US462227A - Car-coupling - Google Patents

Description

(No Mod B- G', GAR GOUPLING No. 462,227 Patented Nov. 3, 1891.

UNrTEn ETATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDTIN G, ADAMS, OE COHOES, NEIV YO CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 462,227, dated November 3, 1891.

Application filed March 24, 1891. Serial No. 386,251, (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWIN G. Annns, of Oohoes, in the county of Albany and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in car-couplers, the object of the device being to provide simple devices whereby the cars can be readily uncoupled and coupled without the necessity of the brakeman or other train-hand exposing himself to danger by entering between the two platforms or ends of the cars during the act of coupling or uncoupling.

With this end in view my invention consists in the parts and combinations of parts, as will be more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of two draw-heads embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view in longitudinal vertical section through two draw-heads and connecting link, and Fig. 3 is a view of the link.

A represents a draw-head of any desired shape, having in its upper side and also preferably in its lower side elongated slots a, slightly wider than the thickness of the coupling-pin and adapted to receive the couplingpin, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. Instead of providing the lower side of the draw-head with an open slot, as shown, a groove having an abutment at its front end for the lower end of the pin, or a single abutment or shoulder for the lower end of the pin would answer all purposes.

Each draw-head is provided on its upper face with a pivoted frame 13, and each frame is provided with an elongated slot 0, adapted to permit of the free swinging movement of its coupling-pin. Vhile I have shown the frame B slotted from a point 11 ear its rear end through its front or free end, it is evident that the front or free end can be closed, as it is only necessary that the slot shall be of sufficient length to permit the pin to tilt when a link enters the draw head and also permit the pin to retain a vertical position while the frame B is being elevated and lowered.

Each frame is pivoted, hinged, or otherwise loosely secured at its rear end to the top of the draw-head, preferably at a point behind the elongated slot therein, or it can be hinged or otherwise secured to the car-body adjacent to the car; but as the draw-head is generally mounted so as to yield or move independently of the body, it is of course more desirable, less expensive, and complicates matters less to secure the frame directly to the top of the drawheads.

Each frame is provided near its outer end and on its upper surface with elongated loops d, arranged opposite each other on opposite sides of the slot for the reception of the pintles e of the coupling-pin. These pintles are near the upper ends of the coupling-pins, and hence as the greater weight is below the pintles or pivotal points of the coupling-pins the tendency of the pins is to remain vertical. The elongated loops on the frame are located approximately in line with or near to the front edge of upper slot in the draw-head, so that when the cars are coupled all the strain on the coupling-pins is borne by the draw-heads and the pintles are comparatively free from strain. From the above it will be seen that the coupling-pins are loosely supported and are free to swing backwardly and upwardly for the entrance of a link held in an opposing draw-head. As soon as the end of the link passes the end o f the pin the latter swings back to its normal position and locks the coupling in place.

Numerous devices can be designed for elevatin g the frame 13 and the connected coupling-pin; but I prefer the arrangement shown in the drawings, which consists of cords or chains E attached to the eyes f near the outer end of the frame and secured together at a point behind the upper end of the couplingpin. Both cordsor chains pass in opposite directions through an eye g, secured to the .car-body or other convenient part of the device, and from thence pass through eyes It, located near the sides of the car and hang within convenient reach of a brakeman or train-hand standing at the side of the car. The cords or chains E are provided with a stop 2' for limiting the upward movement of the frame, the said cord or stop being so 10- cated as to stop the movement of the frame I their normal position.

before the lower end of the coupling-pin passes out of-the slot in the upper side of the head. By means of pulling the cords or chains the frame can be elevated for uncoupling, and when the cord is loosened or dropped the pin and frame are forced by gravity to assume An ordinary oblong coupling-link can be employed, but I prefer the form shown in Fig. 3. This linkHis oblong and is provided at one end with an oblong slotj, running about one-half (more or less) of the length of the link. The opposite end of the link is solid'and provided with a circular opening j, slightly greater in diameter than the diameter of the coupling-pin, so that the latter can be freely inserted and withdrawn therefrom.

Located on a line passing preferably between the oblong slotj and the circular openingj is the downw-ard'ly-proj ecting rib, which latter, when the link is in position, rests on the inner face of the draw-head and forms a pivot .on which the link can tilt, thus permitting the outer end of the link to maintain a position slightly higher than the inner end as it enters the opposing draw-head. The solid end of the link is designed to rest against the back wall of the inner face of the draw-head, and thus relieve the coupling-pin from all strain as the cars come together, andfrom its greater weight to turn .slightly downward on the pivotal rib and thereby raise and steady the outer end as it approaches the opposite draw-head, the circular opening being sufficiently large to .permit of a slight sliding movement of the link.

By means of the swinging frame the entire act of uncoupling can be accomplished from the side of the car, and hence liability to accident is greatly lessened.

It is evident that many slight changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and hence I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the exact construction herein shown and described, but reserve the right to make such slight alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a car-coupling, the combination, with a draw-head, a frame hinged to the top of the hinged to the top of the draw-head, said frame having a slot corresponding substantially with theslot in the draw-head, and elongated bearings formed at or near .the outer or free end of the frame,.of a pin having pintles which operate in the elongated bearings of the frame, substantially as set forth.

3. A coupling link straight or approximately straight throughout its entire length and provided with an elongated slot at one end and with a smaller opening or hole near its opposite end, the said link being provided on one face and near the smaller opening with a depending integral rib adapted to rest on the floor of the draw-head and form a fulcrum for the link. I

4. A coupling link straight or approxi mately straight throughout its'en tire length and provided on one face with a transverse integral rib and with a small opening passing through the link and rib, and with an elongated opening, substantially as set forth.

tVitnesses;

OLAIRs LAVIGNE, JULIUS FOUNTAINE.

Images