Improvements in Couplings for Railways and other Vehicles.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Nov., 1892-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by IVORY HAZELTON, of No. 102, Apsley
Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Mechanical
Superintendent.]
Improvements in Couplings for Railways and other Vehicles.
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 consists of a coupling for railway and other vehicles formed of a:
knuckle which is pivoted on the draw-head, and a locking device of novel:
construction for controlling the said knuckle, when in the coupling position, as will
be hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying drawing.
Figures 1 and 2 represent sections of draw-bars embodying my invention, with
different shaped knuckles.
Figure 3 represents a front elevation of a coupling embodying my invention.
Figures 4 and 5 represent detail views of portions of the coupling.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.
A designates a draw-head, and B a knuckle which is connected therewith by
means of the vertical pivot C.
The knuckle B has an extension or heel D rearward of its pivot or axis, movable
in a horizontal recess in the draw-head, and in said heel is a slot or groove E, which
is adapted to receive a bolt or clutch F, the latter moving in a bore in the draw-
head, and being connected with rod G, which is suitably secured to a handle H,
said bolt having a shoulder J against which a helical spring bears, whereby the
said bolt is held in place, said knuckle being provided with a shoulder which is
adapted to abut against the said draw-head and limits the passage of the said
knuckle.
K designates the frame of a coupler which is preferably formed as an entire
casting, and with a base plate L, by which it is rigidly secured to a car, the said
frame is also provided with two flanges M, M, which converge and unite at their
upper portion, forming, with a raised part of L, the box-like part N, that is covered
by the foot board P. In the said raised part is arranged a buffer Q. The said
draw head A is pivoted to the said frame, the base plate L of which is cut away,
as at R, whereby motion to the draw-head is permitted. Springs S, S, are provided
to retain the draw-head in position.
The operation is as follows:-
When the knuckle is in coupling position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the
bolt F, enters the slot E whereby the knuckle is controlled by the said bolt, and
thus locked, and the coupling of the cars is effected, the knuckles of the opposite
cars being engaged as usual.
When it is desired to uncouple the cars, the handle is moved, and the bolt
removed from the slot whereby the knuckle is permitted to swing or turn laterally,
(as shown in dotted lines Figures 1 and 2 and the disconnection of the engaged
knuckles may result, it being evident that the coupling is simple inexpensive
and reliable in nature, and one that may be operated in a convenient and safe
manner.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is
1. A draw-head having a knuckle pivoted thereto, and provided with a horizontal
recess, a heel on the rear of said knuckle adapted to enter said recess, and having a
slot a horizontal bore in said draw-head in rear of said knuckle, a bolt having a
shoulder in said bore entering said vertical recess and means for operating said
bolt, said parts being combined substantially as described.
2. A draw-head, a knuckle having a heel with slot therein, a bore in said draw-
head having a bolt adapted to enter said slot, and a shoulder on said knuckle,
which is adapted to abut against said draw-head, said parts being combined
substantially as described.
3. The combination of a draw-head, its laterally vibrating knuckle formed with
a slot, and a bolt with a shoulder, a spring and a rod secured to a handle, all
substantially as described.
4. The combination with a frame and draw-head pivoted to said frame, and
springs seated in a passage of said frame at right angles to said head, substantially
as described.
L 1
Ր
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.