GB877783A - Improvements in pipe couplings for use between coupled vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

877,783. Train pipe couplings. DOWTY HYDRAULIC UNITS Ltd. Feb. 27, 1959 [Dec. 2, 1957], No. 37511/57. Class 99(1). In a vacuum brake pipe connector for use in combination with mutually aligned railway vehicle couplers, a rigid pipe 6, having at one end a flange 18 holding a frusto-conical abutment sealing ring 19 and at its other end ribs 22 for connection with a flexible vacuum pipe on the vehicle, is slidably mounted in a bracket 8 attached to a horned type automatic coupler 5 and to which is secured spring means such as a pyramid-shaped rubber buffer 16 urging the pipe 6 into sealing engagement with a like pipe mounted on an adjacent automatic coupler. A pin 14 holds the pipe 6 in the bracket 8 but is readily disengageable to enable the pipe to be withdrawn therefrom, while a fastening ring 23 enables the pipe 6 when withdrawn to be connected to a pipe connector on an adjacent vehicle not fitted with an automatic coupling. As shown, a slideway is formed in the bracket 8 by two opposed channels 11 for reception of a slide 12 formed on the pipe 6, and the pin 14, extending through the slide 6, provides a stop for the pipe 6 against the end face 15 of the slideway. The ring 23, engageable with the flange 18, is formed with a hook 24 and a lug 25 for engagement with a like ring on the other connector, the two rings being secured one to the other by a pin which is passed through one of the lugs 25. The ring 23 is provided with an enlargement 27 having an opening 28 therein which allows the ring when not in use to be pushed back out of the way behind the bracket 8 over the slide 12 of the pipe 6. Alternatively, the ring 23 is integral with or secured to the flange 18.