Improvements in the Pipe Couplings of Air Brakes for Railway and like Vehicles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 27th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Pipe Couplings of Air Brakes for Railway and
like Vehicles.
We, JAMES MCDOUGALL, of 475, Winslow Avenue, Buffalo, Ship Builder, and
JOHN PERRIE, of 20, Suffolk Avenue, Depew, Blacksmith, both of New York,
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
Our invention relates to an improvement in valves for air brakes, and it con-
sists in a valve seat, made of any suitable material, and applied to each half of
the coupling, and a spring actuated valve which extends through the seat, and
which valve is provided with a perforated tube through which the air passes, com-
bined with a movable cap which is applied to the outer side of the coupling, and a
spring actuated valve that is applied to this cap and through which valve the air
escapes, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described.
The objects of our invention are to provide air brakes with valves which are
absolutely dust and moisture proof; to apply a spring actuated relief valve to
the cap, and through which the air is free to escape when the main valve is
closed to connect to the main valve a telescoping perforated tube, which, when
the main valve is opened, moves or closes into the larger tube so as to close the
opening through the movable one, and thus relieve the smaller valve from air
pressure to connect to the main valve an arm which has its outer end free to
pass over a guiding rod so that the valve can be forced inwardly when the opposite
or partner connection is not equipped with a valve constructed as herein shown
and described; and to provide each half of the coupling with a valve seat and valve
that is absolutely dust and moisture proof under all circumstances.
The accompanying drawing represents a vertical section of an air brake hose
connection which embodies our invention.
1 represents the frame of the air brake hose connection, which is provided with
the removable cap 2 at its outer side, and the opening 3 through its inner
side, in which is placed the valve seat 4 which is made of rubber, metal, or any
other suitable material, for forming a dust and moisture proof valve seat. Extend-
ing inwardly from around the centre of the cap 2 is the stationary tube 5 into
which the perforated tube 6 telescopes, and to the outer end of which tube 6 is
secured a suitable valve 7, which is also formed of rubber or any other suitable
material that may be preferred for the purpose. The outer end 8 of the tube 6
projects entirely through the valve seat to any desired distance, and is adapted to
be actuated when the two parts of the brake are brought together,, no matter
whether the opposite or partner connection is provided with a protruding portion 3

page_text: of the valve or not, to the outer end of the tube is secured the arm 9, the outer
end of this arm 9 slides freely upon the guiding rod 10 which extends vertically
between the outer face of the casing 1 and the coupling flange 11 formed thereon.
When the two parts of the coupling are brought together if both of them are
provided with valves such as here shown, the outer ends 8 by coming in contact
force both of the valves inwardly so as to open the valves and allow a free passage
of air from one part into the other. Should one of the parts of the coupling not
be provided with a protruding end 8, the face of the opposing coupling will strike
against the rod or arm 9, and force the valve 7 open and hold it so, so that the
air can freely pass through. The valve is made removable from the tube, and
the valve seat is made removable from the casing, so that should either of the parts
become injured or get out of order, it can be readily replaced. Inside of the tube
6 is placed the large spring 12 which holds the valve 7 tightly against the valve
seat 4, and through the tube is made any suitable number of holes 13, through
which the air passes freely towards the spring actuated valve 14 when the valve T
is closed. The larger stationary portion of the tube 5 connected with the cap is
just sufficiently large to allow the end of the tube 6 to close into it, and when
the valve is opened to its full extent the openings 13 are closed by the tube 5 so
as to shut off the air pressure in the small valve 14.
In the pipe 5 is placed the valve seat 15 against which the valve 14 closes,
and which valve is held normally closed by the spring 16. Through the centre
of the cap are suitable openings 17 through which the air passes which escapes
through the valve 14.
By removing the cap 2 and detaching the rod or arm 9 all of the removable
parts are accessible for the purpose of repair, so that should any of the
portions become injured or worn out they can be instantly replaced by others.
When the valve 7 is opened, the air pressure is shut off from the valve 14, and
when the valve 7 is closed the air passes through the openings 13, and if the
pressure is sufficiently great it can open the valve 14, and thus relieve the pressure
upon the hose. By means of our construction, the valvis dust and moisture
proof under all circumstances.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
―
1. An air brake coupling provided with a removable cover so as to give access
to the valves, substantially as shown
2. An air brake coupling provided with an automatic relief valve, from which
the pressure of the air is shut off when the main valve is opened, substantially
as described.
3. An air brake coupling, each part of which is provided with a main valve
for controlling the passage of air from one part of the coupling to the other, com-
bined with an automatically acting relief valve from which the pressure is shut
off when the main valves are opened, substantially as set forth.
4. In an air brake coupling, a spring actuated valve placed upon an endwise
perforated tube, combined with a stationary tube into which the movable tube
closes, and an automatic relief valve placed in the stationary tube, substantially
as specified.
5. In an air brake, an endwise moving tube carrying a valve, and a valve seat,
combined with the rod or arm attached to the outer projecting end of the tube,
and the guide for the outer end of the rod or arm, substantially as shown.
(. In a coupling for an air brake valve, a removable cap provided with a
stationary inwardly projecting tube, and an automatic relief valve placed in said
tube, combined with an endwise moving perforated tube, a spring for actuating
the movable tube, a valve secured to the tube, a valve seat applied to the casing,
and a rod or arm projecting from the outer projecting end of the movable tube, the

page_text: parts being arranged to operate so that when the main valve is opened, the air
pressure is shut off from the relief valve, and vice versa, substantially as set forth.
Doted this 19th day of November 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings,, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.