US607687A - Lock-rod for wagon-brakes - Google Patents

Description

No. 607,687. Patented July [9, I898. 1. H. HOOVER.

LOCK ROD FUR WAGON BRAKES.

(Application filed Feb. 25, 1898.)

.No Model.)

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ilwiTnn STATES) PATENT Orricn.

JAMES H. HOOVER, OF PHOENIX, PENNSYLVANIA.

LOCK-ROD FOR WAGON=BRAKES.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 607,687, dated July 19, 1898. Application filed February 25, 1898. Serial No. 671,590. N0 model.) 7

T0 ctZZ whom it may concern! Be it known that I, JAMES H. HOOVER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Phoenix, in the county of Armstrong and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Lock-Rods for Vagon- Brakes, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in wagon-brakes, but more especially to means for quickly taking up the slack or lost motion of the parts resulting from the wearing of the joints and particularly the wearing away of the brake-shoes or rubber blocks. The object of my invention is to provide a simple device or means whereby said lost motion of the parts may be conveniently and very quickly effected without the use of wrenches or-other tools.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1, drawn to a reduced scale, shows the application of my invention to other parts of a wagon-brake. Fig. 2 is a view of the device with the springcloser swung to one side. Fig. 3 is a view of the device indicated by arrow 3 in Fig. 1, the head of the lever beingdiametricallysectioned along the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. lis an end view of the device, seen as indicated by arrow -:t in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar view, the head of the tension-rod or lock-rod and spring-closer being transversely sectioned, as on the dotted line 5 5 in Fig. 2. Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, are drawn to a scale about full size.

Referring to the parts, A is an ordinary wagon or vehicle provided with an ordinary brake mechanism B. The tension-rod or lookrod 0, I form with a head D, provided with a series or row of equal parallel short studs or pins 2 to 6, inclusive. These pins or studs are inclined toward the right, as shown, and are covered by a spring-closer E, held to the head D by some simple fastener a. Another stud or pin 1 is employed at the outer or extreme end of the row, it being inclined and spaced like the rest and in every way similar to the other pins or studs of the series, except that it is longer and formed with a part 12, straight or without slant or inclination, near its end adapted to project through a hole 0 in the closer E. The latter is held by the fas tener a in a manner so that it may be swung to one side, as shown in Fig. 2. When over the row of pins, the closer is prevented from turning 'or swinging out of place on account of being engaged and held by the pin 1, as shown in Fig. When it is wished to swing the closer to one side to uncover the ends of the studs, it is first sprung off of the pin 1, as indicated by dotted lines in said Fig. 3. -When in its normal place over the studs to cover the latter, its inner surface is in contact with the free ends of all the studs except the stud 1, said ends of the studs being in a plane.

The head D is preferably formed so the studs 1 to 6 stand inclined across the axis of the lock-rod O, and each stud is adapted to receive and hold the upperend or head of the lever F, which latter is connected at its lower end with the brake-beam d. Now if the lever F be, for instance, resting upon stud .3 and the brake mechanism need tightening or taking up the lock-rod C will be drawn backward by the attendant and the lever shifted to stud 4 or farther to the right, as may be needed. Vhen the brake mechanism becomes slack from use, the hand-lever G will need to be pushed uncomfortably far forward by the driver to set the brakes against the wheels. By shifting the lever F'onto a new stud to the right,as above stated,the parts will be brought into such new positions that the hand-lever will stand farther back and so be in a position more convenient to the hand of the driver for operating the tension-rod O. I

In the act of shifting the lever F from one stud to another the spring-closer E is first lifted clear of the h0lding-stud 1 and swung to one side, as shown, which renders all the studs accessible. After the lever F is adj usted as required the spring-closer is returned to its place over the-studs, which confines said lever in place. The studs being inclined, as shown, tend to draw the head of the lever back toward their fixed ends and against the part c of the head D when pulled by the lock-rod. This causes the lever, when the mechanism is strained bythe hand-lever G in operating the brake, to engage the stud at its supported end and where the strongest, and it also prevents the head of the lever from pressing the yielding closer E and displacing it.

The adjustable lock-rod in practice lies along near the side of the wagon-body, the headD being close to the body, with the studs pointing obliquelyawaytherefrom,the springcloser being on the outside, as shown.

WVhat I claim as my invention is 1. A lock-rod for wagon-brakes, comprisin g a tension-rod having a head provided with a series of equally-spaced parallel studs or pins inclined with relation to the length of the rod and crossing the axis of said tensionrod, in combination with a brake-actuating lever engaged by one of said studs or pins, and means for operating the parts, substantially as specified.

2. The combination, in a brake device for wagons, of a lever for actuating the brakeshoes, and a tension-rod provided at one end with a head having a series of parallel inclined studs for engaging said lever, apivoted spring-closer for all of said studs, and means for exertinga pull upon said tension-rod, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination, in brake mechanisms for wagons, of a tension-rod, and means for actuating it, and a lever, for operating the brake-shoes, coacting with said tension-rod, the latter being provided at one end with a series of inclined studs or rests to engage or hold said lever, and a closer to cover said studs, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. In a device of the kind described, atension-rod provided at one end with a series of equal parallel inclined studs arranged in a row, and another stud at the end of the row longer than the studs in said series, and a yielding or spring closer to cover the series of equal studs, formed with an opening to receive said long stud, substantially as shown and set forth.

5. A lock-rod for wagon-brakes, consisting of a tension-rod formed with a head having a series of inclined studs or pins, and an additional pin at the end having its extreme end portion straight and at right angles to the length of the rod, in combination with a lever for actuatingthe brake-shoes, adapted to be engaged by any one of said pins, and means for operating said tension-rod, and a closer or cover for said studs or pins, secured to said head and adapted to have a swinging motion thereon, substantially as set forth.

6. In a device of the kind described, a tension-rod having a head provided with a series of equal parallel inclined studs or pins arranged in a row, and another stud at the end of the row, longer than the studs in said series, and a spring closer or cover for all of said pins or studs, having an opening for receiving said long stud, the part of the latter in said opening being without slant or inclination, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 19th day of February, 1898, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES H. HOOVER.

Witnesses:

F. M. FAIR, J. K. LOWE.

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