US727721A - Car-coupling. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAY 12, 1903.

E. c. WASHBURN.

' OAR COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED DBO. 2, L901.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1 NO MODEL THE! cams PETERS c0 v PuoYu-umo" WASNWGTON. u. r:

PATENTED MAY 12, 19 03.

E. G. WASHBURN.

OAR COUPLING.

APQLIOATION FILED DBO. 2, 1901.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

K0 MODEL.

y/Zeaaea m: wows Vixens co mom-u'rmm wisummomhn c Nb. 727,721. PATENTED MAY 12, 15903.

E. 0. WASHBURN.

. GAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 2, 1901. H0 MODEL. a SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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PATBNTED MAY 12, 1903. E C. WASHBURN.

GAR COUPLING.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 2, 1901.

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N0 MODEL.

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PATENTED MAY 12, mos.

E. '0. WASHBURN,

GAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 2,. 1901.

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N0 MODEL.

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raw/ 2 27 24% 0271/7 MIT/M 7 co, PHoro-umu. msnmcmu n c 170 727,721. PATBNTED-MAY 12,1903.-

- B. 0. WASHBURN.

GAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED D30. 2, 1901.

no MODEL. 6 SHEETS-"SHEET s.

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mus PTER$ co.. PHOTO-LIIHQ, WASHINGTON n c 'NiTED STATES Patented May 12, 1903.

ATENT OFFICE.

CAR-COUPLING.

EPEOIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 727,721, dated May 12, 1903.

Application filed December 2, 1901. Serial No. 84,390. (No model.)

such as will enable others skilled in the art to.

which it appertains to make'and use the same,

My present invention has for its object to provide an improved draft-bar mechanism for railway cars and locomotives.

The invention consists of the novel devices and combinations of deviceshereinafter described, and defined in the claims;

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a draft mechanism especially designed for use on engines and tenders; but the foatures'of construction therein disclosed are capable of application to couplers designed for ordinary cars, either freight or passenger.

In the drawings like characters indicatev like parts throughout the several views.

Figure l is a plan view of the draft-bar mechanism. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizonal section on the line 01: 00 of Fig. 2, some parts being left in full. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 50 m of Fig. 1, some parts being left in full. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line $6 of Fig. 3 looking toward the right. Fig. 6 is a section also on the line a no of Fig. 3, but looking toward the left; and Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section taken approximately on the line 90 00 of Fig. 2.

The coupler illustrated in connection with my improved draft-bar mechanism is of the Master Car-Builders type, the construction of which in a general way is well understood.

The numeral 1 indicates the recessed coupler-head.

The numeral 2 indicates the pivoted knuckle, and the numeral 3 the locking-dog.

The knuckle 2 is pivotally connected to the head 1 in the ordinary wayby a pintle or pivot-bolt 4, and the dog 3 is mounted in suitable seats 5 5 in said coupler-head, with freedom for 'vertical and a limited lateral movement, as in several of my prior patents and in that type of coupler well known to the trade as the Washburn.

supporting lug 7.

- In the coupler illustrated, as well as in the standard Washburn coupler, the tail of the knuckle 2 is formed with a segmental dog,- supporting flange 6 and with a raised dog- The dog also is formed at its lower end with the shoulder 8 and a depending retaining finger 9, which latter works through the lower portion 5 of the seat. The vertical movement of the dog 3 is limited, as shown, by a stop-pin 10, supported by the coupler-head and cooperating with the long notch 11 and the said dog. When the dog is raised, as shown by dotted linesin Fig. 4, its shoulder 8 rests on the lug 7 of the knuckle, and the lower end of the retainingfinger 9 stands over the flaring or beveled portion of the seat o When the knuckle is opened,,the dog falls from the lug 7, and its shoulder 8 rides upon the segmental tail portion 6 of-the knuckle. When the knuckle is again closed, the dog drops backinto its normal position, as in my prior construction or so-called Washburn coupler. In the said prior construction, however, when the dog was raised it sometimes happened under certain conditions that the lower end of the dog would swing so far inward or laterally that the depending finger 9 would catch and bind against the tail of the knuckle, and thereby either cause breakage or prevent the knuckle from being opened.

As one feature of my present invention a so-called guard-flange 12 is formed at the mouth or upper flaring portion of the seat 5, as best shown in Fig. 4. This flange when the dog is raised, as shown by dotted lines in said Fig. 4, serves as a stop to engage the lower end of the finger 9 and prevent the same from being thrown inward far enough to catch the tail of the knuckle.

Under bumping strains the segmental section of the tail end of the knuckle is forced against a stop or thrust flange 13, cast'within the coupler-head and projecting upward from the bottom wall and inward from one side wall thereof, as best shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. This segmental tail portion 6, it'will be noted by reference to Fig. 6, is much thinner than the tail end proper, so that the said tail is formed at its end and just below said segment with a rectangular shoulder or bearing end 14. When the knuckle is closed,

this shoulder 14 engages or is adapted to engage with an L-shaped flange 15, which rises from the bottom of the cup or head 1. One leg of this flange 15 runs into the base of the segmental flange 13. nected by a rib 16 to the adjacent wall of the coupler. The said flange 13 is reinforced by a tapered rib 17, which runs on the bottom wall of the coupler in the general direction in which bumping strains are applied to the said thrust-flange 13.

Under bumping strains the angular or shouldered end 14E of the knuckletail is tightly forced against both legs or branches of the angular flange 15, but under the initial opening movement of the knuckle is carried rapidly away from both surfaces or legs thereof. This permits the knuckle to be freely opened without binding.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the head of the pintle or pivot-bolt tis at one side provided with three vertically-flattened surfaces 49, cut in a manner which, it carried out, would make the head of the bolt octangular. By changing slightly the angle of the said flattened surfaces at with respect to each other the head may be out after the manner of a hectagon or other polygon. To hold the bolt-head against turning, the coupler-head is provided with a lock-lug 18, formed with three flattened surfaces which closely engage the three flattened surfaces 4 of said bolt-head. This arrangement will more securely hold the bolt against turning than single cooperating flat surfaces. The diverging surfaces of the bolthead and lug 18 hold the bolt-head from even slight play, which, if permitted, will allow the angular portions of the bolt-head to be gradually worn away.

The stub draft-bar or neck of the coupler is indicated by the numeral 19, and at its extreme end it is shown as provided with a sleeve or hub extension 20. At the junction of the said bar 19 and hub 20 is a shoulder 21, against which a bumping-spring 22 is pressed, in a manner to be more fully described.

The numeral 23 indicates a heavy draftbracket, which is adapted to be secured by bolts or otherwise to the transverse draft-timber of an engine-tender or of an engine itself. This bracket 23 is formed with the horizontal and forwardly-projecting shelf 24, having at its forward end a spring-pocket 25, in which is placed a vertically-disposed coiled spring 26. The said bracket 23 is also formed with vertical and forwardly-projecting side flanges 27, which at their forward ends are provided with Vertically-extended guide-ribs 28. A horizontal vertically-movable follower 29 restsupon the spring 26. At its ends the follower 29 is formed with notches 30, which embrace the guide-ribs 23, and thereby guide the said follower for true vertical movements. Said follower 29 is provided with a stem 31, which depends through the spring 26 and through the bottom of the pocket A cotter 32 or other suitable device in the lower The other leg is conend of the stem 31 limits the upward movement of the follower 29. A horizontally-extended draft bolt or pin 33 is passed transversely through the intermediate portions of the side flanges 27 of the draft-bracket 23, the same, as shown, being removed or held in place by a cotter 34.

In its sides just forward of the shoulder 21 the draft-bar or neck portion 19 of the coupler is formed with longitudinally-elongated perforations or bolt-seats 35, through which the draft-bolt 33 is passed. In this way the coupler is mounted in a horizontal pivot with freedom for vertical movements both upward and downward from its normal position. The said coupler is yieldingly held in an intermediate normal position by the spring-pressed follower 29, which engages the under surface of its bar or neck 19 forward of the draft-bolt 33, which draft-bolt, as already stated, serves as a pivot or fulcrum for the coupler. In line with the end of the sleeve or hub 20 of the draft-bar 19 the draft-bracket 23 is provided with a boss 36, over which the innerend of the bumpingspring 22 is telescoped and by which the spring is held against lateral movements. The relation of the boss 36 to the sleeve or hub 20 is such that the said parts will be forced together under bumping strains before the draft-bolt 33 is struck by the forward extremities of the seats or perforations 35 in the draft-bar 19. As is evident under bumping strains the spring 22 is compressed between the shoulder 21 of the draft-bar and the transverse vertical portion of the draft-bracket 23, and the said perforations or seats 35 permit of the free longitudinal rearward movement of the coupler.

In practice I have found that couplers mounted with freedom for vertical movements, as above described, will in running over a rough track work with a great deal less friction or grinding action than when mounted in any other way. This I have determined to my own complete satisfaction by watching the action of couplers mounted as described while in use on rough roads.

It is a well-known fact that the greatest strength of a malleable or steel casting, or any other casting, for that matter, is afforded by the outside surface or, as sometimes termed, the skin of the casting. Hence when this skin or surface is worn away the strength of the casting is greatly reduced. To remedy this defect in the action of ordinary couplers, I form that portion of the draft-bar or neck of the coupler which is subject to wear with so-called wearing-ribs, which receive the wear and protect the main body of the casting. More specifically stated, I provide the under portion of the draft-bar 19 where it rests upon the follower 29 with longitudinallyextended wearing-ribs 37 and provide the sides of the said bar which are subject to wear from the guide-flanges 28 (which flanges 28 serve also as chafing-plates) with longitudinally-extended wearing-ribs 38. These Wear- ICC ing- ribs 37 and 38, it will be noticed, extend in straight lines with the sides or outer surfaces of the draft-bar, and the said bottom and side walls are at such points depressed or sunken inward.

It will of course be understood that the draft-bar mechanism above described is capable of many modifications within the scope of my invention as herein set forth and claimed.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. Avertical plane car-conplerhavingMaster Car-Builders lines and pivoted for vertical movements upward from its normal position, substantially as described.

2. A vertical plane car-coupler having Mas terCar-Builderslines andincludingapivoted knuckle, the said coupler being pivoted for vertical movements upward from its normal position, substantially as described.

3. A vertical plane car-cou pler pivoted for vertical movements, in combination with a spring device applied to the neck of the coupler forward of its pivot and supporting the same in an intermediate normal position.

4. The combination with a draft-bracket having vertical guides, of a follower working vertically on the guides of said bracket, a spring applied between said bracket and said follower, and a coupler pivoted to said bracket for vertical movements, yieldingly held in an intermediate normal position, by said springpressed follower, and provided with a head of the Master Oar-Builders type.

5. A car-coupler having a transverse pivot upon which it is mounted for vertical pivotal movements and longitudinal sliding movements, and provided with a head of the Master Car-Builders type. r

6. The'combination with a draft-bracke having a spring-pocket and vertical guides, of a follower working on said guides and provided with a stem depending through said pocket, a spring within said pocket supporting said follower, and a coupler connected to said bracket by a transverse pivot and yieldingly held in an intermediate normal'position by the spring-pressed follower.

7. A coupler mounted for longitudinal movements and vertical pivoted movements on a transverse pivot, a spring device yieldingly holding said coupler forward, and a spring device yieldingly holding said coupler upward in a normal position, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a draft bracket or box, of a coupler having a head of the Master Oar-Builders type and pivotally connected to said draft-bracket by a transverse pin or bolt which receives draft strains, and

a spring device reacting on said bracket and yieldingly holding said coupler upward inan intermediate normal position.

9. The combination with a draft-bracket, of a draft-bar having longitudinally-extended perforations, a coupler on said draft-bar, a draft pin or bolt passed through said draftbracket and through the elongated perfora- I tions of said draft-bar, and a spring compressed between the draft-bracket and the end of said draft-bar.

10. The combination with a draft-bracket having a spring-pocket 25, boss 36 and vertical guides 28, of the coupler, the draft-bar-19 of which has the perforations 35, shoulder 21 and hub'20, the spring 22 on said hub 20 and boss 36, the spring 26 in said pocket 25, and

the follower 29 resting on said spring 26- guided by said ribs 28 and yieldingly supportin; the coupler, substantially as described.

11. A .carcouplerhaving a rectangular ing-ribs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 1 in presence of two witnesses.

EDWIN O. WASHBURN.

Witnesses: ELIZABETH KELIHER, F. D. MERCHANT.

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