Improvements in Railway Buffers, and Springs for same.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 9th July, 1894-Accepted, 22nd Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Buffers, and Springs for same.
We WILLIAM PLATTS and GEORGE TURTON of The Patent Buffer, Steel,
Spring and File Works, Savile Street, Sheffield, in the County of York, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in buffers for
railway locomotives, carriages and wagons, also springs, by which improvements
the buffers are so constructed that they can be made more economical and efficient
and the working parts can be replaced more readily than heretofore, the conical
volute springs which we preferably use for these buffers give the same power and
range with less weight of material and friction than the ordinary conical volute
springs now in use. By making springs according to our invention we likewise
get more elasticity with greater strength, combined with lightness and saving of
material.
In constructing a buffer according to the first part of our invention which is of
the class of buffer known as the solid plunger buffer having the spindle projecting
through the back plate, we make the rear or inner part of the buffer shank or
plunger (which for abreviation we will call the spindle) separately and of smaller
diameter than the front or outer part which we will call the plunger shank. On
the aforesaid spindle we forge solid, shrink or otherwise fasten a collar or washer
about the centre or any required distance thereon. The plunger shank which is
either forged or cast solid with the buffer head, has a hole bored or cast in at the
rear or inner end, for the reception of a portion of the aforesaid spindle having the
collar or washer fitting close to the rear end of the aforesaid buffer shank. When
these are fitted together inside the cylinder or case of the aforesaid buffer we
make a taper key or cottar hole through both the shank and the portion of the
spindle which fits in the said shank and drive or otherwise fasten a taper key, pin,
or cottar in the said hole.
In a modification we screw the portion of the spindle which fits in the buffer
sbank which is tapped for the purpose, in which modification we may if necessary
dispense with the aforesaid cottar, pin, or taper key.
In putting the parts of the buffer together of this first part of our invention, the
shank is introduced into the buffer case or cylinder, the spindle is then fitted
inside the shank and the key, pin or cottar driven through (or otherwise fastened)
both the shank and the spindle, the collar on the spindle abutting against the bush
in the case or cylinder, the spring being fitted in the usual manner and the back
or baseplate screwed or riveted to the buffer case or cylinder.
In another modification we turn or otherwise form on the said spindle a portion
of the same said spindle of still smaller diameter, over which portion we fit or
adapt a washer or collar having a drilled, punched or otherwise formed eccentric
hole, or slot, which hole or slot may be preferably formed in the shape of two or
more eccentric circles whose circumferences cross or cut each other, the one circle
being preferably of larger diameter than the other. That portion of the hole
which is of larger diameter or magnitude allowing the said washer to pass easily
or freely over the larger diameter of the said spindle, until it reaches the smaller
diameter or portion, when the smaller portion of the eccentric or otherwise formed
hole in the washer or collar adapts itself to the smaller diameter of the said spindle,
and, to prevent the said washer or collar from moving out of this position we place
an additional cup or hollow shaped washer which fits over the said collar and

page_text: which being held in position by the coiled or other springs prevents the displacement
of the buffer plunger or shank, or to make it more secure we fasten the cup or
hollow washer to the collar with set screws or pins.
We may modify the collar having the eccentric hole which prevents the
displacement of the plunger by forming it into a cup or hollow shape, and placing
an additional plain circular or other shaped washer in its interior, which being
held in position by the spring prevents the displacement of the said collar and
buffer plunger but which we preferably fasten by set screws or pins, which, by so
doing makes the position of the collar more secure and independent of the spring
should the spring break.
In some other instances we modify our invention by forming the spindle or rod
of oval or other section which may be advantageous, and punch, drill, or otherwise
form a suitable eccentrical hole or slot in the aforesaid washer or collar to fit or
adapt itself to the smaller portion of the said spindle or rod.
We may instead of forming the eccentrical hole or slot in the collar, form the
said hole in the base or backplate through which passes the larger portion of the
said spindle or rod which when it is adapted to the smaller portion of the eccentrical
hole or slot is bolted or riveted to the cylinder or case, and the larger portion of
the said spindle or rod being outside the base or backplate prevents the withdrawal
of the plunger from the case or box.
We may modify this latter part of our invention which is applicable to both
hollow and solid plunger buffers, by forming on the base or backplate at the back
which is next to the buffer beam a slot or groove into which fits a key or plate
having a portion cut out or with an eccentrical hole to fit over the said spindle
which in combination with the larger portion of the said spindle prevents the
displacement of the plunger.
In the manufacture of the aforesaid springs which we preferably use in the
buffers we take a long bar of steel or other suitable material of any required
length having two or more ribs of a semicircular, triangular, or other polygonic
section rolled longitudinally vertically, and diagonally, or both longitudinally,
vertically, and diagonally, combined, on one side of the aforesaid bar, or if preferred
on both sides of the aforesaid bar, this bar we coil in the same manner as an
ordinary volute spring, and the ribs of each coil projecting against the next coil
gives more space between the coils, thus allowing it to be tempered with better
results than heretofore, also, only the top portion of the aforesaid ribs touching the
next coils there is considerably less friction than in other volute springs which
have hitherto been made.
Dated this 20th day of Ontabou 1902
WILLIAM PLATTS.
GEORGE TURTON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Buffers, and Springs for same.
We, WILLIAM PLATTS and GEORGE TURTON, of The Patent Buffer, Steel,
Spring and File Works, Savile Street, Sheffield, in the County of York, 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:-
Our invention relates to buffers and buffer springs, for railway locomotives,
carriages, and wagons, and comprises the improvements hereinafter set forth. Our
improved buffers are more economical and more efficient thau buffers heretofore.
made and in use, and the working parts can be replaced more readily than hereto-
fore. The conical volute springs constructed as hereinafter described and which we
preferably use in the aforesaid buffers give the same power and range with less

page_text: shank with screw threads C³, Figure 8, and we screw the same into the shank
which is tapped for the purpose; in this modification we may if desired dispense
with the aforesaid cottar, pin, or taper key D, but we prefer for double security
to drive the aforesaid cottar, pin or taper key D through both the shank B' and the
spindle C.
When assembling the parts of the buffer, the shank B is first introduced into
the buffer case A, the spindle C is then fitted into the shank, and the key, pin or
cottar D is driven through both the shank and the spindle, and locked by riveting
the small end as above described or by means of a pin or screw d, Figure 8 if
desired. The collar C on the spindle abuts against the inner ledge or shoulder of
the case or cylinder. The spring is then introduced in the usual manner, and the
back or base plate A¹ is screwed or riveted to the buffer case.
In another modification, we make the spindle C solid with the shank B¹. We
turn or otherwise form a recess C Figure 9, in the spindle C between the collar C
and the shank B', and in the said recess we fit or adapt a washer or collar ("
having an eccentric hole or slot C, Figure 10, which hole or slot is preferably
formed in the shape of two or more overlapping circles, the one circle being larger
than the other. The larger hole allows the washer to pass easily or freely over
the part C² of the spindle, and the smaller hole is adapted to fit the smaller part C
of the spindle. To prevent the said washer or collar from moving out of position
when so fitted to the part C we place over it an additional cup or hollow shaped
washer C' which being held in position by the buffer spring prevents the displace-
ment of the plunger shank. We sometimes fasten the cup or hollow washer C in
place with set screws or pins for greater security as shown in Figures 23 and 24 for
example, so that in the event of the spring breaking, the washer C' and the cup or
hollow shaped washer C are kept in position independent of the spring.
We may modify this construction, by making the collar C¹ cup shaped as shown
in Figures 32 and 33 and placing an additional plain circular or other shaped
washer C in its interior, which washer is held in position by the buffer spring and
prevents the displacement of the collar and plunger. We preferably fasten the
inner washer by set screws or pins, and thereby make the position of the collar
more secure and independent of the spring so that should the spring break, the
plunger shank will still be retained in the case.
In other instances we modify our invention by making the spindle or rod Cof
oval or other suitable section to prevent the plunger from turning round, having a
reduced part or neck at C Figures 23 and 24. We punch, drill, or otherwise form
a suitable eccentric hole or slot in the retaining washer or collar C adapted to pass
over the spindle C and to fit or adapt itself to the smaller portion of the said
spindle or rod. The cup C retains the washer C' in engagement with the neck C*.
C is a screw for locking the cup C to the washer C¹.
Instead of forming the eccentric hole or slot in the collar we sometimes form it
in the base or back plate A' as shown at A2, Figures 25 to 28. The spindle C is
formed with an enlarged head C at its inner end which will pass through the
larger part of said hole A but not through the smaller part which latter is made
to fit the smaller part of the rod C. The back plate is bolted or riveted to the
cylinder or case after the spindle C has been passed through the same. The head
of the said spindle or rod being then outside the base or back plate prevents the
withdrawal of the plunger from the case.
We sometimes modify this construction which is applicable to both hollow and
solid plunger buffers by forming in the rear face of the base plate A' that is to say,
the face next to the buffer beam, a slot or groove H, Figures 30 and 31 into which
we fit a key or plate H. The eccentric hole A' is formed in the said plate H¹ to
fit the spindle C, and in combination with the head of the spindle to prevent
the displacement of the plunger. When the head of the spindle C is passed
through the hole in the plate H the latter is then slid in its groove to bring the
small part of the hole A' in front of the head C and it is then secured in place
by the screw H³. This construction facilitates the removal of the plunger and

page_text: spring without necessitating the removal of the case from the buffer beam which is
very advantageous.
Figures 27 and 28 shew a cylindrical case A in which works the hollow
cylindrical shank B' of the buffer head. Said buffer head is also furnished with
a solid central spindle having a collar C' that takes the thrust of the buffer spring.
The mode of preventing the withdrawal of the plunger is the same as in Figures 25
and 26.
In the manufacture of springs according to our invention we take a long bar E,
Figures 12 to 22 of steel or other suitable material of any required length having
two or more ribs E' of a semi-circular, triangular, or other polygonic section rolled
longitudinally, transversely or diagonally thereupon, on one side thereof or if
preferred on both sides thereof. Or we provide the strip with ribs of any two of
the kinds named or all three kinds, or otherwise provide it with suitable ribs.
We coil this bar in the same manner as an ordinary volute spring. The ribs of
each coil project against the next coil and ensure more space between the coils than
in an ordinary spring, thus allowing the spring to be tempered with better results
than heretofore. Moreover since the summits only of the aforesaid ribs touch the
next coils, there is considerably less friction when in use than there is in other
volute springs such as have hitherto been made.
The parts marked e, e', e' in Figure 11 indicate the thinning of the strip of steel
at the ends thereof.
Laminated buffer springs can be very, advantageously made from ribbed steel
such as above indicated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A buffer wherein the plunger shank is separable from the spindle, and the
latter is furnished with a fixed or removable collar to engage an inner shoulder of
the case and prevent the withdrawal of the plunger from the case, the spindle and
shank being held together by means of a taper key, pin, cottar, set screw, or screw
threads or their equivalent.
2. Such a buffer constructed substantially as described with reference to Figure 1,
or to Figure 5, or to Figure 8 and operating as specified.
3. The modified form of buffer wherein the spindle and plunger shank are made
in one piece, and are retained in the case by means of a removable washer which
engages a reduced neck in the spindle and the inuer shoulder of the case, or by
means of a head formed on the inner end of the spindle which head engages either
the back plate or a slide mounted on the back plate, substantially as described.
4. A buffer having its plunger retained in position by the means constructed
substantially as described with reference to Figures 9 and 10, or to Figures 23
and 24, or to Figures 25 and 26, or to Figures 27 and 28, or to Figures 29 to 31,
and operating as specified.
5. À volute or laminated spring made from metal having longitudinal or trans-
verse, or diagonal ribs, or combinations of such ribs, on one or both sides thereof,
said ribs being of any desired section, substantially as, and for the purpose,
specified.
Dated this in day of July 100%.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.