IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC CÁR COUPLERS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex, for an
Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC CÁR COUPLERS communicated
to him from abroad by Ezra N. Gifford, of Cleveland, United States of
America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th October 1883.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex, IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTO-
MATIC CAR COUPLERS communicated to me from abroad by Ezra N. Gifford, of
Cleveland, United States of America,
The invention relates to an Improvement in Automatic Car Couplers, the object
being to provide a car coupler of such construction that the coupling pin may be
securely locked in its raised position when it is desired to render the coupling
non-automatic for switching or other purposes. A further object is to secure the
coupling pin in its raised position and in such position that the cars will be
automatically coupled by the concussion of two cars coming in contact with each
other.
A further object is to prevent the coupling pin from being accidentally thrown
into its locked position.
A further object is to simplify the construction of automatic couplers and enable
strong and durable car couplers of this type to be produced at a comparatively
small initial cost.
With these ends in view the invention consists in certain features of construction
and combinations of parts as will hereinafter be described and pointed out in the
claims.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig 1 is a view in perspective of one of the
improved automatic car coupling.
Fig 2 is a front view.
Fig 3 is a view in vertical section of the coupler, showing the relative position
of the parts as the cars are being coupled.
Fig 4 is a view of one of the couplers after the link has raised the coupling pin.

page_text: Fig 5 is a similar view showing the pin adjusted in its raised position to be
automatically coupled by the concussion of the cars.
Fig 6 is a similar view showing the pin locked in its raised position.
Fig 7 is a view of the coupling pin.
A represents the draw bar and B the draw head, the latter being constructed
with an enlarged flaring mouth a for the guidance and entrance of the link B¹.
On the top of the draw-head is a guide-way C which is cast integral therewith.
Guide-way C is constructed with the rear wall band side walls o c', sufficient
space being provided between the latter for the movement of the lugs D D' formed
integral with and on the rear side of the head of the coupling pin, E, the latter
being inserted in an elongated opening d formed in the upper wall of the draw-
head. The rear face e of the coupling pin may be straight and in cross section
may be flat, round or of any other desired form. The front face of the coupling
pin is provided with an inclined shoulder f, about midway its length, while the
lower portion 6' is curved, as shown, or it may be formed in an incline.
. The lower end of the coupling pin is seated in a recess F formed with converging
walls gg. The upper wall of the draw head is constructed with an inclined or
bevelled face g² against which fits the inclined shoulders f of the coupling pins
when the draft of the link is exerted on the pin and thus the latter is prevented
from accidental displacement.
In coupling, the link strikes the curved or inclined face fl of the coupling pin,
forcing the pin rearwardly, and as its lower end then engages with the inclined
wall g of the recess F, the pin is raised until the link passes beneath its lower
end, when the pin drops through the link and automatically couples the cars. In
so far as the form and construction of the coupling pin thus far described is
concerned I make no claim in this patent, as such subject-matter is shown and
described in former patents.
The head h of the coupling pin is constructed with an enlarged flange h¹ which
serves to cover the elongated opening d in the draw-head and prevents the
entrance of rain to the interior of the draw-head, and thus obviates the formation
of ice within the draw head and around the coupling pin.
The rear portion of the flange h¹ has the laterally projecting lugs D D', which,
as has been stated, are free to move within the guide-way C. The upper end of
the guide-way is constructed with rearwardly overlapping flanges ii which limit
the upward movement of the pin.
The lower surfaces of the flanges ii are outwardly flared, so that when the
pin is forced upwardly in coupling automatically the upper end of the pin will be
free to move forward and away from the locking recess.
Beneath the flanges ii are formed the lugs or projections ; ; which are cast
integral with the side walls of the guide-way. These lugs are round or oblong
and formed with curved surfaces to allow of the free movement and adjustment of
the pin. At the lower ends or portions of the lugs jj is formed a ledge J, which
constitutes the floor of a locking recess K, the top or roof of which is partially or
wholly covered by an insertable bar, or piece L, which is made of wrought or
malleable iron.
In casting the guide-way, its upper end is formed with under cut recesses L.
The bar L is made slightly curved and its ends inserted within the under cut
recesses 7, and then by simply hammering on the central portion of the bar, it is
securely fastened in place.
The object of this construction is to allow of the pin with its lugs being cast in
a single piece, and to be inserted in the draw-head and then be permanently
secured therein by means of the insertable bar or piece L.
As other ways of securing the piece L in place might be devised, I do not
restrict myself to the particular method described. It will thus be observed that
the locking recess K, is provided with stop, bottom and side walls, entrance being
bad thereto through the passages m, formed between the flanges i and the lugs jj,

page_text: said passages being of sufficient width to allow of the ready insertion and removal
of the lugs D D' on the coupling pin.
The lugs are constructed so that their front faces will project slightly
forward of the rear wall of the guide-way for the following purpose. When the
coupling is in its lowest position and the cars are being automatically coupled, the
link will strike the pin and raise it quickly. As the lugs D D' come in contact
with the front faces k of the lugs; the upper end of the pin is thrown forward
and away from the locking recess, so as to prevent it from being accidentally
thrown into the locking recess, and cause it to drop into the link, after the latter
has passed beneath the pin. Hence it will be observed that the coupling is
rendered certain in its operation.
When the cars are uncoupled by raising the pin, it is oftentimes desirable to so
adjust the pin that it will automatically couple when the car is brought in contact
with another car, and without the necessity for again attending to the coupling, I
provide for such an adjustment.
The pin is raised until the lugs DD' rest upon the lugs; as illustrated in Fig 5.
The lugs D D' being slightly concave on their lower faces, as shown at n, will
insure the coupling pin against accidental displacement in ordinary switching, and
when the cars come together the upper portion of the pin is thrown forward by
concussion, and automatically couples the cars. When it is desired to lock the pin
in its raised position, the pin is raised and its upper portion moved rearwardly, the
lugs D D entering the passages m, and dropping into the locking recess K, the
lugs resting against the rear faces of the lugs. In this position the pin is
securely held thereby enabling the cars to be switched without danger of being
automatically coupled.
From the foregoing it will be observed that the coupling is very simple and
durable in its construction. In its completed condition it is practically made of
two castings, the draw head and coupling pin, the latter being non-removable and
bence rendering it impossible to lose displace or misplace the coupling pins. It is
evident that many slight changes in the construction and relative arrangement of
parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, and
hence I would have it understood that I do not restrict myself to the exact
construction and arrangement of parts shown and described.
What I claim is
1. In a car coupling, the combination with a draw-head having a guide-way
extending above the draw-head, said guide-way being provided near its upper end
with a locking recess, and with inwardly projecting flanges over the locking recess,
of a coupling pin provided with laterally projecting locking lugs adapted to move
vertically within said guide-way and rearwardly into said locking recess,
substantially as set forth.
2nd. In a car coupling, the draw-head having a guide-way cast integral therewith,
said guide-way having under cut recesses in its upper end, and a bar L secured at
its ends within said recesses, substantially as set forth,
3rd. In a car coupling, the combination with a coupling pin having locking lugs
cast integral therewith near its upper end, of a guide-way provided with a locking
recess in its upper end, and provided with lugs that extend above the bottom or
floor of said recess, substantially as set forth.
4th. In a car coupling, the combination with a coupling pin having locking
lugs cast integral therewith near its upper end, of a guide-way provided with a
locking recess in its upper end and constructed with side passages m located abovo
the floor of the locking recess for the insertion of the locking lugs on the coupling
pin, substantially as set forth.
5. In a car coupling, the combination with a draw-head having a guide-way
extending above the draw-head said guide-way provided with a locking recess near
ite upper end and with lugs ; that project in front of said locking recess, of a
coupling pin having locking lugs formed with concave bearings on their under
side; substantially as set forth.

page_text: 6th. In a car coupling the combination with a coupling pin having locking Jugs
cast integral therewith near its upper ond, of a draw-head having a guide-way cast
integral therewith and constructed, substantially as described, whereby the
coupling pin may be raised, its head moved rearwardly, and its locking luga
lowered into a locking recess located in the upper portion of said guide-way,
substantially as set forth.
7th. In a car coupler, the combination with a coupling pin provided with locking
lugs, of a draw-head provided with a guide-way constructed, substantially as
described, whereby the coupling pin may be raised, its head moved rearwardly and
supported so as to cause the pin to fall by concussion and automatically couple the
cars, substantially as set forth.
8th. In a car coupler, the combination with a coupling pin provided with locking
lugs, of a draw-head provided with a guide-way constructed substantially as
described, whereby the pin may be raised, its head moved rearwardly and its
locking lugs lowered into a locking recess, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set my hand
and seal this 24th day of October A.D. 1883.