IMPROVEMENTS IN CONTINUOUS BRAKES
Year: 1884

page_text: I FRANK WIRTH of the firm of Wirth and Company, Patent Solicitors at
Frankfort-on-the-Main in the Empire of Germany do hereby declare the nature of
said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN CONTINUOUS BRAKES" to be as follows:-
This, invention relates to continuous brakes, and comprises improvements in the
couplings for attaching the main pipes of the several vehicles.
The improved coupling is so constructed as to indicate by whistling, when the
cock connected therewith is not open after two vehicles are connected, and when
a coupling is not connected with the dummy coupling, when not attached to the
coupling of another vehicle.
Each coupling comprises a case, a cap for the same, and an india-rubber packing
ring for forming an air-tight joint when two couplings are connected. Each
coupling also is provided with a projection and groove with which the corre-
sponding groove and projection of another coupling are adapted to engage. All
the said parts are of usual construction.
In order to enable the cocks to indicato when they are closed the plug of each,
in addition to the main passage, is provided with a small passage at about right
angles thereto and in connection with the main passage.
When a cock is closed the air will pass through the said small passage to the
main passage and from thence, through a suitable passage in the case, to the
whistle.
The cocks are provided with handles which engage with each other and are kept
together by springs, so that the couplings are not liable to become disengaged and
the cocks to be closed. If the couplings are separated by a pull, the cocks will
remain open, thus allowing the air to escape and apply the brakes.
The dummy coupling secured to the draw hook of the vehicle, by means of a
yoke and a joint, thus compelling a workman to disconnect the coupling from the
dummy coupling before he can connect two vehicles together.
When the coupling is thus disconnected from the dummy coupling it whistles
until it is connected with the corresponding coupling on the next vehicle. The
workman who connects the vehicles is thus made aware when two couplings are
not connected.

page_text: The cocks must be closed, by reason of the arrangement of the handles, before
two couplings can be disconnected. After this, each coupling continues to whistle
until it is connected with the dummy coupling. Thus the improved coupling
always whistles, when it is not engaged and when the cock is closed.
I sometimes arrange in the groove of the coupling a lever which is adapted to
act upon the stem of a valve kept closed by a spring when the coupling is not
connected with another. When two couplings are connected the projection of a
coupling presses upon tho said lever, whereby the valve opens the passage between
the cock and the whistle. If the cock is open no air will pass, but if closed, the
whistle will sound.

page_text: Cock connected wherewith is not open after two venicies are connected; and when
a coupling is not connected with the dummy coupling after being detached from
the coupling of another vehicle.
In the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 is a plan of two couplings, constructed according to this invention,
connected together.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line xx Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan, partly in section, of the dummy, coupling with a coupling
attached thereto.
Figure 5 is a side view of the dummy coupling.
Each coupling comprises a casing 1, a cap 2 for the same, and an india-rubber or
other packing ring 3, for forming an air-tight joint, when two couplings are
connected. Each coupling also is provided with a projection or flange 4 and a
groove 5 with which the corresponding groove and projection or flange of another
coupling are adapted to engage; all these parts being of usual construction.
Each coupling has also a cock a. In order to enable the cocks a. a to indicate
when they are closed, the plug of each, in addition to the main passage, is provided
with a small passage b at about right angles thereto and in connection with tho
main passage.
When a cock is closed the air will pass through the said small passage to the
main passage and from thence through a suitablo passage c in the casing to the
whistle d.
The cocks are provided with levers e, e adapted to engage with each other and
to be held in engagement by projections f, f, and springs g, g, so that the couplings
are not liable to become disconnected and the cocks closed. If however the
couplings are separated by a pull, the cocks will remain open, thus allowing the air
to escape whereby the brakes are applied.
The dummy coupling is secured to the draw-hook of the vehicle, by means of a
yoke h and a joint i, thus compelling a workman to disconnect the coupling A from
the dummy coupling B before he can connect two vehicles together.
When the coupling is thus disconnected from the dummy coupling it whistles
until it is connected with, the corresponding coupling on the next vehicle. The
workman who connects the vehicles is thus made aware when two couplings are
not connected.
The cocks must be closed, by reason of the arrangement of the handles, before
two couplings can be disconnected. After this, each coupling continues to whistle,
until it is connected with the dummy coupling. Thus the improved coupling
always indicates when it is not engaged with a coupling on an adjacent vehicle
or with a dummy coupling, and when the cock is locked.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is-
First. In a continuous brake for railway vehicles, the cock a of a tube coupling,
provided with a whistle d and a lever e, the free end of which is adapted to be held
in engagement with the lever of an adjacent coupling by means of a projection f
and spring g, substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Second. The dummy coupling B connected with the draw hook of a vehicle
substantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
Dated this 97th day of December 1884
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.