IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY BUFFERS
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Jan., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 8th Oct, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 9th Nov, 1888
1, THOMAS HODDER HEARD, of Nethergreen Road, Ranmoor, Sheffield, in the
County of York, Iron Agent, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY BUFFERS," to be as follows:-
This invention relates particularly to the novel construction of Plungers of Buffers,
and is intended to strengthen, support, and more accurately guide the plunger when
in position and use, by the addition of a circular case attached to the plunger head
and as herein-after described.
In bringing my invention into practice 1 employ the ordinary cylindrical buffer
cases and springs now in use, but the said buffer cases, by preference, are without the
hoop or outer projection which is usually formed upon the neck or forward end.
I then manufacture from suitable material and by suitable means, a plunger head and
rod, having at the back part of the head, and either attached by suitable means, or,
by preference, solid therewith, a cylindrical formed case, of necessary length, strength
and section, which encircles, at a required distance therefrom, a part or whole of the
plunger rod. The said plunger case is made of sufficient size within to allow it to
pass over the forward end or neck of the buffer case, and to glide or telescope
thereon, whilst at the same time the plunger rod is working within the neck of the
said buffer case, after the manner now in use.
The said plunger rod is formed with the usual collar at its end which may be solid,
or seperate and fitted thereto.
The neck or forward part of the buffer case is formed with the usual inner circular
shoulder, which prevents the plunger from leaving the buffer case by the action of the
backward thrust of the spring.
The plunger rod may be hollow after the manner of the old case plunger buffer, and
may be solid or attached to the head.
My invention is alike applicable to all sizes, patterns, and makes of buffers,
particularly those buffers having long strokes, where it is desirable to give a powerful

page_text: support to the true operation of the plunger rod, as also greater strength to the
plunger head, if struck at an angle or upon its edge by another buffer.
By my invention and addition of the before named plunger case I obtain a double
action, greater support, and truer guide and the liability to the derangement to
the buffer is reduced to a minimum.
As a modification my invention may be made without the collar upon the end of
the plunger rod, and I may formn the buffer case as now in use with a hoop or outer
projection upon the neck or forward part, and I can make my said plunger case
sufficiently wide within to pass over the said outer projection of the buffer case neck,
at the same time securing by suitable means within the said plunger case a bushing or
circular hoop having an inner collar or projection which corresponds in size and
shape to that upon the neck of the buffer case, and which telescopes or glides upon
the said buffer case neck.
The said bushing is by preference made in two parts or segments, and the rebound
of the plunger from the back action of the spring is stopped by means of the before
named outer and inner projections, which are upon the buffer and plunger cases,
closing together. Within and around the top or forward part of the case encircling
the plunger, a washer of suitable material, size, and shape may be fitted so as to
lessen the liability to damage the forward end of the buffer case, when the plunger
is driven home by the action of buffing.
As a further modification 1 can combine the plunger rod, collar, and the before
named plunger case bushing.
Dated this 4th day of January 1888.
GARLICK & MCGOWAN,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, THOMAS HODDER HEARD of Nether Green Road Ranmoor Sheffield in the County
of York Iron Merchant do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY BUFFERS" 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 improvements in railway buffers by the addition of a
circular case attached to or solid with the plunger head and the object of the
improvement is to strengthen support and more accurately guide the plunger rod
when driven home.
In carrying this invention into effect the ordinary cylindrical buffer cases may
be employed but I prefer them to be without the hoop or projection which is usually
upon the neck or forward end of such buffer cases.
I make the plunger head and rod with a cylindrical case, either attached or by
preference solid therewith, of the necessary length strength and section which
encircles at a required distance therefrom a part or whole of the plunger rod.
The said plunger case is made of sufficient size within to allow it to pass over
the forward end or neck of the buffer case and to glide or telescope thereon;
the said plunger rod at the same time working within the neck of the said
buffer case.
The said plunger rod is provided with the usual collar at its end to serve the
same purpose as the collars on ordinary buffer rods.
The neck or forward part of the buffer case is formed with the usual inner
circular shoulder which prevents the plunger leaving the buffer case by the backward
action of the spring.
Within and around the top or forward part of the plunger case I place a
washer of india-rubber or other suitable material for the purpose of preventing
the plunger head from coming into contact with the buffer case and from causing
damage to the respective parts.
The plunger rod may be hollow after the manner of the old case plunger buffer or
may be solid or attached to the head.
The springs may be similar to those in use in ordinary buffer cases.
This invention is alike applicable to all sizes patterns and makes of buffers and
particularly so to those having long strokes where it is desirable to give a powerful
support to the true operation of the plunger rod and greater strength to the plunger
head if struck by another buffer at an angle or upon the edge thereof.
As a modification of the foregoing the buffer case may be formed with a hoop or
outer projection upon the neck or forward part thereof and the plunger case made
sufficiently wide within to pass over the said outer projection and to allow a bushing
or circular hoop having an inner collar or projection corresponding in size and shape
to the outer projection on the buffer case to be secured by suitable means in the said

page_text: plunger case which plunger case telescopes or glides upon the neck of the buffer
case. The bushing is by preference made in two parts or segments and the
rebound of the plunger from the back action of the spring is stopped by means of the
collar catching the shoulder of the buffer case and the outer and inner projections
coming together.
The materials employed and the general details of construction are the same as in
the manufacture of ordinary buffers.
The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.
Fig. 1. is a side view in elevation one half being in section showing the buffer
case A, spring B, plunger head and rod C, collar D, washer E, and back plate F.
Fig. 2. is a back view of plunger head and rod C.
Fig. 3. is a section of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4. is a plan of the washer E.
Fig. 5. is a side view in elevation one half being in section to illustrate the
bushing G also the outer projection H upon the neck or forward part of the buffer
case A.
Fig. 6. is a section of the plunger head and rod.
Fig. 7. is a front elevation of one half of the bushing G.
Fig. 8. is a plan of the bushing G.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
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
Firstly. Improvements in railway buffers by the addition of a plunger case whereby
I obtain greater strength, greater support, and a truer guide for the plunger, and
whereby the liability of derangement to the buffer is reduced to a minimum.
Secondly. The combination in a railway buffer of the buffer case, plunger case and
rod, spring, collar, and washer, substantially as set forth as specified and described
and as illustrated by accompanying drawings.
Dated this Sixth day of October 1888.
GARLICK & MCGOWAN,
Agents for the Applicant.