IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR RAILWAY TRUCKS OR WAGGONS."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Frank Smith, of Leicester, in the County of
Leicester, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN COUPLINGS FOR RAILWAY
TRUCKS OR WAGGONS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Frank Smith at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th February 1879.
JAMES FRANK SMITH, of Leicester, in the County of Leicester.
IN COUPLINGS FOR RAILWAY TRUCKS OR WAGGONS."
"IMPROVEMENTS
This Invention has for its object the construction of couplings in such a manner
that when two railway trucks or waggons are brought into contact they will auto-
matically attach themselves to each other, and thus prevent the danger that now
arises with the necessity for a man to go between each truck to make the
attachment.
The Invention consists of a broad metal plate having a hole in its centre, so that
the draw-bar may pass through and be attached to the plate. At or near one end
of the plate is fixed a hook, the outer end of which is formed with an inclined or
curved surface. To the other end of the plate is fastened a projecting piece that
has a notch or deep indent at that part nearest the plate, and at or near the further
end of the projection, and on each side of it is a support for the link. One end of
this link is placed in the indent, and to the other end of the link is fastened a chain.
The opposite extremity of the chain is attached to a lever pivotted and furnished
with suitable bearings and handles. The hooks and links are used for coupling,
while the levers and chains are used for uncoupling.
These appliances are fixed to each end of each truck or waggon, and the result is
that as soon as the hooks and links touch each other, and the trucks approach more
closely, the links rise upon the hooks until the ends of the frames come together,
when the links fall into their corresponding hooks, and the coupling is complete.
To uncouple the trucks or waggons all that is necessary is to pull upon the levers
of each truck, when the links will be raised by the chains, and the trucks may then
be separated.
By these means the necessity for going between the trucks to couple or uncouple
is entirely obviated, and risk of danger is materially reduced.

page_text: August 1975.
JAMES FRANK SMITH, of Leicester, in the County of Leicester.
-IN-COUPLINGS FOR RAILWAY TRUCKS OR WAGGONS."
"IMPROVEMENTS
-This-Invention-has-for its-object-the-construction_of_couplings in such a manner
that when two railway trucks or waggons-are-brought into..contact they will
automatically attach themselves to each other, and thus prevent the danger that
now arises with the necessity for a man to go between two trucks to make the
attachment.
The Invention consists of a broad inetal plate having a hole in its centre, so that
the draw-bar may pass through and be attached to the plate. At or near one end
of the plate is fixed a hook, the outer end of which is formed with an inclined or
curved surface. At or near to the other end of the plate is fastened a projecting
piece, hereafter called the link block, that has a notch or deep indent at that part
nearest the plate to receive the link, which is so fashioned at its rear end as to rest
against the draw-plate and be supported thereby. Attached to the link there is
also a metal hinge, which on the waggon's close approach causes the link to rise and
prevent injury to the adjoining waggon. One end of this link is placed in the
indent, and to the other end of the link may be fastened a chain. The opposite
end of the chain may be attached to a lever pivotted and furnished with suitable
bearings and handles. The hooks and links are used for coupling, while the levers
and chains may be used for uncoupling.
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are attached
hereto, of which the following is a description:-Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the
coupling when the trucks or waggons are linked or coupled together; Fig. 2 is a
plan of the same; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation, showing the position the improved
coupling will assume when the frames or buffers of the waggons are brought sud-
denly together; Fig. 4 is a plan of the improved link; and Fig. 5, a side elevation
of the same part; Fig. 6 represents a side elevation of the hooks attached to the
draw bars of two waggons; and Fig. 7 is a plan of the ends of two waggons,
showing the hooks fixed thereto, but with the links removed. In Figs. 1 and 2,
A, A, are the ends of the frames of the waggons, with their draw bars B, B, hooks
C, C, and draw plates D, D. E, E, are hooks fixed to the draw-plates D, D, and
having their upper surfaces inclined, up which when the waggons approach near
together the ends F, F, of the links G, G, rise and slide until they fall over the
points H, H, of the hooks E, E. I, I, are tho link blocks which receive the links
G, G, the blocks being fashioned, as shown at J, Fig. 6, so that the links can only
be introduced edgewise. G, G, are the improved links hinged at K, K, as shown in
Figs. 1,3-and-5,-and-having-brackets.L, L, which by pressing against the draw
plates D, D, support the link, and when uncoupled keep it in a horizontal position
ready for the hook of another carriage to receive it. The angle irons M, M, are
secured to the frames of the waggons to prevent the draw-plates D, D, from tilting
In each of the Figures similar letters refer to the same parts of the
on one side.
apparatus.
These appliances hereinbefore described are fixed to the end of each truck or
waggon, and the result is that as soon as the hooks and links touch each other, and
the trucks approach more closely, the links G rise upon the inclined surfaces of the
hooks E until the ends of the frames or the buffers come near together, when the
links fall on to their corresponding hooks and the coupling is complete, the links
assuming the position shown in Fig. 1, when the waggous are running.
To uncouple the trucks or waggons, all that is necessary is to pull or bear upon
the levers of each truck, when the links will be raised by the chain or levers, and
the trucks may then be separated. In the Drawings no levers or chains are shown,

page_text: since no claim is made to such levers or chains, as any suitable arrangement for the
lifting of the links may be adopted, and where thought desirable may be dispensed
with altogether, the links being lifted off the hooks by any other appropriate
means.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise
details or arrangements that I have described or referred to, as variations may bo
made therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of this
Invention, but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as
the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent
is,―
Firstly. The link blocks I, as herein described and shown on the Drawings.
Secondly. The hooks E, made of the shape as herein described and shown on the
Drawings.
Thirdly. The links G, with their brackets L, and with or without being hinged
as at K, as herein described and shown on the Drawings; and
Fourthly. The general arrangement of the coupling apparatus, as herein described
and shown on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Frank Smith, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
JAMES FRANK SMITH. (L.S.,