US527136A - Safety device for car-couplings - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

J. L.ARTER. SAFETY DEVICE FOR GAR COUPLINGS.

Patented Oct. 9, 1894.

WWI mom NITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. ARTER, on sUNBURY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SAF'ETY Dev ce FOR CAR-COU PILIINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 527,136, dated October 9, 1894.

Application filed May 22,1894- Serial No. 512,048. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN L. ARTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sunbury, in the county of Northuniberland and'State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Devices for Oar-Couplings, of which the following is a specification. v

In the use of safetycar couplers commonly known as the Janney-type couplers accidents frequently happen caused by the breakage of the car coupler or draw-head, the part broken 01f dropping upon the track and thereby causing the derailment of, or injury to cars in the rear of the broken coupler. These couplers as at present constructed are not provided with means forinterlocking them vertically and hence, if one of them breaks, as above described, or is pulled away from itscar, it is free to drop upon the track.

My invention relates to a safety device whereby the engaging couplers of cars are interlocked vertically, that is to say, either coupler will sustain the other and prevent it from falling to the ground in case of accidents such as those above outlined.

The invention consists more particularly in a latch pivoted to the upper side of the coupler and arranged to be turned so as to overhang the interlocking coupler in case of accident to the coupler to which it is attached.

I shall now proceed to describe the preferred form ofmyinvention, reference being had to the accompanying dra wings,in which- Figure 1 is the plan View of a pair of couplers interlocked and provided with my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a single coupler provided with theinvention 3 and Fig. 3 is aside view of the preferred form of latch.

Referring to the drawings A, A indicate a pair of couplers attached respectively to cars B, B; and O, 0' indicate the hinge pins of the couplers. My improved latch consists, as shown, of a disk or ring D having a central perforation through which the hinge pin passes, an eye at upon one side and an arm E upon the other. The arm E is preferably elevated upon an upright or a standard a, so that in coupling or uncoupling it will be out of the way and willnot interfere even if the couplings are of different sizes or if one is slightly higher than the other.

of the car. When the coupler is in place upon the car, the latch is turned to one side as shown upon the coupler A in the draw ings, so as not to interfere with the operation of the coupler. The chain is just long enough to permit the; latch to assume this position.- v If, however, the coupler or draw head should break or pull out from the car the latch will be immediately thrown around over the adjacent coupler by the tightening of the chain after which the chain will break or the staple pull out. In Fig. 1 of the drawings, the couplerA is thus shown, the drawhead being pulled out from the car and the staple, also pulled out from the sill or part to which it was fastened. It will be seen that the arm E of the latch upon the couplerA overhangs the coupler A and that should the coupler A be separated entirely from the car B, it would be prevented from dropping to the ground. In such case, it would remain interlocked with the coupling A, its weight resting partially upon the latch arm E.

While I have simply shown and described the preferred form of my invention, it will be evident that many other forms within the spirit thereof may be constructed. For instance, the latch may be pivoted to some other portion of the coupling, or it may be a sliding latch instead of a pivoted latch. The main features of the invention consist in a safety latch and means for projecting the latch upon one coupler into engagement with the interlocking coupler in case of accident to the coupler having the latch, or its drawhead. 1

Without therefore limiting myself to the 'precise construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, I claim-- 1. The combination with a car coupler of the class described, of a safety latch and means for projecting said latch into engagement with an interlocking coupler in case of breakage of the draw head orcoupler to which it is attached, for the purpose described.

2. The combination with a car coupler of the class described, of a safety latch pivoted thereto and means whereby said latch is turned into position to engage an interlocking coupler in case of breakage of the draw As shown, the eyed, is connected by means I of a chain F with a staplej; in the woodwork head or coupler to which it is attached, for the purpose described.

The combination with a car coupler of the class described, of a latch pivoted to the coupler and having an arm adapted to overhang the adjacent coupler and a chain or connection between said latch and the car, substantially as described.

4:. The combination of a car coupler of the class described, of a safety latch consisting of a ring or disk having a perforation and mounted upon the hinge pin of the coupler, an arm adapted to overhang the adjacent coupler, an eye opposite the arm and a chain or connection uniting said eye to the car body, :5 substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN L. ARTER. Witnesses:

FRANK W. SMITH, CHAS. G. I'IARTMAN.

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