Improvements in Couplings Chiefly Applicable to Railway Vehicles and their Fittings, such as Brake Pipes or Rods, Electric Con- ducting Wires, and the like.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Sept., 1886.
Specification Accepted, 13th Sept, 1887
Improvements in Couplings Chiefly Applicable to Railway Vehicles
and their Fittings, such as Brake Pipes or Rods, Electric Con-
ducting Wires, and the like.
I CALEB PERRY SHARPLEY, Inventor, No. 5 Ball Haye Terrace, Leek, Staffordshire
London Address, C. P. Sharpley, Major.J. Smith's Brunswick House 22 Villa
Road, Brixton Road Brixton, in the County of Surrey (London). I Caleb Perry
Sharpley do hereby declare the nature of my 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 prevent the fearful sacrifice of human life, and
limbs. Removing every impediment and danger entirely, and give a complete,
perfectly safe, and instantaneous Coupling or union of every part Automatically. Also
uncoupling or disconnecting at once by one act, and is a very very great saving of
time, and labour, requireing no skill, it being so exceedingly simple, but they may be
Coupled or united separately, or not Automatic if preferred, and may be placed in
any position, or mode, or in any form, material, or mode of union required to suit the
place: position and manner of action designed or required. It couples in combination
or unites Railway Vehicles, Railway Breaks, Electro Telegraph (with communication)
from every compartment in the train if preferred or required) to the Guards, or Engine
Driver or both, in case of Robbery, assault on Females, Murder, or an accident, to
stop approaching trains and for help if required; or it may be a Telephone or speaking
tube. The Bolt close Coupling, which is by far the safest method of Coupling, I
accomplish Automatically (or not: if not the bolt is lifted by levers from either side.)
A slide passing to the front of a flanged mouth guid & receiver of the Coupling
appliances (by a spring or other appliance) upon which the bolt rests until displaced
or removed by the Coupling draw-bar, link loop or shackle of the other carriage
entering the receiver; the bolt instantly passes, entering the draw-bar, link loop or
shackle and is coupled; the bolt may have a spring or be weighted if preferred, to
press it in, and keep it in until uncoupled. The bolt may be forked, forming a double
bolt, with a double loop shackle link, or ring, giving double strength and security,

page_text: being double Coupled, is one method. The bolt also is forked for the break in the
bolt close Coupling: if double blades to break which I prefer (but may be single)
the bolt passing over each side of the break, the mouth of which is expanded or flanged,
so that it forms a guide to the entering tube break (if a tube) to be united, upon
which may be a collar which may have an India-rubber, or other suitable packing to
make it air-tight; being pressed against the shoulder of the entered tube; two blades
(or other suitable appliances) one on each side secured to the entering tube, so as to
allow them to pass sufficiently through the expanded mouth, which may be opened a
little on each side to receive them; an aperture or opening being in each blade, into
which the forked ends of the bolt pass, on the slide being removed by the Coupling
draw-bar loop shackle link or ring passing into the receiver in which the slide works.
A spring (or other suited appliances as I have others) pressing the slide forward on
the bolt being raised. A spiral spring or any other spring etc. pressing against a
collar (or anything that will answer the purpose) near that portion of the break which
has to enter, (or be united) the flanged part of the break, (tubular or other kind) and
the other end of the spring against the frame, or any suited part, to press the entering
portion forward, for entering the flanged part on the other carriage, and so fixed
as to allow it to move toward either side, or to draw or telescope out a little so as
freely to enter the flang & for curbs. If Coupling on curves of the line, a rod or
other appliance attached to it extending to either side, would be very convenient as a
guiding rod etc. if, or when required in Coupling on curves. If it be a Vacuum tube
break for fluid or other pressure; the entering tube pressing a valve open, by pressing
the sliding disk away, behind which is a spiral spring in a chamber or other spring,
or other suitable appliance, and the opening which the sliding disk had closed by
covering; and the opening in the entering tube are both in contact; and the bolt
through the blades, or other appliances, rendering it perfectly secure. The instant
the carriages are uncoupled the valve is closed, the spring pressing forward the sliding
disk, and closing the aperture automatically, or may be by a stop-cock or tap.
The tube may be of any form, (but a uniform size etc., will be the best so as to
work on all railway companies lines, & on all vehicles. The tube break may be
without blades and forked bolt: by passing sufficiently into the flanged or other tube,
& so fixed as to yield to either side, for turning curves on the lines etc. It might
have an inside closing door, flap, valve or stop tap etc. automatic or otherwise, and
opened by the entering part of the break, or may be without either, except on the
outer end of the Guards Van, a rod attached to tap's or stop-cocks to turn on or off.
The union might have a catch pin to pass or work in a slott, or to screw the union of
break if preferred; by teeth on the union or wheel, and on ratch rod to work in it
by drawing it backward or forward to screw or unscrew the break, and may be also
for a screw coupling by hand worked from either side of the Train, without having
to go in between the carriages to unite.
I prefer the draw-bar to be one, the required length for each carriage (but may be
otherwise if preferred,) coupled Automatically or otherwise by a strong bolt etc., and
forming a continuous centre drawbar throughout the whole train, forming a strong
Backbone, & can be made of amazing strength and power. It also forms a centre
buffer, and will form the most steady & safest Coupling ever invented. (The draw-
bar well secured to the vehicle & it will take the strain from the carriage) giving great
strength and stability to the whole train, and will have the tendency in the event of
a collision to keep the train on the lines, and either push the train forward or backward
as the case may be, preventing the carriages from riding each other & smashing them
up, and also saving the lives of the passengers. It will require no side spring Buffers in
close Coupling, or draw bar springs, and will therefore be less expensive in the
building of carriages. The tube that is connected to the engine I prefer (but it may
be otherwise) to be forked so that the Engine may be attached to either end of the
train, either double or single tubed etc. The flanged guid receiver may be on the
outer end of the Guards Van & have valves automatic (or otherwise) or stop-cocks or
taps turned by a rod etc. The forked branch on the engine tender may be to turn on
a swivel Drawing (E) for uniting, or to turn out of the way, and to move from one

page_text: side to the other, or by a ratch Drawing (D) brought forward for coupling or uniting,
and returned out of the way when not required. Can be without the flang guid if
required but is far better with it. The slack break coupling may be to slide outward
or inward as a telescope, weighted, or have a spring or other suitable appliance to yield
as required for curves on the lines or for slack coupling.
The Electro-Telegraph which may have, or be in communication with every com-
partment in the train and to the guards van, or engine driver or both, in the event of
Robbery, assault on females, or murder, or in case of an accident to giving information,
or asking for assistance, and to stop approaching trains by attaching the Guards coil
to the line wires: The Electro Telegraph or Telephone etc. is coupled or in contact
instantaneously and automatically with the break and vehicle coupling, all in combi-
nation or separate, or any part thereof, a guiding flang receives the wire, & thence to
a smaller chamber, or tube containing the other part of the Telegraph wire, and the
two are in contact. The wire may have a sufficient bend (or other yielding) a spiral
spring to or around the wire to the bend, which may be near the end of the wire that
is to enter the fang, and then continued outside of the bend, and again connected
beyond the bend, which allows it to extend or contract as required in turning curves
on the lines, or it may be other yielding appliances. For the slack part of coupling, the
loop or shackle which extends as required and withdraws automatically, (or not) and
also coupling alike at any variation in the height of the carriage. A pin etc. to keep
the lever from letting the bolt couple or my sliding rod by which the bolt is supported
to prevent coupling when necessary. To slip carriages a rod or arm connected to the
coupling bolt or lever, or to the moving jaw or tongue of double jawed coupling from
the inside of the Guards Van, (or otherwise) or by striking the lever-arm downwards.
And a lever or rod on the tender in connection with automatic (or not automatic)
coupling appliances; which enables the engine-driver to couple: and also to uncouple
his engine from the Train in an instant when in danger, or when otherwise required
without getting off his engine. A shackle made to work from under the front of the
tender, with a rod to the shackle, by which the engine driver can couple & uncouple
the shackle to ordinary hook, or to the automatic appliance. The coupling shackle
may be made to elongate to any required length by a ratch or may be otherwise, and
secured at the right length required with a pin-bolt or other appliances. A ratch
with a star wheel on a rod, with a handle or wheel to wind out the break tube (or
other breaks) the required length, & to wind in out of the way when not required-
or the break may be made like drawings No. D. & E, and to work on a swivel having
stop taps or valves especially if only one tube. These couplings need no side chains
they cannot come uncoupled or asunder, and all applied as required.
A. The Tender of the Engine. 1 The Bolt for coupling. 2 the bolt levers to each
side so as to work by hand, as well as automatically. 3 The flanged mouth receiver
& guid of coupling appliances, drawbar, shackle, loop etc. & the slide rest of the
bolt for automatic coupling. 4 are the tube breaks for automatic or hand coupling,
without going in between the carriages, (& couples in combination also). No. 5 is a
wheel or handle which winds out the break the, length required, & when not required
returns it quite out of the way of injury, but it may be stationary as well as to move
in & out. No. 6 is an appliance from the couplings, so that the engine driver can
instantly detach his engine from the train in case of danger etc., without leaving or
getting down from his engine, & without having to go between the carriages,
endangering life and limbs. No. 7 the connecting part of Electro Telegraph etc.
B. The Electro Telegraph I have put on the top of the carriage, (11) The flang
entrance (8) for the end of the wire (7) on the Tender (A). (9) the yielding bend
& spring for turning curves on the Lines. (10) the connecting appliances of Electro
Telegraph to each compartment.

page_text: C. Drawbar shown for the whole length of the carriage to couple automatically, or
it may be by hand, without going between the carriages to couple. (1) the end which
is to enter the flanged part (2) & may be stouter. (3) the slide rest for bolt which
passes under the bolt, preventing coupling bolt dropping, until removed by the entering
of No. 1 end of drawbar etc. on the other carriage. (4) opening for the coupling
bolt. (5) the spring which returns the slide, on the coupling bolt being raised,
No. 1 end of drawbar being withdrawn and both ends may be Receivers as No. 2.
D. 1. 2. 3 The break Tubes.
5 Slide rest for No. 1.1. No. 2 Telescopes in No. 3 as required. No. 4 the ratch
worked by star wheel on a rod.
E. Break which turns on a swivel. (6) if one tube only is used: it elongates or
is longer, when turned into position for coupling: it may have rods from plate No. 4
to the sides for the purpose of turning it. (No. 3 tube connected so as to allow it to
move for curves, (may be elastic etc.), on the line & coupling or uniting. (5 & 4) are
stay plates for the pin (6). (7 & 8) are some of the means by which the breaks are
secured if preferred: in using F & 8. F, tube break, the forked ends of (G 1.) in
coupling the carriages pass over the studs, or over the collar 7 & 8 of (E) or
through (1) of (F.) the spring is simply to press it forward when coupling, & to
yield as required for curves. 9 in E are stop tap, when either are not in use. G is
part of forked coupling bolt.
H. Break tube showing flanged guiding entrance.
I. A shackle which can be fixed on a bar, under the front of the tender etc. with
handle or wheel, & can be worked by the engine driver, to couple & uncouple the
engine from the train by a connecting rod and couple to either the old hook or
automatic couplings. (1) opening for cross bar rod in side fixture on bearings.
2. 2 is open or apart sufficiently to free the receiving slide case or drawbar, & may
turns up so that it rests against the headstock, but its strength is in the direct bar
from front of loop 3 to 3 of bar, part 6 & 7 filled up or otherwise.
K. Slack coupling. 4 to 1 is long shackle or loop, it is divided by a strengthening
bar the distance that is required out at the front for coupling, it may rests on a slide,
at the strengthening bar is a pin which prevents the shackle from coming out &
going in too far, it elongates as required by drawing out, & returns automatically, (or
if preferred not automatic), or brought out by a ratch & fastened at any required
length for some carriage couplings, or without a ratch if preferred. 6 & 7 a rod the
required length well secured to the shackle (4) & through a spiral spring up to the
nut etc., to keep the spring in its place from coming off.
L. M & N. Are tight coupling shackles opened as L. O & N with strengthening
centre bar, or solid as M for tight coupling, except these shackles tighten the
carriages without any screwing, are automatic or not, without having to go in between
the carriages to couple.
P. Is a double shackle for double bolt coupling.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is.
1st. Combination Coupling, Close or distant, Bolt and shackle coupling however
applied. The Break pneumatic fluid or other breaks. And the Electro Telegraph or
Telephone, or speaking tube, all in combination (but may be separate or any part of
then) instantaneous and automatic, (or otherwise) coupled without having to go -in
between the carriages, the Telegraph yielding for turning curves etc.
2nd. Bolt sliding rest, and flanged mouth receiver & guid of coupling appliances of
Breaks, Drawbar, Shackle, loop Electro-Telegraph etc., Automatical coupling or not,
with or without the flanged mouth, a spring or weight will press in the bolt and keep
the bolt in its place (if desired).
3rd. Automatic (or not) Breaks pneumatic or other Couplings flanged mouth or
not, without having to go in between the carriages to unite.
4th. Drawbar Coupling continuous, the required length to carriage (or part) can 5
be of amazing strength, forming a Backbone, the whole length of the Train, and as

page_text: a centre Buffer, being the most steady and safe coupling, Automatic or otherwise
firmly secured to carriages.
5th. Shackle so formed as to work from under the front part of, say, the tender on
a rod and under control of the Engine driver to couple and uncouple without leaving
the engine, to either the old hook, or automatical, or not automatic appliance.
6th. Tight or close coupling, the loop or shackle with a centre cross bar stay, or
with bolt apertures at each end and centre stay or solid shackle with apertures for the
bolt the coupling link or shackle put out or in gear by lateral motion.
7th. Slack coupling. The shackle drawing out, and returns automatically or other-
wise, which also couples at any variation in the height of waggons, impossible to come
loose, the fly shunting is by pressing or striking the lever downwards. A sliding
rod or other appliance, in form, and fixed at the place requires to prevent coupling
when necessary. Engine drivers appliance to the lever &c. of the automatic coupling,
to uncouple or detach the engine from the Train in case of danger, and also to shackle
to couple or uncouple, without having to get off the engine and slip carriages by a
rod or handle from the bolt appliance, or to the tongue of the moving jaw of double
jawed coupling to inside of the Guards van to slip carriages, and also by pressing and
striking the lever downwards.
:
8th. Lifting or turning falling door or valve. Tooth ratch rod for screwing union
if a screw union break applied, or catch pin union. Also guiding rod for coupling
on curves.
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9th. Screw Coupling tube.
10th. Elongating coupling shackle to any required length by ratch, or secured at
the required length by catch, bolt, or other securing appliance.
For Railway purposes or to whatsoever applied in whole or part thereof.
Dated this 15th day of Santember 1886