, the bolt will move rearwardly of the draft mechanism thereby providing an adjustable means so as to ensure a surface bearing relation between the ball l5, arcuate web l2 and wear block 4 I.

Positioned between the spaced members vIll and the reinforcing webs I i of the supplementary yoke is the shank or stem portion 24 of an associated coupler 25, the rear portion of which is provided with a concave spherical sur-v face 28 concentric with and engaging the convex surface l5 of the ball l5, thereby providing an adequate bearing area between the ball and coupler stem for the transmission of bufling forces. The bolt 29, extending through aligned apertures 45 and 45 in the members I 0 of the supplementary yoke and the slot 3| provided in the coupler stem, forms a connection between the supplementary yoke and coupler for the transmission of draft forces, applied to the draft rigging, from the coupler to the supplementary yoke.

In order to retain a bearing relation between the concave surface 28 and the convex surface l5 of the ball l5 the aperture 45, which receives the wedge-shaped bolt head 34, has the rear portion 46 thereof spaced from the bolt head so as to permit the free rearward movement thereof, and the front portion provided with an inclined surface 47 engaging a similarly inclined portion provided on the bolt head. The aperture 45, which is partially occupied by an associated wedge 38, has the rear portion 46 thereof similarly spaced from the bolt stem 3'! and a forward inclined surface 41 disposed at substantially the same angle of inclination as the portion 41 and engaged by a correspondingly inclined portion provided on the wedge. The wedge 38, acting as a bearing for the bolt stem 31, is adapted to be urged inwardly of the supplementary yoke by means of the nut 39 provided on the threaded end of the bolt 29.

By a manipulation of the nut 39 so as to shorten the effective length of the bolt 29, the bolt head and wedge will be urged inwardly of the supplementary yoke and, by reason by the wedge-shaped head and wedge engaging the inclined portions 41 and 41, the bolt and coupler stem will be urged toward the ball i5, thereby providing an adjustable means to retain the concave surface 28 of the coupler stem in engagement with the convex surface 15 of the ball l5.

From the preceding description it will be observed that the structure of the present invention provides a substantially rigid connection between the coupler and supplementary yoke and a universal connection between the coupler and yoke, thereby allowing the coupler and supplementary yoke to move freely about the ball in a horizontal or vertical direction as well as rotate on the longitudinal axis of the draft rigging in order to compensate for any movement of associatedvehicle bodies. It will be further observed that both the coupler-supplementary yoke and the supplementary yoke-yoke connections may be readily adjusted in order to compensate for wear in connection which may result therein from continued use.

It will, of course, be understood that merely exemplary forms of the present invention have inner and outer spherical surfaces, said outer surface being associated with a surface carried by said yoke, a coupler stem connected to said supplementary yoke and being adjustable longitudinally therewith, a removable ball interposed between the coupler stem and inner surface of said supplementary yoke, and means connecting said ball and yoke, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke [being adapted for universal movement about the ball with respect to the yoke.

2. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke, a supplementary yoke having an arcuate portion thereof positioned within the hood, said arcuate portion being adapted to transmit bumng fonces to said yoke and provided with an inner concave and an outer convex surface, said outer surface being associated with a surface carried by said yoke, a coupler stem adjustably connected to said supplementary .yoke and adapted to be moved longitudinally of said supplementary yoke, said coupler stem having the rear portion thereof formed with a concave surface, means interposed between and concentric with the concave surfaces of the coupler stem and arcuate portion of said supplementary yoke, and means adjustably connecting said interposed means and yoke, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted for angling movement about said interposed means with respect to the yoke.

3. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced arms connected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wall provided with a spherical concave surface, a U- shaped supplementary yoke comprising spaced members. merging on the normal longitudinal axis of the draft rigging to form an arcuate web having an inner spherical surface and an outer spherical surface, the latter of which is concentric with and engaging said yoke concave surface, a. coupler stem interposed between and removably connected to said spaced members, said coupler stem being longitudinally adjustable relative to said supplementary yoke and having a concave spherical rear surface concentric with said inner surface, a ball interposed between the concave surface of the coupler stem and the said inner surface, and connecting means extending'through said ball and arms, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted for universal movement with respect to the yoke.

4. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced arms connected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wall provided with a concave surface, a supplementary yoke comprising spaced members integrally united adjacent their forward portions by spaced reinforcing 'webs and merging on the normal longitudinal axis of the draft rigging to form an arcuate web concentric with and engaging said yoke concave surface, a coupler stem interposed between and longitudinally adjustably connected to said spaced members, said coupler stem having a concave rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, a removable'ball interposed between the concave surface of the coupler stem and the arcuate web, and adjustable means connecting said ball and arms, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted for angular movement with respect to the yoke.

5. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced arms connected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wall provided with a-spherically disposed surface, a supplementary yoke comprising a pair of spaced members integrally united by an arcuate web concentric with and engaging the spherically disposed surface, a coupler stem interposed between said spaced members having a spherical concave rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, a ball concentric with and interposed between the concave surface of said coupler stem and arcuate web, means extending-'through-the coupler stem and spaced members adapted to urge the coupler stem into engagement with the ball, and additional means extending through the ball and spaced arms for urging the ball into engagement with the arcuate web, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted for universal movement about the ball with respect to the yoke.

6. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced arms connected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wall provided with a spherically disposed surface, a U-shaped supplementary yoke comprising a pair of spaced members integrally united by an arcuate web concentric with and engaging the spher ically disposed surface, a coupler stem interposed between said spaced members having a concave spherical rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, a. ball concentric with and interposed between the concave surface of said coupler stem and arcuate web, adjustable means extending through the coupler stem and spaced members for urging the coupler stem rearwardly into engagement with the ball, and additional adjustalble means extending through the ball and spaced arms for urging the ball rearwardly into engagement with the arcuate web, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted for universal movement about the ball with respect to the yoke.

7. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke, a supplementary yoke comprising spaced members connected adjacent their forward extremities by spaced reinforcing webs and a rear arcuate portion positioned within the hood, said arcuate portion being adapted to transmit buffing forces to said yoke, a coupler stem longitudinally adjustably connected to said spaced members and having a rear concave portion concentric with the arcuate portion of the supplementary yoke, means interposed between the rear portion of said coupler stem and the arcuate portion, and means longitudinally adjustaibly connecting said interposed means and yoke, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted for angling movement about the interposed means with respect to the yoke.

8. In a draft rigging, in' combination, a yoke having spaced arms and an integrally formed wall, a wear block positioned in a recess formed in said wall, a U-shaped supplementary yoke comprising spaced members merging on the normal longitudinal axis of said draft rigging to form an arcuate web, said arcuate web being concentric with and engaging an arcuate surface provided in the wear block, a coupler stem interposed between and connected to said spaced members, said coupler stem having a concave rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, a ball interposed between the'rear portion of the coupler stem and arcuate web, and longitudinally adjustable means extending through said ball and arms, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted to move angularly about the ball with respect to the yoke.

9. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced arms and an integrally formed wall, a removable wear block occupying a recess formed in said wall, a U-shaped supplementary yoke comprising spaced members merging on the normal longitudinal axis of said draft rigging to form an arcuate web, said arcuate web being concentric with and engaging an arcuate surface provided in the wear block, a coupler stem interposed between and longitudinally adjustably connected to said spaced members, said coupler stem having a concave rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, interposed means concentric with and between the rear portion of the coupler stem and arcuate web, and adjustable means extending through said interposed means and arms, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted for angular movement about the interposed means with respect to the yoke.

10. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced arms and an integrally formed wall, a wear block positioned in a recess formed in said wall, a U-shaped supplementary yoke comprising spaced members merging on the normal longitudinal axis of said draft rigging to form an arcuate web, said web having an outer spherical convex surface concentric and in bearing relation with a spherical concave surface provided in the wear block, a coupler stem interposed between and adjustably connected to said spaced members, said coupler stem having a spherical concave rear surface concentric with an inner spherical concave surface on said arcuate web, a ball interposed between and in bearing relation with the oncave surfaces of the coupler stem and arcuate web, a flange provided on one of said arms forming a bearing for said ball, and adjustable means extending through said ball and arms, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted to move universally about the ball with respect to the yoke.

11. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke, a supplementary yoke member having an arcuate portion positioned within the hood and adapted to transmit bufling forces to said yoke, a coupler-supplementary yoke member connection comprising a coupler stem member engaging and adjustably connected to said supplementary yoke member, said coupler stem member having the rear portion thereof concave and concentric with the arcuate portion of the supplementary yoke member, shear lugs provided on one member of the coupler-supplementary yokeconnection extending within complementary grooves in the other of said members, an element interposed between the rear portion of the coupler stem member and arcuate portion of the supplementary yoke member, and means adjustably connecting said element and yoke, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke members being adapted for 7 5 of said wear block, a coupler stem interposed be-' tween and adjustably connected to said spaced members, said coupler stem having a concave rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, an apertured element interposed between the concave rear surface of said coupler stem and arcuate web, means extending through the apertures in the spaced arms and element to form a connection therebetween, and a flange defining one of the apertures in said arms extending inwardly of the yoke and providing abearlng for the element, thereby retaining the element in a predetermined position.

13. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke having spaced arms connected adjacent their forward portions by an integrally formed wall provided with a concave surface, a U-shaped supplementary yoke comprising a pair of spaced members united adjacent their forward extremities by reinforcing webs and at their rear extremities by an arcuate web concentric with and engaging the concave surface of said wall, a coupler stem interposed between and removably connected to said spaced members, said coupler stem having a concave rear surface concentric with said arcuate web, an element concentric with and interposed between the rear surface of the coupler stem. and arcuate web, and longitudinally adjustable connecting means extending through said element and spaced arms.

14. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke, a supplementary yoke comprising spaced members united adjacent their forward portions by spaced reinforcing webs, an arcuate web connecting the rear extremities of said spaced members positioned within said hood and adapted to transmit bufllng forces to said yoke, a coupler,

stem interposed between said spaced members and reinforcing webs, said coupler stem engaging the spaced members and having the rear portion thereof formed with a concave surface, means interposed between the concave surface of the coupler stem and arcuate portion of the supplementary yoke, means extending through the coupler stem and spaced members for urging the concave surface of said coupler stem into bearing relation with said interposed means, and additional means extending through said interposed means and yoke for retaining a bearing relation between said interposed means, arcuate web and yoke.

15. In a draft rigging, in combination, a hooded yoke having spaced apertured arms, a supplementary'yoke having an end portion thereof positioned between said arms, said end portion being arranged to transmit buffing forces to said yoke and provided with an outer spherical convex surface in bearing relation with a correspondingly formed concave spherical surface associated with said yoke, said supplementary yoke having spaced members embracing a stem portion of an associated coupler, means connecting said coupler stem and supplementary yoke members, a spherical concave surface on said coupler stem, an apertured ball interposed between said coupler stem surface and an inner concave relation thereto, said arms being connected together adjacent the other extremity thereof by an arcuate web, said arcuate web having an outer spherical convex surface adapted to bear against a correspondingly formed surface carried by an associated,y0ke and an inner spherical concave surface forming a bearing for an associated element having a correspondingly formed surface and apertures in said arms having inclined surfaces for the accommodation of associated bridging means.

17. A supplementary yoke for a draft rigging I comprising spaced apertured arms connected together adjacent one extremity thereof by spaced web portions, said arms being connected together adjacent the other extremity thereof by an ar- I cuate web, said arcuate web having an outer spherical convex surface and an inner spherical concave surface, said web surfaces being adapted to engage correspondingly formed surfaces of associated elements, each ofsaidapertur'es in said arms having an inclined surface for direct engagement. with correspondingly formed surfaces of associated means adapted to occupy said apertures.

18. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke I having a pair of spaced apertured arms connected together adjacent one extremity thereof by a transverse wall, a cupler structure having an apertured portion thereof positioned between said arms and associated with said transverse wall for the transmission of bufling forces to said yoke, and adjustable means extending through said apertures and in bearing relation with said spaced arms and coupler structure for the transmission of draft forces from the cupler structure to the yoke, said adjustable means comprising a bolt having a wedge-shaped head at one end thereof occupying the aperture in one of said arms, a wedge occupying the aperture in the other of said arms, and a movable element associated with the bolt and in bearing relation with said wedge, whereas upon a manipulation of the movable element to shorten the effective length of the bolt, the coupler structure will be forced toward said yoke wall.

19. A coupler structure-yoke connection, in a railway draft rigging, comprising a bolt having a wedge-shaped head portion thereof occupying a correspondingly formed aperture in said yoke, a stem of said bolt extending through a suitable aperture in said coupler structure and in bearing relation with said coupler structure, a. wedge positioned in a correspondingly formed aperture in said yoke, said wedge forming a bearing for said bolt stem, a movable element associated with said bolt stem and in bearing relation with said wedge, whereas upon a manipulation of the movable element to shorten the effective length of the bolt, the coupler structure will be moved relatively to said yoke.

20. A supplementary yoke for -a draft rigging comprising spaced members connected together adjacent one extremity thereof by spaced web portions, said members being connected together adjacent the other extremity thereof by an arcuate web, said arcuate web having an outer spherical convex surface arranged to bear against a corresponding surface of an associated yoke,

and an inner spherical concave surface forming a bearing for an associated element having a correspondingly formed surface, and lugs extending inwardly of said supplementary yoke from each of said members.

21. A yoke device for a draft rigging comprising spaced arms joined intermediate their ends by an integrally formed rear wall, a front wall spaced from said rear wall and extending between said yoke arms, reinforcing webs joining device comprising spaced arms joined integrally intermediate their ends by a wall, a wear plate positioned in a recess in said wall, a supplementary yoke comprising spaced members joined adjacent one end by a connecting portion having inner and outer arcuate surfaces, said outer surface bearing against a complementally formed surface on said wear plate, an element interposed between said spaced members and bearing against said inner ar'cuate surface, means extending through apertures in said spaced arms and element, means extending inwardly of said yoke device from one of said arms and engaging said element, a coupler stem guidingly received between said spaced members, and adjustable means associated with said spaced members and coupler stem for urging said coupler stem into I intimate contact with said element, said coupler stem and supplementary yoke being adapted to angle in a horizontal plane about said element and with respect to said yoke.

23. In a draft rigging, in combination, a yoke comprising spaced arms connected intermediate their ends by longitudinally spaced front and rear walls, reinforcing webs joining said front and rear walls, said spaced arms being apertured forwardly of said front wall, inclined surfaces in said apertures, a coupler structure having a rear portion thereof interposed between said spaced arms and having a rear surface associated with a surface carried by said forward wall, adjustable means extending between said spaced arms for retaining said coupler structure rear surface in intimate contact with said associated surface, said adjustable means comprising a bolt having a wedge-shaped head in bearing relation with an inclined surface of one of said arm apertures and a stem extending through said coupler structure and the other of said arm apertures, a removable wedge positioned in the other arm aperture and bearing against the inclined surface thereof, said wedge forming a bearing for said stem, and a movable element associated with said stem and bea ing ag'ainst said wedge.

DONALD S. BARROWS. EMIL- H. BLAT'I'NER.

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