IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH RAILWAY BRAKES, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES." SP
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Gresham, of the Firm of Gresham and Craven, of
Craven Iron Works, Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN
CONNECTION WITH RAILWAY BRAKES, ALSO APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Gresham at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th January 1880.
JAMES GRESHAM, of the Firm of Gresham and Craven, of Craven Iron Works,
Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM
OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH RAILWAY BRAKES, ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
"
Firstly. My improvements relate to what are known as vacuum brakes" which
are applied at the time the vacuum or partial vacuum is formed, and my improve-
ments refer to the starting valve for admitting the steam into the ejector to form
the partial vacuum.
With the arrangement of the starting valve mechanism hitherto used the steam
is liable to be admitted to the ejector so quickly and in such force (except special
care is taken) as to apply the brakes so suddenly as to be very disagreeable in
passenger trains or so as to cause damage in the case of goods trains, and the object.
of my Invention is to enable the driver of the locomotive to open the starting
valve with certainty to a given extent, sufficient to admit steam to form the desired
vacuum for applying the brakes gently and without shock in the case of ordinary
stoppages, but which arrangement leaves the driver at liberty, when necessary and
in the case of emergency, to instantly open the starting valve to the greatest
extent, and my Invention consists in forming the valve with a cone surface where
it comes in contact with its seating, and with a stem extended within the outlet
orifice leading to the valve, which is made in a series of two or more cylinders
diminishing in diameter in steps, the diameter of the largest cylinder being nearest
the cone of the valve, and thus when the valve spindle is moved to open the valve
to the extent of the first step an annular space of known area is formed for the
passage of the steam, and when the valve is still further moved the next step gives
a reduced diameter of spindle, and another annular space of greater area is opened
for the passage of the steam, and so on for each reduced step or diameter.

page_text: The spindle of the valve passes through a stuffing box and is connected with a
lever handle, upon which a hoop slides that has a projecting point which is forced
by a spring on the lever handle against a segment piece, in which there is a hollow
or notch into which the point or nose on the hoop enters when the handle has
moved the spindle of the valve to open the valve to the desired extent for producing
the partial vacuum for ordinary stoppages, and thus, even in the dark, the driver
can feel on moving the handle when it is in the correct position, but he can, when
required, push the handle past this notch and thus open the valve to the fullest
extent.
This valve is also applicable for starting injectors, the first step or opening giving
steam for lifting or starting the water into motion, and the second step giving
steam to force the fluid into the boiler.
Secondly. My Invention relates to the couplings for the pipes of the vacuum
brakes between the vehicles of railway trains, such couplings being intended more
particularly for automatic vacuum brakes, in which case there is a constant partial
vacuum formed in the pipes, which is ready to act in case the vehicles of the train
part; or the brakes can be applied by admitting air so as to destroy the partial
vacuum in the pipes, as is well understood.
My present improvements are partly based upon those for which Letters Patent
have been granted to me, numbered 4805, dated 18th December 1877.
Each half of each coupling is formed with a valve, and the couplings are so
arranged that when properly connected the valves will be opened, and so that
should the train part by accident the valves will remain open when the couplings are
disconnected, but when the couplings are properly disconnected the valves will shut
and remain shut.
Each coupling is both "he" and "she" to the other, and both are faced with
rings of india rubber which come in contact to make an air tight joint when the
couplings are brought together, and each coupling has a bevelled flange and jointed
catches with bevelled hooks to catch upon the bevelled flanges to assist in holding
the couplings together, as described in the Specification of my aforesaid Patent.
According to one modification of my present Invention a lifting valve is formed
in each half coupling with its axis at a right angle to the axis of the pipe or
coupling, and this valve has a diaphragm attached to it so that the pressure of the
atmosphere will act when there is a partial vacuum formed in the pipes to close
the valve, but the valve is held open when the couplings are attached together
against this pressure, in consequence of the spindle of the valve being jointed to the
lever having the bevelled hook.
There is a spring also on the valve spindle that abuts against a plate covering
the cavity over the diaphragm which acts to close the valve, but cannot do so as
long as the lever hook is in the position in which it remains when the couplings
are attached, and in which it remains when the couplings are disconnected, as in the
case of an accident, but when the couplings are properly disconnected the hook
levers are turned over backwards, and this closes the valve in each half coupling.
According to another modification of my Invention the valve in each half coupling
is a lifting valve, but is made to open from and close against its seating in the line
of the axis of the pipe or coupling. The stem of each valve is a hollow cylinder
and there is a screw or incline slot in each stem, into which a pin enters that is
secured in the side of the coupling, so that when the valves are held stationary and
the couplings are partly rotated on the axis of the pipe the valves will be moved
endways to and from their seatings according to the direction of partial rotation.
The cylindrical stems of the valves are halved at the ends, so that when the
couplings are brought together the projecting half of the stem of one valve overlaps
that of the other valve.
The couplings are first brought directly together until the two halves of the
valves overlap, and then each tube or coupling is partly rotated on the axis of the
pipe in opposite directions until the bevelled hooks come opposite notches cut out
of the bevelled flanges, and in this position the valves are closed, but when

page_text: liberated the couplings by the torsion of the connecting flexible pipes partly
rotate backwards, and this movement opens the valves, which are held open should
the couplings be severed by a direct pull, as in the case of accidental separation.
The bevelled hooks are acted upon by springs, and the books are shielded by
side pieces formed upon the coupling, so that they can only be slightly pressed to
relieve the couplings from the pressure of the hooks, but not sufficiently to release
them without giving the torsional movement to the couplings to bring the hooks
opposite to the notches in the flanges.
There are or may be slight notches in the face, but not through the bevelled
flanges, into which the hooks can enter so as to retain the couplings with more
certainty in their correct positions. By reversing the actions of the valves these
couplings are adapted for pressures above the atmosphere.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Gresham in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th July
1880.
JAMES GRESHAM, of the Firm of Gresham and Craven, of Craven Iron Works,
Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN MECHANISM
OR APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION WITH RAILWAY BRAKES, ALSO
APPLICABLE FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Firstly. My improvements relate to what are known as "vacuum brakes," which
are applied at the time the vacuum or partial vacuum is formed, and my improve-
ments refer to the starting valve for admitting the steam into the ejector to form
the partial vacuum.
With the arrangement of the starting valve mechanism hitherto used the steam
is liable to be admitted to the ejector so quickly and in such force (except special
care is taken) as to apply the brakes so suddenly as to be very disagreeable in
passenger trains, or so as to cause damage in the case of goods trains, and the object
of my Invention is to enable the driver of the locomotive to open the starting valve
with certainty to a given extent sufficient to admit steam to form the desired
vacuum for applying the brakes gently and without shock in the case of ordinary
stoppages, but which arrangement leaves the driver at liberty, when necessary and
in the case of emergency, to instantly open the starting valve to the greatest extent
and my Invention consists in forming the valve with a cone surface where it comes
in contact with its seating, and with a stem extended within the outlet orifice
leading to the valve, which is made in a series of two or more cylinders diminishing
in diameter in steps, the diameter of the largest cylinder being nearest the cone of
the valve, and thus when the valve spindle is moved to open the valve to the
extent of the first step an annular space of known area is formed for the passage of
the steam, and when the valve is still further moved the next step gives a reduced
diameter of spindle, and another annular space of greater area is opened for the
passage of the steam, and so on for each reduced step or diameter.
forced
The spindle of the valve passes through a stuffing box, and is connected with a
lever handle upon which a hoop slides that has a projecting point which
by a spring on the lever handle against a segment piece, in which there is a hollow
or notch into which the point or nose on the hoop enters when the handle has
moved the spindle of the valve to open the valve to the desired extent for producing
the partial vacuum for ordinary stoppages, and thus even in the dark the driver
can feel on moving the handle when it is in the correct position, but he can when
required push the handle past this notch, and thus open the valve to the fullest
extent.
This valve is also applicable for starting injectors, the first step or opening giving
steam for lifting or starting the water into motion, and the second step giving steam
to force the fluid into the boiler.
Secondly. My Invention relates to the couplings for the pipes of the vacuum
brakes between the vehicles of railway trains, such couplings being intended more
particularly for automatic vacuum brakes, in which case there is a constant partial
vacuum formed in the pipes which is ready to act in case the vehicles of the train
part, or the brakes can be applied by admitting air so as to destroy the partial
vacuum in the pipes, as is well understood.
My present improvements are partly based upon those for which Letters Patent
have been granted to me, numbered 4805, dated 18th December 1877.
Each half of each coupling is formed with a valve, and the couplings are so
arranged that when properly connected the valves will be opened, and so that
should the train part by accident the valves will remain open when the couplings
are disconnected, but when the couplings are properly disconnected the valves will
shut and remain shut.

page_text: Each coupling is both "he" and "she" to the other, and both are faced with
rings of india rubber, which come in contact to make an air tight joint when the
couplings are brought together, and each coupling has a bevelled flange and jointed
catches with bevelled hooks to catch upon the bevelled flanges to assist in holding
the couplings together, as described in the Specification of my aforesaid Patent.
According to one modification of my present Invention a lifting valve is formed
in each half coupling, with its axis at a right angle to the axis of the pipe or
coupling, and this valve has a diaphragm attached to it, so that the pressure of the
atmosphere will act when there is a partial vacuum formed in the pipes to close the
valve, but the valve is held open when the couplings are attached together against
this pressure in consequence of the spindle of the valve being jointed to the lever
having the bevelled hook.
There is a spring also on the valve spindle that abuts against a plate covering
the cavity over the diaphragm, which acts to close the valve, but cannot do so as
long as the lever hook is in the position in which it remains when the couplings
are attached, and in which it remains when the couplings are disconnected, as in
the case of an accident, but when the couplings are properly disconnected the hook
levers are turned over backwards, and this closes the valve in each half coupling.
According to another modification of my Invention the valve in each half coupling
is a lifting valve, but is made to open from and close against its seating in the line
of the axis of the pipe or coupling.
The stem of each valve is a hollow cylinder, and there is a screw or incline slot
in each stem, into which a pin enters that is secured in the side of the coupling, so
that when the valves are held stationary and the couplings are partly rotated in the
axis of the pipe the valves will be moved end ways to and from their seatings,
according to the direction of partial rotation. The cylindrical stems of the valves
are halved at the ends, so that when the couplings are brought together the pro-
jecting half of the stein of one valve overlaps that of the other valve.
The couplings are first brought together, the two halves being partly rotated in
opposite directions until the two halves of the valves can be brought together to
overlap, at the same time the bevelled hooks come opposite notches cut out of the
bevelled flanges, and in this position the valves are closed, but when the couplings
are turned back by hand and the torsion of the connecting flexible pipes the
valves are opened, and are held open should the couplings be severed by a direct
pull, as in the case of accidental separation.
The bevelled hooks are acted upon by springs and the hooks are shielded by
side pieces formed upon the coupling, so that they can only be slightly pressed to
relieve the couplings from the pressure of the hooks, but not sufficiently to release
them without giving the torsional movement to the couplings to bring the hooks
opposite to the notches in the flanges.
There are or may be slight notches in the face, but not through the bevelled
flanges, into which the hooks can enter so as to retain the couplings with more
certainty in their correct positions.
By reversing the actions of the valves these couplings are adapted for pressures
above the atmosphere.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation illustrating the first part of the Invention; a is
the branch connected with the boiler or steam supply; a¹ is a pipe conveying the
steam which passes the valve to the ejector or injector; b is the cone valve with a
seating on the part a². It has a spindle b' that passes through a stuffing box a³,
as shown. This spindle b' has a slot in it for a lever handle c, which has its
fulcrum c carried on a bracket c³, which also forms a sector to limit, guide, and
regulate the movement of the hand lever c. The handle is shown in full line with
the valve close down upon its seating, and in dotted line it is shown at one extreme
when the valve is fully open. On the handle c there is a collar c³, which has a
point or projection that can enter a notch in the sector, and this collar is pressed
by a spring (abutting upon a shoulder on the handle) against the sector.
The valve has only one cylindrical projection 62, shown in full line below the

page_text: cone, and the collar will enter the notch in the sector before the cylindrical part is
clear of the bore, consequently there will only be an annular space of a given area
left for the steam to pass through.
Other cylindrical projections 6s under the valve, shown in dotted line, may be used
when required, in which case corresponding notches are formed in the sector.
Fig. 2 is a section of a valve, which I find useful in connection with automatic
vacuum brakes.
It is applied in the lowest part of the main communicating pipe of each carriage
or vehicle at a T coupling provided in the pipe for the purpose to allow moisture
or condensed steam to escape from the main pipe when the brakes are applied.
d is supposed to be a T coupling forming part of the main communicating pipe,
and d the valve casing screwed in the branch of the coupling. The valve d³ is
formed by a ball of india rubber, and when there is no vacuum or suction in the
pipe the ball is kept by its own gravity away from its seating, and allows the
condensed steam to flow out of the pipe; d³ is a part screwed in the casing to
retain the valve in its place.
It has one or more holes to allow the water to escape and the air to enter and
lift the valve against its seating when a partial vacuum is formed in the pipe.
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 4, a cross section at A-B, Fig. 3, these
Figures illustrating the first modification under the second part of my Invention.
The two halves or casings e are connected with the ends of each of the hose pipes
to be coupled and are exact duplicates.
The end of each coupling where the two form a joint together is provided with
an india rubber ring e¹ sprung into a groove as shown, and each coupling has a
semi circular projection or lip e² with a cross bar e³, so that when one is inserted 2
in the other they form together a complete circle, the cross bars e assisting in
guiding the two halves of the couplings correctly together one into the other.
In the casing of each half coupling there is a seating e' for a disc valve f which
is faced with india rubber or other suitable material f¹, as shown, and each valve
has a stem that is guided in a socket e formed in the casing; g is a diaphragm
secured to the casing by a plate e and screws (not shown), and to the disc valve (f)
by a washer gl secured by the spindle f³, which screws into the hole in the stem f
of the valve.
The spindle f³ passes through and is guided by a hole in the disc or cover
plate e, and upon it there is an helical spring f', one end abutting against the 3
cover plate (e), the other against the washer (g) on the diaphragm.
The elastic force of this spring acts to shut the valve and to pull upon the
lever h that is jointed to the end of the spindle ƒ³, causing one end of it to press
upon the cover plate e, and the other or bevelled hook end to press upon the
bevelled flange upon the other half coupling to bring and keep the two together.
The lever hook (/) in the position in which it is shown in full line, prevents the
spring for the vacuum in the pipes from closing the valve f, consequently there is
an open communication between the pipes.
If the couplings are dragged apart, as when vehicles are separated by acccident,
the valve will remain open, and the atmosphere will be admitted, and the
brakes applied when these couplings are used in combination with automatic
vacuum brakes.
But when the levers h are turned back (as shown in dotted line on one half
coupling in Fig. 3), which is the proper mode of disconnection, the valves are by this
movement shut before the couplings need be separated.
There are small holes in the plate e to admit the pressure of the atmosphere to
the diaphragm.
Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section, and Fig. 6 a cross section, illustrating the other
modification of coupling under the second head of my Invention.
5
e is the casing part of each half of the coupling, each half of the casing having 5
jointed to it a bevel ended hook h, the hook on one half coupling taking hold of the
bevelled flange on the other half of the coupling when both are together. Each

page_text: hook (h) has an helical spring (h¹) placed in a cavity in the casing to press the hook
end upon the bevel flange, and each spring and lever hook is shielded by side
pieces c² on the casing, so that the hook levers can only be conveniently pressed
upon by hand to take off the pressure of the hooks from the bevel flange in coupling
or uncoupling. The faces of both halves of the flanges of the couplings have india
rubber rings e¹, as described in reference to Figs. 3 and 4. e is the valve seating.
Each valve fis a cylinder closed at one end, and faced with india rubber f', where
it comes against its seating. The casing (e) is enlarged near the seating to allow a
free passage by the edge of the valve through ports or openings in the side of the
cylindrical part of the stem of the valve, which for each coupling is halved and has
a cross bar fs, so that the two halves of the cylindrical stems of the valves overlap
each other when properly brought together, as shown in Fig. 5.
In the cylindrical part of each valve stem there is a cam or screw slot fº, and
there is a screw pin e' that screws through the casing of each half coupling, the end
of which passes through the said cam or screw slot.
When the two half couplings (when the valves are shut) are brought opposite
each other, and they are partly rotated in opposite directions to bring the notch (e³)
in each bevel flange (see notch in peculiar dotted line in Fig. 6) opposite the ends
of the hooks h, so that they may pass through, then the two halves of the stems of
the valves are brought together to overlap by the same movement which passes the
catches through the notches in the flanges, and when the pipes or hose are twisted
back the valves are opened, and remain open until the twisting movement is reversed
for disconnection, which shuts them again, but if the couplings are disconnected
without the twisting movement the valves remain open.
To give a certain amount of friction and prevent the valves from opening too
easily when they should remain shut, or shutting when they should remain open,
each valve is provided with a socket f' to guide a stem f8, having a segmental
crosshead to fit and slide on the interior of the cylindrical part of the valve, and
round the stem f³ there is a spring f* which abuts against the valve and against
the underside of the crosshead to force its face against the side of the pin or screw e
that passes through the cam slot (ƒ).
I have now particularly described the nature of my said Invention and the mode
of carrying the same into effect, and claim as my Invention,-
Firstly. The arrangement of a cone valve for supplying steam to an ejector for
working what are known as vacuum brakes, or for supplying steam to injectors,
with steps giving different annular areas for steam, combined with a lever handle,
spring point and notched sector or notched spindle and spring point, substantially
in the manner hereinbefore described and illustrated by the Drawings.
Secondly. The combination, arrangement, and construction of couplings for simple
or automatic vacuum brakes with diaphragm valves combined with turn over
levers or hook catches (h), substantially as herein before described and illustrated by
Figs. 3 and 4.
Thirdly. The combination, arrangement, and construction of couplings for simple
or automatic vacuum brakes where the valves are actuated by cain or screw slots
or inclines, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Gresham, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Sixteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
JAMES GRESHAM. (L.S.)