Year: 1895

page_text: use.
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved car coupling.
Figure II represents a cross section on the line of Figure 1.
Figure 111 represents a detail view of the coupling-pin, block and foot-plate.
Figure IV represents a detail perspective view of the coupling bar I preferably
Similar index numbers refer to corresponding parts throughout the several
views.
1 represents the draw-head, 2 represents a coupling pin. 3 represents a block by
which the coupling pin is carried. Said pin may be formed integral with the
block or may be secured thereto in any suitable manner.
4 represents grooves in the draw-head in which the block 3 rides. 5 represents
a ratchet on the forward face of the block. 6 represents a ratchet wheel keyed on
the shaft 7, said shaft being journalled in the jaws 8 of the draw-head. 9 represents
a crank on said shaft by which the same is operated to revolve the ratchet wheel 6
to raise the coupling pin 2, said crank being removable if desired. 10 represents a
guide block seated on the draw-head and secured thereto by the bolts 11. Said
block 10 is formed with recesses at its ends conforming with the grooves 4 in the
draw-head to receive and retain the block 3 in position when the said block 3 is.
raised to withdraw the coupling pin 2. 12 represents a lug on the rear of the
block 3, upon which is pivotted the foot plate 13 by the ears 14 thereon.
15 represents extensions at the sides of the block 3 at the lower end thereof by
which it is supported in the draw-head when the coupling is made. 16 represents
the coupling bar which I preferably use, having the ends somewhat elongated as
shown at 17 and the openings elongated as shown at 18.
In operation the draw-head 1, stauds ready for coupling as shown in Figure II.
When the coupling is made the coupling bar 16 entering the draw-head 1 pushes
the pivotted foot plate 13 backward and this support being removed the weight of
ГР...САЙ

page_text: the block 3 carries the coupling pin 2 down through the opening 18 in the coupling
bar 16, its weight being sufficient to revolve the ratchet wheel 6, the shaft of
which is loosely mounted in the jaws 8 of the draw-head. The coupling is thus
purely automatic.
When it is desired to uncouple the cars the crank 9 is placed on the shaft 7 and
the latter is turned the ratchet wheel 6 is thereby revolved and by its engagement
with the ratchet 5 on the block 3 the coupling pin 2 is raised out of engagement
with the coupling bar 13 and as the coupling bar is removed from the draw-head 1
the foot plate 13 swings on its pivot into the position shown in Figure II and thus
supports the pin 2 in position for the next coupling operation. As the block 3 is
raised the extensions 15 working in the groove 4 serve to keep the block true to its
position and the guide block 10 serving as a backing for the block 3 also tends to
keep the latter block true to the line of the groove 4 and ready to fall freely when
the supporting foot plate 13 is pushed back by the entering bar 16. The lug 12
on the block 3 upon which the foot plate 13 is pivotted is located with such relation
to the pin 2 that when the coupling is made and the pin is down the plate 13 will
rest in such close proximity to the coupling bar 16 as to hold the bar, when the
other end is loose, in a substantially horizontal position ready to enter the draw-
head of the adjacent car without having to be lifted into position.
I would here remark that I am aware that car-couplings in which the coupling
pin is operated by a ratchet and ratchet wheel are not new and therefore do not
claim the same broadly considered.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manuer the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A car-coupling consisting of a draw-head, a block sliding in grooves therein, a
coupling pin secured to said block a coupling bar adapted to be engaged by the
coupling pin a ratchet on said block a ratchet wheel engaging said ratchet, a shaft
loosely journalled in the draw-head upon which said ratchet wheel is carried a
guide block set on the draw-head to retain the block to which the coupling pin is
attached in alignment with the groove in the draw-head and a pivotted foot plate
to support the pin and block to which it is attached when in an elevated position,
substantially as set forth.
2. In a car coupler, a coupling pin, a block to which said pin is attached,
extensions 15 on said block, a ratchet on said block, a lug 12 on said block, and a
foot plate 13 pivotted to the lug 12 to support the block and pin when the pin is
raised substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 8th day of August 1895.
WHITE & WOODINGTON,
27 Southampton Buildings, London, Agents.