IMPROVEMENTS IN BUFFERS FOR WAGGONS, TRUCKS, AND OTHER VEHICLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Hamer, of Northwich, in the County of Chester,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BUFFERS FOR WAGGONS, TRUCKS, AND
OTHER VEHICLES."
Sealed the 13th December 1878, and dated the 5th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Hamer at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 5th July 1878.
WILLIAM-HAMER, of Northwich, in the County of Chester.
BUFFERS FOR WAGGONS, TRUCKS, AND OTHER VEHICLES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
The first part of this Invention consists in forming the "cylinder" of the buffer
with a plain cylindrical recessed hole, in the bottom of which I place an india-
rubber disc or ring, or one or more steel spiral or volute springs, or an india-rubber
ring and a steel spiral or volute spring, or any other suitable combination of springs.
The plunger, which may be cast or formed hollow as usual, is formed with one or
more slots lengthwise; and I pass, by preference, one bolt, cotter, or bar through
the cylinder and through two slots on opposite sides through the plunger; this bolt
then holds the two together, but has the required play in the slots in the plunger.
The bolt, bar, or cotter may be secured in place by being split at one end, or by.
means of nut, key, split cotter, or otherwise. Instead of a bolt right through, one
or more screws or keys may be secured into the wall of the cylinder, and project
into the corresponding slot or slots in the plunger.
"
The second part of this Invention consists in the application to existing buffers
of ordinary or other construction. For this purpose I disconnect the "plunger
from the "cylinder" by removing the centre bolt or other connecting means. I then
form the slot or slots in the plunger, and the corresponding hole or holes in the
cylinder; and having placed the spring or springs in the bottom of the cylinder,

page_text: the plunger is inserted, and one or more screws or bolts, or bars or cotters, put in
and secured.
This Invention is with particular advantage applicable to buffers made of wrought
iron, because the simplicity of the construction of the cylinder and plunger make
it possible to produce them in the forge without the necessity of tooling; but they
can also be made cheaply and well in cast iron or malleable cast iron.
The saving in repairs has, by lengthened trials under varying circumstances, been
found to be very considerable as compared with ordinary or other buffers..

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Hamer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 4th January
1879.
WILLIAM HAMER, of Northwich, in the County of Chester.
BUFFERS FOR WAGGONS, TRUCks, and other VEHICLES."
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
The first part of this Invention consists in forming the "cylinder" of the buffer.
with a plain cylindrical recessed hole, in the bottom of which I place an india-
rubber disc or ring, or one or more steel spiral or volute springs, or an india-rubber
ring and a steel spiral or volute spring, or any other suitable combination of springs.
The "plunger," which may be cast or formed hollow as usual, is formed with one or
more slots lengthwise; and I pass, by preference, one bolt, cotter, or bar through
the cylinder and through two slots on opposite sides through the plunger; this bolt
then holds the two together, but has the required play in the slots in the plunger.
The bolt, bar, or cotter may be secured in place by being split at one end, or by
means of nut, key, split cotter, or otherwise. Instead of a bolt right through, one
or more screws or keys may be secured into the wall of the cylinder, and project
into the corresponding slot or slots in the plunger.
And in order that this my Invention may be more completely understood I will
now, with reference to accompanying Drawings, describe three modes of carrying
it into effect.
Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a buffer constructed according to my
Invention in its simplest form. A is the plunger or buffer proper cast hollow as
usual; it is cast or formed with a slot a on each side. B is the cylinder or socket
in which the plunger A works. b is a bolt passing through holes in the cylinder B,
and through the slots a, a, in the plunger A; the bolt b serves to hold the plunger
in place in the cylinder B, the slots a, a, admitting of the required play or buffing
action. c is an india-rubber ring placed in the bottom of the cylinder for giving
the required elasticity. Any other suitable spring or combination of springs
may, however, as aforesaid, be used in any of the buffers made according to this
Invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of a slightly modified arrangement, wherein
there are two studs b, b, screwed into the cylinder B, and with their projecting ends
fitting and working in the slots a, a.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of an arrangement similar to Figure 1, but
with two springs instead of one; this only serves as an example of a spring
combination arrangement. c is an india-rubber spring, and d is a spiral spring,
both acting together all the time during compression; or it may be so that the
spiral spring takes the first part of the blow or compression, and then the blow
comes on the india- rubber ring also.
The second part of this Invention consists in the application of the aforesaid
improvements to existing buffers of ordinary or other constructions. For this
purpose I disconnect the plunger from the "cylinder" by removing the centre bolt
or other connecting means. I then form the slot or slots in the plunger and the
corresponding hole or holes in the cylinder; and having placed the spring or springs
in the bottom of the cylinder the plunger is inserted, and one or more screws or
bolts, or bars or cotters, put in and secured.
This Invention is with particular advantage applicable to buffers made of wrought
iron, because the simplicity of the construction of the cylinder and plunger make
it possible to produce them in the forge without the necessity of tooling; but they
can also be made cheaply and well in cast iron or malleable cast iron.
The saving in repairs has, by lengthened trials under varying circumstances, been
found to be very considerable as compared with ordinary or other buffers, both as
to time and materials.

page_text: If a fresh spring or springs be required, it can, by taking out the bolt b, be
replaced in a few minutes without disturbing the cylinder B on the waggon. On
the old or ordinary plan the cylinder and buffer have to be taken off, causing five
bolts to be removed (instead of one, as in my arrangement), and the bolt passing
through the india-rubber ring spring tears the inside into shreds, and carries these
parts into the holes of both cylinder and plunger, thus destroying the ring.
This construction of buffer keeps the plunger straight in the cylinder, and is
suitable for working at any angle arising from differences of height over the ground,
and from curves of the permanent way:
The slot or slots might be formed in the cylinder, and the bolt or studs b would
then be fixed in the plunger, but I prefer the arrangement shown.
And having thus fully described and ascertained the nature of this my Invention,
I declare that I claim, forming one or more slots in the buffer plunger (or in the
buffer cylinder) for the purpose of securing the buffer plunger to the buffer cylinder
by means of one or more bolts or studs working in the said slot or slots, all substan-
tially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Hamer, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of January, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-nine.
WILLIAM HAMER. (L.S.)