IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING WAGGONS OR OTHER VEHICLES ON RAILWAYS, TRAMWAYS, PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Harrison, of Ruabon, in the County of Denbigh,
and David Lomax, of Trehowell Colliery, in the County of Salop, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO APPARATUS FOR COUPLING
AND UNCOUPLING WAGGONS OR OTHER VEHICLES ON RAILWAYS, TRAMWAYS,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Harrison and
David Lomax at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th May
1880.
WILLIAM HARRISON, of Ruabon, in the County of Denbigh, and DAVID LOMAX,
of Trehowell Colliery, in the County of Salop.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING
TO APPARATUS FOR COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING WAGGONS OR OTHER VEHICLES
ON RAILWAYS, TRAMWAYS, AND THE LIKE."
This Invention consists of a new or improved method of coupling and uncoupling
waggons and the like, and of apparatus therefor, by which the waggons are coupled
and uncoupled without any one having to get between them.
At each end of the waggon we place a cross shaft (capable of sliding in its
bearings), and armed with levers or arms between the buffers, and provided with
The two arms in
handles, or squares or couplings for handles, on the outer ends.
the centre are so spaced that when in normal position they are raised they come
against two projections on the link and lift it up.
In operating as the waggons come together the shunter depresses the handle and
so raises the arms and link with them above the height of the hook; as the hook
of the other waggon comes forward the link is let drop into the said hook; the
arms are then dropped. When the uncoupling is required the waggons are pressed
together in the usual manner so as to take the strain off the draw bars; the arms
are then raised and lift the link off the hook. The shaft is then pressed to one
side, and when the link is clear of the hook it is let go, and link and arms fall
loose.

page_text: The arms are preferably notched or bent with a depression so as more easily to
catch the pins or projections on the link.
It will be seen at once that although the arms are preferably loose from the link
they could be arranged so as to be permanently linked to the link, but this is a
mere modification of our Invention.
Similarly our Invention might be modified by causing the arms to slide on the
shaft instead of the shaft sliding in its bearings or with its bearings, but this would
generally be a complication of doubtful utility.
The shaft is so arranged as to be self adjusting, so that if pushed to one side it
at once falls back into the central position. This is effected by counter balance,
cam, incline, springs, or other equivalent mechanisın.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Harrison and David Lomax in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 25th November 1880.
WILLIAM HARRISON, of Ruabon, in the County of Denbigh, and DAVID LOMAX,
of Trehowell Colliery, in the County of Salop "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING
TO APPARATUS FOR COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING WAGGONS OR OTHER VEHICLES
ON RAILWAYS, TRAMWAYS, AND THE LIKE."
This Invention consists of a new or improved method of coupling and uncoupling
waggons and the like, and of apparatus therefor, by which the waggons are
coupled and uncoupled without any person having to go between them.
At each end of the waggon we place a cross shaft, supported in suitable bearings,
armed with levers or arms between the buffers, and provided with handles, or
squares or couplings for handles, on the outer ends. The two arms in the centre
are so spaced that when in normal position they are raised they come against two
projections on the link and lift it up; or, as we most prefer, and as shown in the
Drawing, these arms are connected together at their ends by an adjustable bow-
cross, to which is attached two pieces of angle iron which engage the link and raise
it without the necessity of any alteration being made to the ordinary coupling or
shackle. This bow-cross may be attached to but one central arm, or made in the
form of a fork.
The Drawing shews an end elevation of a railway waggon fitted with my
Invention; C is the main shaft, carried in bearings E on two swivels B, hanging
from eye-bolts A; F are the handles or levers for turning the shaft C; D, arms or
lifters for raising the link G; H, bow-cross connecting the arms D, adjustable by
means of nuts h to suit any length of shackle; I, angle iron attached to bow
cross H for clipping the shackle; K is hook to which the link G of shackle is
attached.
In operating as the waggons come together the shunter raises the handle F and
so raises the arms D and link with them above the height of the hook K. As the
hook of the other waggon comes forward the link is let drop into the said hook;
the arms D are then dropped. When the uncoupling is required the waggons are
pressed together in the usual manner so as to take the strain off the draw bars;
the arms Ď are then raised and lift the link G off the hook. The shaft C is then
pressed to one side, and when the link is clear of the hook it is let go, and link and
arms fall loose.
When pins or projections on the sides of the link are used the arms are preferably
notched or bent, with a depression, so as more easily to catch such pins or
projections.
It will be seen at once that although the arms are preferably loose from the link
they could be arranged so as to be permanently attached to the link, but this is a
nere modification of our Invention. Similarly our Invention might be modified
by causing the arms to slide on the shaft instead of the shaft sliding in or with its
bearings, but this would generally be a complication of doubtful utility.
The shaft C is so arranged as to be self adjusting, so that if pushed to one side it
at once falls back into the central position, the eye-bolts A and swivels B forming
with it a universal joint. This could also be effected by means of counter balance,
cam, incline, springs, or other equivalent mechanism, but we prefer the method
shewn as simpler and less likely to get out of order and repair.
Having now described our Invention and the best mode known to us of carrying
it into effect, we wish it to be understood that what we believe to be new and
desire to protect under the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,―
First. The manufacture and use of apparatus for coupling and uncoupling railway

page_text: or other waggons, in which a cross shaft carrying arms or levers raises or lowers
the shackle or coupling into position, substantially as described and shown.
Second. In apparatus for coupling and uncoupling railway or other waggons an
adjustable bow-cross (such as H) attached to an arm or arms, and held in position
by check nuts or their equivalent, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Third. In combination with an apparatus for coupling and uncoupling railway
and other waggons the eyebolts A and swivels B, substantially as and for the
purposes described.
In witness whereof, we, the said William Harrison and David Lomax, have
hereunto set our hands and seals, this Twenty third day of November, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
BENJAMIN LOMAX.
WILLIAM HARRISON. (L.S.)
DAVID LOMAX.
(L.S.)