IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BOTTOM DOOR FASTENERS OF RAILWAY WAGONS
Year: 1877

page_text: "
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LETTERS PATENT to Henry Currer Briggs and George Robson, both of
Whitwood Collieries, near Normanton, in the County of York, for the Inven-
tion of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BOTTOM DOOR FASTENERS OF RAILWAY
WAGONS."
.
Sealed the 3rd May 1878, and dated the 5th November 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Currer Briggs and
George Robson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th
November 1877.
HENRY CURRER BRIGGS and GEORGE ROBSON, both of Whitwood Collieries, near
Normanton, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BOTTOM DOOR
FASTENERS OF RAILWAY WAGONS."
This Invention relates to the fasteners for the bottom doors of railway wagons,
and our improvements consist in the application of self-acting mechanism for
securing or keeping the catch in position.
Hitherto the catch has been secured by means of a cotter pin, to the use of
which there are many objections, and instead of this pin we use a weighted lever,
having a crank or eccentric at the fulcrum which forces the catch lever into
position and secures the same firmly without trouble.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Fig. 1 represents the several parts as they appear when the door is fastened.
A is the bottom door of a wagon, and B the ordinary catch lever with slight
alterations. The crank or eccentric C works on the centre D within the brackets E,
and from the said centre are suspended one or two weighted levers or arms F.
The weight of these levers causes the eccentric or crank to press firmly against the
catch B, a projection a and a slight recess being provided therein for the purpose
I Price R71

page_text: of receiving the end of the crank, and preventing the pressure exercised by the
door and catch lever from displacing the same. The angle of the catch lever is
such that when the weighted end falls to its natural position or centre the crank
will incline upwards, so that all pressure upon it tends to secure it more firmly.
Fig 2 shews the position when it is desired to relieve the catch and open the
wagon door.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Currer Briggs and George Robson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 4th May 1878.
1
HENRY CURRER BRIGGS and GEORGE ROBSON, both of Whitwood Collieries, near
Normanton, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE BOTTOM DOOR
FASTENERS OF RAILWAY WAGONS."
This Invention relates to the fasteners for the bottom doors of railway waggons,
and our improvements consist in the application of self-acting mechanism for
securing or keeping the catch in position.
Hitherto the catch has been secured by means of a cotter pin, to the use of which
there are many objections, and instead of this pin we use a weighted lever having
a crank or eccentric at the fulcrum, which forces, the. catch lever into position and
secures the same firmly without trouble.
In the accompanying Drawings,―
Fig. 1 represents the several parts as they appear when the door is fastened.
"
A is the bottom door of a wagon, and B the ordinary catch lever with slight
alterations. The crank or eccentric C works on the centre D within the brackets E,
and from the said centre are suspended one or two weighted levers or arms F.
The weight of these levers causes the eccentric or crank to press firmly against the
catch B, a projection a and a slight recess being provided therein for the purpose
of receiving the end of the crank, and preventing the pressure exercised by the
door and catch lever from displacing the same. The angle of the catch lever is such
that when the weighted end falls to its natural position or centre the crank will
incline upwards, so that all pressure upon it tends to secure it more firmly."
Fig. 2 shews the position when it is desired to relieve the catch and open the
wagon door.
Having thus fully described the nature of our said Invention, and shewn by
Drawings in what manner the same is to be or may be performed or carried into
practical effect, we would have it understood that what we consider to be new, and
therefore claim as our Invention is,―
Firstly. The use of the cam, crank, or eccentric C, as and for the purpose herein
shewn and described.

page_text: Secondly. The use of the cam, crank, or eccentric C, in combination with the
weighted levers or arms F, as and for the purpose herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Currer Briggs, for and on behalf of
myself and the said George Robson, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
this Thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,.
JNO. H. PHILLIPS,
Whitwood Collieries,
Normanton,
Accountant.
H. CURRER BRIGGS. (L.&.)