Improvements in or relating to Couplings for Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Oct., 1899-Accepted, 20th Jan., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Couplings for Vehicles.
I, WASHINGTON J. WOLVERTON, of Holton, Jackson County, State of Kansas,
United States of America, Blacksmith, 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:-
My invention relates to couplings for vehicles, and its object is to provide an
improved coupling for connecting the double tree and tongue of a vehicle, or a
single tree to its support.
The main characteristic features of the invention are, that it employs bolts
instead of screws for securing the coupling irons; that it serves as an anti-
rattler; and avoids the use of the usual straps for preventing the double tree
from swinging too far upon its pivotal support.
The construction of the coupling will be fully described hereinafter, in con-
nection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a view in
perspective, of a portion of a tongue and double tree, connected by my improved
coupling
Figure 2 is a vertical section of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the double tree and tongue coupling, and
Figures 1, 2 and 3 are respectively a perspective view, a vertical section,
and a detail plan of a modification.
Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 the numeral 1 designates a portion of the
vehicle tongue, to the upper side of which is secured a strap or plate 2, the rear
end of which is formed with a recess or socket 3 to receive the front end 4 of
the iron which extends from the circle on the tongue (not shown), said iron 4
being secured by a bolt 5 passing through the iron 4, the plate 2 and the rear
end of the hammer strap 6.
The forward end of the hammer strap extends over the double tree as is usual
and is provided with an eve 7, surrounded by an annular recess or cap 8 which
receives a leather washer 9, fitting around the upper end of a hollow
tapering post 10 rising from the plate or iron 2 and resting upon the upper'end
of a hollow tapering casing 11, provided with a vertical flange 12 which latter
rests against the front edge of the double tree. The casing 11 is formed
integral with a horizontal plate 13 securely bolted to the underside of the
double tree and provided on either side of the hollow casing 11, with a
depending lug 14. These lugs 14 are adapted to contact with stops 15 pro-
jecting from opposite sides of the plate 2 to limit the pivotal movement of the
double tree, and thus avoid the employment of the usual straps for this purpose.
As shown in Figure 2 the hollow post 10 is provided at its base with an
annular collar 16 over which fits an annular flange 17 depending from the lower
end of the casing 11.
18 designates a bolt passing down through the eye of the hammer strap, and
through the hollow post 10, and secured by a nut 19 at its lower end.

page_text: The tapering form of the hollow post and casing allows the securing bolt to
be tightened up without causing the working parts to bind.
Referring now to the modification shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3ª the
numeral 1 designates one end of a double tree to which is secured a coupling
iron comprising a horizontal plate 2", and a vertically disposed cylindrical
casing 3, provided with a flange 4". The plate 2ª is secured by bolts 5 to the
underside of the double tree, and the flange 4-rests against the rear side of the
double tree.
To the single tree 6ª is secured a coupling iron comprising a plate 7, secured
to the rear side of the single tree, a horizontally projecting cap 8, and a hollow
tapering post 9*, depending from the cap 8, which latter is formed with an
opening 10%, to receive a securing pivot bolt 11ª, held in place by a nut 12ª.
The hollow post 9 extends down through the casing 3", which is also of
tapering form to fit said post. The cap 8 fits over the upper end of the
casing 3, and a ring or washer 13" of rubber or leather is interposed between
the casing and post to prevent rattling and jar.
To limit the pivotal movement of the single tree, I provide the upper end of
the flange 4, with a lug 14" which projects slightly above the upper end of the
casing 3, and enters a segmental slot 15" formed on the under face or edge of
the plate 7. It will be obvious that the contact of the lug 14°, with the end
walls of the slot 15 will limit the movement of the single tree upon its pivot
bolt 11, the extent of such movement being dependent upon the length of the
slot.
While I have shown the single tree in connection with a double tree, it will
be understood that it may be employed in connection with any other support
to which the single tree may be attached.
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 vehicle coupling, the combination with a support and a plate secured
thereto provided with a hollow tapering post, and projecting stops, of a double
tree, a coupling iron secured thereto and provided with depending lugs and a
hollow casing fitting over said post, a hammer strap fitting over the post, and
a bolt for securing the parts together pivotally.
2. In a vehicle coupling, the combination with a tongue and a plate secured
thereto provided with a hollow tapering post, and laterally projecting stops, of
a double tree, a coupling iron secured thereto and comprising a horizontal plate
having depending lugs, and a flanged casing fitting over the tapering post, a
hammer strap provided with a cap fitting over the post, a yielding packing
within the cap, and a bolt for securing the parts together.
3. In a vehicle coupling, the combination with a tongue and a plate secured
thereto provided with a hollow tapering post, and laterally projecting stops,
and at its rear end with a recess or socket, of a double tree, a coupling iron
secured thereto, and comprising a horizontal plate having depending lugs, and
a casing fitting over the post, and provided with a flange bearing against the
front side of the double tree, a hanimer strap provided with a cap at its front
end, a packing for said cap, a bolt securing the rear end of the hammer strap,
and a pivot bolt for securing the front end thereof.
4. In a vehicle coupling, the combination with a tongue of a strap secured
thereto provided with a hollow tapering post provided at its base with a collar, a
double tree, a coupling iron secured thereto and comprising a horizontal plate
and a vertical casing, the latter having a depending flange; a hammer strap
provided with a cap fitting over the post, a yielding packing within said cap,
and a pivot bolt for securing the parts together.
5. A vehicle coupling comprising a horizontal plate, and a vertically disposed
cylindrical casing of tapering form, in combination with a coupling iron com-

page_text: prising a securing plate, a horizontal projecting cap, a hollow tapering post
depending from said cap, and a pivot bolt.
6. A vehicle coupling comprising a horizontal plate, and a vertically disposed
hollow cylindrical casing of tapering form, provided with a flange, in combina-
tion with a coupling iron comprising a securing plate, having an integral
horizontally projecting cap, and a hollow tapering post depending from said cap,
a yielding washer between the casing and post, and a pivot bolt extending
through said cap and post, and held by a nut.
7. A vehicle coupling consisting of two members, one comprising a horizontal
plate, and a cylindrical casing of tapering form, provided with a flange, and an
upwardly projecting lug, and the other member comprising a securing plate
formed with a segmental slot, a horizontally projecting cap, and a depending
hollow tapering post, in combination with a yielding washer, and a securing
pivot bolt.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1800.
BOULT, WADE, & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.