COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING RAILWAY GOODS WAGGONS ON THE RAILS WITHOUT THE ALTERATION OF THE COUPLINGS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Hewitt, of 43, Grange Street, in the Borough of
Litchurch, in the County of Derby, Engine Driver, for the Invention of
" COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING RAILWAY GOODS WAGGONS ON THE RAILS
WITHOUT THE ALTERATION OF THE COUPLINGS."
led the 1st September 1876, and dated the 4th March 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Hewitt at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th March 1876.
THOMAS HEWITT, of 43, Grange Street, in the Borough of Litchurch, in the
County of Derby, Engine Driver. "COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING RAILWAY GOODS
WAGGONS ON THE RAILS WITHOUT THE ALTERATION OF THE COUPLINGS."
My Invention has for its object the coupling and uncoupling of goods waggons
on the rails without the alteration of the couplings by means of a fork or lifting
appliance having a long and short prong with a hook at the ends, also hooks placed
about one inch and a half from the end on the short prong, and on the long one
about six inches. The hooks are made double, and are connected with an iron
socket, in which is placed a handle of wood.
The method in which I apply my said Invention is as follows:-The short prong
is placed inside the second link, and the long one underneath the first link of the
ordinary goods waggons. (The first link is the one at the end of the coupling, and
the second the one connected to the first.) The fork is then prised up, which causes
the link to fall into the hook attached to the goods waggon.
To uncouple the couplings the fork is placed in much the same position, but an
opposite motion is given to the fork.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Hewitt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd September
1876.
THOMAS HEWITT, of 43, Grange Street, in the Borough of Litchurch, in the
County of Derby, Engine Driver. "COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING GOODS WAGGONS
ON THE RAILS WITHOUT THE ALTERATION OF THE COUPLING."
CD
37

page_text: This Invention consists of a fork with a long and short prong having a hook or
cross piece of metal at the ends of one or both the prongs, and which may also have
prongs, hooks, or cross pieces placed on the length of one or both the prongs. The
fork is connected to a handle inserted in a socket, as shewn in the accompanying
Drawing.
The method in which I apply my said Invention is as follows:-The short prong
is placed inside the second link, and the long one underneath the first link of the
ordinary goods waggon. (The first link is the one at the end of the coupling, and
the second the next.) The fork is then prised up, causing the first link to fall into
the hook.
To uncouple, the fork is placed in a similar position, but an opposite motion is
given to the fork.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which the
same is to be carried into effect or used, I will observe in conclusion that what I
claim and desire to secure by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,
the method of coupling and uncoupling railway goods waggons, substantially as
herein-before described, together with the uncoupling fork, herein described and
illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Hewitt, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness to the signature of
Thomas Hewitt,
GEORGE ED. WEBSTER, C.E.,
Central Chambers,
Market Street,
Nottingham.
THOMAS HEWITT. (L.S.)