Improvements in Coupling Apparatus for Railway Wagons and similar Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 10th June, 1898-Accepted, 13th Aug., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Coupling Apparatus for Railway Wagons and
similar Vehicles.
I, THOMAS ATTWOOD BROCKELBANK, of 32, Queen Victoria Street, in the City
of London, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to railway wagon coupling apparatus of the kind
in which combined coupling hooks and loops are provided at the respective ends
of a vehicle in such a manner that automatic engagement of the hook at the
end of one vehicle with the loop at the end of another vehicle will take place
on the vehicles being brought together, and in which operating apparatus is
provided in connection with such combined coupling hooks and loops for the
purpose of uncoupling or raising the combined coupling hooks and loops, main-
taining them in their raised positions and releasing them as required, without its
being necessary for these purposes that an operator should pass between the
vehicles. Coupling apparatus of the kind referred to is described in the Specifica-
tion of my former Patent No. 13041 of 1886
My present invention has reference to improved constructions and arrange-
ments of coupling apparatus of the kind referred to adapted to be easily and
quickly applied to existing railway wagons in substitution for the coupling
chains ordinarily suspended from open slotted parts of the draw hooks of such
wagons.
Each combined coupling hook and loop, formed with a pair of inclined exten-
sions or tail pieces, is suspended from one end of a closed link the other end of
which is engaged with the ordinary open slotted part of the corresponding draw
hook on the wagon. To enable this engagement to be easily and quickly
effected, one side of the link is flattened or otherwise so shaped as to admit of
the said side of the link being passed through the contracted upper end of the
slot only when the link is placed horizontally, after which the link is turned
into a position in which its sides are in vertical planes when its upper end will
be securely retained in the slot without any liability of its becoming accidentally
disengaged therefrom. The link resembles a chain link but the end connected
to the combined coupling hook and loop is square ended and serves as a distance
piece between the sides of the hook which are preferably journalled to pins pro-
jecting from opposite sides of the link. Or a single pin passing through the end
of the link may be used.
For the purpose of uncoupling the combined coupling hook and loop from an
adjacent combined coupling hook and loop, maintaining it in its raised or coup-
ling position, and releasing it so as to allow it to hang in a vertical or nearly
vertical position, operating apparatus is provided comprising an adjustable abut-
ment adapted to act upon and serve as a support for the tail pieces of the combined
hook and loop.
According to one construction the adjustable abutment comprises a slotted

page_text: plate suspended by a link or links from a bracket or bearing secured to the head-
stock of the wagon and formed with slots or passages for the reception of the
tail pieces when the combined hook and link is hanging vertically and with
suitably shaped surfaces, for example inclined or curved surfaces, against which
the abutment plate can rest when in its lowered position and hold the combined
coupling hook and loop in the raised or coupling position. For raising and
lowering the abutment plate there is mounted in suitable bearings on the wagon,
a transverse rock shaft capable of being operated from either side of the wagon
and formed with slotted arms that are engaged with pins or projections on the
abutment plate, the arrangement being such that upon partly turning the rock
shaft in one direction the abutment plate can be caused to rise between the cast-
ing or bearing and headstock of the wagon, and the combined coupling hook
and loop and its link and be caused to bear against the headstock with the draw
hook extending through its slotted part, and upon turning the rock shaft in the
opposite direction the plate will be depressed and caused to rest against the cast-
ing or bearing. The plate in its upward movement acts upon the combined
hook and loop so as to disengage it from the adjacent combined hook and loop
with which it may be engaged and allow it to fall into a vertical and inoperative
position in which its tail-pieces may act to hold the plate in its raised position.
In its downward movement the plate acts upon the tail pieces so as to raise the
combined coupling hook and loop into the operative or coupling position and
hold the same in that position so long as it rests against the casting or bearing.
The parts of the casting or bearing, tail pieces and link against which the plate
acts in its upward and downward movements may be suitably shaped or formed
to facilitate the movements of the plate and to hold the same in its lowered
position in contact with the casting or bearing.
In applying my improved coupling apparatus to wagons fitted with draw
bars to which coupling chains are fitted by means of shackles the connecting bolts
of which pass through holes in the draw hooks, each of the links hereinbefore
described for carrying a combined coupling hook and loop will be replaced by
an open ended link or by a pair of bars, that are pivoted at the one end to a
horizontal pin passing through the drawing hook and at the other end to the
combined coupling hook and loop.
1 ..
Improvements in Coupling Apparatus for Railway Wagons and
similar Vehicles.
I, THOMAS ATTWOOD BROCKELBANK, of 32, Queen Victoria Street, in the City
of London, Engineer, 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:—
This invention has reference to railway wagon coupling apparatus of the kind
in which combined coupling hooks and loops are provided at the respective ends
of a vehicle in such a manner that automatic engagement of the hook at the
end of one vehicle with the loop at the end of another vehicle will take place

page_text: on the vehicles being brought together, and in which operating apparatus is
provided in connection with such combined coupling hooks and loops for the
purpose of uncoupling or raising the combined coupling hooks and loops, main-
taining them in their raised positions and releasing them as required, without its
being necessary for these purposes that an operator should pass between the
vehicles. Coupling apparatus of the kind referred to is described in the Specifica-
tion of my former Patent No. 13041 of 1886.
My present invention has reference to an improved construction and arrange-
ment of coupling apparatus of the kind referred to adapted to be easily and
quickly applied to existing railway wagons in substitution for the coupling
chains ordinarily suspended from open slotted parts of the draw hooks of such
wagons.
Each combined coupling hook and loop, formed with a pair of inclined exten-
sions or tail pieces, is suspended from one end of a closed link the other end of
which is engaged with the ordinary open slotted part of the corresponding draw
hook on the wagon.
To enable this engagement to be easily and quickly
effected, one side of the link is flattened or otherwise so shaped as to admit of
the said side of the link being passed through the contracted upper end of the
slot only when the link placed horizontally, after which the link is turned
into a position in which its sides are in vertical planes when its upper end will
be securely retained in the slot without any liability of its becoming accidentally
disengaged therefrom. The link resembles a chain link but the end connected
to the combined coupling hook and loop is square ended and serves as a distance
piece between the sides of the hook which are preferably journalled to pins pro-
jecting from opposite sides of the link. Or a single pin passing through the end
of the link may be used.
For the purpose of uncoupling the combined coupling hook and loop from an
adjacent combined coupling hook and loop, maintaining it in its raised or coup-
ling position, and releasing it so as to allow it to hang in a vertical or nearly
vertical position, operating apparatus is provided comprising a vertically
adjustable abutment adapted to act upon and serve as a support for the tail
pieces of the combined hook and loop, as I shall now describe with reference to
the accompanying drawings wherein
Figs. 1 and 2 are elevations at right angles to each other, showing part of a
vehicle provided with coupling apparatus according to this invention, the
coupling device consisting of a combined coupling hook 1 and loop 1ª with tail
pieces 1b, and the said device being shown in its lowered or inoperative position.
Fig. 3 shows, in side elevation, the adjacent ends of two vehicles provided with
two coupled sets of such apparatus in position to be uncoupled. Figs. 4 to 7
inclusive are detail views.
The adjustable abutment in this arrangement comprises a plate 2 formed
with a central open ended slot 2 (Figs. 2 and 4). It is pivoted at one edge by
an eye 3 to the cranked portion 4 of a transverse rock shaft 4 which is mounted
in suitable bearings 5 on the headstock 6 or other suitable part of the wagon,
and is provided at its ends with lever arms 4b whereby it can be operated from
either side of the wagon. Upon the headstock is provided a bracket or bearing 7
that may be made in two parts, as shown in Fig. 2, or in a single part, and be-
tween the sides of which is a passage or space in which the cranked portion 4*
of the rock shaft 4 and the tail pieces 1b of the combined hook and loop 1, 1*
can work. The side members of the bracket or bearing 7 are formed with suit-
ably shaped surfaces, for example flat inclined surfaces 7, against which the
abutment plate 2 can rest when in its lowered position, and hold the combined
hook and loop in the raised or coupling position.
Each combined coupling hook and loop 1, 1 is suspended from one end of a
link 9 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) the other end of which is engaged with the ordinary
open slotted part 10° of the corresponding draw hook 10 on the wagon. To
enable this engagement to be easily and quickly effected, one side of the link is

page_text: flattened as shown at 93 (Figs. 6 and 7) or otherwise so shaped as to admit of the
said side of the link being passed through the contracted upper end of the
slot 10° only when the link is placed horizontally, after which the link is turned
into a position in which its sides are in vertical planes, when its upper end will
be securely retained within the slot 10% of the draw hook without any liability
of its becoming accidentally disengaged therefrom. The said link resembles
a chain link but the end connected to the combined coupling hook and loop is
square ended (see Figs. 2 and 6) and is journalled between the sides of the com-
bined hook and loop, as by a pin 9b projecting from opposite sides of the said
link 9; or the link may be formed with projecting pins or trunnions on which the
sides of the combined hook and loop are journalled, the said sides being for this
purpose first moved apart and then moved together sufficiently to enable them
to be brought onto the said pins or trunnions.
As will be seen the arrangement is such that upon partly turning the rock
shaft 4 in the direction of the arrow a (Fig. 3), the abutment plate 2 can be
caused to rise between the bearing 7 and the tail pieces 1b of the combined
coupling hook and loop 1, 1 into a position between the headstock 6 and the
link 9 and be caused to bear against the headstock (see Fig. 1) with the draw
hook 10 extending through the slotted part 2 of the said plate, and upon turning
the rock shaft 4 in the opposite direction, the said plate 2 can be depressed and
caused to rest against the bearing 7 (Fig. 3).
The parts of the bearing 7, combined coupling hook and loop.1, 1ª, and link 9
against which the plate 2 acts in its upward and downward movements are 80
shaped and arranged that the plate 2, will, upon commencing to rise first push
its combined hook and loop 1, 1" forward to a sufficient extent to disengage the
loop portion 1 thereof (see dotted lines in Fig. 3) from the hook 1 of the com-
bined hook and loop with which it may have been engaged, and then, as the said
plate further rises it will allow its said combined coupling hook and loop to fall into
the vertical or nearly vertical and inoperative position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in
which position the tail pieces 1b of the said combined hook and loop will extend
between the sides of the bearing 7. The arrangement is also such that the said
plate will, on its downward movement, act upon the tail pieces 1b in such a way
as to raise the combined coupling hook and loop into the operative or coupling
position and hold the same in that position so long as it rests against the sup-
porting surfaces 7ª of the bearing 7. To enable these actions to take place, the
bearing 7 is formed with a rounded upper surface 7b that will permit of the plate 2
readily moving up and down and to and away from the headstock 6 when it is
raised and lowered respectively; the link 9 is formed with extensions 9° having
curved surfaces 9d (Figs.6 and 7) over which the eye 3 of the plate 2 works, and
inner lateral curved portions 9° against which and between the extensions 9° two
lugs 2b on the plate 2 work so as to direct the said plate into the space between
the link 9 and headstock 6 when it is moved upward, and between the bearing 7
and tail pieces 1b when moved downward; and the said tail pieces 1b are made
to bear against the plate 2. 7° are projections carried by the bearing 7 and
adapted, by coming into engagement with curved extensions 2° on the plate 2
(see Fig. 3) to prevent the latter falling too low. 2d are projections on the
back of the plate 2 adapted to move against a fixed wearing plate 6* on the head-
stock 6. The plate 2 and its operating means may be of such a weight relatively
to that of the coupling device that when it is fully raised it will be held in the
raised position by the weight of the coupling device acting through its tail pieces
(Figs. 1 and 2); or the plate or attached parts may be so weighted that after
being raised for uncoupling and then released, it will fall automatically into its
lower position and by acting upon the tail pieces of the coupling device, will
raise and hold the latter in the coupling position.
To facilitate the working of the coupling devices, each hook 1 may advan-
tageously be formed with a notch 1º commencing slightly below the loop 1* from

page_text: which the hook extends and having its lower end made of square shape, and the
end of the hook may be formed with a knob 1d.
As will be obvious vertically adjustable abutments constructed and operating
in the manner described can be used with coupling hooks of various kinds.
Figs. 8 and 9 are similar views to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, showing a verti-
cally adjustable abutment according to my invention in conjunction with a
modified construction of coupling device comprising a coupling hook 12 which
is inclined at an angle of about 45° to a longitudinal vertical plane. Fig. 10
shows the adjacent end portions of two vehicles provided with such abutments
and hooks, the hooks being inclined in opposite directions and engaged with
one another and in the positions they would occupy when the one is pulling on the
other. Fig. 11 is a similar view to Fig. 10 but showing the vehicles moved
together and the hooks in positions preparatory to being disengaged from one
another.
a8 to
In this arrangement, each abutment plate 2 is jointed at one edge by eyes 3
to the cranked portion 4* of the crank shaft 4 and is connected at the other end
by chains 11 to the headstock 6 so that when moved downward by partly rotating
the crank shaft 4 and crank 4ª, it will be held against the bearing 7 in the position
shown in Figs. 10 and 11 and serve as an abutment for holding the corresponding
hooks in the coupling position by means of its tail pieces 1b. The hook is
suspended from the draw hook 10 by a link 9, one side of which is provided with
a rearward extension 9 arranged as shown so that when the abutment plate 2
is raised suddenly, it will strike the said extension and move the hook 1* both
in a forward direction and in an upwardly inclined lateral direction 80
disengage it from an adjacent hook when the two hooks have been brought into
the positions shown approximately in Fig. 11 by moving the two vehicles to-
wards one another. The further upward movement of the said plate permits the
hook to fall into the lower and inoperative position shown approximately in
Figs. 8 and 9.
When the plate is moved downward, or allowed to fall into the
position shown in Figs. 10 and 11, it acts upon the tail pieces 1b of the hook and
raises and holds the latter in the coupling position, as in the arrangement shown
in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The plate 2 grooved at 2 to partly receive the sides of
the link 9 and keep the plate and link in proper relative positions on the upward
and downward movements of the plate. It is to be understood that I do not claim
the special construction of coupling hooks and suspending links shown in
Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, as I intend to obtain separate Letters Patent in respect
thereof, and have only described and illustrated them therein in order to show
how my adjustable abutment may be used in connection therewith.
Instead of making the plates 2 and tail pieces 1b with flat bearing surfaces,
as shown, they may be made with correspondingly curved or corrugated bearing
surfaces.
In applying my improved coupling apparatus to wagons fitted with draw hooks
to which coupling chains are ordinarily fitted by means of shackles the con-
necting bolts of which pass through holes in the draw hooks, each of the links 9
for carrying a combined coupling hook and loop, 1, 1, 1 or hook 1, 1b, will
be replaced by an open ended link, or by a pair of bars, that is or are pivoted
at one end to a horizontal pin passing through the draw hook and at the other
end to the combined coupling hook and loop, 1, 1° or hook 1*.
As will be readily understood, coupling apparatus of the kind hereinbefore
described can be readily applied to existing railway wagons in substitution for
the coupling chains ordinarily suspended from open slotted or perforated parts of
the draw hooks of such wagons.
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 coupling apparatus for railway and similar vehicles, the combination

page_text: with a suspended coupling device provided with a rearward extension operating
apparatus comprising a vertically adjustable abutment which when lowered will
act upon the coupling device so as to raise the same into the coupling position
and will then serve as a support for holding the said device in that position in
order to allow of automatic coupling taking place, and which upon being raised
will impart movement in a forward direction to the coupling device so
effect its disengagement from an adjacent coupling device, substantially as herein
described.
08 to
2. In coupling apparatus for railway and similar vehicles, the combination
with a coupling device suspended from a draw-book and formed with a rearward
extension, of a bracket or bearing fixed to the corresponding end of the vehicle,
a vertically adjustable plate adapted to bear against the bracket or bearing and
to act against the rearward extension of the coupling device and against its sus-
pending means and formed with an open ended slot to accommodate the draw-
hook, and means whereby the said slotted plate can be caused to ascend and
descend between the bracket or bearing and the rearward extension of the coup
ling device and between the headstock and the suspending means of the said
coupling device, substantially as hereinabove described for the purposes set
forth.
3. The improved coupling apparatus for railway and similar vehicles con-
structed arranged and operating as hereinbefore described with reference to and
shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive of the drawings annexed.
Dated this 10th day of June 1898.
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.