An Improved Coupling for Railway and Tramway Rolling Stock.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 16th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 17th Mar., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Coupling for Railway and Tramway Rolling Stock.
We, JAMES RILEY, of "Hazeldene," Station Road, Bitterne, Southampton, in
the County of Southampton, Clerk, and GEORGE ALFRED COURTENAY SCHENLEY,
of Warsash, in the County of Southampton, Esquire, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows: :―
Our invention relates to that type of coupling for railway rolling stock, known
as automatic, or self-acting-couplings, namely, couplings which will automatically
engage ou the trucks, waggons, carriages, or other vehicles being brought
together, and the object of our invention is, to provide a simple and inexpensive
coupling which can. be used for coupling railway rolling stock fitted with it, and
with railway rolling stock fitted with the ordinary couplings now in use.
According to our invention we provide an ordinary draw-bar, or hook such as
at present fitted to railway rolling stock with a link, or looped bar of suitable
length to reach from the draw-bar or hook of one truck or waggon to, and,
engage with the draw-hook of the next truck, or waggon, and take the place of
the chain-links now used. On the end of the truck or waggon we provide a
rocking bar or shaft moved by hand levers which are fitted on the ends of the
rocking bar at each side of the truck, this rocking bar carries an arm, or arms,
or levers carrying or connected by a cross-bar, or link having a slot, and carrying
the link, or looped bar before mentioned, said link passes through this slot, which
acts as a guide, the link has side play therein to allow side movement when the
coupled trucks are passing round curves. The rocking bar is carried by brackets,
or equivalent devices, and stops, or like devices are provided to keep the arms, or
levers, and the cross-bar, and thereby the coupling link in a horizontal, or
nearly horizontal position when in position for coupling on to the next vehicle
or truck.
Under the draw-hook we provide an outwardly inclined projecting horn or pro-
vision in line with the draw-hook, and against which the end of the coupling-liuk
strikes when in the act of coupling, and which causes the end of the coupling link
to lift up, and engage with the draw-hook. To ensure the coupling link being
in line with the draw-hook, the slot of cross-bar which carries the coupling-link
is curved downward which causes the link always to be in a central position.
and ready to engage with the draw-hook.
The coupling is disengaged by turning the rocking shaft by one of its hand
levers, and by means of the projecting arms, and cross-har lifting the coupling
link from the draw-hook into a vertical position, where it is held by a weight,
or catch in connection with the hand lever.
A coupling according to our invention is adapted to engage with the draw-
hooks of carriages, trucks, waggons, or other vehicles when they are of different
and unequal heights.caused by their being loaded, or unloaded, or otherwise, also
the draw-hooks are adapted to be used in connection with the ordinary chain
coupling now in use, so that a.train having mixed couplings may be made tip.
In the act of coupling two vehicles the coupling-link of only one vehicle is

page_text: used, the coupling-link of the other vehicle being kept in a vertical position out
of the way, should it happen however that the coupling-links of both vehicles
are in a horizontal position when coming together, one coupling-link will ride
under the other, and engage with the draw-hook, the other coupling-link merely
resting on the engaged one.
In the operation of coupling two vehicles, the coupling-link of one vehicle is
placed in a horizontal position; (the coupling-link of the other vehicle being
kept in a vertical position and out of use) as the vehicles come together the end
of the coupling-link of the one vehicle runs up the inclined horn on the draw-
hook of the other vehicle, and engages with the said draw-hook, and the vehicles
are thus automatically coupled.
An Improved Coupling for Railway and Tramway Rolling Stock.
We, JAMES RILEY, of "Hazeldene," Station Road, Bitterne, Southampton, in
the County of Southampton, Clerk, and GEORGE ALFRED COURTENAY SCHENLEY,
of Warsash, in the County of Southampton, Esquire, do hereby declare the
nature of our said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement: -
Our invention relates to that type of coupling apparatus for railway rolling
stock known as automatic, or self-acting couplings, namely, couplings which
will automatically engage on the trucks, wagons, carriages, or other vehicles
being brought together, particularly coupling apparatus wherein a coupling-link
connected to the draw-bar of a railway vehicle is coupled by impact, to the draw-
hook of the opposite vehicle, and uncoupled from the side of the vehicle by an
arrangement of levers and shafting, and the object of our invention is to provide
a simple and inexpensive coupling which can be used for coupling railway rolling
stock fitted with it, and with railway rolling stock fitted with the ordinary
couplings now in use.
According to our invention we provide an ordinary draw-bar, or hook, such as
at present fitted to railway rolling stock, with a link, or looped bar of suitable
length to reach from the draw-bar or hook of one truck or wagon to, and, engage
with the draw-book of the next truck or wagon, and take the place of the chain-
links now used. On the end of the truck or wagon we provide a rocking bar or
shaft moved by band levers which are fitted on the ends of the rocking bar at each
side of the truck, this rocking bar carries an arm, or arms, or levers carrying or
connected by a cross-bar, or link, having a slot and carrying the coupling-link or
looped bar before mentioned, said link passes through this slot, which acts as a
guide, the link has side play therein to allow side movement when the coupled
trucks are passing round curves. The rocking bar is carried by brackets, or
equivalent devices, and stops, or like devices are provided to keep the arms, or
levers, and the cross-bar, and thereby the coupling link in a horizontal or nearly
horizontal position when in position for coupling on to the next vehicle or truck,
and the weight of the cross-bar serves to keep the coupling-link in position on
the hook when coupled.
Under the draw-hook we provide an outwardly inclined projecting horn or
provision in line with the draw-hook, and against which the end of the coupling-

page_text: link strikes when in the act of coupling, and which causes the end of the coupling:
link to lift up and engage with the draw-hook. To ensure the coupling-link
being in line with the draw-hook the slot of the cross-bar which carries the
coupling-link is curved downward which causes the link always to be in a central
position and ready to engage with the draw-hook.
The coupling is disengaged by turning the rocking shaft by one of its hand
levers, and by means of the projecting arms and cross-bar lifting the coupling-
link from the draw-hook into a vertical position where it is held.
Having thus generally described the object and nature of our invention we will
now proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
the same parts are designated by the same letters and they correspond with
those used in the following explanation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1, shows in side elevation the end parts of two adjacent railway vehicles
and coupling apparatus according to this invention applied thereto, and illustrates
the means employed for uncoupling the vehicles.
Figure 2, is an end view of the vehicle showing the coupling apparatus in an
elevated and uncoupled position.
Figures 3, and 4, illustrate the draw-hook in detail.
Figure 5, shows a front view of the coupling-link and draw-hook.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 show in side elevation, end elevation, and plan, respectively
the lever, cross-bar, and shaft for lifting the coupling-link.
Figures 9 and 10.show in side and end elevation respectively the side brackets
for carrying the uncoupling gear.
Figures 11 and 12 show in side and end elevation respectively the centre
brackets for supporting the uncoupling gear and providing stops to keep the
lever, cross-bar and thereby the coupling-link in a horizontal position when in
the act or ready for coupling with the draw-hook of the adjacent vehicle.
With reference to the drawings A, A¹, designate the ends of two adjacent
vehicles, and B, B¹ lenote the draw-bars of the vehicles. Each coupling apparatus
according to our invention comprises, hereafter described more in detail, the
following parts, a draw-hook C, a coupling-link or looped bar D, shackled to the
draw-bar B and of length to reach from the draw-bar of one vehicle and to link
over and engage with the draw-hook of the adjacent vehicle, a shaft E, a lever
cross-bar F, carried by the shaft E and adapted to embrace and work the coupling-
link D, brackets G by which the shaft E is carried, brackets H for supporting
the centre of the shaft E and for providing stops to keep the cross-bar F and
thereby the coupling-link D in a horizontal position, these parts are constructed, .
arranged and combined and adapted to operate in the following manner :-
The draw-hook C which is formed on the end of the draw-bar B is formed with
an outwardly inclined projecting horn or provision in line with the face of the
draw-hook point as shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4, and against the face of
this inclined provision the end of the coupling-link D strikes and rides up
when in the act of coupling or engaging with the hook C.
On the draw-bar at the rear of the draw-hook there is provided a projection m
which is filleted or rounded off on to the upper edge of the draw-har which forms
a rest for the cross-bar when the cross-bar F and the coupling-link D are in a
vertical position and the projection m acts as stop behind which the cross har-
rests and is thereby held. The coupling link D is preferably formed as shown
in Figure 5, namely, in the form of a link having one end c rounded, and
adapted to take into an oval hole or alot d formed in the draw-bar B, the hole or
slot d is made of depth to allow the end of the link D to have vortical play, the
other end of the link D is beveled on the underside at c¹ to enable the link to
ride easily up the inclined face of the hook C, the link D is provided with a
strengthening stud &º.
The lever cross-bar F and the shaft E are preferably formed in one piece as

page_text: has
shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, the lever cross-bar F consists of two arms f which
spring from the shaft E and are connected by a cross piece e, this cross piece e
is provided with a slot g which receives the coupling-link D, this slot
rounded edges and ends and is of size to allow side movement to the link D
when the coupled vehicles are passing round curves, also the slot is curved or is
narrower at the centre to cause the link to lie in the centre of the cross-bar F
so as to readily engage with the draw-hook C. At the points where the arms f
join the shaft E the arms f project beyond the shaft and so form rests h which
when the cross-bar F is in a horizontal position come against and rest on pieces j
formed on the supporting brackets H, these supporting brackets H are bolted on
to the end of the vehicle and support the shaft E which is further carried by the
brackets G, the shaft E extends right across the end of the vehicle and is pro-
vided at each end with the side hand-levers K by which the shaft. E is rotated
from either side of the vehicle to lift the cross-bar. F and thereby the coupling-
link D in the act of uncoupling.
To enable the shaft E and thereby the lever cross-bar F to have vertical move-
ment to allow the cross-bar F to pass over the projection m and rest and be helil
on the draw bar B when moved into a vertical position the holes in the brackets (i
and H which form the bearings for the shaft. E are made oval.
When in a horizontal position the weight of the cross-bar F serves to keep the
coupling-link D down against the stops J and ready to engage with the draw-
hook C, and when coupled prevents the coupling-link from jumping off the draw-
hook C.
When the cross-bar F is in a vertical position with the coupling-link D the
weight of the cross-bar l' and shaft E serve to keep the parts in such position and
they are held by the projection or stop m on the draw-bar B.
Ordinarily the coupling-link D at one end of each vehicle which is not in use
is so held in a vertical position as shown in Figure 1.
The mode of operation of the apparatus is as follows it being understood that
each end of each vehicle is provided with the apparatus:-
The coupling link of one vehicle is placed in a horizontal position, and the
coupling-link of the adjacent vehicle which is not in use is held in a vertical
position, when the vehicles are pushed together the coupling is performed auto-
matically by the end of the coupling-link D riding up the inclined face b
of the draw-hook C and engaging with said draw-hook.
When engaged the weight of the cross-bar F keeps the coupling link securely
in its coupled position and prevents it from jumping off the draw-hook, to dis-
engage the coupling the shaft E is rotated by the hand lever K at either side of
the vehicle and by means of the lever cross-bar F attached to the shaft E the
coupling-link D is raised and unhooked from the draw-hook C. The prolonged
inclined face 6 of the draw-hook C provides for the vehicles being coupled auto-
matically when the vehicles are of unequal heights through being loaded, or
unloaded or otherwise.
The coupling-link D is also adapted to be engaged by hand, by means of the
hand lever K, with the ordinary draw-hooks of railway vehicles, and the draw-
hooks are adapted to be used in connection with the ordinary chain couplings now
in use, so that a train having mixed couplings may be made up.
As before stated in the act of coupling two vehicles the coupling-link of only
one vehicle is used, the coupling-link of the other vehicle being kept in a
vertical position out of the way, should it happen however that the coupling.
links of both vehicles are in a horizontal position when coming together, one
coupling-link will ride under the other, and engage with the draw-hook, the
other coupling-link merely resting on the engaged one.
We would have it understood that we am aware that prior to our invention it
has been proposed to employ draw-hooks having an inclined extension to enable
the coupling-link on one vehicle to slide up such extension and engage with
the draw-hook of the adjacent vehicle, also it is not new to employ a ridged

page_text: coupling-link hung on and at the back of the draw-bar and hook, also a rock
shaft having arms to lift and support the coupling-link has been proposed, and
we do not claim these features in themselves as part of our invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;-
-
1. In a coupling apparatus for railway and tramway rolling stock, the com-
bination of a draw-bar having a draw-hook provided with an elongated inclined
face, a coupling-link pivoted or hung on said draw-bar, the outer end of said
coupling link being adapted on impact to ride up the inclined face of and
engage with an adjacent draw-hook, a lever cross-bar having a slot adapted to
embrace said coupling-link for the purpose of raising and uncoupling said
coupling-link from the draw-hook or for lowering said coupling-link and by
means of its weight to keep said coupling-link in its place and to prevent it from
jumping off said draw-hook. Stops to hold said lever cross-bar and thereby said
coupling-link in a horizontal position, a rocking shaft and hand levers by which
said lever cross-bar is worked, supporting brackets having stops or rests to engage
with the stops on the lever cross-bar, the parts being constructed, arranged,
and adapted to operate substantially as and for the purposes herein described.
2. In a railway or tramway vehicle coupling apparatus of the type herein
described, a lever cross-bar adapted to embrace the coupling-link for the purpose
of raising and uncoupling said coupling-link from the draw-hook or for lowering
said coupling-link and by means of its weight to keep said coupling-link in its
place when coupled, and when uncoupled as set forth.
3. In a railway or tramway vehicle coupling of the type herein described, an
uncoupling apparatus comprising a lever cross-bar F, shaft E, brackets H,
hand fevers K, constructed arranged and operating as herein described and with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
4. The coupling for railway and tramway rolling stock, constructed arranged
and operating substantially as herein described with reference to the accom-
Panying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of December 1899.
FREDERICK J. CHEESBROUGH, Fel. Chart. Inst. P.A.,
Grant & Maddison's Bank Buildings, Canuto Road, Southampton,
Applicant's Agent.