IMPROVEMENTS IN AND ADDITIONS TO CATCH HOOKS AND LINKS FOR COUPLING RAILWAY VEHICLES.
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Stableford, of "the Railway Carriage
Works," Oldbury, in the County of Worcester, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND ADDITIONS TO CATCH HOOKS AND LINKS FOR
COUPLING RAILWAY VEHICLES.'
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Stableford at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 22nd October 1874.
I, WILLIAM STABLEFORD, of the Railway Carriage Works,"
Oldbury, in the County of Worcester, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND ADDITIONS TO CATCH HOOKS
AND LINKS FOR COUPLING RAILWAY VEHICLES," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in and additions to catch
hooks, shackles, and links, for coupling railway vehicles, the object
being that the connection of two adjoining vehicles is obtained auto-
matically and held in a safe condition under every circumstance while

page_text: According to another part of my present Invention I form the hook
or the under side of the short arm of a suspended double lever, and I
affix a weight to its long end, so that the contact of the hook with the
link is maintained until the weighted end is thrown forward to tilt the
hook clear, or the weighted end may be dispensed with, and in its place
a ball stalk is forged on the top of the hook, which keeps the hook out
of gear, until the shock of the approaching buffer brings it back to a
coupling position. I secure the hook in either case by means of a
shackle similar to that described in my Patent dated September 13tli
1873, No. 2732, but in this case having a short tumbler forged on the
shackle, which on the hook falling strikes the shackle into position.
According to another part I dispense with the hook and employ a
spring bolt whose upper end rides in a kind of box and is under tho
action of a lever to release the link, the bolt afterwards being forced
down by the action of its spring.
The shackle, the tumbler, or the bolt lover can be acted upon for
disengaging the link or the hook, as the case may be, from the sides of
the vehicles by cords or chains if desired.
In all the above described methods or arrangements, which are self-
coupling by contact, I purpose fitting the rubber cyc-socketed catch hooks
and links, also the pins and bolts, to those draw bars which have buffer
heads on them for central buffing of railway vehicles, and especially for
those buffer heads which are hollow or slotted, as referred to in the
Specification of my previous Patent already mentioned.
25 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent
filed by the said William Stableford in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 22nd April 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
STABLEFORD, of the Railway Carriage Works, Oldbury, in the County
30 of Worcester, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the

page_text: upon opposite sides, according to the bite and the curve of the line.
I form a tail piece to the eye portion to bear upon the flange or the
staple plate, as desired, to limit the drop motion of the hook shackle or
of the link proper. The fore end of the hook has a curved nose pieco
projecting from its upper portion, so that should by any chance the
hook proper become released from its pin the curved nose piece would
catch the front bar of a shackle, such as that described in the Speci-
fication of a previous Patent granted to me on the 13th day of September
1873, No. 2732, the front bar of my present shackle being specially
formed for the nose piece to take hold of it.
Instead of forming my hook with one claw only, as in my previously
described Patent, it may have two claws to engage with separate hooks
or claws upon the short arms of suspended levers, these being hung
from the same transverso pin, and with the hooks or claws kept in
proximity by weights on the long arms.
According to another part of my present Invention I make my hook
a fixture to or a part of the draw bar buffer or the staple flange, and I
slot the bottom portion for a short arm of a lever to rest in, and for
the link of the neighbouring vehicle to rest on. Above the nose of tho
fixed hook I hinge a kind of tumbler, one arm of which is caused to
rest upon the nose of the fixed hook to prevent the link becoming dis-
engaged, the second or weighted arm of tumbler being so arranged to
ensure the touch. The tumbler has also a third or hooked arm to take
hold of a hooked portion of the link when the tumbler is thrown over
to a certain distance and the link lifted by the lever first mentioned
the last mentioned holds the link suspended and free to uncouple.
According to another part of my present Invention I form the hook or
the under side of the short arm of a suspended double lever, and I affix
a weight to its long end, so that the contact of the hook with the link
is maintained until the weighted end is thrown forward to tilt the hook
clear, or the weighted end may be dispensed with, and in its place a ball
stalk is forged on the top of the hook, which keeps the hook out of
gear until the shock of the approaching buffer brings it back to a
coupling position. I secure the hook in either case by means of a
shackle similar to that described in my Patent dated September 13th
1873, No. 2732, but in this case having a short tumbler forged on the
shackle, which on the hook falling strikes the shackle into position.

page_text: According to another part I dispense with the hook and employ a
spring bolt whose upper end rides in a kind of box and is under the
action of a lever to release the link, the bolt afterwards being forced
down by the action of its spring.
The shackle, the tumbler, or the bolt lever can be acted upon for
disengaging the link or the hook, as the case may be, from the sides of
the vehicles by cords or chains if desired.
In all the above described methods or arrangements, which are self-
coupling by contact, I purpose fitting the rubber cye socketed catch
hooks and links, also the pins and bolts to those draw bars which
have buffer heads on them for central buffing of railway vehicles, and
especially for those buffer heads which are hollow or slotted, as referred
to in the Specification of my previons Patent already mentioned.
My Invention will be clearly understood by reference to the annexed
Sheet of Drawings.
According to Figures 1 and 2, a side view, partly in section, and a
plan respectively, a is the cyc of the catch hook 6, enclosing for the
whole of its width an india-rubber socket c of ring shape. This ring-
shaped socket has a lining or tube of metal d, within which the pin e
is fitted to hold the hook temporarily or permanently to the draw
bar of the vehicle, or to a staple of suitable shape on the carriage
frame g. The sides of the hook bare of tapered form, to allow for the
side or lateral play of two adjoining vehicles; and the top of the hook
has a handle or short lever to enable the hook to be lifted clear of
the engaging link of the adjoining vehicle when required. This lever,
which is of a determined length, has preferably a loop i at its end, so
that a cord or chain can be attached, the cord or chain being led from
the lever to the inside of the vehicle to be operated for the disengage-
ment or uncoupling by hand if desired, the lever then resting against
the vehicle, as in dotted lines in Figure 1. The cyc of the catch hook
has a tail piece j to bear against or upon the flange k or the staple
plate, as the case may be.
In the Drawing I have shown my catch hook as in the centre of a
split or open-mouthed buffer arranged at the centre of the vehicle and
on the draw barf, to serve the double purpose of a draw bar and buffer
head at that part instead of having a central draw bar as a draw bar only

page_text: and two side buffers. The pin e I purpose to have only temporarily
fitted in place in the tube d and buffer cheeks m, m, it being connected
to the vehicle g by a chain n, as shown, and having a fall-down strip p
on its free end 2 as a lock piece to prevent the pin working loose or
cscaping from the socket from vibrations during travelling. A is the
link of the neighbouring vehicle B, the eye of the link being lined with
a rubber socket and a metal tube in a similar manner to the eyes of the
catch hook above described, a pin r attaching the link to the buffer draw
bar as before. The link is of peculiar shape (sco plan view, Figure 2),
so that its loop portion only projects beyond the face of its buffer.
The drop motion of the catch hook and of the link is limited by the
tail picces j, j, bearing against the flanges k, k, and this ensures an
automatic coupling of one with the other, whether the hook is thrown up
as in dotted lines or otherwise, because supposing the hook to be up the
impact of the link against the oye of the hook, on two vehicles striking
the blow of the link would be below the pin centre, consequently the
hook would tumble over and the nose would engage itself in the loop of
the link. Again, supposing the hook to be down, the link would strike
against the curved edge of the nose and cause the hook to rise, and then
its own weight with or without the lever would ensuro its fall and tho
necessary coupling taking place.
When the buffer heads of two adjoining vehicles are in close contact,
the link and hook do not get released on account of their limited fall, it
being necessary for the hook to be lifted for the nose to clear the link,
consequently although the attachment is automatic it is impossible for
one to become disconnected except by hand and in the manner sot
forth.
The application of loose pins facilitates the removal of the link or the
hook at any time, and it is proposed to provide each end of a vehicle
with a spare link or a hook to enable an attachment to be readily formed
should correspondingly fitted ends of two adjoining vehicles come together,
the operation being simply a removal of a pin and the adjustment of the
spare link or the hook, as the case may be.
Figure 3 shows a method in which the india-rubber ring socket is
dispensed with in my system of catch hook coupling appliances. In
this the eye of the link, or it may be the catch hook, has the sides of the

page_text: pin hole chamfered off to permit of the side or lateral motion of one to
the other.
Figures 4 and 5 represent in side view and in plan respectively a hook
to take over the pin as described in the Specification of my previous
Patent before referred to. The difference in this from the former plan
is, the upper part of the hook portion has a hooked projection b¹, so that
should the hook 6 become disengaged from the pin or cross bolt, the
top hook or projection would engage itself with the front bars of the
shackle &', supposing of course it is down at the time, into which position
it must fall by any ordinary coupling action or contact of the carriages 1
or vehicles.
Figure 6 shows one of my rubber socketed eyes of a catch hook with
a depending or balance weight to retain the nose of the hook within
the link of the buffer of the next adjoining carriage. The disengage-
mont or uncoupling by this method is by throwing the weight to the 1
front. The face of the nose of the hook in this, as in the previous cases,
is curved for the automatic coupling on the impact of the link A
against it.
•
Figuro 7 represents a double claw arrangement of hook, cach claw
having a balance weight to move in opposite directions for the unhooking a
or uncoupling operation. Instead of a link proper I purpose using in
this casc a kind of spear head u for the hooks b, b, to take into as shown.
The eye of the spear headed catch encloses the rubber socket and metal
tube, but the eye of the claws b, b, is fitted loosely upon their pin e. The
reverse of this may however be arranged, or the rubber may be dispensed
with in both if desired.
Figure 8 shows the hook bas a fixture in the hollow of the buffer head
as part of the draw bar, over which the free end of the link of the
neighbouring vehicle can take on coming into contact, as before
explained, the link becoming locked in position by a tumbler or pawl a
fitted loosely on a pin w.
This tumbler has a motion towards the
carriage, as shown in dotted lines by hand, to enable the link to be lifted
clear of the hook A, the lift being effected by a lift plate and lever x
pinned in the buffer head at the lower part. Supposing an attendant
wishes to uncouple he throws back the pawl by the lever z, which
takes with it the hook C; he then pulls the lover a, which lifts the
tumbler v, and with it the coupling bar; on the end of the coupling

page_text: bar A is the hooked projection D, which on the coupling link being
lifted engages the hook C and holds the coupling bar suspended in such
a position that as the vehicle is drawn away it carries forward the
coupling bar free of the hook 6; on the head C of the tumbler being.
released the pawl v takes its normal position, and the buffer is again
ready for coupling.
Figure 9 shows an arrangement in which I dispense with the hook
and employ a spring bolt E instead, which rides in a box F, which also
contains the coiled spring G. The spring acts between a collar H on the
bolt and the screw cap I at the top of the box F, and serves to keep the
pin down, and also through the bow of the link when two vehicles are
coupled. On the buffers of two vehicles approaching to couple the
coupling link A strikes the pawl J and carries it forward; at the same
time it raises the pin or spring bolt E by means of the quadrant H,
which rides in a slot in the head of the bolt E, the quadrant K being
fixed on the same pin L as the pawl J.
When the vehicles require uncoupling it is only necessary to raise the
bolt E by the eye M. The bolt may be retained in a raised position by
a pawl N being fitted directly under it, as shown in Figure 10, which
shows a similar arrangement to the last mentioned, bnt with the coiled
spring omitted, and the box F consequently made much shorter.
It may be remarked that to retain the bolt E in a raised position the
pawl N has simply to be made to take half a turn, so that its end, which
is hollowed for the purpose at P, may then be uppermost, and form as it
were a cup in which the lower end of the bolt may rest. A coupling
link entering the buffer in the act of coupling will ensure the pawl N
turning on its centre and assuming the depending position, as shown.
Figure 11 shows another method by which the bolt E is raised by the
coupling link.
In this example the entering link A in the act of
coupling comes in contact with the depending pawl J, which raises the
bolt by means of the link Q, which at its upper end is connected to the
bolt, and at its lower to a lever R fixed on the pawl spindle. To un-
couple it is only necessary to throw the shackle S' into the position
shown on the left-hand side of the Figure, which raises the bolt E
through being attached to the lower end of the link Q, the jerk arising
from two vehicles colliding in the act of coupling being sufficient to
throw the shackle S¹ into the position shown in the left-hand side of the

page_text: Figure, and lower the bolt and secure the connection of the two
vehicles.
Figure 12 shows a similar arrangement to Figure 11, the only difference
being that the pawl J is provided with a projecting nose to act on the
end of a feather or key S fitted to the bolt E for the purpose of raising.5
it, which enables the links R, as in the previous Figure, to be dis-
pensed with.
Figure 13 shows an arrangement in which the pins or bolts E are
made with a snug or nose T on their lower ends and a feather key S in
their upper ends to prevent them turning round, a recess U being formed 1
in the upper side of the buffer to allow and limit the rise of the bolt.
In the act of coupling the link A coming into contact with the pawl J
pushes it forward, causing its nose to take under the snug T of the bolt,
which it raises, allowing the link to pass freely in, after which the bolt
falls and the coupling is complete. Depending pawls N are fitted, as in 1
Figure 10, to keep the bolts in a raised position and ready for coupling
when desired.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
Firstly. The improvements in and additions to catch hooks and links 2
for coupling railway vehicles in the several forms hercin-before described,
and as shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. Fitting the eye of the hook or the link of railway couplings
with a rubber socket and internal metallic tube, within which latter the
pin is arranged, substantially in the manner and for the purposes 2
described.
Thirdly. The construction and arrangement of parts forming catch
hooks or coupling appliances for automatically uniting railway vehicles,
as herein-before described and represented with reference to Figures 1
and 2 of the accompanying Drawings; also the modification thereof 3
shown in Figure 3.
Fourthly. I claim the fitting of a hook claw on the top of the hook
referred to in my former Specification before recited, and as shown in
Figures 4 and 5, for the purposes set forth.
. Fifthly. I claim the arrangement of catch hook or coupling shown in 3
Figure 6 of the annexed Drawings.

page_text: Sixthly. I claim the arrangement of catch hook or coupling shown in
Figure 7 of the annexed Drawings.
Seventhly. The fixed hook arrangement in the buffer or draw rod in
combination with the tumbler and lift plate, as described-with reference
to Figure 8.
Eighthly. I claim the arrangement of appliances in combination with
a spring bolt for coupling railway vehicles, as described with reference
to Figure 9.
Ninthly. I claim the arrangements of drop bolts and appliances con-
O nected therewith, as described with reference to Figures 10, 11, 12, and
13 of the accompanying Drawings.
Lastly. I claim the employment of any one or more of the appliances
herein-before set forth, whether used in central buffers or central draw-
bars, and whether such appliances have my rubber and tube socketed
5 eyes to hooks, links, or other appliances.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Stableford, have hereunto
set my hand and scal, this Nineteenth day of April, "One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-five.