US1891659A - Coupling mechanism - Google Patents
Coupling mechanism Download PDFInfo
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- US1891659A US1891659A US377473A US37747329A US1891659A US 1891659 A US1891659 A US 1891659A US 377473 A US377473 A US 377473A US 37747329 A US37747329 A US 37747329A US 1891659 A US1891659 A US 1891659A
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- car
- air
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61G—COUPLINGS; DRAUGHT AND BUFFING APPLIANCES
- B61G5/00—Couplings for special purposes not otherwise provided for
- B61G5/06—Couplings for special purposes not otherwise provided for for, or combined with, couplings or connectors for fluid conduits or electric cables
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- My invention' relates to car, air and electric coupling mechanism for'joining the ends of cars in a train, and .one of the'ob]ec ts1s to providesuch coupling mechanism which will D minimize the errors vin operation dueto the vide'a car, air and electric coupling system which can be coupled to another car equipped with an ordinary car and air coupling system and which will'stillrequire proper operation of the controlling means for the car, air and electric coupling means before the train can be moved.
- y y y
- Figl is a somewhat schematic or diagrammatic View of vmy coupling system as applied to'one end of twocoupled cars and shows the car, electric Vand air coupling mechanism as suspended belowthe platform of the car A.
- the controlling 'parts maybe located wholly or partially below or above the car iioor.
- Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional. View of my coupler head showing the knuckle or coupling hook in uncoupled position.
- Fig. 3 is a horizontal-.sectional View of a portion of the coupler head showing [the knuckle or hook in position as when coupled.
- Fig. l is a front View in elevation of my car. air and electric coupler heads.
- Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the mechanism which I employ to move the 553 knuckles to their open position land also to COUPLING MECHANISM 192e. Y serial No. 377,473.
- ini-ended Vto be manually operated when two cars are coupled or uncoupled,v and it is of vvital importance vthat these valves be opened to insure proper operation of the brakes on a train, for if a single valve is left closed, they engineer is powerless to apply the air brakes on these cars beyond the closed valve.
- My present invention provides means orj Vsetting the brakesit any one of the cutout cocks in the brake line is left closed afterv the train has been coupled and ready to move,
- I may connect a car equipped with my invention and having air pressure thereon to a like equipped car and not having pressure and still compel the proper setting of the brake valves and the switches before the train can be moved.
- Fig. 1 I have indicated two cars A and B as coupled mechanically, electrically and pneumatically and the coupled devices meoting on the center line
- the equipment shown on car A schematically is duplicated on car B.
- the car platform has secured thereo an anchorage 2 to which is secured the car coupling mechanism 3 and supported by a bracket to permit the coupler to swing radially about the universal joint 2.
- an electric and pneumatic coupler 4 Securely mounted below the coupler 3 isan electric and pneumatic coupler 4.
- the car coupler comprises a body member 5 having a recess 6 and a projection 7 to cooperate with recesses and projections on the coupled head to prevent relative movements of the coupled head other than in a longitudinal direction.
- Each head is also provided with a coupler knuckle 8 shown as that of the Janney type, although other types oi' knuckles or hooks may be employed.
- the knuckle is held in the open and closed position by a sliding lock 9 constantly urged to its locking position by the spring 10.
- rlhe lock may be moved to disengage the knuckle 8 by means of the pull chain and handle 11; also, means 12 is provided for pneumatically and automatically moving the locks on both coupled cars to their uncoupled positions respectively by an attendant from a station in either car.
- the knuckle 8 when released from the vlock 9 is moved to its open or unlocking position by means of a combined spring operated pin and vvalve mechanism 13, shown more in detail in Fig. 5.
- both knuckles When two of my coupler 'heads are br'oughttogether both knuckles will be in the unlocked position as shown in Fig.'2 and cooperation will be secured vto move both knuckles to the locked position shown in'Fig.
- an air and electric coupler 4 mounted on its center vertical line withthe butt end pneumatic coupler 14 for the brake line and 15 for the reservoir air jline.
- the connector 15 is provided with a check in the face which-opens upon impact of two similarly equipped cars, but closes automatically when uncoupled.
- the head 4 is also provided with contacts 16 and 16', 17 and 18, 19 and 19', 20 and 20', and others.
- contacts 16 and 16', 17 and 18, 19 and 19', 20 and 20', and others When it is desired to couple like electric circuits between cars, regardless of which end of the cars are coupled, I find it advisable to connect such circuit totwo contracts placed in the same horizontal plane and equally spaced from vthe vertical center line, as, for instance, cross-connected contacts 16-16, 19-19, 20-420.
- Fig. 1 shows contacts 16-16 cross-connected as explained.
- the train line circuits 19 and 20 shown in Fig. 1 would be extending to the coupler nhead 4 and connected tothe contacts 19-19 and to contacts 20-20 respectively. I am using the contacts 1.6.-16, .17 and 18 .for control circuits, as later explained.
- My invention involves also a brake line 21 open to the atmosphere when unconnected at the connector 14 and controlled by a cut-out valve 22.
- a cut-out valve 22 In order that the brakes on two coupled cars may properly operate, it is necessary for the valve 22 to be in .an open position and my invention relates Vlargely to meansof compelling the valve 22 to be opened before the train can Vbe moved. If air in the line21 is allowed to escape yto atmosphere at any point, it will automatically cause the brakes to set, thus preventing the ymoving of the train. y p
- a branch pipe 23 Leading from the pipe 21 is a branch pipe 23 which is controlled by a supplemented plug valve 24, and the plug is arranged with twor ports opened 'or closed simultaneously, one of which controls the pipe 23,r while the other controls al pipe leading to the uncoupling mechanism'V 12, as later described.
- a supplemented plug valve 24 is arranged with twor ports opened 'or closed simultaneously, one of which controls the pipe 23,r while the other controls al pipe leading to the uncoupling mechanism'V 12, as later described.
- the mechanism 13 (Fig. 5) comprises a cylinder 26, a screw cap 27 fastening lug 28, spring pressed plunger 29, having grooves 30 to permit the escape of air, spring 31 urging the pin 29 forward, an auxiliary valve and stem 32 closing a chamber 33 from the chamber 34 by engaging the seat 35 and held against theseat by the spring r36.
- the pin 29 is moved inwardly when the knuckle is in its closed position and after moving a predetermined amount, lengages the end of the valve 32, causing the same to open and remain open as long as the knuckle is 1n its closed position, thus allowing an' from'the pipe 25, which is connected with the chamber 33,to esca-pe tothe atmosphere, and as pipe V25 receives air from 'the' brake line 21, the
- valve 38 to control the flow of air such that the valve will allow air to flow -rom 23 to 37, or from 23 to 25.
- the valves 22 and 24 are interlocked forY simultaneousl operation through the medium of the shafts on the switches 39 and 40, and the pneumatic engine 41 and the ports are so arranged that when valve 22 is open, and the valve 24 closed, the
- valve ⁇ 24 would be open and air would flow through tothe mechanism 13, but vcould not' pass the valve 32 as it would be closed by the spring 31 which moves the Vpin 29 to its forward position, the coupling knuckle being held out of the path ofthe pin 29 vby lock 9.
- valve 38 would be connected to communicate-pipe 23 with 25, otherwise if it Wasset to communicate 23 and 37, there would bean escape of air through the hoseV 37 tovatmosphere, thus preventing the moving of one or both cars to coupled relation.
- valve 22 would remain closed and the valve ⁇ 24 would remain open and no air would escape from the connector 14, also the switches 39 and 4() would remain open as there would be no Aneed of these switches closing when coupled to an ordinary equipped car.
- Air will theniow from the coupled car through the pipe 21, through the check valve 43 to the pipe 21 on Ltheopposite side lof the valve 22y and then will vflow through the pipes 23 and '25 and escape-at the coupler head, thus setting the brakes and preventing movement of the train until 'the attendant hasropened the valve 22 and'simultaneously closed the valve 24 on the car without pressure.
- valve 24 air will also by-pass through 4 5 and escape at 14, thus setting the brakes, ⁇ or if the valve 38 connects pipej23' with hose 37 and the valve 24 is closed, then the air will bypass at 45 and enter pipe 21 kand escape at 14as valve 22 willbe'opemthus compelling the closing ofvalve 22;
- My ⁇ invention involves lthe manual Voperationjof thevalves andy switches by the handle 42er pneumatic operation by meansV of the air engine '41, which Ycomprises a cylinder with ar reciprocating piston therein which movesV the shaft 46 vconnecting the switches and anglecocks.
- i Connected to one end of the CII piston is a pipe-47 and to the, other end a pipef48. These pipes are controlled by electro pneumatic valves of-any approved type, 49 and '50. Air is supplied to the valves 49 and 50 through the pipe 51 connected to the reservoir air line 52.
- Thefcontrol circuits 'between thezcars are connected bythe electric contacts 16-16, 17 and 18.
- I am desirous of ⁇ always connecting the conductor 55 -on one car with conductor 55.on the other ca'r,'I use the double contacts 16-16 positioned as shown in Fig. 4, but as it is immaterialwhether conductor 56 and conductor 57 of one car connect with like or opposite conductors ⁇ on the other car, I merely use lsingle contacts 17 and 18.
- a source of current supply 58 and the switches'53 and 54 are normally held out of contact with the source oilsu-pply.
- a branch 57 extends to the valve 49 and from the .conductor 55, a branch 55 extends to the valve 50.
- rIhe pneumatic .uncoupling engine 12 comprising a cylinder and piston therein, which is connected to the lock 9, is operated through the medium of air pressure delivered thereto through vthe pipe 59 connected to the .pipe 48 and controlled by one of the ports inthe valve 24,y which is open when the other por-t in valve 24 controlling pipe 23 is open.
- the switch 54 in either car is operated andthe valves 50 in both cars opened, air flows through the pipes 48 to cylinders 41 and also flows through the pipe 59 to the engine 12, providing the valve 24 is open.
- valve 22 in each car will be open and valve 24 will be i closed. Therefore, when the switch 54 in either car is closed, it will be evident that air must first flow through the pipe 48 into engine 41 and move the switch to the open position and the valve 22 to its closed posi- Y tion before air can liow through the valve 24 to the uncoupling engine 12, because the valve 24 is closed until the switch opens and the valve 22 closes. This insures the impossibility of uncoupli-ng or separating thecars until the switches and thevalves 22 ⁇ and 24 are properly set.
- cut-out valve for a brake line, a branch from the brake line connected toY atmosphere, a supplemental valve for closing saidcbranch when said cut-out valve is open 'and opening said branch when said cut-out valve is closed, an auxiliary valve in said branchand means to open said auxiliary valve upon the coming together of two cars and to close' said auxiliary valve when the'cars are uncoupled” and means to admit air to the brake line past said cut-out valve from a coupled car in case said brake line is not already charged with alr.
- a car a mechanical coupler, a brake line, a cut-out valve to control the brake line, means to connect the brake line tothat of a coupled car, a branch from the brake line 'having an auxiliary valve therein and means to open the auxiliary valve on coupling to another car toallow escape of air from the brake line and means to conduct air around said ⁇ cut-out valve when closed to charge said brake line from a coupled car, vsaid air escaping through said branch pipe and auxiliary valve and a sup plemental valve in thefbranch line to close the branch line when the cut-out valve in the brake line is opened and prevent the escape of air from' the branch line.
- the combination with cars. having brake lines and brake line connectors,4 of means for mechanically coupling saidcars, a valve for closing the brake lines, a connection from said brake 'line and valvular means controlled by the mechanical couplingI means for opening lsaid connection to-atmospehere, said valvular means comprising a spring closed valve and a plunger held spaced from said valve by a spring andengaging the valve tov open the same after the plunger has been engaged and moved by a part of the coupler.
- a car ⁇ coupler comprising a head and coupling hook, a lock tahold the hook in cou.- pled position, a reciprocating spring held plunger engaged by andl moved by the hook, a valve normally held closed by a spring and arranged to be opened by the movement of the plunger under action of. the. hook, the
- a car. coupler comprising a head and coupling. hook, a lock tov hold the hoolV coupled position, a reciprocating-spring held member engaged by and moved ⁇ by the hook, a valve membery spaced fromY the reciprocate ing member and normally held closedgand arranged to befopened bythe movement, of the reciprocating member,l the reciprocating member moving a predetermined amount beforeA it opensthe. val-ve. Y.
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- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Valves And Accessory Devices For Braking Systems (AREA)
Description
Dec. 20, 1932. C, H, TQMUNSON 1,891,659
COUPLING MECHANISM Filed July ll. 1929 en@ A. )IC cae 5.
Inventor ('/Me45s A( 76ML/ o/v l Patented Dec. 20, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlCE CHARLESVH. TOMLINSON,OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO 'TI-IIE!V TOMLINSON COUPLER COMPANY, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO Application 1ed..Tu1y 11,
My invention' relates to car, air and electric coupling mechanism for'joining the ends of cars in a train, and .one of the'ob]ec ts1s to providesuch coupling mechanism which will D minimize the errors vin operation dueto the vide'a car, air and electric coupling system which can be coupled to another car equipped with an ordinary car and air coupling system and which will'stillrequire proper operation of the controlling means for the car, air and electric coupling means before the train can be moved. y y
The invention is set Jforth in the combination and arrangement of parts shown in theA accompanying drawing anddescribed in the following specification, and is particularly set forth in the claims.
In the drawing Figl is a somewhat schematic or diagrammatic View of vmy coupling system as applied to'one end of twocoupled cars and shows the car, electric Vand air coupling mechanism as suspended belowthe platform of the car A. The controlling 'parts maybe located wholly or partially below or above the car iioor.
Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional. View of my coupler head showing the knuckle or coupling hook in uncoupled position.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal-.sectional View of a portion of the coupler head showing [the knuckle or hook in position as when coupled.
Fig. l is a front View in elevation of my car. air and electric coupler heads. o
Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the mechanism which I employ to move the 553 knuckles to their open position land also to COUPLING MECHANISM 192e. Y serial No. 377,473.
permit the escape of air romthe brake linesv and set the brakes to prevent moving the cars unless the coupling of the Cars has been properly completed.
ini-ended Vto be manually operated when two cars are coupled or uncoupled,v and it is of vvital importance vthat these valves be opened to insure proper operation of the brakes on a train, for if a single valve is left closed, they engineer is powerless to apply the air brakes on these cars beyond the closed valve.
It is quite usual after a passenger train In order to safely operate a train of cars, it *5K5* hasl been made up or'the engineer to apply the brakes and for the attendants to examine the brakes and see if they operate properly. f one of the cutout cocks is left closed at any place in the train andthe attendant should fail to not-e that the brakes dognot operate and signals theengineer to the eliect that the bra-kes are operating properly, there 1s nothing to warn the engineer thaty the attendant has failed in his duties and that he will be unable to properly apply his brakesv throughout the train, until he attempts to. do so after starting the tra-in. IL then, they brakes fail to operate, the engineer will sense something is wrongrbut it may then be too'.
p Av single cutout, cock in the brake line left lclosed after the train is in' operation may cause a disastrous late to -avoid an accident,
wreck.
My present invention provides means orj Vsetting the brakesit any one of the cutout cocks in the brake line is left closed afterv the train has been coupled and ready to move,
or if'any one of the cocks should in some manner become closed while the train is" in motion or after'it has been in proper operation. Further, if the trainpis equipped with electric train line circuits, my invention compels these circuits to be connected from car to car inproper relation simultaneously wlth ico the proper connecting up of the brake line circuit.
Also, I may connect a car equipped with my invention and having air pressure thereon to a like equipped car and not having pressure and still compel the proper setting of the brake valves and the switches before the train can be moved.
In Fig. 1, I have indicated two cars A and B as coupled mechanically, electrically and pneumatically and the coupled devices meoting on the center line The equipment shown on car A schematically is duplicated on car B.
The car platform has secured thereo an anchorage 2 to which is secured the car coupling mechanism 3 and supported by a bracket to permit the coupler to swing radially about the universal joint 2. Securely mounted below the coupler 3 isan electric and pneumatic coupler 4.
yThe car coupler comprises a body member 5 having a recess 6 and a projection 7 to cooperate with recesses and projections on the coupled head to prevent relative movements of the coupled head other than in a longitudinal direction. Each head is also provided with a coupler knuckle 8 shown as that of the Janney type, although other types oi' knuckles or hooks may be employed. The knuckle is held in the open and closed position by a sliding lock 9 constantly urged to its locking position by the spring 10. rlhe lock may be moved to disengage the knuckle 8 by means of the pull chain and handle 11; also, means 12 is provided for pneumatically and automatically moving the locks on both coupled cars to their uncoupled positions respectively by an attendant from a station in either car.
The knuckle 8 when released from the vlock 9 is moved to its open or unlocking position by means of a combined spring operated pin and vvalve mechanism 13, shown more in detail in Fig. 5.
When two of my coupler 'heads are br'oughttogether both knuckles will be in the unlocked position as shown in Fig.'2 and cooperation will be secured vto move both knuckles to the locked position shown in'Fig.
3, thereby preventing the longitudinal movement of the coupler heads relative to each other. The engaging surfaces of the knuckle 8 and lock 9 are wedge shaped, thus permitting the knuckles to draw the faces of the heads into close relation and maintain them tightly locked, thus producing a substantially rigid coupling between cars, as set forth in United States Letters Patent 1,660,733 issued February 28, 1928.
Mounted below the coupler 3 is an air and electric coupler 4 provided on its center vertical line withthe butt end pneumatic coupler 14 for the brake line and 15 for the reservoir air jline. The connector 15 is provided with a check in the face which-opens upon impact of two similarly equipped cars, but closes automatically when uncoupled.
The head 4 is also provided with contacts 16 and 16', 17 and 18, 19 and 19', 20 and 20', and others. When it is desired to couple like electric circuits between cars, regardless of which end of the cars are coupled, I find it advisable to connect such circuit totwo contracts placed in the same horizontal plane and equally spaced from vthe vertical center line, as, for instance, cross-connected contacts 16-16, 19-19, 20-420. Fig. 1 shows contacts 16-16 cross-connected as explained.
The train line circuits 19 and 20 shown in Fig. 1 would be extending to the coupler nhead 4 and connected tothe contacts 19-19 and to contacts 20-20 respectively. I am using the contacts 1.6.-16, .17 and 18 .for control circuits, as later explained.
My invention involves also a brake line 21 open to the atmosphere when unconnected at the connector 14 and controlled by a cut-out valve 22. In order that the brakes on two coupled cars may properly operate, it is necessary for the valve 22 to be in .an open position and my invention relates Vlargely to meansof compelling the valve 22 to be opened before the train can Vbe moved. If air in the line21 is allowed to escape yto atmosphere at any point, it will automatically cause the brakes to set, thus preventing the ymoving of the train. y p
Leading from the pipe 21 isa branch pipe 23 which is controlled by a supplemented plug valve 24, and the plug is arranged with twor ports opened 'or closed simultaneously, one of which controls the pipe 23,r while the other controls al pipe leading to the uncoupling mechanism'V 12, as later described.- Leading l fromthe branch pipe 23 is another branch pipe 25 leading to the mechanism .13, whichl has a valve for controlling the pipe 25 and a spring held pin tor urging the knuckle 8 to its open position. p
The mechanism 13 (Fig. 5) comprises a cylinder 26, a screw cap 27 fastening lug 28, spring pressed plunger 29, having grooves 30 to permit the escape of air, spring 31 urging the pin 29 forward, an auxiliary valve and stem 32 closing a chamber 33 from the chamber 34 by engaging the seat 35 and held against theseat by the spring r36. The pin 29 is moved inwardly when the knuckle is in its closed position and after moving a predetermined amount, lengages the end of the valve 32, causing the same to open and remain open as long as the knuckle is 1n its closed position, thus allowing an' from'the pipe 25, which is connected with the chamber 33,to esca-pe tothe atmosphere, and as pipe V25 receives air from 'the' brake line 21, the
brakes will automatically set .as the valve 35 is open and airis escaping from the mechanism'13. i
will be found 'convenient when coupling ai carequipped with my invention to a car of the standardtype of air equipment having a" hose coupling.
If-the hoseeoupling 37 is employed, I inserta valve 38 to control the flow of air such that the valve will allow air to flow -rom 23 to 37, or from 23 to 25. The valves 22 and 24 are interlocked forY simultaneousl operation through the medium of the shafts on the switches 39 and 40, and the pneumatic engine 41 and the ports are so arranged that when valve 22 is open, and the valve 24 closed, the
switches will be-closed or viceversa. l v It the electric switches are not employed, the valves 22 and 24 are directly connected together for simultaneous operation either by the engine 41l or the manually operatedvhandle 42. y i
The operation of fo'llowst- Y y i y f y ,If two cars A and B equipped alike are coupled, the angle cocks 22 on both ears the brake lsystem is "as would be :closed if-air'pressure were present,
otherwise the escape of air at the connector-` 14 would set the brakesandprevent movingthe cars -into coupled relation. lAlso, the valve`24 would be open and air would flow through tothe mechanism 13, but vcould not' pass the valve 32 as it would be closed by the spring 31 which moves the Vpin 29 to its forward position, the coupling knuckle being held out of the path ofthe pin 29 vby lock 9. lThe valve 38,.it will be apparent, would be connected to communicate-pipe 23 with 25, otherwise if it Wasset to communicate 23 and 37, there would bean escape of air through the hoseV 37 tovatmosphere, thus preventing the moving of one or both cars to coupled relation. f
Simultaneously with the coupling of cars, the knuckles 8 would be moved to'their closed position, shown in Fig. 3, which would: re-
tract the -pin 29,V causing it to engageand open the'valve 32 and thus permit the escape of air from the pipe 25 to atmosphere, which would apply the brakes automatically4 and would indicate by the sound of escaping-air that the valves of Vthe brake system were not in proper position. The attendant 'would then open the valve 22 either by means of the-handle 42 or through the medium of the pneumatic engine 41, 'later explained, and
simultaneously closethe valve 24, thus checking the {low of air through tle mechanism 13 and restoring the brake valves to proper con- Y dit-ion for operation, and lalso closing the switches 39 and 40 controlling the'lelectric circuits.
lf'the car A iscoupled to a'car having the ordinary car and air equipment, then thehose `Y 37 of the Acar A would Vconnected, tofnthe corresponding hose of the coupled carand as the valve 38 would probably'be setto communicatepipe 23 with- 25, there would be an pipe23 wouldbe'open and the attendant would then operate the valve 38 to communicate pipe 23 with hose 37'.l In this case, valve 22 would remain closed and the valve `24 would remain open and no air would escape from the connector 14, also the switches 39 and 4() would remain open as there would be no Aneed of these switches closing when coupled to an ordinary equipped car.
It is possible thatthe car equipped with my invention. and having air pressure thereonis coupled toa car similarly equippedzbut having no--air pressure thereon and in" that case it would be apparent that if thevalve 22 were closed. |that airfwould flow from the Y coupled car through. to the valve 22 but no further, and there would be no escape of air atv the couplerhead .through the mechai nism 13 on the`ca'r without pressure and, therefore, there would be no positive way of about the valve 22 a check valve 43 which will permit air to How in the direction of thearrow but notin the other direction. Air will theniow from the coupled car through the pipe 21, through the check valve 43 to the pipe 21 on Ltheopposite side lof the valve 22y and then will vflow through the pipes 23 and '25 and escape-at the coupler head, thus setting the brakes and preventing movement of the train until 'the attendant hasropened the valve 22 and'simultaneously closed the valve 24 on the car without pressure. l
The same is true if `the car A hadV no air and was-coupled to an ordina-ry equipped car having air, that is, the valve 38 being set to connect 23 and 25j', would prevent the ow of air froml the coupled car throughtheca-r A,
through the hose 37, by-pass and check 44, into'thepipesl23and25 `and escapeat 13, and
if the valve 24 is closed air will also by-pass through 4 5 and escape at 14, thus setting the brakes,`or if the valve 38 connects pipej23' with hose 37 and the valve 24 is closed, then the air will bypass at 45 and enter pipe 21 kand escape at 14as valve 22 willbe'opemthus compelling the closing ofvalve 22;
My `invention involves lthe manual Voperationjof thevalves andy switches by the handle 42er pneumatic operation by meansV of the air engine '41, which Ycomprises a cylinder with ar reciprocating piston therein which movesV the shaft 46 vconnecting the switches and anglecocks. i Connected to one end of the CII piston isa pipe-47 and to the, other end a pipef48. These pipes are controlled by electro pneumatic valves of-any approved type, 49 and '50. Air is supplied to the valves 49 and 50 through the pipe 51 connected to the reservoir air line 52. Y
InV order to operate electro pneumatic valves, I have provided Va system of circuits controlledby push button switches and indicated as 53 for the onswitch and 54 for the olf switch. Thefcontrol circuits 'between thezcars are connected bythe electric contacts 16-16, 17 and 18. As I am desirous of `always connecting the conductor 55 -on one car with conductor 55.on the other ca'r,'I use the double contacts 16-16 positioned as shown in Fig. 4, but as it is immaterialwhether conductor 56 and conductor 57 of one car connect with like or opposite conductors `on the other car, I merely use lsingle contacts 17 and 18.
To each switch'is brought a source of current supply 58 and the switches'53 and 54 are normally held out of contact with the source oilsu-pply. From theconductor 457, a branch 57 extends to the valve 49 and from the .conductor 55, a branch 55 extends to the valve 50. i
I have shown the switch 53 in car B as closed, which would be the condition if the attendant lon that car, after the cars have Coupled .by impact, is desirous ofoperating the valves 22 and 24'andthe switches 39 and 40 to their proper running positions on both j cars. In this case, after-the cars have coupled the operator presses the switch 53 and current flows from 58 through-the conductor 56, contacts 18-17, conductors 57 and 57 to valve 49 on car A and also through switch 53 in-car A and-conductor 56, contacts 18-17 and conductors 57 and 57, thus energizing the valve 49.on car B and permitting air to iiow through the pipesv 47 `to the engines 41 on. both cars, thus moving the switches lto their closed position and the valves 22 to their open position and the valve 24 to its closed position. The operator then releases the switch 53 on car B and the coupled cars.
are .then in operated condition.
vIt will be noted that if car A isrthe rea-r' end car and if an unauthorized person closed switch 53 in car A that the valve -49 on car A would not operate to close the switches 39 A and 40 and open the air valve 22. This is due to the method of connecting switches 53 and valve 49. t
lIfthe .attendant is desirous of disconnecting the cars, he will close the switch 54 onA car B after he is there located and current will then flow from the source 58, through the switch 54, conductor 55, 55, contacts 16-16, conductors 55 and 55 to valves 50 on both cars,-thus energizing the valves 50 and permittingair to `Elo-w through the pipes 48 on both `cars to the cylinder 41, thus moving the switches to -their open position and closing valve 22 and opening valve 24. The `attendant then permits switch 54 to open.
rIhe pneumatic .uncoupling engine 12 comprising a cylinder and piston therein, which is connected to the lock 9, is operated through the medium of air pressure delivered thereto through vthe pipe 59 connected to the .pipe 48 and controlled by one of the ports inthe valve 24,y which is open when the other por-t in valve 24 controlling pipe 23 is open. Thus when the switch 54 in either car is operated andthe valves 50 in both cars opened, air flows through the pipes 48 to cylinders 41 and also flows through the pipe 59 to the engine 12, providing the valve 24 is open.
` Attentionis drawn to the fact that when two vcars equipped alike with my invention are coupled and operating, that valve 22 in each car will be open and valve 24 will be i closed. Therefore, when the switch 54 in either car is closed, it will be evident that air must first flow through the pipe 48 into engine 41 and move the switch to the open position and the valve 22 to its closed posi- Y tion before air can liow through the valve 24 to the uncoupling engine 12, because the valve 24 is closed until the switch opens and the valve 22 closes. This insures the impossibility of uncoupli-ng or separating thecars until the switches and thevalves 22`and 24 are properly set.
It will be evident that whether the coupler system shown in `connection with car A is connected with a car equipped with a like system or with a car equipped with the ordinary flexible hose connection, it will be impossible to operate the train until proper communication between the air lines of the two cars has been established, and if one or both of the cars are equipped with electric connectors, the switch controlling the same must be in proper position. It is further evident that if two cars equipped alike with my invention.
If it is desired to separate two coupled cars Y by Vmanual operation of the car coupling mechanism, the operator will pull the chain 11 on that car which he desires to move. This will open the .knuckle 8 on that car and permit the valve 32 .to close. against the seat 35 and thus prevent the escape of airA and the setting of the brakes.
There will, of course, be-many modifications to my invention which will be evident to those skilled in the art after making this disclosure, and, therefore, I wish tobe limited only b my claims. Iclaim:- `l l 1. The combination with coupled cars havingbrake lines and-connectors therefor, of means mechanically coupling the cars, cutout valves for the brake lines, an auxiliary valve connected with the brake line of one of said Acars and having an outlet portato atmosphere of suicient capacity to set the brakes of the cars, means to operate said auxiliary valve to open position upon bringing together ofthe carsto connectthe brake lines to atmosphere,A means to operate the said cutout valves, a'tsuppl'emental 'valve for closing the connection between said auxiliary valve and its `brake line when the cut-out valve in said brake line'is open and means to control the' operation of the said clit-out valve operating means on two coupled cars by an operator from a station on either car. Y
2 The combination with coupled cars having brake lines and connectors therefor, of
means for mechanically couplincr the cars, a cut-out valve for a brake line, a branch from thebrake line connected to atmosphere, a supplemental valve for Vclosing said branch when said cut-out valve is open'and opening said branch when said cut-out valve is closed, auxiliary valvular means and'means to operate the same opened upon the coming together of two cars to control the branchli'ne and close the branch when the cars are uncoupled, a check controlling a bypass around the cutout valve and a check controlling a bypass'v around the supplemental valve in the branch line and the said checks operating to permit air under pressurevto pass through said Vbypasses only from! a, coupled car; y
` 3. The combination with coupled cars having brake lines and connectors therefor, of
' means "for mechanically coupling the cars, a
cut-out valve for a brake line, a branch from the brake line connected toY atmosphere, a supplemental valve for closing saidcbranch when said cut-out valve is open 'and opening said branch when said cut-out valve is closed, an auxiliary valve in said branchand means to open said auxiliary valve upon the coming together of two cars and to close' said auxiliary valve when the'cars are uncoupled" and means to admit air to the brake line past said cut-out valve from a coupled car in case said brake line is not already charged with alr. u
4. In combination a car, a mechanical coupler, a brake line, a cut-out valve to control the brake line, means to connect the brake line tothat of a coupled car, a branch from the brake line 'having an auxiliary valve therein and means to open the auxiliary valve on coupling to another car toallow escape of air from the brake line and means to conduct air around said` cut-out valve when closed to charge said brake line from a coupled car, vsaid air escaping through said branch pipe and auxiliary valve and a sup plemental valve in thefbranch line to close the branch line when the cut-out valve in the brake line is opened and prevent the escape of air from' the branch line.
5. The combination of two coupled cars each having a brake line and connector therefor, means for mechanically coupling the cars, a cut-out valve for closing thebrake line, a branch from the brake line,'a`supp1e mental valve 'for the branch, the valves being connected to closeone valve when the other vvalve is opened and vice versa, a pneumatic engine to operate the valves, means on both cars under control ot an operator roma station in either car tol operate `the pneumatic engine on both cars and an auxiliary yvalve for the branch line operable toits open position when twol cars are coupled to permit the escapecof air from the brake Yline when the cut-out valve inthe brake line is clos-ed.
6.v The combination with a" brake line'for a car and means for connecting said line with the brake line ofY a coupled car,of a cut-out valve for closing said brake line, a car coupler, an auxiliary vvalve connected-With said brake line and operable by the movement `of the coupler in coupling to another car to open and allow escape of air from the brake line and held open while the cars are coupled, and a supplemental valve connected with said auxiliary valve to permit the said escape` of r air through said auxiliary valve when the cut-out valve is closed and means providing for the flow of air from one coupled car to Vthe brake line of the other car when they cutout valve in said other coupled car is closed.
7 'A system of train line coupling devices on twocooperating cars, comprisiiiga fluid pressure line 'having' connection through the couplers, valve mechanism in each car to control said line and. meansl for opening andy closing said valve mechanism onboth cars from a stati-on on one car, and means to open said Huid pressure` line toVtheatmosphere upon the bringing together of the cars in coupled relation to bleed the air from the fluid pressure line sufficiently to set the brakes of the carswhen said valve mechanism is closed, said opening means being operable to maintain open connection between said fluid presl" sure line and atmosphere so long as said cars are-coupled and vsaid valve mechanism is closed. f
8'. The combination with a car of an air brake line for said car, separate means for connecting'said air brake line with the air brake line of a coupled car, one meansY connecting automatically uponimpact and the other means connecting manually after impact, a cut-out valve' controlling vthe autollO matic connector, a three-way valve for closing the air brake line to manual connecting means and for opening the air brake line to a branch line, an auxiliary valve for opening the branch line to atmosphere by the bring'- ing together of the cars, a supplemental valve tocontrol the line to the manual connection and operable in unison with the cut-out valve to open when the cut-out valve closes and means to conduct air from one carto the other past ther three-way valve, the cut-out valve and the supplemental valve when said valves are closed.
' 9. Ina car and pneumatic coupling system on two VVCoupled cars each having a car coupler, an air brake line having a Valve therein to control the line vand a coupling device@ pneumatic engine to operate the valve and means' on each car to control the operation of the engineonboth cars at will of an operator from afstationon eitlier car, an air engine to move'thecar coupler mechanism to uncoupling position, a piping system connecting the air coupling device, the uncoupling'engindthe'valve actuating engine and the control means forl thevalve actuating engine, to operate thevalve actuating engine to close the valve in the brakeline lon each car before air is admitted to the uncoupling engine on each car, and means open the brake line to atmosphere to set the brakes when the said valves are closed.
l0. The combination with a plurality of electric train linecircuits, of a switch for controlling said circuits, iiuid pressure pipesfor a'bralre system, valves controlling the pipes and arranged to operate in unison with each other and the switch and to open and close in reverse relation to each other, fluid pressure operated meansto move the valves and switches to control communication through the' pipes and circuits, auxiliary valvular means opened upon the coming together of two cars to open the brake system to atmosphere when one of the valves is open 'and the other closed and the switch open, and manually operated means controlling the liu'd pressure for actuating the fluid pressure controlled means.
fll. The combination of' a car, an electric train line circuit, and a connector therefor, a brake line and a. connector therefor, a switch to control the circuit, a cut-out valve to control the brake line, means to open or close the switch, car coupling means, means forming a passage from said brake line to atmosphere, valvular means for closing said passage but operated by the car coupler to open vposition when two cars are coupled and the switch is opened, and aV supplemental valve in. said passage constrained to act in synchronismV with said switch to prevent the escape of air through said passage whenv the switch is closed.
l2. The combination with cars. having brake lines and brake line connectors,4 of means for mechanically coupling saidcars, a valve for closing the brake lines, a connection from said brake 'line and valvular means controlled by the mechanical couplingI means for opening lsaid connection to-atmospehere, said valvular means comprising a spring closed valve and a plunger held spaced from said valve by a spring andengaging the valve tov open the same after the plunger has been engaged and moved by a part of the coupler.
13. A car` coupler comprising a head and coupling hook, a lock tahold the hook in cou.- pled position, a reciprocating spring held plunger engaged by andl moved by the hook, a valve normally held closed by a spring and arranged to be opened by the movement of the plunger under action of. the. hook, the
plunger tending to move the. hook towards Y its uncoupled position; and release the: valve from its open, positionv to, close.
14. A car. coupler comprising a head and coupling. hook, a lock tov hold the hoolV coupled position, a reciprocating-spring held member engaged by and moved` by the hook, a valve membery spaced fromY the reciprocate ing member and normally held closedgand arranged to befopened bythe movement, of the reciprocating member,l the reciprocating member moving a predetermined amount beforeA it opensthe. val-ve. Y.
15. The lcombination with ac ar having a brake line and a valve for closing said brake line, 0j? a coupler for said car yhaving a coupling knuckle, controlled means for bleeding said brake line, a valve for closing said bleeding means and Common. means. for opening said valve and actuating: said coupling knuckle. A Y
16. The C0Inbnatonl with. a. @als .haringen brake line a valve for closing said brake line, of a'branch pipeleadfing from said brake l-neatthe Car Side Qfsad valve. an auxiliary valveforclosinasaidi branch pipe, a @curl-ina knucklealld. @Ommenmeans forA opening Seid @curling kauelle and ClQSne Said auxiliary valve.V Y
1:73 TheQOmb-natoa with. a @er harina e brake line @ed a Valve for @Lesina Said line. 0f a branch ripe Connectedwith brake line at the Calf Side 0f YSaid valve, e 09119191" fet Seid Car, having a @Qu-plies knuckle. a Pleaser for Opening. Seid, @Clipline hawk-la @Hm-.1X- iliary valve forclosing said branch pipe, said auxiliary. valveI being connected with44 said plunger andopened by. saidr plungerhvvhen said, knuckle, isicl'osed. l
18. AThe combinationl With a car having a brake line,A a cut-out valve forl closing said brake line, a, one- WayT bypass about said4 cutout 'Val-ve a branch rire @wheeled vithfserl brake line. et: the Car Sdeof Said; entrent valveq a Secondi valve. for' @lesite Said branch pipe, meeas-conneeteasaid cut-Outvalve and. said Second valve weren Qneosad valves. when CHARLES H. TOMLINSON.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US377473A US1891659A (en) | 1929-07-11 | 1929-07-11 | Coupling mechanism |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US377473A US1891659A (en) | 1929-07-11 | 1929-07-11 | Coupling mechanism |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US1891659A true US1891659A (en) | 1932-12-20 |
Family
ID=23489248
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US377473A Expired - Lifetime US1891659A (en) | 1929-07-11 | 1929-07-11 | Coupling mechanism |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US1891659A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4391380A (en) * | 1981-02-12 | 1983-07-05 | Hoose Demetrius H | Rail car coupler interlock |
US4497414A (en) * | 1981-11-11 | 1985-02-05 | Scharfenbergkupplung Gmbh | Mechanical central buffer coupling |
US20050056607A1 (en) * | 2003-09-16 | 2005-03-17 | Mark Scott | Cushioning device having an electrically actuated lockout |
US10647310B2 (en) | 2017-07-31 | 2020-05-12 | Ttx Company | Trainline support assembly |
-
1929
- 1929-07-11 US US377473A patent/US1891659A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4391380A (en) * | 1981-02-12 | 1983-07-05 | Hoose Demetrius H | Rail car coupler interlock |
US4497414A (en) * | 1981-11-11 | 1985-02-05 | Scharfenbergkupplung Gmbh | Mechanical central buffer coupling |
US20050056607A1 (en) * | 2003-09-16 | 2005-03-17 | Mark Scott | Cushioning device having an electrically actuated lockout |
US7150368B2 (en) * | 2003-09-16 | 2006-12-19 | Sharma & Associates, Inc. | Cushioning device having an electrically actuated lockout |
US10647310B2 (en) | 2017-07-31 | 2020-05-12 | Ttx Company | Trainline support assembly |
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