Improvements in Combined Car and Air-brake Couplings.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 2nd June, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Combined Car and Air-brake Couplings.
I, WILLIAM MABLE, of Fort Collins, in the County of Larimer, and State of
Colorado, United States of America, Gentleman, 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 relates to combined car and air-brake couplings, and consists in
the construction and arrangement of the parts thereof, as will be more fully
hereinafter described and claimed.
The object of this invention is to provide simple and convenient, as well as
effective, means of connecting the air-brake pipes through the medium and
employment of a hollow coupling-link that also serves to connect two draw-heads
in connection with movable air boxes or chambers, the whole being strong and
durable and comparatively inexpensive in manufacture.
In the drawings :-
-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a draw-head and a portion of a car embodying
the invention.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of two of the draw-heads shown
connected.
Figure 3 is a horizontal section of the draw-heads as shown arranged in Fig. 2.
Figure 4 is a perspective view in detail' of the coupling-link shown broken away.
Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the coupling-link.
Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of one of the draw-heads.
Figure 7 is a top plan view of one of the draw-heads.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of one of the coupling-pins.
Figure 9 is a front elevation of one of the air boxes or chambers constructed as
shown in the remaining figures.
Figure 10 is a slightly modified form of one of the air boxes or chambers, shown
in front elevation.
Figure 11 is a detail perspective view of a cap or cover plate used in connection
with the draw-head.
Similar numerals of reference are employed to designate corresponding parts in
the several figures.
Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the draw-head that is of
ordinary form of construction in so far as the general contour is concerned, and
each pair of said draw-heads necessarily employed for the purpose of coupling are
similar in construction, and therefore only one of the same will be specifically
referred to.
In the rear portion of the draw-head a chamber 2 is formed which
has a top opening 3, constructed to receive a cap or cover 4, with centrally-
projecting arms 5, which are screwed or otherwise secured in place and fitting in
recesses in the upper surface or side of the draw-head. Within the chamber 2 is
loosely mounted an air box or chamber 6, that is made in sections and held
together by connecting-screws 7 that are passed vertically therethrough. The
front upper portion and sides of the said box or chamber are flared to form an
entrance-mouth, as at 8, while the lower portion is straight.
In the lower portion of the box or chamber a supplemental air-chamber 9 is
formed, and thereover is mounted a rubber or elastic diaphragm 10, having an
opening 11 in the center thereof, and legs 12 which depend from the under side of the
same around said opening and rest at their lower ends against the bottom portion
of the said supplemental chamber. This diaphragm extends between the sections
and is held in place by the screws 7 closely over the chamber 9, and at the front

page_text: edge thereof is a transversely-arranged metallic strip 13, which avoids wear
directly on the front projecting edge of the said diaphragm. The under portion of
the box is formed with an opening 14 which communicates with the chamber 9 and
receives the upper screw-threaded end of an air-pipe 15, which passes through an
elongated opening 16-in the adjacent portion of the under side of the draw-head.
The upper part of the box or chamber 6 is fitted with an adjustable cam 17
having a screw 18 in connection therewith that extends to the upper or top portion
of the said box or chamber 6 for the purpose of convenient adjustment, it being
observed that the said screw 18 engages the said cam 17 eccentrically and toward
the rear of the latter, in order to tilt the rear end downward and compensate for
wear in a manner which will be more fully hereinafter set forth. An entrance-
opening 19 extends through the box or chamber 6, for the purpose of receiving a
tubular link 20 that is provided with shoulders 21 arranged in pairs on opposite
edges adjacent to the ends of the same, and through which extends an opening 22
in a horizontal manner, having vertically-depending branches or entrances 23
extending through the bottom adjacent to each end of the said link. The vertical
extensions or entrances 23 to the opening 22 are in rear of the shoulders 21 so that
the coupling of the link may be attained in advance of the said entrances.
The end of the link 20 is rounded, as at 24, and the bottom side is flat and smooth
as at 25, thereby permitting the link to readily enter through the opening 26,
usually formed in the draw-head, into the entrance-opening 19 of the box or
chamber 6.
When a proper coupling is made, the entrance 23 of the opening 22 in the link
aligns with the opening 11 in the diaphragm 10 over the supplemental air-
chamber 9; and as the air is caused to be forced through the air-pipe 15, it passes
into the said chamber 9 and forces the diaphragm 10 closely against the under
side of the engaging end of the link to form an airtight joint and avoid leakage at
this point. While the link 20 is in this position, a pair of coupling-pins 27 are
passed through openings. 28, vertically extending through the draw-head, and said
links bear against the shoulders 21 in such manner as to couple the link in
connection with the draw-head and sustain the latter in proper position relatively
to the diaphragm 10 or in proper position to the air-box or chamber 6.
The upper portions of the coupling-pins 27 are formed with shoulders or enlarge-
ments 29 which have front cam-faces 30 adapted to be engaged by the shoulders 21
of the link 20, and automatically raised in coupling two cars.
When the shoulders
have passed the said enlargements of the pins, the latter drop back in front of said
_shoulders and lock the link in connection with the draw-head.
In uncoupling the link from the draw-head the pins 27 are raised until the front
portions of the shoulders 21 pass under the enlargements 29 of the pins 27, and the
link may then be readily detached. This latter operation is accomplished through
the construction of the pins 27 that are so arranged in the draw-head that a portion.
thereof of less thickness than at the point where the enlargements 29 are formed
will lie flush with the opposite sides of the draw-head in the entrance-opening 26
thereof and allow the shoulders 21 of the link to pass outward without obstruction.
The outward movement of the shoulders from the draw-head is made easy and
convenient by forming the front portions of the shoulders 21 of the link in inclined
curved form as at 31. Should the end of the link 20 become loose in the entrance-
opening 19 of the box or chamber 6, from wear or other causes, the cam 17 is
depressed at the rear portion of the same by the screw 18 and contacts with the
upper side of the adjacent end of the link 20 to force the lower side of said link
closely in contact with the diaphragm 10 to at all times sustain an airtight con-
nection. The draw-head is also provided with an opening 32, for the employment
of an ordinary coupling-pin, if so desired and found necessary when connecting up
a car carrying the ordinary form of link and car-coupling with the form of coupling
•herein set forth.
The box or chamber 6 is loosely mounted in the chamber 2, both vertically and

page_text: longitudinally, in order to compensate for coupling with cars having draw-heads at
varying elevations, and this movement of the said box or chamber 6 is permitted
by the pipe 15, as the latter is loosely connected and passes through the elongated
opening 16 in the underside of the draw-head.
It will also be understood that the box or chamber 6 can be readily removed
through the opening 3 in the top of the draw-head to readjust the same or other-
wise manipulate the different parts thereof when found necessary. The front
portion of the box or chamber 6 is adapted to bear against a shoulder 33, at the
front portion of the chamber 2 of the draw-head, and as shown in Figs. 2 and 9 of
the drawings, the upper portion of the said box or chamber 6 is weighted, as at 34,
to sustain the link 20 in true horizontal position relatively with the center of the
entrance-opening 26 of the draw-head, so that said link will always be in proper
coupling position to have its opposite end freely enter an oppositely-situated draw-
head. As shown in Fig. 10, the box or chamber 6 is weighted on the side, as
at 35, for a similar purpose, and thereby demonstrating that the weight may be
applied at any point desired in order to attain the function set forth.
When the link is arranged as shown in Fig. 2 in connection with two draw-heads,
the air will pass therethrough from one air-pipe to another, and it will be seen that
in coupling or uncoupling the link, the air-brake pipes will be simultaneously
coupled or uncoupled. The pins 27 are provided with suitable stops 36 to prevent
said pins from becoming accidentally detached from the draw-head; and if found
desirable suitable well-known operating levers may be employed in connection with
said pins for raising the same when uncoupling the link; and when the latter
operation ensues said coupling-links will be forced outward from the air-boxes or
chambers 6 when the cars are drawn asunder, the air having first been so
manipulated as to permit this operation.
The coupling herein set forth is especially adapted for use on freight cars where
air-brakes are employed, and the arrangement which provides a connection for the
air-brake pipes simplifies the construction and arrangement of parts and avoids the
use of complex mechanism, and an equal efficiency of operation is sustained by
the construction of the air-boxes or chambers and the tubular link, which provides.
a connecting conduit for the air-brake pipes in the manner stated.
It is to be understood that changes in the form, proportion and the minor details
of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or
sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.
In Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have shown mechanical means of ordinary pattern,
for raising the coupling-pins, but I reserve the right to employ any suitable
mechanism for this purpose.
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
1. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of automatically-
adjustable air-boxes or chambers loosely mounted within the draw-heads and having
movement in any direction so as to adjust themselves to the various positions
assumed by the coupling link, and having the air-pipes of the air-brake connected
thereto, and a tubular link adapted to connect said air-boxes or chambers and form
a conduit for the air-pipes, substantially as described.
2. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of air-boxes or
chambers loosely arranged and automatically movable in the draw-heads, and
having a flexible diaphragm in the bottom portions thereof air-brake pipes con-
nected thereto, and a coupling-link of tubular form having openings therein
adjacent to the ends thereof adapted to engage said diaphragm, said diaphragm
having an opening therein in direct communication with the brake-pin and link,
substantially as described.
3. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of the draw-heads
having openings extending through opposite sides thereof, the coupling-link with

page_text: shoulders arranged in pairs on opposite sides adjacent to the ends of the same, said
shoulders having their upper faces bevelled, and coupling-pins vertically movable in
said draw-head and having enlargements at the upper portions thereof provided
with cam faces 30 and adapted to engage the shoulders of said link, substantially as
described.
4. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of draw-heads,
air-chambers or boxes mounted therein having air-pipes attached thereto, a tubular
link adapted to communicate with the said air-chambers or boxes, and adjustable
cams mounted in the upper portions of said air-boxes or chambers and adapted to
engage the upper portions of the ends of the link to sustain an air-tight connection,
substantially as described.
5. In a coupling of the character described the combination of draw-heads
having chambers therein, air-boxes or chambers loosely mounted in said chambers
of. the draw-heads and having weighted portions, and a tubular link adapted to
engage said air-boxes or chambers and be sustained in proper position by weighting
the said air-boxes or chambers, substantially as described.
6. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of draw-heads,
air-boxes or chambers mounted in said draw-heads and having air-pipes connected
to the bottom portions of the same and having a flexible diaphragm above the
air-pipes, and a tubular link having bottom entrance-openings adjacent to the
ends thereof adapted to communicate with the said air-brake pipes through an
opening of the diaphragm, substantially as described.
7. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of draw-heads
having chambers therein, air-boxes adjustably mounted in said chambers of the
draw-heads having chambers in the bottom portions of the same with bottom
openings, an elastic diaphragm mounted over said chambers in the air-boxes or
chambers and having legs depending therefrom and openings therein, air-brake
pipes passing through elongated openings in the bottom portions of the draw-heads
and attached to the lower chambers of the said air-boxes or chambers, a metallic
strip across the front edge of each of said diaphragms, an adjustable cam in the
upper portions of said air-boxes or chambers, and a tubular link having bottom
openings adjacent to the ends thereof communicating with the openings in the said
diaphragm, substantially as described.
8. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of draw-heads
having chambers therein, air-boxes adjustably mounted in said chambers of the
draw-heads having chambers in the bottom portions of the same with bottom
openings, an elastic diaphragm mounted over said chambers in the air-boxes or
chambers and having legs depending therefrom and openings therein, air-brake
pipes passing through elongated openings in the bottom portions of the draw-heads
and attached to the lower chambers of the said air-boxes or chambers, and a
tubular link having bottom openings adjacent to the ends thereof communicating
with the openings in the said diaphragm, substantially as described.
9. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of draw-heads
having chambers therein, air-boxes adjustably mounted in said chambers of the
draw-heads having chambers in the bottom portions of the same with bottom
openings, an elastic diaphragm mounted over said chambers in the air-boxes or
chambers and having legs depending therefrom and openings therein, air-brake
pipes passing through elongated openings in the bottom portions of the draw heads
and attached to the lower chambers of the said air-boxes or chambers, a metallic
strip across the front edge of each of the said diaphragms, and a tubular link
having bottom openings adjacent to the ends thereof communicating with the
openings in the said diaphragm, substantially as described.
10. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of draw-heads
having chambers therein, air-boxes adjustably mounted in said chambers of the
draw-heads having chambers in the bottom portions of the same with bottom
openings, an elastic diaphragm mounted over said chambers in the air-boxes or
chambers and having legs depending therefrom and openings therein, air-brake

page_text: pipes passing through elongated openings in the bottom portions of the draw-heads
and attached to the lower chambers of the said air-boxes or chambers, and a
pressure device such as a cam to bear against the link and hold it in close contact
with the diaphragm, and a tubular link having bottom openings adjacent to the
ends thereof communicating with the openings in the said diaphragm, substantially
as described.
11. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of air chambers
or boxes located within the draw-heads, provided with openings in the bottom
portions thereof and having the air-brakes connected to said openings, and
extending under said draw-heads, and a tubular link adapted to connect said
air-boxes and form a connecting conduit for the air-pipe, substantially as described.
12. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of the draw-heads,
the coupling-link with shoulders arranged in pairs on opposite sides thereof adapted
to engage said draw-heads, and a pair of independent coupling-pins vertically
arranged in and movable from each of the draw-heads and adapted to engage the
shoulders on opposite sides of the links, said coupling-pins being arranged on each
side of the coupling-link at opposite ends, substantially as described.
13. In a coupling of the character described, the combination of the draw-heads
having openings in the upper sides thereof, covers for said openings, removable air
boxes or chambers located below said openings and covers, and a tubular connecting
link adapted to be connected to air-pipes, substantially as described.
Dated this 10th day of Anil 1902
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.