Improvements in the Automatic Coupling and in the Uncoupling of Railway and the like Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1899--Accepted, 23th Oct., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Automatic Coupling and in the Uncoupling of
Railway and the like Vehicles.
HARRY CABORN HARPER, 23, Long Lane, Aldersgate Street, London, E.C.,
Inventor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention consists of
Firstly a ratchet-hook (i.e. a succession of hooks one behind the other, in
the same plane, and all contained in one piece,) affixed to a long bar which
extends horizontally across and is affixed to the end of the vehicle, anent the
buffers. This bar is provided with handles or levers at right angles, at each
end, by which it is made to turn, thus lowering or raising the ratchet hook at
will.
This ratchet-hook, which has its ratchet or hook side uppermost, is made to
assume at rest, a horizontal position, by means of a counterpoise attached to the
handle or lever of the bar, so as to be always in readiness for use. Projecting
at right angles from the end of the other vehicle to be coupled, is a long link,
under which the ratchet-hook of the first mentioned vehicle slides on their being
shunted together, thus coupling them. Should the impact cause the buffers
to telescope, the ratchet-hook would slide its first, or second, or third hook or
ratchet under the link, and be thus coupled by means of the first, second or
third hook or ratchet as the case may be. This link may be affixed to the usual
spring draw bar, which materially lessens the shock in starting.
The uncoupling is effected by raising the handles or levers at the sides of the
vehicles, which lowering the ratchet hooks from the links, sets them at liberty.
Further, after the coupling of the vehicles has been effected, and to prevent undue
uncoupling, by means of jars, or the jumping of the vehicle, caused by obstruc-
tions being placed upon the line, or from any like cause--attached to the bottom
of the vehicle near the link, is a safety plate, which consists of a lever having
one end flattened, and which works horizontally by pulling a handle on one side
of the vehicle, (or by pushing a handle on the other side of the vehicle); this
safety plate is made to revolve, or turn upon its fulcrum, and projecting out
underneath the ratchet hook, maintains it in its position in the link and so pre-
vents uncoupling. Should the ratchet-hook become so tightly jammed against
the link, from any cause, so as to render uncoupling by the handle or lever-
first described in this section-difficult, after the safety plate has been removed,
the pin in the link against which the ratchet-hook binds may be withdrawn by
means of a connecting rod,-which is continued to each side of the vehicle-and
replaced after the ratchet hook has been withdrawn. Each vehicle contains a
ratchet-hook and a link at both ends, thus forming with the ratchet-hook and
link of the vehicle to be coupled, two separate and independent couplings.
Secondly: In like manner and without departing from the spirit of this inven-
tion, the link may take the place of the ratchet or hook on the moveable bar,
and the hook take the place of the link on the spring draw bar.
T: Wifth day of January 1899

page_text: Improvements in the Automatic Coupling and in the Uncoupling of
Railway and the like Vehicles.
I, HARRY CABORN HARPER, of 23, Long Lane, Aldersgate Street, London, E.C.,
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: -
The object of this invention is, to provide a simple, durable and reliable
automatic coupling, which can be readily and easily uncoupled, to save time and
labor during the process of coupling and uncoupling, to dispense with the necessity
of persons going between the vehicles during the process of coupling and un-
coupling, to diminish the risk and liability of, and obviate the accidents of
which so many occur during the present process of coupling and uncoupling.
To this end the novelty consists in the construction, combination, and arrange-
ment as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out
in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings the same reference characters indicate as near
as possible the parts of this invention.
Fig. I is a longitudinal section, uncoupled.
Fig. II is the same, coupled.
Fig. III is a top plan view.
Fig. IV is a front elevation.
Fig. Vis a longitudinal section of the end of the link showing the method
of side or horizontal displacement.
Fig. VI is a front elevation of the same.
Fig. VII is a longitudinal section of the end of the link showing the method
of up or vertical displacement.
Fig. VIII is a front elevation of the same.
Fig. IX is a longitudinal section, uncoupled.
Fig. X is the same, coupled.
Fig. XI is a top plan view.
Fig. XII is a front elevation.
In Fig. 1, 1 represents a ratchet hook having one, two or more ratchets or
hooks, one behind the other, in the same plane and all contained in one piece,
which is affixed to a long bar or axis 2 extending horizontally across and affixed
by means of sockets 3-in which it turns to the end of the vehicle 4. This
ratchet hook 1 has a joint 15 enabling it to move either to the right or left
horizontally, the purpose of which is hereinafter explained. This ratchet hook 1
is maintained in a rectangular position longitudinally to the end of the vehicle
for ordinary purposes by a small spring at either side 16. The long bar or axis 2
on which the ratchet hook 1 turns is provided with radial arms or levers 5 at
each end, by which it is made to turn or partially revolve, thus lowering or
raising the ratchet hook 1 at will. The ratchet hook 1, which has its ratchet
or hook side uppermost is made to assume at rest a horizontal position by means
of a counterpoise 6 attached to the radial arm or lever 5, which resting on a
catch 7 is always in readiness for use. Projecting at right angles from the end
of the other vehicle 8-and which may be affixed to, or be a continuation of, the
usual spring draw bar, which has the effect of materially lessenning the shock
in starting is a link 9 under which the ratchet part of 1 slides on their being
shunted together thus coupling them as in Fig. II the ratchet meanwhile being
held in position in the link 9 by means of the counterpoise 6-or that part of

page_text: the link against which the ratchet hook catches may be convex as in Fig. V fitting
into the concavity of the hook, if required, in which case the uncoupling could
be effected by a horizontal movement of the convexity as hereinafter explained.
The sides of the link 9 are produced a short distance vertically as well as longi-
tudinally, each side being rounded off in an outward direction as shown in
Fig. III so as to form guides or guards for the ratchet hook 1. Should the
coupling take upon a curve or at any time when the ends of the respective vehicles
are not parallel, the ratchet hook I would strike against the guide or guard-on
the vehicles being shunted together-and bending or inclining from its joint 15
be guided into the link 9. Should the impact of the collision in coupling cause
the buffers to telescope, the ratchet hook I would slide its first and second hook
or ratchet under the link 9 and be thus coupled by means of the second hook
or ratchet, in which case the buffers would always be kept taut, the effect of
which would be to prevent any jolt or shock in starting. Further, after the
coupling has been effected by means of the second hook or ratchet, and to prevent
undue uncoupling by means of jars, or jumps, or the oscillation of the train,
or from any cause; attached to the link 9 is a safety catch 10, which consists
of a lever having its fulcrum at 11. The lower end of this safety catch 10 is
bent at right angles, which, projecting underneath the link 9 maintains the ratchet
hook in its position in the link 9 and so prevents uncoupling. This safety
catch 10 is worked by means of a rod 12 extending horizontally across the end of
the vehicle 8-being thus accessible from either side-having an arm 13 into
a slot of which the lever 11 works or slides, thus allowing for the play of the
spring bar on which 9 is fixed. The uncoupling is effected by means of with-
drawing the safety catch 10 by the rod 12 and raising the radial arm or lever 5,
which, lowering the hook or ratchet 1 sets the vehicles at liberty. Should the
ratchet hook 1 become so tightly jammed against the link 9, from any cause,
so as to render uncoupling-after the safety catch has been removed-difficult,
the link 9 may be withdrawn sideways by means of a connecting rod 14-which
is continued to each side of the vehicle and replaced after the ratchet hook 1
has been withdrawn.
It is shown in Figs. VII & VIII that the link 9 may be raised in uncoupling,
by means of a lever (or otherwise) instead of being withdrawn sideways; or, it
may be provided with an axis at the top on which it may swing or partially
rotate, as per the dotted line in Fig. V, being finally held in position after
being coupled by a lever similiar to 14 which may be provided with a rectangular
arm, all these methods being embodied in the spirit of this invention.
Each vehicle contains a ratchet hook and a link at both ends thus forming
with the ratchet hook and link of the vehicle to be coupled two separate and
independent couplings.
It would facilitate uncoupling by means of the radial arms or levers if the
ratchet or hook were slightly concave or arc shaped, with a radius from the centre
of the long bar or axis. The following methods are in like manner embodied in
the spirit of this invention:-
(a) The ratchet hook may be inverted and have its ratchet or hook side down-
wards in which case it would slide over the link instead of under.
(b) The ratchet hook may be turned on its side, in which case the end of the
link would assume a vertical instead of a horizontal position.
(c) The link may take the place of the ratchet hook on the long bar or axis
and the hook affixed to the spring draw bar of the vehicle as in Fig. IX in which
case represents a long link which is affixed to a long bar or axis 2 which
extends horizontally across and is affixed by means of sockets 3---in which it
turns to the end of the vehicle 4. This link 1 has a joint 15 enabling it to
move either to the right or left horizontally, the purpose of which is hereinafter
explained. The link 1 is maintained in a rectangular position longitudinally
to the end of the vehicle, for ordinary purposes by a small spring at either
side 16. The long bar or axis 2 on which the link 1 turns is provided with

page_text: radial arms or levers 5 at each end by which it is made to turn or partially
revolve, thus lowering or raising the link 1 at will. The link 1 is made to
assume at rest a horizontal position by means of the counterpoise 6 affixed to the
radial arm or lever 5, which resting on a catch 7 is always in readiness for use.
Projecting at right angles from the end of the other vehicle 8-and which may
be affixed to or be a continuance of the usual spring draw bar-is a concave
fronted hook 9 under which the link 1 slides on their being shunted together
thus coupling them as in Fig. X the link meanwhile being held in position by
means of the counterpoise 6.
Affixed on either side of the hook is a guide or guard 17 for the purpose of
guiding the link 1 into its position on the hook. Should the coupling take
place upon a curve or at any time when the ends of the respective vehicles are
not parallel the link 1 would strike against the guide or guard 17-on the vehicles
being shunted together-and bending or inclining from its joint 15 be guided
into its position on the hook 9.
Further, after the coupling has been effected and to prevent undue uncoupling
from any cause, attached to the hook 9 is a safety catch 10 which consists of a
lever having its fulcrum at 11. The lower end of this safety catch 10 is bent
at right angles, which projecting underneath the hook 9 maintains the link 1
in its position in the hook 9 & so prevents uncoupling. This safety catch is
worked by means of a rod 12 extending horizontally across the end of the vehicle 8
being thus accessible either side of the vehicle, and having an arm 13 into a
slot of which the lever 11 works or slides, thus allowing for play of the spring
bar on which the hook 9 is fixed.
The uncoupling is effected by means of the radial arms or levers as hereinbefore
described.
Each vehicle contains a link and a hook at both ends thus forming with the
link and hook of the vehicle to be coupled two separate and independent couplings.
It would facilitate uncoupling if the hook and that portion of the link which
comes in contact with the hook were slightly curved or are shaped with a radius
from the centre of the long bar or axis 2.
The link may be made a little short, so as not to couple unless the buffers were
telescoped a trifle, the effect of which would be to keep the buffers always taut &
thus prevent any jolt or shock in starting.
(d) The hook may be inverted and have its hook side uppermost in which
case the link being affixed to the long bar or axis--would slide over the link
instead of under as in method c.
(e) The link being affixed to the long bar or axis may be turned on its side,
when the guides or guards would preferably be of a bell shape-having its
largest end towards the link, into which the link would slide and passing over a
catch be thus coupled. This catch may be released by a lever similiar to the one
herein already described, or, it may be withdrawn horizontally.
(f) The long bar or axis need not necessarily be continued to each side of the
vehicle in methods whereby the opposite link or hook may be withdrawn either
vertically or horizontally. In which methods the lever with the counterpoise
attached may be placed immediately beneath the bar or axis on which the hook
or link rotates.
The construction of this improved automatic coupling and the method of
uncoupling may obviously be modified without departing from the principles of
this invention hereinbefore described, or, pointed out in the claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:--
i. A coupling comprising a ratchet having any number of hooks or ratchets,
with its hook or ratchet side upwards, or downwards, or sideways, or a combination
of two or more of these methods.

page_text: ii. An automatic coupling comprising a bar or axis, having a counterpoise
affixed to one or more of its radial arms or levers as hereinbefore described.
iii. A coupling comprising a link affixed to a spring draw bar, of which a
part workable from both sides of the vehicle-has a horizontal, or vertical, or
rotatory movement either with or without a convex ridge as herein before described
and as shown in Fig. V.
iv. A coupling comprising a joint or hinge as at 15, either in a single hook
or a ratchet hook, or in a link.
v. A coupling comprising a safety catch as shown at 10.
vi. A coupling comprising a link which slides automatically over, or under
or beyond a hook or catch as herein before described.
vii. An automatic coupling comprising a hook, or a link, or both, which may
be uncoupled from both sides of the vehicle, fitted with guides or guards herein
before described.
viii. A coupling comprising a slotted lever or slotted arm to the safety catch
as shown at 13 allowing for the elasticity of the spring draw bar.
ix. A coupling comprising a hook 9 as in Fig. ix the end of which is either
convex or concave, or at an angle, or a combination of two or more of these
forms, for the purpose of guiding a link either over or beneath or around itself.
x. A coupling comprising one or more springs for the purpose of maintaining
a hook or link in a horizontal position or other position which is so used to take
the place of or do the work of the radial arm or lever and counterpoise herein
before described.
xi. A coupling comprising a bar or axis to which the hook or link is not
directly attached, but which hook or link has a slot through which a crank of the
aforesaid bar or axis may pass. The hook or link being attached to a spring
bar, the slot in the hook or link allows for the "giving" or elasticity of the spring
draw bar, without interfering with the method of working of the crank of the
aforesaid bar or axis.
xii. An instantaneous coupling and a method of uncoupling as hereinbefore
described which saves time and labor, and in the matter of freight trains-with
the long link method-especially does it bring the resistance nearer the power,
thereby saving considerable force which has hitherto been lost, and, in the matter
of passenger trains-with the ratchet method-the vehicles are coupled closer
proportionately to the impact of the collision in shunting.
xiii. An automatic coupling which can be effected by one or a combination of
the methods herein described, when the vehicles are in the same plane, or on a
curve, or at any time when the ends of the same are not parallel, and as I am
the first to claim these and those set forth in the foregoing claims, I claim such
broadly, whether the same are constructed as shown in the drawings or in the
descriptions herein contained, or are modified.
xiv. An automatic coupling and a method of uncoupling as hereinbefore
described which entirely dispenses with the necessity of persons going between
the vehicles and so obviates the risk of injury attendent thereto.
xv. An automatic coupling as herein before described which is constructed
according to the regulations of the associations of German railways which enacts:
a railway coupling must comprise a main coupling and a safety or subsidary
coupling."
66
Dated this Thirtieth day of January 1899