US1952479A - Draft rigging - Google Patents

Description

March 1934.

DRAFT RIGGING Filed July 1928 4 & mung 1W g F. s. sucKow 1,952,479 7 patented Mar. 27 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRAFT RIGGING Application July 24, 1928, Serial No. 295,023

22 Claims.

This invention relates to railway draft rigging and more particularly to a'coupler with an articulated shank of such dimensions that it may be used interchangeably with a coupler having a standard rigid shank.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide a swivel butt coupler adapted to receive a horizontal draft key for connection with a yoke and formed with a butt portion so articulated that it permits swivelling or horizontal angling of the coupler with respect to the key and associated rigging upon the application of both draft and buffing forces.

Another object of my invention is to provide a coupler, the shank of which is recessed adjacent the butt to receivea draft key, said butt being curved both at the recessed portion and on its rear face, a key piece being received in the recessed portion and adapted to engage the rear edge of the key and the curved portion of the coupler stem rearwardly thereof, and a butt member engaging the rear curved face of the coupler butt, means being provided for interlocking said key piece and butt member whereby the parts will remain assembled even when the coupler is removed from the associated draft rigging.

A furtherobject of my invention is to provide a. swivel butt coupler which is interchangeable with a standard rigid shank coupler and slotted for receiving a horizontal connecting key, swiveling of said coupler being provided for by forming the butt of the coupler shank as a curved column or hearing post portion connecting the parts of the shank above and below the key slot, a key piece being mounted on the key and formed with a rearwardly opening pocket engaging the column portion of the coupler butt for horizontal angling therewith, a butt member notched to receive the rearwardly. extending portions ofthe key piece and curved for swiveling engagement with the curved butt or column portion of the coupler, and rivets or the like extending through the butt member and the rearwardly extending portions from the key piece for interlocking said parts together and holding them in assembled relation while permitting angling therebetween under the influence of both draft and buffing forces.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become ap parent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

I .Figure lis a fragmentary plan 'of draft rigging embodying my invention, the portions of the yoke shown being illustrated in horizontal section.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of one embodiment of my coupler on the line 2- 2 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the butt portion of the coupler stem shown in Figures 2 and 3, the butt member having been removed.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 3 of the coupler stem only, the key piece and butt member having been removed.

Figure 6 is a rear elevationalview of the coupler stem shown in Figures 2 and 3. V

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of the butt member separated from the coupler and key piece.

Figure 8-is a fragmentary view corresponding to Fig. 2 but showing another embodiment of my invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, I have shown the stem 1 of a coupler, the rear por: tion of which is provided with a slot or recess 2 receiving a horizontal draft key 3 for connection with a yoke 4. Although the yoke in the present embodiment is illustrated as of the horizontal type I do not wish to be limited to this showing which is merely illustrative, the claims defining the scope of the invention.

Engaging the butt of the coupler stem 1 is a front follower 5 which is held in place with respect to the yoke 4 by means of a horizontal key 6. As is customary, the keys 3 and 6 are received in slots in the associated side sills and cheek plates, not shown, and the rear face of the follower 5 engages cushioning mechanism, not shown, as will be understood.

The rear portion of the slot 2 in the coupler stem is enlarged, as indicated at '7, to receive a'key piece 8, which key piece is formed with forward 1y extending flanges 9 embracing therear edge of the key 3. The rear portion of the key piece 8 is formed with a concave bearing notch 10 and the sides 11 defining said notch are extended rearwardly to points beyond the rear end of the coupler stem proper for reasons to be hereinafter explained.

In order that the key piece may properly angle with respect to the coupler stem, that portion of the stem extending from above to below the slot or recess2 is formed as a curved bearing post or trunnion 12, the forward portion of which and the curved bearing surface 9 on the key piece being cooperatively curved for permitting proper swiveling therebetween. The forward edges of the flanges 9 on the key piece are co-axially curved, as indicated at 13, with respect to the forward portion of the post 12 on the coupler, when assembled therewith, or the curved portion 10 on said key piece .for permittingproper swiveling between said coupler and key piece.

Engaging the rear curved portion of the post or journal portion 12 of the coupler stem is a butt member 14 with a forwardly opening curved bearing pocket 15 receiving the post or butt portion of the coupler stem proper for swiveling movement therewith and forwardly extending and diverging arm portions 16 embracing the butt of the coupler stem proper therebetween. The butt member is formed with notches 17 in either side thereof receiving the rearwardly extending arms 11 from the key piece 8 f r interlocking connection therewith. Said arms 11 are preferably formed with notches 18 and the arms 16 on the butt member 14 are desirably formed with registering apertures 19 for receiving connecting means 20. Said connecting means desirably take the form of vertical rivets, the heads of which are counter-sunk, as indicated at 21, and suflicient clearance is provided between the intermediate portions of said rivets or the kc and the notches 18 in the key piece so that a normal or desired amount of horizontal angling or swiveling between the parts is permitted.

Although the front and rear surfaces of the bearing post 12 on the coupler stem may be coaxial as shown in Fig. 8, I have in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 shown these surfaces not exactly co-axial but with the axis of one surface between the other surface and its axis whereby slightly greater radii of curvature are provided without interfering with the free swiveling of the coupler within the necessary limits. It will be understood that the slots 18 in the key piece 8 provide sufficient clearance to allow the necessary motion between the key piece and butt member upon swiveling or angling of the coupler and the slot 2 provides sufficient clearance with respect to the key 3 for that purpose.

From the foregoing disclosure it will be seen that 'I have devised a swivel butt coupler in which the stem of the coupler assembly is of dimensions corresponding with those of astandard rigid shank coupler so that said coupler may be used interchangeably with such rigid coupler. The butt of my coupler shank is recessed to receive a key piece and this key piece, on draft, bears against the column or post which connects the upper and lower portions of the shank or stem proper. After the key piece has been entered a butt member is applied to engage the rear surface of the column or post of the coupler shank and two rivets, pins or other suitable connecting means are applied vertically and engage the key piece and butt member, forming in effect a unitary coupler shank. Upon the application of draft forces said forces are transmitted from the shank to the key piece and key. Under buff, suchforces are transmitted from the shank through the butt member to the front follower, in the embodiment illustrated. Al though my invention is shown as used with a horizontal yoke and key supported front follower, I do not Wish to be limited to such merely illustrative arrangement, the scope of the invention being defined by the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In railway draft rigging, in combination, a

coupler with a key slot adjacent the rear portion of the stem thereof, said rear portion being formed as a curved bearing post rearwardly of said slot, a yoke, a key extending through the slot in the coupler for connecting said coupler and yoke, a key piece engaging the rear edge of the key and formed with a rearwardly opening bearing notch correspondingly curved and engaging the post portion of the coupler and a butt member formed with a forwardly opening correspondingly curved bearing notch engaging the rear surface of the post portion of the coupier, portions of said key piece and butt member overlapping, and means intersecting said overlapping portions and connecting said key piece and butt member.

2. In railway draft rigging, in combination, a coupler with a curved butt portion and a slot adjacent said butt portion for receiving a horizontal draft key, the rearward portion of said slot terminating at the curved butt portion of the coupler so that a bearing post is formed between the upper and lower portions of the coupler stem above and below said slot, a yoke, a key connecting said coupler and yoke, and a key piece formed with forwardly extending portions above and below said key and rearwardly extending portions on either side of the post portion of the coupler butt, said key piece being formed with a correspondingly curved bearing portion engaging the post portion of the coupler butt for permitting angling therebetween, a butt member engaging the rear portion of the coupler post for angling therebetween on bufi, said butt member being notched for receiving the rearwardly extending portions from the key piece, and means intersecting said portions and the butt member-for holding them in assembled relation while permitting angling therebetween.

.3. In railway draft rigging, in combination, a coupler with .a generally cylindrical post portion forming a butt, a yoke, a key connecting said coupler and yoke, a key piece engaging the rear edge of the key .and the forward portion of the post on the coupler for angling therewith, and a butt member engaging the rear portion of the post for angling therewith under the action of buffing forces, .said key piece and butt member being connected by means extending through adjacent portions thereof.

4. A coupler with a stem slotted for receiving a key for connection with an associated yoke, a generally cylindrical bearing post connecting those portions of the stem rearwardly of the slot, a key piece adapted for engagement with the rear edge of an associated key and presenting a rearwardly opening curved bearing notch for engagement with the bearing portion of the coupler, and a butt member formed with a forwardly opening curved portion for engagement with the bearing portion of the coupler,

said key piece and butt member having normally overlapping portions adapted for connection exterior of said stem.

5. A coupler with a key slot in the stem there-' of and a curved bearing post at the rearniost end thereof, a key piece formed with a rearwardly opening bearing notch correspondingly curved and engaging the post portion of the coupler and a butt member formed with a forwardly opening correspondingly curved bearing notch engaging the rear surface of the post portion of the coupler, portions of said .key piece-and butt member overlapping and means engaging said overlapping portions and connecting said key piece and butt member.

6. A coupler with a curved butt portion and a slot adjacent said butt portion for receiving a horizontal draft key, the rearward portion of said slot terminating at the curved butt portion of the coupler so that a bearing post is formed between the upper and lower portions of the coupler stem above and below said slot, a key piece formed with forwardly extending portions above and-below said key and rearwardly extending portions on either side of the post portions of the coupler butt, said key piece being formed with a correspondinglycurved bearing portion engaging the post portion of the coupler butt for permitting angling therebetween, a butt member engaging the rear portion of the coupler post for angling therebe tween on buff, said butt member being notched for receiving the rearwardly extending portions from the key piece, and means intersecting said portions and the butt member for holding them in asesmbled relation while permitting angling therebetween.

'7. A coupler with a substantially cylindrical post portion forming a butt, a key piece engag; ing the forward part of the post portion on the coupler for angling therewith on draft, and a butt member engaging the rear portion of the post for angling therewith under the action of buffing forces, said key piece and butt member being connected to each other in embracing relationship with said post.

8. A coupler stem comprising a member having a curved end wall, a member adapted to engage said wall, means for pivotally connecting said members, a key slot in the first named member, and a block positioned in said key slot and adapted to engage an associated key, said block being adapted to engage the second named member when the parts are in assembled position.

9. A coupler stem comprising a pair of interconnected members, one of which is provided with a key slot, and a block seated in said key slot and adapted to engage an associated key, said block being adapted to engage the other of said members and held from movement with respect thereto.

10. A car coupler involving a shank member having a curved rear end and a curved interior surface concentric with said end, a bearing block having a curved forward face corresponding to and engaging the curved end of the shank member and having a rear face adapted to engage the follower of a draft gear, a key seat member having a curved rear surface corresponding to and engaging the curved interior surface of the shank member, and means extending between and engaging said bearing block and key seat member for retaining said block and seat member in assembled relation to said shank member.

11. A car coupler involving a shank portion having a rear end wall and a transversely extending slot in advance thereof, said rear wall having concentric curved rear and forward surfaces, a bearing block member having a curved forward face corresponding to and engaging the curved rear face of said wall, a key seat member positioned in said slot and having a curved rear surface corresponding to and engaging the curved forward surface of said wall, and means extending from one side of said wall to the other for connecting said block member to said key seat 1 member to thereby retain said members in assembled relation to said shank portion of the coupler.

12. A car coupler involving a shank portion having a rear end wall formed with concentric curved rear and forward surfaces, said shank portion being provided with a slot in advance of said wall, a bearing block having a curved forward face corresponding to and engaging the curved rear surface of said wall, a key seat member positioned in said slot and having a curved rear surface corresponding to and engaging the curved forward surface of said wall. and means constituting a unitary part of the car coupler and extending between said block and key seat member for retaining them in assembled relation to said shank portion of the coupler, said shank portion rearwardly of said key seat member being formed to receive said means.

13. In a coupler connection, the combination with a coupler having a shank provided with a transverse opening having a concave front wall, the rear wall of said opening being defined by a section formed integral with said shank and being of pin-like form; of a butt block extending into said opening of the coupler shank and having a front bearing surface engaging said concave front wall, said block having a rearwardly opening seat accommodating the pin-like pivot section of said coupler shank.

14. In a coupler connection, the combination with a coupler having a shank provided with a transverse opening therethrough, said opening having a curved front end wall, the rear wall of said opening being defined by a post-like member formed integral with the coupler shank; of a pivot block engaged through said opening, said pivot block having a curved front bearing surface seated on said curved wall, and a rearwardly opening bearing seat accommodating said post-like member. 1

15. In a coupler connection, the combination with a coupler having a shank provided with a transverse opening therethrough; of a U-shaped butt block having rearwardly extending arms and a transverse front end section connecting said arms, said connecting section extending through said opening, the rear ends of said arms of the U-shaped butt block presenting abutment faces disposed rearwardly of the end of the shank proper of the coupler.

16. In a coupler connection, the combination with a coupler having a shank provided adjacent the rear end thereof with a transverse opening,

said opening being curved; of a U-shaped butt block having rearwardly extending arms connected by a curved front end section, said curved section extending through the curved opening of the shank, and the arms of said U-shaped block projecting rearwardly of the coupler shank proper.

17. In a coupler connection, the combination with a coupler having a shank provided with a transverse opening adjacent the rear end, the rear wall of said opening being formed by a postlike section integral with said shank, and the front wall of said opening presenting a curved bearing surface, said post-like section having curved bearing surface; of a butt block having spaced side arms and a transverse section connecting the arms, said connecting section being disposed within the opening of the coupler shank and having a front bearing surface engaging the curved front bearing wall of said opening, said spaced arms embracing the post-like section and extending rearwardly thereof, said block having curved bearing surface between said arms engaging with the curved bearing surface of said postlike section. I

18. In a coupler connection, the combination with acoupler having a shank provided adjacent the rear end thereof with a transverse opening, said opening being curved; of a u-shaped butt block having rearwardly extending arms connected by a curved front endsectiomsaid curved section extending through the curved opening of the shank, and the arms of said U-shaped block projecting rearwardly of the coupler shank proper; and an abutment member overlying the opening between said arms of the block and secured to the inner ends of said arms.

19. In a coupler connection, the combination with a coupler having a shank provided with a transverse opening 'therethrough; of a Ushaped butt block having rearwardly extending arms and a transverse front end section connecting said arms, said connecting section extending through said opening; and an abutment plate secured to the rear endsof the arms of said U -shapedmeinher and spanning the opening between said arms, said abutment plate having a flat rear face adapted to cooperate with the usual front follower of a railway draft 1" 20. In railway draft rig g, in combination, a coupler with a stem, the rearportion of which is formed as a curved bearing portion, a yoke, a key connecting said. coupler and yoke, a key piece engaging the rear edge of the key, presenting a rearwardly opening curved bearing .notch for engagement with the curved bearing portion of the coupler and provided with portions extending rearwardly of the bearing portion on either side thereof, and means associated with said extensions for retaining the key piece in place.

21. In railway draft rigging, in combination, a coupler With. a slotted stem, those portions of said stem rearwardly of said slot being connected by a curved bearing post, a yoke, a key extending through the slotted portion of the stem for connecting said coupler and yoke, a key piece engaging the rear edge of the key and presenting a rearwardly opening curved bearing notch for engagement with the bearing post portion of the coupler, a butt member formed with a forwardly opening curved portion for engagement with the bearing post portion of the coupler, and means holding said key piece and butt member assembled with respect to the post portion independently of said key.

22. A coupler formed with a stem slotted for receiving a key, those portions of the stem rearwardly of the slot being connected by a bearing portion presenting front and rear convex cylindrical bearing surfaces, and a key piece adapted to engage the rear edge of an associated key, presenting a rearwardly opening curved bearing notch for engagement with the front bearing surface, and provided with a rearwardly extending arm lying on either side of said bearing portion for securing said key piece in position.

FRED G. SUCKOW.

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