IMPROVEMENTS IN CAR COUPLINGS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of Kensington, Middlesex, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CAR COUPLINGS." A communication from
abroad by Rhodom Maxery Brooks, of Georgia, United States.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Herbert John Haddan at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th May 1882.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of Kensington, Middlesex.
CAR COUPLINGS."
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN
A communication from abroad by Rhodom Maxery Brooks, of
Georgia United States.
This Invention relates to improvements applicable to self, or automatic couplers
for cars and devices relating thereto.
The first part of my Invention relates to the combination with the draw heads
of a car coupler and the coupling pins and links, of obliquely sliding pawls or dogs
adapted to be automatically operated to drop the coupling pin through the coupling
link during the operation of coupling.
The second part of my Invention relates to the combination with the draw
heads, of dogs or pawls provided with shoulders adapted to abut against bearings
in the draw heads, to limit the rearward movement of the pawls or dogs.
The third part of my Invention relates to the combination with the draw heads,
of pawls or dogs provided with a shoulder at their forward upper ends and with a
recess to hold the link in an elevated position during the operation of coupling.
The fourth part of my Invention relates to the combination with the draw heads,
and the dogs or pawls, of pins for holding the same in place in the draw heads.
The fifth part of my Invention relates to the combination with the draw heads.
of the pawls or dogs adapted to engage a shoulder near the end of the coupling pin
and hold it in place.

page_text: In the Drawings Figure 1 represents a sectional view of a coupler embodying
my Invention, showing one of the pins in position holding the link, and the other
pin in position to be dropped through the link, and Figure 2 represents a detached
sectional view showing the dog engaging the coupling pin.
The letter A indicates the draw heads, of the coupler which are constructed in
the ordinary or any approved manner with flaring openings for the reception of
the link. Back of these openings are located the pawls or dogs B which are
adapted to slide obliquely in suitable recesses C in the draw heads, so that they
may be automatically operated or forced back by the link C' upon entering the
draw heads. The upper forward portions of the dogs or pawls are provided with
shoulders D so as to hold the pin in an elevated position, and prevent the entering
link from passing above the dogs or pawls when passing in an upward direction.
The rear of the pawls or dogs are provided with shoulders E and F which are
adapted to abut against bearings G and H when they are driven back by the link,
so as to receive the strain, and prevent injury to the draw heads, when the cars
come forcibly together. The letter I indicates pins extending transversely through
the draw heads below the shoulders I near the lower ends of the pawls or dogs
serving as a guide upon which the pawls or dogs may slide, and also to secure the
same in the draw head. The forward edges of the dogs or pawls are provided with
recesses M to hold the link in an elevated position in one draw-head in order that
it will properly enter the opposite draw head. The lower ends of the pawls or
dogs are grooved as indicated by the letter N to guide the lower end of the pin O,
as they are inserted, and the extremity of each is beveled forward, in order to
engage the shoulder P near the lower end of the coupling pins when fully down.
and prevent their accidental removal.
The operation of my Invention will be readily understood in connection with
the above description, and is as follows: The coupling pin of one draw head is
elevated and held as indicated in the draw head at the right of the Drawing, and
the link is arranged as indicated in the Figure at the left of the Drawing. When
the cars come together the link secured in the draw head as above mentioned
enters the opposite draw-head and forces the pawl or dog back so as to drop the
coupling pin through the link.
It will be perceived that the link operates with absolute certainty, no matter
from what direction it enters the draw-head, whether on a level, or from above or
below in case the cars are of unequal height. The pin when dropped, in case the
pawl is not thrown clear back falls with its lower end resting in the groove in the
lower portion of the pawl or dog, so as to permit the link to play freely in
the draw head, the pin subsequently dropping clear through the coupling pin
aperture when the cars meet. It will be perceived that when the pin drops
entirely, the pawl or dog will be elevated, leaving room for the link to move freely
in all directions without heing held or confined by the recess in the edge of the
dog or pawl, permitting the cars to move properly with respect to each other.
I claim as my Invention:
1st. The combination with a car coupler and the coupling pin O and link C¹ of
the obliquely sliding pawls or dogs B adapted to be automatically operated to
drop the coupling pin through the link C during the operation of coupling
substantially as set forth.
2nd. In combination with the draw heads A, the dogs or pawls B, provided with
shoulders E, F, adapted to abut against bearings G, H, in the draw heads,
substantially as and for the purposes specified.
3rd. The dogs or pawls B, having a shoulder D at the forward upper ends and
provided with a recess M to hold the link C₁ in an elevated position, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
4th. In combination with the draw heads A, and the dogs or pawls B the pins
for holding the same in place substantially as set forth.

page_text: 5th. In combination with the draw heads A, the pawls or dogs B provided with
grooves N and adapted to engage a shoulder P near the lower end of the coupling
pin O and hold it in place substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Herbert John Haddan have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Eleventh day of May A.D. 1882.
·H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)
H. J. HADDAN. (L.S.)