AN IMPROVED SAFETY NOISELESS SHACKLE OR SPRING COUPLING FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, ALSO APPLICABLE TO ALL VEHICLES HAVING GRASSHOPPER SPRINGS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Bunting Taylor, of Armagh, in the County of
Armagh, Ireland, Coach Builder, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED SAFETY
NOISELESS SHACKLE OR SPRING COUPLING FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, ALSO
APPLICABLE TO ALL VEHICLES HAVING GRASSHOPPER SPRINGS,"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Bunting Taylor
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th January 1877.
EDWARD BUNTING TAYLOR, of Armagh, in the County of Armagh, Ireland,
Coach Builder. "AN IMPROVED SAFETY NOISELESS SHACKLE OR SPRING COUPLING
FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, ALSO APPLICABLE TO ALL VEHICLES HAVING GRASSHOPPER
SPRINGS."
The object of this Invention is to produce an improved safety noiseless shackle or
spring coupling to supersede the link plates and bolts at present used on railway
carriages, and also on road vehicles having grasshopper springs; also to arrest at the
springs the noise and vibration arising from the friction of the wheels on rails or
warps, and further to prevent the scroll iron and springs being worn or broken at
the ends or eyes.
The improved coupling in its finished state consists of three main parts, namely,
two links or connecting pieces, each composed of a couple of caps lined with leather,
india-rubber, or similar material, and connected together by an intermediate tube
longer than the caps, and whose axis is parrallel with the axes of the caps, and a
connecting pin or bolt whereby the said two links or connecting pieces are held
together when their caps are in place on the pivots or ends of the pins of the
springs.
In carrying out my Invention I take four pieces of cylindrical tube of suitable
length and diameter, each closed at one end. They may be of brass, iron, or other
suitable material. I line the interior of each of these cylindrical caps or sockets,
including its closed end, with leather, rubber, or other suitable material, leaving
sufficient space in the centre of each for the reception of the pivots of the springs.
I then connect these caps or sockets in pairs longitudinally by a cylindrical tube
extending somewhat beyond the open ends of the caps.
I cause the pins or pivots at the ends of the spring to be driven in rigidly or
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page_text: forged solid in the eyes of the springs, and I insert the said pivots or pin ends in the
spaces above described in the caps or sockets, which latter are brought together and
held secure by the longitudinal bolt as above described.
It will be obvious that by this arrangement the sides or edges of the ends of the
springs will not rub against the end surfaces of the caps or sockets, the spring pivots
or pin ends having their end bearing against the padded bottoms of the caps or
sockets.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Bunting Taylor in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
14th July 1877.
EDWARD BUNTING TAYLOR, of Armagh, in the County of Armagh, Ireland,
Coach Builder. "AN IMPROVED SAFETY NOISELESS SHACKLE OR SPRING COUPLING
FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES, ALSO APPLICABLE TO ALL VEHICLES HAVING GRASSHOPPER
SPRINGS."
The object of this Invention is to produce an improved safety noiseless shackle or
spring coupling to supersede the link plates and bolts at present used on railway
carriages, and also on road vehicles having grasshopper springs; also to arrest at the
springs the noise and vibration arising from the friction of the wheels on rails or
ways, and further to prevent the scroll irons and springs being worn or broken at
the ends or eyes.
The improved coupling in its finished state consists of three main parts, namely,'
two links or connecting pieces, each composed of a couple of caps lined with leather,.
india-rubber, or similar material, and connected together by an intermediate tube
longer than the caps, and whose axis is parallel with the axis of the caps, and a
connecting pin or bolt whereby the said two links or connecting pieces are held
together when their caps are in place on the pivots or ends of the pins of the
springs.
In carrying out my Invention I take four pieces of cylindrical tube of suitable
length and diameter, each closed at one end. They may be of iron, brass, or other
suitable material. I line the interior of each of these cylindrical caps or sockets,
including its closed end, with leather, rubber, or other suitable material, leaving
sufficient space in the centre of each for the reception of the pivots of the springs.
I then connect these caps or sockets in pairs longitudinally by a cylindrical tube
extending somewhat beyond the open ends of the caps.
I cause the pins or pivots at the ends of the spring to be driven in rigidly or
forged solid in the eyes of the springs, and I insert the said pivots or pin ends in
the spaces above described in the caps or sockets, which latter are brought together
and held secure by the longitudinal bolt as above described.
It will be obvious that by this arrangement the sides or edges of the ends of the
springs will not rub against the end surface of the caps or sockets, the spring pivots
or pin ends having their end bearing against the padded bottoms of the caps or
sockets.
In order that the nature of my said Invention may be more readily understood 1
will proceed to describe the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the coupling complete, which divides at A; the
two parts are screwed up and held secure by the bolt B passing longitudinally
through its centre.
Fig. 2 is a section of coupling through line X, X, of Fig. 1, showing the leather or
rubber packing C and space D for the reception of the pivots E of the carriage
springs (see Fig. 5). The bottoms or closed ends of these spaces are also as herein-
before mentioned, padded with leather or rubber against which the said pivots press,
thereby preventing the edges of the caps from touching or rubbing against the sides
or edges of the springs.
Fig. 3 shews the bolt B which passes through and secures the coupling.

page_text: Fig. 4 represents the end of spring with the pivot or pin E driven in tight or
forged solid to spring; the lateral play of the spring is supported, as above indicated,
at the ends of these pivots or pins."
Fig. 5 is a side view shewing the scroll iron as used in ordinary vehicles secured
to the spring by the coupling as herein-before described.
Fig. 6 is a section of a coupling as proposed to be applied to railway carriages;
two connecting bolts are used instead of one, which give additional strength and
security to the apparatus.
Figs. 7 and 8 shew views of a modified form of the coupling which may be em-
ployed in some cases. In this modification the caps or sockets are connected and
held together simply by a plate, Fig. 7, with bolt ends to fit the centre holes in the
couplings.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of carry-
ing the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I consider to be
novel and useful, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is, the method substantially as herein
described in reference to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive of the accompanying Drawings, of
constructing and applying shackle or spring couplings to railway carriages and
other vehicles having grasshopper springs.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Bunting Taylor, have unto this my
Specification set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of July, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.