IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLING- BUFFERS FOR RAILWAY-VEHICLES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Turton, of Westminster, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLING-
BUFFERS FOR RAILWAY-VEHICLES."
Sealed the 30th January 1880, and dated the 31st July 1879.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Turton at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st July 1879.
GEORGE TURTON, of Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer.
'IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLING-BUFFERS FOR RAILWAY-VEHICLES."
My Invention relates to coupling-buffers for railway-vehicles, and is designed to
afford the means for ensuring greater security and efficiency than has heretofore
been practicable with such apparatus.
Coupling buffers for railway carriages have been in use to a limited extent for a .
considerable time, and much ingenuity has been expended in their construction,
but all of them have heretofore proved more or less unsatisfactory, one important.
defect in their operation being the difficulty of taking up the "slack
35 or space
left between the buffer-heads, after the connection of their hooks or other coupling
devices.
The main object of the said Invention is to provide coupling buffers with means
whereby the slack is taken up automatically in as effectual a manner as it could be
by any screw-couplings or other devices operated or adjusted by hand.
+
For this purpose I combine with the buffer automatic coupling devices, which,
though enclosed in or partly enclosed in the buffer-head, are yet independent or
separate therefrom with regard to their inward and outward movements, and the
springs or elastic force whereby they resist outward extension.
In carrying my Invention into practice I take or construct a buffer-head of any
suitable shape and dimensions, and form an aperture on the upper side thereof,
extending from its face to or nearly to its back or inner end. I also form-longi-
tudinal slots or apertures through the sides of the head. A rod or bar extends
transversely across the head, and through these slots and its outer ends are con-
nected with the draw-bars which extend therefrom to a spring or springs with
which they are connected in any suitable manner. Within the buffer-head I attach
[Price 8d1

page_text: to the said transverse bar or rod a coupling hook, which is free to be raised and
lowered through the aperture in the top of the head.
To provide for taking up the slack, if any should exist after the coupling or
connection of the two carriages or vehicles, I place on the said transverse bar or rod
small excentrics, and fit the ends of the draw-bar on these excentrics. Therefore,
by turning the latter the said transverse bar, which is subject to the force of the
draw bar springs tending to draw it inward, can be released from this pressure
sufficiently to permit the hook to fall over and engage with a cross-bar in the other.
coupling, and can then be turned or adjusted to tighten it thereon. Moreover,
without any adjustment of the said excentrics the coupling hook of one head will
engage with a bar or bolt in the other head while the buffers are subject to the
pressure caused by pushing one vehicle against another..
1
Instead of providing the said transverse, or cross bar, or excentric shaft with two
excentrics I may have one excentric fixed on the same within the buffer head, and
fit the boss of the hook upon the said excentric, and provide a bolt or rod for the
same to engage with in the other head. The said excentric shaft or bar is provided
outside the buffer-head with a lever or handle, whereby it may be conveniently
adjusted, and this lever should be arranged in combination with a stop on the draw
bar or buffer head, or should be provided with a stop or stud to hold it when
adjusted.
Instead of arranging the draw-bars at the sides of the buffer-head I may fit the
draw bar centrally or otherwise to slide within the buffer-stem, and extend the
same through the back of the head to the transverse bar or excentric shaft on which
the hook turns.
In some instances I place in the buffer head in front of the said excentric shaft a
fixed cross-bar or rod, which serves as a rest or stop to prevent the dropping of the
said hook below its proper position, and also serves for the engagement of the hook
of another buffer when two vehicles are coupled with my improved apparatus.
According to another modification of my Invention, instead of connecting the.
coupling hook with the draw-bars, as above described, I place short spiral
springs at the sides-of-the-buffer-heads, which springs in combination with
excentrics or cams serve for taking up the "slack" of the coupling and form
an elastic connection which affords great freedom, and security to, the vehicles
when passing over curves. The excentric or transverse shaft or bar has
bearings in slots in the sides of the buffer-head, and carries two excentrics. I
fit each excentric within a block, which slides in a slot in the side of the head, and
has a shank extending through the front flange of the buffer-head, the said shank
being provided on its outer end, with a nut or other means for keeping it in place;
each of the said spiral springs is placed around one of these shanks or stems, and
when free tends to force back the said blocks and the excentric shaft and coupling
hook; but by turning the said excentric shaft, as above described, the coupling is.
effected, and the slack is taken up while the springs allow the required elastic
freedom in passing over curves.
In cases where it is necessary to reverse the coupling hook, that is to say, remove
it from one buffer and place it on a bolt or bar in another buffer, I arrange springs
and excentrics to act on the bar or bolt with which the said hook will have to
engage.
I further modify my Invention as follows, that is to say:-I joint or pivot to
the front or outer end of draw bars arranged at the sides of the buffer-head a
shackle, which is provided with a stop-piece arranged to engage with the link of
another coupling head, and to serve as a locking bolt. For this purpose the said
stop-piece has its outer lower edge so formed that when the stop-piece is resting in
its lowest position the said lower edge presents an inclined surface, to a link
entering the buffer-head while its rear surface is perpendicular, or nearly so, to the
said link. The said stop rests on a transverse bar or other suitable support.
When two vehicles are to be coupled the end of the link of the other head in
entering the head provided with this shackle and stop-piece automatically raises

page_text: the latter from the said transverse bar, and passes behind the same; the said stop-
piece then drops within the link and prevents its withdrawal until the said
stop-piece is raised to permit the carriages to be uncoupled. Or I may arrange
one link to travel upon another link and engage with a frame connected with the
draw-spring, and separate from, though working in the buffer-head, so that when
coupled the buffers will have great elastic freedom in passing around curves.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Turton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st January
1880.
GEORGE TURTON, of Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLING-BUFFERS FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES."
My Invention relates to coupling buffers for railway vehicles, and is designed to
afford the means for ensuring greater security and efficiency than has heretofore
been practicable with such apparatus.
Coupling-buffers for railway carriages have been in use to a limited extent for a
considerable time, and much ingenuity has been expended in their construction,
but all of them have heretofore proved more or less unsatisfactory; one important
defect in their operation being the difficulty of taking up the "slack
or space
left between the buffer-heads after the connection of their hooks or other coupling
devices.
"
The main object of the said Invention is to provide coupling buffers with means
whereby the "slack" is readily and effectually taken up whilst permitting perfect
freedom of movement of the said buffers in passing around curves, the buffer heads
being kept in contact with each other in a firm and at the same time flexible
manner at all times.
For this purpose I combine with the buffer coupling-devices which, though
enclosed in the buffer head, are yet independent or separate therefrom with regard
to their inward and outward movements, and the springs or elastic force whereby
they resist outward extension.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 is a plan partly in section of a pair of automatic coupling-buffers with
my improvements applied to the same; and
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a plan partly in section ;
and
Figure 4 is an elevation of one of my improved buffer-heads detached.
Figure 5 is a plan partly in section of a modified form of my improved coupling-
apparatus.
Figure 6 is a side elevation partly in section of the same; and
Figure 7 is an end view of one of the said coupling-buffers and adjacent parts.

page_text: •
Figure 8 is a plan partly in section of a still further modified form of my
improved coupling-buffers.
Figure 9 is a plan, partly in section; and
Figure 10 is an elevation partly in section of another modified form of my
improved apparatus hereinafter described.
Figure 11 is a plan partly in section of another arrangement of my improved.
coupling-buffers hereinafter described.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
a, a, represent the buffers; b, the coupling-hook; c is the transverse or cross bar
upon which the coupling-hook is secured; d, d, are the draw-bars connected to the
cross-bar c; and e represents the spring or springs tending to draw the bars d
inwards, and permit the free movement of the buffer-heads at all times, whilst,
at the same time, keeping the said buffer-heads in close contact under all
circumstances.
I construct the buffer-head à of any suitable shape and dimensions, and form
an aperture a¹ on the upper side thereof, extending from its face a² to or nearly to
its back or inner end. I also form longitudinal slots or apertures a³ through the
sides of the head. The rod or bar c extends transversely across the head, and
through these slots and its outer ends are connected with the draw-bars d, which
extend therefrom to the spring or springs e, being connected with the said spring
or springs in.any suitable manner. Within the buffer-head I attach to the said
transverse bar or rod the coupling-hook b, which is free to be raised and lowered
through the aperture a¹ in the top of the head. It will therefore be seen that the
said draw-bars and coupling-hook are connected with each other through the
medium of the said transverse bar. And my Invention consists chiefly in the
employment of a cam or excentric, or a pair of the same, to increase and diminish
the distance between the end of the hook and the axis or centre line of its con-
nection with the said draw-bars, so that by turning the cams or excentrics in one
direction the said hook may be extended to freely engage with the cross-bar of. an
adjacent buffer, and by turning the excentrics in the other direction the hook will
-be-retracted and the slack" taken up.
.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 I provide for taking-up_the_
slack after the coupling or connection of the two carriages or vehicles by placing on
the said transverse bar or rod ca double excentric or two excentrics f, and by fitting
the ends of the draw-bars d on these excentrics. Therefore, by turning the latter
by means of a weighted lever c¹ or other device the said transverse bar c, which is
subject to the force of the draw-bar spring or springs e tending to draw it inward
can be released from this pressure sufficiently to permit the look to fall over and
engage with a cross-bar g in the other buffer-coupling-head, and the said excentrics.
can then be turned or adjusted to tighten the said hook thereon, and take up the
"slack." Moreover, when the excentrics are in the position shewn in Figure 1 the
coupling hook of one head will engage with the bar or bolt g in the other head
when the buffers on one vehicle are brought in contact with those on an adjacent
vehicle.
"Instead of providing the said transverse or cross bar or excentric shaft c with a
double excentric or two excentrics as above described I may employ one excentric
only, as shewn in Figures 5, 6, and 7. The said excentric is fixed on the cross-bar c,
as shewn at f, and is arranged within the buffer head, and the boss b' of the hook b
is fitted upon the said excentric in any suitable manner. The said hook b is
arranged to engage with a bolt or rod g in the other head, which bolt may be rigid,
as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or capable of adjustment, as shewn in Figures 5 and 6.
The said excentric shaft or bar. c is. provided outside the buffer-head with the
lever or handle c', whereby it may be conveniently adjusted as above described,
and this lever should be arranged in combination with a stop on the draw-bar or
buffer-head, or should be provided with a stop. or stud to hold it when adjusted.
Figure 6 shews a convenient manner of securing the hook b upon the excentric f

page_text: whose form is that of a segment of a sphere to facilitate the action of the couplings
in passing around curves.
In Figure 8 I have represented a modified form of my improved apparatus, in
which I arrange the cams or excentrics are arranged to act upon the draw-bars
through the medium of the plate or washer e¹ and spring e instead of arranging. the
said excentrics in or adjacent to the buffer head a. The said cams are mounted upon
the shaft h, which may be turned or adjusted in any suitable manner from the side
of the vehicle, one convenient device for effecting such adjustment consisting of a
weighted lever fixed on the said shaft and arranged in connection with stops as in
the apparatus hereinbefore described. When it is desired to extend or adjust the
coupling-hook to engage with the cross-bar in an adjacent buffer the cams are
turned from the position shewn towards the plate e, and on engaging with the
same effect the desired adjustment.
According to another modification of my Invention, illustrated in Figures 9 and
10, instead of connecting the coupling-hook b with the draw-bars, as above
described, I place short spiral springs at the sides of the buffer-head a, which
springs are arranged in combination with the excentrics or cams f, and serve for
taking up the "slack" of the coupling and form an elastic connection which affords
great freedom and security to the vehicles when passing around curves. The
excentric or transverse shaft or bar c has bearings in slots in the sides of the buffer-
heads, and carries two excentrics f. I fit each of the said excentrics f within a
block, which slides in a slot a*, in the side of the head, and has a shank j¹
extending through the front flange of the buffer-head, the said shank being pro-
vided on its outer end with a nut j³ or other means for keeping it in place. Each
of the said spiral springs i is placed around one of these shanks or stems, and when
free tends to force back the said blocks j and the excentric shaft c and coupling-
hook b; but by turning the said excentric-shaft c, as above described, the coupling
is effected and the slack is taken up while the springs allow the required elastic
freedom in passing around curves.
In the arrangement represented in Figure 11, wherein the bolt g, with which the
hook b engages is capable of longitudinal movement, the springs i are arranged to
operate upon a sliding block j in a similar manner to that illustrated in Figures 9
and 10, the pin bar or bolt g being secured to the said sliding block, so that when
a coupling-hook, as shewn in Figures 9 and 10, is coupled with the said ping the
springs on both buffer-heads will act in conjunction with each other, but in
opposite directions.
It will be understood that in all the arrangements of apparatus above described
wherein the draw-bars d, d, are employed the said draw-bars may be arranged in
connection with the spring or springs e for assisting in taking up the slack, as
shewn, or with any other suitable or desirable kind of spring, and that the buffer
stem or rod a** is in all cases connected with the main buffing and draw spring. or.
springs.
"It will be obvious that my arrangement of the rods at the side of the buffer
assists the stem in resisting the strain tending to break it in passing around curves
instead of diminishing the strength of the stem as when the stem is cut away to
provide grooves or spaces for the reception of side rods.
Another important advantage of my Invention is that I can utilize the existing
buffer-heads of the class of buffers known as the Norwegian hook-buffers.-
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing.
the same, I wish it understood that I am aware that coupling-buffers have hereto-
fore been provided with means of taking up the slack by an excentric fitted within
the head of one buffer in such a manner as to be taken hold of or enclosed by the hook
of another buffer when two buffers are coupled or connected, the slack being taken
up by turning the said excentric around within the said hook. I am also aware
of the use of a coupling-buffer provided with side rods and springs connected with
the coupling-hook, and adjustable to take up the slack-by means of screws; I,
therefore, do not claim any coupling arrangement or apparatus in which a hook

page_text: and excentric engage directly with each other, or any arrangement in which side
bars are employed in combination with screws for taking up the slack of the hook.
Neither do I claim any apparatus in which the taking up of the slack is effected.
by means of devices which form a rigid or unyielding coupling or connection of
the buffers; but I claim,-
First. In a coupling-buffer in which provision is made, as above specified,
for the required freedom of the couplings in passing around curves, while keeping
the buffer-heads properly in contact, connecting the coupling hook with exterior
draw-bars at the sides of the buffer through the medium of a single or double
cam or excentric in such a manner that the coupling-hook of one buffer can be
forced forward to engage with another buffer brought into juxta-position therewith,
and can be drawn back by the adjustment of the said excentric to take up the
slack, or can be released to allow a spring or springs to take up the slack, substan-
tially as set forth with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the Drawings for the purposes
specified.
Second. The modifications of my Invention illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 or in
Figure 11 of the Drawings, substantially as and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Turton, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this-Thirty first day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
GEORGE TURTON. (L.S.)