Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 8th May, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 29th Dec., 1888
*Complete Specification Accepted, 29th Jan., 1889
I, JAMES THORN GOODFELLOW of No. 31 Boardman Building, River Street, Troy,
in the State of New York, United States of America, Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The present improvements are especially adapted for use in connection with tubular
platform frames and the connections for the same similar to those shewn in the
Specification of British Letters Patent No. 14863 granted November 11th 1884, and
said improvements are for rendering the tubular metallic platform stronger without
naterially increasing the weight or expense of the same, and the special features of
improvements relate to the end sills of the platform, the king bolt plates, the transom
beam, the draw frames or connections between the king bolt plates and the end sills,
and the followers between the draw frames.
The cast metal parts made use of for uniting the tubes together and the end sills
are preferably of malleable cast iron so as to possess the required strength, ductility
and toughness.
The end sills are made hollow and box shaped and the top and bottom edges are
parallel or nearly so, but such end sills are broader in the middle than at the ends to
lessen weight and to allow the cars to run upon curves without the sills coming
together at their ends.
The end sills may be cast in one piece of metal but it is preferred to make
the sill in two pieces which are the counterpart of the other but handed, such
right and left hand sections of the end sill being united by a yoke piece and splice
piece.
There are openings in the two parts of the end sill to lessen the weight of the cast
metal and for supporting the core in the mould.
In the middle portion of the end sill where the right and left hand parts come
together, an opening is provided for the reception of the ends of the draw frame, and
the abutting ends of the two parts of said sill are ☐ shaped and receive the splice piece
which is bolted to said L shaped ends.
The yoke piece is recessed upon its upper surface to forin part of the opening

page_text: into which the ends of the draw frame are inserted and there are ribs in the
under side of the end sill pieces and grooves in the upper surfaces of the yoke
piece into which said ribs pass and bolts connect the yoke to the two parts of
the end sill. The yoke piece is ribbed to obtain the requisite strength and lightness.
Two of these end sills are used upon each car, one at each end thereof, and the
longitudinal tubes in pairs extend from one end sill to the other: these longitudinal
tubes have bolts at their ends similar to those shewn in the specification of the aforesaid
patent, and in the end sills there are sockets for the reception of the ends of the
longitudinal tubes and holes for the passage of the bolts, and nuts applied to these
bolts at the outer surface of the end sills draw the tubes into said sockets and unite the
end sills and tubes together.
If the longitudinal tubes are square, or if wood sills are used instead of iron tubes,
then the sockets for receiving the ends will be shaped to correspond. The clips for
connecting the pairs of tubes the struts and T shaped tie bars are similar to those
shewn in the specification of the aforesaid patent, and the longitudinal truss bolts g of
said patent are similarly arranged and applied and they pass at their ends through the
end sills and are drawn taut by nuts, but in order to prevent the truss bolts slipping
upon the transverse tie bars, saddles are employed, those for the inner truss bolts
having jaws upon their upper faces to slip endwise upon said tio bars and grooved
under surfaces into which, said truss bolts are received the saddle pieces for the outer
truss bolts are similarly formed but in addition they are extended upwardly to
form side plates through which bolts pass that unite the transverse tie bars and
struts.
:
Longitudinal sills, flooring, and the sides that form the enclosure or box of the car
are similar to those shewn in the aforesaid patent except that each vertical post or
stake is connected to the longitudinal tube by a U shaped strap that passes around the
tube and through holes in the stake and through holes in a plate of sheet metal
which plate is placed diagonally and two of its corners are bent backwardly to
clip or support the stake. Nuts applied at the ends of said U shaped strap
confine the metal plate in place and press the lower portion of the stake firmly
against the tubes.
The transom beam is preferably of wood enclosed at its edges by trough shaped
metal bars and to strengthen said beam there is a tie rod flattened in the middle
portion to rest upon the two inner longitudinal sills and the round end portions of
said tie rod pass diagonally through said transom beam and through plates at the
ends of said transom beam and are drawn tight by nuts 'so as to render the transom
beam very stiff and strong. Upon the underside of the transom beam is a top plate
for the king bolt and this top plate has flanges at front and back of the transom beam
and is secured thereto by bolts. The centre portion of this top plate is a zone shaped
cavity receiving a similar projection upon the bottom plate that rests upon and is
supported by the central beam of the truck and there is a circular recess in the centre
of the zone shaped projection receiving a cylindrical boss upon the top plate, which
boss surrounds the king-bolt.
By this construction the truck is free to swivel upon the king bolt, the parts
are very strong and the king bolt plates relieve the king bolt almost entirely from
strain.
Upon the top king bolt plate are tubular flanges through which pass bolts by
which the draw frames are connected to said top plate so that the traction force in
drawing the train is applied to the tramson beam of the cars. The draw frame is
composed of two bars exactly alike. Each bar is made with openings to lessen the
weight and with flanges to stiffen the bar.
The back ends of the draw frames are connected by bolts to the top king bolt
plate as aforesaid and said back ends are slightly convex around said bolts to allow
for motion at this point that may result from any spring of the frame, or from con-
cussion in backing the train and a similar motion is allowed for at the front ends
of the draw frames by the devices next described.
The front end of each draw frame is made as a plate with a circular projection upon

page_text: the outer face of the same: these plates pass into the opening between the right and
left hand portions of the end sill and the projections or bosses are received into cavities
provided for them in the inner faces of such opening and a countersunk bolt firmly
connects each draw frame to the sill and the bosses upon said draw frames lessen the
strain upon the bolts.
Cross bolts passing through tubes, tie the draw frames together, the tubes keeping
the frames the proper distance apart.
Within the draw frames are openings for. the reception of the ends of the follower
plates: these follower plates are hollow. Between the follower plates any suitable
spring is introduced and there is a bolt passing through the spring and through the
follower plates and connecting with the draw bar. The inner end of the draw bar
rests against the front follower plate and a wedge passes through the bolt and behind
the rear follower plate so that the spring is compressed when the train is being drawn
or when the cars are being pressed together in backing.
The vertical shaft for the brake chain passes through the top of the box shaped end
sill and its lower end enters a hole in the bottom of such sill so as to be firmly
supported by the end sill without the use of brackets and the brake chain is wound
around the shaft within said end sill and the opening in the rear of the end sill is
sufficiently large to prevent contact of said chain with the sill.
Upon the outer faces of the end sills there are vertical ribs receiving between them
blocks of wood or rubber and these are capped with flanged plates to protect them
from wear, and bolts pass through the cap plates and blocks and into the end sills and
connect the parts together so as to form buffers that receive the pressure when the cars
are being backed.
The steps or foot pieces are each made of a U shaped metal bar the ends of which
are notched, and there are two coupling pieces one at each side of each end of the
step and two clip pieces for each step pass over the lower outside longitudinal tube
and bolts pass through the clip pieces and through the coupling pieces and firmly
clamp the parts upon the tube so that the step will be reliably suspended and it will
not turn upon the tube.
Dated this 9th day of Ma. 1900

page_text: I, JAMES THORN GOODFELLOW of No. 31 Boardman Buildings, River Street, Troy,
in the State of New York United States of America, Engineer 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 :-
The present improvements are especially adapted for use in connection with tubular
platform frames and the connections for the same similar to those shewn in the specifi-
cation of British Letters Patent No. 14863 granted November 11th 1884, and said
improvements are for rendering the tubular metallic platform stronger without
materially increasing the weight or expense of the same, and the special features of
improvements relate to the end sills of the platform, the king bolt plates, the transom
beam, the draw frames or connections between the king bolt plates and the end sills,
and the followers between the draw frames.
In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view partially in section, at one end of the car
frame. Figure 2 is a longitudinal central section. Figure 3 is an elevation at the end
of the car platform. Figure 4 is a detached rear view of the end sill. Figure 5 is a
separate elevation of one of the draw frames. Figure 6 is a cross section through the
centre of the end sill at the line x x Fig. 4. Figure 7 is an inverted plan of the upper
king bolt plate. Figure 8 is a cross section at the king bolt. Figure 9 is a cross
section at y y Fig. 1 in larger size. Figure 10 is a section through one of the follower
plates at the line a Fig. 11. Figure 11 is an end view of said follower plate.
Figure 12 is an elevation of the step. Figure 13 is a cross section through the clip
that unites the step to the tube, and Figure 14 is an elevation of the clip that unites
one of the stakes to the tube.
The cast metal parts made use of for uniting the tubes together and the end sills
are preferably of malleable cast iron, so as to possess the required strength, ductility
and toughness. The end sills are made hollow and box shaped, and the top and bottom
edges are parallel, or nearly so; but such end sills are broader in the middle than at
the ends as seen in Fig. 1, to lessen weight, and to allow the cars to run upon curves
without the sills coming together at their ends. The end sill may be cast in one piece
of metal, but I prefer and have so shdwn the sill made in two pieces A and A¹ which
are the counterparts of each other, but handed, such right and left hand sections of
the end sill being united by the yoke piece B and splice piece C.
The right and left hand parts of the end sill are not only made hollow and box
shaped and narrower near the ends, as before described but there are openings in the
vertical front and back portions of the end sill as shown at 22 Figs. 3 and 4, the
object of these openings being to lessen the weight of the cast metal and for supporting
the core within the mould. These openings may be of any desired shape.
In the middle portion of the end sill, where the right and left hand parts come
. together, an opening is provided for the reception of the ends of the draw frame herein-
after described, and the top flanges 3 are ribbed on their under sides (see Fig. 4) and
shaped so as to receive within them the splice pioce C, and the bolts 5 pass vertically
through the splice piece and through the flanges 3, and the bolts 6 pass horizontally
through the splice piece and through the vertical portions of such flanges 3, so that a
very firm connection is made at the upper inner ends of the two parts of the
end sill.
The yoke piece B is recessed upon its upper surface (see Figs. 3 and 4) to form
part of the opening into which the ends of the draw frame are inserted, and there are

page_text: ribs 7 on the under sides of the end sill pieces and grooves in the upper surfaces of
the yoke piece and bolts 8, passing up vertically through the yoke piece and through
the bottom of the hollow end sill for firmly connecting the right and left hand parts of
such end sill together at the lower inner parts of the same, and this yoke piece is
ribbed, as shewn in Figs. 3 4 and 6, for obtaining the requisite strength and
lightness.
The longitudinal tubes E E are provided with bolts at the ends, similar to those
shewn in the specification of the aforesaid patent, and in the end sills there are
sockets 10 for the reception of the ends of the tubes and holes for the passage of the
bolts, so that the nuts of the bolts at the outer surface of the end sill will firmly draw
the tubes into the sockets and unite the end sill and tubes together. If the longitudinal
tubes E are square or if wood sills are used in place of the tubes, the sockets for
receiving the ends will be shaped to correspond.
The clips b, for connecting the pairs of tubes, and the struts d and transverse tie
bars e shown in the drawing T shape and then corresponding to those shewn in the
specification of aforesaid patent, and the truss bolts g are similarly arranged and
applied; the truss-bolts g pass at their ends through the end sills, and they are drawn
up by nuts; but in order to prevent the truss bolts slipping upon the tie bars e I make
use of saddles c¹ having jaws upon their upper faces to slip endwise upon the tie bars e,
and grooved under surfaces into which the truss bolts are received and the side
saddle pieces e are similarly formed; but in addition they are extended upwardly to form
side plates, through which the bolts & pass that unite the tie bars e and struts d. The
longitudinal sill pieces h, flooring h¹, and the sides that form the enclosure or box of
the car are similar to those shewn in the specification of the aforesaid patent, with the
exception that each vertical post or stake H is connected to the tube E by a U shaped
strap 15 that passes around the tube and through holes in the stake H and through
holes in the square plate 16 which plate is placed diagonally, as shewn in Fig. 14 and
two of the corners are bent backwardly to clip or support the stake, as seen in Figs. 8
and 14.
g
The transom beam K is preferably of wood enclosed at its edges by trough-shaped
metal bars 20 (see Figs. 1 and 2) and to strengthen this transom beam there is a tie
rod 21 flattened in the middle portion to rest upon the sill pieces and truss bolts
and the round end portions of this tie rod 21 pass diagonally through this transom
beam and through the end plates 22 and are drawn tight by nuts, so as to render the
transom beam very stiff and strong.
Upon the underside of the transom beam is the top plate L, for the king bolt 25,
and this top plate has flanges 26, at front and back of the transom beam, and it is
secured thereto by the bolts 27. The centre portion of this top plate L is a zone
shaped cavity 28, receiving a similar projection 29, upon the bottom plate M that rests
upon, and is supported by, the central or bridge beam N of the truck, and there is a
circular recess in the centre of the zone shaped projection 29, receiving the cylindrical
boss 30, that surrounds the king bolt. By this construction the truck is free to swivel
upon the king bolt. The parts are very strong and light and the king bolt plates
relieve the king bolt almost entirely from strain.
Upon the top plate L are the tubular flanges 32 through which pass the bolts 33 by
which the draw frames P are connected to the top plate of the king bolt, so that
the traction force in drawing the train is applied to the transom beams of the
cars.
The draw frame is composed of two bars similar to those shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5.
and 9. Each bar is made with openings to lessen the weight, and there are flanges
along the edges of the metal (see Figs. 5 and 9) to strengthen and stiffen the same
and avoid too great weight. The bolts 33 connect the ends of these draw frames
directly to the top plate L of the king bolt (see Figs. 1 and 5) and the back ends of
the draw frames are slightly convex around the bolts 33, so as to allow for a motion at
this point that may result from any spring of the frame or from concussion in backing
the train and a similar motion is allowed for, at the front ends of the draw frames by
the devices next described.

page_text: The front end of each draw frame is made as a plate with a circular projection 36.
upon the outer face of the same. These plates pass into the opening between the
right and left hand portions of the end sill, and the projections or bosses 36 are received
into the cavities, provided for them, in the inner faces of such opening, as seen at 37,
Figs. 1 and 6, and a countersunk bolt firmly connects each draw frame to the sill, and
the bosses 36 lessen the strain upon such bolts. There are cross bolts at på to tie the
the draw frames together and these preferably pass through tubes that hold the draw
frames at the proper distance apart.
Within the draw frames there are openings for the reception of the ends of the
follower plates R (shewn in larger size at Figs. 9, 10, 11). These follower plates
are preferably hollow and the end portions 40, pass into the openings in the draw
frames R, and between these follower plates any suitable spring is introduced,
preferably double helical springs as shewn at S, and there is a bolt T passing
through the spring and through the follower plates and connecting with tho draw
bar U, which draw bar may be of any desired character and it receives the link or
other coupling to connect one bar to the next. The inner end of the draw bar rests
against the front follower plate, and a wedge passes through the bolt T behind the
rear follower plate, so that the spring is compressed when the train is being drawn, or
when the cars are being pressed together in backing.
It will be apparent that the draw frames form a reliable and strong connection
between each end sill and the transom bean, so that the one part aids in
strengthening the other, and these draw frames are not liable to be bent or injured
by any ordinary deflection of the platform when loaded, or when the car is passing
switches or curves in the track.
Upon reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the vertical shaft w for the brake
chain, passes through the top of the box-shaped end sill, and its lower reduced end
enters a hole in the bottom of such end sill, so as to be firmly supported by the
end sill without the use of brackets, and the brake chain is wound around the shaft
within the end sill, and the opening in the rear of the end sill is sufficiently large to
prevent the chain coming into contact with the metal of the end sill.
Upon the outer faces of the end sills there are vertical ribs 45 receiving between
them the blocks of wood or rubber 46, and these are capped with flange plates 47, to
protect them from wear, and the bolts 48 passing through the cap plates and
blocks and into the end sills, connect the parts together, so as to form buffers that
receive the pressure when the cars are being backed.
The step Y is made of a U shaped metal bar, the ends of which are notched, as
seen in Fig. 13, and there are two coupling pieces 50 one at each side of each
end of the step (see Figs. 3, 12 and 13) and the elip pieces 51 pass over the
tube, and bolts 52 pass through the clip pieces, and through the coupling pieces and
firmly clamp the parts upon the tube, so that the step will be reliably suspended, and
it will not turn upon the tube.
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 the tubes and truss bolts in a car platform, of cast
metal end sills that are hollow and box shaped, and provided with sockets cast with
the end sill for the reception of the ends of the tubes, and holes for the passage of the
truss rods, substantially as set forth.
2. The end sills for car platforms, each formed of right and left hand parts, in
combination with the splice piece C and yoke piece B, for uniting the two parts of
the end sill together, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination, with the draw bar, spring, and followers, of a cast metal
draw-frame composed of two bars, each of which is made in one piece, having
holes near the ends for attaching the same firmly in place, and supports for the
movable followers at the ends of the springs, substantially as specified.
4. The combination, with the end sill and transom beam, of draw frames,

page_text: each of which is made with openings and flanges for stiffening the metal, and
a boss or circular projection upon the draw frame, entering a recess in the
end sill, and bolts for connecting the respective parts, substantially as set forth.
5. The combination, with the longitudinal tubes, the transom beam, truck, and king
bolt, of the king bolt plates, one of which has a zone shaped projection and the other
a similar shaped recess, and a cylindrical projection on one entering a similar recess
in the other, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination, with the transom beam and the door frames, of the upper king
bolt plate having tubular flanges upon the same and the bolts for connecting the ends
of the draw frames with the king bolt plate, substantially as set forth.
7. The combination, with the draw frames draw bar, and spring, of follower plates,
each one of which is hollow and box shaped and provided with internal ribs and
with a central hole, and the draw har bolt passing through the spring follower plates
and into the draw bar, substantially as set forth.
8. The combination with the T shaped tie bar e and the truss bolts g, of the saddle
adapted to receive the T head of the tie bar and grooved on the under side for the
truss bolt, substantially as set forth.
9. The transom beam of wood with trough shaped metal bars at its sides, in combi-
nation with the metal tubes of the car frame, the floor sills, the tie rod passing across
the tubes and through the end portions of the transom beam, and the end plates
through which the tie rod passes, substantially as set forth.
10. The combination, with the metallic tubes in a car platform, of the U shaped
step, the clip piece passing around the metallic tube, the coupling pieces at the upper
ends of the step, and the bolts passing through the same and through the clip pieces,
substantially as set forth.
11. The combination, with the longitudinal sills in a car platform, of hollow box
shaped metallic end sills having sockets or recesses cast upon them for the reception
of the longitudinal sills, substantially as set forth.
12. The combination, with the end sill and transom beam, of draw frames, each of
which is made in one piece with flanges for stiffening the metal and openings for
receiving the ends of the followers, and bolts for connecting the ends of the draw
frame to the end sill and transom beam, respectively, substantially as set forth.
13. The cast metal draw frame P, made in one piece, having flanges to strengthen
the metal, openings for the attaching bolts, and an opening for the followers of the
draw bar, substantially as set forth.
14. The cast metal end sill formed as a hollow box, with openings to lessen the
weight and tapering toward the ends, substantially as set forth.
15. The follower for the draw bar spring, made of malleable cast iron in one
piece and having front and back plates and connecting plates or flanges, so as to
form a hollow box with an opening through it for the draw bolt, substantially as
specified.
16. The compound clip pieces 50 and 51 adapted to connect the step and tube
substantially as set forth.
17. The end sill formed of cast metal as a hollow box with openings, in
combination with the brake shaft passing through the top of the sill, and having
its lower end within a socket in the lower part of the sill substantially as set forth.
Dated this 28th day of December 1888.