IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES
Year: 1884

page_text: I HENRY STEPHENSON of Mason Cottages Beighton in the county of Derby
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN COUPLING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to improvements in apparatus or appliances for coupling
railway vehicles.
This Invention consists of a rod or its equivalent fixed by brackets to the wagon
to which are connected the ends of a pair or set of links working freely thereon (or
the links may be fixed to the rod and the rod turn in brackets) the other ends of
this pair of links are connected to and work freely on a horizontal rod with a
handle at each end this rod is formed with or has fixed to it a lever or rod which is
connected to the end link of the coupling chain.
The apparatus can be fixed under the buffer plank or over the buffers at the end
of the wagon or in any other convenient position.
The apparatus can be used from either side of the wagon by turning the handle
at the end of the horizontal rod aforesaid by which the coupling chain is raised and
lowered and passed over the coupling hook.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I, HENRY STEPHENSON, of Mason Cottages, Beighton, in the County of Derby,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN COUPLING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAY VEHICLES, 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 of a rod or its equivalent fixed by brackets to the wagon,
to which is connected the ends of a pair or set of links or cranks working freely
thereon, (or the links or cranks may, by preference, be fixed to the rod, and the rod
turn in brackets) the other ends of this pair or set of links or cranks are connected
to and work freely on a horizontal rod with a handle at each end. This rod is
cranked in the centre to fit round end link of coupling chain, and is secured to link
by straps as shewn in the accompanying drawings. (The end link may be formed
either oval, round or any other convenient shape.)
This apparatus can be fixed under the buffer plank or over the buffers, at the
end of the wagon, or in any other convenient position.
It can be used from either side of the wagon by turning the handle at the end of
the aforesaid horizontal cranked rod, by which the coupling chain is raised and
lowered, and passed over the coupling hook without operator going between the
vehicles.
The accompanying drawings illustrate my Invention.
Fig. 1. is a side view in elevation, shewing position of apparatus at rest and in
the act of being coupled, A being the handle, B horizontal rod working in
brackets C, D cranks or links fixed to rod in brackets by pin E, working loosely
on horizontal cranked rod F, which is coupled by end link G.
Fig. 2. is a side view in elevation, shewing position of apparatus when at rest
and coupled.
Fig. 3. is a front view in elevation, of apparatus when at rest, as being applied to
present Railway stock.
Fig. 4. is a front view in elevation, being applicable to new or old Railway stock,
dispensing with coupling chain.
Fig. 5. is an enlarged view shewing rods B and F in section, handle A and link
or crank D in elevation, with pins Ę in position.
Fig. 6. in an enlarged view shewing rods B and F in front elevation, and crank
or link D in side elevation with pins E in position.
Fig. 7. is an enlarged view in front elevation, of handle A secured by pin E to
horizontal cranked rod F.
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
Firstly, Improvements in apparatus or appliances for coupling Railway vehicles.
Secondly, In the construction of an apparatus fixed under the buffer plank or
over the buffers at the end of the wagon, or in any other convenient position, or in
the centre of buffer plank and draw bar hook, as shewn in accompanying drawings.

page_text: Thirdly, an apparatus which can be used from either side of the wagon, by
turning the handle at the end of the horizontal rod aforesaid, by which the
coupling chain is raised and lowered, and passed over the coupling hook.
Fourthly, a coupling apparatus consisting of a rod or its equivalent, fixed by
brackets to the wagon, to which is connected a set of links or cranks working
freely or fixed thereon, and the rod turning in brackets; the other end of this set
of links or cranks working freely on a horizontal rod with a crank in centre and a
handle fixed at each end; the crank being secured to end link by means of straps
or their equivalent.
Fifthly, an apparatus for coupling Railway vehicles to new or old stock by
means of rod B, link or crank D, and horizontal cranked rod F, substantially as
herein before specified, described, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
GARLICK AND MOGOWAN,
Agents for the Applicant.