Improved Railway Wagon Coupling Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 26th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Railway Wagon Coupling Apparatus.
ARTHUR HUGHES DE WIND Civil Engineer Comber, Belfast, Ireland, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The apparatus consists of the following. A lever rod A running under the stock
head of the Wagon, held in place by a number of brackets B B, having. its ends bent
for handles C Cat the sides of Wagon for working the same.
Near the centre, on
either side of the Drawbar hook D, are fitted on said rod two arms E E rigidly-so as
to control and impart an even movement to the coupler F.
The projecting ends of these arms are formed into eyes, and by means of loose pins
or bolts they are attached to certain connecting rods G G, which in their turn are
attached to the spurs of the Coupler H H. The bolts or pins in all cases running
loose, the Spur pin is made to run right across from one Spur to the other.
These working parts are all of ascertained lengths and forms or shapes which when
bound together as shewn on Drawing produce the movement necessary for elevating
the Coupler into its required position either for coupling or uncoupling Wagons-by
means of the handle on either side of the Wagon-without the necessity of the
operator placing himself between the vehicles. It is claimed for this invention
(1) the use of the Spurs H H which, with the aid of the connecting rods G G give the
operator a perfect control over the said Coupler F when attaching or detaching
Wagons. (2) The combination of the working parts in the form and proportions
determined and acted upon-enabling the Coupler to assume and maintain-when at
rest a certain angular position-ready, upon the touching of the lever handle to rise
to the elevation required over the Drawbar hook of the opposite Wagon for coupling.
This combination also enables the operator-when the buffers of Wagons are in
contact--to lift the coupler for detaching wagons. (3) The perfect simplicity of
making the apparatus and attaching same to wagons-will enable Railway Com-
panies with their ordinary mechanics in their own works-to manufacture and fix
same and to utilise the iron of their present couplings in the manufacture of the
smaller limbs of this apparatus.
Dated this 20th day of March 1889.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Railway Wagon Coupling Apparatus.
ARTHUR HUGHES DE WIND Civil Engineer, Comber, Belfast, Ireland, do hereby
leclare 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 :-
The apparatus consists of the following A Lever rod A running under the Stock
Head of the Wagon, held in place by a number of Brackets B B having its ends bent
for handles C C at the sides of the Wagon for working same. Near the centre on
either side of the Drawbar hook D are fitted on said rod two arms E E rigidly so as
to control and impart an even movement to the Coupler F. The projecting ends of
these arms are forined into eyes and by means of loose pins or bolts they are attached
to certain connecting rods G G which in their turn are attached to the Spurs H H
of the Coupler F. The bolts or pins in all cases running loose, and the Spur pin is
made to run right across from one Spur to the other.
These working parts are all of ascertained lengths and forms or shapes, which when
bound together as shewn on Drawing (one Sheet left with Provisional Specification)
produce the movement necessary for elevating the Coupler F into its required

page_text: position either for Coupling or uncoupling Wagons, by means of the Handle on either
side of the Wagon, without the necessity of the Operator placing himself between the
Vehicles.
The Coupler F is made of 1, 14, or 1½ inch round iron, such as is generally in use
for Wagon Couplings on lines of railways, but could if preferred be of Steel or Bar
Iron of suitable Section or Scantling. It is provided with Bolt-eyes as shewn on the
above mentioned Drawing so as to form an attachment to the Suspension link hung
on the Drawbar Hook.
This link is of two parts as shewn-one on either side of said hook, having its lower
ends brought together and united to the Coupler by a bolt or pin 1, 14, or 1½ inch
round iron-as may be deemed best. Each part is given a lateral set or twist to clear
the Hook in the working. From this point of union the two limbs of the Coupler are
continued rerewards and in a downward direction, having also a lateral set, right and
left, to clear the Suspending or Suspension link above mentioned in the working, and
these back projections are herein termed the 'Spurs' lettered H H on Drawing.
For strength and economy of production it is recommended that the central bolteyes
of the Coupler be made by heating, twisting, and hammering the rod to the shape and
size of orifice required-preserving a uniform thickness of metal for appearance sake.
The Suspension link which, with the Coupler F have to bear the strain of the pull,
will also be of similar Scantling; the lever-rod-the lever arms--the connecting
rods and the brackets need not be of such heavy Section of iron, and must be left
to the discretion of the manufacturers, since they are not subject to any sudden or
undue strain.
The object of employing the ordinary iron in common use for similar purposes on
railways, is to simplify and ecomise the manufacture of this apparatus, and the whole
thing is applied to any of the Wagons in use for the Traffic of the Line-by simply
removing the bolt or pin of the Coupling link now in working-and attaching the
Suspension link of the new Apparatus-restoring the pin or bolt to its former place
on the Drawbar Hook. There is no alteration to be made in the Structure of the
Wagon to be fitted-beyond the attachment referred to-and the mounting of the
Lever-rod by Brackets screwed to the underside of the Head Stock.
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) The designing and arranging of the Spurs and the method of their attachment
to the Arms, of the Lever by means of the short Connecting Rods, all duly propor-
tioned, to regulate the position and working of-and to impart a certainty of action
to the Coupler. And likewise, the general arrangement of the working limbs so as
to secure not only the above, but also to provide a means of meeting the sudden dis-
tension of the Drawbar of the Wagon in the starting of the train, without which
provision, this apparatus--or any other similar mechanical appliance is liable to be
torn away and rendered unserviceable.
(2) The simplicity of the Design, which will enable railway Companies to manu-
facture this Apparatus at their own Works or Workshops, and employing their
ordinary mechanics for that purpose.
Dated this 24th day of October 1889.
ARTHUR HUGHES DE WIND.