AN IMPROVED COMBINED BUFFER and COUPLING FOR RAILWAY PURPOSES."
Year: 1874

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick John Talbot, of Sheffield, in the County
of York, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED COMBINED BUFFER and
COUPLING FOR RAILWAY PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick John Talbot
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 3rd September 1874.1
I, FREDERICK JOHN TALBOT, of Sheffield, in the County of York, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED
COMBINED BUFFER AND COUPLING FOR RAILWAY PURPOSES," to be as follows:
My Invention relates to a combined buffer and coupling or coupling
buffer of that class wherein a buffer head is attached to a draw bar, and
so formed that when two carriages or waggons provided with these
coupling buffers are brought together the said coupling heads will meet

page_text: properly with the required elastic contact, while the coupling or con-
nection of the carriages will be automatically effected by a bolt or pin
(or bolts or pins) which passes through the two heads or portions of them.
My said Invention consists chiefly in the combination of this bolt or
pin with a device which acts in such a manner that the said bolt or pin
cannot pass entirely through the head when the two buffer heads are
separated, but when the two heads are properly brought together the
said device permits the said bolt to pass freely through the two heads
and look them together
properly with the required elastic contact, while the coupling or con-
nection of the carriages will be automatically effected by a bolt or pin
(or bolts or pins) which passes through the two heads or portions of them.
My said Invention consists chiefly in the combination of this bolt or
pin with a device which acts. in such a manner that the said bolt or pin
cannot pass entirely through the head when the two buffer heads are
separated, but when the two heads are properly brought together the
said device permits the said bolt to pass freely through the two heads
and look them together
My Invention also obviates the difficulty of connection arising from
want of uniformity in the height of the couplings of the two adjacent
carriages or waggons.
I may apply my said Invention to any couplings which have suitably
formed heads at the end of draw bars. For instance couplings, which
have heads with central cavities or chambers for the reception of an
ordinary link whereby the said couplings are united. In this application
of my Invention I substitute for the said ordinary link a flat plate with
its ends made square, or otherwise so formed that when the said plate is
placed in the recess or cavity of one head and supported on a pin or
bolt passed through the recess it will project outward from the same in
the proper position to meet and enter the buffer head of the other carriage
fitted with my improved coupling. This projecting end of the said plate
has a long vertical aperture or slot through which the coupling bolt or
pin is passed, and which allows for any probable vertical differences in
the height of the two buffer heads. The aforesaid device for preventing
the action of the said bolt or pin and keeping the same out of the holes
or slots in the heads when the carriages are disconnected in this instance
consists of a lever actuated by a weight or spring, as herein-after
described, or a slide placed at the end of the cavity of the head and
fitted in a hole formed in the same with a spring behind it; this spring.
tends always to project the slide from the said hole, and when projected
it covers the hole or aperture of the locking pin or bolt so that the
latter cannot pass through this hole and extend across the cavity or recess
which is to be occupied by the aforesaid plate; when the two heads are
connected, but when this plate enters the said cavity in effecting the
coupling of the two carriages the said spring readily allows the said slide
to retire and leave the way clear for the entrance and passage of the

page_text: said locking bolt through the two heads. If desired the said device may
consist of a spring lever or weighted lever and slide combined. The said
coupling bolt is provided with a spring or weight, whereby its automatic
action in coupling or connecting these two heads is ensured; but a coupling
constructed as above described has certain disadvantages, of which the
most important is the possibility through negligence or carelessness of
the coming together of two of the heads with the coupling plates in
them. I therefore modify the form of the coupling heads and the
arrangement of the parts of the coupling as follows, that is to say,
instead of forming a cavity or recess in the centre of the head I form a
vertical cavity on one side of the centre line of the buffer head, and
through or partially through the same, and I construct the head with a
projecting flange or tongue slightly less in width than the said cavity;
and I prefer to make the whole of the buffer heads to be used on any.
one line of railway to one pattern or gauge, or nearly so, and so place
them on the carriages or waggons that when either end of any carriage
or waggon provided with these couplings is brought up to either end of
any other of the said carriages or waggons the tongue of each one of
the said buffers will meet and enter the cavity of the other buffer and be
immediately and automatically locked therein. Through the sides or
jaws which enclose the said cavity or recess I form a simple hole for the
reception of the locking pin or bolt, but the projecting tongue or flange
has a long vertical aperture or slot to allow for variations in the height,
of the two vehicles. I may modify this part of my Invention by con-
structing the buffer heads with two or more of the aforesaid cavities and
flanges, and instead of the aforesaid solid flanges I may have links fixed_
in the same. The said locking bolt or pin is actuated by a weighted lever or
springs, or both, which forces it through the said hole and slot when the
two heads are brought properly together. And in combination with the
said lever I may use a small spring or spring pin or other device to.
prevent the derangement of the same through vibration; or the said
bolt or pin may be actuated by a small spiral or other spring inserted in
a cavity in the side or other part of the coupling head.
The device for keeping the bolt clear of the aforesaid cavity or recess
when the couplings are disconnected may be applied at the end of the
said cavities, as above described, but I prefer that it should consist of a
lever actuated either by a weight or spring, or both combined, arranged
externally at the top, bottom, or side of the coupling. The lever is so

page_text: formed and arranged that when the heads are disconnected the weight
or spring keeps one end or other portion of the said lever over the hole
of the coupling bolt, but the said lever readily yields to permit the
entrance of the tongue into the cavity when the heads are brought
together in coupling the vehicles.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Frederick John Talbot in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 2nd March 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, FREDERICK
JOHN TALBOT, of Sheffield, in the County of York, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Third day of September, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said Frederick John Talbot, Her
special licence that I, the said Frederick John Talbot, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Frederick
John Talbot, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great.
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "AN IMPROVED COMBINED BUFFER AND COUPLING FOR RAILWAY
PURPOSES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Frederick
John Talbot, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should
particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed; and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that Ì, the said Frederick John Talbot, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in

page_text: and by the following statement, reference being had to the accom-
panying Drawing forming a part of this Specification:-
My Invention relates to a combined buffer and coupling or coupling
buffer of that class wherein a buffer head is attached to a draw. bar and
so formed that when two carriages or wagons provided with these
coupling buffers are.brought together the said coupling heads will meet
properly with the required clastic contact, while the coupling or con-
nection of the carriages will be automatically effected by a bolt or pin
or bolts or pius passed through the two heads or portions of them.
•
My said Invention consists chiefly in the combination of a bolt or pin
which slides horizontally across the buffer head with devices which act
in such a manner that the said bolt or pin cannot pass through the head
in which it is fitted when the said buffer heads are uncoupled, and will
not therefore prevent or obstruct the entrance of a coupling link pro-
jecting from another buffer head, but when the two heads are properly
brought together the said bolt is caused to pass through the two heads
and lock them together. ·
.
· Mv Invention also obviates the difficulty of connection arising from

page_text: :
is a weighted double acting wedge a² which is fitted to slide up and
down in a guide box a³ fixed by dovetailing or otherwise at the side of
the buffer head, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The inclines aª of the
wedge are arranged between the shoulders 6, 6%, of the pin b, and when
the wedge drops the front faces of the inclines acting on the shoulder b¹.
force the said bolt through the sides of the buffer and the link. When
it is desired to release the said link 'the wedge a² is raised by hand, the
back edges of the inclines then acting on the shoulders b² withdraw the
pin from the link and the same will then be uncoupled. The square
shoulders a* on the wedge prevent its being raised by lateral back
pressure on the end of the bolt.
The peculiar formation of the link c which is secured in one head
ensures its locking with the bolt in the opposite head, although there
may be considerable difference of height between the two heads.
At the back or inner end of the recess or space between the jaws I 1
place an arm e which is hinged or jointed between the lugs e¹ on the
lower side of the head, and whose upper or free end is made heavy
enough to act as a weight. This weighted arm when free will fall
and cover the holes through which the bolt slides, and will therefore
prevent the passage of the said bolt across the buffer head, and the said
arm always occupies this position in the absence of the link c from either
head, so that the bolt cannot enter the head and obstruct the entrance
of the link when two carriages come together to be coupled; but the said
link in entering the head pushes back the arm e into the position shown in
Figure 1, and then the bolt 6 being free to pass through the head is a
caused by the aforesaid weighted wedge a² to effect the locking of the
link. And it will be obvious that when so locked the said link cannot
be accidentally uncoupled or detached as the bolt 6 cannot be drawn
back to release the said link until the wedge a² is raised. And on the
other hand when it is desired to uncouple the apparatus the unlocking 3
of the link may be easily and quickly accomplished by simply raising
the said weighted wedge by the hand applied to the under side of the
same; or the uncoupling may be effected by means of a cord attached
to the said wedge and passed over a pulley or by an arrangement of
levers.
.
.
It will be observed that the link c is formed with lateral studs c² on
its upper edge, which studs rest in grooves in the upper side of the
30

page_text: buffer head and support the said link. And the said link may be
further supported at its rear edge, as shown at c².
It will be seen by referring to the Drawing that the link is secured in
the buffer A by a bolt or pin operated by a weighted wedge a³ exactly
similar to that in the head A', and that both heads are furnished with a
pivoted arm e so that the links c may be readily connected or discon-
nected with either head; but it is obvious that instead of using a loose
link, as above described, I may forge or rivet, or otherwise permanently
secure a link in one of the heads; and instead of having only one link
for coupling the two heads together I may form each buffer head with a
recess or space on one side of the centre and provided with a fixed or
loose link on the other side of the centre, the link of each head entering
the space or recess in the opposite head, and being locked therein when
the two heads come together by the devices above described.
I may apply my said Invention to any couplings which have suitably
formed heads at the end of draw bars; for instance, couplings which
have heads with central cavities or chambers for the reception of an
ordinary link whereby the said couplings are united. In this application
of my Invention, which is illustrated in Figure 4, I use an ordinary
coupling link c in combination with the locking pin or bolt b, and with
the aforesaid weighted wedge and. the pivoted arm e.
Or I may
substitute for such ordinary links a flat plate with its ends made square,
or otherwise so formed that when the said plate is placed in the recess or
cavity of one such head and supported on a pin or bolt passed through
the recess it will project outward from the same in the proper position
to meet and enter the buffer head of the other carriage fitted with my
improved coupling. This projecting end of the said plate has a long
vertical aperture or slot through which the coupling bolt or pin is
passed, and which allows for any probable vertical differences in the
height of the two buffer heads.
Another device which I may use for preventing the action of the said
bolt or pin and keeping the same out of the holes or slots in the heads
when the carriages are disconnected in this instance consists of a lever
actuated by a weight or spring, or a slide placed at the end of the cavity
of the head and fitted in a hole formed in the same with a spring behind
it;
this spring tends always to project the slide from the said hole, and
when projected the slide covers the hole or aperture of the locking pin or

page_text: !
recess which is to be occupied by the aforesaid plate when the two heads
are connected; but when this plate enters the said cavity in effecting
the coupling of the two carriages the said spring readily allows the said
slide to retire and leave the way clear for the entrance and passage of
the said locking bolt through the two heads.
If desired the said device may consist of a spring or weight and slide
combined. The said coupling is provided with a spring or weight
whereby its automatic action in coupling or connecting the two heads is
ensured.
And instead of the aforesaid weighted wedge for operating the said
locking bolt or pin I may use a weighted lever or springs, or both to force
it through the said hole and slot when the two heads are brought properly
together. And in combination with the said lever I may use a small
spring or spring pin or other device to prevent the derangement of the
same through vibration. Or the said bolt or pin may be actuated by a
small spiral or other spring inserted in a cavity in the side or other part
of the coupling head.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I wish it understood that I claim,-
First. In a coupling apparatus for railway purposes, securing the
coupling link by a horizontal pin bolt or rod which is passed through
the link and completely through or across a cavity or space in one
coupling head into which the said link projects from the other head
when the two heads are brought together.
Second. The devices for ensuring the automatic action of the locking
bolt or pin when the two heads are properly brought together, as herein
set forth.
Third. The devices for preventing the action of the said locking pin or
bolt when the heads are disconnected, as herein set forth.
Fourth. The novel formation of the coupling link, as shewn in
Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawing, for the purpose specified.
Fifth. A coupling buffer constructed, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3
of the Drawing, and fixed or formed upon a draw bar, and provided
with devices operating in combination with the locking bolts or pins for

page_text: causing their automatic action when the heads are properly brought
together, and for preventing their action when the said heads are
separated, as herein specified.
Sixth. A combined buffer and coupling or coupling buffer with a head
formed with a flange or projection at one side of the longitudinal centre
line of the buffer, and with a cavity or recess at the other side of the
said centre line, as herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
Seventh. Providing the said flanges or projections with long vertical
apertures or slots, as herein set forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick John Talbot, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of February,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
five.
5 Witness.
WM. ROBT. LAKE.
FREDERICK JOHN TALBOT. (L.S.).