US302074A - Car-coupling - Google Patents

Description

s. W'HITTINGHILL.

(No Mode l;)

GAR COUPLING.

Patented July-1 5, 1884.

n. PETERS. mmummn' u. Wahinm ma.

NITEn STATES, PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN s. wnirtrmcninnor MADisONVIL E, KENTUCKY.

CAR-COUPLING.-

erncrrrca'rron forming art of Letters Patent No. 302,074, dated July is, 1884.

Application filed June 9, 1884. (No model.)

-My invention relates to improvements inmeans for couplings cars together; and the objeet is to provide means for the purpose stated which will effectually accomplish the end intended, and which will admit of disconnection with certainty and safety when it is desired to disengage connectedcars. I

My invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as will hereinafterbe fully described and specifically pointed out.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and illustrative of my improvements, Figure 1 is a plan View of the coupling in operative connection. Fig. 2 is a view in detail of the parts, and Fig. 3 is a side View of the slotted draw-hook with the buffer-plate.

The letter A represents the side timbers of the frame or base of a car, connected by an end cross-piece, a, substantially as shown. In the drawings I have represented the de-' vice as attached to the side timbers of thecarframe; but it is apparent that-a special frame of timbers maybe made for the purpose and fixed intermediate between the bearing-timbers of the car. To the inner face of each side timber are strongly secured rectangular box-frames b b,within' the walls of which rest and operate the cross-pieces c c, as hereinafter stated.

The letters B B represent the draw-hooks, the one designated by B consisting of the hooked end and elongated shanks d, terminating in a shoulder at e, and the end thereof being formed with a seat, f, and provided with a key-hole, g. The draw hook or bar designated by B is formed with a hooked end, as shown, immediately back of which'is formed the horizontal slot h, for the purposes hereinafter stated. The shank cl and shoulder e are identical in shape to those parts in the other hook, and the end is provided with a key-hole, 9, but is formed with astep, f",\vhich sets against the shoulder, f in the hook B, in order that the pressure on the buffers shall operate the springs and be distributed equally on both shanks or hooks. This draw hook B has formed on it or cast with it a buffer-head, C, which improvement gives the coupling-hooks the functional capacity of a buffer. The buffer plate or part is cast wider than the body of the draw-hook on which it is formed, so,

that when set in operative connection the eX- tended side shall lap over the other drawhook and serve to keep it always in line of coupling connection. front end of the buffer-plate is cut on an incline to give free access to the hook-heads under it, and, as is seen, the plate or head eX- tends somewhat over the curved neck of the hook on which it isformed. This construction removes all liability to upward or downward displacement by jars, jumps, or shakes.

As hereinbefore stated, the cross-pieces cc have their ends disposed in the recess of the rectangular frames 1) I), each cross-piece hav ing a central hole to receivethe shanks of the the draw-hooks. Between the cross-pieces is a coiled spring, 2', the purposes of which are to the purpose of its reception in their rear ends on the outside of the rear cross-piece.

To prevent sidedisplacemenathe usual s1de The under face of the,

.7 5 draw-hooks, and arranged about the shanks of springs, I), are secured to the side timbers of the frame,with their free ends pressing against the side faces of the draw-hooks.

The letter E represents a latch or lever pivoted in the longitudinal slot in the draw-hook B. The preferred shape of this latch or lever is shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and consists of an irregular curve, the long or rear arm of which sets within the slot, and is provided with a perforation, somewhat elongated, to readily admit the passage of the pin F, set inthe perforation k in the draw-hook. The front arm of this latch or lever is formed so that when therear arm is held within the slot by the pin the face of the front arm shall extend flush beyond the edge of the bite of the I hook on the draw-bar, for the purpose of carrying the opposite hook over the lip of this hook and disengaging the connections. It will be observed that this latch or lever is neverin operation as a detacher except when held by the pin. In all other conditions of operation or position it does not affect the integrity of the coupling connection.

Vhen it is necessary or desirable to shorten the slack between opposite cars, I interpose a detachable buffer plate or block, G, between the ends of the buffcnplates on the drawhooks. This block may be of any desirable shape. I have shown it formed with side ears or flanges, which rest against the sides of the buffenplates and keep it in position.

IVhile my improvement may be used with advantage on a 1)ISS0llgGl-C21l, it is particularly designed for use on freight-cars, its construction and connection of parts fitting it for the lat ter purpose, since disconnection or disengagement cannot be effected by any of the ordinary jars, jerks, or jolts which sometimes separate couplings made by present means. Neither can the parts slip up or down, be cause the buffenplates prevent such movement.

To effect operative connection of the parts all that is necessary to do is to bring opposing ends of cars together, when the couplinghooks engage automatically and the coupling is made. To effect the engagement of the coupling, the cars are brought together, when the hook of the draw-bar b drives the projecting end of the latch or lever 0 within the slot of the draw-bar B, in which position it is socured by dropping the pin F through the hole. This, it will be seen,thro'ws the front end of the latch or lever flush beyond the edge of the lip of the hook, so that when the carsare drawn apart the hooks slide up the incline face of the lever and form connection with each other.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The draw bar or hook B, formed with a buffer plate or head, 0, said buffer plate or head having its side extending beyond the inner face of the body of the draw hook or bar, substantially as described.

2. A draw hook or bar formed with a longitudinal slot located in the body of the drawhook behind the hook, and formed with a buffer head or plate on its upper portion, in combination with a latch or lever pivotally secured in the longitudinal slot, and having a perforation in its rear arm registering with a perforation in the body of the draw-hook, and a stay-pin to secure the rear arm of the latch in place and the face of the front arm flush with the edge of the lip of the hook, substantially described, and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination, the draw-hook B, shouldered at its rear end, the draw-hook B,formed with a step at its rear end to rest on the shoulder of the draw-hook B, and formed with a buffer-plate, C, with side extensiomand means for uniting them, substantially as described.

4. In combination, the draw-hook B, shouldered at its rear end, the draw-hook B, formed with a step at its rear, and a buffer-plate with side extension on its upper front face, and provided with a longitudinal slot back of the head of the hook, a disengaging latch or lever pivoted in said slot and having its rear ends perforated, and a stay-pin set in the perforations in the draw-hook and latch to hold the said latch in operative position, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

5. In eonibinatioir, the draw hooks or bars B B, formed as described, and having their ends keyed together, the cross-pieces c c, interposed spring 1', and side box-frames, b b, and side springs, D, secured to the side frames, substantially as described.

6. In combination, the draw hook or bar formed with a longitudinal slot in the body of the drawhook behind the hook, a latch or lever formed with a perforation in the end of its rear arm, and pivotally secured in the longitudinal slot, and a stay-pin whereby the fore arm of said lever is set with its face flush with the edge of the lip of the draw-hook, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

' I11 testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

JOHN S. XVIIITTINGIIILL.

Attest:

G150. IV. RAMSEY, .TNo. G. MoRToN.

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