US237882A - Car-coupling - Google Patents

Description

(NMorlel.) A. LOVELACB Calfv Coupling. No. 237,882. Patented Feb. 15,1881.

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11 Invewor; `oc'lLer' uflLovelag UNITED STATES PATENT EEICE.

WALTER A. LOVELAGE, OF RICHMOND, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 237,882, dated February 15, 1881.

Application filed November 22, 1880.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER A. LovELAcE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of car-couplings in which the cars are automatically coupled when brought together, and can be uncoupled without the necessity of the brakeman entering between the platforms.

The object of the invention is to simplify the construction of the couplings and to render them more effective in operation, and to provide simple means whereby the cars may be uncoupled either from one side of the platform or from the top ofthe car.

To this end my invention consists, essentially, in providing a draw-head with a movable jaw and with a rear chamber communicating with a longitudinal space between the movable jaw and the draw-head, and arranging a sliding block or plate within the drawhead which is adapted to be adjusted longitudinally along the movable jaw for locking the same, and to be retracted into the said.

rear chamber of the draw-head in order to release the movable jaw.

Theinvention embraces other features, which will be fully hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

`In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a perspective view of a draw-head or buer constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal sectional view of two draw-heads or bui'ers when in a coupled position 5 Fig. 3a transverse sectional view, showing the means of operating the lookin g and unlocking device from the side of the car. Fig. 4 represents a transverse sectional view, showing a modified means of operatin g the locking and unlocking device, whereby the latter can be actuated either from the side or top of the car.

` Referring to the drawings, A indicates a buffer or draw-head,which, in the present instance, is formed with the lower stationary proximately hemispherical recess, a, forming (No model.)

i a shoulder, c', the front edge of said jaw being beveled olf, as at b, in order to guide the head of the coupling-bar between thejaws.

The letter C indicates the upper loose movable jaw, which is recessed and beveled, as at c d, the same as the stationaryjaw forming the shoulder c', and -is provided at or near its rear end with a transverse rounded lug or projection, e, which sets within a similarly-shaped seat,f, in thejaw B. This lug and seat form a bearin g in which the movable jaw is adapted to vibrate to open and close the jaws, the movable jaw in such movements being guided and prevented from lateral displacement by means of the vertical walls g g of the buffer-head; and, further, the lug and recess prevent any longitudinal movement of thejaw. Themovable jaw is provided with an incline, h, which reduces the thickness ot' the rear part or shank of saidjaw, and provides a rear chamber, i, in the buffer-head for the reception of the locking and unlocking device, hereinafter described. l

The' device for locking and unlocking the movable jaw consists of a horizontal bar or plate, D, arranged above the latter, and provided with a beveled or wedge-shaped front edge, 7c, and at its rear end it is pivoted to one end of an angle-lever, E, which is pivoted at its angle in a horizontal slot in the wall g of the butler-head, as at I.. The end of said angle-lever, which projects outside the buiierhead, is connected with a rod or link, F, extending to the side of the car, and suitably supported in suitably-constructed guides.

The coupling-bar Gr is of that class termed arrow-heads; 7 but in the present instance the heads m are approximatelyv in the shape of a sphere, so as to provide rounded portions to permit its free and smooth ingress and egress between the coupling-jaws.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that when the slide D is moved, rearward so as to occupy the chamber t' the couplingbar will freely enter between the jaws, moving the upper jaw vertically until the spherical head m enters the chamber formed by the two recesses c and c, when the upper jaw will fall by gravity, and the shoulders c' and c grasp the head of the coupling-bar. In order to lock the movable jaw in this position after IOO the cars have been coupled, as stated, and thus avoid the possibility ot' their accidental uncoupling, the rod or link F is pushed inward, which aetuates the angle -lever and throws the sliding plate I) forward, its wedgeshaped end riding np the incline h, and then moving forward over the movahlejaw. The sliding block will thus prevent any vertical movement of the movable jaw by reason of the top wall, '11, ofthe butler-head.

In order to permit the nncoupling ot' the cars, the rod or lilik F is pulled outward, and thereby the sliding plate D is withdrawn into the chamber 1'., and the movable jaw is free to move vertically, and, owing to the rounded shape ot' the heads on the coupling-bar, they will freely move from between the jaws.

In some instances it maybe desirable to operate the locking and unlocking device from the top ofthe car, as well as from the side ot' the platform, and to accomplish this in a very simple manner I connect the outer end ofthe rod or link F to one end et' an angle-lever, l1, which is so pivoted at its angle as to oscillate in a vertical plane, and to the outer end ot' said angle-lever is attached a rod, I, extending vertically through suitable guides to the root' of the car. By pulling` said rod I upward, the angle-"lever H is so actuated as to draw outward the rod I", and thus operate the sliding plate D.

I have illustrated a very simple mechanism for operating the locking and unlocking device; but I do not wish to contine myselt to such, as other arrangement of devices can be provided for moving the slide; and, further, I would state that the butter-heads can be provided with an aperture, o, for the passage ot' an ordinary coupling-pin, whereby the cars can be coupled by the usual coupling-links, as they will readily enter the mouths of the jaws B and C.

I-Ieretofore a car-coupling has been constructed with an upper pivoted jaw contined in position to retain the coupling-bar by means of a key arranged transversely through the draw-head above the pivoted jaw, said key heilig pivoted at one end to a vertical swinging lever, by which it is operated; but such is not my invention, and is' not claimed by me.

l. The combination, with a draw-head having a movable coupling-jaw, and provided with a chamber in its rear portion communicating with a longitudinal space between the movable jaw and the draw-head, of a slide inclosed within the draw-head, and arrai'lged to be adjusted longitudinally along the movable jaw for locking the same, and to be retracted into the rear chamber of the draw-head for releasing said movable jaw, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the fixed jaw of a car-coupling, of a loose or movable jaw having an incline on its upper side, and a longitiulinally-sliding plate or bar having a beveled or wedge-shaped end adapted to ride up said inclinei'or locking the movablejaw in aclosed position, substantially as described.

3. 'Ihe combination, with the iixed and movable jaws ot' a car-couililing and the buffer-head in which they are inclosed, ot' a longitudinallysliding plate or bar arranged above the movable ja-w, an angle-lever pivoted in thel side wall of the buii'er-head and having its inner end connected with'the slide, and a rod or link attached to thc other end ot' said anglelever and extending` tothe side ot' the car, substantially as described.

ei. The combination, with the butter-head, the fixed and movable jaws, and the horizontal slide arranged above the movable jaw, ot' the angle-lever pivoted within the butter-head and connected with the slide and a connecting mechanisni extending to the root' the car, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence ot'v two subscribing witnesses.

VAL'IER A. LOVELACE.

Witnesses:

NEWELL S. WIGHT, GHARLEs H. LOVELACE.

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