IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUFFERS AND SPRINGS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER SPRINGS, TOMPIONS FOR CANNON, PLUGS FOR GUN BARRELS, AND STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS, WHICH IMPROVE- MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1877

page_text: <<
LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Doulceron, senior, and Alfred Doulceron, junior,
both of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Engineers, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF BUFFERS AND SPRINGS FOR RAILWAY
CARRIAGES AND OTHER SPRINGS, TOMPIONS FOR CANNON, PLUGS FOR GUN
BARRELS, AND STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES AND OTHER VESSELS, WHICH IMPROVE-
MENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Doulceron and Alfred
Doulceron at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February
1877.
JOSEPH DOULCERON, senior, and ALFRED DOULCERON, junior, both of Brussels, in
the Kingdom of Belgium, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
BUFFERS AND SPRINGS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER SPRINGS, TOMPIONS
FOR CANNON, PLUGS FOR GUN BARRELS, AND STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES AND OTHER
VESSELS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Our Invention consists in constructing, as herein-after described, buffers and
springs for railway carriages and other springs, tompions for cannon, plugs for gun
barrels, and stoppers for bottles and vessels, and other stoppers and fastenings.
A piston, plunger, plug, or rod, either tubular or solid, of circular section, is
constructed or formed with a single or double conical or tapering annular projection
or protuberance round it, forming in longitudinal section a conical, curved, inclined,
or convex protuberance or swelling. Round the smallest part of the said pro-
tuberance, or in an annular groove or depression formed to receive it is placed an
india-rubber ring of circular section. When the said piston, plunger, plug, or rod,
with its india-rubber ring upon it is inserted into a hollow cylinder or other tubular
vessel of suitable size, the india-rubber ring coming in .contact with the inner
surface of the said cylinder or tube revolves upon itself, or rolls up the incline of
the protuberance herein-before described, is compressed between the said protuberance
and the inner surface of the cylinder or tube, and as it advances upon the said
incline it acquires greater power as a spring, and increased tightness as an elastic
Price f

page_text: obturator or stopper. When pressure is removed from the piston, plunger, plug,
or rod, or when it is drawn back from its position in the cylinder or tube, the said
india-rubber ring resumes its former position by rolling back down the inclined
protuberance.
In some cases the conical tapering or convex annular protuberance may be formed
upon the inside of a tubular cap or hollow cylinder which takes on to the plain
outer surface of a cylinder or tube, round which is placed an india-rubber ring, the
result being then similar to the former arrangement, herein-before described.
In applying our Invention to the construction of the bearing springs of railway
carriages we procced as follows:-To the top of each of the axle boxes we attach,
so as to make its height adjustable, a conical or tapering plunger provided with an
india-rubber ring, as herein-before described, the said plunger working in a cylindrical
box affixed to the frame of the carriage, or we affix two conical or tapering plungers
or pistons provided with india-rubber rings, as herein-before described, under the
frame of the carriage, the said pistons or plungers being made to engage in two
cylindrical boxes, one on cach side of the axle box.
Buffers and draw springs constructed according to our Invention consist of conical
or tapering plungers provided with india-rubber rings, as herein-before described,
and working each in a cylindrical box of suitable size.
In each of the applications of our Invention, herein-before described, the outer
cylindrical box is formed with a shoulder round its inner surface, for the india-
rubber ring to rest against.
Tompions for cannon constructed according to our Invention consist of plugs or
· pistons of circular section, and by preference hollow, provided each with a head or
cover, forming a collar, which rests against the muzzle of the cannon, a washer of
suitable material being interposed between the collar and the cannon to prevent
oxydation; the part of the tompion to be inserted into the cannon is formed with
an annular inclined or curved protuberance upon it, and is provided with a ring of
india-rubber, as herein-before described.
Plugs for gun barrels and stoppers for bottles and other vessels are formed in the
manner herein-before described with a conical or curved annular protuberance upon
them provided with an india-rubber ring.
Plugs for breech-loading fire-arms are by preference perforated, so as to allow of
the escape of a certain portion of the gases should the arm be discharged accidentally
before removing the plug, and thus avoid explosion.
For double-barrelled guns and mitrailleurs, the required number of plugs are
affixed to a plate or cover, which allows of all the said plugs being inserted and
removed at the same time.
Our Invention is also applicable to umbrellas and parasols, two double conical
annular protuberances being formed upon or affixed to the stick, and provided with
india-rubber rings; the runner passing over the said rings becomes fastened or is
released, according to the direction in which it moves.
Our Invention is also applicable to lance rests for cavalry, penholders, tobacco-
pipe stems, rests for lanterns, save-alls, the cues of billiard tables, fishing rods, locks
and pegs, and other purposes where the principle is applicable.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that the principle of this Invention
is the same in all its applications.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Doulceron and Alfred Doulceron in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 13th August 1877.
JOSEPH DOULCERON, senior, and ALFRED DOULCERON, junior, both of Brussels, 5
in the Kingdom of Belgium, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF

page_text: BUFFERS AND SPRINGS FOR RAILWAY CARRIAGES AND OTHER SPRINGS, TOMPIONS
FOR CANNON, PLUGS FOR GUN BARRELS, AND STOPPERS FOR BOTTLES AND OTHER
VESSELS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER PURPOSES."
Our Invention consists in constructing, as herein-after described, buffers and
springs for railway carriages and other springs, tompions for cannon, plugs for gun
barrels, and stoppers for bottles and vessels, and other stoppers and fastenings.
A piston, plunger, plug, or rod, either tubular or solid, of circular section, is
constructed or formed with a single or double conical or tapering annular projection
or protuberance round it, forming in longitudinal section a conical, curved, inclined,
or convex protuberance or swelling. Round the smallest part of the said pro-
tuberance, or in an annular groove or depression formed to receive it, is placed an
india-rubber ring of circular section. When the said piston, plunger, plug, or rod,
with its india-rubber ring upon it is inserted into a hollow cylinder, or other tubular
vessel of suitable size, the india-rubber ring coming in contact with the inner
surface of the said cylinder or tube revolves or rolls upon the incline of the
protuberance herein-before described, is compressed between the said protuberance
and the inner surface of the cylinder or tube, and as it advances upon the said
incline it acquires greater power as a spring, and increased tightness as an elastic
obturator or stopper. When pressure is removed from the piston, plunger, plug, or
rod, or when it is drawn back from its position in the cylinder or tube, the said
india-rubber ring resumes its former position by rolling back upon the inclined
protuberance.
In some cases the conical tapering or convex annular protuberance may be formed
upon the inside of a tubular cap or hollow cylinder, in which is an india-rubber
ring, which takes on to the plain outer surface of the cylinder, or tube, or bottle
neck to be closed, the result being then similar to the former arrangement, herein-
before described.
'
In applying our Invention to the construction of the bearing springs of railway
carriages we proceed as follows:-To the top of each of the axle boxes we attach,
so as to make its height adjustable, a conical or tapering plunger provided with an
india-rubber ring, as herein-before described, the said plunger working in a cylindrical
box affixed to the frame of the carriage, or we affix two conical or tapering plungers
or pistons provided with india-rubber rings, as herein-before described, under the
frame of the carriages, the said pistons or plungers being made to engage in two
cylindrical boxes, one on each side of the axle box.
Buffers and draw springs constructed according to our Invention consist of conical
or tapering plungers provided with india-rubbers rings, as herein-before described,
and working each in a cylindrical box of suitable size.
In each of the applications of our Invention, herein-before described, the outer
cylindrical box is formed with a shoulder round its inner surface, for the india-
rubber ring to rest against.
Tompions for cannon constructed according to our Invention consist of plugs or
pistons of circular section, and by preference hollow, provided each with a head or
cover, forming a collar, which rests against the muzzle of the cannon, a washer of
suitable material being interposed between the collar and the cannon to prevent
oxidation. The part of the tompion to be inserted into the cannon is formed with
an annular inclined or curved protuberance upon it, and is provided with a ring of
india-rubber, as herein-before described.
Plugs for gun barrels and stoppers for bottles and other vessels are formed in the
manner herein-before described with a conical or curved annular protuberance upon
them provided with an india-rubber ring.
Plugs for fire-arms are by preference perforated, so as to allow of the escape of
a certain portion of the gases should the arm be discharged accidentally before
removing the plug, and thus lessen the liability to accident from the bursting of
the gun.
For double-barrelled guns and mitrailleurs the required number of plugs is affixed

page_text: to a plate or cover, which allows of all the said plugs being inserted and removed
at the same time.
Our Invention is also applicable to umbrellas and parasols.
Our Invention is also applicable to tobacco-pipe stems, fishing rods, and other
articles.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that the principle of this Invention
is the same in all its applications.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, we will proceed to describe
with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the manner in which it is to be
performed.
In each of the Figures of the said Drawings a represents the piston, plunger,
plug, or tubular rod upon which is formed the single or double conical or tapering
annular projection or protuberance b, and c represents the india-rubber rings which
constitute the springs.
Figure 1 represents a bearing spring for railway or other carriages constructed
according to our Invention. A. is the axle box, the upper part of which A¹ is
turned to two different diameters, in the larger of which is inserted a plunger a
having a conical part b round which is an india-rubber ring c which rests against a
shoulder y formed in the part A¹. Underneath the said plunger a are a screw a¹
and nut a² by which the tension of the india-rubber ring c may be regulated. The
plunger a is guided in the two parts of the axle box, as shewn. The diameter and
section of the india-rubber ring c are calculated, so that the said ring e performs
only a portion of a revolution in producing the length of stroke of an ordinary
spring, the said spring c recovering exactly its normal shape as soon as it is released
from pressure.
Figure 2 represents a cross beam C upon which are mounted two buffers A, A,
and a draw spring B constructed according to our Invention. In the buffer
cases A, A, and the draw spring case B work the plungers a formed with conical
parts b, b, upon which are the india-rubber rings c. The action of the said buffers
and draw spring is to cause the india-rubber rings to roll partially up the inclined
surface of the plungers, and to be compressed between the outer surface of the
plungers and inner surface of the cases, thus obtaining greater power as a spring.
Figure 3 represents a double bearing spring consisting of an axle box / formed
with a cylindrical case or box h¹ on each side. Each of the said cases h¹ is provided
with a flange a affixed to the frame f, and on the conical part b of the said plunger
is mounted an india-rubber ring c. Or the plungers a may be made each with two
conical parts upon them and two india-rubber rings, the cases being made of suitable
size and shape to receive them; by this means the power of the springs may be
doubled.
In each of the arrangements represented in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the cylindrical
boxes holding the plungers a are formed each with a shoulder y round its inner
surface for the ring c to rest against.
Figure 4 represents our Invention applied to a tompion for rifled or other
ordnance; the said tompion consists of a hollow metal plug or piston a formed with
a head or cover a¹ which rests upon the muzzle of the cannon A, a washer k of
any suitable material being interposed between the cover a¹ and cannon A to prevent
oxidation. The said tompion a is formed with an annular, inclined, or curved
protuberance b upon it, and is provided with a ring of india-rubber c, which when
the tompion is inserted into the muzzle of the cannon rolls over the incline b, the
effect produced after the ring c has passed over the highest point of the protuberance b
being to draw the tompion home into the cannon and keep it there till it is
withdrawn.
Figure 5 represents in section a tubular plug, and the end of a breech-loading
gun barrel in which such plug is inserted, and Figure 6 represents the said plug in
elevation and the said barrel in section; in Figure 5 the plug is represented as
pushed home, into the gun barrel, and Figure 6 represents the said plug when being

page_text: introduced into the gun barrel. In this arrangement the body of the plug'a is
made of copper or other metal opening into a hollow head o soldered or otherwise
attached thereto, the said head o is perforated with four or six small holes p through-
which the air from the barrel, and a certain portion of the gases would escape
should the arm be discharged accidentally before removing the plug from the gun
barrel, and the said tubular plug being very light would not be projected to a great
distance nor be productive of injury. The head o should be made of iron or brass
so as to resist the shocks of the bayonet. It will be remarked that the body of the
tubular plug a projects above the level of the holes p in the head o, so as to prevent
water from entering into the gun barrel in whatever position the gun is carried, for
should any water enter into the head o by one of the holes 2 it will at once pass
out through another of the said holes p before reaching the top of the body of the
plug or the top of the plug within the head o may be provided with a metal ball or
spherical valve.
Figure 7 represents a plug, for a rifle barrel similar to the plug represented in
Figure 6, except that the head is not perforated, and consists of a plate or cover o¹
of larger diameter than the barrel, and projecting beyond its sides. The object of the
said plate or cover is that in taking aim the person using the rifle will discover at once
if the plug has been left by mistake in the barrel. The said plugs for rifle or gun
barrels may in some cases be made of hardened india-rubber or waxed leather, and
may be traversed by a metal tube to give them the required rigidity."
Figure 8 is a sectional plan, and Figure 9 is a sectional elevation representing the
application of our Invention to a double plug for a double barrelled gun; a, a, are
the two plugs which are traversed by the tubes t, opening into the head u, which is
affixed to both plugs and forms with them one double plug for the two barrels. In
the lower part of the head are two vent holes x, x, shewn in Figure 8. Any suitable
number of plugs may in like manner be affixed to a head in the application of our
Invention to mitrailleurs.
Figure 10 represents our Invention applied to a bottle stopper. A is the neck of
a bottle or other tubular vessel; a is the stopper formed with a conical part b round
which is placed the india-rubber ring c.
Figure 11 represents a bottle stopper constructed according to our Invention, in
which the conical annular protuberance b is formed upon the neck of the bottle or
vessel. Round the said protuberance b is placed the india-rubber ring c, and a is a
tubular cap or hollow cylinder which is passed on the neck of the bottle or vessel A,
and fits on to the india-rubber ring c.
Figure 12 represents the neck of a petroleum lamp A to which the burner B is
affixed according to this Invention. Upon the said neck A of the lamp is formed a
conical annular protuberance b round which is placed an india-rubber ring c. The
burner B is constructed with a tube a projecting from its lower end, and the said
tube a being passed on to the neck of the lamp over the ring c, the burner is firmly
attached to the lamp.
Figure 13 represents a stopper constructed according to our Invention and
applied to a bottle or flask. A is the flask having upon its neck a conical annular
protuberance b around which is placed an india-rubber ring c; a is a tubular cap to
the inside of which is fitted a cork or other suitable washer a¹. When the cap a is
passed on to the neck of the said bottle or flask, and over the india-rubber ring the
said bottle or flask is tightly stoppered.
Figure 14 represents a stopper constructed according to this Invention, applied to
a bottle or vessel, the outside of which is cylindrical. A is the neck of the bottle or
vessel, and a is the stopper which is a tubular cap, the inside of which is conical or
tapering at b; c is the india-rubber ring which fits into an annular recess formed in
the cap a, and when being drawn off from the neck A, the said ring rests against a
shoulder b¹ which prevents its working out of the said cap when pushed home; the
said cap forms a tight stopper to the vessel A.
Figure 15 represents our Invention applied to fastening together the stem and
bowl of a tobacco pipe. Round the end of the stem a is formed an annular conical

page_text: b
protuberance 6 upon which is placed the india-rubber ring c. The end of the stem a
is then pushed into the tubular end A of the bowl of the pipe, and is thus firmly
secured thereto.
Figure 16 represents another application of this Invention to tobacco pipes. A is
the bowl of the tobacco pipe, B is the stem, and D is the mouth-piece. Round the
tail of the bowl and upon one end of the stem are formed conical annular protu-
berances b, b, having upon them india-rubber rings c, c. Upon the stem B and
mouth-piece are formed or affixed tubular parts a, a, which are made to pass on to
the india-rubber rings c, and to connect the parts together.
Figure 17 represents two parts A, B, of a fishing rod. The end of the part B has
formed upon it a conical annular protuberance b, upon which is placed an india-rubber
ring c. The said protuberance b with the india-rubber ring c upon it fits into the
part A. and secures the two parts A, B, together.
Figure 18 represents the application of our Invention to an umbrella or parasol,
for the purpose of fixing the runner in position when the umbrella or parasol is open
or shut, and releasing the same when required. A is the stick of the umbrella or
parasol, and a is the runner, the inside of which is formed with a conical annular
projection b, between which and the stick is an india-rubber ring c. When the
runner is pushed home the india-rubber ring is caused to rotate, and fixes the said
runner firmly in its required position.
Having now described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of per-
forming the same, we wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to
the precise details herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
.Drawings, as the same may be varied without departing from the nature of our said
Invention, but we claim as our Invention,―
Firstly. The improvements herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 1, 2,
and 3 of the accompanying Drawings, in the construction of buffers and springs for
railway carriages and of other springs, that is to say, constructing the buffer or
spring with a tapering or conical plunger or piston, provided with an india-rubber
ring and working in a cylinder, these parts being so relatively proportioned and
arranged that the motion of the plunger in one direction shall cause the said ring to
be compressed between the said plunger and the sides of the cylinder, and that the
motion of the said plunger in the reverse direction shall release the said ring from
pressure.
Secondly. The improvements herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 4,
5, 6, 7, and 10 of the accompanying Drawings, in tompions for cannon, plugs for
gun barrels, and stoppers for bottles and other vessels, that is to say, forming the
tompion, plug, or stopper with a conical or curved annular protuberance, and
mounting thereon an india-rubber ring, which on the insertion of the tompion, plug,
or stopper in the mouth of the article to be closed or stoppered is compressed
between the protuberance aforesaid and the internal surface of such mouth so as to
close or stopper the latter, essentially as described.
Thirdly. The modification of our Invention herein-before described and illustrated
in Figures 11, 12, and 13 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, forming
upon the neck of the bottle or vessel a conical or curved annular protuberance, and
mounting thereon an india-rubber ring which, when a tubular cap is passed on to
the neck of the bottle or vessel, is compressed between the said protuberance and
the internal surface of such tubular cap so as to close or stopper the said bottle or
vessel.
Fourthly. The modification of our Invention herein-before described and illus-
trated in Figure 14 of the accompanying Drawings, that is to say, fitting the india-
rubber ring aforesaid into a tubular cap or cylinder, in the interior of which is
formed a conical or convex annular protuberance, which cap being passed on to the
cylindrical neck of a bottle or vessel, the said ring is caused to rotate and becomes
compressed between the protuberance in the said cap and the neck of the bottle or
vessel so as to close or stopper the said bottle or vessel.
Fifthly. The application of our Invention to double-barrelled guns and mitrail-

page_text: leurs, as herein-before described and illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the accom-
panying Drawings, that is to say, affixing the requisite number of our improved
plugs to a plate so as to admit of all of them being inserted in and withdrawn from
the barrels of the gun at the same time.
Sixthly. The application of our Invention to tobacco pipes as herein-before
described and illustrated in Figures 15 and 16 of the accompanying Drawings.
Seventhly. The application of our Invention to fishing rods or other similar
articles, as herein-before described and illustrated in Figure 17 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Eighthly. The application of our Invention to umbrellas and parasols, as herein-
before described and illustrated in Figure 18 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Joseph Doulceron, senior, and Alfred
Doulceron, junior, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eleventh
day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-seven.
JOSEPH DOULCERON, SENIOR. (L.S.)
ALFRED DOULCERON, JUNIOR. (L.S.)