IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BUFFING ON RAILWAYS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Eaton, of No. 2, Sussex Terrace, New
Road, Battersea, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BUFFING ON RAILWAYS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 8th May 1857, and dated the 20th November 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard Eaton at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
November 1856.
I, RICHARD EATON, of No. 2, Sussex Terrace, New Road, Battersea, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said Inven-
tion for IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BUFFING ON RAILWAYS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
My Improvements consist in the construction of buffer springs and other
apparatus, for neutralizing or lessening the effects of concussions and strains,
of thin layers or laminae of india rubber or gutia percha, or both, properly
prepared, and of suitable shape and size, between plates or frames of metal,
wood, or other suitable material, placed or piled alternately, or otherwise, as
may be required; and in some cases I use two or more separate piles of layers
and plates, or of layers only, to form one spring; and in some cases I place a
number of small spiral springs, or short volute springs, or flat steel springs, or
any or either of them, between the plates, either in conjunction with or not in
[Price 8d.]

page_text: conjunction with the layers above mentioned, alternately, or otherwise; or the
layers may be placed in contact or connection with the springs without the
intervening plates. In some cases I have the surfaces of the layers or plates,
or both of them, ribbed, undulated, perforated, or otherwise formed or shaped,
and the thickness, arcas, and densities of the layers may be varied in the same
spring, as required. The layers and plates forming the pile should be retained
in their relative positions by guides, spindles, or other suitable contrivance
passing through the plates only, or through the plates and layers, or otherwise,
ns may be required; and in some cases, to neutralize or lessen the recoil of such
springs, I so arrange levers, palls, or wedges, that when they are pressed, by
the force applied into the undulations or channels of a series of inclined planes,
the angles thereof either retain the spring or allow of its gradual return; and
in some cases I form a spiral groove or ledge of suitable curvatures upon the
interior of the buffer case, so that when the palls, levers, or wedges bear on
such groove the back action or recoil of the spring is lessened.
My Invention may be used for bearing, bufling, and draw springs of loco-
motive engines, and for railway and other carriages and vehicles, and for other
purposes, to neutralize or lessen the effect of concussions or strains.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Richard Eaton in the Great Seal Paient Office on the
20th May 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, RICHARD
EATON, of No. 2, Sussex Terrace, New Road, Battersen, in the County of
Surrey, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Richard Eaton, Her special licence that I, the said Richard
Eaton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the said
Richard Eaton, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and rend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS FOR BUFFING ON RAILWAYS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," upon the

page_text: condition (amongst others) that I; the said Richard Eaton, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or thoir, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Richard Eaton, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement, and by reference to the Sheet of Drawings accompanying this my
Specification, and the drawings, figures, and letters thereon.
My said improvements in apparatus for bulling on railways and for other
purposes consist, firstly, of apparatus for preventing the injurious recoil of
buffers; secondly, in the arrangement of small or short spiral and volute
springs, as herein-after mentioned and described; and, thirdly, in the modes.
of forming springs of thin vulcanized india-rubber or gutta percha, or
their compounds, in combination with or not in combination with spiral or
volute steel springs.
Section 1st. My improvements for preventing the injurious recoil of buffers
consist in the application of palls, levers, or wedges, as shewn in the Drawings,
which are pressed by the force which acts upon the buffers into a series of
inclined planes, notches, or oblique or spiral grooves or rims, formed upon the
interior or exterior of the buffer case, and thus serve to retard the return or
recoil of the spring.
Fig. 1 upon the annexed Sheet of Drawings is a sectional elevation, and
Fig. 2 a sectional plan, of my improved buffer, wherein A is the fixed portion
orbuffer case, which is provided upon its inner surface with a series of inclined
planes, having their inner or return angles more obtuse than the outer ones,
and such inner angles or inclines becoming more obtuse or nearer to the per-
pendicular at the part thereof where the strain upon the buffer is generally the
greatest. The india-rubber spring is shewn at B (and which will be hereafter
described), and C is the moveable part or plunger, which has an internal pre-
jection D, with a conical or pyramidical face suitable for actuating the wedges
1, 2, which are placed between the plunger and the spring, and press or act
upon the palls 3, 4, which are hinged to or recessed in the plunger Cat their
outer extremity, and have their inner ends shaped so as to project through the
plunger, and fit into the planes or notches. When the plunger C is driven
inwards the wedges 1, 2, are forced outwards against the palls 3, 4, which are

page_text: thus pressed into the series of inclined planes with a force increasing in pro-
portion to that which is acting upon the spring, and the friction and resistance
occasioned by such pressure upon the obtuse return angles prevents or greatly
lessens the sudden and injurious recoil of the plunger.
Figures 3 and 4 shew another of my modes of effecting the same purpose,
wherein A is the buffer case, provided as before with the series of inclined
planes; B, the spring, surmounted by a conical cap D. The moveable
plunger C is furnished at its inner extremity with slots and stop pieces 1, 2,
to receive the palls or studs 5, 4, 5, 6. When, therefore, the plunger C is
forced in, the palls 3, 4, 5, 6, are pressed outwards by the conical cap D into
their respective inclined planes, and thereby any injurious recoil thereof is
prevented or greatly lessened.
Another of my modes of retarding the return of the buffer consists in the
use of oblique or spiral grooves or rims, instead of the inclined planes or
notches, before mentioned; and a buffer constructed upon such plan is shewn
by a sectional elevation at Figure 5, in which A is the fixed buffer case, fur-
nished upon its inner surface with a series of spiral grooves 5, 6, 7, 8, having
their outer edges at right angles with the central line of the buffer, and their
inner angles bevilled of ortapered. B is the spring.surmounted by the conical
cap 1; and Cis the plunger, furnished upon its inner end with slots and stops
1, 2, to receive the wedge-shaped palls 3, 4; while. therefore, the plunger C
is being driven in the palls slide freely over the grooves, but while the plunger
is returning, one or more of the palls are caught in the grooves, and by that
means, as also by the friction consequent upon the plunger C having to turn
round, in accordance with the inclination of the grooves, the retardation is
effected. In some cases, instead of grooves I uso projecting rims, shaped
either curvilinear and continuous, as in the spiral grooves, or short oblique
rims or grooves may be used upon the interior of the buffer case, and so
arranged that one or more of the wedged-shaped palls shall always press or act
on such rims or grooves. The inclination or angles of the grooves or rims
may be easily adjusted to the varying pressures upon the spring throughout its
full length of stroke.
Another of my modes of constructing a station buffer with apparatus for
preventing recoil is shewn by a sectional elevation at Figure 8, wherein A is
the fixed buffer case, provided as before with a series ofundulations or inclined
planes; 13 the first, and C the second moveable plunger; D the larger, and E
the lesser india-rubber spring; F is the tubular central guide to spring D,fixed
into the cap plate M, and sliding freely in the square foundation plate O, O;
and G is the central guide to the spring E, which is secured to the plunger Cand

page_text: slides into the tubular guide F. The recoil apparatus to plunger Bconsists o
a flat metal bar H, provided at each end with strong hinged palls K, L, which
project through slots in the plunger B, and can move outwards to an angle
regulated by the sole plate N, and there are proper springs P (one being on
each side of the bar H) to press the palls K, L, into a perpendicular position.
The recoil apparatus attached to plunger C is of a different construction, and
consists of two wedges S, T, which are placed between the inner end of the
plunger C and the cap plate Uof spring E, such wedges being slotted so as to
work freely up and down upon the central guide G, G. The interior of plunger
B is provided with curved inclined surfaces Q, R. While, therefore, the
plunger B is being driven in no impediment is offered thereto by the palls
K, L, but when the plunger stops, the palls spring up into the inclined planes,
and a series of up-and-down motions is given to the bar H during the return
of the plunger, and as the plunger C is driven in the wedges S, T, (which may
be made of any required angle) are forced out, and the friction thus generated
prevents or greatly lessens the recoil of the spring E. By another of my
modes the curved inclined planes Q, R, may be notched or stepped, and the
tips of the wedges S, T, shaped in accordance therewith, as shewn by the dotted
lines. Various modifications and combinations of the apparatus, as shewn and
described, for preventing injurious recoil in buffers may be made without
departing from the nature of my said Invention, and the curves, angles,
numbers, and sizes of the various resisting surfaces may be readily adjusted to
suit every variety of circumstance, and the palls may also be made to act
externally as well as internally.
Section 2 relates to improvements in the construction of apparatus for the
purposes aforesaid with steel springs. My improvements therein consist in
the use of one or more columns of short or small parallel or conical spirals, or
of small volute springs, arranged as shewn in the Drawings, either in a single
group, or placed one above another with intervening plates, the said plates
being provided with suitable bosses, rims, or guide spindles for preserving the
proper relative positions of the several springs. The number, strength, and
elasticity of such spirals or volutes, as well as the peculiar shape of section, can
be readily adjusted to suit any required purpose as bearing, buffing, traction,
and lifting springs.
Figure 9 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 10 a plan, shewing the short
spiral springs applied to an outside buffer, wherein A represents the fixed
part or buffer case; B, the plunger; C, the sole plate. 1, 1, 1, the short
spiral springs, formed into three columns; and 2, 3, 4, are the intervening
plates, provided with central bosses to retain the springs. The guide pins

page_text: 4, 4, 4, are fixed into the sole plate C, and are for the purpose of guiding
and supporting the intermediate plate 2, the other plates3; 4,being supported
by the plunger B. Sometimes I use a buffer spring madeof a single column of
short spirals, r with a central column formed of two or more concentric spirals,
similar to the lifting spring shewn by Figure 23, bit Ido not confine myself to
any number or diameter of springs, as much may be varied to suit any required
force or length of stroke; also 1 do not confine or claim the same as adapted
to any particular form of buffer or spring case, inasmuch as the arrangement
of spring is applicable to any casing or form of buffer or case for springs.
Figure Gisa sectional elevationof a modificationof buffer providedwithaseries
of small spiral or helical springs, wherein A is the fixed buffer case; C, the
plunger, having a hollow central projection D, which serves both as a guide to
the intervening plates, 1, 1, 2, 2, and as a means of connection to the retaining
bolt 3. The springs B, B, as shown consists (in plan) of four separate columns
arranged round the central projection D, and the length or height of each is
formed by three distinct springs, which are separated from each other, and
guided by the intervening plates 1, 1, 2, 2, such plates as well as the buffer
case A and plunger C being provided with suitable bosses or rims for retaining
the springs. It is obvious that many modifications in the arrangement,
number of the columns, and the strength and elasticity of these springs may
bo made so as to suit any requirements or circumstances, also that they may
be readily combined with or used for the same purposes as any of the other
springs described in this Specification.
Fig. 11 is an elevation, and Fig. 12 is a plan, shewing the short spiral
springs applied to carry an engine, carriage, or waggon, in which A is the
frame; 13, the horn plate or axle guard; C. the axle box; 1, 1, 1, the spiral
springs, arranged in three columns; 2, the intervening plate; 3, the sole plate,
resting upon the axle box; and 4, the cap plato; which is attached to the under
side of framing; and all these plates are provided with suitable bosses to retain
the springs.
Another of my arrangements of spirals, as a bearing spring applicable to
vehicles upon common roads, is shewn by sectional elevation, Fig. 13, and plan,
Fig 14, wherein A represents part of the lower framing; B, the axle; C, C.
a doubled chambered casting, which is fitted to and bears upon such axle, and
which also receives the hollow pillars or guides D, D, which are fixed to the
framing A; the short spiral springs 1, 1, 2, 2, are contained in the hollow
chambers and guides C, C, and D, D; 3, 3, 4, 4, are the intervening plates,
and 5, 6, are screws tapped into the bottom of chamber for adjusting the
tension upon the springs; a bridle plate E fitting upon bosses formed upon

page_text: the bottom of the chambers is fixed thereto by means of nuts upon the screws
5, G. In some cases I use some thin strips of vulcanized india-rubber 7
between the axle and the cross piece or bridge, which connects the chambers
C, C, together, and I use any convenient number of such pieces of thin india-
rubber between the sole plate of pillars D, D, and the frame A, or at the top
or bottom of the spirals 1, 1, 2, 2, or at the intervening plates 3, 3, 4, 4.
Another of myarrangements of short spiral springs as applied to road vehicles
is shewn by elevation, Fig. 15, and plan, Fig. 16, wherein A is the framing;
13, the axle; C, a metal cap fitting upon the axle, and perforated to receive the
pillars or guide spindles D, E, which are fixed to a sole plate attached to
the framing A, and, by means of nuts or collars screwed upon their lower
extremities, press upon the cross bar 4, which bar rests upon the combined
spiral springs, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, contained in the frame F, F, which is bolted to
the cap C. The springs are separated by the intervening plates 5, 6, which
plates, together with the cross bar 4 and bottom plate of frame F, are provided
with suitable central bosses for retaining the springs. Figs. 22 and 23 are
respectively, a longitudinal and transverse section of a lifting, tension, or draw
spring, consisting of a wrought-iron frame A, central tension bolt B, and a
spring 1, 2, 3, formed by a double series of concentric short spirals arranged
with intervening plates, having suitable rims and central bosses for retaining
the springs.
Figs. 17 and 18 are an elevation and plan of another mode of constructing
n lifting and draw spring, wherein A and Bare shackles of flat iron, forming
a box or case for the spring, and provided at their extremities with swivel eye-
bolts C, D. The spring is formed of two short spirals 1, 8, and one central
india-rubber spring 2, and the spirals are protected by suitable metal caps or
guards 4, 5, which allow of a certain limited range to the spring, and when
such are drawn home the central india-rubber spring comes more immediately
into action. In some cases I use the combined draw spring, as shewn by
sectional plan and elevation, Figs. 20 and 21, wherein A is the central draw-
bar, provided with a metal cap B, B, and secured thereto by a nut or cotter.
The spring consists partly of a series of six spirals 1, 2, 3 4, 5, 6, contained
in the chamber C, C, the said chamber having an inner projection which
receives the cap B, B, and thereby prevents any undue weight being thrown
upon the spirals, and transfers the extreme strain to the india-rubber cushion
spring 1, D, which rests upon the sole plate F, F, and framing E, E, and in
some cases I use the spirals alone as a draw or lifting spring or for a short-
stroke buffer.
An application of my improvements in volute springs is shewn by Figs. 19

page_text: and 19°, wherein a locomotive bearing spring is formed by means of three
tiers of short volutes 1, 1, 2, 2. and 3, 3, which are separated and guided as
before by intervening plates 4, 5, the whole being suitably connected to the
axle box A and framing B by means of the suspension bolt C and top and
bottom plates 6, 7. Four columns of volutes are shewn in plan, but any
required number may be used, according to circumstances. And I wish it to be
understood that in all the various arrangements and application shewn in the
Drawings, and herein described, that spirals, volutes, or india-rubber may be
respectively substituted for each other; as, for instance, an arrangment shewn
as a bearing or buffer spring may be used as a draw-spring, or vice versa, or
cones instead of spirals, &c., or that any desired spring for the purposes afore-
said may be formed by any combination of the different kinds of springs before
mentioned; and I use the various applications of springs contained in this
Specification to the standing rigging, cables, and gun carriages of ships; also
to towing and hoisting tackle, and to draw and bearing springsfor the rolling
stock of railways, and other purposes. The proportion of height to the
diameter in the spiral and volute springs varies according to their thickness,
but where intervening plates are used I prefer a height varying from 1 to
twice the diameter.
Section 3. My improvements in the formation of springs from thin india-
rubber are shewn by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, S, 17 and 20, and consist
principally in the use of thin strips or discs of india-rubber, of half an inch or
not much exceeding that thickness, arranged in a column or columns, with
thin intervening or separating plates of metal or other non-yielding substance
between them, and which columns are guided by one or more spindles passing
through the intervening plates and india-rubber, or through the metal orother
plates only. The buffers shown by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, contain such indin-
rubber springs, marked B, wherein I, 1, are square-shaped pieces of india-
rubber, and 2, 2, are the intervening plates, and 3,3, the central square guide
spindles.
The india-rubber springs contained in the large station buffer and lifting
spring, shewn by Figs. S and 17, consist of round plates of metal and indin-
rubber; and a modification of my improved spring as applied to an ordinary
inside carriage buffer is shown by Fig. 7, and consists of three separate
divisions A, B, C, of various areas or powers of resistance, so that supposing
the buffer to be struck, the weakest spring C shall take the first or smallest
strain, and being driven up to its full stroke, the second and stronger spring
would be called into action, and, finally, the powerful spring Awould sustain
the greatest strain which the buffer is intended to bear. The same effects

page_text: would be attained by making the springs A, B, C, of equal diameter but of
different densities or thicknesses. The springs A, B, C, are protected by hollow
caps D, E, F, which, when a certain range of compression is attained, serve to
transfer the strain successively from the weaker to the strongersprings. The
remaining parts of the buffer are the ordinary buffer rod G, which is screwed
or otherwise secured to the cap or collar H, and has also a nipple fitting into
the central guide tube of spring C. Each of the springs A, B, C, is provided
with a central guide tube (1, 2, 3,) fixed into their respective caps D, E, F,
and arranged, as shewn in the Drawing, of such lengths and diameters as that
they will mutually support and slide freely into each other when the springs
are driven up.
By means of the above-described arrangement of springs a very powerful
buffer can be mado with considerable economy of material, also a very long
stroke can be obtained without the necessity of the buffer spindle or guides
being thrust beyond the thickness of the cross beam, and by reversing the
arrangement of the springsand guides, and making a suitable perforation into
the centre of buffer spindle G, the cross beam need not be perforated at all.
With regard to that part of my improvements which relates to the com.
bination of india-rubber with steel springs, one variety of such is shewn at
Figures 17 and 18 as applied to alifting or draw spring, and I have previously
described how it may be employed in conjunction with the spiral bearing
springs, Figs. 13 and 14. The plates or strips of india-rubber forming the im-
proved springs may be made either round, square, rectangular, hexagonal, or of
any other shape required by circumstances; they may also be arranged either
singly between the intervening plates, or two or more layers may be arranged
upon plates made of convenient size to admit them, and there may be either
one or more guide spindles to retain the same. In some cases I make the
surfaces of such india-rubber, or of the intervening plates, or both of them,
ribbed, undulated, embossed, or perforated, so as to obtain various degrees of
sustaining power or elasticity, and to attain the same object the thickness and
densities of the plates of the india-rubber may be varied in the same spring.
I am aware that discs ofindia-rubber and plates of metal, somewhat similar
to the plain ones above described, are not new, and I wish it to be understood
that I do not claim the use of such only when used in combination with the
various buffing and other springs, as herein-before described.
It is obvious that my said improvements, herein-before described, will readily
admit of variations and alterations without departing from the nature of my
said Invention, and Iclaim the right to make all such variations and alterations
accordingly.

page_text: Having now described the nature of my Invention, and in what manner the
same is or may be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not claim
as my Invention any of the parts herein-before taken separately, or the use or
application of any of the materials aforesaid for the purposes aforesaid, or
any of them separately; but what I do claim is, the several combinations and
arrangements in the construction of springs and apparatus for bufling on
railways, and for other purposes, as herein-bofore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Enton, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twentieth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
RICHARD EATON. (L.S.)
Witness,
H. WICKENS, Patent" Solicitor,
4, Tokenhouse Yard, Bank, London.