Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left. 26th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 8th July, 1893

page_text: The
formed in the jaws m fixed to and projecting forward from the draw-heads. The
draw-head is provided with an outward extending tapering jaw n having a bevel n¹
against which the opposing recessed jaw m comes in sliding contact as the parts
approach in the coupling operation. In the top and bottom of the jaws m, m are
formed arch-shaped recesses o, which receive curved lugs p upon the top and
bottom flanges of the pin sections. This construction gives each section a limited
oscillatory movement. The flanges 9 are made semi-circular, so that when the pin
sections are coupled together, they will form a circular top and bottom, the edges of
which come in contact with and are confined between the opposite jaws n.
outer surfaces of the circular top and bottom of the pin sections lie flush with the
top and bottom of the tapering jaws n, so that a level surface is formed when
the coupling operation is effected. The jaw m is narrower than the jaw n, so that
when the flanges q embrace it, the combined thicknesses of the flanges and jaw m
equal the width of the jaw n. When in this position the parts are so neatly fitted
together that no openings are left sufficiently large to receive a person's foot, in
case the parts should be stepped upon in passing from one car to another.
free end of a spring is attached to each of the pin sections k, k for the purpose
of automatically throwing them into coupling position, as shown in Figure 1.
When in this position the dividing line between the sections will extend more or
less to an angle to the line of draft upon the coupler.
The
The means for throwing the parts into uncoupling position consist of levers t, t
fulcrummed on the end of the car and connected to the sections k, k by means of
chains u and arms s upon the underside of the sections.
The preferred construction of the invention having been set forth, I will now
proceed to describe its operation.
As the coupling jaws approach, the jaws m, m pass each other and simultaneously
strike against the flat sides of the thin sections k, k, forcing them around into a
position that will bring the dividing line between them and in line with the path of
movement of the draw-heads, and as soon as the jaws pass completely into each
other, as shown in Figure 2, the force of the springs r will throw them back so that
the dividing line of the split pin will lie across said path of movement. This action
renders the uncoupling of the parts impossible, because the opposite jaws m, m pull
directly upon the vertical sides of the pin, and the separable sections thereof
cannot move apart because their flanges are confined between the short jaws n n.
In the opening and closing actions of the pin sections k, k, the lugs p on the
flanges come in contact with the end walls of the arch-shaped slots o and prevent
said sections from moving beyond a predetermined position. These lugs p and
slots o also serve to confine the pin sections upon the jaws.
The uncoupling operation is performed by pushing forward the hand-lever t,
which causes the chain u to draw upon the arm s thereby turning the pin sections k, k
to a position that will bring them in line with the vertical walls w, and hence in
line with the longitudinal movement of the draw-head, as shown in Figure 2,
whereupon the jaws can be opened. As soon as the ends of the jaws m, m pass
out and beyond the axis of the split pin, the halves or sections of the latter will
automatically spring back in position to be again coupled. It will further be
observed in the operation of the pin sections, that the end of the jaw m strikes
against the flat surface of the opposite pin section at a point beyond its axis,
thereby pushing it around against the tension of the spring until the flat side of
said jaw passes beyond the body of the pin section, at which moment the curved
recesses are brought into coincidence and the force of the spring causes the pin
section to make a partial turn back and lock the parts together.
Dated this 19th dow of Verob 1902
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Car Couplers.
A communication from abroad by THE AMERICAN SAFETY CAR COUPLING
COMPANY, of Cordele, Georgia, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of No. 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of
Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, 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 aud by the following statement :-
This invention relates to that class of automatic car couplers especially adapted
for use upon coaches and street-cars, although it is applicable to freight cars.
Heretofore automatic couplers have comprised a rotary split pin having a vertical
axis, and embraced by jaws so that when the dividing line between the two halves
of the pin is shifted parallel to the movement of the cars, the jaws will uncouple,
and when thrown with said line transverse to the movement of the cars, lock the
parts securely together.
The purpose of this invention is to greatly simplify the construction; to render
the operation of the parts more easy, and to so construct the whole that it will form
a safer and more secure coupling than anything of the kind that has heretofore been
produced.
To this end the invention consists of a rotatable split pin or head in combination
with the other peculiar constructions and arrangement of parts more fully described
hereinafter and pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings filed with my Provisional Specification,
Figure 1 represents a top view of the framing of the car equipped with the
present improvements.
Figure 2 a horizontal section of the parts in uncoupled adjustment.
Figure 3 a front end view of one of the twin draw-heads and its co-operative
parts.
Figure 4 a vertical section through X-X of Figure 1.
Figure 5 a perspective view of the draw-head with the rotary pin removed.
Figure 6 a perspective view of one of the halves of the rotary pin.
Figure 7 a transverse section through Y-Y Figure 1.
The reference letter a represents a draw-head of a peculiar construction, and to
which the improvements are applied. The parts upon the opposite draw-head are
exactly the same in construction and operation, so that a description of one will
suffice for both.
The shank b of the draw-head is pivoted to swing laterally on a buffer-block c,
which moves back and forth between the frame-bars d. The rear end of the shank
is rounded and fits within a corresponding chamber within the buffer-block. The
outer end of the buffer-block is rounded to permit the oppositely curved shoulders ¹
to press against and roll laterally thereon, whereby the draw-head will be free to
swing laterally when rounding curves in the track. The means by which the draw-
head is coupled to the buffer-block consists of a removable bolt e which forms the
pivot on which the draw-head swings. The cushioning mechanism consists of a
stem attached to the rear of the buffer-block, which stem extends backward
through a spring-containing frame g. Within this frame are located two pairs of
springs h, between which is interposed a sliding presser-block i secured to move
with the stem f. This arrangement of the springs and presser-block gives the
draw-heads a limited cushioning movement to effect an easy coupling operation.
The coupling mechanism comprises an oscillating split pin or head composed of
two equal halves k, k placed base to base. These fit within curved recesses
formed in the jaw m fixed to and projecting forward from the draw-head. The
draw-head is provided with an outward extending tapering jaw n having a bevel π¹

page_text: against which the opposing recessed Jaw m comes in sliding contact as the parts
approach in the coupling operation. In the top and bottom of the jaws m, m are
formed arc-shaped recesses o, which receive curved lugs p upon the top and bottom
flanges of the pin sections. This construction gives each section a limited
oscillatory movement. The flanges q are made semi-circular, so that when the pin
sections are coupled together they will form a circular top and bottom, the edges
of which come in contact with and are confined between the opposite jaws n. The
outer surfaces of the circular top and bottom of the pin Fections lie flush with the
top and bottom of the tapering jaws n, so that a level surface is formed when
the coupling operation is effected. The jaw m is narrower than the jaw n, so that
when the flanges q embrace it, the combined thicknesses of the flanges and jaw m
equal the width of the jaw n. When in this position the parts are so neatly fitted
together that no openings are left sufficiently large to receive a person's foot, in
case the parts should be stepped upon in passing from one car to another.
free end of a spring r is attached to each of the pin sections k, k for the purpose of
automatically throwing them into coupling position, as shown in Figure 1. When
in this position the dividing line between the sections will extend more or less to
an angle to the line of draft upon the coupler.
g
The
The means for throwing the parts into uncoupling position consist of levers t. t,
fulcrumed on the end of the car and connected to the sections k, k by means of
chains u and arms s upon the underside of the sections.
The preferred construction of the invention having been set forth, I will now
proceed to describe its operation.
This
As the coupling jaws approach, the jaws m, m pass each other and simultaneously
strike against the flat sides of the thin sections k, k, forcing them around into a
position that will bring the dividing line between them and in line with the path of
movement of the draw-heads, and as soon as the jaws pass completely into each
other, as shown in Figure 2, the force of the springs r will throw them back so
that the dividing line of the split pin will lie across said path of movement.
action renders the uncoupling of the parts impossible, because the opposite jaws m, m
pull directly upon the vertical sides of the pin, and the separable sections thereof
cannot move apart because their flanges are confined between the short jaws n, n.
In the opening and closing actions of the pin sections k, k, the lugs pon the flanges q
come in contact with the end walls of the arch-shaped slots and prevent said
sections from moving beyond a predetermined position. The lugs and slots also
serve to confine the pin sections upon the jaws.
0
The uncoupling operation is performed by pushing forward the hand-lever t,
which causes the chain to draw upon the arms thereby turning the pin sections k, k
to a position that will bring them in line with the vertical walls c, and hence in
line with the longitudinal movement of the draw-head, as shown in Figure 2,
whereupon the jaws can be opened. As soon as the ends of the jaws m, in pass out
and beyond the axis of the split pin, the halves or sections of the latter will
automatically spring back in position to be again coupled. It will further be
observed in the operation of the pin sections, that the end of the jaw m strikes
against the flat surface of the opposite pin section at a point beyond its axis,
thereby pushing it around against the tension of the spring r until the flat side of
said jaw passes beyond the body of the pin section, at which moment the curved
recesses are brought into coincidence and the force of the spring causes the pin
rection to make a partial turn back and lock the parts together.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a car coupler, the combination with a draw-head, of a pair of jaws fixed
thereto, one of said jaws being provided with an oscillatory split pin section having
a straight diametrical wall and Hanged top extending over the jaw to which it is
attached, and a spring connected with said section, whereby said section when

page_text: brought into coincidence between said jaws will turn to close, in the manner and
for the purpose substantially as described.
2. In a car coupler of the class described, a split pin having a vertical axis and
flanged top, substantially as described.
3. In a car coupler of the class described, a spring-actuated coupling pin having
two sections provided with flat vertical walls, in combination with springs adapted
to automatically turn the sections into locked position when brought into
coincidence.
4. In a car coupler of the class described, the combination with a draw-head, of
a pair of jaws one of which is bevelled and the other provided with a semi-
cylindrical recess, and an oscillatory pin section movable in the recess, substantially
as described.
5. The combination with a recessed buffer-block, of a draw-head having a stem
fitting loosely within the recess and pivotally connected to the block, a bevelled and
a recessed jaw, a split pin section secured to oscillate within the recessed jaw, and
turn mechanism, substantially as described.
6. A. split pin provided with a draw-head pivoted to swing laterally on a buffer-
block, as and for the purpose set forth.
7. In a car coupler of the class described, a pair of twin coupling sections each
of which embraces the combination with a draw-head having a bevelled jaw, of a
recessed jaw provided with an oscillatory split pin section, semi-circular flanges
upon the opposite ends of said section, and interlocking arc-shaped lugs and recesses
adapted to hold said sections in place and to limit its oscillatory movement, as
set forth.
Dated this Ofth day of Anril 1893
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.