Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Coupling Brake and other Pipes on Railway Vehicles.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 4th July, 1889
Complete Specification Left, 5th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 4th July, 1890
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Coupling Brake
and other Pipes on Railway Vehicles.
I, RAOUL GAGNÉ of 15 Rue des Halles, Paris, France, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
-
This invention relates to an arrangement of coupling device for the principal pipes
employed for the transmission of fluids upon railway vehicles. These devices are
called in the Wenger and Westinghouse brakes "coupling heads or boxes."
The new method of coupling these devices or apparatus consists, when they are
first placed suitably in contact, in making them describe a simple alternative move-
ment of rotation around their central axes by the aid of handles P (see Fig. 1 of the
three sheets of drawings which are hereunto annexed by way of example). They are
then traversed from one to the other (following their central axes) by the fluid which
they transmit and are arranged accordingly.
The apparatus which permits of this new method of coupling, comprises, chiefly,
rigid tubes T, Fig. 1, each provided with suitable joints at its extremities, that is to
say at the junction of this tube with the principal pipe C close to the vehicle and at
the central axis of the couplings a a.
Fig. 1 represents in elevation and in plan a general view. of the coupling apparatus.
In this figure the line -y is the axis of traction and the lines x, x, y, y¹, represent
the ends of two vehicles.
Fig. 2 is a section, following the line, o, o¹, a¹ (Fig. 1) of the joint which
constitutes the junction of the tube T with the pipe C on the vehicle.
Fig. 3 is a section on the line y, o, y', (Fig. 1) of the lower joint; and
Fig. 4 a vertical section on the line e, el (Fig. 3) of that joint.
Fig. 1 is drawn to a smaller scale than the remaining figures.
The system of jointing is such that within a certain limit all the movements of
rotation of the lower part of each tube T around the junction with a pipe () are
possible.
The joint comprises (Fig. 2) three combinations of different parts arranged in
planes which are or may be rendered perpendicular two by two. These combinations
are likewise disposed from the point of view of securing their respective tightness.
The parts of these pieces forming the combinations are circular, male and female
(m m, f,f) to fit the one in the other, a ring u of copper or of any other suitable
material being located in a suitable groove cut balf in the face of each embedded
piece. The interior or exterior pressure of the fluid upon each ring renders it tight
by pressing it against the walls of its groove.
In the combination where the male piece m is fixed upon the upper pipe C, that
piece m is kept in the female piece f by a collar d screwed upon the latter. The
respective pieces of the two other combinations are maintained in position by the aid
of a knee shaped wire or rod bent to a right angle by means of a bracket m¹ cast
upon the male piece or by any other suitable means. The extremities of this wire or
rod are rivetted over washers exterior to the walls of the two female pieces f, f but
they do not prevent these latter from turning around their respective axes; metallic
capsules s s soldered upon the parts where they are shewn in the drawings prevent the
escape of fluid which might pass through the holes necessary for the reception of
the wire or rod 11. These capsules can contain grease to lubricate the rubbing
surfaces.
But this system of articulation for the junction of each tube T with a principal
conduit C of the vehicles, is not an indispensable element of the new method of
coupling according to this invention. This junction may be made with any other
[D1171

page_text: kind of articulation provided that the same object can be attained, that is to say that
within a certain limit, as has already been stated, every movement of rotation of the
lower part of the tube T about that junction is possible.
The articulation of the lower part of each tube T is based (Fig. 3) upon the same
principle as the preceding, as far as regards the coppering U which ensures the
tightness of the joint, and the union of the moveable pieces by a metallic wire or
rod 7. But this latter has only one extremity rivetted, the other is held by a smali
cross head to which it is fixed. The female part f of this joint may be of cast iron
with a cylindrical box b and screws upon the coupling prepared for that purpose,
following the central axis of the latter; the screw e prevents the two parts being
separated. The male part m has a shoulder e cast in one therewith and arranged to
enter the said box b. This shoulder carries two projections a a¹. A screw is fixed
in the wall of the box and penetrates into the interior of that box. It is easy to
understand from the drawing, that the two projections a al between which the
screw ' passes limit the movement of rotation of the box and consequently that of
the coupling around the male part of the joint. Further, a spiral spring sp, the
extremities of which press against the screw and the projection a, respectively, is
designed to always bring back the box 6 into the position represented in Fig. 3. It
results from this that after the joining of two couplings, effected by means of their
alternate movement of rotation, the spiral springs tend to make the couplings continue
their movement of rotation and maintain the joint in the position of Fig. 1, whatever
may be the movement of the vehicles in transit. The spiral spring. may be replaced
by a sheet of steel suitably rolled upon itself the extreinities being fixed upon the
moveable parts of the joint.
It is evident that couplings according to this invention may be constructed in
various forms without departure from its distinctive characteristics.
Dated this 4th day of July 1880
R. GAGNÉ,
Per L. W.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of and Apparatus for Coupling Brake
and other Pipes on Railway Vehicles.
I, RAOUL GAGNÉ, of 15 Rue des Halles, Paris, France, 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 relates to an arrangement of coupling device for the principal pipes
employed for the transmission of fluids upon railway vehicles. These devices are
called in the "Wenger" and Westinghouse brakes for instance, "coupling heads or
boxes."
The new method of coupling these devices, consists when they are first placed
suitably in contact, in making them describe a simple alternative movement of rotation
about their central axes, by the aid of handles P (see Fig. 1) fixed thereon. They are
then traversed from one to the other (following their central axes), by the fluid which
they transmit and are arranged accordingly.
The apparatus which permits of this new method of coupling, comprises chiefly,
rigid tubes T (Fig. 1) each provided with suitable joints at its extremities, that is to
say at the junction of this tube T with the principal pipe Cat the end of the
vehicles, and at the central axis of the couplings a a.
Figs. 1 and 2 represent in elevation and plan general views of the coupling
apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a section of the lower joint, and
Fig. 4 a vertical section on the line A B Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a section of the upper joint, which constitutes the junction of the tube T
with the pipe C of the vehicle.

page_text: 1. THE JOINT AT THE JUNCTION OF THE TUBE T WITH THE MAIN PIPE C ON THE
VEHICLE.
The system of jointing is such that within a certain limit all the movements of
rotation of the lower part of each tube T around this junction are possible. It com-
prises (Fig. 2) three combinations of various parts arranged in planes that are or may
be rendered perpendicular two by two. These combinations are similarly arranged
from the point of view of securing their respective tightness against leakage. The
parts of these pieces forming a combination are circular, male and female (m m, ff)
to fit the one in the other, a ring u of leather or other suitable material being
located in a suitable groove cut half in the face of each fitting piece. The interior
or exterior pressure of the fluid upon this ring ensures tightness against leakage by
pressing it against the exterior walls of these grooves.
In the combination where the male piece is fixed upon the main pipe C, (Fig. 5)
that piece m is kept in the female piece f by a washer d screwed upon the latter.
The respective pieces of the two other combinations are maintained in position by
means of a metallic wire or rod bent to a right angle, and bearing upon a
projection t cast upon the common male piece m or by any other suitable means.
The ends of this rod are fixed on washers exterior to the walls of the female pieces ff,
but do not prevent these latter from rotating about their respective axes; metallic
capsules ss soldered upon the parts where they are shewn in the drawings, prevent
the escape of fluid which might pass through the holes necessary for the reception of
the rod. These capsules may contain lubricant for lubricating the rubbing
surfaces.
But this system of joint for the junction of the tubes T with the main pipe C of the
vehicles, is not an indispensable element of the new method of coupling the parts
according to this invention.
This junction may he effected with any other kind of joint provided the same object
be attained, that is to say that within a certain limit, as has already been stated
every movement of rotation of the lower part of the tube T about that junction is
possible.
2. THE JOINT OF THE LOWER PART OF THE TUBE T.
This is based (Fig. 3) upon the same principle as the preceding as far as regards
the arrangement of the leather ring u which ensures the tightness against leakage,
and the union of the movable pieces by a metallic rod or wire l. But this latter has
only one end rivetted, the other end is held by a small cross-piece to which it is fixed.
The female part f of this joint which is cast in one with a cylindrical box b, is
screwed on the coupling prepared for that purpose, following the central axis of the
latter. The screw prevents the same from becoming unscrewed. The male piece m
has a shoulder e cast with it and fitting in the said box b. This shoulder carries two
projections a and a¹. A screw v' is fixed in the wall of the box b and enters the said
box. It is easy to understand from the drawing, that the two projections a and a¹
against which the screw v¹ is adapted to bear, serve to limit the movement of
rotation of the box b, and consequently that of the coupling about the inale part of
the joint.
Further, a spiral spring sp whose ends are adapted to bear against the screw vl
and the projection a, serves to always bring the box 6 into the position shewn in
Fig. 3. It results from this, that after the two parts have been coupled up by means
of their alternate movement of rotation, the spiral springs have a tendency to cause
the couplings to continue their movement of rotation, and keep them coupled up
the position shewn in Fig. 1, whatever may be the movement of the vehicles during
transit.
in
The spiral spring may be replaced by a strip, band or sheet of steel suitably rolled
upon itself, its extremities being fixed on the movable parts of the joint.
A modified arrangement of apparatus is illustrated in general view in Figs. 6 and 7,

page_text: and in section in Fig. 8. It has for object to enable the upper joint of the coupling
device to adapt itself to a possible new movement of the tube T and consequently of
the coupling device itself, that is to say, a movement of rotation of the tube T about
its own axis. This movement is obtained by arranging the said tube T in the
prolongation of the axis of rotation of a new piece f¹, in such a manner that the axes
of this latter piece and of the tube T shall be common to both as shewn in Fig. 8.
In the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 8, the tube T is arranged at right angles to
the axis of rotation of the piece f. It results from this that during the movement of
rotation of this piece f, the tube T will be displaced in a plane at right angles to this
axis of rotation.
In the modification illustrated in Fig. 8, the stay 11 of the upper joint of the
coupling device is held in the piece f' by means of a cross-piece d' cast on this piece,
and the extremity of the stay is rivetted over a nut r bearing on the said cross-
piece d¹.
Further the apparatus, in lieu of being fixed to the bent end of the main pipe of
the vehicle, is by means of a nut fitted on to the vertical branch of the said pipe.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim in couplings for brake and other pipes for railway vehicles, is :-
1. A lower joint comprising two coupling devices a a, each having a female piece f
receiving a male piece m with interposed ring u of supple material, and a spring sp,
one end of which bears on a projection q on the piece f, and the other end against a
projection a on the piece m; this spring being combined with a screw V' and
projections a a¹, in such a manner as to limit the rotation about their common
axis of the piece m in relation to the piece f, and to bring these pieces back into
the position shewn in Fig. 1; the pieces f and m being held together by a rod
whose outer end is covered by a capsule S.
2. An upper joint having three packings or rings u and capable of multiple move-
ments, the said joint comprising (a) a tube C connected to a piece by means of a
nut d; (b) two pieces f and a central bent piece m, connected by a rod / bent over a
projection t, and having its ends secured and covered by capsules s s, and a tube T
at right angles to the axis of rotation of the second piece f.
3. In an upper joint of the kind referred to in claim 2, the modified construction
illustrated in Fig. 8, in which the rod T is secured in line with the lower piece f¹, the
lower part of the rod / being rivetted over the nut and the cross-piece d².
Dated this 5th day of April 1890.
R. GAGNÉ.
By L. W., per F. B.