US567088A - Mail-crane - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

E. A. P0

MAIL GR Patented. Sept. 1, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EPI-IRIAM A. FOSTER, PORT CLINTON, OHIO.

MAIL-CRANE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.' 567,088, dated September 1, 1896. Application filed February 25, 1896. Serial No. 580,639. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EPHRIAM A. FOSTER, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Port Clinton, in the county of Ottawa and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Cranes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

, caught by devices on a mail-car and is drawn into a car.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved construction of mail-crane which shall possess superior advantages with respect to efficiency in operation.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a mail-crane constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the pouch-holding arms, showing the construc; tion of the catchers or holders.

In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates a'platform built alongside a railway-track at any suitable or convenient point, and provided with the usual steps 2.

The numeral 3 designates a rotatable post or upright, the lower end of which is stepped in a beam 4, and intermediate its ends is journaled by means of a bracket 5 to said platform. To the upper end'of said post is fixed a laterally-extending pouch-holdin g arm 6 at a right angle to said post. The outer end of this arm is made hollow or recessed and is provided with a metal sleeve 7. Located in this recess is a pouch-holder 8, consisting of a piece of metal bent over upon itself at the center, forming two spring arms 9. This holder is held in place by means of a transverse pin 10, which will allow it to be drawn out a sufficient distance for the arms 9 to en gage with the ring of a mail-pouch.

The numeral 12 designates the lower pouchholding arm, also provided with a holder 8 similar to that above described. The inner end of this arm is provided with a sleeve 13, which embraces the post, so that the arm is capable of sliding up and down. The post on its inner side is rounded, while on its outer side is flat or straight, and upon said inner side I secure a rubber strip or block 14, which engages with the platform and by frictional contact holds the post in position.

In practice the rings of the mail-pouch are engaged with the holders of the pouch-arms, and the downward pressure of the lower arm will hold the pouch in proper position to be caught by the catcher of a mail-car, thus dispensin g with the usual fastenings. When the catcher of the mail-car comes in contact with the pouch, the latter will commence to 7o double up, and at the same time the crane begins to turn, so that the pouch is taken directly and straight out from the ends of the arms instead of sidewise, as in the ordinary constructions. 7 5

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a mail-crane, the combination with the platform and the rotatable post or standard, provided with the rubber strip or block of the upper pouch-holding arm rigidly secured thereto, and the lower vertically-movable arm; substantially as described.

2. In a mail-crane, the combination with the pouch-holding arms, having recesses at the outer ends, of the sleeves, the holders consisting of the spring-metal plates bent over upon themselves at the center, and the transverse retaining-pins; substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EPHRIAM A. FOSTER.

Witnesses:

S. H. MIZENER, Soorr STAHL.

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