Improvements in Car-couplings.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 1890
Improvements in Car-couplings.
1, HENRY MARSHAL residing at 919 V Street, in the City of Lincoln, State of
Nebraska, United States of America, Inventor, 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 :-
This invention relates to car-couplings more especially of that class known as
twin-jaws" and the object of the invention is to improve the con-truction of devices
of this general character heretofore existing.
To this end the invention consists of a draw-heal, a jaw swinging on a vertical
pivot therein and having a foot extending into a transverse slot in the front end of the
draw-head provided with an inclined bottom, a pin having a shoulder adapted to
lock the foot and hence the jaw, and certain details of construction as of the devices
for connecting the draw-head with the car, all as hereinafter more fully described and
illustrated in the drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved draw-head and draw-bar detached from the
car, showing the jaw as open or in uncoupled position.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the jaw as locked.
Fig. 3 is a similar section showing the pin as raised and held in raised position by
the ball and the jaw as ready to be turned to uncouple the cars.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation showing the jaw as unlocked, the upper portion of the
draw-head being broken away to show the correct positions of the pin and ball, this
view also showing the end of the car in outline and the pin-raising devices attached
thereto.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the draw-head from the jaw side with the jaw open.
Figs. 6 and 7 are detail perspective views of the pin and the jaw detached.
Referring to the said drawings, the letter H designates the draw-head: D the
draw-bar; P the coupling pin; "J the jaw; B the hall; L the pin-lifter; X the
draft-boxes; R the connecting rod and S the buffer-spring. The construction and
relative arrangement of these parts are as follows: The draw-head H is provided
at its sides with ears E, over which are engaged draft-boxes X which are retained in
position upon said ears by suitable means as fastening-pins and through the rear
ends of these boxes are passed the front ends of connecting-ro's R which extend
beneath the car-body and are connected with the draw-head at the other end of the
car in the same manner. The draw-head D has a hole in its rear end in which is
seated an extension-pin forming a guide G for the spring and this guide is connected
with the draw-bar by a pin p, which passes vertically th ough them about as shown.
Upon the guide G is mounted the buffer spring or springs S which operate between
plates g, sliding upon the guide G in the well-known manner.
The draw-head is about of the shape shown in the drawings although its relative
proportions of parts may be considerably varied without departing from the spirit of
my invention. It is provided with a vertical hole through its centre in which moves
the coupling pin P hereinafter described. It has forward extensions, h, between
which is pivoted an outward extension j, of the jaw J and it has a transverse slot T
in its front end which slot is enlarged on the interior of the draw-head, is curved
around the pivot of the jaw and has an inclined bottom t. The jaw J has a foot F,
of the shape shown in Fig. 7, which foot projects rearwardly from the pivot j and
noves within the slot T as will be clearly understood. The main portion or head of
the jaw stims forward of the body of the draw-bead and opposite an inclined face I
of the draw-head, whereby it is adapted to couple automatically as is usual in cur-
couplings of this character.
The pin P which moves vertically through the hole in the draw-head in rear of the

page_text: slot therein, has an enlarged lower end 7, and a rod or bar I, which turns in eyes
in the end of the car-body, has a bend at its centre standing beneath this enlarged
lower end of the pin and has cranked outer ends whereby the pin may be lifted
from the sides of the car. The lower end of the pin is smaller than the upper end
whereby a shoulder A is formed at about the centre of its length and this shoulder
rests upon the foot as shown in Fig. 4 when the jaw is open. As soon as the
Intter is closed the pin falls by its own weight and the shoulder passes down by the
foot as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the jaw is locked in this position. When it is
desired to uncouple the car, the pin is raised and the ball B rolls down the inclined
bottom t, and passes under the shoulder A whereby the pin is supported as shown in
Fig. As soon as the cars are moved to separate them the two jaws ) are turned
as will be readily understood and as is common in this class of car-couplers. This
movement of the jaw throws its foot around in the slot T below the shoulder A of
the pin and pushes the ball B forward of it up the inclined bottom t, of the slot. The
thickness of the foot is slightly less than the diameter of the ball whereby as soon as
the ball has been pushed from honeath the shouller A the pin falls a trifle and rests
and slides upon the upper face of the foot The parts then assume the position shown
in Figs. 1 and 4.
When the device is to be coupled, the companion draw-head is forced against the
one illustrated and us it appronches it strikes the then front edge of the foot F
and turns the same (and with it the head J) to the locked position of the parts. As
it turns, the foot slides below the shoulder A and the ball" follows the foot until it
strikes the side of the shoulder when it can go no farther because it is too large to
pass under the shoulder. The foot continues to move notil it clears the shoulder, when
the pin drops and the parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 2 the cars being then
compled together.
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:-
1. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-hoad having a slot in its
front end which is enlarged on the interior of the draw-head and provided with an
inclined bottom, of a pin moving vertically through the draw-head and having a
shoulder moving through the enlargement of said slot and a ball in said enlargement,
substantially as described.
2. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-head having a slot in its front
end which is enlarged on the interior of the draw-head and provided with an inclined
botton and the jaw pivoted in said draw-head and having a foot extending into said
slot the Intter being struck on a curve around the pivot of the jaw, of a ball in said
enlargement of greater diameter than the thickness of the foot and a pin moving
vertically through the draw-head in rear of the enlargement and having a shoulder
extending into the enlargement, the whole adapted to operate substantially as
described.
3. In a car-coupling, the combination, with the draw-heal, a jaw pivoted therein
and having a rearwardly extending foot and a pin having a shoulder adapted to drop
in front of said foot, of an enlargement at the lower end of said pin and a cranked
rod mounted in eyes on the end of the car-body and standing below said enlarge-
ment and nt right angles thereto, as and for the purpose set forfli.
4. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-hoad having perforated ears
at its sidos, of draft-boxes engaging said ears, pins passing through the perforations
therein and removably securing the boxes in place and rods connecting the boxes
with those at the other end of the ear-body, substantially as described.
Dated this 5th day of September 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., 180
COME DOIN DELICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by DAVID RANKEN SHIRREFF GALBRAITH, Analyst, and
THOMAS BELL, Merchant, both of Auckland, New Zealand.]
Improvements in Car-couplings.
I, HENRY MARSHAL residing at 919 V Street, in the City of Lincoln, State of
Nebraska, United States of America, Inventor, 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 :-
This invention relates to car-couplings more especially of that class known as
"twin-jaws" and the object of the invention is to improve the construction of devices
of this general character heretofore existing.
To this end the invention consists of a draw-head, a jaw swinging on a vertical
pivot therein and having a foot extending into a transverse slot in the front end of the
draw-head provided with an inclined botton, a pin having a shoulder adapted to
lock the foot and hence the jaw, and certain details of construction as of the devices
for connecting the draw-head with the car, all as hereinafter more fully described and
illustrated in the drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved draw-head and draw-bar detached from the
car, showing the jaw as open or in uncoupled position.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the jaw as locked.
Fig. 3 is a similar section showing the pin as raised and held in raised position by
the ball and the jaw as ready to be turned to uncouple the cars.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation showing the jaw as unlocked, the upper portion of the
draw-head being broken away to show the correct positions of the pin and ball, this
view also showing the end of the car in outline and the pin-raising devices attached
thereto.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the draw-head from the jaw side with the jaw open.
Figs. 6 and 7 are detail perspective views of the pin and the jaw detached.
Referring to the said drawings, the lotter H designates the draw-head; D the
draw-bar; P the coupling pin; J the jaw; B the ball; L the pin-liftor; X the
draft-boxes; R the connecting rod and S the buffer-spring. The construction and
relative arrangement of these parts are as follows: The draw-head H is provided
at its sides with ears E, over which are engaged draft-boxes X which are retained in
position upon said cars by suitable means as fastening-pins and through the rear
ends of these boxes are passed the front ends of connecting-rods R which extend
beneath the car-body and are connected with the draw-head at the other end of the
car in the same manner. The draw-head D has a hole in its rear end in which is
seated an extension-pin forming a guide G for the spring and this guide is connected
with the draw-bar by a pin p, which passes vertically through them about as shown.
Upon the guide G is mounted the buffer spring or springs S which operate between
plates 9, sliding upon the guide G in the well-known manner.
The draw-head is about of the shape shown in the drawings although its relative
proportions of parts may be considerably varied without departing from the spirit of
my invention. It is provided with a vertical hole through its centre in which moves
the coupling pin P hereinafter described. It has forward extensions, h, between
which is pivoted an outward extension j, of the jaw J and it has a transverse slot T
in its front end which slot is enlarged on the interior of the draw-head, is curved
around the pivot of the jaw and has an inclined bottom t. The jaw J has a foot F,
of the shape shown in Fig. 7, which foot projects rearwardly from the pivot jand
moves within the siot T as will be clearly understood. The main portion or head of
the jaw stands forward of the body of the draw-head and opposite an inclined face 1
of the draw-head, whereby it is adapted to couple automatically as is usual in car-
couplings of this character.

page_text: The pin P which moves vertically through the hole in the draw-head in rear of the
slot therein, has an enlarged lower and , and a rod or har L, which turns in eyes
in the end of the car-body, has a bond at its contre standing beneath this enlarged
lower end of the pin and has cranked outer ends whereby the pin may be lifted
from the sides of the car. The lower end of the pin is smaller than the upper end
whoroby a shoulder A is formed at about the centre of its length and this shoulder
rests upon the foot F as shown in Fig. 4 when the jaw is open. As soon as the
latter is closed the pin falls by its own weight and the shoulder passos down by the
foot as shown in Fig. 2, wheruby tho jaw is locked in this position. When it is
desired to uncouple the car, the pin is raised and tho ball 13 rolls down the inclined
bottom, and passes under the shoulder A whereby the pin is supported as shown in
Fig. 3. As soon as the cars are moved to separate them the two jaws J are turned
as will be readily understood and as is common in this class of car-couplers. This
movement of the jaw throws its foot around in the slot T below the shoulder A of
the pin and pushes the ball B forward of it up the inclined bottom t, of the slot. The
thickness of the foot is slightly less than the diameter of the ball whereby as soon as
the ball has been pushed from beneath the shoulder A the pin falls a trifle and rests
and slides upon the upper face of the foot. The parts then assume the position shown
in Figs. 1 and 4.
When the device is to be coupled, the companion draw-head is forced against the
one illustrated and as it approaches it strikes the than front edge of the foot F
and turns the same (and with it the head J) to the locked position of the parts. As
it turns, the foot slides below the shoulder A and the ball follows the foot until it
strikes the side of the shoulder when it can go no farther because it is too large to
pass under the shoulder. The foot continues to inove until it clears the shoulder, when
the pin drops and the parts assume the positions shown in Fig. 2 the cars being then
coupled together.
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 :-
1. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-head having a slot in its
front end which is enlarged on the interior of the draw-head and provided with an
inclined bottom, of a pin moving vertically through the draw-head and having a
shoulder moving through the enlargement of said slot and a ball in said enlargement,
substantially as described.
2. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-head having a slot in its front
end which is enlarged on the interior of the draw-head and provided with an inclined
bottom and the jaw pivoted in said draw-head and having a foot extending into said
slot the latter being struck on a curve around the pivot of the jaw, of a ball in said
enlargement of greater diameter than the thickness of the foot and a pin moving
vertically through the draw-head in rear of the enlargement and having a shoulder
extending into the enlargement, tho whole adapted to operato substantially as
described.
3. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-head, a jaw pivoted therein
and having a rearwardly extending foot and a pin having a shoulder adapted to drop
in front of said foot, of an enlargement at the lower end of said pin and a cranked
rod mounted in eyes on the end of the car-body and standing below suid enlarge-
ment and at right angles thereto, as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a car-coupling, the combination with the draw-hond having perforated cars
at its sides, of draft-boxes engaging said ears, pins passing through the perforations
therein and removably securing the boxes in place and rods connecting the boxes
with those at the other ond of the car-body, substantially as described.
Dated this 5th day of September 1890.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant,