IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING BUFFERS FOR BUFFING OR DRAW PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Wilson, of the Cyclops Steel and Iron Works,
Sheffield, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPRING BUFFERS FOR
BUFFING OR DRAW PURPOSES."
Sealed the 31st July 1877, and dated the 14th May 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Wilson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th May 1877.
"
GEORGE WILSON, of the Cyclops Steel and Iron Works, Sheffield. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN SPRING BUFFERS FOR BUFFING OR DRAW PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in spring buffers for buffing or
draw purposes.
The improvements relate to forming spring buffers in such a manner that a second
spring is called into play after the first spring has been deflected a certain distance,
so as then to obtain an increased resistance. This I effect in the following manner :—
A conical coiled steel spring or other spring is placed in the interior of the ordinary
tubular plunger of a buffer. The base of the spring rests against a wrought-iron
plate, backed by a wooden block or by a collar on the central spindle.
The opposite end of the spring bears against a wrought-iron plate which is kept
at a distance from the closed end of the cylindrical buffer case by means of a tubular
washer surrounding the central spindle. Around the tubular washer is placed a
spring of vulcanized india-rubber, and a wrought-iron washer plate is placed in front
of this spring. When the buffer is compressed and the plunger is forced back, or
(when used for draw purposes) drawn back into the cylindrical case, the steel spring
is first compressed, afterwards the end of the hollow plunger comes against the plate
which bears upon the india-rubber spring and forces back this plate, so compressing
the spring behind it.
To prevent the whole strain of a sudden shock being brought full on to the com-
pressed springs, a wrought-iron ring is fixed at the base of the buffer case for the
washer plate above mentioned to come against when the buffer head and hollow
plunger are driven home.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Wilson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th November
1877.
GEORGE WILSON, of the Cyclops Steel and Iron Works, Sheffield.
MENTS IN SPRING BUFFERS FOR BUFFING OR DRAW PURPOSES."
"IMPROVE-
This Invention has for its object improvements in spring buffers for buffing and
draw purposes.
The improvements relate to formning spring buffers in such a manner that a second
spring is called into play after the first spring has been deflected a certain distance
so as then to obtain an increased resistance. This I effect in the following manner :-
A conical coiled steel spring or other spring is placed in the interior of the ordinary
tubular plunger of a buffer. The base of the spring rests against a wrought-iron
plate, backed by a wooden block or by a collar on the central spindle.
The opposite end of the spring bears against a wrought-iron plate which is kept
at a distance from the closed end of the cylindrical buffer case by means of a tubular
washer surrounding the central spindle. Around the tubular washer is placed a
spring of vulcanized india-rubber, and a wrought-iron washer plate is placed in front
of this spring. When the buffer is compressed and the plunger is forced back, or
(when used for draw purposes) drawn back into the cylindrical case, the steel spring
is first compressed, afterwards the end of the hollow plunger comes against the plate
which bears upon the india-rubber spring and forces back this plate, so compressing
the spring behind it.
To prevent the whole strain of a sudden shock being brought full on to the com-
pressed springs, a wrought-iron ring is fixed at the base of the buffer case for the
washer plate above mentioned to come against when the buffer head and hollow
plunger are driven home.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily carried
into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawing hereunto annexed.
The Drawing represents an elevation one-half in section of a spring buffer, con-
structed according to my Invention. The arrangement is applicable both for buffing
and drawing.
A is the ordinary cylindrical buffer case closed at one end by a plate or cover B,
through which the central spindle C passes; D is the tubular plunger of the buffer
head; E is the conical coiled spring, its base rests against the plate F which is
backed by a wooden block G, or it may be supported by a collar upon the spindle C.
The smaller end of the spring bears against the plate H which is held at a distanco
from the cover B by the tubular washer I; K is a ring of vulcanized india-rubber
surrounding the washer I, and the plate or dise L is placed in front of the vulcanized
india-rubber ring. As already explained, the first effect of pressure upon the buffer
head or of draft upon the spindle C is to compress the conical coiled spring E, and
when this has taken the greater part of the strain it is adapted to sustain, the
end of the plunger D comes against the plate or disc L, and then the ring K. is
also compressed. M is a stop ring; it serves to prevent further movement of the
parts when the full compression is on the springs which they are constructed to
support.
The peculiarity in this buffer is the introduction of another and subsidiary force
of elastic resistance after the mainspring has been sufficiently compressed in order
to obtain a considerable increase of resistance towards the end of the stroke of the
plunger.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same, I would have it understood that I claim the construction of spring

page_text: buffers for buffing and draw purposes, with a second or subsidiary spring applied,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Wilson, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
GEO. WILSON. (L.S.)