US662200A - Thill-coupling. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Nov. 20, I900.

J. G. PARSONS.

THILL COUPLING.

(Applicafiaion filed Jan. 22, 1900.)

(No Model.)

. lllllllfli W/ TNE SSE S V, E N M n A UNi'Tnn States PATEN Fries.

JOHN G. PARSONS, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

THlLL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of ietters Patent No. 662,200, dated November 20, 1900.

Application filed JanuaryZZ, 1900. oerial No. 2,297. \No model.)

To ail 2072,0722 it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN G. PARSONS, a citizen of the United States, residingat Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Thin-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the improvement of thill-couplings; and the Objects of my invention are to provide an im proved vehicle shaft and axle coupling of superior construction and arrangement of parts, to so construct the same as to obviate any tendency toward the parts working loose and rattling from wear, to admit of the same being readily connected with the shafts, and to otherwise provide a desirable construction of self-adjusting coupling device of this class. These objecis I accomplish in the manner illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my im; proved coupling, showing the same disconnected from the axle; and Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same with the axle connected therewith.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In carrying out my invention I employ a thill-coupling bar or body 1, the rearwardlyextending and horizontal portion of which terminates in an upturned hook projection 2. In constructing the forward or head portion 3 0f the body 1 I form the same with an upturned curved jaw termination 4 of hook form, as shown, and on the upper side of said bar 1, in rear of its head, I preferably form upwardly-projecting transverse shoulders 5, and between said shoulder portions and the hook termination 2 I preferably provide an upwardly-projecting spur or pointed projection 6. The head portion 3 of the bar 1 extends through an opening in and has fulcrumed thereto a clamping member 7. This clamping member,which is of asubstantially S form, has its forwardly-extending portion above the head 3 shaped to form a downwardly-curved hook or jaw 8, and its rearwardly-extending lower portion is connected with one end of a spring-strip 9, the outer end 'of which has hinged therein a link 10.

11 represents a shaft-iron which is preferably of the form indicated in the drawings and consists in the bar portion 11 which is adapted to be rigidly connected with the shaft, and in the yoke-shaped or bifurcated rear end portion 12, the arms of the latter being connected by a transverse bolt 13. As indicated at 14:, the bolt 13 is preferably provided with a sleeve of rubber.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 20f the drawings, the jointed connection between the coupling-body 1 and the shaft-iron is effected by the clamping engagement of the jaws 4: and 8 with the collar 14 of the bolt 13. insure a desirable frictional engagement of these parts, the link of the spring-strip 9 is pulled upward and engaged, as shown in the drawings, with the hook termination 2 of the bar 1. This engagement of said hook and link results in exerting a spring or adjustable pressure of the jaw 8 upon the sleeve of the bolt 13.

As indicated more clearly in Fig. 2, the axle is adapted to bear transversely upon the bar 1 and abut against the shoulder portions 5 thereof, the axle being preferably provided on its under side with a recess 6 to receive the spur (5. The axle is held in its connection with the bar 1 through the medium of a suitable clip 16, which embraces said axle and the arms of which pass downward through Vertical openings 17in said bar.

From the construction which I have described it will readily be seen that a simple and effective connection or coupling of a vehicle shaft and axle may readily be produced and that the spring tension or bearing of the jaw 8 upon the sleeve of the bolt 13 must serve at all times to compensate for any wear on said bolt or its sleeve, thereby preventing any tendency toward said jointedly-connected parts working loose and rattling. The method of connecting the shaft and axle, which consists in simply inserting the bolt 13 between the jaws 8 and a and hooking the link 10 into engagement with the hook 2, is exceedingly simple and can be effected without unnecessary labor or loss of time.

In case it should be desired to connect the axle coupling body with an unbifurcated shaft-iron, such as has been commonly used, it is obvious that the connection of the shaft iron and bolt 13 might be made with an extension of the latter and at one side of the In order to jaws. It will also be obseryed that instead of employing the jaws 8 and 4 in connection with the bar 1 the same might be employed in connection with a shaft-iron and adapted to engage said bar 1.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a tbill-coupling, the combination with the body 1 having a jaw 4 formed therewith and an axle adapted to be secured to said body, of a clamping member or lever 7 fulcrumed to said body 1 and having a jaw portion 8 formed therewith, and a spring-strip connected with one end of said clamping member and adapted to be detachably connected with said body 1, substantially as specified.

2. In a thill-coupling, the combination with a body 1 having a hook termination 2 and a jaw termination 4 and means for connecting an axle with said body, of a clamping member 7 havinga fnlcrumed connection with the head of said body and having a forwardly-extending jaw portion, a spring-strip connected with said clamping member and a link jointedly connected with said spring-strip and adapted to engage said hook termination of the body 1, substantially as specified.

3. In a thill-coupling, the combination with a body 1 having a jaw termination 4E and hook termination 2, and means for connecting an axle with said body, of a clamping member 7 fulcrnmed to said body 1 and having a jaw portion'S formed therewith,a spring-strip connected with said clamping member and means for detachably connecting said sprin strip with the body] and a shaft-iron, and a transverse bolt carried thereby adapted to be embraced between said jaws, snbstantially as specified.

JOHN G. PARSONS.

In presence of C. C. SHEPHERD, A. L. PHELPS.

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