Year: 1886

page_text: I GEORGE LOE WALTON of Bougere in the Parish of Concordia and State of
Louisiana, United States of America, Cotton Planter do hereby declare the
naturo 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:-
This Invention consists in providing an ordinary draw-head such as used in
railway cars or carriages of the American type with elliptic springs placed
longitudinally in said draw-head so as to hold a coupling link in a horizontal
position to enter a corresponding draw-head in an approaching car to be coupled
automatically.
•
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this
specification in which figure 1 represents a vertical, longitudinal central section of
an ordinary draw-head and a portion of a car with my improvements applied
thereto, and shewing a coupling link in position therein to enter a corresponding
draw head represented in figure 2. Figure 2 is a sectional view similar to figure 1
with the springs and draw bolt in position to receive and connect the coupling
link in figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-section through the dotted line -x of
figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of an elliptic spring detached from the
draw-head, shewing openings to receive suspension chains as hereinafter described.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
A represents a sectional view of so much of the body of a car as is necessary to
illustrate my Invention. Under the bottom of the car is secured a spring draw
head B in the usual manner and of the ordinary construction. On the interior of
this draw head B are secured two elliptic springs C one on either side of a draw-
bolt D (as shewn in figure 3.) These elliptic springs C are secured to the upper
side of the draw-head B by means of chains E so that their lower sides may nearly
touch or rest upon the bottom of the draw-head and be maintained in position
parallel with the draw-head and coupling link (as represented in figures 1 and 2.)
Pivoted to studs F projecting from the upper side of the draw-head B, is a lever G,
to which the draw-bolt D is pivoted so as to be raised to uncouple the connecting
link H and lowered to be in position to couple the link by its own gravity. To
enable the bolt D to be withdrawn from the coupling link H without entering
between the ends of the cars, a handle I is provided to be operated from the
platform of the car, or from the ground at one side of the line (as shown in

page_text: figures 2 and 3.) In order that the draw-bolt D may adapt itself to admit the
coupling link H into the draw-head, and to engage with the link without being
raised and lowered by the lever G, the draw-head is slotted in its upper and lower
sides to receive the draw-bolt D and permit it to have a longitudinal swinging
movement from its pivoted end rearwards to permit the coupling link on entering
the draw-head to pass beneath the swinging end of the bolt D which, after the
link has. entered far enough, drops back by its own gravity to a perpendicular
position within and through the link which is thereby coupled (as shewn in
figure 1.) The coupling link H also passes beneath the springs C placed within
the draw-head, one at either side of the draw-bolt D, the pressure of the springs on
its two side members confining it between the bottom of the draw-head and the
lower sides of the springs, so as to enter a corresponding draw-head to be coupled
therewith automatically, as the two cars approach each other, whereby the coupling
link is maintained firmly in a horizontal position.
By this construction, and arrangement of the several parts composing my
coupling for cars, it will be understood that the coupling links C will always be
maintained in the proper position by the pressure of the springs upon the side
members of the links, to enter corresponding draw-heads in other cars and cannot
become uncoupled except the draw-bolt D be raised by the lever G as represented.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is;-
1. A coupling for cars constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as
herein described and shewn, consisting of the combination with the draw-head B,
the elliptic springs C, and pivoted draw-bolt D, as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In a coupling for cars, the elliptic springs C placed longitudinally in the
draw-head B on either side of a draw-bolt D and secured to the upper side of the
draw-head so that their lower sides may bear upon the coupling link H sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. In a coupling for cars, in combination with the draw-head B and elliptic
springs C the pivoted draw-bolt D adapted to be raised to uncouple the connecting
link H and to swing on its pivot to automatically couple the connecting link,
substantially as herein described and shown.