Improvements relating to Couplings for Railway Carriages and other Vehicles, and to Apparatus connected therewith.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 23rd June, 1890-Accepted, 23rd Aug.,
1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Couplings for Railway Carriages and other
Vehicles, and to Apparatus connected therewith.
I, ALFRED BUCKINGHAM IBBOTSON of Ibbotson Brothers & Co. Limited, Globe
Steel Works, Sheffield, in the County of York, Merchant do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to couplings, coupling-buffers, and tightening-up apparatus for
railway purposes, and comprises various improvements hereinafter specified.
.
According to one part of my said invention I provide an automatic coupling-buffer
in which there is attached to each head a coupling-link somewhat similar in shape to
those employed in the apparatus shown in Figures 46, 47 and 48 in the drawings
accompanying the specification of British Letters Patent granted to myself and
another and dated 2nd November A.D. 1878, No. 4446, wherein the automatic locking
of the vehicles together, when brought into contact, is effected by a hinged hanging
locking pin attached to a hinged lid inside or upon the buffer-head, box or case, and
two links one of which is attached to each buffer-head with peculiarly formed oblong
hinge-pins fixed in triangular holes on each side thereof. These pins not only firmly
secure the links to their buffer-head, but permit their free projecting ends to rise or
fall through considerable distances thus insuring the automatic coupling together of
loaded and unloaded vehicles of greatly differing heights, because, when the extreme
projecting ends of such links come together, that link-end which is in the slightest
degree on a higher level than the other, must necessarily mount and slide upwards
over the upper surface of the other link, and strike with its extreme point against the
outer face of the hanging pin, thus raising it and its lid and passing under it, and
instantly becoming locked thereby, in consequence of the hanging locking pin
immediately falling by its own weight and that of its lid within the inside of said
link.
My present invention comprises the following modifications and improvements in
apparatus of this kind or class, viz. :-
Instead of making the whole buffer-head with its box and shaft in one piece of
metal as shown in the aforesaid former specification, I sometimes form them in two or
more parts.
I sometimes form the two sides of the buffer box or case separately from both the
buffer face and the shaft, and, if desired, separately from each other for the purpose of
shaping them more efficiently and more cheaply than heretofore and I make the shaft
and buffer-face in separate parts and afterwards attach all the parts firmly together by
bolts, rivets or other suitable neaus.
Instead of forming the triangular holes for holding the peculiar rounded oblong
hinge-pins of the link, in the sides of the buffer box or case itself as shown in the
aforesaid Figures 46 and 48, I reduce the projecting sideways length of these oblong
hinge-pins of the link considerably, and enclose them between two sliding pieces
containing similar triangular holes; which sliding pieces while permitting the end of
the link to rise and fall as before, and while embracing both sides of the oblong hinge-
pin of the link, are with the link thus secured between them, slid into parallel
To provide,
horizontal grooves formed in the inner sides of the buffer box or case.
however, for drawing backwards or pushing forward the link when required to take
up the slack between the buffer-faces, or to increase it by the use of my external
levers hereinafter described, I either form a projecting pin on the outside of the
sliding pieces, or I form a somewhat longer round projecting pin of the same strength
as or somewhat stronger than the body of the link at the extreme back end of the
rounded oval hinge-pin of the link. In both cases I form an extra horizontal parallel

page_text: groove of corresponding diameter to the projecting pin or hinge-pin completely
through the sides of the buffer case or box. Or I form dipping continuations of the
sliding pieces below the sides of the buffer box, and extend one or more projecting
parts underneath and beyond the bottom of the said sides of the buffer box.
After the grooves are made in the inside of the buffer-box and through the full
thickness of the sides of the buffer box (when required) the greater part of the
interior of which is formed of the same parallel width throughout those parts in
which the slides travel, the sliding pieces containing the link hinge are slid into
the same. I then firmly secure the buffer-face, which is made in a separate piece,
to the front of the Luffer-case where it not only effectually confines the sliding
pieces with the oblong binges of the link between them within the buffer, but also
forms a stop to resist all future pulling strains upon the link when the latter is in
its most forward position for coupling. Or instead of forming the said oblong
hinge-pins on the links, I form simple round hinge-pins at or near the extreme
back ends thereof extending sufficiently far on each side thereof to project through
the sides of the buffer-case itself, and I dispense with the use of side sliding pieces
containing the triangular holes, as, when these hinge-pins are slid into grooves in
the sides of the buffer case and the buffer-face is attached thereto of a suitable form
with a cross piece below its entrance, the latter will form the bearing to keep the
projecting end of the link from hanging too low to effect the coupling. The object
of extending the round hinge pins of either the slides or the links through the sides
of the buffer case or box is that those projecting ends may there be grasped by my
external levers hereinafter referred to.
According to another inodification of my invention, instead of using my said levers
for drawing backwards and forwards the hinged end of the link, I firmly attach
a sliding rack underneath the hinged end of the link, which will itself slide back-
wards and forwards in horizontal grooves in the inner sides of the buffer box or case,
and be acted upon through a worm-wheel or pinion arranged in any convenient
manner. In this case, the hinge-pins of the link will not need to project outside the
buffer-box. It is evident that the mode of carrying out the principle of this invention
may be varied considerably in detail.
If the two sides of the buffer box are not formed in one piece of metal with the
shaft, they may be firmly secured thereto either before or after the buffer-face is
attached.
I not only provide means for keeping close contact of the buffer faces while going
round sharp curves, by rounding the faces of the buffers, but by any of the well
known means applied behind the buffer box or case or underneath the vehicle.
Another part of my invention consists in the use of a pair of levers for drawing
backwards or forcing forwards the hinged end of the link which is attached to that
buffer. The pivot or fulcrum of the levers is firmly secured to the sides of the buffer-
box, the shorter ends of these levers for acting upon the projecting pins of the said
slides or pins of the link-hinges, are formed either with an open slotted fork-like
mouth, or with a long slotted hole therein of correct diameter to fit such pin and with
sufficient length of slot to cause the pin to come backwards or go forwards in a
straight line, while the gripping part of the lever is describing a circle on its fuleruin.
I prefer to connect the tops of these levers by a bar which will extend outwards with
handles, so that both the levers may be actuated by hand from either side of the
coupling-buffer and I sometimes use in conjunction therewith for locking the levers
similar devices to those used for putting a brake on a trycycle. In order to reduce
the length of these levers when not in use for drawing back or forcing forward the
link, and in order likewise to be enabled to lock both the levers in any desired position
from either side of the buffer-coupling I make the upper parts of the levers of tubular
form and of somewhat larger inside diameter than the solid lower parts or arms
of the levers so that these upper parts may slide up and down thereon like a
telescope.
Near the bottom part of these upper portions and preferably on their insides or
sides facing the buffer-box, I form projecting pieces containing dipping round pins,

page_text: which, when brought downwards, will enter corresponding holes in a circular
upwardly projecting part of the sides of the buffer-case, the circle corresponding as
nearly as possible with the radius of a circle formed at that distance from the centre
of the fulcrum of the said levers. By lifting upwards one of the side handles the
opposite side handle is raised at the same time, and the leverage greatly augmented,
and as soon as the link is drawn into the correct position for bringing the buffer-faces
into close contact or otherwise as may be desired, the upper parts of the levers are
telescoped downwards and by means of the dipping pins at their sides are effectually
locked thereby, so that the link also is thereby held firmly in its desired position with
ample strength to resist the pulling effect of the train.
It is only the buffer-box which contains the hinge of the link coupled to the
opposing buffer-coupling, on which the taking up of the slack is required.
Instead of making the fulcrum of the levers between both ends thereof they may be
made at the extreme lower end thereof, if the long slotted hole is placed therein in
correct position in the levers.
In the majority of cases wherein the vehicles are brought closely in contact, no
appreciable power will require to be exercised in locking the faces of the coupling-
buffers closely in contact.
Instead of drawing back and pushing forward the link which may happen to get
locked by reason of its extreme end being on a somewhat higher level than its
opposite link-end, I may apply this invention to drawing backward and pushing
forward in a similar manner by means of my levers, the locking hanging hinged pin
with its lid and the pins and upper bearing if the whole are securely fastened to the
lower pulling bearing of the lower portion of the said hanging pin and the whole
together are similarly made to travel backwards and forwards in a straight line.
This invention may also be applied to almost all known kinds of coupling hooks
where what is known as slack-gathering is desired.
Dated 24th August 1889.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Couplings for Railway Carriages and other
Vehicles, and to Apparatus connected therewith.
I, ALFRED BUCKINGHAM IBBOTSON of the firm of Ibbotson, Brothers & Co., Limited
Globe Steel Works, Sheffield in the County of York, 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 relates to couplings, coupling-buffers and coupling tightening-
apparatus for railway carriages and other railway vehicles, and comprises various
improvements hereinafter set forth.
One part of my said invention comprises modifications and improvements in
automatic coupling-buffers of the kind or class shown in Figures 46, 47 and 48
in the Specification of Letters Patent granted to myself and another and dated
2nd November A.D. 1878 No. 4446, and more especially my invention comprises
ineans for closing or tightening up the said coupling-buffers and couplings of a
similar type.
My said tightening-up apparatus may also be applied to almost all known kinds of
coupling hooks automatic and non-automatic where what is known as slack-gathering
is required.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my invention may be con-
veniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automatic coupling-buffer having my present
improvements applied thereto.
Figure 2 is a rear view partly in section of Figure I.

page_text: Figure 4 is a section on the line x, x, Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a further detail of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a section on the line x, x¹, Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of a modification of my improved coupling-buſſer and
tightening-up apparatus.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal section taken on the line y, y Figure 7.
Figure 9 is a partial side elevation of another modification of my improved auto-
matic coupling-buffer head and tightening-up apparatus shown coupled by means of a
loose link with an automatic coupling-buffer head Figure 9" of a type previously
patented by myself.
Figure 10 is a plan of the coupling link shown in Figures 94 and 9B.
Figure 11 is a side elevation of a coupling-buffer head of a type previously patented
by myself with my improved tightening up apparatus applied thereto.
Figure 12 is a partial side elevation of a further modification of my improved
coupling-buffer provided with a coupling hook for coupling to an ordinary Norwegian
type of coupling-buffer head shown in Figure 12³.
Figure 13 is a plan view of the linked coupling-hook shown in Figures 12*
and 12".
Figure 14 is a partial side elevation of my improved coupling-buffer shown as used
as a coupling only and coupled with an ordinary coupling hook commonly used on
English stock.
Figure 15 is a side elevation of another modification of my automatic coupling-
buffer and tightening-up apparatus.
Figure 16 is a plan, the tightening levers being removed to show the parts beneath
the same, and
Figure 17 is a half section on the line z, z, and a half front elevation of
Figure 15.
Figure 18 is a detail showing the coupling link socket, and
Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automatic coupling, only, with my improved
tightening-up apparatus applied thereto..
.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A is a buffer-head prepared for automatically
coupling with a similar buffer-head or with many other forms of coupling apparatus
at present in use, and after coupling therewith the said coupling may be closed or
tightened up by apparatus hereinafter described. The said buffer-head may also be
coupled by hand to almost every description of simple coupling or of buffer coupling
known to be in use on British railways and after coupling therewith may be tightened
up by means of the said tightening apparatus hereinafter described. a is the
coupling-link, the construction of which is more clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4.
The said link a is centred on a pin al that passes through the sides of the buffer-
head and is prevented from accidental withdrawal by a cross-piece a² pivoted to
the extreme end of the pin, and which can be placed in a straight line with the
pin a to admit of the withdrawal of the latter in a well known manner. The
pin is preferably chained to the buffer-head carriage or waggon to prevent its
getting lost or stolen. The coupling-link a is capable of turning upwards through a
considerable angle round the hinge-pin a¹, but its descent is limited by means of tail-
pieces a³ which extend downwards and rearwards on each side of the link-boss and
pass underneath the sides of the buffer-head A. The said tail-pieces as are constructed
to bear against the under sides of the buffer-head when the link has descended as far
as is desired, and maintain the link in that position as shown in Figure 1. b is a
hanging locking pin hinged at to a cap c which is pivoted at c. For the
purpose of tightening up the coupling after the opposing buffers have been coupled
together by means of the locking hanging pin bI provide means bereinafter described
for sliding the hanging locking pin 6 backwards through any convenient distance.
For this purpose the cap c is pivoted at c¹ to a carriage d which is constructed to slide
between the sides A of the buffer-head. This carriage is shown more clearly in
Figures 5 and 6 and consists of two flat sides d connected by two cross-pieces d', the

page_text: whole being preferably made in one piece and hored at d² to receive the pin c. The
faces of the cross-pieces d¹ form a stop or bearing for the locking pin b when the said
pin is in its lowest position, while the space between the said cross-pieces d¹ is amply
wide for the coupling-link to pass through and have sufficient clearance. The lower
cross-piece d¹ is curved on one side as seen in Figure 6, for the purpose hereinafter
specified. In the sides A of the buffer-head I form straight longitudinal slots e of
any desired length, and in each of the sides of the carriage d I form a square hole d³
countersunk on the inner face. Through the said holes d³ and slots c, I pass bolts f
having square pyramidal shaped heads f¹ constructed to fit the countersunk holes d³,
and square necks f2 fitting the slots e. By this means the carriage d its bearing
parts dd with the cap c and locking pin bare supported in the buffer-head while
being able to slide freely within the buffer-head in a longitudinal direction for any
desirable or convenient distance. Moreover it will be seen that, in consequence of
the necks and heads f¹ of the supporting bolts being square, the carriage dis
prevented from turning about its supports and always maintains an upright position.
For sliding the carriage d backwards and forwards, I pivot on each side the
buffer-head A a lever g having a slot glat its lower end which embraces the bolt f.
The fulera of the levers g are preferably formed or secured by my well-known fast
locking screw threads g², and the bolts fare preferably secured by my patented four
slit expansion steel lock-nuts f³. It is obvious from this construction that, by
oscillating the levers g about their fulcra g², the bolts f and consequently the carriage
or frame d, cap c, and locking pin will be moved backwards and forwards, the
slots gl allowing of the relative longitudinal movement of the levers g and bolts f.
Instead of using the hanging locking pin b shown in Figures 1 and 2 attached to
travelling carriage d, I may use a latch fastening pin or bolt which will be raised by
the pressure of the projecting end of a coupling link until the latter has passed its
point, and will then fall within the link. I may connect the upper ends of the levers g
by a fixed cross-bar as shown in Figure 17 but I prefer to use a connecting frame h
having a tubular portion at each side constructed to slide up and down on the
levers g, the extent of moving being limited by a pin h³, fixed in the lever g and
working in a slot h³ in the tubular portion h¹. A projecting handle is provided on
each side of the frame h for actuating the said frame and for raising and lowering it
as desired. An important advantage of this peculiar construction is that by raising
the frame h by one of the handles the leverage available for tightening up the coupling
is augmented, while the lowering of the frame h allows of an increased rearward
movement of the levers g without necessarily coining in contact with the end of the
carriage or waggon. It is essential of course to secure the levers g after having
tightened up or slackened again the coupling by such forward or backward movement
and for this purpose I provide on the upper edge of each buffer side, a circular rack
or toothed segment of a circle i struck from the pin g as a centre, and I extend the
frame h downwards on each side to form legs which are toothed at 16 and gear with
the teeth of the circular rack i. The feet are widened out in length and on the
inner side at the base and the rack is also correspondingly widened to ensure that
not only a sufficient number but sufficient strength of teeth shall when locked together
be in engagement as to effectually resist the pull on the coupling link and locking pin
used. It is obvious that, by raising the frame h so as to disengage the teeth / from
those of the rack i, the frame is freed and may then be drawn over in either direction
to tighten or slacken, as the case may be, the coupling, and moreover the frame
may be dropped into gear with the rack not only at the extreme ends of its stroke
but also at any intermediate position separated by distances equal to the pitch of
the teeth.
By my improved automatic coupling buffer the action, when coupling two vehicles
together, is as follows;-On the vehicles coming together the extreme projecting end
of that coupling link a which happens to be in the slightest degree on the higher level
will slide upwards on the upper surface of the opposing link (the latter being
supported by its tail-pieces a³) and pass through the space between the cross bars d¹ of
the frame d and raise the pin b. When the link has cleared the pin b, the latter by itsown

page_text: weight immediately falls within and through the link and the coupling is thus auto-
matically effected. To tighten up the coupling, the frame is raised, and bandle/
operated as above described to force the locking pin 6 with its frame d to slide back-
ward then the frame is dropped with the teeth of its feet into the teeth of the rack i
and the coupling is thereby locked in that position. In the majority of cases wherein
the vehicles are brought in contact, no appreciable power will require to be exercised
in locking the faces of the buffer-coupling closely together.
The outer face of the lower cross-bar d' of the frame d is curved, as shown in
Figures 1 and 6 to the curvature of the boss of the coupling link a so as to form a
bearing on the said boss when the carriage or frame d is in its most forward
position.
In some cases I may arrange the lever g with the pivot g2 below instead of
above the slot g¹, thus making the lever g one of the second instead of the first
order.
To uncouple the vehicles, I provide an overhead or other convenient chain attached
by a link to the cap c. By pulling the said chain, the cap c is raised and the
pin b, owing to its being hinged at 61, is lifted perpendicularly out of the coupling
link.
In Figures 7 and 8, I have shown my improved automatic coupling-buffer provided
with tightening-up apparatus, but, in this case, the hanging locking pin is stationary
and the coupling-link is made to travel instead. The locking-link a is of the same
construction as that shewn in Figures 3 and 4, with the exception that a heel-piece a
is formed on the link boss for the purpose hereinafter specified, and the said link is
pivoted on a hinge-pin a¹ which passes through and is free to slide backwards and
forwards in longitudinal slots e formed in the sides of the buffer head A, and is
secured by an ordinary cottar a³. The cap e carrying the hinged locking pin b is
pivoted at c¹ to the sides of the buffer head and the carriage d shown in Figures 1
and 2 is dispensed with, moreover the pin bis so placed as to bear at its lower end
against the heel-piece a of the coupling link, which when in its most forward position
against the end of the slot e, forms a support to resist the pull on the said locking
pin. The tightening-up levers g embrace at their lower ends the hinge-pin a¹ and act
to slide the said pin backwards and forwards in the slots e.
For the rest the con-
struction is precisely the same as shown in Figures 1 and 2. It is obvious that the
manner of automatic coupling is the same as above described with reference to
Figures 1 and 2 but the tightening up is effected by drawing back the hinge
pin a of the coupling link a that is in action. The hanging locking pia b
is of course lying idle when its companion coupling-link is in action and consequently
it is free to be pushed backwards by the rear movement of the said link when
tightening up or closing the coupling.
In Figure 9 I have shown a inodification of my invention as arranged for
coupling automatically by means of a loose link with a coupling buffer Figure 9B
of a type previously patented in many countries by myself and now so largely in
use abroad. The construction of the buffer-head Figure 9 is precisely the same
as that shown in Figure 1 with the exception that the locking coupling-link a
shown in Figure 1 is removed and hung on the vehicle by means of its chain or
otherwise and a spring plate is substituted therefor, the plate k being freely
suspended on the pivot-pin a³. At the back of the boss of the plate k is formed
a heel which bears against the underside of the lower bar d' of the sliding
carriage or frame when the latter is in its most forward position, and supports
the plate in the position projecting forwards and downwards shown in the drawing.
The loose link a, a plan of which is shown in Figure 10, is locked in its buffer-
head Figure 9 by means of the locking pin b and when not coupled up with
another coupling, projects forwards and downwards as will be readily understood.
When two couplings of this description Figures 94, 9B are brought together, the
forward end of the link a strikes against the spring plate (which is sufficiently
long to permit of considerable relative variation in height of the two coupling
buffers without allowing the link to get underneath the plate k) and the first result

page_text: of this contact is for the link a to be driven back until its rear end encounters
the closed end A' of the buffer Figure 9. The forward end of the link then rises
upwards on the upper surface of the plate and enters the mouth of the opposing
buffer Figure 9^ passes behind the hanging locking pin and the two buffers
then become automatically locked together. As the buffer-faces come together, the
lip of the spring platek strikes against the lower edge of the face of the opposing
buffer head Figure 9B and is thereby bent backwards within the recess of its own
buffer-face and so allows the two buffer-faces to come into close contact.
By
actunting the tightening-up apparatus in Figure 9^ as herein before described, the
locking-pin with its carriage d, are drawn backwards to tighten up the coupling,
and by this movement the bar d¹ of the carriage or frame d recedes from the heel k¹
of the plate k, releasing the said plate k and allowing it to swing freely downwards on
its hinge-pin a¹.
Referring to Figure 11, I have here shown how my improved tightening-up
apparatus may be applied to the type of automatic coupling shown in Figure 9B.
According to this modification, instead of pivoting the cap c to the buffer sides I
hinge it to a carriage arranged to slide within the buffer precisely in the same
manner as shown in, and described with reference to, Figure 1. The carriage or
frame with its bearing surfaces is also suspended within slots e and actuated by
means of levers g as shown in Figure 1. It will be seen therefore that I am
able by this arrangement to tighten up the coupling by drawing back the locking-
pin b.
In Figure 12, I have shown a modification of my improved coupling buffer and
tightening apparatus specially designed for coupling with an ordinary Norwegian
type of automatic coupling-buffer shown in Figure 12. The Norwegian buffer-head
has the usual opening in the upper part of its face. I remove the locking coupling
link a shown in Figure 1 from iny buffer-head and substitute therefor a boss q for a
purpose hereinafter specified. I then form at the rear end of an ordinary Norwegian
coupling hook, Figure 13, a link and I pass the said link into my buffer-head
Figure 12 and lock it therein by means of the locking pin b. The boss
is con-
structed with rearwardly and outwardly extending projections q¹ which pass under
the sides of the buffer A and limit the movement of the said boss about its supporting
pin a The upper face of the boss q forms a support for the Norwegian linked
hook l, and moreover a rising projection q² on the upper face of the boss passes up
into the link and by encountering the face 13 Figure 13 serves to prevent the hook /
being forced too far back, by the concussion when coupling automatically. The boss q
is undercut at g³ and rests on the lower cross-bar d¹ of the carriage d. The rest of
the parts of the buffer-head Figure 12 are constructed in precisely the same manner
as described with reference to Figure 1, I moreover remove in the usual way the
coupling hook ordinarily supplied with the Norwegian buffer-head Figure 12B and
thus use only the one hook Figure 13 for coupling purposes. The hook projects out-
wards from its buffer-head in the correct line for coupling with the opposing buffer,
and it will be readily seen that when two buffer-beads of the type shown in
Figures 12 and 12B come together the sloping face 12 of the hook will strike against
the pin m of the Norwegian head and will slide upwards against and over it and,
therefore become automatically locked or the hook coupling therewith in a well known
manner can be placed in the required coupled position by hand. My tightening
apparatus may then he actuated in the manner above described for drawing the link
hook backwards and therefore the buffer-faces together.
Referring to Figure 14, I have here shown how my coupling and tightening-up
apparatus may be applied to coupling non-automatically with an ordinary hook as
used on nearly all kinds of English stock. I employ for this purpose a buffer-bead of
the kind described with reference to Figure 1, but I insert and lock therein a loose
link n.
On the vehicles being brought together, this link can be passed by hand over
the opposing hook o and then the tightening-up apparatus may be actuated to tighten
up the coupling without necessitating the operator going between the vehicles, and
moreover in a much closer distance than an ordinary screw apparatus would tighten-up.

page_text: Instead of employing a plain link n I may use ordinary screw coupling-links by first
locking one end of the screw links within my coupling buffer head A and then
In this case a portion
passing the other end of the screw links over the hook o.
of the tightening up may be effected by means of the ordinary screw and the
rest by means of my improved tightening apparatus. If the screw handle pis
provided with a joint p¹, there will be no necessity for removing my fixed coupling
link .
In Figures 15, 16 and 17, I have shown another modification of my invention
wherein I use coupling-links somewhat similar in shape to those employed in the
apparatus shown in Figures 46, 47 and 48 in the drawings accompanying the
Specification of British Letters Patent, granted to myself and another and dated
2nd November A.D. 1878, No. 4446. I construct the buffer-face B separate from
the sides, and fix it thereto after the parts hereinafter specified are in position, by
means of bolts, rivets, or otherwise. In the inner faces of the buffer sides A, 1 form
longitudinal grooves or guide ways A² extending from the front of the sides to a
convenient distance rearwards, and I also form centrally with the said grooves, slots e
passing completely through the said buffer head sides. Within each groove A² I
mount a sliding piece C constructed to accurately fit the groove and having a pin C¹
projecting from the back thereof and passing through the slot e in the buffer-head
side. In the inner faces of each said sliding piece C I form a triangular shaped
recess C² more clearly shown in Figure 18, for receiving the oblong hinge-pin a¹ of
the coupling-link a. The smaller end of the said recess C is facing towards the
rear of the buffer and the construction is such that the coupling-link is free, when in
position, to move up and down through an angle equal to that between the sloping
faces of the triangular grooves. When putting the parts together, the sliding
pieces Care first placed over the oblong hinge-pins of the coupling-link, and the
whole then slid together between the grooves A2 of the buffer sides. The buffer-
face Binay then be secured in position, thus preventing the coupling-link being
withdrawn again. To slide the coupling-link backwards for tightening-up purposes,
I mount on each side of the buffer-bead a lever g having a slot g₁ for embracing the
pin C¹ of the corresponding sliding piece C and fulcrummed at g2 to the buffer-head.
The upper ends of the levers g are connected by a cross-bar y having handles g* by
which the whole can be actuated. In order to provide for fixing the levers g in
several positions, I provide a curved face i on the upper edge of each side of the
buffer-head and I notch the said curved faces in several places as at i¹; moreover
I provide a frame constructed to slide within grooves g³, of the levers g and
When the frame h is lowered
having feet adapted to fit the said notches i¹.
with its feet resting in the notches i¹, the levers g are prevented from moving
and hence the slides C and conpling link a are locked in that position. The said
frame is provided with side handles h2 by which it can be raised to lift the feet /¹
out of the notches and release the levers g, when the latter may be moved back-
wards or forwards to tighten or slacken, as the case may be, the coupling.
The hanging locking pin and cap, in this modification, are constructed the same as
above described and shown in Figure 7.
I have shown how I may construct the buffer-face separate from the box-portion,
but I also sometimes construct the two sides separate from the shank, or, if desired.
I may construct the sides separate from each other for the purpose of shaping them
more efficiently and more cheaply than when constructed in one solid piece. In a
further modification, instead of forming a projecting pin C on the backs of the sliding
pieces C as shown in Figure 17, I form a somewhat longer round projecting pin of
the same strength as, or somewhat stronger than the body of the link at the extreme
back end of the oblong hinge-pin of the link for passing through the slots c and
engaging with the tightening levers g.
In all the above modifications, it is better that the buffer faces should be sufficiently
rounded to provide for keeping close contact when rounding sharp curves, but in
addition to this or in lieu of this I adopt, for this purpose, any of the well known
means applied behind the buffer box or case or underneath the vehicle.

page_text: In Figure 19 I have shown an automatic coupling constructed in all respects like
the coupling-buffer shown in Figure 1, except that it is not provided with a buffer-
face and is intended for use as an automatic coupling. Or the coupling may be
provided with a loose link as shown at n in Figure 14 and then used for coupling
non-automatically with the ordinary coupling hooks of English stock.
It will be manifest that the tightening up apparatus can be equally well applied to
the locking link instead of as shown in Figure 19 to the hanging locking pin.
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 :-
-
First. A coupling or coupling-buffer provided with means for moving backwards
and forwards at will a locking-pin or fastening or the hinge or pivot-pin of the
coupling-link by the movement of a lever in one or the other direction, substantially
as, and for the purposes, specified.
Second. In an automatic coupling-buffer, the improved means substantially as
described for supporting the locking-pin while permitting the to-and-fro movement
thereof for the purposes of tightening-up or slackening the coupling.
Third. The combination, with the locking-pin or with the coupling-link, of the
tightening-up lever comprising two parts one of which is arranged to be moved
longitudinally or endwise relatively to the other, substantially as, and for the
purposes, set forth.
Fourth. The combination, with the lever for moving to and fro the locking pin
or the hinge or pivot-pin of the coupling-link, of a locking device whereby the
said lever may be retained at either extremity of its stroke or movement or in
any desired intermediate position substantially as described for the purposes above
specified.
Fifth. The combination of parts comprising the telescopic lever the sliding
part of which is provided with suitable teeth, and a segmental rack on the buffer-
head with which the said teeth are adapted to engage, substantially as, and for the
purposes, set forth.
Sixth. The combination of the carriage or frame fitted to slide longitudinally to
and fro in or between guides on the buffer-head or coupling-head, a cap pivoted to
the said carriage or frame and having coupled to it a hanging locking-pin, and means
for retaining the said carriage or frame at either extremity of its movement or at
intermediate positions substantially as and for the purposes, set forth.
Seventh. The combination of the coupling-link the pivot-pin of which extends
through slots in the buffer-head, and the lever for adjusting the said pivot-pin
to tighten or slacken the coupling, substantially as, and for the purposes set forth.
Eighth. The spring plate pivoted to the buffer-head and provided with means for
retaining it in such a position that, when two vehicles are brought together, the
coupling-link of the one will ride up the said spring plate of the other, for the purposes
above specified.
Ninth. The combination of sliding pieces fitting in grooves in the buffer-head, and
a coupling-link the pivot-pin of which extends into recesses or cavities in the said
sliding pieces, substantially as described with reference to Figures 15 to 18 of the
drawings, for the purposes specified.
Tenth. The coupling link pivoted to the buffer-head and provided with tail pieces
passing under the buffer-head sides for retaining the said link in such a position that
when two vehicles are brought together the coupling link of the one will ride up the
coupling link of the other, for the purposes above specified.
Eleventh. The means substantially as described with reference to Figures 12 and 13
for supporting a coupling hook as and for the purposes specified.
Twelfth. The improved coupling-buffer constructed substantially as described with
reference to either of the forms or modifications shown in the accompanying drawings
and operating as, and for the purposes, above specified,

page_text: Thirteenth. The improved coupling constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figure 19 of the drawings for the purposes above specified.
Fourteenth. The combination of my tightening up or slack gathering apparatus
with my previously patented automatic coupling buffer as shown in Figure 11.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.