Improvements in Apparatus for Coupling, Uncoupling, and Shunting Cars in a Running Train.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Oct., 1893-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Coupling, Uncoupling, and
Shunting Cars in a Running Train.
I, ALFREDO LEBLANC, of Havana, Cuba, Engineer, 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 :-
My invention has for its object to allow of coupling, uncoupling and shunting one
or more cars in a running train, without stopping the said train.
In order that my invention and its working may be clearly understood, I refer to
the annexed drawing in diagram in which
Fig. 1 illustrates a side-view of a waggon provided with an unclasping and
shunting apparatus;
Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 a plan of a railroad track with a switching device for the detached
car and
Fig. 4 a plan of a railroad with a shunting track for fastening the car.
In all these drawings the same letters of reference correspond to the same parts.
In the disposition which I illustrate in the annexed drawing and which may be
varied in any convenient way, the detaching of the car or cars is effected in the
following manner; When one or more cars are desired to be shunted, for instance,
a lever A which may be moved by any suitable means, raises the rod B which by
this upward movement unclasps the catches C, C, and thus separates the waggon
from the one preceding it. But the upward motion of the rod B has at the same
time raised a horizontal piece D to which it is joined and is placed on the roof of
the car or cars and pivots around the supports E E.
The horizontal piece D thus elevated will meet at the shunting point, a lever G
for instance, to be moved by it and which connected with the switch by means of
any convenient mechanism will put it in the desired position at the time of the
coming of the car or cars, and which will thus automatically be shunted.
The horizontal piece D is illustrated in the drawing as having a curved or oblique
shape at the end destined to meet the lever G so as to facilitate its passage under
the lever. The switch which will have been maintained during the passage of the
cars by means of the horizontal piece D placed on the roof of the car or cars, will
then return by means of a counterweight or any other device into its former
position so as to replace the line in its former position.
In order to attach the car or cars, proceed as follows:-The car or cars being
placed on a shunting or switching line a; in order to be added to a running train
on the main line, I drive the car or cars from the shunting line at the same speed as
the running train on the main line, by means of any motor, steam engine, cable,
electric motor etc. etc. and I graduate the speed to allow them to join the train
passing on the main line b, either before or behind.
I have presented these simple dispositions or means only as an instance or
illustration and to make the invention more clearly understood, it being quite plain
that any other mechanical arrangements and devices may be applied in order
to obtain these results.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is:-
The necessary disposition to produce at the same time or subsequently the
within in a running train without

page_text: stopping that train, as well as the coupling of those cars whatever may be the
device used to obtain these results.
This operation taking place on the train or on the waggon itself. Such
improvement being applicable also on any railroads, whatever may be the mode of
traction employed.
Dated this Nineteenth day of October 1893.
A. H. REED,
Agent for Applicant.