IMPROVEMENTS IN BUFFERS FOR RAILWAY AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1885

page_text: I, GEORGE TURTON, of Temple Chambers, Fig Tree Lane, Sheffield in the
County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN BUFFERS FOR RAILWAY AND OTHER PURPOSES to be as
follows:
"
My invention relates to buffers which are chiefly designed for railway vehicles
but which are applicable for use in various cases where it is desirable to prevent or
diminish concussion.
My said invention comprises various novel features whereby I considerably
improve the construction and increase the efficiency of the buffers, simplify and
reduce the cost of their manufacture and increase their durability and the facility
of restoring or re-adjusting them if injured or displaced.
My improved buffers belong to that class in which the buffer-head has a stem or
plunger working through a bush, bearing or aperture in a case or box, and is
acted upon by a coiled or other spring surrounding the said rod or stem.
According to my invention I produce upon the inner end of the plunger or stem
a rod which forms an extension or continuation of the said plunger and may be of
a diameter considerably smaller than the same. The said rod extends through a
hole in the back-plate to which the buffer case or box is secured in the usual
manner. In combination with the said rod or extension of the plunger I use a;
split or divided tube which is fitted as a sleeve upon the said rod but is not welded
or shrunk upon the same. The combination of this rod and sleeve enables me to
conveniently provide the buffer with a collar at the inner end of the bush or
bearing of the case for preventing the endwise displacement of. the plunger. For
this purpose I-form on the forward end of the said divided tube or sleeve a flange
and neck upon which the said collar is fitted in such a manner that it will be held.
in place between the said flange and the inner end of the plunger and at the same
time it serves to keep the two parts of the split tube at the forward end of the'
same properly together.
"
At the rear end or at any other convenient part the said tube is provided with
an internal flange or projection which enters a groove or aperture in the rod; the
said tube is fitted with a capability of sliding in the hole in the back plate and
thus while keeping the two parts of the split tube properly together at this end the
said plate also serves to guide and support the-rod or extension of the plunger,

page_text: In some instances I modify my invention by using an undivided tube instead of
the aforesaid split tube or sleeve; the said undivided tube is preferably secured by
rivetting it upon the rod.
In the form of my invention above described the back plate is solid or undivided
but in some instances I modify my said invention by using a divided back plate,
that is to say, a plate made in two halves. In this modification of my invention
I dispense with the aforesaid tube or sleeve and place the collar on the rod or
extension of the plunger in close proximity to the inner end of the bearing or
bush. I provide the said back plate with a chamber or socket in a piece which
projects forwardly or into the buffer case. This socket piece may be formed on one
part of the back plate or formed half on one part and half on the other part of the
said back-plate. The said rod or extension enters the said socket and has on its
end a head or enlarged portion which is fitted to slide in the socket and which
serves to prevent the end wise displacement of the plunger. The spring surrounds
the said socket and rod and is arranged to bear against the collar and keep the
same against the inner or rear end of the plunger.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Buffers for Railway and other Purposes.
I, GEORGE TURTON, of Temple Chambers, Fig Tree Lane, Sheffield, in the
County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to buffers chiefly designed for railway-vehicles, but
applicable for use in other cases where it is desirable to prevent or diminish
concussion.
My said invention comprises various novel features whereby I considerably
improve the construction and increase the efficiency of the buffers, simplify and
reduce the cost of their manufacture, and increase their durability and the facility
of restoring or re-adjusting them if injured or displaced.
My improved buffers belong to that class in which the plunger works through a
bush, bearing or aperture in the case or box containing the spring, and has a collar
secured upon it within the said case or box to prevent its displacement or with-
drawal from the same.
An important feature of my said invention is the employment of a tube. or
sleeve which is split or divided longitudinally and is fitted upon an extension of

page_text: the plunger between the aforesaid collar and a head, flange, or projection on the
said extension, for the purpose of keeping the plunger in place in the box or case.
The parts of this tube or sleeve are held in place at their rear ends by the back-
plate of the buffer, or by a guide or bearing formed on, or attached to, the said
plate, in such a manner that, when the back-plate is removed from the box or case,
and the spring or springs are taken out, the parts of the said tube will fall, or can
be lifted, from the plunger, thus leaving it free to be withdrawn from the said box
or case.
I thus provide for keeping the collar in place, notwithstanding breakage of the
spring or springs, and thus retaining the plunger in the box or case, but if, at any
time, it is desirable to remove the said plunger, I can readily detach the back-plate
from the said box or case and thus release the said plunger.
In some instances, I use undivided tubes which extend through the back-plate
and are held in place as hereinafter described.
My said invention, moreover, comprises, various improvements hereinafter
set forth.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal central section of one form of my improved
buffer.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section, and
Figure 3 a rear end elevation, showing the said buffer with the back-plate
removed and illustrating the manner of inserting the split tube into its place on
the plunger.
Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Figures 5, 5, 5b, 6, 9, 10 and 21 are vertical longitudinal central sections showing
different forms of my improved buffer. These and the following Figures are drawn
to a reduced scale.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation.
Figure 8 a vertical longitudinal central section, and
Figure 8 an end elevation, showing a modification of my invention.
Figure 8b is a vertical longitudinal central section showing another modification
thereof.
Figure 11 is a plan, and
Figure 12 a sectional elevation, showing a further slight modification of my
invention.
Figures 13 to 41 are different views hereinafter described, illustrating further
modifications of my invention.
a is the buffer box or case, 6 is the plunger, c is the removable collar fitted upon
the extension or spindle 6' of the plunger, and d is the back-plate.
In the buffer shown in Figures 1 to 4, the spindle b¹ extends through a hole d¹
in the back-plate d, which is secured to the box or case a in the usual or any
suitable manner, e is a split or divided tube, which is fitted as a sleeve upon the
spindle b¹, but is neither welded nor shrunk upon the same. The combination of
this spindle and tube or sleeve enables me to conveniently provide for securing the
collar c upon the plunger and keeping it in place thereon notwithstanding breakage
of the spring or springs, whilst permitting the ready removal of the plunger from
the box or case (after the back-plate is detached therefrom) without the necessity
for using any tool or appliance for this purpose. I form on the forward end of the
divided tube or sleeve e a flange e¹, which fits into a recess or cavity c¹ in the
collar c, so that the latter is held in place between the said flange and the inner
shoulder of the plunger b, and, at the same time, serves to keep together the two
parts of the split tube, at the forward end thereof. The spindle b' is formed with
à head or flange b³, between which and the collar c the tube or sleeve e is fitted, so
that it cannot move end wise independently of the spindle.
The tube or sleeve e is fitted with a capability of sliding in the hole in the
back-plated, so that, while keeping the two parts of the split tube properly
together at this end, the said plate also serves to guide and support the plunger-

page_text: spindle b. The two halves or parts of the said tube or sleeve are cut away as
at es, es, to permit the insertion of the same into their places in the manner illustrated
in Figures 2 and 3, in which the upper half or part of the tube is shown in place,
and the lower half or part thereof in the position which it. occupies when the
flange e¹ is inserted into the cavity c¹ and previous to the movement of the rear
end of the said part of the tube into contact with the spindle.
Figure 5 illustrates the application of my improvements to a buffer having a
hollow plunger, the tube or sleeve being fitted substantially in the manner above
described. In this form of buffer, I sometimes make the collar c as shown in
Figure 5 to permit the use of a long spiral or other spring. In this case, I provide
the back-plate d with a guide or bearing d².
In Figure 5b, I have shown a buffer which has a cylindrical box and a rod
plunger, and to which the collar and split or divided tube are applied substantially
in the same manner as in the buffer shown in Figure 1.
In the modifications of my invention shown in Figure 6 and in Figures 7, 8
and 8, the tube or sleeve e is provided, near its rear end, with an internal flange
or projection e¹ which enters a groove or recess 63 in the spindle b¹. In some
instances, I screw a bush or bearing d* into the base-plate d, as shown in Figure 6,
to guide and support the spindle b¹ and tube e. Moreover, I sometimes provide
the plunger-spindle 61 with an external screw-thread which fits a corresponding
internal screw-thread on the collar c, as shown in Figure 6, and as described in the
specification of former Letters Patent dated 29th May A.D. 1883, Nº 2674.
In some instances, I dispense with the flanges or shoulders e¹ on the tube e, as
shown in Figures 7, 8 and 8ª. Moreover, I sometimes make the said tube as shown
in Figure 8b, the flange e being formed by bending in the end of the said tube.
Or I provide the said tube or sleeve with internal projections to enter holes in the
said spindle; or I provide the spindle 61 with one or more projections to enter
grooves or apertures in the tube or sleeve e, as shown, for example, in Figures 11
and 12, in which 6*, 6* are the projections on the spindle.
A further modification of this arrangement is shown in Figures 36 to 41.
Figure 36 is a sectional elevation of part of a buffer.
Figure 37 is a section on the lines, z, Figure 36.
Figure 38 is a section through the spindle and tube on the line 2¹, z¹, Figure 36.
Figure 39, is a section on the line 23, 3, Figure 36.
Figure 40 is a plan of one half of the tube, and
Figure 41 is an end elevation of the same,
In this modification, the spindle b¹ is formed with two projections 6*. The
aperture in the collar c is made of such size that the collar will slide freely on the
said spindle, and the said collar is formed with slots or grooves c* to enable it to
pass over the projections 6*. The split or divided tube e is made with extensions e*
which fit into the slots or grooves c* in the collar c, and the said tube is cut away
at its rear end, as shown, so that it will fit between the projections b*. By
constructing the buffer in this manner, I greatly facilitate and simplify the
manufacture of the split or divided tube, and I ensure the proper bearing of the
spring upon the collar c, by dispensing with flanges or projections on the said tube.
Each half or part of the tube can, in this case, be simply cut out of sheet metal,
and bent or curved to fit the spindle 6. To secure the plunger in the box or case,
the collar c is passed over the projections 6* and then turned through an angle of
ninety degrees. The two halves or parts of the tube are then put into position on
the spindle, the spring is placed upon the spindle and tube, and the back-plate d
is then passed over the said spindle and tube and secured to the case or box.
Figures. 5ª, 9, 10 and 21 illustrate the application of my invention to buffers
wherein the back-plate is provided with a guide or bearing.d for the spindle b'.
In Figures 5* and 9, the said guide is shown formed in one piece with the back-
plate; in Figure 21, it is shown screwed into the same. In the buffer shown in
Figure, 10, the back-plate d and guide d' are split or divided as shown, and the
said guide is formed with an internal flange or projection, which engages with

page_text: the flange b³ on the spindle 6¹ and thus retains the plunger in the box or case a.
In this modification of my invention, the split or divided guide d' serves as a
substitute for the tube or sleeve above described. The spring surrounds the said
guide or bearing and the spindle, and is arranged to bear against the collar c and
keep the same against the inner or rear end of the plunger.
In Figures 13 to 24, I have illustrated the application of my present improve-
ments to buffers provided with adjustable and removable collars, such as are
described in the said former specification, that is to say, buffers wherein the collar
is so formed and arranged in combination with projections on the plunger-spindle
that the said collar can be secured on the spindle by simply passing it over the
said projections and partially rotating it so that it will become locked upon, or
engaged with, the said projections. Filling pieces and other devices are, moreover,
used in such buffers for keeping the collar in its locking position.
Figure 13 is a plan of part of a buffer-plunger.
Figure 14 is a similar view with the adjustable and removable collar and divided
tube shown thereon in horizontal central section.
Figure 15 is a transverse section on the line x¹, x², Figure 13.
Figure 16 is a rear elevation of the said collar.
Figure 17 is a transverse section through the plunger on the line ³, x³,
Figure 14.
"
Figure 18 is also a section on the line ³, x³, Figure 14, showing the collar and
split tube in place on the plunger.
Figure 19 is a side elevation of the plunger shown in Figure 13.
Figure 20 is a similar view with the adjustable and removable collar and the
divided tube shown on the said plunger.
In these Figures, the collar c is shown with an oblong hole c, so that it can be
passed over projections 6' on the spindle b¹ and then partially rotated to lock it
thereon. The two halves or parts of the divided tube e are provided, at their front
ends, with filling pieces e, which enter the hole c and hold the collar c in its
locking position on the spindle.
•
Instead of dividing the tube or sleeve into two parts as shown, I sometimes
divide it into three or more parts. Moreover, in some cases, I substitute for the
divided tube one or more bars fitted in longitudinal grooves or channels in the
plunger-spindle.
In Figures 21 and 22, 0° is a bar or key which, when the collar c is fitted and
locked upon the spindle 6', is inserted in a longitudinal groove or channel in the
spindle b', so that a projection e¹ on the said bar will fit into a recess or cavity c*.
in the collar c, thus preventing the turning or unlocking of the said collar.
In Figures 21 and 21b, I have shown a similar bar applied to a buffer wherein
the collar is screwed upon the plunger.
In Figures 23 and 24, the bar e rests upon a flattened portion of the spindle b¹,
and fits into the hole in the collar a
I sometimes substitute for the split or divided tube two taper bars es, Figures 25
and 26, which fit into recesses in opposite sides of the spindle b¹, and have
projections el which fit into a recess or cavity c¹ in the collar c as shown.
Figure 25 shows the application of two similar bars to a buffer wherein the
collar is screwed upon the plunger.
Figures 27 and 28 show a modification of my invention wherein the bar e is
bent and passed through a hole in the spindle 6 wherein it is secured by means
of a nut e'.
In some instances, instead of employing a split or divided tube as above set
forth, I use an undivided tube which is fitted and secured upon the spindle b¹ and
bears against the collar c, and which extends through the back-plate d. Figure 29
is a sectional elevation of part of a buffer and Figure 30 is a transverse section
on the line y, y, Figure 29. In this modification, I use a tube e** having its rear
end thickened, screw-threaded and slit as shown, so that it can be screwed tightly
.

page_text: upon the spindle 6. Figure 31 is a longitudinal central section showing the
tube e screwed upon the spindle b', the end of the said tube being without the
slits. Figure 32 is a similar view showing the tube ** secured upon the spindle b¹
by means of rivets f which can be very readily driven out when it is desired to
remove the said tube from the spindle. Figure 33 is a longitudinal central section
showing the tube e** secured upon the spindle 6 by means of a blank nut g fitted
upon a reduced part of the spindle b', which is rivetted or clinched over to retain
the said nut in place. Figure 34 is a similar view showing the tube e*
** secured
upon the spindle b¹ by means of a nut h screwed upon the said spindle and held
from turning thereon by a pin h¹ passed through the said nut and spindle. This
nut is circular and is of the same diameter as the tube e**.
I sometimes secure the tube e** upon the spindle 61 by means of a lock-nut, as
shown in Figure 35.
It is obvious that the different modifications of my invention above described
are applicable to various kinds of buffers. The buffer shown in Figure 1 has a
conical or taper case or box in which the bush is secured. The buffers shown in
Figures 9 and 21, have the conical case or box and the bush formed in one piece.
The buffer shown in Figure 10 has the bush inserted in the conical case or box and
united thereto at its outer end, as shown, by welding or brazing. The buffers
shown in Figures 5, 5 and 5b, bave cylindrical cases or boxes, and the bush is
formed integrally-with the case or box.
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 railway-buffer, the provision of means for supporting and guiding
the plunger in such a manner that it will not be released or displaced by breakage
of the spring or springs but can be released by the removal of the back-plate from
the box or case.
Second. In a railway-buffer, the employment of a split or divided tube or sleeve
for the purpose above specified.
Third. The combination, with the plunger and the removable collar, of the split
or divided tube or sleeve fitting upon the plunger-spindle between the said collar
and the head or flange of the said spindle, substantially as, and for the purpose,
Bet forth.
Fourth. The modification of my invention wherein the split or divided tube or
. sleeve is formed with internal projections which fit into annular grooves or holes in
the plunger-spindle, substantially as described with reference to Figures 6 to 8b of
the drawings for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The modification of my invention wherein the plunger-spindle is provided
with projections which fit into holes in the split or divided tube or sleeve, sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings for the
purpose specified.
Sixth. In a railway-buffer having a hollow plunger, the employment of a
removable. collar formed substantially as shown in Figure 5* of the drawings for
the purpose specified.
Seventh. The modification of my invention wherein the back-plate and guide or
bearing are split or divided and the guide is formed with an internal flange which
surrounds the plunger-spindle and engages with a head or flange thereon, sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figure 10 of the drawings for the purpose
specified.
Eighth.. The combination, with a plunger provided with an adjustable and
removable collar as above described, of a split or divided tube or sleeve, or one
or more bars, keys or filling pieces, for retaining the said collar in its locking
position on the spindle, substantially as described with reference to either of the
modifications shown in Figures 13 to 24 of the drawings for the purpose specified.

page_text: Ninth. The modification of my invention wherein I employ two taper bars fitted
in recesses in the plunger-spindle, substantially as described with reference to
Figures 25 and 26 or to Figure 25* of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Tenth. The modification of my invention wherein the bar or key is bent and is
passed through and secured in the plunger-spindle, substantially as described with
reference to Figures 27 and 28 of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Eleventh. The modification of my invention wherein I employ an undivided
tube secured upon the plunger-spindle and extending through the back-plate,
substantially as described with reference to Figures 29 and 30 or to Figures 31, 32,
33, 34 or 35 of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. The modification of my invention substantially as described with
reference to Figures 36 to 41 of the drawings.