US2296110A

US2296110A - Train pipe coupler

Info

Publication number: US2296110A
Application number: US444449A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lowe Richard Thomas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1942-05-25
Filing date: 1942-05-25
Publication date: 1942-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 1959-09-15

Description

Sept. 15, 1942. R. T. LOWE TRAIN PIPE coUPLER Filed May 25, 1942 24 Sheets-Sheet l- WM @0am Sept. 15, 1942. R. T. LWE 2,296,110

, TRAIN PIPE cUPLER l Filed May 25. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Attorney Patented Sept. 15, 1942 ii'l '2 Claims.

This invention relates te trai-n -pipe couplers vof a `generally similar 4nature to that `constituting the subject matter of my United States Patent No; 1,625,370, issued April 19, 1927, upon which the present device constitutes an improvement.

An important object of this invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a coupler of the aforementioned character comprising a novel combination and arrangement whereby a multiplicity of fluid conduits may be expeditiously and securely connected or disconnected between a pair of cars.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a train pipe coupler of the character described comprising means whereby electric conductor wires may be conveniently connected between a pair of cars.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a train pipe coupler of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a train pipe coupler constructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the device installed.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, showing the supporting brackets in horizontal section.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional View, taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of one of the units, looking at the inner side thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a pair of opposed, complemental side abutting plates I of suitable metal. The plates I are provided, on their end portions, with coacting interlocking members 2 and 3 for slidably securing said plates together.

Rods 4 project longitudinally from the outer ends of the plates I. The rods 4 extend slidably through openings 5 which are provided therefor in the lower portions of supporting brackets 6 which depend from the shanks 'I of a conventional car coupling 8. Expansion coil springs 9 encircle the rods 4 and have one end engaged 'With the brackets 6 and their other ends engaged CTL CAD

with the plates I for yieldingly urging said plates ytoward each other. Chains I `suspend the inner portions Aolf the plates I from the coupling 8.

Blocks I\'I 'arefpivotally mounted for limited swinging movement in a horizontal plane on the outer sides of the plates I. Pipes I2 extend through the blocks II and project into chambers I3 in the opposed faces of the plates I. Collars I4 in the form of nuts are threadedly mounted on the inner end portions of the pipes I2 for engagement with each other in a manner to provide a leakproof joint. Elbows I5 are threadedly mounted on the outer end portions of the pipes I2 for connection with the several train pipes IB.

Levers I'I are also pivotally mounted for swinging movement in a horizontal plane on the outer sides of the plates I, said levers being adjacent the free ends of the blocks II. Links I8 connect the free end portions of the blocks I I to the levers I'I for actuation thereby. Rods I9 are pivotally connected to the levers I'I and extend slidably through openings 20 which are provided therefor in the brackets 6. Expansion coil springs 2| are operatively connected to the rods I9 for actuating the levers I 1 in a direction to swing the blocks II inwardly against the outer faces or sides of the plates I.

L'ugs 22 are provided on the upper and lower portions of the blocks II. Mounted in the lugs 22 and insulated therefrom, as at 23, are binding posts 24 which project horizontally into openings 25 which are provided therefor in upper and lower portions of the plates I. Opposed nuts and washers 26 are provided at intermediate points on the binding posts 24 for electrically securing conductor wires thereto. The inner portions of the binding posts 24 extend slidably through insulating guide bushings 2'I which are provided therefor in the openings 25 and are provided, on their inner ends, with contacts 28.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the plates I are brought slidably together and secured by the coacting members 2 and 3. As previously stated, the coil springs 9 yieldingly urge the plates I toward each other. As also previously set forth, the coll springs 2| cause the levers Il to swing the blocks I I inwardly against the plates I for tightly engaging the adjacent ends of the aligned pipes I2. Thus, the train lines I6 of the adjacent cars 29 are connected. Inward movement of the blocks II also engages the opposed pairs of contacts 28 for electrically connecting the aligned binding posts 24,

It is believed that the many advantages of a train pipe coupler constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A train pipe coupler of the character described comprising a pair of opposed plates, means for detachably securing said plates together in side abutting engagement, means for supporting the plates between a pair of cars, blocks pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the outer sides of the plates, pipes mounted in said blocks and projecting into the plates, collars threadedly mounted on the inner end portions of the pipes,

elbows threadedly mounted on the outer end portions of the pipes for connection with a plurality of train pipes, and resilient means for swinging the blocks inwardly against the plates for engaging the collars for establishing communication between the pipes on said blocks.

CII

2. A train pipe coupler of the character described comprising a pair of opposed plates, means for detachably securing said plates together in side abutting engagement, means for supporting the plates between a pair of cars, blocks pivotally mounted for swinging movement on the outer sides of the plates, pipes mounted in said blocks and projecting into the plates, collars threadedly mounted on the inner end portions of the pipes, elbows threadedly mounted on the outer end portions of the pipes for connection with a plurality of train pipes, and resilient means for swinging the blocks inwardly against the plates for engaging the collars for establishing communication between the pipes on said blocks, said means including levers pivotally mounted on the plates, links operatively connecting the blocks to said levers for actuation thereby, rods pivotally connected to the free end portions of the levers, means for slidably supporting one end of said rods, and expansion coil springs operatively connected to the rods for actuating the levers in one direction.

RICHARD THOMAS LOWE.