US410142A - Car-coupling - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

J. 0. BIGGERSTAFF.

UAR. COUPLING.

Patented Sept. 3. 1889.

*nmmmlmfm "mum UNITED STATES Y PATENT. OFFIcE.

JOHN CRANSTON BIGGERSTAFF, OF DAHINDA, ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 410,142, dated September 3, 1889.

Application filed April 16 1889. Serial No. 307,434- (No model.)

My invention relates to car-couplers; and it.

consists in the novel construct-ion and arrangement of the parts thereof, as will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of my invention is to provide a coupler of simple and effective constructionand operation, strong and durable, easily handled and readily understood, convenient, and cheaply manufactured and applied. I attain this object by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like letters of reference are used to designate similar parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is an end elevation of a car,showing my improved coupler applied thereto and operating-levers in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the coupler detached, broken away. Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the coupler-head and parts detached. Fig. 5 is an end elevation.

A indicates the drawhead, which flares downward on the lower side to insure the entrance of the link. The upper or top part of the draw-head is flared upwardlyin the usual manner. The front of the draw-head is formed with a groove a and two apertures a and a Through the uppermost aperture a a headed bolt B passes back over the draw-head A, and has an angular integral projection 17 at its rear end, which forms a clasp or catch to strike against the coupling-pin W and hold it elevated. Through the lower aperture a another boltB is passed and has its rear end attached to the upright bar B pivoted at its lower end to a lug or cart) on the draw-bar, and projecting upward is formed with a rightangled bend 12 which overlaps the top of the draw-bar and is connected by a chain b to the catch 12 of bolt B. The bolts B and B project through the draw-head horizontally, the one B over the top thereof and the other B along the side. Both bolts are headed, and inside of the head of each is secured the ends of a bar C, which is adapted to be depressed into the groove a in the draw-head. The two bolts B and B being arranged at varying elevations, the bar C connecting them must necessarily be at an incline,and is curved to leave the mouth of the draw-head free. Immediately in rear of the bar 6, on each bolt B and B and between said bar and the draw-head A, is arranged acoiled spring S, which acts to keep the bolts thrown out. N

This double-bolt arrangement, connected by the bar C, provides for the proper operation of the mechanism described by eithera high or low draw-head or one intermediate, as when high the upper bolt B will be operated. When very low, the bolt B will be brought into play, whereas if the draw-head in the act of coupling should be medium in height and would engage neither of the bolts it would necessarily have to strike the bar 0, and thereby provide a sure operation.

To raise the pin \V, I prefer to employ a bar WV, secured to the car body or box in suitable bearings, and having projecting side cranks w for engagement by the operator. This bar is connected centrally to the pin W, and is provided with a crank w, to which an upright rod is secured and projects to the top of the car, to be operated from this point, if desired. WVhile I am not limited in the use of this arrangement, it is often more convenient to so construct the coupler. It will be apparent that the coupler can be readily used withoutemploying the bar WV and rod VW.

To sustain the link in its proper horizontal position, I provide a cross-piece D on the interior of the draw-head. This cross-piece D is provided with a central depression cl, and is supported by springs S, arranged in an upright position on the bottom wall of the head. By means of said cross-piece the link is adapted to always have the proper presentation. When coupling with myimproved coupler, the pin WV is raised and held elevated by the catch 12 on bolt B, which firmly presses there-- struck and depressed and the pin W is set free-and'falls by gravity, and the couplingis made. "When the rod W and cranlebar \V are employed, the pin is easily raised without passing between the cars.

By the mechanism described a safe and reliable coupler isprovided, which maybe readily used Without endangering the lives of the operators. \Vhen the lower pin or bolt B is struck by a draw-head, the bar or lever B is thrown back, and chain 19 draws rearward on the catch 1), and the same operation ensues. When the bar 0 is struck, both bolts are operated with a similar result, as herein before mentioned. The groove a allows the bar 0 to be depressed sufficiently to bring the bolts into proper position for freeing the catch 1).

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. In a car-coupler, the combination of the two spring-actuated bolts, one of which has a catch and the other connected thereto, the bar connecting said bolts, the coupling-pin, and thedraw-head provided with apertures and a groove, substantially as described.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination of the two spring-actuatedbolts, one of which has a catch and the other connected thereto, the

bar connecting the front ends of said bolts,

the coupling-pin, the draw-head provided with apertures and a groove, and the horizontal crank-bar connected to the pin, provided with a vertical operating-rod, substantiallyas described.

3. The combination, with the draw-head provided with the link-chamber having corresponding vertical grooves in its side walls, of a horizontally and transversely disposed link-supporting plate provided with end lugs vertically movable in said grooves, and a spring or springs disposed under said plate,

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