IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS, AND IN THE MODE OF COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING RAILWAY VEHICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Douglass, of Blaydon-on-Tyne, in the County of
Durham, Engineer and Wagon Builder, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN COUPLINGS, AND IN THE MODE OF COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING RAILWAY
VEHICLES."
Sealed the 16th July 1878, and dated the 9th February 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Douglass at the Office.
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th February 1878.
JAMES DOUGLASS, of Blaydon-on-Tyne, in the County of Durham, Engineer and
Wagon Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS, AND IN THE MODE OF COUPLING
AND UNCOUPLING RAILWAY VEHICLES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of couplings for
railway wagons, trucks, and other rolling stock, and the use in connection with such
improved couplings of an appliance by which the necessity of men going between
the ends of the vehicles to couple or uncouple is obviated.
I construct the end link or hook of a coupling or chain with a bridge or loop
formed upon or attached to it in such a position that by the use of an appliance,
resembling a cross with a long handle or pole the link or hook of the coupling
attached to one vehicle may be lifted when hanging loose, or when suspended from
its own centre hook, and coupled to the hook or shackle upon the next vehicle, or
uncoupled by a similar action and returned to its own centre hook or dropped down,
the operator standing outside the wheels of the vehicle.
The link or hook of the coupling may be of the same shape as now used, but with
the addition (either forged on or attached to it) of a bridge, loop, or cross piece on
the upper side, in such a position that the centre of gravity of the link or hook is
considerably below the bridge, loop, or cross piece, and so that when the cross-shaped
fork on the end of the handle or pole used by the operator is inserted the link or
hook will hang upon it balanced, and can be lifted steadily and without slipping or.
canting over till the coupling or uncoupling is effected, and the handle or pole can
then be easily withdrawn.

page_text: No alteration to any parts of existing wagons or other rolling stock is required
to apply this Invention, except to the end link or hook, and the supplying of the
appliance described for the use of the meu, who will be enabled to take up the
coupling chain and couple or uncouple the link or hook to or from the next wagon
or vehicle without going between the vehicles.
The coupling or uncoupling can be equally well done upon a curve as upon a
straight line, and close up as well as with full length of chain, or from either side.
of the wagon or vehicle.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Douglass in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 9th August
*1878.
JAMES DOUGLASS, of Blaydon-on-Tyne, in the County of Durham, Engineer and
Wagon Builder. "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS, AND IN THE MODE OF COUPLING
AND UNCOUPLING RAILWAY VEHICLES."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of couplings for
railway wagons, trucks, and other rolling stock, and the use in connection with such
improved couplings of an appliance by which the necessity of men going between
the ends of the vehicles to couple or uncouple is obviated.
I construct the end link or hook of a coupling or chain with a bridge or loop
formed upon or attached to it, in such a position that by the use of an appliance
somewhat resembling a cross with a long handle or pole, the link or book of the
coupling attached to one vehicle may be lifted when hanging loose, or when sus-
pended from its own centre hook, and coupled to the hook or shackle upon the next
vehicle, or uncoupled by a similar action, and returned to its own centre hook or
dropped down, the operator standing outside the wheels of the vehicles.
".
The link or hook of the coupling may be of the same shape as now used, but with
the addition (either forged on or attached to it) of a bridge, loop, or cross piece on
the upper side, in such a position that the centre of gravity of the link or hook is
considerably below the bridge, loop, or cross piece, and so that when the cross-shaped
fork on the end of the handle or pole used by the operator is inserted, the link or
book will hang upon it balanced, and can be lifted steadily and without slipping or
canting over till the coupling or uncoupling is effected, and the handle or pole can
then be easily withdrawn.
1
No alteration to any parts of existing wagons or other rolling stock is required
to apply this Invention, except to the end link or hook, and the supplying of the
appliance described for the use of the man, who will be enabled to take up. the
coupling chain and couple or uncouple the link or hook to or from the next wagon
or vehicle without going between the vehicles.
The coupling or uncoupling can be equally well done upon a curve as upon a
straight line, and close up as well as with full length of chain, or from either side of
the wagon or vehicle.

page_text: Fig. 1 of the accompanying Drawings shews in end view a vehicle having an
ordinary coupling chain, the end link a whereof is formed with a bridge, loop, or
cross piece b, according to my Invention. The coupling chain is shewn hanging
down from its centre hook c, and with the cross-like end d of the coupling and
uncoupling appliance inserted in position for lifting up the free end of the coupling,
either to couple to the next vehicle or to hang it upon the hook of its own
vehicle.
Fig. 2 shews in side view the ends of two vehicles coupled, one having the dis-
engaged coupling chain hung on its own centre hook. Fig. 3 shews the same in
plan, the coupling and uncoupling appliance being in this view represented with its
cross-like end d inserted in the bridge, loop, or cross piece 6 of the coupling, and its
pole e resting upon the buffer rod fas a fulcrum ready for the uncoupling operation.
Fig. 4, 4, and 4b, shew the coupling and uncoupling appliance, part of the pole
being broken off in two of the views.
Fig. 5 shews in cross section an end link according to my Invention, formed by
forging a bridge, loop, or cross piece b upon or with an ordinary link a.
Figs. 6 and 6ª shew an end link according to my Invention formed by shrinking
a bridge, loop, or cross piece bx on to an ordinary link a.
Fig. 6a shews separately the bridge, loop, or cross piece b* as it appears before
being contracted on to the link a.
Fig. 7 shews a screw hook designed to serve as a fulcrum for the pole e on
wagons having dead buffers, such hook being intended to be screwed into the under
side of the sole:
Having described the nature of my Invention, and explained the manner of
carrying it into practical effect, I hereby declare that what I consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as secured to me by the herein-before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. Providing the end links or hooks of coupling chains with bridges or
loops, either forged on or attached thereto, so arranged as to receive a projecting
part of a coupling and uncoupling appliance, substantially as described.
Secondly. Coupling and uncoupling railway vehicles by the application or use of.
the parts or appliances herein-before described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Douglass, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
JAMES DOUGLASS. (L.S.)