Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 12th Oct,, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 23rd Nov., 1888
I, JOHN CRABTREE, of South Park, Lincoln, in the County of Lincoln, Gentleman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
According to my invention each wagon or truck is fitted at both ends with two
links and a pendent hook combined in the centre, forming a coupling, which is either
simply hung on the ordinary drawbar hook, without interfering in any way whatever
with the drawbar, or the use of the present link chain when required, or such coupling
may be let into the drawbar in the usual way, in which case the top link will be
larger and will be supported by a block or rest which will prevent the link dropping
beyond an angle of about 55 degrees below the horizontal position.
This arrangement brings the coupling parts between any two wagons much nearer
together, and in a convenient position for attaching below the level of the buffers, and
all that is necessary for the purpose of coupling or uncoupling, is to lift, from the
side of a truck by means of a short shunters pole or hand stick, the coupling link
of one chain so that it will drop on or off the pendent hook of a similar coupling
chain.
There is ample play between the parts, and the shape of the coupling hook and the
mode of coupling are designed with a view to avoid any fouling or sticking of such
parts, when spring buffers are pressed hard in, or of the wagons becoming uncoupled
except in the way provided.
The coupling when not in use will hang down from 15 to 20 inches below the
level of the drawbar. The full length of the coupling between the wagons when
pulling will be about 30 inches.
The links for this coupling may be made of one uniform size adapted for any
description of railway wagons or vehicles, whether with spring or dead buffers, but
the bottom link on coupling chains attached to wagons with "dead" (or short)
buffers, may be shorter than on those attached to wagons or trucks with spring
buffers.

page_text: My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the ends of two adjoining wagons, partly in section,
illustrating the position of my couplings when out of use.
Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the coupling when in use, and a pull is on the
wagons.
Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively side and front elevations of one of my improved
couplings.
In these Figs. A is the link which is either hung on the hook X of the ordinary
drawbar (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2), or it may be let into such drawbar in the
usual way, so that in either case it can turn freely in relation to the drawbar, but
will when the coupling is not in use hang downwards, as shown in Fig. 1.
Upon this link a hook B is hung by a slot in an arm or shoulder C formed on the
upper end of such hook, the latter being suspended so that its nose D points away
from the vehicle. A second link E also passes through the arm or shoulder C, its
arms passing down below the bottom of the hook B, one on either side thereof, so
that the hook is suspended between the two links A and E, the latter having sufficient
clearance below the hook to enable it to move freely in relation thereto.
Near the lower end of link E a cross bar F connects the two arms thereof, and
serves to prevent the accidental disengagement of the link from the hook to which
it is connected when two trucks are coupled, as hereinafter explained.
To couple two wagons or trucks the link E of one coupling is lifted by a hand
stick or shunters pole until it clears the nose D of the hook of the other coupling,
which hook then enters the space between the cross bar F and the end of link E,
and the coupling is effected. To facilitate the lifting of the link E an abutment or
short arm G is provided on either one or both sides of link E, and against it the
hand stick will act when lifting the link; or an arm H can be provided projecting
out sideways from each side of link E, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 4, such arms
themselves serving to lift the link E from either side of the vehicle. It will be seen
that it is only requisite to lift the link E in order to effect the coupling and uncoupling
of the vehicles, and such link being comparatively light, this can be done with ease
from the side of the wagon.
The cross bar F of link E acts in conjunction with the outside surface of the nose
of hook B over which the link is passed, so as to form a locking connection therewith,
and prevent the same becoming accidentally disconnected by a sudden jerking or
movement of the vehicles when the couplings are relaxed in shunting. For this
purpose the nose D of hook B has an outwardly projecting flange or lip I at its
extreme end.
The dimensions hereinbefore mentioned are suitable for ordinary rolling stock at
present in use, and for this the link A will preferably be made 5 inches in length
(inside measurement); link E 12 inches long with cross bar F about 3 inches from
the bottom, and all the parts about 14 inches in diameter, except the hook B which
will be made as strong as the drawbar hook; but it will be readily understood that
I do not confine myself to such dimensions, as same may be varied to suit special
requirements.
Dotad ih:. 11 1
T
1000

page_text: Improvements in and Connected with Couplings for Railway
Vehicles.
I, JOHN CRABTREE, Gentleman, South Park, Lincoln, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
According to my invention each wagon or truck is fitted at both ends with two links
and a pendent hook combined, forming a coupling which is simply hung on to the
ordinary Drawbar Hook without interfering in any way whatever with the Drawbar
or the use of the present link chain when required, or such coupling may be let
into the Drawbar in the usual way, in which case the top link will be supported
forward by a slight block or rest, or otherwise, which will prevent the link dropping
beyond such an angle below the horizontal position as may be most convenient for the
operation of coupling and uncoupling.
+
This arrangement brings the coupling parts between any two wagons much nearer
together and in a convenient position for attaching below the level of the buffers
and all that is necessary to effect the coupling or uncoupling is to lift from the
side of a truck by means of a short hand stick or shunters pole the bottom coupling
link of one chain so that it will drop on or off the pendent hook which is hung
between the two links of a similar coupling chain. There is ample play between
the parts and the shape of the coupling hook and the mode of coupling is
designed with a view to avoid any fouling or sticking of the parts when spring
Buffers are pressed hard in, or of the wagons becoming uncoupled except in the
way provided.
The coupling when not in use will hang down only about 20 inches below the level
of the drawbar. The full length of the combined coupling between the wagons when
pulling will be about 40 inches.
The links for this coupling may be made of one uniform size adapted for any
description of railway wagons or trucks whether with spring or dead buffers but
the bottom link on coupling chains attached to wagons with "dead" (or short)
buffers may be shorter than on those attached to wagons or trucks with spring
buffers.
My invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in which.
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively side and front elevations of the coupling chain and
hook constituting my invention.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the ends of two adjoining wagons partly in section
illustrating the position of coupling when hanging down. Å dead and a spring
buffered wagon are here represented.
Figure 4 is a similar view showing the coupling when pulling two spring buffered
wagons are shown with draw bar hook dispensed with.
Figure 5 illustrates the position of couplings when let into the drawbar and with top
link supported forward,

page_text: hook.
The dotted lines indicate the position of the bottom link when lifted into the pendent
The link "A"
may be simply hung on to the drawbar hook as shewn in Figure 3,
or let into the drawbar just behind the drawbar hook (as shewn in Figure 5) in the
same manner as the ordinary coupling chain at present in use. As shown in Figure 4,
the hook of the drawbar may be dispensed with.
The book "B" is hung on link "A" by means of a slotted shoulder or arm of
suitable length.
The bottom link "C" is hung from the slotted shoulder or arm of the hook.
The hook itself is shaped to form almost a complete circle, and is provided with an
elongated nose or "shield," leaving only sufficient space for receiving the bottom link
of a similar coupling.
There are also projections or lugs on the underside of the link to facilitate lifting by
means of a short pole, or stick.
The bottom link "C" of each coupling is fitted with a cross piece placed about
3 inches from the bottom, which acts as a "locking bar" when the coupling is in
operation, and makes the attachment secure. The coupling may be operated by means
of a rod attached to the bottom link and projecting to both sides of the trucks,
forming a handle or lever, for the shunter to lift the link with; thus dispensing with
the shunters pole.
All the parts forming the coupling may be about 1 inch diameter, except the
pendent hook which is made as strong as the ordinary drawbar hook.
The arrangement it will be seen is non-automatic and requires no mechanical
levers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
.
First. The general design of the pendent coupling hook, with elongated nose, or
guard," as shewn in drawing.
Secondly. The combination of the two links and pendent hook-the hook being
suspended between the two links, in the manner described for the purpose of a centre
coupling chain for railway wagons or other vehicles.
"
Thirdly. The "locking bar on the bottom link of each coupling, and also the
projections, or lugs, which facilitate the lifting of the link by means of a short
pole or stick.
Fourthly. The combination substantially as described of the links; the hook between
the links, and, the block or other rest, supporting the top link and the pendent hook
and link forward at an angle.
Fifthly. The general arrangement as described and adapted for coupling together
or uncoupling railway wagons, or other vehicles, simply by the engaging or disengaging
of a link at the end of a short coupling chain on the drawhar, or on the drawbar hook,
to or from the pendent hook in the centre of a similar coupling chain on an adjoining
wagon, which may be done, by means of a short hand stick or shunter's pole, operated
from the side of the wagons, or by means of a fixed rod (or lever attached to the
bottom link) as already described.
Date : 1
1
1000