US488474A

US488474A - Car-spring

Info

Publication number: US488474A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1892-12-20
Anticipated expiration: 1909-12-20

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

G. GIBBS. GAR SPRING.

PatentedDeo. 2.0, 189.21. C V

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2 SheetsL-Sheet 2.

G. GIBBS. GAR spRING No Modell) No. 488,474, Patented Deo. 20, 1892.

Tries.

PATENT GEORGE GIBBS, OF MILWAUKEE, VISOONSIN.

CAR-SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,474, dated December 20, 1892.

Application fled November 23, 1891. Serial No.4=l2,832. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE Gines, of Mil- Waukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Oar-Springs, etc., of which the following is a specification.

Railway cars are commonly provided at the present day with bolster-springs to ease the motion of the body and prevent shocks as the car passes over inequalities in the track. In practice it is found that these springs, particularly those of helical form, have atendency to vibrate in a short, quick and disagreeable manner. It is the aim of my invention to avoid this action by dampening or ret-arding their movements, and to this end I introduce between the upper and lower capplates of the spring, or between that portion of the car-truck frame which is rigid on the axles, and that portion of the truck or body which has its action relieved by the spring, friction devices consisting essentially of plates sliding on each other under pressure, in such manner that they may resist sudden movements without materially affecting the capacity of the springs under static pressure. The dampening devices may be connected directly with the springs in the same bundle, or applied independently at any suitable point. They are applicable not only in ordinary railway cars having swiveling trucks, but also in street cars having axles in fixed positions, to prevent the disagreeable dancing or bobbing action of the car body.

In the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a helical car-spring provided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same in an alternative form.

Referring to Figs. l and 2, AA dac., represent four helical springs mounted in an upright position between top and bottom plates C and D. Theplates are formed or provided respectively atl the middle with vertical interacting plates or leaves c andd, which may be Varied in number, and which slide frictionally upon each other as the top plate rises and falls with the springs. The friction plates or leaves are drawn forcibly together by a horizontal spiral spring E, which acts against a washer f, fixed on one end of abolt F, extending through the leaves and provided with nut f. When the tension of springE is properly adjusted the friction between the leaves -Will be such as to permit a free and easy action of the main springs, but at the same time, prevent the disagreeable sudden and short vibrations referred to above. The vertical leaves may be formed or applied in any suitable manner, but I recommend the construction represented in the drawings. The bottom plat-e is composed of two parts or plates b" b', riveted to an underlying plate b2, and bent upward at their inner edges to form the leaves or friction surfaces. The top-plate is made in like manner of two parts bent into angular form, and connected by rivets c', their vertical leaves being held apart by an intermediate leaf and the spreading bars e2, through which the rivets pass. The lower leaves are slotted vertically that the bolt may not interfere with their motioin-and the upper leaves are preferably turned upward at their lower ends to confine plates c3, in order to afford a larger and firmer bearing for the end of the bolt and to distribute the pressure.

Referring now to Fig. 8, it will be observed that the construction therein shown, as regards the friction devices, is essentially the same as in the preceding figures. As herein shown, however, the structure is independent of the springs and is adapted for application at any suitable point between the body or bolster and the underlying frame or truck to dampen the vertical vibration of the body. The top-plate consists of a series of dat plates c. c. c2 te each bent at aright angle in order to present a vertical downwardly-projecting friction member. The horizontal portions of the plates are seated one upon another and riveted firmly together. The bottom-plate B is constructed in like manner. The vertical portions of the upper and lower plates orleaves passing between each other, as in the iirst form of apparatus, are drawn together by means of two springs E E', applied to opposite ends of a through-bolt D, which encircles the bolt and are seated against washers upon its ends. The plates or leaves being urged together by means of springs operate in the same manner and with the same effect as those in the first described device. One of the springs may be omitted and a single spring used with the bolt, as in the first example.

IOO

In the first form of device the bolt may be elongated and two springs used, as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is,-

l. A dampening mechanism for springs, consisting essentially of a plurality of fiat friction plates lying face to face in planes parallel to the line of action of the spring, and a spring independent in its action of the movement of the parts and adapted to press and hold said plates together with a constant pressure, substantially as shown and described.

2. In combination with a ear spring, a damp ening or retarding mechanism comprising a plurality of Hat parallel plates secured to one of the parts between which the spring acts, and a plurality of similar plates secured to the other parts, said plates alternating` with each other, a bolt passing through coinciding slots in the plates, and a spring mounted on the bolt and acting to press the plates together and to maintain a constant frictional Contact, substantially as shown and described.

3. The combination with a car spring of a dampening or retarding apparatus, comprising a plurality of ['latfriction plates secured alternatel y to the opposite parts between which the spring works and lying together face to face in planes parallel. to the line ot' action ot' the spring, and a spring for pressing said plates together with a constant pressure, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand, this 10th day of September, 1891, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

GEORGE GIBBS.'

Vitnesses:

W. H. ELLIOTT, J. C. Grunn.