US616900A

US616900A - Coupling-plate for poles and doubletrees

Info

Publication number: US616900A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1899-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 1916-01-03

Description

Patented Ian. 3, I899. G. W. CONRAD.

COUPLING PLATE FOR POLES AND DOUBLETR EES.

(Application filed. Jan. 17, 1898.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE 'W. CONRAD, OF TROY, OIIIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 616,900, dated January 3, 1899.

Application filed January 1 7 1 8 9 8. Serial No. 6 6 6 ,95 '7. (No model.)

T0 (0% whom it may concern.-

Be it-known that I, GEORGE WV. CONRAD, a

citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Troy, in the county of Miami and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coupling-Plates for Poles and Doubletrees; 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in plates to be placed on the pole or. tongue and the doubletree of a vehicle at a point'where they intersect for the purpose of coupling them; and the object for which my said invention is designed is to do away with the objectionable straps or state chains which connect the single or double tree to the rude or circle of the pole and to thus prevent the single or double tree from being rubbed by the wheels (as is the case when straps or state-chains are used) and alsoto act as an evener', also, to construct a set of couplingplates that can be manufactured at a minimum cost and yet be strong and durable and not become useless after being used a short time by reason of their becoming loose or broken off; and to this end my invention consists of plates provided with flanges or lips which extend over the sides of the pole and doubletree and other combination of novel features of construction, as will be more fully described hereinafter and pointed outin the subjoined claims in accordance with the statutes made and provided therefor.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, and in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a top plan View of a vehicle pole or tongue complete having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a central vertical transverse sectional View taken through the doubletree and pole and having my improved coupling-plates attached thereto. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the upper or doubletree plate, taken from the bottom side or face, which rests on the lower or pole plate. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the lower or pole plate, taken from its top side or face, on which rests the upper or doubletree plate. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the upper and lower plates together, showing the transverse angular flanges on the upper or doubletree plate bearing against the side flanges or lips of the lower or pole plate in the position they assume in equalizing an uneven draft and showing the location of the pole and doubletree in dotted lines. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan View of the upper and lower plates together in the position they assume when there is an even draft and showing the location of the pole and donbletree in dotted lines.

In the drawings the letter A represents the lower or base plate, which rests on the top of the pole or tongue and is secured thereto at each end by a bolt and screw, which pass through the openings at and a respectively,

I and is formed with two depending side flanges or lips or at right angles to main or top portion A, one on each side thereof, of sufficient size to extend far enough down over the sides of the pole or tongue to prevent any lateral movement or displacement of the plate or loosening or breakage of the bolts or screws, which is often the case in any sudden jar or wrench received in starting the horse or in striking a stone. Said lower or base plate is further provided with a central opening a through which passes the usual king-bolt or pivot for coupling the doubletree to the pole and around which it rotates. Around the central opening a a arises an annular flange or collar a to a slight distance above said main portion A and to about the thickness of the upper or doubletree plate and terminating at its base in an annular groove aiwhich forms a seat or hearing in which rests the annular flange 12 which depends from the upper or doubletree plate and which is allowed a partial rotation therein as the doubletree is rotated slightly back and forward by means of the singletrees connected to each end of the doubletree by reason of the draft exerted as the horses pull.

The upper or top plate B rests on top of and transversely to said lower plate A and bears against the bottom of the doubletree, which it supports, and is secured thereto at each end by a bolt and screw, which pass through the openings Z) and b respectively, and are form ed with two upturn ed side flanges or lips 1) (identical in form to the depending side flanges or lips of the lower plate and are situated transversely thereto) and formed at right angles to main top portion B, one on each side thereof, of sufficient size to extend far enough up around the sides of the doubletree to firmly grip it and prevent any lateral movement or displacement of said up per plate or loosening or breakage of the bolts or screws by means of any sudden jar, as above referred to in the description of the lower plate. Said upper plate is further provided with a central opening 11 through which passes the annular flange or collar (1, of the lower plate, as above referred to. this central opening b depends an annular flange or collar 1) of sufficient depth to rest in the annular groove aflwhich forms a bearing or seat for it and in which it rotates or turns, as heretofore stated.

Extending transversely across the bottom face of upper or doubletree plate and depending therefrom are two transverse flanges a, formed with an angle or inclined sides or edges cl, which meet at a point 6. (See Figs. 3, 5, and 6.) Said transverse flanges c, by means of their inclined sides or faces dbearing against the side flangesor lips or of the lower plate, allow of a partial rotation, as shown in Fig. 5, thus equalizing the draft by doing away with the straps or state-chains, which usually run from the doubletree and connect to the axle or circle of the pole; but

when there is an even or straight draft the,

point e will come in contact with side flanges or lips a of the lower plate, as shown in Fig. 6.

A small bearing-plate D of the usual form is attached to the top of the doubletree, so as to form a bearing for the top strap or guard 0, through the center of which at 0' passes the king-bolt or pivot, which couples all the parts together. Said strap or guard is provided at each end with a foot 0 in which is a boltopening which alines itself with bolt-opening c of lower or pole plate A and receives the sailne bolt which thus connects them to the po c.

On the under side of the doubletree is another or bottom strap or guard O, identically the same as the top strap and situated transversely thereto, through the center opening 0 of which passes the king-bolt, and formed with a foot 0 at each end provided with a bolt-opening which alines itself with the boltopening b of its upper or doubletree plate B, the purpose (if these upper and lower straps or guards 0 being to protect all the parts at the point where they couple to the pole or tongue and prevent them from wabbling in the usual manner.

I am aware that flat rectangular plates having recessed flanges and numerous bolt- Around openings have been used for coupling the doubletree to the pole; but as these have been found to be veryimpracticable forthe reason that the numerous bolt-openings and the form of flanges have weakened these plates, so that the least jar will displace or break them, these features are not in my invention, and I do not, therefore, claim such an impracticable device; but

What I do claim as new and useful and as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination in a coupler for the pole and doubletree of a vehicle, of a plate having a central opening, an annular flange, a main portion having upturned side flanges or lips, transverse flanges provided with angular or inclined sides which meet in an apex or central point; with a strap or guard provided with a central opening a foot at each end for connecting it to the doubletree, all substantially as specified.

2. In coupling-plates for connecting the pole and doubletree of a vehicle; the combination with the lower or pole plate formed with suitable openings to receive bolts for attaching it to the pole, a central bolt-opening, an annular flange terminating in an annular groove and provided with a side flange on each side formed at right angles to its main portion; of an upper or doubletree plate adapted to rest transversely on said lower plate and rotate thereon, and formed with suitable openings to receive bolts for attaching it to the doubletree, a central bolt-opening, an annular flange, two transverse flanges having inclined edges or faces which meet at a central point; anda side flange on each side formed at right angles to its main portion, substantially as specified.

3. The combination in a coupler for the pole and doubletree of a vehicle, of a lower plate having a central opening, an annular flange terminating at its base in an annular groove, a main portion having depending side flanges, of a strap or guard provided with a central opening, a foot at each end for attaching it to the tongue; with an upper plate having a central opening, an annular flange, a main portion having upturned side flanges or lips, transverse flanges provided with angular inclined sides which meet in an apex or central point; of a strap or guard provided with a central opening, a foot at each end for attaching it to the doubletree, all substantially as specified.

4. The combination with the tongue and doubletree of a vehicle; of two plates, one to be attached to the pole and the other to the doubletree; and adapted to work one on top of the other, each provided with a central opening, an annular flange on each to work one within the other, an annular groove which acts as a seat for one of said annular flanges, transverse flanges provided with angular or inclined sides which meet in an apex; both plates provided with side flanges adapted to firmly grip the sides of the pole and doubletree, and a top and bottom strap or guard situated transversely one to the other, each formed with a central bolt-opening, a foot on each end,provided with a bolt-opening therein for connecting them to the tongue and donbletree, respectively, substantially as specified. 10

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

GEO. W. CONRAD.

Witnesses:

LEONARD H. SHIPMAN, W. G. NIOOL.