Improvements in Car Couplings.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 8th May, 1897
Improvements in Car Couplings.
We, JAMES PAUL JOHNSON and BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WHITTINGTON, both
of Valdosta, in the County of Lowndes and State of Georgia, United States of
America, Gentlemen, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
n and by the following statement :-
The invention relates to improvements in car couplings.
The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of car
couplings, and to provide a simple, inexpensive and efficient one, capable of coupling
A
automatically and of being readily uncoupled without going between the cars.
further object of the invention is to provide a car coupling, which will be adapted
to couple on curves and which will enable the cars of a train to be successively
started similar to the ordinary pin and link car coupling, in order to prevent the
entire weight of a train being thrown upon an engine at the same time in ascending
a grade or in starting the train. Another object of the invention is to provide a
car coupling, wbich will be adapted for coupling the cars having draw-heads at
different elevations and which will readily receive and guide a link into it and
obviate the necessity of guiding the link by hand.
The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement
of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and
pointed out in the claims hereto appended.
In the drawing-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a car coupling constructed in accordance with
this invention and shown applied to a car, the parts being arranged for automatic.
coupling.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing two draw-heads uncoupled.
Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the lower section of the draw-head.
Figure 4 is a detail view of the slide.
Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of
the drawing.
1 designates a draw-head, consisting of a rigid upper section 2, which is integral
with a shank or draw-bar 3, and a movable lower section 4, which is hinged to the
upper section of the draw-head and which, when the parts are set for automatic
coupling, as illustrated in Figure 1, of the accompanying drawing, is adapted to
assume an inclined position to form a wide mouth to receive a link and guide the
same into the draw-head. The upper section 2 of the draw-head is provided with
a longitudinal slot or opening 5, and the adjacent portion of the draw-bar or
shank 3 is bifurcated to receive an arm 6 of the movable section 4. The arm 6
extends rearward from the back of the lower section to form a heel and it extends
pivoted at the heel by a
upward through the opening 5 of the upper sertion; it
transverse pin 7, which passes through the front end of the shank or draw-bar at
the bottom thereof; and when the lower section swings downward to an inclined
position, the arm 6 moves forward in the opening 5 of the upper section.
The draw head is provided with a coupling-pin perforation which extends through
the upper and lower sections; and a coupling-pin 8 is supported in an elevated
position for automatic coupling, as shown in Figure 1, hy a slide 9, which is
arranged in suitable longitudinal ways at the top of the draw-head. The ways
are formed by a longitudinal recess and grooves arranged at the side walls of the
recess; and the slide which is provided with a perforation. 10 to register with the
coupling-pin perforation, is moved outward when the parts are set for automatic

page_text: coupling to carry such perforation away from the coupling-pin perforation of the
draw-bead. The coupling pin, when in an elevated position, is supported by a
guide 11 and it rests upon an imperforate portion of the slide. When two draw-
heads come together in coupling, the extended slide of one draw-head is engaged
by the other draw-head and forced inward carrying with it the arm 6 of the lower
section of the draw-head, which is swung upward to a horizontal position. The
inner end of the slide is in contact with the arm 6 and when the perforation 10
registers with the coupling-pin perforation, the pin falls and engages the link.
When the lower section of the draw-head is in an inclined position, it forms a
wide mouth and is adapted to, receive links of draw-heads at different elevations,
and when it swings upward or closes, it carries the link with it.
The guide 1 consists of a hollow post which straddles the ways of the draw-
head, and the slide is provided at its front end with an outwardly extending
flange, which abuts against the guide when the lower section is in a horizontal
position.
The car coupling is adapted to couple on curves, and it permits the necessary
longitudinal movement of a link to enable the cars of a train to be successively
started, so that the entire weight of a train will not be thrown on an engine at the
same time in starting it, or when the train is ascending a gradle. Should a car
become derailed or overturned, the link would twist sufficiently to break the
coupling pin, so that the other cars of a train will not be carried with the
derailed car.
It will be seen that the car coupling is simple and comparatively inexpensive in
construction, that it is strong and durable and that it is capable of guiding a link
into it and of coupling automatically without going between cars.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
•
1. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head comprising a shank or
draw-bar an upper section rigid with the same, a hinged lower section adapted to
swing downward to an inclined position for guiding a link into the draw-head, and
a movable pin support engaging the rear portion of the hinged section and adapted
to swing the same upward to its closed position said pin support being arranged to
project beyond the drawhead, when the parts are set for automatic coupling and
adapted to be engaged and moved inward by another draw-head whereby the pin
is caused to fall and the lower hinged section of the draw-head is returned to its
enclosed position, substantially as described.
2. In a car-coupling, the combination of a draw-head comprising a shauk or
draw-bar, a rigid upper section, a hinged lower section provided with an upwardly
extending arm, and a slide mounted on the upper section of the draw-head, arranged
to engage the arm of the lower section and adapted when drawn outward to form a
support for a coupling pin, whereby when it is moved inward, the pin will be
caused to fall and the lower section will be returned to its closed position,
substantially as described.
3. In a car coupling, the combination of a draw-head comprising a shank or
draw-bar, a rigid upper section having a longitudinal opening and provided with
longitudinal ways, a hinged lower section having an upwardly extending arm
arranged in said opening, a slide mounted in the said ways, engaging the said arm
and provided with a perforation adapted to register with the coupling-pin perfora-
tion of the draw-head, and a guide, mounted on the draw-head and adapted to
receive a coupling pin, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 26th day of March 1897
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicants.