Patent GB-191423305-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Automatic Coupling Devices.
Inventor: BOUCHER PIERRE
IPC: B61G5/04
Filed: 1914-11-30
Granted: 1915-09-23
Abstract: 23,305. Boucher, P., and Boucher, J. B. Dec. 6, 1913, [Convention date]. Couplings, automatic. - Each coupler-head carries a bolt and is formed with a hole having its axis inclined to the vertical symmetrically with the axis of the bolt, so that when two vehicles come together, each bolt engages automatically with the hole in the opposing head. The frame of each coupler-head comprises a cross-member 23, Fig. 5, formed with trunnions 2 at its ends and bent as shown, so that its central portion 24 formed with the coupling- hole 25 is disposed at forty-five degrees to the horizontal trunnion axis. Arms 26, 27 projecting forwardly from the portion 24 are formed respectively with holes 33, 34, the axis of which is arranged symmetrically with the axis of the hole 25 at forty-five degrees to the horizontal. The arms 26, 27 are extended to form inclined symmetrical guides 28 carried by vertical wings 29 and by wings 30 arranged parallel to the axis of the holes 33, 34. The bolt 35 is mounted in line with the holes 33, 34 in a socket 32 carried by the lower guide 28, and is prevented from turning on its axis by forming it with a groove 49 to engage a stud 50 in the socket. The bolt is controlled by forming it with a notch 42 for engagement by a pin 41 on the end of a lever 38 fixed to a shaft 39 mounted in a bracket on the couplerhead, and a spring 45 acting on an arm 44 fixed to the shaft 39 tends to turn the shaft in the direction to place the bolt in the coupling position. For uncoupling, the lever 38 is operated by chains from the sides of the vehicle. The bolt is adapted to rock in the socket 32 to assume the set-for-coupling position shown in Fig. 19, in which a shoulder 48 on the bolt engages an abutment 51 on the arm 27, and the end of the bolt with inclined faces 54, 55 projects slightly into the space between the arms 26, 27. When two coupler-heads come together and are guided into position by the parts 28, the part 24 on each head bears against the inclined face 54 on the ball 35 in the opposing head and moves the bolt from its lockset position, whereupon the spring 45 acts to effect the coupling. In the uncoupling operation, the bolt is caused to reassume the set-forcoupling position by the engagement of a crosspin 52 on the bolt with inclined surfaces 53 on the end of the socket 32. The wings 29 are fitted in the coupling plane with holes 56 to receive gaskets for connexion of the brake, and heating pipes, and with contacts for the electric train-line couplings. Couplings, automatic, convertible to non- automatic; combined buffer and draw gear.- The trunnions 2 of the coupler-head are mounted in the ends of rods 3 which are jointed at 5 to rods 6 pivoted on a pin 7 engaging the usual eye of the non-automatic draw-hook, the rods 3 being suspended by links 18 from a plate fitting over the nose of the hook, and the joint 5 being resiliently controlled. Forward extensions 10 of the rods 6 support a drum 11 enclosing a coiled spring 12 disposed between two plates 13 which normally bear against flanges 14 of the drum. A rod 15 carried by a crosshead 17 connecting the rods 3 is formed with stops 16 which normally bear against the plates 13. The spring 12 is initially compressed to withstand the normal forces of the coupling operation, and is further compressed when the coupler-head is pushed towards the vehicle. The joints between the rods 3 and the links 18 may be so arranged that the coupler-head moves downwardly and rearwardly so that its movement is sufficient to allow of the ordinary buffers coming into action.