US2568684A - Vestibule diaphragm - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 18; 1951 R. F. MlHALYl 2,568,684

VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM Filed Oct. 24. 1947 FIG.2.

RICHARD F. MIHALYJ E INVENTOR ATTORN Patented Sept. 18, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- f.

VESTIBULE DIAPHRAGM Richard F. Mihalyi, Rochester, N. Y.

Application October 24, 1947, Serial No. 781,789 '11 Claims. (01. 105-18) The present invention relates to vestibule diaphragms primarily designed for use in connection with trains, and more particularly to miniature or toy trains. I I

' The present invention has as its principal object a vestibule diaphragm in which the parts are yieldably held in assembled relation, yet may move separately and independently to conform to the movement of the train.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an arrangement by which the frame members are retained in relative spaced relation, yet are freeto move separately and independently.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of anarrangement for operatively connecting the frame members in assembled relation, yet permitting the frame members to separately and independently pivot about vertical axes. I

I And another object of the invention is the provision of a vestibule diaphragm construction which is simple, rugged, and highly effective in use.

To these and other ends,-the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of two miniature railroad cars or coaches connected by a pair of vestibule diaphragms constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a vestibule-diaphragm constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

' Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the structure illustrated Fig. 2, and taken substantially on line 3-3 thereof, showing the arrangement of the various parts;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view through a modified form of vestibule diaphragm;

' Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 4 and taken through the preferred form of vestibule diaphragm construction;

I 'Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view through another form of vestibule diaphragm; I I

Fig. 7 is an end view of the vestibule diaphragm, on a larger scale than the other views, showing the end plate and the connecting lugs by which two adjacent diaphragms may be connected releasably in assembled relation;

Fig. 8 is a partial vertical sectional view through a pair ofconnected diaphragms, showing the relation thereto of the connecting lugs;

Fig. 9 is a partial end view of one of the end members or plates of a vestibule diaphragm, showing another form of connecting lug; and

Fig. 10 is a partial transverse sectional view through a pair of abutting end members or plates of adjacent vestibule diaphragms, showing the cooperating relation of a lug on one end member with the adjacent end member of another diaphragm to connect the diaphragms releasably;

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate the same parts.

The vestibule diaphragm of the present invention comprises end frame members H and I2, and one or more intermediate members 13. These members are all formed from fiat sheet material of suitable composition, and are of a contour best shown in Fig. 2. These members are also arranged in spaced parallel relation and are encased or enclosed by a flexible member such. for example, as a rubber tube M which is stretched over the frame members and the free ends adhesively or otherwise secured to the exposed faces l5 and I6 of the end members H and I2, as best shown in Figs. 3 to 6. This tube I4 is of a smaller size than the frame members so that when encasing the latter, the tube is stretched to a larger size at the planes of the members, as shown in H, and then falls back to a smaller size between the frame members, as shown in Is, to cooperate with the frame members to provide a bellows-like structure.

This arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 5 in which the diaphragm is made up of only the frame members I I, I2, and I3 and the flexible tube 14. This embodiment allows the maximum freedom of individual movement of the frame members in all directions, namely: toward or away from each other, relative vertical or horizontal movement, as well as pivoting movement. In this embodiment, the tube l4 serves to retain the frame members in assembled spaced relation, yet permits the frame members to separately and independently move for purposes to be later described.

Fig. 4 shows a slightly modified arrangement in which small flexible rubber spacers 2B are positioned between the frame members. Two such spacers are provided between each pair of frame "members. These pair of spacers are vertically aligned and are positioned substantially on the vertical center line of the diaphragm, such a line being indicated in 3-3 of Fig. 2. The engagement of the frame member 3 with the spacers along such a line provides parallel vertical axes about which the frame members may pivot relative to each other. Like the structure shown in Fig. 5, that shown in Fig. 4 permits some vertical movement as well as a small amount of movement at the frame members toward each other. Thus the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 differs from that shown in Fig. 5 only in limiting the movement of the frame members toward each other, by reason. of the: spacers In the embodiment shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 6,.

the frame members, like those shown in Figs. 4"" and 5, may move relatively vertically ancharetiirrdependently and individually movable about the central vertical axis (line 3-3 Fig; 2*).

movement of the frame members toward each other is restricted. To secure this result', theem-- bodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3 provides small balls; H201? metal or other: rigid. material posix tionedrbetweernthe frarnamenrbersrassbesashown Theseballs axepreterablyihollowandz aresconnected'. by short links; 22;. the ends-5. 23= of; Which,. inside: thenballs; are: upset. .asz shown in Fig. .3; to; retain. the. b'a'lls.'...in;v proper assembled; relatiom In fact these balls: and; connecting; linksaare .pant'ofsthe welkknown' pulL-chainrusedl for; turningzcnzelectriclight fixturess. In order: toizretainqthe ballszinr position, theframe. members are provided with vertically alignedrrholess or. apertures: 25: in: which; theballs are partially recessed, the. openings. 2am the: center frame [*3 also'providing a. passage. for. the: connecting. link 22, allvas shown: in Fig. 3. Thus; in the-.embodi-= ment. shown: irr Figs.2- and= 3=the tube' 14. encases the. frame. members. and .yieldably; connects; the.- latter to retain-them in assembled relation: The. tube permits some:relative-vertical movement. and free independent pivoting; movement, the frames: pivoting: one the balls which provide par-- allel'. vertical= axesrabout which the frameunem bers may independentlypivot or'roclrfora-pure poseto'. be later described=. The balls however,v effectively prevent the frame members: from move ing'towards each other along? thecent-ralsverticallinesrof. the balls,- as? will: be apparent. from theinspectionof Fig 2;

In=Fig.-.G,-..the;frame members arle heldeinspaced relations by means. of lugsor" fmgers fi ionmedfrom and bent. out-of. planes ofgcertain-of the.- fr-ame members; Theselugs extend across a) space.- between themembers-andthe. free ends-.251 thereof. engage. the. adjacent: frame. membersyas shown-in Fig. 6. v

The? above-described. vestibule; diaphragmr isadapted. to." be connected. to. a: support such fon example, as a miniature railroad. car: 3!]... This diaphragm isthen releasably connected, in. a manner to bealaterrdescribedr to: a. similar dia phragm connected. to' another car: 36. so asrto. provides a flexible jointor connectiontherebetween, assin, regular: r.2 tilrOad-.-carsor coaches-. Inorder to protect the-endseof the rubber tubing. LA secured to the faces: I 5. andt-l-lhofrthe frame.mem.- bers H and I2, the faces Hi; and; izfi preferablyhave secured thereto;- ini'any suitablerzandewaell knownmanner, additional; frame-members: on face plates 31-; see :Figs. 3 tor 8, whichnre-thesame shape ascthe framermembers H. 12, and=l3e The various framenmembersl-are preferably equal in height: to the-cars -30 but have al-width consider. ably less than the cars, asclearly .illustratedrirr Fig: l... A-lsor-irr order; to ,morenearly, resemble-the vestibule diaphragm used; on. regular: railroads;-

However in the embodiment shown inlFigsaz, 3; andt6rther unattached end face plates are arranged in abutting relation, as shown in Fig. 8, to provide a continuousunbroken flexible vestibule diaphragm between the two cars 30, as shown in Fig. 1. The twediaphragms are then releasably connected, imalma-nner. to. bepresently described, so that "they act, in effect, as a single unitary structure.

Theseabutting end plates 3| are formed, in one embodiment, Figs. 7 and 8, with axially-extending; vertically-offset. lugs.- or: fingers r, formed from the material of .thesplatesi 31 andpositioned along. the opposite -edges 34 of: theaperture; 3.2-, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 7, the lugs-on the two abutting? plates: being offset, as shown: in. Fig. 7. When the twodiaphragmsare brought together, so that. the: adjacent plates 31] abut-the lugs 133:- of one end. plate" slide-inside-the/ aperture 32 on the other plate andzfrictionallyi engagathe- 0p! positez-edges: 3.4-thereof to releasably connect. the end plates, and. hence: the: two 'diaphragms, as indicated in Fig. 7. By-reasorr of: the frictionengagernent. of the lugs-with; the edges 34, the two end plates are held against lateral movement whichgserveste-prevent relative lateral movement of the diaphragms; the advantage of which: will be. apparent to those.in. the art Figs. g and l0-show another arrangement for locking, the two diaphragms in: assembled relation. To secure this result, the abuttin I end plates: 31. are. formed with bent-over lugs; 36 formed on the; edges. 34 andpositioned similarly to the lugs. 3&- When-adg'acent diaphragms are to be connected, the abutting plates are brought togetherand.turned relative-to-eachothen about a horizontali axis to causethe bent-over. lugs of: one endplate. to. slip over: the edges-34so the adj acentend. plate 'and. engage the inner: surfaces 36 thereofiasshown irrFig. 10. Then by; areverse 3 movement the diaphragms are-. brought back into aligned relation with. thelugs. 35.- in locking relation Thus. the. lugs 35 serve to effectively lock the two... diaphragmsin assembled relationand also hold the plates. and the diaphragms against relative lateralmovement 5 It will thusbeapparentfrom.the above descrip.-- tion that the vestibule.diaphragmsrofzthe.present invention. provide a flexible connection: between the. two. carsl 3ll. Dueto. the flexibility of the diaphragma.the-variousrmembersmay move ventically relative to eachother in casethe-adiacent sections. of thetrack-are notr int vertical alignment. The. diaphragms also; provide-a flexible connection whichtis desirable instarting orstopping: When the.*train-gOBS: around. a-cunve,-the diaphragm tubing is compressed omthe-insideof. the. curve and. stretched: on the -outside, -asris apparent. In .so. doingathervariousa irameamembers are.- caused.to pivotorrock separatelyaand inclependentlvout ot-parallel-relation aboutseparate and distinct.- parallel verticahaxes: Infthe arrangement shownin F-iga. 5 the flexible; tube M; alone affordathe-pivofingaxis, whilein the stnuc-r tures shown in Fig s: 2.-and:3.-:the balls2 lr provide thepivots; andrin 4s. an i 6v the rubber spacers:

and the lugs respectively support the frame members for the pivoting action.

Thus the vestibule diaphragm of the present invention provides an arrangement for yieldably or resiliently connecting the frame members to retain the latter in assembled relation while maintaining the spacing between the members, yet allowing the members freedom of movement so as to conform to the movement of the adjacent cars to which they are attached to provide the necessary freedom of movement, yet providing a stable connection between the two cars.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood that the inventive idea may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described but .is intended to cover all variations and modifications thereof falling within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of spaced frame members, and a flexible tube initially of smaller size than said members enclosing and connecting said members to retain the latter in assembled relation.

2. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature rail road car comprising a plurality of spaced independent frame members, and a flexible tube initially of smaller size than said members to enclose and retain the latter in spaced assembled relation, said tube being stretched to a larger size at the planes of said members and being smaller than said members between the latter to provide a bellows-like structure.

3. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of thin planar frame members, and a tube of flexible material initially of smaller size than said members, stretched over the edges of said frames to connect the latter together yieldably and to maintain the frames in assembled relation, said frames serving to stretch said tube to the size of said frames in the planes of the latter and connecting said frames to said tube for independent pivoting movement about parallel axes.

4. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of spaced frame members of equal size, and a flexible tube of smaller size than said frame and stretched over and flexibly connecting the latter, said tube being stretched to the size of said frames at the planes thereof but being of smaller size than said frames between the latter, said tube also serving to maintain said frames in spaced relation, yet permitting said frames to move toward or away from each other and to pivot individually about parallel axes.

5. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of spaced frame members, a flexible member encasing and yieldably connecting said members, vertically aligned means positioned between said members to space the latter, and means for mounting said frame members for separate and independent movement about parallel vertical axes passing through said spacing means.

6. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of spaced frame members, a flexible member encasing and yieldably connecting said members, and vertically 6 aligned means positioned between said members to space the latter and to provide a plurality of vertical axes about which the frame may individually and separately pivot.

7. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of spaced flat frame members, vertically aligned balls positioned between said members to space the latter, and a flexible casing enclosing said frame members to retain the latter in assembled relation and cooperating with said balls to afford parallel vertical axes about which the frame members may pivot relative to each other.

8. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of spaced flat frame members, vertically aligned balls positioned between said members to space the latter, a flexible casing enclosing said frame members to retain the latter in assembled relation and cooperating with said balls to afford parallel vertical axes about which the frame members may pivot relative to each other, and means on said members for retaining said balls in position between said members.

9. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of spaced flat frame members, vertically aligned resilient spacers positioned between said members to space the latter but permit slight relative axial movement, said spacers affording vertical axes about which the frame members may pivot independently and relative to each other, and a flexible casing enclosing said members to retain the latter and said spacers in assembled relation.

10. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of spaced frame members, and a flexible tube initially of smaller size than said frame member stretched over the latter to retain said members in spaced assembled relation but affording flexible connections by which said members may pivot independently relative to each other.

11. A vestibule diaphragm for a miniature railroad car comprising a plurality of independent frame members arranged in spaced relation, and a flexible tube initially of smaller size than said members stretched over and encasing the latter to maintain said members in assembled relation, said tube being stretched to the size of said members at the planes thereof but being of a smaller size between said frames to provide a bellows-like flexible connection between said members to permit the latter to move yieldably toward and away from each other and to afford pivot connections by which said members may pivot independently relative to each other.

RICHARD F. MIHALYI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 49,227 Calthrop Aug. 8, 1865 184,461 Cooper Nov. 21, 1876 455,427 Grifiin July 7, 1891 1,019,777 Fowler Mar. 12, 1912 2,131,493 Thompson et a1. Sept. 27, 1938 2,324,173 Porter July 13, 1943 2,354,045 Nystrom et a1. July 18, 1944 2,373,680 Hawley Apr. 17, 1945 2,415,385 Dean et a1. Feb. 4, 1947

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