US286307A - Car-coupling - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. L. JOHNSTONE.

GAR COUPLING.

Paten ted Oct. 9, 1883.

' GAB. COUPLING.

No. 286,307 Patented Oct. 9, 1883.

N. PETERS. Pwnolmwgnplwr, Washinglon. DJ;

HENRY L.

JOHNSTONE, OF PALMETTO, GEORGIA.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming; part of Letters Patent No. 286,307, dated October 9, 1883.

Application filed August 23, 1883.

(No model.)

described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents an under side plan view of a portion of a truck having myimprovements in position thereon. Fig. 2 shows in side elevation the ends of two cars, and in longitudinal section the car-frames with a portion of my coupling device in position thereon. Fig. 3 represents an end elevation of the coupler and truck-frame. Fig. 4 represents an end elevation of a bar having a coupling locking attachment in position, and also showing a modified form of lever for operating the coupling; and Fig. 5 represents a side elevation, partly broken away, of two cars coupled together and with the coupling-bars locked together.

A A represent freight or other cars.

B represents the truck -frame.

0 0 represent my improved coupling-bars, each composed of a stem, D, having longitudinal slot a at its rear end, and ahead, E, of

. substantially hook form, shoulder F, flat extreme front ends, G, vertical slot or hole 1), extending from top to bottom, and at or about the centerof its heada transverse slot, 0. The cross-beam H has a horizontal slot, (1, and a vertical slot, e.

I represents a spring-bar, which at one end is held within the slotted cross-beam H, either by providing said bar with an eye and passing a stud or pin, f, through said cross-beam H, the opposite end of said spring-rod being passed through the slot a and held therein by means of a pin, g, or by other suitable means.

J represents a hollow boss or projection attached to or formed upon one of the side beams, within which aspring rod or block, K,

is held, with capability of movement in a direction transversely of the car-frames. The

outer end of this spring-block impinges against the outside face of the coupling-bar, and thereby presses its head in close engagement with the head of the coupling of the adjacent car. By this arrangement, upon the colnin g together of two cars having my improved form of coupling thereon the heads of the respective couplings will impinge and force each other by their impact outwardly, at the same time compressing the spring in the boss J, and on the continued movement of the cars said couplingheads will slide along their respective faces until the notches or hooks h are reached, when the pressure of such heads on each other being relaxed the spring rod or block K will immediately push said coupling-heads into engagement with each other, in the manner shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. By forming each coupling-head with a shoulder, F, and square front end, G, and providing the stem D with a spring rod or bar, I, upon which it may move longitudinally, said coupling also serves the purpose of a spring-buffer, as upon pressure from any source being exerted upon the front end of either coupling-head thestem D will slide rearwardly upon the spring-rod I, supporting a the same, which will cushion said stem and prevent any shock in the coupling of the cars. As represented in the drawings, the heads of my coupling-bars are of considerably increased depth from top to bottom than is usually the case. By this means I am enabled to couple together cars of different heights, as it will make no particular difference whatever whether one car is higher or lower than the car adjacent thereto, as whatever the position of the re spective coupling-heads sufficient grappling space will always be presented. The trans verse slot 0 in each head E is for the purpose of permitting the use of said head in coupling an adjacent car provided with an ordinary link which would pass within said slot 0, and an ordinary coupling pin or bar could then be passed down through the slot or hole I) for holding the link in engagement with the head E.

For the purpose of enabling cars having my improvements thereon being uncoupled from the platform or truck at either side of the cars, I pivot within a boss or projection, L, or within any other suitable device attached to one of the bottoms of the carframe, a lever, M, having at its lower end a vertical slot, within which the pivoted end of an arm, N, whose opposite end has pivotal or other conneat-ion with the head E. By this means, whein ever it is desired to uncouple the cars the brakeman or any other person upon grasping said lever and pulling thereon will draw the head E, connected thereto, away from and out of contact with the similarly-shaped head engaged therewith. In Figs. 1, 2, and 3 this lever is shown as adapted to be borne downward when operating the coupling-head; but it may be arranged so as to operate in a reverse direction, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, wherein such lever is so pivotally connected to the framing that upon raising the same upward the head E will be retracted from en-- gagement with its adjacent head.

0 represents a rollerjournaled upon the front transverse beam of the frame, or upon a block attached to or depending therefrom, in

order that upon the movement transversely of the coupling-bar said bar will roll thereon and friction will be largely diminished.

To provide for the natural oscillation of cars in transit and prevent such oscillation causing the cars to become uncoupled, I hinge to any suitable part of one of the heads E a locking frame or box, 1?, having side plates, j, and top plate, 70. To the top plate, 70, is attached a hook or ring, I, to which one end of achain. or cord, m, is attached. This chain or cord extends from thence up to and over a sheave or pulley, n, journaled within a bracket, 0, secured to the car. To the opposite end of this chain or cord is attached a weight, 1).

q represents a pocket attached to the end of the car for the purpose of receiving the weight when the locking box or frame is in engagement with the coupling-heads. In Fig. 4 the full lines show this locking device out of engagement with the coupling-heads. In dotted lines the locking device is shown in operation. Whenever it is desired to unlock the 40 couplings, in order that they may be disen-- gaged, the weight p is raised from out of the pocket and allowed to drop down. As said weight falls it will, draw with it the chain or cord, and thus raise thelocking box or. frame 5 away fromthe coupler-heads. Similarly when it is desired to lock the heads together the weight is raised, anchasit rises the box or frame descends to and automatically clamps the heads together. When this point has been 50 reached, the weight is placed within the pockct, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A carcoupler having angular hook- 5 5 shaped head 0 and slotted stem D, in combination with spring-rod I and means, substantially as described, for retaining the several parts in position.

2. The combination of coupling 0, roller 0, 60 and lever M, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The coupling locking frame or box P, having hook or ring I, incombination with chain or cordm, pulley n, weight 2, and pocko 5 et q, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

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

HENRY L. Jonnsronn \Vituesses:

LUTHER Z. Rossnn, H. M. REID.

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