Improvements in Buffers Suitable for Railway, and like Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 17th Jan., 1893—Accepted, 4th Mar.. 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Buffers Suitable for Railway, and like Vehicles.
I, FRANK SPENCER, of 77, Cannon Street, in the City of London, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In the Specification of Letters Patent No. 26900 of 1896 granted to Alexander
Spencer, there is described inter alia a construction of buffer suitable for railway
and like vehicles in which the buffer rod comprises an outer part made hollow and
an inner part provided with a buffer head and arranged partly within the outer
part in such a way that when the parts are in the relative positions for use, the buffer
head occupies its outermost position in relation to the outer rod and if then pres-
sure be applied to the buffer head the inner rod, through a cotter, communicates
the thrust to and through the outer rod or part to the buffer springs.
Now this invention has reference to a modified construction of buffer of the
kind referred to wherein the connection between the inner and outer parts of the
buffer rod, when these are in position for use, is effected by means of one or more
movable distance pieces that is or are adapted to be placed between the outer end
of the outer part and the buffer head on the inner part so that pressure applied to
the buffer head in buffing will be transmitted direct to the outer part of the rod
instead of indirectly thereto through the inner rod and a cotter as in the arrange-
ment hereínbefore referred to whereby the buffer is able to withstand greater
shocks without damage than is the case with the previous arrangement.
As will be obvious movable distance pieces for use as described can be construc-
ted in various forms.
In one arrangement the distance piece is made of approximately inverted
U section so as to fit like a saddle over and rest upon that portion of the inner
part of the buffer rod that extends between the buffer head and the forward end
of the outer part of the rod, suitable means being provided to prevent it turning
and dropping out of position. For this purpose the forward end of the outer part
may be flattened on opposite sides to fit the correspondingly formed enlarged part
of the distance piece which fits over it. Suitable means are or may be provided
for preventing the distance piece rising when in use. For this purpose a spring
catch may be applied to the inner side of the buffer head in such a way as normally
to extend over the front end of the distance piece and prevent this end rising but
capable of being intentionally moved into a position to enable the distance piece
to be removed when it is desired to hold the inner part of the rod with buffer head
in its back or inoperative position, which may be done by a chain. The distance
piece may be connected to a chain to prevent its being lost. Suitable means are
provided to prevent the inner and outer parts of the buffer rod rotating about
their axis and for limiting the endways movement thereof. In one arrangement
for this purpose, a set screw passes through a fixed buffer rod guide on the head-
stock and extends into a longitudinal groove in the outer part of the buffer rod
which may be provided with a similar set screw extending into a longitudinal
groove in the inner part of the rod, or with a transverse pin extending through

page_text: a longitudinal slot formed in the rear portion of the inner part of the rod, or with
both a set screw and transverse pin.
In another arrangement the distance piece consists of a bar shaped to fit the space
between the buffer head and the hollow outer part of the buffer rod and to overlap
the flanged forward end of the latter part and enter an annular groove therein
where it is retained by a suitably bent part of a strap clamped around the said end.
The forward end of the distance piece is retained in position by a spring stop or
equivalent device. The arrangenient is such that the distance piece can be readily
put in place and removed. If desired two or more of such distance pieces may be
used..
In another arrangement one or more distance pieces are hinged or jointed to
the forward end of the hollow outer part of the rod so that it or they can be turned
into a position to fit against the inner part between such end of the outer part
and the rear side of the buffer head where it or they is or are retained in position
for use by a suitable spring or other catch. In cases where the length of such
pivoted distance pieces would be such that they would be liable, when turned back-
ward into their inoperative positions to abut against the adjacent end of the
vehicle, the free ends of such distance pieces may be arranged to rest against an
inclined surface or striking plate.
In each case, the forward end of each distance piece and the rear side of the
buffer head against which it is to bear should be so relatively shaped that there is
no tendency of the forward end of the distance piece to be forced upward when
acted upon by the buffer head.
I, FRANK SPENCER, of 77, Cannon Street, in the City of London, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement:
In the Specification of Letters Patent No. 26900 of 1896 granted to Alexander
Spencer, there is described inter alia a construction of buffer suitable for railway
and like vehicles in which the buffer rod comprises an outer part made hollow and
an inner part provided with a buffer head and arranged partly within the outer
part in such a way that when the parts are in the relative positions for use, the buffer
head occupies its outermost position in relation to the outer rod and if then pres-
sure be applied to the buffer head, the inner rod, through a cotter, communicates
the thrust to and through the outer rod or part to the buffer springs.
Now this invention has reference to a modified construction of buffer of the
kind referred to wherein the connection between the inner and outer parts of the
buffer rod, when these are in position for use, is effected by means of one or more
movable distance pieces that is or are adapted to be placed between the outer end
of the outer part and the buffer head on the inner part so that pressure applied to
the. buffer head in buffing will be transmitted direct to the outer part of the rod
instead of indirectly thereto through the inner rod and a cotter as in the arrange-
ment hereinbefore referred to, whereby the buffer is able to withstand greater
shocks without damage than is the case with the previous arrangement.

page_text: As will be obvious movable distance pieces for use as described can be construc-
ted in various forms.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows partly in longitudinal vertical
section and partly in side elevation, and Fig. 2 in plan, part of a railway vehicle
with a buffer of the kind herein before referred to constructed according to this
invention, the distance piece being shown in its operative position in both figures.
Figs. 3 and 4 show the distance piece separately in side and rear end view respec-
tively.
1 is the hollow outer part of the buffer rod arranged to work longitudinally
through the headstock 2 of the vehicle and a guide 3 fixed thereto, and is the
inner part of the buffer rod arranged to work longitudinally in the outer part 1
and provided with the head 5, these parts being arranged substantially as described
and shown in the said former Specification No. 26900 of 1896, except that instead
of the two parts 1 and 4 of the buffer rod being cottered together when they are in
the operating position they are connected by a distance piece 6. In the arrangement
now being described the distance piece is made of approximately inverted
U section so as to fit like a saddle over and rest upon that portion of the inner
part 4 of the buffer rod that extends between the buffer head 5. and the forward
end 1" of the outer part 1 of the rod, suitable means being provided to prevent it
turning and dropping out of position. For this purpose the forward end 1 of
the outer part 1 may be flattened or recessed on opposite sides to fit or receive
the correspondingly formed enlarged part or parts of the distance piece which fits
over it. Or, as shown, the opposite sides of the forward end 1 of the outer part 1
may be formed with recesses 1b to receive lugs or projections 6" formed on the
distance piece. Suitable means are or may be provided for preventing the distance
piece rising when in use. For this purpose the back of the buffer head may be
formed with a recess 5" into which the forward end of the saddle piece can be forced
against the action of the buffer spring which will afterwards act to hold the front
end of the saddle in place and prevent it rising but which can be moved forward
into a position to enable the distance piece to be removed when it is desired to hold
the inner part 1 of the rod with buffer head in its back or inoperative position,
which may be done by a chain as before. The distance piece 6 may be connected
to a chain 7 to prevent its being lost. In the example shown, the distance piece
is formed with a hole 7" by which it can, when not required for use, be hung upon
a fixed hook 8 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Suitable means are provided
to prevent the inner and outer parts 1 and 4 of the buffer rod rotating about
their axis and for limiting the endways movement thereof. In the arrangement
shown for this purpose in Figs. 1 and 2, a set screw 9 passes through one or each
side of the fixed buffer rod guide 3 on the headstock 2 and extends into a longitu-
dinal groove 10 in the outer part 1 of the buffer rod which is provided with a
set screw 11 extending into a longitudinal groove 12 in the inner part 4 of the rod;
or the outer part 1 of the buffer rod may be provided with a transverse pin. 11°
extending through a longitudinal slot 4° formed in the rear portion of the inner
part 4 of the rod, as shown in Fig. 2; or the outer part 1 may be provided with
both these means for preventing rotation of the inner part.
Figs. 5 and 6 show respectively in side elevation and plan, and to a larger scale
than Figs. 1 and 2, a modified arrangement of compound buffer rod and distance
piece. Fig. 7 is a front end view of the distance piece, and Fig. 8 is a cross section
of the buffer rod on the line of Fig. 5, the distance piece being removed.
In this arrangement the distance piece 6 consists of a channelled bar shaped
to fit the space between the buffer head 5 and the hollow outer part 1 of the buffer
rod and to overlap the flanged forward end 1* of the latter part, and formed with
a rearward extension 6b adapted to enter the annular groove 1° in the outer part 1
wherein it is retained by a suitably bent part 13° of a strap 13 clamped around
the said end. The forward end of the distance piece 6 may be retained in position
by a spring stop that may be formed by the buffer head, as in Figs. 1 and 2; or
by an equivalent device such as a pin 14 that is passed through lugs 6° on the

page_text: distance piece, is provided with an antifriction roller 14", and is held in place by
a cotter 14. The arrangement as will be seen, is such that the distance piece can
be readily put in place and removed.
Fig. 9 shows another arrangement in which the distance piece 6 is hinged or
jointed to the forward end of the hollow outer part 1 of the buffer rod so that it
can be turned into a position to fit against the inner part 4 of the buffer rod between
such end of the outer part and the rear side of the buffer head where it is retained
in position for use by suitable means, such as the buffer head 5. In cases where the
length of such pivoted distance piece would be such that it would be liable, when
turned backward into its inoperative position, to abut against the adjacent end of
the vehicle, the free end of such distance piece may be arranged to rest against an
inclined surface or striking plate 15 against which it can be held as by a pin 16
passed through the free end of a fixed projection 17 that extends through a hole
in the distance piece, when the same is turned back, as shown in dotted lines in
Fig. 9.
:
In each case, the forward end of the distance piece 6 and the rear side of the
buffer head 5 against which it is to bear, are, as shown, so relatively shaped that
there is no tendency of the forward end of the distance piece to be forced upward
when acted upon by the buffer head.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A buffer of the kind herein referred to wherein the connection between the
two parts of the buffer rod, when these are in position for use, is effected by means
of a removable distance piece held in place between the forward end of the outer
part of the rod and the buffer head on the inner part of the rod, substantially as
herein described.
2. Buffers of the kind referred to in the preceding claim having the buffer rods
and distance pieces constructed and arranged for use substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference respectively to and shown in Figs. to 4 inclusive; in
Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, and in Fig. 9 of the drawings annexed.
Dalad this 17th dow of Tonuous 1900