or Coupling Railway Wagons or other Vehicles.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Oct., 1886.
Complete Left, 13th July, 1887.
Complete Accepted, 16th Aug., 1887.
together or Coupling Railway Wagons or other Vehicles.
I, THOMAS ATTWOOD BROCKELBANK, of 34 Rylett Road, Shepherds Bush, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention has reference to apparatus in which combined coupling hooks and
loops are provided at the respective ends of a vehicle in such a manner that automatic
engagement of the hook at the end of one vehicle with the loop at the end of another
vehicle may take place on the vehicles being brought together.
For the purpose of uncoupling or raising a combined coupling hook and loop
maintaining it in its raised position and releasing it as required without its being
necessary for this purpose that an operator should step between the vehicles, the
following means are employed according to my invention: To uncouple and raise
the combined hook and loop a shaft is employed that is mounted transversely of the
vehicle, and is worked from either side thereof. This shaft is furnished with arms or
projections (or there might be one only) so formed that when the shaft is partly
rotated so as to raise the said arms (or arm) they (or it where there is only one arm,)
will engage with or bear against parts or a part of the combined hook and loop thereby
raising the same.
In order to automatically lock the combined coupling hook and loop in its raised
attitude, there is provided a hook or catch with which a part of the combined coupling
hook and loop or part of one of the arms (or the arm) of the before mentioned shaft
engages, when in its raised attitude, the arrangement being such that the coupling
hook and loop can be readily released by partly rotating a second shaft. This is
mounted at the end of the vehicle and is provided with a crank or eccentric suitably
connected to the automatic locking hook or catch.
According to one arrangement the shaft whereby the combined coupling hook and
loop is raised is operated through a second shaft connected to it in such a manner by
means of an eccentric or cam and a flexible connection that by moving the second
shaft through a given angle (or part of a circle) the shaft that operates the combined
D..

page_text: coupling hook and loop will be turned through a greater angle (or part of a circle).
There may be a shaft with an eccentric arranged at each side of the end of the vehicle,
and by the arrangement described I am enabled to keep the operating handles clear of
brake handles of vehicles.
I adapt a combined coupling hook and loop to a central buffer as follows:-The
buffer head is of skeleton form with an opening at the lower side. There is a draw-
head within the skeleton buffer, and to this draw-head the combined coupling hook
and loop is connected by a link or links or checks, in such a manner that normally the
combined coupling hook and loop may hang down, but when it is desired to place the
combined coupling hook and loop in position for automatic coupling the same may be
readily raised into and held in the desired position. This may be effected by a sliding
or swinging device arranged at the lower part of the buffer, or by other means.
A sliding or swinging device may be used in conjunction with a combined coupling
hook and loop applied to an ordinary draw hook and head stock of a railway vehicle.
Dated this 13th day of October A.D. 1886.
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Pertaining to Apparatus for Connecting
together or Coupling Railway Wagons or other Vehicles.
I, THOMAS ATTWOOD BROCKELBANK, of 34, Rylett Road, Shepherds Bush, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, 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 :-
This invention has reference to apparatus in which combined coupling books and
loops are provided at the respective ends of a vehicle in such a manner that automatic
engagement of the hook at the end of one vehicle with the loop at the end of another
vehicle may take place on the vehicles being brought together.
For the purpose of uncoupling or raising a combined coupling hook and loop
maintaining it in its raised position and releasing it as required without its being
necessary for this purpose that an operator should step between the vehicles, the
following means are employed according to my invention. To uncouple and raise the
combined hook and loop a shaft is employed that is mounted transversely of
the vehicle, and is worked from either side thereof. This shaft is furnished with arms

page_text: or projections (or there might be one only) so formed that when the shaft is partly
rotated so as to raise the said arms (or arm), they (or it, when there is only one arm,)
will
engage with or bear against parts or a part of the combined hook and loop,
thereby raising the same.
In order to automatically lock the combined coupling hook and loop in its raised
attitude there is provided a hook or catch with which a part of the combined coupling
hook and loop or part of one of the arms (or the arm) of the before mentioned shaft
engage when in its raised attitude, the arrangement being such that the coupling
hook and loop can be readily released by partly rotating a second shaft. This is
mounted at the end of the vehicle, and is provided with a crank or eccentric suitably
connected to the automatic locking book or catch.
According to one arrangement, the shaft whereby the combined coupling hook and
loop is raised is operated through a second shaft connected to it in such a manner by
means of an eccentric or eam and a flexible connection that by moving the second shaft
through a given angle (or part of a circle) the shaft that operates the combined coupling
hook and loop will be turned through a greater angle (or part of a circle.) There may be
a shaft with an eccentric arranged at each side of the end of the vehicle, and by the
arrangement described I am enabled to keep the operating handles clear of brake
handles of vehicles.
I adapt a combined coupling hook and loop to a central buffer as follows:-The
buffer head is of skeleton form with an opening at the lower side. There is a draw-
head within the skeleton buffer, and to this draw-head the combined coupling hook and
loop is connected by a link or links or cheeks, in such a manner that normally the
combined coupling hook and loop may hang down, but when it is desired to place the
combined coupling hook and loop in position for automatic coupling the same may be
readily raised into and held in the desired position. This may be effected by a sliding
or swinging device arranged at the lower part of the buffer, or by other means.
A sliding or swinging device may be used in conjunction with a combined coupling
hook and loop applied to an ordinary draw-hook and head-stock of a railway vehicle.
Referring to the accompanying six sheets of drawings,
Fig. 1 shows in section parts of two adjacent vehicles, and, in side elevation,
coupling apparatus according to this invention applied thereto, with means for lifting
parts of the couplings into a raised or uncoupled attitude, and for locking such parts
in this attitude. The apparatus applied to the two vehicles are respectively so placed
that when the vehicles are brought together as shown the relative positions of the
parts of the coupling apparatus will be such that automatic coupling will be effected.
Fig. 2 is an end view of one of the vehicles with attached apparatus.
Figs. 3 and 4 shew respectively a side view, partly in section, and an end view, of
part of a vehicle with coupling apparatus shown held in the raised or uncoupled
attitude.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation, and Fig. 6 a plan of a modified arrangement of coupling
apparatus according to this invention, and illustrates the combined coupling hook and
loop hung from a draw-head within a central hollow buffer, with means for raising
and for lowering parts of the coupling to the coupling and uncoupled positions
respectively.
Fig. 7 is a side elevation illustrating this modified arrangement of coupling
apparatus applied to the draw-hooks of two adjacent vehicles. The apparatus applied
to the two vehicles are respectively so placed that when the vehicles are brought
together as shown, the relative positions of the parts of the coupling apparatus will be
such that coupling will be effected.
Fig. 8 is a side view of one end of the vehicle with the coupling apparatus in its
lowered or uncoupled position.
Fig. 9 is an end view of part of one of the vehicles with attached apparatus in the
uncoupled position.
Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating one arrangement of the means shown in
Figs. 7 to 9 for causing the coupling apparatus to assume the coupling or the
uncoupled attitude,

page_text: Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the combined coupling hook and loop shown in
Figs. 5 to 9.
Fig. 12 is a side view of a modified arrangement of the apparatus shown in Fig. 10.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, each combined coupling hook and loop comprises a
hook 1 and arms 2, 2, with inclined extensions or tail-picces 3, 3; and is suspended
from a draw-hook 4, by swinging links 5, 5, in the manner described in the specifi-
cation of former Letters Patent granted to me, dated 28th April 1886, No. 5782.
6 is a shield or abutment of suitable material such as plate iron, secured beneath the
head-stock 7 of the vehicle 8, and formed with an inclined bearing surface against
which the inclined extensions or tail-pieces 3, 3, can bear, for retaining the combined
coupling-hook and loop in the required position, (as shown at the right hand side of
Fig. 1) for effecting automatically the coupling of two vehicles when they are
brought together. It may be formed with side cheeks or guides to prevent displace-
ment of the combined coupling hook and loop. For the purpose of uncoupling or
raising the combined coupling hook and loop, maintaining it in its raised attitude and
releasing it as required without its being necessary for this purpose that an operator
should go between the vehicles, the following means may be employed :-
9 is a shaft mounted transversely to the vehicle, and carried in suitable bearings 10;
it is provided with a crank arm or arms 11 so formed and arranged that when the
shaft is partly rotated they will each engage with or bear against a pin or projection 12
carried by the arms 2, 2, of the combined coupling hook and loop, and thereby raise
the same as set forth in the hereinbefore mentioned former specification.
According to one arrangement the shaft 9 is partially rotated by means of a
handle 13 fixed to one or to each of its extremities so that it may be worked from one
or both sides of the vehicle.
According to another arrangement, the shaft 9 may be operated through a second
shaft 14 arranged at one or both sides of each end of a vehicle.
In Fig. 2, one shaft only is shown, namely, at the left hand side of this figure.
This shaft 14 carried in suitable bearings, is provided with a handle 14* and with a cam
or quadrant 15 connected to a cranked part 9a of the shaft 9 by a chain 16. The
form of the cam or quadrant 15 is such that by moving the shaft 14 through a given
angle or part of a circle, the shaft 9 will be turned through a greater angle or part of
a circle. By this arrangement I am enabled to keep the operating handles 14* clear
of the brake handles of vehicles.
17 is a hook or catch hinged or pivotted at 18 to a bracket secured to the end of
the vehicle; it is so arranged that when a bent portion 11" of one of the crank arms 11
is raised to its highest position, it will first be lifted thereby, and then automatically
fall and lock the same together with the combined coupling hook and loop in the
raised attitude as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. 19 is a second transverse shaft mounted
in suitable bearings 19"; it is provided with a crank 20 and with handles 21 for
partly rotating it. 22 is a chain connecting the crank 20 with the hook or catch 17;
by rotating the shaft 19, the hook or catch 17 can be raised, and the arm 11 and
combined coupling hook and loop released when it is desired that the latter may
assume its lowest or coupling position. (See Fig. 1.)
In Figs. 5 to 11, the combined coupling hook and loop is hung either from a draw-
head within a central hollow buffer that is open at its lower side as shown in
Figs. 5 and 6, or from a draw-hook, Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive, and as hereinbefore
described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. In each of these arrangements, the
combined coupling hook and loop must be turned downward into a lowered position
as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5 and in full lines in Figs. 8 and 9 for uncoupling
vehicles, and in which position it is maintained when not in use; and must be raised
to the position approximately shown in full lines in Figs. 5 and 6, and at the left hand
side of Fig. 7 when automatic coupling of two vehicles is to be effected.
25 is a
For the purpose of lowering and raising the combined coupling hook and loop, it is
formed with arms or extensions 23 each provided with a pin or projection 24.
frame or support hinged to a rod 26 that is carried in bearings 27 secured to the end
of the vehicle, or to buffer as the case may be. Against this frame the pins or

page_text: projections 24 bear under the action of the weight of the combined coupling hook
and loop.
In Figs. 5 and 6, 4" is a hollow buffer formed with an inclined part 4 that holds
the suspension links 5 in an inclined position as shown. 13, 13, are weighted levers
hinged at 13 to the frame or support 25; they are so formed and arranged that, when
they are turned down into the position shown in full lines, they bear upon the back of
the frame or support, causing it to assume its lowest attitude, and holding the com-
bined coupling hook and loop in position for coupling as shown. For uncoupling, the
weighted levers 13ª are thrown upward into the position shown in dotted lines in
Fig. 5, and rest against pins 4" at the sides of the buffer, the hook and loop then
assuming the uncoupled position also shown in dotted lines. 4d is a draw-head within
the buffer, and to which the links 5 are jointed; and 4° is the draw-rod. 4, 4', are
rods or bearers that carry the buffer head 4"; they each work through the head
stock 7, and act against suitable springs arranged in the outer frame of the vehicle.
The outward motion of these rods or bearers is limited by extension pieces or plates 49.
The levers 13 are each formed with a hole or opening 13 by which they may be
thrown up and down by a rod or pole from the side of the vehicle. In some cases
only one lever 13ª may be employed.
In Figs. 7 to 12, the frame or support 25 is moved or adjusted as follows:-28, 28,
are levers fixed to a transverse shaft 29 that is provided at one or both of its ends
with a hand lever 30 for operating it from the side of the vehicle. When the hand
lever 30 is moved in the direction of the arrow a the connected levers 28 will cause
the frame or support 25 to assume the position shown in Fig. 7, thereby causing the
combined coupling hook and loop to assume the coupling position in which it is
maintained by the free ends of the levers 28 taking into notches, holes, or recesses 31
in the back of the frame or support 25. 32, 32, are projecting portions of the
frame 25 that bear against the end of the vehicle when the frame or support 25 has
been thus lowered, and prevent the said frame or support falling away from the levers 28,
when its corresponding coupling hook and loop leaves it as shown at the right hand
side of Fig. 7. If the hand lever 30 be moved in the direction of the arrow b, the
frame or support 25 will be caused by the weight of the combined coupling hook and
loop acting against it to assume the position shown in Fig. 8 thereby allowing the
combined coupling hook and loop to hang in the uncoupled position.
In the modification shown in Fig. 12, the levers 28 are arranged to act in a different
manner on the frame or support 25, that is to say, to enable such frame or support to
assume the closed or uncoupled position as shown, the levers 28 must be turned as
indicated by the arrow c, instead of raising them, as in the example hereinbefore
described, whilst to cause the frame or support and combined coupling hook and loop
in connection therewith to take up the coupling position, the levers 28 must be turned
in the direction of the arrow d, the levers acting from their fixed ends outward.
Shoulders or projections 33 are formed on the frame or support 25; but only one of
them can be seen in the drawing; against them the free ends of the levers 28 rest
when maintaining the frame in the open position.
Coupling apparatus according to this invention is applied to both ends of each vehicle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner it is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A locking hook or catch applied and adapted as described to automatically lock a
coupling hook in its raised attitude.
2. For the purpose of raising a combined coupling hook and loop to uncouple, the
combination of an arm (or arms) bearing against the said hook or loop; a shaft with
cam eccentric or quadrant, and a flexible connection; the arrangement and operation
being substantially such as hereinabove described.
3. Coupling apparatus constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as herein-
above described with reference to and shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive of the drawings
annexed, whether the arm or arms 11 be operated directly by a handle or handles 13,
or indirectly through a shaft.

page_text: 4. In conjunction with a combined coupling hook and loop suspended by swinging
links or equivalent means to the draw-head or draw-bar of a vehicle, a hinged or
adjustable frame or support whereby the said hook and loop can be caused to assume
either the attitude for coupling or that for uncoupling as required, substantially as
hereinabove described.
5. In conjunction with apparatus such as referred to in the preceding Claim (4),
the arrangement of levers whereby the attitude of the hinged or adjustable frame or
support can be adjusted by hand from the side of the vehicle, substantially as
described.
6. A central buffer having a combined coupling hook and loop adapted thereto,
substantially as described.
7. Coupling apparatus constructed, arranged, and operating, substantially as herein-
above described with reference to and shown in Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive of the drawings
annexed.
Dated this 13th day of July 1887.
T. A. BROCKELBANK.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.