Apparatus for Reducing the Effect of Railway Train Collisions, and. for Lessening Atmospheric Resistance to Traction.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 28th Nov., 1891-Accepted, 2nd Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Reducing the Effect of Railway Train Collisions, and.
for Lessening Atmospheric Resistance to Traction.
1, FREDERICK SHAPLEY, of 6 Park Street Viaduct, in the City and County
of Bristol, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
―
This invention has for its object to lessen the injurious and destructive effect of
collisions on railways and to reduce atmospheric resistance to traction in trains due
to the area of the leading ends of the vehicles.
According to this invention an air chamber is fitted on each end of each vehicle
and extends outwards therefrom in such manner that when two or more vehicles are
coupled the outer ends of the air chambers of one vehicle meet those of the
immediately adjoining vehicles. Each chamber has a cross sectional area corre-
sponding approximately to the superficial area of the end of the vehicle.
Consequently, in a train composed of vehicles fitted with such air chambers the
resistance to traction due to the vehicle end areas hitherto exposed to the
atmosphere is, except in the case of the front of the locomotive, reduced to a
minimum. By their use also increased steadiness is imparted to trains. The body
of each air chamber is composed of a suitably flexible material such as india-rubber
or a combination of india-rubber and canvas, or of any other substance which is
adapted for the purpose. This body which is closed at the outer end by a cover of
wood or other suitable material is carried in a frame secured upon the vehicle end.
The air in the chambers may be at atmospheric pressure or it may be compressed
to any desired degree. An escape or safety valve is fitted to each chamber and
loaded so as to control the rate of escape of the air in event of collision. The air
chambers act as protective cushions or buffers against the effect of the impact
which is thereby rendered less destructive and dangerous.
Instead of consisting of one chamber only, each buffer may be composed of a
series of such chambers separated by suitable partitions.
1001
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol Bank Buildings, Bristol, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Reducing the Effect of Railway Train Collisions, and
for Lessening Atmospheric Resistance to Traction,
I, FREDERICK SHAPLEY, of 6 Park Street Viaduct, in the City and County
of Bristol, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object to lessen the injurious and destructive effect of
collisions on railways and to reduce atmospheric resistance to traction in trains due
to the area of the leading ends of the vehicles.
According to this invention an air chamber is fitted on each end of each vehicle
and extends outwards therefrom in such manner that when two or more vehicles are
coupled the outer ends of the air chambers of one vehicle neet those of the
immediately adjoining vehicles. Each chamber has a cross sectional area corre-
sponding approximately to the superficial area of the end of the vehicle.
Consequently, in a train composed of vehicles fitted with such air chambers, the
resistance to traction due to the vehicle end areas hitherto exposed to the

page_text: atmosphere is, except in the case of the front of the locomotive, reduced to a
minimum. By their use also increased steadiness is imparted to trains. The body
of each air chamber is composed of a suitably flexible material such as india-rubber
or a combination of india-rubber and canvas, or of any other substance which is
adapted for the purpose. This body which is closed at the outer end by a cover of
wood or other suitable material is carried in a frame secured upon the vehicle end.
The air in the chambers may be at atmospheric pressure or it may be compressed
to any desired degree.
In order to keep the chamber covers, under usual conditions, at the normal
distance from the vehicle ends, in other words, to keep the chamber expanded when
containing air at atmospheric pressure only, springs may be employed extending
from the covers to the inside of the backs. Air for charging the chambers may be
supplied either from the air brake tubing, or from a pump worked by the loco-
motive. An escape or safety valve is fitted to each chamber and loaded so as to
control the rate of escape of the air in event of collision. The air chambers act
as protective cushions or buffers against the effect of the impact which is thereby
rendered less destructive and dangerous.
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings
Fig. 1 represents, partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section, my
improved buffer apparatus as applied to the ends of two railway carriages.
Fig. 2 is a part end view and part transverse section, and
Fig. 3 is a plan, partly sectional.
Fixed by bolts a to each carriage end is a collapsable chamber b designed to
contain air, either at atmospheric or higher pressure. The chamber, which for the
most part is composed of india-rubber or canvas, or a combination of these
materials, is furnished at front and back with a cover c of wood strengthened with
metal bars or plates. The chamber is contained within a jointed iron or steel
framed. The outer covers of the chamber carry bosses e of india-rubber either
solid or hollow and, in the latter case, open to the interior of the chamber, and it
is at these bosses that the chambers meet when the vehicles are coupled, as shown.
On the occurrence of a collision the chambers act as large buffers and reduce the
destructive and injurious effect of the impact.
Safety valves are fitted to the chambers to control escape of the air under the
effect of a collision.
The chambers not only act as buffers as above set forth, but by their use
throughout a train a more continuously compact body is formed and the atmospheric
resistance exerted at the vehicle ends to traction is minimised. The compact and
continuous character of a train thus fitted ensures greater steadiness of motion, and
reduction in tear and wear of rolling stock, and consequently, cost in these respects
and in traction is lessened.
Instead of consisting of one chamber only, each buffer may be composed of a
series of such chambers separated by suitable partitions.
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 :-
Apparatus for reducing the destructive effect of collisions on railways, the said
apparatus consisting of collapsable air chambers such as , of india-rubber or other
suitable material, fixed to the ends of the vehicles and supported in a jointed iron
or steel frame, and making contact, when the vehicles are coupled, either at the
outer ends of the chambers or by bosses such as e either solid or hollow, sub-
stantially as herein before set forth with reference to the accompanying sheet of
drawings.
Dated this 26th day of November 1891
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Bristol Bank Buildings, Bristol, Agent.