An Improved Anti-Rattling Thill Coupling.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 9th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Anti-Rattling Thill Coupling.
We, JAMES MORGAN, of Timboon, in the Colony of Victoria, Farmer, and JULIUS
SCHERBER, of Timboon, in the said Colony, Sawmiller, CARL SCHERBER, of Timboon,
in the said Colony, Sawmiller, ALBERT ERNEST ALFRED SCHERBER, of Timboon, in
the said Colony, Sawmiller, and FREDERICK SCHERBER, of Timboon, in the said
Colony, Sawmiller, 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:―
The object of this invention is to produce a durable simple, anti-rattling coupling,
the coupling members of which are easy to put into or out of engagement, and
possess certain novel features. Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspec-
tive view of the part of the coupling which is attached to the vehicle permanently.
Figure 2 shows the rear part of the detachable thill iron A in perspective. Figure 3
is a side elevation of parts of the coupling, showing parts more fully described
hereafter, and Figure 4 is a front elevation of parts in Figure 3 when the thill
iron is extended forward horizontally or nearly so.
B is the clip which surrounds the axle, being fastened by nuts in the usual way.
C are a pair of hooked lugs integral with clip B, projecting forward therefrom,
forming sockets for the reception each of an end of the thill cross pin D. These
lugs have a space between them the rear part of which contains the free and upper
end E of a bent spring, whilst the fore part of the lugs contains the stops or pro-
jections For some similar stop or stops for the purpose hereafter mentioned. The
fixed and rear end G of the said spring is tightly held by the nuts H which secure
clip B in place, the screwed ends J of the clip passing through longitudinally
elongated slots K in said fixed end G. The intermediate part L of the spring forms
a forward extension to a point underneath the pin D when the pin is seen in side
elevation, as dotted in Figure 3.
The rear end M of the thill iron is rounded and is sufficiently far back from the
pin D to force back the spring end E towards the clip (the dotted lines in Figure 3
show this position) when the thill iron is horizontal or very considerably out of the
vertical, but the said spring at L is so positioned that there is no contact of L
with the thill end either when the thill stands vertically or in any other position
Owing to the mouths of the hooks being comparatively narrow it is preferable to
hold the vehicle shaft to which the thill is attached vertical or nearly so (position Y
Figure 3) in inserting it, and then after letting it slide to position Z to give it a
quarter turn to position X, in which position the pressure of spring end E on thill
end M will prevent all rattle during use. But as there will be wear on the thill end
so varying its length and as springs will differ in tensional qualities and also
deteriorate, whilst the thill pin and the parts in frictional contact therewith will
also wear, the spring is made adjustable lougitudinally by means of the elongated
slots K, so that the whole spring can be made at all times effectively antirattling
and compensate for the defects liable to arise.
Having described the mode of inserting the thill iron, its easy disengagement is
effected by putting said iron first in about position Z and then with an oblique

page_text: motion bringing it to position Y and out. To prevent the inclining of the thill
iron backwards considerably in the process of disengagement, (as the disengagement
would be hampered by any considerable inclination) the projections or stops F are
provided, these being in the path which the rear part of the thill iron must travel
to attain any excessive backward inclination. The said stops are made strong and
placed low enough to allow the shaft (not shown) connected to the thill to rest upon
the ground when required, and forward enough to allow the shaft to stand up when
the part M is rested against the stops.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. A thill coupling comprising in combination a thill A having a pin D and
rounded end M, a clip B having hooks C with projections F and screwed ends J,
and a spring E L G having elongated slots K, all substantially as and for the
purposes described and as illustrated.
2. In a thill coupling the combination of hooks or lugs C, a thill iron having
engagement therewith, and means upon said hooks or lugs whereby the forward
radial movement of the rear end of the thill iron is limited substantially as
tet forth.
Dated this 7th day of March 1898.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.