US802509A - Car-coupling. - Google Patents

Description

No. 802,509. PATENTED OUT. 24, 1905.

G. A.x HERMANSON.

GAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

liYU-IZZZY I 611612.) jfar/lwrmaau )Hy/MW, mq

PATENTED OOT. 24, 1905.

G. A. HERMANSON.

OAR COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1,1005.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET 2.

Jab/12%;;

fl r V GUSTAF A. HERMANSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR TO JAMES MUNTON, OF MAYWOOD, ILLINOIS.

CAR-"COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, loot.

Application filed July 1, 1905. Serial No. 267,928.

To (Li/7, whom, it War/Ly concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAF A. HERMANsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented a new and useful Improvementin Oar-Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic carcouplers for railway-cars.

The object of my invention is to provide a car-coupler of the Master (Jar-Builders type or having a fork draw head, a pivoted knuckle, and a gravity-lock, which will be of a simple, eflicient, and durable construction, in which the lock may be set in position for coupling and uncoupling the cars,and in which the knuckle may be automatically thrown open when the lock is raised to the required position and the cars separated. My invention consists in the means I employ to practically accomplish this object or result, as herein shown and dcscribedthat is to say, it consists, in connection with the fork draw-head, pivoted knuckle, and gravity-lock, of a lifting-piece connected with and engaging the lock to raise the same and provided with a shoulder adapted to engage the knuckle-thrower and a knuckle-thrower having an arm adapted to be engaged by the lifting-piece, and provided with a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted to the required extent.

It further consists, in connection with these parts, in providing the tail or rear arm of the knuckle with a stop projection on its lower face and the draw-head with a cooperating stop on its inner face to limit the outward or opening movement of the knuckle.

It further consists, in connection with these parts, in providing the fork draw-head with upper and lower pivot arms or lugs and the pivotal or swinging knuckle with an integral pivot-cap fitting over the upper pivot arm or lug of the draw-h sad, the knuckle and the pivot lugs or arms of the draw-head having a pair of inter-engaging pivot studs and sockets and the gravity-lock and draw-head having lockset projections adapted to engage each other for setting the lock in position for uncoupling.

My invention further consists in the novel construction of parts and devices and in the novel combinations of parts and devices herein shown 'and described.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a central vertical longitudinal section of a carcoupler embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the lock and its lifting-piece in its raised position. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the broken line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig.4 is a detail horizontal section of the draw-head. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on line 5 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail top or plan view of the draw-head and knuckle. Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the knuckle. Fig. 8 is a section on line 8 8 of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the knuckle-thrower. Fig. 10 is a detail front view of the liftingpiece; Fig. 11, a detail front view of the lock, and Fig. 12 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the lock in its lock-set position.

In the drawings, A represents the drawhead of the ordinary Master Car-Builders coupler, the same having the customary guard-arm A and upper and lower pivot arms or lugs A A B is the knuckle.

D is avertically-movablelocking-pin, Fthe lifting-piece for the lock, and G the knucklethrower.

' The knuckle B may be pivotally connected to the draw-head in any suitable manner. As illustrated in the drawings, however, instead of employingaseparate pivot-pin the knuckle is illustrated as being provided with an integral pivot-cap B which fits over the upper pivot arm or lug A of the draw-head, and the knuckle and draw-head are provided with interengaging integral pivot-studs O O and. sockets C U The lower pivot-stud C is preferably formed on or made integral with the knuckle, and the lower pivot-socket O is formed on the lower pivot arm or lug A of the draw-head, while the upperpivot-stud C is formed integral with the upper pivot arm or lug A of the draw-head, while the upper pivot-socket O is formed in the pivot-cap B of the knuckle, which fits above the upper pivot-arm A of the draw-head. This is the construction which I prefer to employ for pivotally connecting the knuckle with the draw-head. The bottom web or floor a of the draw-head is furnished with a lock-set seat a to receive the lock-set ledge or shoulder (Z on the lock-set leg d of the lock D, the lock-set leg projecting downwardly from the lower end of the look as an integral extension thereof, and the lock-set leg (Z' is provided with an incline (Z to engage the wall of the opening a in the lower web or floor a of the draw-head, and thus aid in moving or swinging the lower end of the look forward into position for engagement of its lock-set shoulder (Z with the lock-set seat a on the draw-head.

The knuckle B has the customary front arm or nose 6 and inner arm or tail 5 which is provided with a safety hook or projection 6 adapted to engage and cooperate with the hook or projection (6 on the draw-head to in part relieve the pivot-pin from strain when the knuckle is closed and to hold the knuckle in its closed position in case the pivotal connection of the knuckle with the draw-head should break or become disengaged. The knuckle B is further provided with an inclined groove or guide I) on the under side of its tail to adapt the same to properly cooperate with the knuckle-thrower G. The tail of the knuckle is further provided with a stop projection 6", which fits in a groove a in the bottom web or floor of the draw-head and engages a stop or shoulder (a on the draw-head to limit the outward or opening movement of the knuckle. The bottom web or fioor of the draw-head is further provided with a shoulder or projection (0 adapted to engage a stop or shoulder Z2 on the rear arm or tail of the knuckle to limit the closing movement of the knuckle and receive a portion of the bufling strain communicated to the d raw-head through the knuckle, and thus in part relieve the pivotarm of the draw-head from buffing strain.

The lifting-piece has a sliding connection with the gravity-lock D, the same consisting, preferably, of a slot d" in the lock and the projection or lug f on the lifting-piece. The lug or projection f on the lifting-piece has an inclined or taper facef, engaging a similar incline or taper face Won the lock, which serves to cause the upper end of the lock to be moved or tilted forward and its rear end backward when the lifting-piece begins to raise the lock, and thus disengage the locking-shoulder do from the lower horizontal Web or floor a of the draw-head, and therebyfacilitate the lifting of the look by the lifting-piece. The locking-shoulder (Z on the lock serves to prevent jumping or creeping of the lock, and thus the accidental uncoupling of the cars while the train is in motion, and prevents the look from being raised except by and through the lifting-piece F. The sliding lifting-piece F extends at its lower portion through the opening (0 in the lower web or floor of the drav -head and alongside the lock and operates to hold or keep the locking-shoulder (Z normally in engagement with the lower web of the drawhead, and thus prevent the look from moving upward except when itis lifted bythe liftingpiece. To permit the lock D to be tilted forward at its upper end and backward at its lower end to disengage its locking-shoulder (Z from the draw-head by action of the inclines f and (Z as above described, the lock is furnished with an inclined or tapering front face d at its upper portion. The lower end of the lifting-piece F is furnished with a tapering or bevel face f 2 to facilitate its entrance into the passage-way or opening a and for the same purpose the draw-head is furnished with an inclined or tapering projection or wall (1, to aid in guiding the lower end of the lifting-piece into the opening (6 The liftingpiece F is provided with an enlargement f" at its upper end to fill the lock passage-way a in the upper portion of the draw-head and with the customary flange or shoulder f to cover or close the lock passage-way a in the draw-head. To enable the lifting-piece and lock to be properly lifted by a backward strain on the lifting-piece through the lifting-lever H and connecting-chain h, as occurs when the draft-rigging of a coupler gives way, and thus enable the cars to be uncoupled, and thereby prevent the coupler draw-bar from being entirely drawn out of the car and dropped upon the track, the draw-head is furnished with an upward incline or tapering face a This insures the proper uncoupling of the cars in case the draft-rigging of one coupler gives way and causes the displaced coupler to be sup ported by the lifting-lever H and chain 7L, and thus prevents derailment or accidents arising from the dropping of a disabled coupler on the track. The lock D is provided at its lower portion with a shoulder (Z adapted to rest upon the tail of the knuckle and support the lock in position for coupling. This lock-set shoulder (Z enables the lock to be raised into position, so that the knuckle can close when the cars are subsequently brought together. The lifting-piece F is further provided with a ledge or shoulder adapted to engage an arm or projection g on the knuckle-thrower Gr. The knuckle-thrower G has a bent arm or shoulder g at its middle portion adapted to engage a shoulder a on the draw-head, when the lifting-piece F is raised to the required extent and the lock B lifted sufi iciently to enable the knuckle to open, and thus cause the knuckle-thrower G to be tilted by its further upward movement with the liftingpiece. The knuckle-thrower G has a bent arm or foot g at its lower portion, preferably extending substantially horizontal and normally resting in a longitudinal recess or channel a in the bottom web or floor a of the drawhead and which is provided to receive this bent arm or foot of the knuckle-thrower. The bent arm or foot 9 of the knuckle-thrower projects under the tail or rear arm of the knuckle and is provided with an upwardlyprojecting toe 9 having an inclined or round ed upper face 1*, and which toe is adapted to fit in and engage the inclined curve or way 6*, formed in the lower face of the tail 6 of the knuckle B, adjacent to the safety-hook W thereon. As the lower bent arm or foot 7 and toe of the lmi'lckle-thrower [its under or embraces the tail of the knuckle and the safety-hook or projection 6 thereon, the lmuckle-thrower itself prevents the liftingpiece F and the lock D from being raised too high or entirely removed from the draw'head. The pivot arm or lug r of the knuckle-thrower is provided with an inclined or tapering inner face which enables the lifting-piece to tilt backward and facilitate the uncoupling of the cars in case the coupler of one car gives way, and thus prevents the disabled coupler from being entirely drawn out and dropped upon the track. The wedge-like extension at the upper end of the lmuckle-thrower also tends to cause the lifting-piece to tilt the lniuckle-thrower forward at its lower end, and thus throw the knuckle open. The drawhead is provided with an inclined ledge a to engage the bent arm or shoulder of the knucklethrower and further facilitate the tilting of the knuckle-thrower and the proper cooperative action of the parts. The knucklethrower (jr fits alongside the lifting-piece and lock in the opening or passage-way in the draw-head for the lock and lifting-piece.

In operation when the lifting-piece is lifted by the operating-lever H and chain 5 to uncouple the ears the first upward movement of the lifting-piece withdraws its lower end from engagement with the bottom web or floor of the draw-head and brings the inclined face of its lifting-lock into engagement with the inclined face of the lock, and thus causes the upper end of the lock to tilt forward and its lower end to tilt backward, thereby disengaging the locking-shoulder d of the lock from the lower web of the draw-head, and thereby enabling the lock to be lifted to uncoupling position by the further upward movement of the lifting-piece. The further upward movement of the liftingpiece causes the shoulder or projection f thereon to engage the arm or lug g on the knuckle-thrower, and thus causes the knucklethrower to be tilted by reason of its middle arm or projection g engaging the shoulder on the draw-head, and thereby causing the knuckle to be thrown open by the lower bent arm or foot and toe of the knuckle-thrower, which engages the tail of the knuckle. 1f the two cars to be uncoupled remain close together, so that the knuckle cannot be thrown open, the lock when raised by the lifting-piece to its unlocking position will be tilted forward at its lower end by the lifting-piece and its lock-set ledge or shoulder thus thrown into position for engagement with the lock-set seat on the floor or bottom web of the draw-head, thus supporting the lock in position for uncoupling of the cars when they subsequently separate. If when the lock is lifted the knuckle is thrown open by the knuckle-thrower or by the separation of the cars, the lock will be supported in its raised position by engagement of its lock-set shoulder a? on the tail of the knuckle, the lock being thus supported in position for coupling.

I claim- 1. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of a knuckle having a tail or rear arm furnished with a groove in its lower face, of a vertically-movable gravity-lock, having a lock-set ledge or shoulder, a liftingpiece having a sliding connection with the lock and provided with a shoulder adapted to engage a knucklethrower, and a knucklethrower fitting in the opening or passage-way of the draw-head alongside the lifting-piece and lock, and provided with an arm engaging said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and furnished with a bent arm or projection adapted to engage a shoulder on the drawhead, and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted to the required extent, the tail of the knuckle having a stop or shoulder engaging a stop or shoulder on the bottom web or floor of the draw-head to limit the outward movement of the knuckle, said bottom web or floor of the draw-head being also provided with a stop or shoulder engaging the tail of the knuckle to limit the inward movement of the knuckle, substantially as specified.

2. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of a knuckle, a verticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having a shoulder to engage a knuckle-thrower, a knuckle-thrower fitting in the opening or passageway of the draw-head alongside the lock and lifting-piece and having an arm engaging the lifting-piece, a shoulder engaging the drawhead and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is raised by the lifting-piece to the required extent, substantially as specified.

3. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of a knuckle, a verticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having a slidable connection with the lock and a shoulder to engage a knuckle-tlnower, a knucklethrower fitting in theopening or passage-way of the draw-head alongside the lifting-piece and having an arm adapted to be engaged by said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a bent arm or projection engaging a shoulder on the draw-head, and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted, substantially as specified.

4. In a car-coupler, the combination with the draw-head, knuckle, gravity-lock and lifting-piece, of a knuckle-thrower, having an arm engaging the lifting-piece, a shoulder engaging the d raw-head, and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle, substantially as specified.

5. In a car-coupler, the combination with the draw head, knuckle, gravity-lock, and lifting-piece, of a knuckle-thrower having an arm engaging the lifting-piece, a shoulder engaging the draw-head, and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle, the tail of the knuckle being furnished with a groove and the bent arm or foot of the knucklethrower having a toe fitting in the groove on the knuckle-tail, substantially as specified.

6. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle, a gravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage a knuckle thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to be engaged by said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a projection engaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted to the required extent, substantially as specified.

7. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle, a gravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage a knuckle thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to be engaged by said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a projection engaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted to the required extent, said shoulder on the drawhead having an inclined face to engage the knuckle-thrower, substantially as specified.

8. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle, a gravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage a knuckle thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to be engaged by said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a projection engaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted to the required extent, said arm on the knucklethrower engaging said lifting-piece having an inclined or Wedge-shaped upward extension to enable the lifting-piece to tilt backward at its upper end, substantially as specified.

9. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle, a gravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage a knuckle -thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to be engaged by said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a projection engaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted to the required extent, said lock having a lock-set leg at its lower end furnished with a lock-set ledge engaging a lock-set seat on the drawhead, substantially as specified.

10. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, a knuckle, a gravity-lock and a lifting-piece having a shoulder adapted to engage a knuckle-thrower, of a knucklethrower having an arm adapted to be engaged by said shoulder on the lifting-piece, and provided with a projection engaging a shoulder on the draw-head and a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted to the required extent, said lock having a lock-set shoulder adapted to enga e and rest plpon the knuckle-tail, substantialIy as speci- 11. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of a knuckle, a verticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having a slidable connection with the lock and furnished with a shoulder to engage a knucklethrower, and a knuoklethrower having an arm engaging the lifting-piece, a shoulder engaging the draw-head and an arm or foot engaging the knuckle-tail to throw the same open, substantially as specified.

12. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of a knuckle, -a verticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having a slidable connection with the lock and furnished with a shoulder to engage a knucklethrower, and a knuckle-thrower having an arm engaging the liftingpiece, a shoulder engaging the draw-head and an arm or foot engaging the knuckle-tail to throw the same open, said lock having a lock-set ledge engaging the draw-head, substantially as specified.

13. In a car-coupler, the combination with a fork draw-head, of a knuckle, a verticallymovable gravity-lock, a lifting-piece having a slidable connection with the lock and furnished with a shoulder to engage aknucklethrower, and a knuckle-thrower having an arm engaging the lifting-piece, a shoulder engaging the draw-head and an arm or foot engaging the knuckle-tail to throw the same open, the tail of the knuckle being provided with a groove thereon, and said lower arm or foot of the knuckle-thrower having a toe fitting in the said groove in the knuckle-tail, substantially as specified.

14. In a car-coupler, the combination with a forked draw-head, of a knuckle, a vertically-movable gravity-lock, a lifting -piece having a shoulder adapted to engage a knuckle-thrower, and a knuckle-thrower having an arm adapted to be engaged by the liftingpiece, and provided with a bent arm or foot engaging the tail of the knuckle to throw the same open when the lock is lifted to the required extent, substantially as specified.

GUSTAF A. HERMANSON.

Witnesses H. M. MUNDAY, -EDMUND Ancocx.

Images