US2408925A - Buffer and draft gear - Google Patents

Description

J. E. GRAHAM BUFFER AND DRAFT GEAR Filedoct. 3.0, 1945 sheewsneei 1 C, "it/19 IN1 {N TOR. JOHN @GRAHAM HIS TTORNEV @Si w45. .5. E. GRAHAM 2,468,925

BUFFER AND DRAFT GEAR Filed Oct. 10, 1945 5 Sheets-Shelet 2 INVENTUR. JOHN El. Gnfl @s 36 .1a. E. GRAHAM 2,408,925

BUFFER AND DRAFT GEAR Filed oet. 1o', 1945 s sheets-sheet s IN1/EV TOR.

.JQHN E. GRAHAM A* HIS ORNEY Patented Oct. 8, 1946 BUFFER AND DRAFT GEAR John E. Graham, Huntington, W. Va., assigner to The Watt Car & Wheel Company, Barnesville, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 10, 1945, Serial No. 621,526

12 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in buffer and draft gear and has to do, more particularly, with improvements in a buffer and draft gear that is especially suitable for use on mine cars.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a buffer and draft gear, which is especially suitable for use on a mine car, and which, though of strong and sturdy construction, is comparatively simple and economical to manufacture and assemble.

A further object of my invention is to provide a buffer and draft gear for mine cars, of such nature that the parts thereof may be readily assembled in operative relation upon the end sill of the mine car.

Another object of my invention is t provide a buffer and draft gear construction, of such nature that the parts may be readily disassembled, without the use of special tools or skills, in case the repair or replacement of any part becomes necessary.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction and economies of operation, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. In one instance, I have accomplished the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims. A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Fig. 1 is a View in front elevation of a buffer and draft gear embodying my invention.

Fig, 2 is a bottom plan view of the buffer and draft gear.

Fig. 3 is a view in end elevation, taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the buifer and draft gear, taken on the line 4-12 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a Vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a View of the draft element in front elevation.

Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the draft element and Fig. 8 is a view of the draft element in side elevation.

In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawings, my improved buffer and draft gear is to be mounted on the end sill I0 of a mine car. A housing is secured to this end sill, which is made up of a pair of channels welded in endwise relationship to said end sill. The anges I2 and I3 of these channels extend toward each other and form the top and bottom walls of the housing, but the channels are so spaced apart that the edges of said flanges are separated, thus forming openings in the top and bottom of the housing walls. The end sill I0 forms the rear wall of the housing, the bases I I of the channels form the side walls of the housing, the top flanges I2 of the channels form the top wall of the housing, and the bottom flanges I3 of the channels form the bottom wall of the housing. The front end of this housing is open.

A draft element is slidably mounted within the housing and includes a fiat plate I4, which is adapted to engage the front face of the sill II) and the lower edge of which is slidably mounted on the flanges I3 forming the bottom wall of the housing. A pair of flanges I5 are secured to the plate I4, in edgewise relationship, and extend forwardly therefrom in vertically spaced relationship. These anges, as shown in Fig. 6, extend the full length of the plate I4. A pair of horizontally spaced brackets I5 are applied to the upper edge of the plate I4 and to the uppermost flange I5 and secured thereto, eachbracket having a shoulder I'I adapted to engage the upper corner of the plate I4. These brackets I6 extend upwardly through the opening in the top wall of the housing, formed by the spacing of flanges I2. A bitching arm I8 is applied to and welded to the upper ends of the brackets I6, and is arranged centrally of the structure, and said hitching arm extends forwardly parallel to the top wall of the housing. This arm I8 has a hole I9 therein, adapted to receive a coupling pin. It is spaced from the top wall of the housing sufficiently to receive a coupling link between said top wall and said hitching arm. Straps 20 are fastened to the flanges i 5 and extend forwardly therefrom, said straps being arranged centrally of the structure. The forward portions of these straps are bent toward each other, at 2l, and the foremost portions of the straps are secured together to form a hitching tongue 22, which lies in the horizontal plane midway between the flanges I5. This hitching tongue has a hole 23 therein, in line with the hole I3 of the hitching arm, and adapted to receive the lower end of the coupling pin.

A buffer element is slidably mounted in the 3 housing and projects from the open front end thereof, and this buffer element comprises a convex front face 24 and the upper and lower rearwardly-extending flanges 25. It is to be noted that this buffer element is substantially a channel member, of which the front face 24 constitutes the base. Plates 23 are mounted within this channel member, adjacent the ends thereof, and rigidly secured thereto, and said plates :29 extend rearwardly beyond the rear edges of flanges 25. rIhese rearwardly-extending portions of the plates have elongated, rectangular slots 2T therein. The buffer element is slidably mounted on the bottom wall of the housing, its lower ange 25 beingin engagement with and supported thereby, and the plates 2B extend rearwardly parallel to the side walls I I of the housing. When the partsare assembled, the bitching tongue 22 extends into the buffer element, midway between the top and'bottom flanges thereof. Elongated slots 28 are provided in the top and bottom flanges -25 of the buffer element, to permit thepassage of the coupling pin.

'Pads 25 are secured to the innersurface of the front face 24 of the buffer element, and support rings 30, which enter the front ends of compression springs 3 I, arranged one on either side ofthe hitching tongue -22 and interposed between the pads 29 and-the front edges of the flanges I5. A square locking bar'33, having a head 34, extends through square holes 32 in the side walls II of the housing, through 'theslots 21 in the plates'26 ofthe buffer element, and in front of the plate I4 and between the flanges I5 of'said draft element. The washer 35 is applied between the head 34 of the locking bar and the adjacent side wall II of the housing, and another washer 35 is applied on the other end of the locking bar, engaging the sidewall I Iand being held in position by a cotter pin passed through the hole 36 in the projecting end'of said bar. When the parts are in the relative positions shown in Figf, the `forwardface of the locking bar 33 is in line Vwith the forward edges of flanges I5 and, under such circumstances, the rear ends of thecompression springs 3I seat on the front face of the locking bar, `as well Vas on the front edges of said flanges.

The operation of this buffer and draft gear should be quite apparent from the foregoing description, Ibut I will describe it briefly, at this point. When the apparatus is in buff, pressure is applied to the face 240i the buffer element acting rearwardly, that is, in the direction of the end sillI. Rearward movement of the draftelement is limited by'engagement ofthe plate I4 with the frontvface'of'the end sill, so that the front edges of the flanges I5 'form seats, against which the springs 3I are compressed by rearward movement of thebuifer element, which rearward/movement is limited to that permitted by the engagement of the-lockingybar 33, xedto the housing, in the elongated slots Y2l of plates '28 of the buffer element. iA pull on a coupling link, located between the hitching arm I8 and the top wall I2 of the housing and through which a coupling pin receivedin the holes I9 and 23 passes, applies draft to thedraft element, which tends to move it forwardly in'the'housing, that is, `away from the end sill I0. This tends to .move the buffer element 24 .outwardly inthe housing, but such outward movementof .the bufferelement is limited'by the engagement of the rear ends of slots 21 with the rear face of the locking bar.33, so that the springs 3| yieldingly oppose this draft movement of the draft element. Forward movement of the draft can then he inserted in position within this housing.

The compression springs can then be inserted withtheir rear ends seated on the forward .edges of anges I5, and, then, the huier element .caribe slidinto position in the housing, with the rings '39 centered in the forward ends of the springs 3l. and temporarily held in such position that the slots 27 'are in line with the holes 32 in the sidewalls of the housing. The locking bar 33 can then be inserted and this holds the parts together. The parts can be quickly disassembled byfremoving the cotter pin from hole 36 and driving ont the lockingbar 33, the removal of which permits the parts of this buffer and draft gear to be removed.

I am aware that the particular buffer and draft gear construction illustrated hereinis susceptible of considerable variation without departing from the spirit of my invention and, therefore, I claim my invention broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill, and having an open front end; a draft element slidably mounted in said housing, in front of said end sill; a buffer element slidably mounted in said housing, and projecting from the open front end thereof, said buffer element having side walls with elongated openings therein; compression springs interposed between said draft clement and said buffer element and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and a longitudinally removable locking bar carried by said housing, and extending 4transversely to the line of draft and parallel to `said end sill at a fixed .distance therefrom, said bar passing throughsaid elongated openings in the buffer side walls, and in front of said draft element, and serving to limit movement of said buffer element under'both buff and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being'limited by itsengagement with said endrsill.

2. A buffer and draft gear comprising the coinbination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill, and having an open front end; a draft element'slidably mounted in said housing, in front of said end sill; a buffer element slidably mounted in said housing, `and projecting from the open front end thereof, said buffer element including a channel member having a longitudinally-curved base constituting the convex front end of the buffer element, and rearwardly extending flanges forming the top and bottom walls of said buffer elementl and plates secured in said channel at the ends thereof and extending rearwardly therefrom to form the side Walls of said buffer element. said plates having aligned, elongated openings therein; compression springs interposed between ksaid draft element and the base of said buffer channel and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and a longitudinally removable locking bar carried by said housing, and extending transversely to the line of draft and parallel to said end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through said elongated openings in the plates of said buffer element and in front of said draft element, and serving to limit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by its engagement with said end sill.

3. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a pair of channel members secured to said end sill in endwise relation thereto, Said channel members being spaced apart on opposite sides of the line of draft, with their flanges extending toward each other and their uppermost flanges spaced apart to provide an opening therebetween, said channel members and end sill forming a housing, the rear wall of which is said end sill, the side walls of which are the bases of said channel members, and the top and bottom walls of which are the flanges of said channels; a draft element slidably mounted in said housing in front of said end sill, and having a hitching portion extending through the opening provided by the spacing of said iianges; a buffer element slidably mounted in said housing, and projecting from the open front end thereof, said buffer element having side walls with elongated openings therein; compression springs interposed between said draft element and said buffer element and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and a longitudinally removable looking bar carried by said housing, and extending transversely to the line of draft and parallel to said end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through openings in the bases of said channels, through said elongated openings in the buffer side walls, and in front of said draft element, and serving to limit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff, being limited by its engagement with said end sill.

4. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill, and having an open front end and a top wall with a longitudinally-extending opening therein; a draft element slidably mounted on the bottom wall of said housing in front of said end sill, and having a hitching portion extending upwardly through said opening in the top wall of said housing and forwardly in spaced relation to and parallel to said top wall; a buffer element slidably mounted on the bottom wall of said housing and projecting from the open front end thereof, said buffer element having spaced, rearwardly-extending portions provided with elongated openings therein; compression springs interposed between said draft element and said buffer element and tending to project the latter from said housing; and a longitudinally removable locking bar carried by said housing, and extending transversely to the line of draft and parallel to said end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through said elongated openings in the bufferelement and in front of said draft element, and serving to limit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by its engagement with said end sill.

5. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill, and having top and bottom walls and an open front end, said top Wall having a longitudinally-extending opening centrally thereof; a draft element including a fiat plate adapted to engage said end sill, and with its lower edge slidable on the bottom wall of said housing, and a hitching portion secured to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom through the opening in the top wall of said housing; a buffer element slidably mounted on the bottom wall of said housing, and projecting from the open front end thereof, said buffer element having spaced rearwardly-extending portions provided with aligned elongated openings; compression springs interposed between said draft element and said buffer element and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and a longitudinally removable locking bar carried by said housing, and extending transversely of the line of draft and parallel to said end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through said elongated openings in the buffer element and in front of said plate of said draft element, and serving to limit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by the engagement of said plate with said end sill.

6. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill and having an open front end; a draft element slidably mounted in said housing in front of said sill and including a flat plate adapted to engage said end sill, and a pair of spaced flanges secured in edgewise relation to said plate and extending forwardly therefrom; a buffer element slidably mounted in said housing and projecting from the open front end thereof, said buer element having spaced rearwardly-extending portions provided with aligned elongated openings therein; compression springs interposed between said flanges of said draft element and said buffer element and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and a longitudinally removable locking bar carried by said housing, and extending transversely to the line of draft and parallel to said end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through said elongated openings in the buffer element, and in front of said plate and between said fianges 0f the draft element, and serving to limit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by the engagement of said plate with said end sill.

7. A buer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill and having an open front end, a bottom wall and a top wall having a longitudinally-extending central opening therein; a draft element including a flat plate adapted to engage said end sill and having its lower edge slidable upon the bottom wall of said housing, a pair of flanges secured to the front face of said plate in edgewise relation and extending forwardly therefrom, and a, hitching portion secured to the upper portion of said plate and the uppermost of said fianges and extending upwardly through the opening in said top wall and forwardly parallel to said top wall; .a :buffer element slidably mounted on 'the 'bottom' wall of-said'housing and'projectingfrom the open front end thereof, said buffer element having spaced portions extending rearwardly and provided'wtih aligned elongated openings; compression springs interposed between said buffer element and the front edges of said flanges and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and alongitudinally removable locking .bar carried by said housing and extending transversely to the line of draft and parallel to said end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through said elongated openings in the 'buffer element, and in front of the plate of said .draft element and between said flangesand servingtollimit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by the engagement ofsaid plate with said end sill.

-8. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill and having an open front end, a bottom wall and a top wall provided with a longitudinally-extending central opening therein; a draft :element including a flat plate adapted to engage said end sill and mounted in said housing with its lower edge slidable upon the bottom wall thereof, a pair of spaced flanges secured to said plate in edgewise relation and extending forwardly therefrom, a, pair of brackets secured to the upper portion of said plate and the uppermost of said flanges and extending upwardly in spaced relation through the opening in the top wall of said housing, a hitching arm secured to said brackets and extending forwardly therefrom parallel to the top rwall of said housing, said hitching arm having a hole therein adapted to receive a coupling pin, and a pair of straps secured to said flanges and extending forwardly therefrom, the forward portions of said straps being bent toward each other and secured together to form a bitching tongue lying midway between the top and bottom Walls of the housing,

Ysaid tongue having a hole therethrough in line with the hole in -said bitching arm and adapted to receive a coupling pin; a buffer element slidably mounted in said housing and projecting from the open front end thereof, said buffer-element having spaced portions extending rearwardly and provided with aligned elongated openings; `compression springs, one on either side of the hitching tongue, interposed between the forward edges of said flanges and said buffer element, and tending to project said bufferelement from said housing; and a longitudinally removable locking bar carried by said housing and extending transversely to the line of draft and parallel to said end sill at a fixed distance therefrom, said bar passing through said elongated openings in the buffer element and in front of said plate of the draft element and betweensaid flanges, and serving to limit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by the engagement of said plate with said end sill.

9. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill, and having an open front end; a draft element slidably-mounted in saidfhousing in front of-said end sill, `and including a ilatplate adapted to engage the front face of said end sill, and 'a pair of flanges secured in spaced, edgewise relation to saidplate'and extending forwardlytherefrom; a buffer element slidably mounted in said housing and projecting from the open frontend thereof; compression springs interposed between the front edges of said flanges and said buffer element and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and a locking'bar carried by said housing and cooperating with said buffer and draft elements to limit movement of the buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of the draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited .by the engagement of said plate with said end sill.

10. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill, and having an open front end, a bottom wall and a top wall provided with a longitudinally-extending, central opening therein; a draft element including a flat plate in front of said end sill, having its lower edge slidable on the bottom wall of said housing, a pair of flanges secured to said plate in spaced, edgewise relation and extending forwardly therefrom, and a hitching portion secured to said plate and the uppermost of said flanges, and extending upwardly through said opening in the top wall of said housing and forwardly parallel to said top wall; a buffer element slidably mounted on the bottom wall of said housing and projecting from the open front end thereof; compression springs interposed between the front edges of said flanges and said buffer element and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and a locking bar carried by said housing and cooperating with said buffer and draft elements to limit movement of said buffer element under both buil? and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement lof the latter under buff being limited by engagement of said plate with said end sill.

1l. A buffer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill and having an open front end, a bottom wall and a top wall having a longitudinally-extending central opening therein; a draft element including a flat plate adapted to engage the front face of said end sill and having its lower edge slidable on the bottom wall of said housing, a pair of flanges secured to said plate in spaced, edgewise relation thereto and extending forwardly therefrom, a bitching arm secured to said plate and extending upwardly through said opening in the top wall of the housing and forwardly parallel to said front wall and provided with a hole adapted to receive a coupling pin, and a pair of straps secured to said flanges and extending forwardly therefrom, with their forward ends bent toward each other and secured together to form a hitching tongue extending midway between the top and bottom walls of said housing-and having a hole therein in line'wth the hole in said hitching arm and adapted to receive the coupling pin; a buffer element slidably mounted on the bottom wall of said housing and projecting from the open front end thereof; compression springs, one on either side of said tongue, interposed between the front edges of said flanges and said buffer element and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and a locking bar carried by said housing and cooperating with said buffer and draft elements to limit movement of said buffer element under both buff and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by engagement of said plate With said end sill.

12. A buiTer and draft gear comprising the combination with the end sill of a car, of a housing secured to and extending forwardly from said end sill and having an open front end, a bottom Wall and a top wall having a longitudinally-extending, central opening therein; a draft element including a flat plate adapted to engage the front face of said end sill and having its lower edge slidable on the bottom wall of said housing, a pair of anges secured to said plate in spaced, edgewise relation and extending forwardly therefrom, a pair of brackets secured to said plate and the uppermost of said anges and eX- tending upwardly through the upper Wall of said housing in spaced relation, a hitching arm secured to said brackets and extendingforwardly parallel to the top wall of said housing, said arm 10 having a hole therein to receive a coupling pin, and a pair of straps secured to said flanges and extending forwardly therefrom, with their forward portions bent toward each other and secured together to form a hitching tongue provided with a hole in line with the hole in said hitching arm and adapted to receive the coupling pin; a buiier element slidably mounted on the bottom wall of said housing and projecting from the open front end thereof; compression springs, one on each side of said hitching tongue, interposed between the front edges of said iianges and said buffer element and tending to project said buffer element from said housing; and a locking bar carried by said housing and cooperating with said 4buffer and draft elements to limit movement of said buier element under both bui and draft and movement of said draft element under draft, movement of the latter under buff being limited by engagement of said plate wtih said end sill.

JOHN E. GRAHAM.

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