AN IMPROVED CRADLE FOR DRAW-BARS AND BUFFERS OF WAGGONS OR OTHER RAILWAY OR ROAD VEHICLES OR CARRIAGES
Year: 1884

page_text: I, JOSEPH HEALD, of 10 Church Terrace, Penarth in the County of Glamorgan,
waggon Builder do hereby declare the nature of said Invention for AN IMPROVED
CRADLE FOR DRAW-BARS AND BUFFERS OF WAGGONS OR OTHER RAILWAY OR ROAD
VEHICLES OR CARRIAGES to be as follows:-
:-
This Invention has for its object an improved cradle for draw-bars and buffers of
waggons or other railway or road vehicles or carriages, and consists in connecting
the draw or buffer-bar or bars to the cradle spring or springs, which are
advantageously of a bow or curved shape, and are, on each side, securely
connected to a cross bar or plate, to the centre of which the bar is connected at one
or either end of the cradle. The cradle springs are rounded at their ends, and may
be flat in section at their centre, for attachment to said cross bar. A space is left
between this cross bar and the frame work, on the underside of the waggon, so as
to allow the draw-bars or their equivalents to be moved longitudinally, of which
movement the bow or cradle springs are constructed so as to allow.
The said cradle springs may be constructed of spring steel, or of wrought iron or
other metal, as found desirable for the requirements of the special purpose to which
they are to be put.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Patent Agents,
22, Southampton Buildings, W.C.,
Agents to the Applicant.

page_text: I, JOSEPH HEALD, of 10 Church Terrace, Penarth, in the County of Glamorgan,
Waggon Builder, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED
CRADLE FOR DRAW BARS AND BUFFERS OF WAGGONS OR OTHER RAILWAY, OR ROAD
VEHICLES, OR CARRIAGES," and in what manner the same is to be performed to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention has for its object, an improved cradle for draw bars and buffers
of waggons or other railway, or road vehicles, or carriages, and consists in
connecting the draw or buffer-bar or bars to the cradle spring or springs, which are,
advantageously, of a bow or curved shape.
The outer ends of the cradle are secured to the respective draw bars with or
without the interposition of spiral springs.
The cradle, when in a normal condition, has its sides either bowed outwards or
brought close together, and, therefore, possesses a power, corresponding to the
extent of curvature, of absorbing the sudden jars and concussions to which rolling
stock and general vehicles are subjected by shunting and sudden starting or
stopping.
In order that my invention, and the means whereby the same can be put into
successful operation, may be thoroughly understood, I will now proceed to describe
them in detail, referring to the accompanying drawings which are to be taken as
part of this specification and read therewith, and in which corresponding parts are
marked throughout the figures in which they occur with the same reference
letter.
Figure 1 is a plan of a cradle in a normal, i.e. unstrained, condition, made with
its springs a, a, close together, while Figure 2 shews a cradle made with its springs
bent outwards. Figures 3 and 4 are end elevations corresponding, respectively, to
Figures 1 and 2.
These two types of cradle are illustrated to shew the application of my invention,
but it is evident I may make the springs of my improved cradles of different
shapes, e.g. bent both from and to the axial line, without departing from the essence
or substance of my said invention.
The cradle springs are of iron, steel, or other metal, as may be suitable for the
particular class of vehicle to which they are to be applied and of such a section as
will best combine resilience with tensile strength. Each spring may have additional
plates to increase its strength.
The ends, b, are connected by end cross plates, c, applied in any convenient way
by rivetting or otherwise.
These end cross plates, c, are drilled to receive the draw bars, e. In Figure 1, a
spiral spring, D, is shewn as added to the cradle to increase its effect. The draw
bars compress the spiral springs by nuts, f, and washers, g.
Figures 5 and 6 respectively illustrate, in plan and elevation, another method of
connecting the ends of the cradle springs. The ends are beut over a ring, E, and
embraced by a second ring, F, which also assists in keeping the draw bar central
and prevents the spring ends from bending. The draw bars bear upon the cradle
springs through a nuts, f, and washers, g.
Figures 7 and 8 respectively illustrate, in plan and elevation, another method of
connecting the springs. According to this modification they are bent over the end
plate, I, towards the draw bar, and hooks, formed on their ends are embraced by a
ring J, which acts with the end plate to keep the springs in position.

page_text: 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
First. The constructing a spring cradle to be applied to rolling stock and other
vehicles for the purpose herein before set forth, of two simple or compound spring
bars, a, a, each one bent more or less, and regularly or irregularly, outwards from
or inwards to the line of traction, as herein described with reference to the
accompanying drawing.
Second. In combination with the spring cradle hereinbefore described and
defined in the preceding claim, the use of a spiral spring between the end of the
draw bar and the end plate connecting the adjacent ends of the cradle springs, as
herein described with reference to Figure 1.
Third. In spring cradles as hereinbefore described, the use of the various and
alternative methods of connecting the ends of the springs to each other, as well
as to the draw har, as herein described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
PHILLIPS & LEIGH,
Patent Agents,
22, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, W.C.,
Agents to the Applicant.