US274764A - Car-coupling - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) l Sheets-sheen 2.,V

T.v HARDING.

` GAR GGUPLING. v No. 274.7764. Patented Mar. 2'?, 1883.

Wlfnesses. nvenjor 35W @Wk N PETERS. Phottrlihugmphar. Washington, DA C.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

4THOMAS HARDING, OF LAFAYETTE, INDIANA.

CARfco'uPLlNo.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No5 274,764, dated March 27, 1883. l Application filed January 23, 1883,` (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, THOMAS HARDING, ofLafayette, in the county ofTippecanoe and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Gar-Couplings; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and accurate description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the end of a car with my coupling. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the same.

A is the draw-head orbuffer.

B is the link, secured in said head by the pin I). i

At the front of the buer there is a pivoted latch, C, the front end of which may be beveled at such an angle as will enable an incoming link to force it upward until said link has passed, when it will fall in place again, the nose of the latchuhaving passed through the link.

Behind the linkB and pin D there is a springbuffer, E, provided with a strong spring, F, seated in box G, through which the bui'erpin passes freely. The buffer E is provided with a face inclining forward and somewhat concave, so that as it presses forward n pon the end ofthe link the latter is not only clamped against the pin D, but by the inclined face of the buffer the link isforced and held down upon the iioor of the draw-head, and is thus maintained in a position adapted to cause it to enter the opposite draw-head with certainty when two cars are brought together. The front end of each link is angular or pointed, so that two entering links will not squarely encounter each other, but one or the other will rise up and ride upon the other as they enter the opposite draw-heads.

The latch C is pivoted by a bolt, I), which passes through the ribs I I, made on the top of the draw-head A for that purpose. The hole in the end of thelatch G is made oblong, and the slot in the draw-bar, at the front end of the latch, is made slightly beveling, so that when the strain is on the latch C itis drawn for-l ward against the incline and prevents the latch from working upward, but when the link presses against it is pressed backward, and is back from the front end of the slot and free to rise up to let the link pass in. the couplings of several cars may be made automatic and relieved from the danger which usually attends the couplings of cars. The attendant having placed the link in the proper position to enable it to enter the opposite drawhead, when the cars are brought together, the coupling will be automatically effected.

Each draw-head being provided with alink held by a pin independent of the latch, whereby the link of the opposite draw-head is engaged, the coupling is effected by two links independently secured. If one of the latches fails to move when engaged by the incoming link, or if any foreign body is present inthe draw-head, so that the opposite link cannot enter, then the buder of said opposite link will yield and no damage will ensue.

When forauy reason the coupling cannot be effected automatically, the hook U may be raised by means ofthe winch K upon ashaft, L, the ends of which rest in boxes secured to the front of the car, and arc provided with crank-handles M, by which said` Winch may be partly rotated and the hook raised. When it is desired to hold the hook up out lof action, the shaft L may be lpushed endwisein its boxes until one of the crank-handles passes under a stationary hook or catch, N,whcreby'it will be retained.

It is sometimes necessary or more convenient to lift the hook from the top of the car. This may be the case in uncoupling, and'for this purpose I carry a chain, P, from the hook C to the topA of the car, and I also provide a hook, Q, whereby said chain may be secured to hold the link up.

Having described my invention, what I claim i l. The draw-head A, provided with the link B and pin D, whereby said link is held, combined with the independent automatic latch C, whereby the link of thejopposite draw-head is engaged.

2. The combination, in a draw-head, A, of independent latch C, a link, B, and pin D to hold the same, and an elastic buffer, E, with an incline concave face, as set forth.

3. The crank-winders K, capable of moving By these means IOC ' endwise, as shown-in Fig. 4, whereby the latch fitted loosely within said draw-bead box or may be lifted by turning the handles up, and frame, substantially as and for the purpose to alatch, combined with the stationary catch N set forth. to hold it up, in the manner set forth.

5 4. The combination, in a draw-head, of a box or frame, A, aJ link, B, and holding-pin D Witnesses: for the same, an independent hinged latch, C, AUSTIN L. KUMLER, with a buffer, E, spring F, and spring-case G, NOAH JUSTICE.

THOMAS HARDING.

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