Improved Combination Brake Coupling for Electrically Connecting Railway Vehicles fitted with Vacuum Brake, for Communication or Signalling Purposes.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 27th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Combination Brake Coupling for Electrically Connecting
Railway Vehicles fitted with Vacuum Brake, for Communication
or Signalling Purposes.
I, DANIEL CUNNINGHAM, of Diamond, Coleraine, Ireland, Ironmonger's Man-
ager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
This improved combined vacuum brake and electrical coupling is of the same
internal fitting and construction as the usual or standard pattern coupling
(for connecting the vacuum brake pipes between railway vehicles) but, when
being cast, is cast with an extension, hereafter called a lug or car at each side
of each half coupling, that is, four lugs or ears for one complete coupling.
In each lug or ear is firmly fixed an insulating plug. In each insulating
plug is placed a spiral spring and in and on each spiral spring a metal conduct-
ing buffer is free to act.
Two insulated metallic cables run lengthwise along underneath each vehicle,
and are carried up and on the outside of the brake pipes at both ends of the
vehicle, each end of each cable being connected to one of the spindles of the
conducting buffers, one cable end to one spindle end. The spindles project
backwards through the lugs at the sides of each half coupling.
"
From the two wire cables underneath the vehicle, two insulated branch wires
(one wire being connected underneath to each cable) are carried up into every
carriage compartment, and joined to ant indicator continuous or other clec-
tric push. A battery of cells with a gong or bell, switch, and “signalling key
to be fixed in the guard's van and on the locomotives, and connected with the
two metallic cables underneath the respective vehicles.
"
When half coupling is connected to the corresponding half coupling, as when
vehicles are brought together the face portion of the conducting buffers in each
half coupling press against each other, that is, the conducting buffers in each
side of one half coupling press against the conducting buffers in each side of
the other half coupling, and so when coupled in the usual manner for brake ser-
vice. contact for electrical purposes is established and maintained all along
the train.
"
1
1
1000

page_text: Improved Combination Brake Coupling for Electrically Connecting
Railway Vehicles fitted with Vacuum Brake, for Communication
cr Signalling Purposes.
I, DANIEL CUNNINGILAM, of Diamond, Coleraine, Ireland, Ironmonger's Man-
ager, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
sanic is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
This improved combined vacuum brake and electrical coupling is of the same
internal fitting and construction as the usual or standard pattern coupling
(for connecting the vacuum brake pipes between railway vehicles) but when
being cast, is cast with an extension, hereafter called a lug or car at each side
of each half coupling.
In each lug or ear is firmly fixed an insulating plug. In each insulating
plug is placed a spiral spring and in and on each spiral spring a metal conduct-
ing buffer is free to act.
Two insulated metallic cables run lengthwise along underneath each vehicle,
and are carried up and on the outside of the brake pipes at both ends of the
vehicle, each end of each cable being connected to one end of the spindles of the
conducting buffers, one cable end to one spindle end. The spindles project
backwards through the lugs at the sides of each half coupling.
6
+9
From the two wire cables underneath the vehicle, two insulated branch wires
(one wire being connected underneath to each cable) are carried up into every
carriage compartment, and joined to an indicator continuous or other clec-
tric push or switch. A battery of cells with a gong or bell, switch and signalling
key to be fixed in the guard's vans and on the locomotive, and connected with the
two metallic cables underneath the respective vehicles.
When a half coupling is connected to the corresponding half coupling, as when
vehicles are brought together the face portion of the conducting buffers in each
half coupling press against each other, that is, the conducting buffers in each
side of one half coupling press against the conducting buffers in each side of
the other half coupling and so when coupled in the usual manner for brake ser-
vice, contact for electrical purposes is established and maintained all along
the train.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying draw-
ings, in which
Fig. 1 shews an end view of one half of a vacuum brake pipe coupling con-
structed in accordance with my invention, shewing coupling face.
Fig. 2 shows a horizontal section of the coupling complete.
Fig. shows an outside elevation of same on a smaller scale.
a is the usual brake pipe fitted with metallic collars 6 where the different
lengths of piping are coupled together. The coupling action is effected by the
usual lugs, slots and hooks. To establish electrical communication between
the two halves of the coupling, two ears or lugs are formed one on each of
the metallic collars b. Each lug is bored with a hole to receive a hollow insu-
lator d. Within each of the insulators d is placed a metallic pin or contact e
to the back end of which the wires of the electric cable f are connected, the
cable being insulated in the ordinary way. The opposing contact pieces
are preferably formed with differently shaped heads e, e³ to ensure contact.
Thus one might be formed of a bullet shape and that opposing it might be flat

page_text: or concave. Springs g are placed behind the heads and around the pins of the
contact pieces to cause them to project and ensure their engaging efficiently.
After passing through the whole length of the train the two end sections of
the cable f are connected up to a battery and suitable electrical signalling ap-
paratuses (not shewn) to enable the driver and guard, or the two guards to
communicate with each other.
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:-
(1) In a coupling joint for pneumatic or vacuum brakes for railway trains
and the like, the combination of electrical contacts enabling electrical communi-
cation to be made between passengers, guards and driver, as herein described
and set forth.
(2) A system of electrical signalling between passengers, guards and driver
of railway trains and the like consisting of the lugs c, contacts e, with specially
shaped heads therefor, springs g, insulators & and cable f. combined with the
usual vacuum brake pipe coupling, as herein described and set forth.
Dated this 27th day of December 1899
S. S. BROMHEAD,
Agent for Applicant, 33, Cannon Street, E.C.