Improvements in Railway Couplings.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Aug., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Couplings.
We JAMES WASHINGTON TOLAR, Farmer, of Wilksburg, in the County of
Covington and BENJAMIN DAVID LANGSTON, Farmer, of Goss in the County of
Marion, both in the State of Mississippi, United States of America 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 :-
Our invention relates to improvements in car couplings of the link and pin type
and has for its objects to provide a coupling of the character mentioned, which
will be automatic in action and also capable of being uncoupled from the side or
top of a car.
To these ends, our invention consists in the construction and combination of
parts, as is hereinafter described and claimed.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this
Specification, in which similar figures and letters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in all the views shown.
Figure 1 is an end view of a car having the improvement applied;
Figure 2 is a side view of an end of a car showing features of the improvement;
Figure 3 is a similar view showing the parts of the coupling device shown in
Figure 2, in a different adjustment ;
Figure 4 is a side view of the end of a car, taken oppositely from that
represented in Figures 2 and 3, and showing other details of construction of the
improved car coupling;
Figure 5 represents the parts of the improvement shown in Figure 4, differently
adjusted;
Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional side view on the line 6-6 in Figure 7;
Figure 7 is a partly sectional plan view, on the line 7-7 in Figure 6; and
Figure 8 is an intermediately broken perspective view of a coupling link adapted
for use with the improved couplings.
The drawhead 10 is preferably cast into form, and comprises an elongated
metallic block that is substantially rectangular in cross section, and at its rear end
(not shown) is secured upon the car body 11, so as to be spring-cushioned in the
usual manner.
The portion of the drawhead that projects beyond the end of the
car body is rectangularly recessed of a suitable depth, which recess 10° terminates
at its inner end in a rearwardly and downwardly inclined wall 10°, as shown in
Figure 6.
The forward end of the drawhead 10 is flared on all its sides to adapt its recess
to readily receive the end of an elongated link 12, that will be further described, a
heavy bead 10%, being formed on the exterior surface of said flared end. At a
proper distance from the outer end of the drawhead, a vertical perforation 10ª is
formed in its top and bottom walls at their transverse centers, for the reception of
a coupling pin 13, that is pointed on the lower end to permit its free insertion. The
top wall of the drawhead 10 is preferably recessed on the upper side to remove a
portion of the material, leaving stiffening beads along the side edges, as indicated
at 10 in Figures 6 and 7, and an integral collar 10%, that is raised around the
perforation 10%, so as to thicken the top wall at that point.
The coupling pin 13 is mainly cylindrical on its body, which is of considerable
length, and at a proper distance from the pointed lower end has a head or enlarge-
inent 13 formed on it, that is designed to rest on the collar 108 when the pin is in

page_text: lowered adjustment for the coupled connection of the link 12, with the drawhead,
the coupling pin then extending through the top and bottom walls of the latter, as
represented in Figure 6. A removable head 13 is also provided, that is screwed on
top of the pin.
Upon the vertical end wall of the car body 11, at a suitable point above the
drawhead 10, the latch piece 14, is pivotally secured by its loose connection with
the bracket boxes 15, that are affixed upon the said wall. The latch piece 14,
comprises a preferably metal block which is thickened toward its outer end to a
point near said end, where the block is cut away to produce a shoulder 14ª on it,
the toe 14, that extends outwardly from this shoulder being of a reduced breadth
and thickness as compared with the main portion of the latch piece. The latch
piece is longitudinally slotted at its transverse centre a short distance rearwardly
of the shoulder 14, to permit the portion of the coupling pin 13, that extends
above the head piece 13, to freely slide in said slot 14 and the latch piece to
receive a proper vertical vibration. As indicated by full and dotted lines in
Figure 6, the head piece 13ª is rendered coniform, tapering toward the upper end
so as to occupy the slot 14°, when the parts are adjusted to effect such a connection
of the head with the latch piece.
A locking dog 16, is loosely pivoted by its lower end upon the upper side of the
drawhead; preferably, this connection is effected as plainly shown in Figures 6
and 7, in which the shaft 16 passing through the dog body turns loosely in
boxes 10', attached to the side beads 10° of the drawhead. The dog 16 projects
upwardly on the median line of the drawhead, to a sufficient extent to enable its
upper end to engage with and support the latch piece 14. To this end, the upper
part of the dog is thickened to form a rearwardly projecting head that is vertically
notched so as to form two equally thick jaws which are sufficiently separated to
admit the toe 14 between them, the relative thickness of the latter allowing it to
freely drop into place when the parts are adjusted to effect such a locking con-
nection, as shown in Figures 3, 5, 6 and 7, the terminal end of the latch piece then
resting on top of the dog.
Upon one side wall of the drawhead 10, a rib! 10" is projected outwardly
along the lower edge, this stiffening rib being extended rearwardly from the side
bead 10%, that on this wall of the drawhead is increased in outward thickness. The
dog shaft 16 is outwardly extended on the side of the drawhead having the rib
along its lower edge, and is downwardly projected of a proper length to have its
lower terminal pivoted upon a slide bolt 17, having a loose engagement near its
front end with a perforation made to receive it in the side bead 10°. A pusher
rod 18, is supported to slide longitudinally of the drawhead by a bracket box 18",
said rod being forwardly pivoted upon the depending portion of the shaft 16%, and
spring-pressed outwardly by an encircling coiled spring confined between the front
end of the box 18, and the forked enlargement of the pusher rod, as clearly shown
in Figure 7.
The notched upper end of the dog 16 is adapted to loosely embrace the cylindrical
body of the coupling pin 13, and afford support for the latter if the pin is sufficiently
elevated to rock the latch piece 14 upwardly, so as to permit the pusher rod 18 to
press the dog toward the pin below the head 13ª, and provide a seat for said head,
as shown in Figure 4. When the notched end of the dog 16 is rocked into contact
with the pin 13, below the head 13ª, the relative adjustment of the parts thereby
effected, will cause the slide bolt 17 to project a suitable degree beyond the front
face of the bead 10°, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 7. Above the latch piece 14,
the body of the coupling pin 13 is loosely engaged with the vertically perforated
arm 19, that is outwardly projected from the lever 19, which is pivoted by its inner
end upon the end wall of the car, as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5. The transverse
lever 19, comprises a flat bar, of sufficient length to permit its outer end to extend
diagonally a short distance beyond the side wall of the car. A vertical guide
piece 20 is provided for the lateral support of the lever 19 at its outer end, this
guide being formed of a metal bar bent at right angles in the same direction near

page_text: each end, the feet thus produced at each end of the guide piece affording means to
secure it upon the end wall of the car, in a vertical position near the side edge of
the same, the lever passing through the opening thus afforded between the piece 20
and end wall of the car, so as to be prevented from outward movement, while its
free vibration in a vertical plane is permitted.
The portion of the coupling pin 13, that extends above the arm 19" when the
pin is completely depressed to couple a link to the drawhead, is so proportione'l
in length, that the lever 19, if elevated to impinge on the upper terminal of the
guide piece 20, will by reason of its arm 19ª engaging with the enlargement or
head 13 on the upper end of the coupling pin, elevate the latter a correct distance,.
so as to release a link that has been coupled to the drawhead.
On the car roof, between the centre run-board 11° and side of the car toward
which the lever 19 is projected, and at any preferred point, the tripping lever 21 is
supported to rock, in a bracket frame 21 or other equivalent means.
This lever
that projects at one end over the end wall of the car body, is flexibly connected by
said end with the lever 19, so that the depression of the rear end of the tripping
lever will elevate the outer end of the transverse lever 19, as indicated by
dotted lines in Figure 1, the elevation of the said lever serving to lift the coupling
pin 13.
On the side of the car body toward which the lever 19 is extended, a rocking
lever 22 is pivoted intermediately of its ends, one terminal projecting in advance
of the end wall of the car when the lever is nearly horizontal, so as to be adapted
for flexible connection with the outer end of the transverse lever 19, a chain 22*
being preferably employed for such purpose, the connection of the pendent end of
such chain being formed by a hook on the latter, that may also be connected with
a staple 22, when the rocking lever is detached from the transverse lever and is to
be held in an upright position, as indicated by a dotted line in Figure 2.
The coupling link 12, which is shown detached in Figure 8, consists of an
elongated longitudinally slotted bar having its solid ends 12" upwardly and outwardly
curved, and sloped on their top faces outwardly and downwardly, so that when the
link is slid within the drawhead until the inserted end has contact with the sloped
inner end wall of the recess, the engagement of the sloped face on the link end with
the inclined rear wall of the recess, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 6, will
maintain the link in a horizontal position.
In service, when two or more cars having the improvement are to be coupled
together, one of the drawheads 10 is made to receive the coupling link 12, and
support it projected therefrom in a horizontal plane, the pin 13 being dropped so as
to engage both the top and bottom walls of the drawhead, the latch piece 14 and
locking dog 16, being then in locked adjustment, as indicated in Figure 5, which
will retain the slide bolt 17, retracted. The car having a mating car coupling is
now made to approach the one from which the link is projected, when the latter
will freely enter the approaching drawhead on which the coupling pin 13, is held
elevated by the dog 16, as shown in Figure 4, the slide bolt on this drawhead being
in a projected position owing to the relative adjustment of the attached parts, as
before explained.
When the two drawbeads have contact, the projecting elide bolt 17 will be
pressed rearwardly, which will rock the dog 16 forwardly at its upper end, and so
release the pin 13, and allow it to drop by its gravity and effect a completed
connection of the two drawheads.
It will be seen that a trainman on the car roof can by manipulating the tripping
lever 21, draw the coupling pin upwardly so as to release a coupled link, and at the
same time change the adjustment of the latch piece and locking dog so that the
latter will be caused to support the pin 13 in an elevated position, the slide bolt 17,
being simultaneously projected from the front end of the drawhead, so that the
several parts of the improved coupling will be set for re-coupling with another
device of a like construction. Any desired number of cars that are furnished with
the improved coupling at each end, may be automatically and reliably connected by

page_text: arranging their parts as has been explained, and then pushing them together by
power applied at one end of the train.
Should it be desired to uncouple two cars having the improvement, from the
ground at one side of a car, the rock lever 22, is used, and to facilitate its
manipulation, a chain 22° or other flexible piece is attached by one end to the inner
end of the rock lever so as to hang pendent therefrom. The lower end of the
chain has a handle, loop or ring secured to it, for the trainman to grasp when the
upper end of the rocking lever is to be drawn down into the position shown in
Figure 3, where it may be detachably secured by engaging a link or ring in the
chain with a hook on the lower part of the car side wall, such an adjustment being
serviceable when it is desired to lift the coupling pin far enough to release a
coupling link from the drawhead, and retain the slide bolt 17.
By the partial upward vibration of the transverse lever 19, effected by the rock
lever as just mentioned, the car having its couplings so adjusted, may be left on 'a
siding and be shifted along the latter by the impact of another moving car, and
avoid coupling with said car that may have a link projecting from it, the lifting of
the transverse lever so as to cause the upward vibration of the latch piece 14,
effecting a release of the slide bolt 17, and a drop of the coupling pin, as before
described.
It is claimed for this device that it is simple, practical, and convenient in service,
being automatic as to coupling, and safe to release from the roof of a car, or at the
side of the coupled cars, as may be preferred.
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 combination, with a recessed drawhead vertically perforated near the
front, of a coupling pin having an upper head and an intermediate head, means to
lift the pin by the upper head, a vibrating locking dog engaging the intermediate
head, and mechanism to rock the dog outwardly when actuated from the front of
the drawhead, substantially as described.
2. The combination, with a recessed drawhead, vertically perforated near the
front, of a pin having an upper head and an intermediate head, a vibrating lever
adapted to lift the pin by its upper head, a locking dog pivoted on the drawhead
and engaging the intermediate head, and mechanism arranged to outwardly rock
said dog by the movement of a slide bolt from the front of the drawhead,
substantially as described.
3. The combination, with a car, a recessed drawhead vertically perforated near
the front, and a coupling pin having an upper head and an intermediate head, of a
transversely supported vibrating lever, an arm on said lever loosely engaging the
pin and its upper head, and a latching device engaging the intermediate head at its
lower end and adapted for adjustment to support the pin by an upward movement
of the transverse lever, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a car, a forwardly-recessed drawhead vertically
perforated near the front, and a coupling pin having an upper head and an
intermediate upwardly tapered head, of a transverse lever pivoted near one end of
the car, an outwardly extended and perforated arm on the lever loosely engaging
said pin and impinging its upper head, a. rocking dog engaging the under side of
the intermediate head, and a device on the car roof flexibly connected with the
lever, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a car, a forwardly recessed drawhead vertically
perforated near the front, a coupling pin having an upper head and an intermediate
tapering head, and a latching device on the drawhead and car, engaging the
intermediate head and tripped by vibration of a dog forming part of said latching
device, and a lifting device for the pin, which engages the upper head of the pin
and causes a vibration of the dog, substantially as described.
6. The combination with a car, a forwardly recessed drawhead vertically

page_text: perforated near the front, a coupling pin having an upper head and an upwardly
tapered intermediate head, a slotted latch block pivoted on the car end, through
which the pin passes, and a latching dog vibrating on the drawhead and engaging
the intermediate head of the pin, of a transverse pivoted lever, a lifting lever on
the upper part of the car, and a flexible connection between the lifting lever and
transverse lever, substantially as described.
7. The combination with a car, a forwardly recessed drawhead vertically
perforated near the front, a coupling pin having an upper head and an upwardly
tapered intermediate head, and a latching device adapted for adjustment by the
upward movement of the pin, whereby said pin is maintained in an elevated
condition, of a transverse pivoted lever, a lifting lever on the side of the car and
flexibly connected with the transverse lever, and a tripping device for the latching
device, adapted for actuation by the inward movement of a slide bolt on the front
end of the drawhead, substantially as described.
Dated this 21st day of August 1894.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.