US690470A - Car-coupling. - Google Patents

Description

' Patented Jan. 7, I902.

L. N. SINGIN.

cAn COUPLING. 7

(Application filed July 1'7, 1901.)

(No Modem nntomrm. wuumurau, a a

Fries,

LOUIS N. SINGIN, OF WVALLS, PENNSYLVANIA.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 690,470, dated January '7, 1902.

Application filed July 17, 1901.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS N. SINGIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Valls, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and use :ful Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a specification,

My invention relates to that class of carcouplings in which the locking-pin is supported by a sector geared with the knuckle and in which the parts are manipulated from the side or platform; and my invention consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an end view of a car and a coupling, illustrating my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan of the coupling, partlyin section, showing the pivoted connection between the drawhead and draw-bar; and Fig. 3 is a side view of the coupling and pivoted connection.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a coupling-head or draw-head supported at the end of the draw-bar B, beneath the car, the draw-bar B being shown by way of illustration between draft-timbers O on the bottom of the car and suitably supported, the coupling-head projecting beyond the front beam or cross-sill.

The coupling-head A is constructed like that of the Janney coupler in its conformation, to the longer fork 1 of which is pivoted the knuckle D. This coupling-hook has connected with it a toothed sector 2, which gears with another toothed sector 3 within the coupling-head and secured to a shaft at, passing vertically through the coupling head, the sector 3 serving to support the locking-pins 5, all substantially as in the construction shown in my Letters Patent Nos. 497,930 or 570,211.

In order that I may operate the parts from the side of the car or from either side of the car to lift the locking-pin and open or close the coupling-hook or knuckleD, I make use of suitable appliances for lifting the pin 5 and for turning the shaft 4, as hereinafter described, the means for thus operating the parts constituting a part of my invention, which is more particularly an improvement over the construction shown and described in Serial No 68,646. (No model.)

my Patent No. 636,361, granted to me November 7, 1899.

In connection with my improved means for operating the parts from the side of the car my present invention includes an improved coupling-head and pivoted connection of the draw-bar therewith and means for turning the coupling-head on its pivot operated from the side of the car.

In Fig. 1, E represents an operatingshaft, consisting of a plurality of sections shown as formed with threesectionsabc,andthisshaftE is adapted to operate the locking pin 5 through arocking motion of the shaft. The central section I) is supported on the car by supports d e and is preferably formed hollow throughout, with a central bore f, angular in cross-section. This central portion 1) is also preferably loosely supported by the supports d (2, so thatit may turn therein abouta longitudinal axis. Suitable connection is made between the section I) and locking-pin 5, shownin this instance as a link 6 between the locking-pin and a projection 7 on thesection b, so that when the operatingshaftEis rocked thelocking-pin 5 will be correspondingly raised or lowered. The two end sections a c are supported to be moved longitudinally with reference to the central section b and are so connected with this central section that they-will rock about a longitudinal axis therewith. Any suitable means may be adapted for accomplishing this purpose; but I have shown substantially the same means disclosed in my prior patent, No. 636,361, before referred to. As shown, I provide the sections a c with angular ends a, which may be square in cross-section, which ends are adapted to slide within theangular openings in the central section b, but to turn therewith about a longitudinal axis. In my former application referred to the lockingpin and parts of the coupling could only be operated from one side of the car, but in the construction herein disclosed the parts may be operated from either side of the car.

Suitable connections are provided whereby the parts of the coupling maybe opened and closed by means of the operating-shaft, and in this instance I have provided connections, shown as arms or bars 10, each pivotallyconnected at one end to lever-arms 11 on the pin or knuckle shaft 5, while at the other ends there are formed sockets, shown as blocks F, having a cylindrical bore formed with angular sockets 12. The sections a 0 pass through the blocks F, and in one position of these sections (t c a rocking motion may be given to them, and they may at the same time slide through the blocks F. Shoulders 13 are provided on the sections a 0, shown of angular form, to fit the sockets 12, so that when the shoulders 13 are passed within the sockets 12 the shaft may not be rocked, but will be held in any desired position as to hold the locking-pin in a raised position. Projections 14 are also shown upon the sections a o, the functions of which will hereinafter appear, while suitable supports 15 are provided for the outer ends of the outer sections a 0.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 1, when two cars are coupled the operating-shaft E is turned to lift the projection 7 to raise the locking-pin 5. The shaft E is then pushed inward in the direction of the arrow to carry the shoulder 13 on whichever section a c is being operated into a socket 12, in which case the shaft will be prevented from turning and the locking-pin will be held in its upper position. \Vhen the cars separate to be uncoupled, the locking-pin having been raised as described, the knuckle D swings outward and the sector 3 rotates, pushing the rods 10 in the directions of the ar rows and carrying the sockets or blocks F and the sections CL 0 of the shaft E outward. In this case the locking-pin 5 cannot descend, both because the shaft E is prevented from turning by the blocks F and because the sector 3 is below the locking-pin. \Vhenanother car is brought toward the coupling-head A, the knuckle coming in contact with knuc kle B swings it inward, and the rods 10 are then drawn inward, carrying the blocks F at their ends away from the shoulders 13, so that when the sector 3 passes from below the locking-pin 5 the latter can at once descend and lock the parts in their places.

In my former application a crank-handle was shown at the end of the operating-shaft, which crank-handle projected beyond the side of the car, and one of the objects of my present invention is to provide an improvement on this handle. \Vhere the bent ends of the operating-shaft are formed as cranks, there'is a liability of breaking or bending them if they are in certain positions when two cars come together and the ends of the crank-handles may be knocked in such manner as to interfere with the adjustment of the parts. As herein shown the outer ends of the sections a o are bent at substantially right angles, and the ends of the bent portions it may, if desired, be suitably flattened, as at g, which flattened portions are adapted to enter recesses in suitable handles '5. The handles t' are loosely pivoted, as by bolts or pins 70, to the bent portions h, so that when the shaft E is rocked by means of the handles and the bent portions h are raised, for instance, the handles 01 will not project therefrom, but will hang down, while at the same time, owing to the solid portion Z of the handle across the recess which fits over the reduced portion the handle may be raised in prolongation of the portion h and the solid portion Z may be pressed thereon to obtain leverage. By my construction of handles it will be seen that they are not readily broken by one car strik ing against another, nor are they liable to be struck by passing objects to disarrange the parts of the coupling.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, I have provided, in conjunction with substantially the same car-coupling as shown and described in my former patent, No. 497,930, a pivoted connec tion between the coupling-head A and drawbar B to allow a certain amount of play between the coupling-head and the draw-bar, as shown, there being a vertical pivot allowing lateral play of the coupling-head.

I prefer to provide the draw-bar with jaws B, having perforations, while I provide the coupling-head A with a suitable perforated neck adapted to fit within the jaws, while a suitable pivot-pin A is shown passing through the jaws and neck, so that the coupling-head may have lateral play. My construction is adapted to pivot the coupling-head within the edge of the car, while at the same time allow ing of sufiicient lateral movement opposite the complemental coupling, so that one or both draw-heads may be always brought in position for coupling regardless of the angle at which the trucks may be standing on a curve. In ordinary constructions the usual draftbeams C, more particularly in freight-cars, are relatively close together beneath the car, while their other ends 0 extend substantially to the edge of the car, and with a pivoted coupling head of the usual construction, wherein the shank or neck connected to the head is of about the same width as the drawbar to which it is pivoted, it is necessary to locate the pivot beyond the edge of the car in order to obtain lateral play between the draft-timbers, as-otherwise it will readily be seen that almost no lateral movement could be obtained. On the other hand, my conv struction enables me to pivot the couplinghead within the edge of the car, and at the same ti me allow lateral play between the drafttimbers, the rear portion only of the drawbar having a bearing on the draft-timbers.

In order to accomplish the end in view, I make the neck D, preferably formed integral with the coupling-head A, of substantially narrower width than that ofthe draw-bar, so that the pivot may be located within the edge of the car or behind the sill and need not be placed beyond the car. This construction will cause the coupling-head to be hung close to the draft-beams or close to the edge of the car, as usual; but on account of the narrowness of the neck there will be room for substantial lateral play between the neck and IIU the draft-beams. My construction may be used on any car, regardless of the size or shape of the draft-beams. Anysuitable construction of neck may be provided; but I have shown a solid neck with shoulders 0 in which the height is greater than the width at the part adjacent the coupling-head, while a tongue C extends between the jaws B.

It is desirable to be able to cause lateral movement of the coupling-head A by means independent of any movement of the car, and it is desirable to be able to adjust the position of the coupling-head so that a coupling maybe made, for instance, on a curve. This operation may'be carried out by the means already described for operating the parts of the couplingas, forinstance,while the coupling-pin 5 is still inits lower position and the parts of the coupling are locked in the position shown in Fig. 2 by pulling upon one of the outer sections a c a projection 14 will engage a block F and a continued pulling will cause the rod 10 to turn the coupling-head. In other words, the coupling-head will be bodily pulled to one side or the other of the center, according to which section a c is operated. Suitable means may also be provided connected to the rods 10, shown as auxiliary handles 0, and it will readily be seen that by grasping one of the handles 0 and pulling upon the rod 10 the block F may engage with the projection 13, which would merely slide an outer section outward; but the direct pull upon the rod 10 would directly pull the coupling-head A to one side or the other. It will also be seen that with my apparatus the locking-pin 5 may be raised, the projection 13 may be pushed into the socket 12, thus maintaining the locking-pin in araised position, then by pulling upon one of the rods 10 the knuckle D will first be thrown wide open, and then by continued pulling upon a rod 10 the draw-head A will be bodily pulled to one side, or by pushing upon a rod 10, the parts being in the condition described, and by holding handle 2' to keep the locking-pin 5 raised the coupling-head A may be pushed in the opposite direction.

I do not herein claim a d raw-head pivotally connected to the engaging section of a drawbar, the draw-head having a neck and the draw-bar having jaws by means of which pivotal connection is made, the neck being solid and substantially narrower than the engaging section of the draw-bar, as I understand that I cannot claim this subject-matter in the present application; but I reserve the right to make it the subjectmatter of a separate application.

lVithout limiting myself to the precise details of construction herein shown and de scribed, I claim, and desire to obtain by Letters Patent, the following:

1. The combination with the draw-head, its knuckle, knuckle-shaft and locking-pin, of a sectional operating-shaft comprising three sections, a connection between one section and the locking-pin, connections between the knuckle-shaft and the other two sections, said connections having blocks integral therewith, and angular sockets in said blocks to receive angular shoulders upon said two sect ions, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a draw-l1ead, its knuckle, knuckle-shaft, and locking-pin of a coupling, of an operating-shaft comprising three sections, the center section connected to the locking-pin, the two outer sections connected to the knuckle-shaft, the outer ends of said sections being bent at an angle, and handles for operating the shaft pivoted to the bent portions of said sections, substantially as described. I

3. In a coupling, the combination of an operating-shaft extending across the end of a car, the ends of said shaft being bent at an angle beyond the sides of the car, handles for operating the shaft pivoted to the bent portions thereof and extending in substantial alinement with said bent portions, substantially as described.

4. In a coupling the combination of an operating-shaft therefor extending across the end of a car and having its ends bent at substantially right angles beyond the sides of the car, handles having recesses within which the bent ends of the operating-shaft are pivoted, said handles extending in prolongation of said bent portions, substantially as described.

5. The combination with the draw-head, its knuckle, knuckle-shaft and locking-pin, of an operating-shaft comprising a plurality of sections, one section connected with the lockin g-pin and the other sections connected with the knuckle-shaft, and means for operating said shaft consisting of oscillating handles having recesses fitting over bent portions of said other sections, and a pin connecting the handles to said bent portions of the sections, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the draw-head, its knuckle, knuckle-shaft andlocking-pin of a coupling, of an operating-shaft comprising three sections, the central section connected to the locking-pin, bars connected to arms on the knuckle-shaft, blocks on the ends of the bars integral therewith embracing the two outer sections of the operating-shaft, means for rocking said shaft, and means for moving the outer sections longitudinally relative to the central section,substantially as described.

7. The combination with the draw-head, its knuckle, knuckle-shaft and locking-pin, of a draw-bar, a pivotal connectionbetween the draw-head and drawbar, and means connected to the knuckle-shaft for moving the draw-head laterally to one side or the other of the center, substantially as described.

8. The combination with the draw-head, its knuckle, knuckle-shaft and locking-pin, of a draw-bar, a pivotal connection between the draw-head and draw-bar, an operating-shaft comprising three sections, the two outer ones being slidable with relation to the central one,

arms connected to the outer sections and knuckle-shaft, handles on said outer sections, and auxiliary handles on said arms for turning the head laterally on its pivot, substantially as described.

9. The combination with the draw-head, its knuckle, knuckle-shaft and locking-pin, of a draw-bar, pivotal connection between the draw-head and draw-bar, an operating-shaft comprising three sections, the two outer ones being slidable with relation to the central one, but adapted to rock therewith, arms connected to the outer sections and the knuckleshaft, and means on the outer sections for actuating said arms to move the draw-head laterally on its pivot, substantially as described.

10. The combination with the draw-head ,its

knuckle, kn tickle-shaft and locking-pin, of a draw-bar, a pivotal connection between the draw-head and draw-bar, an operating-shaft comprising three sections, the two outer ones being slidahle with relation to the central one but adapted to be rocked therewith, a connection between the central section and the locking-pin, arms connected to the outer sections and the knnckleshaft, and means for moving said arms directly to turn said drawhead on its pivot, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS N. SINGIN. Witnesses:

H. G. OGDEN, Jr., W. CLARENCE DUVALL.

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