Car Coupler.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 25th July, 1899- Accepted, 27th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Car Coupler.
I, CHARLES ARTHUR ALLISON, of 52, Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Philo Campbell Ewart, of Cin-
cinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, United States of America, in the Transporta-
tion Service), and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
1
The object of my invention is to provide a series of safe-guards whereby the
coupling connection will be maintained, and the several parts will be retained
in position in case of breakage or disabling of parts, and my invention consists
in means for maintaining the coupling engagement between the cars in case
the draft stem or draft rod breaks or becomes disabled; means for retaining
the couplers in operative engagement in case a coupling hook should break;
means for retaining the couplers in operative engagement in case the swivel
pin should break; means for retaining the swivel pin in position, if broken,
and thereby preventing the head or hook from being detached from the stem ;
means for preventing the draft stem and coupling head falling in case either
becomes disabled by breakage or otherwise; and means for holding either coupler
head or draft stem from falling to the track and wrecking the train if broken
or pulled out of the car, whether the opposing coupler be provided with a cor-
responding safety device or not.
I have illustrated my invention as applied to twin jaw couplers in which
the buffer head and the coupling hook are pivotally connected with the draft
element.
In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a sectional plan.
Fig. 2, a partial section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, one of the draft timbers being
removed.
Fig. 3, a detail of the draft stem nut.
Fig. 4, an elevation of the pin.
Fig. 5, a perspective view of the head and hook.
Fig. 6, a plan of the hook.
Fig. 7, a plan of the head, hook and stem.
Fig. 8, a perspective view of the coupler supported on the end of the car.
Fig. 9, a detail of the hook operating device, and
Fig. 10, a sectional plan of a coupling head with a supplemental hook.
A is a hollow draft stem, attached at one end to the coupling head and pro-
vided at the other end with a pocket a, embracing followers B which engage
C is a draft rod having a
with the draft jaws of a car in the ordinary manner.
stem e taking through the draft stem and its pocket a and provided with a nut c¹,
or other engaging element, in the rear thereof, and taking through a second pair
of followers 11 engaging with a second pair of draft jaws, and provided with a
kev ². or other element, adapted to engage with the rear follower. Both sets

page_text: of followers are equipped with springs in the usual manner. The draft rod is
preferably so connected with the second set of followers as not to subject them
to any considerable pulling strain while the first set of followers are performing
its normal function, but, in case of pulling out or rupture of the draft stem,
or first set of followers, to take up the pulling strain without detrimental loss
of motion. When thus arranged the spring of the rear followers serves as a
supplemental buffer spring for the stem, but does not serve to neutralize the
elasticity of the main buffer spring when subjected to a pulling strain. The
draft rod is preferably attached to the coupling head, but a material portion
of the advantages of this construction may be attained by securing the draft rod
to the draft stem. D is a coupling head, which may be rigid with the stem,
but is preferably pivotally connected with both stem and draft rod in such a
manner as to permit of a limited swinging motion relatively thereto. In the
form shown, the stem, draft rod and head are provided with interlocking ele-
ments a¹, and d, having apertures adapted to receive a swivel pin E. The
coupling head, in the form shown, has hook uards d¹, and a guide arm pre-
ferably narrowed or reduced vertically at its free end. F is a coupling hook
pivotally secured to the swivel pin E and adapted to swing between the hook
guards. The swivel pin is preferably made with its lower end smaller than
its upper portion and the lower aperture in the interlocking elements is made
correspondingly smaller so that the pin will be retained in position if broken,
or sheared off, and will still hold the head in connection with the stem and
draft rod. The coupling hook preferably swings outwardly from the head, and
the head and shank of the hook are so formed as to interlock in case of breakage
of the swivel pin, thereby maintaining the coupling connection. This inter-
locking may be effected in several ways. The shank of the hook may be so
formed as to partially embrace the rear of the head, the curve or angle being
sufficient to insure a hooking or pulling contact with the head if the swivel pin
should give way; or the shank may be provided with an extension or projec-
tion beyond its pivotal point, adapted to engage with an abutment upon the
head or stem, thereby limiting the closing movement of the hook and conse-
quently the outward movement of the hook shank; or the hook shank may be
provided with a boss adapted to take into a corresponding recess in the rear
wall of the head; or the hook may be provided with one or more projections
adapted to engage with a shoulder or stop upon the head, but for the sake of
greater security, I prefer to provide for interlocking at two or more points.
In the form shown, the shank f of the coupling hook is curved to partially embrace
the rear of the head, and is adapted to swing in a recess or guideway d³ in the
side and rear wall of the head. The inner wall of this recess limits the closing
movement of the hook. The rear wall of the head is also provided with a sup-
plemental recess, or socket, d adapted to receive a corresponding boss, or pro-
jection, upon the hook shank. It will be seen that in case of breakage of
the pin, upon which the coupling hook is pivoted, so as to release the hook from
its pivot, the hook will immediately make a hooking or pulling contact with
the coupling head, and, as the jaw of the hook cannot swing inwardly substan-
tially beyond its normal position of engagement, the coupling hook will be
retained in engagement with the head and the coupling maintained.
To guard against uncoupling by the possible rupture of the hook shank,
between its pivotal point and the coupling jaw, the shank is provided, at a point
near the jaw, with one or more projections f2 adapted, in case of rupture of the
swivel pin or hook shank to engage with a stop, or stops, d³ upon the coupling
head and maintain the coupling engagement. In the form shown, these pro-
jections consist of a yoke shaped piece of metal secured to the shank of the hook,
and embracing the forward part of the draw head. This form is preferred,
because of its adaptibility to extension for a purpose hereinafter described.
To guard against uncoupling by reason of the rupture of the engaging part,
or jaw, of the coupling hook, the shank of the hook is provided with a supple-

page_text: extending forwardly and adapted to swing into position of engage-
ment with a jaw d on the guide arm of an opposing coupler.
It will be seen that I have provided for maintaining the coupling if the draft
stem breaks; if the swivel pin breaks; if the shank of the coupling hook breaks:
5 if the jaw of the coupling hook breaks; and if all these parts should be ruptured
at once.
To prevent the head or stem or both from falling and thereby wrecking the
train in case of a shock so severe as to totally disable the element, or elements,
connecting the coupling head with its car, the coupling head is provided with
one or more projections adapted to take over or under a portion of the opposing
coupler, or both over and under. If the opposing coupler is provided with an
equivalent safety device, a single projection, extending either over or under a
portion of the opposing coupler, will serve the purpose, but by providing pro-
jections both over and under; the coupler so equipped will not only be held from
fall, if its connection with the car is disrupted, but will hold the opposing
coupler from falling, if its connection with its car be broken, irrespective of
whether the opposing coupler be equipped with an equivalent device. These
projections may extend from the coupling hook, the hook guard, or other portion
of the coupler. I have shown one pair of projections extending inwardly
from the hook shank as extensions of the projections f² and adapted to embrace
the hook of the opposing coupler when in engagement, and another pair d
extending upwardly and forwardly from the hook guards to embrace the guide
arm of an opposing coupler. I am aware that it has been proposed to provide
a coupler with a pocket of considerable size and extent and reduce the end of
one of the arms to adapt it to enter the pocket of an opposing coupler. This
involves a special construction for both couplers and is useless with other forms
of couplers, and I make no claim to such construction.
In Figures 8 and 9 I have illustrated means for uncoupling which consists of
a crank shaft extending out to the side of the car and having a chain connection
with the coupling hook so that by manipulating the crank shaft, the coupling
hook may be withdrawn from engagement with the hook of the opposing coupler.
The operation of the draft spring has been described. It will be seen that
the coupling elements are yieldingly mounted and, when contact is made, the
pivoted heads are swung into such position that they directly oppose each other.
The angles are such that the coupling jaws yield to pressure and close so that
the coupling is made automatically.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
ention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is:-
1. The combination, in a car coupling, of a draft siem, a draft rod secured to
he car, and a coupling head pivotally connected with the draft stem and draft
od, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a car coupling, the combination with a coupling head, of a draft stem
nd a draft rod, independently connected with the car and the coupling head,
bstantially as and for the purpose set forth.
3. In a car coupling, the combination of a draft stem and a draft rod inde-
endently secured to the car and a coupling head pivotally connected with the
aft stem and draft rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a car coupling, the combination of a draft stem connected with a draft
ring, a draft rod independently connected with the car, and a coupling head
dependently connected with the draft stem and draft rod, substantially as
for the purpose set forth.
5. In a car coupling, the combination of a draft stem connected with a draft
ring, a draft rod independently connected with the car and a coupling head
otally connected with the draft stem and draft rod, substantially as and for.
purpose set forth.

page_text: 6. In a car coupling, the combination of a draft stem connected with a draft
spring, a draft rod connected with another draft spring and a coupling head
independently connected with the draft stem and draft rod, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a car coupling, the combination of a draft stem connected with a draft
spring, a draft rod connected with another draft spring and a coupling head
pivotally connected with the draft stem and draft rod, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
8. In a car coupler, the combination of a draft stem, having a pocket adapted
to actuate a draft spring, a draft rod extending through the pocket and secured
in the rear thereof, and a coupling head independently connected with the draft
stem and draft rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In a car coupler, the combination of a draft stem, having a pocket adapted
to actuate a draft spring, a draft rod extending through the pocket and secured
in the rear thereof, and a coupling head pivotally connected with the draft stem
and draft rod, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10. The combination, with a coupling head, of a draft stem, having a pocket
adapted to embrace the followers, and a draft rod attached to the coupling lead
extending through the pocket and adapted to engage with another set of followers,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11. The combination, with a coupling head, of a hollow draft stem, attached
to a coupling head and having a pocket embracing the followers and a draft
rod attached to the coupling head, extending through the pocket and secured
in the rear thereof, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
12. The combination, with a coupling head, of a hollow draft stem, attached
to the coupling head and having a pocket enibracing the followers, and a draft
rod, attached to the coupling head, extending through the pocket and engaging
with another set of followers independently connected with the car, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
13. The combination, in a car coupling, of a draft stem, having a pocket
adapted to embrace a set of followers, a draft rod extending through the pocket
and adapted to engage with the rear of the pocket, and with the front and rear
of the second set of followers, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
14. The combination, with the coupling head, of a draft stem, a draft rod, and
a swivel pin connecting the draw stem, draft rod and coupling head, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
15. The combination, with a coupling head, having a recess in its rear wall,
of a coupling hook adapted to swing at the side and rear of the coupling head
and having a boss upon its shank adapted to take into the recess, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
16. The combination with the coupling head, having a recess in its side and
rear wall, and a secondary recess in the rear wall; of a coupling hook, adapted
to swing in the side and rear recess, and provided with a boss upon its shank
adapted to take into the secondary recess, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
17. The combination of a draft stem; a coupling head pivoted thereto; and
a coupling hook pivoted to the stem, and having a shank adapted to swing at
the side and rear of the coupling head and formed to partially embrace it, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
18. The combination of a draft stem; a coupling head pivoted thereto, and
having a recess in its rear wall; and a coupling hook adapted to swing at the
side and rear of the buffer head and having a boss adapted to take into the recess,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
19. The combination of a draft stem; a coupling head pivoted thereto, and
having a recess in its side and rear wall, and a secondary recess in the rear wall;
and a coupling hook adapted to swing in the side and rear recess, and provided

page_text: with a boss adapted to take into the secondary recess, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
20. The combination, with a coupling head, of a draft stem; and a swivel pin
connecting the coupling head, and draft stem, and having its lower end smaller
than its upper portion, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
21. The combination, with a coupling head, of a draft stem, a draft rod, and
a swivel pin connecting the coupling head, draft stem and draft rod and having
its lower end smaller than its upper portion, substantially as and for the pur-
pose set forth.
22. The combination of a draft stem; a draft rod; a coupling head; a coup-
ling hook; and a swivel pin connecting the draft stem, draft rod, coupling head
and coupling hook, and having its lower end smaller than its upper portion,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
23. The combination of a draft stem; a coupling head; a coupling hook,
having a shank to swing at the side and rear of the head and formed to partially
embrace it, and a swivel pin connecting the stem, the head and. the hook, and
having its lower end smaller than its upper portion, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
24. The combination of a draft stem; a coupling head having a recess in its
rear wall; a coupling hook adapted to swing at the side and rear of the head
and having a boss on its shank adapted to take into the recess; and a swivel
pin connecting the stem, the head and the hook, and having its lower end
smaller than its upper portion, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
25. In a car coupler, a swinging hook adapted to engage with the hook of an
opposing coupler, and a supplemental hook adapted to engage with a catch or
jaw upon the guide arm of an opposing coupler, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
26. In a car coupler, a swinging hook adapted to engage with the hook of
an opposing coupler, and a supplemental hook swinging therewith adapted to
engage with a catch or jaw upon the guide arm of an opposing coupler, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose set forth.
27. The combination in a car coupler, of a draft stem; a coupling head, and
projections from the head adapted to take over and under the guide arm of an
opposing coupler, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
28. The combination, in a car coupler, of a draft stem: a coupling head; a
coupling hook; one or more projections from the hook adapted to take over or
under the hook of an opposing coupler; and a shoulder or stop on the head
adapted to engage the projections or projection from the hook, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
29. The combination, in a car coupler, of a draft stem; a coupling head; a
coupling hook; one or more projections from the hook adapted to take over or
under the hook of an opposing coupler and projections from the head adapted
to take over or under the head of an opposing coupler, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
1
1000