An Improved Car-coupling.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 15th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 12th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Car-coupling.
J, PERCY RICHARD JULIUS WILLIS, of 106, 107 & 108 Victoria Chambers,
Chancery Lane, in the County of London, Consulting Engineer, a (communication
to me from abroad by Samuel Columbus Sams, and Louis Dennison Sweet, both of
Aspen, Pitscin County, Colorado, U.S.A., Inventors,) do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to an Improved Car-coupling; the object of the invention
being to provide means whereby the link is kept in a raised position ready to enter
an adjacent draw-head.
By this invention, the base of the entrance to the draw-head inclines rearwardly.
The coupling-pin (which is passed vertically through the drawhead) has lateral ribs
projecting from it, and which rest upon the link when in place, and hold it firmly
against the inclined base of the opening, thereby causing the forward end of the
link to be elevated.
Dated this 15th day of June 1893
PERCY R. J. WILLIS.
An Improved Car-couping.
I, PERCY RICHARD JULIUS WILLIS, of 55 Chancery Lane, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a
communication to me from abroad by Samuel Columbus Sams, and Louis Dennison
Sweet, both of Aspen, Pitscin County, Colorado, U.S.A., Inventors,) and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
This invention contemplates certain new and useful improvements in car-couplings
and it has for its object, first, the production of simple and highly efficient means
for properly positioning the link and coupling pin ready for automatic coupling of
cars, and second, a new and improved form of pin which will possess increased
strength and also serve to hold the coupling link in position for entrance into an
approaching drawhead.
The invention consists of a drawhead having a cross-shaped opening provided
with an upper rearward inclined wall, and a coupling-pin of cross-shape in cross
section designed to rest against said wall when not in use.
The invention also comprises the detail construction, combination and arrange-
ment of parts, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out
in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation with parts broken away, of a drawhead provided
with my improvements.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the pin in position prior to
coupling..
Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of two drawheads coupled together.
Fig. 4 is an end view.

page_text: Fig. 5 is a view of the pin. Fig. 6.is a horizontal sectional view thereof on the
line x-x.
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the drawhead with the pin removed.
Referring to the drawings:-A designates the drawhead having a front flared
opening a from which extends inwardly a chamber à¹. The bottom a' of this
chamber is rearwardly inclined and forms a rest or shoulder a³ at its outer end.
The object of thus forming the bottom is that the coupling-link B when not
coupled to another car will occupy the position shown in Fig. 1, that is to say,
it will be extended upwardly at its outer end ready for entrance into an approaching
drawhead. In the top of drawhead A is an opening of cross-shape and the upper
rear wall thereof is beveled or rearwardly inclined from a point about midway
the top of the drawhead.
C is the coupling pin which is preferably made of iron. From opposite sides of
this pin projects ribs or wings d which extend from the head d¹ to a point beyond
the middle of the pin. Hence the pin is approximately cross-shaped in cross-
section taken through the ribs or wings. The lower end of the pin, namely, that
portion beneath the ends of the ribs or wings, corresponds in thickness with the
opening in the link and a bottom opening in the drawhead through both of which
it is designed to project.
The ribbed portion of the pin corresponds with the cross shape opening in the
top of the drawhead and hence is guided in its movement. When lowered the ends
of the ribs or wings rest upon the side bars of the link and the weight of the pin
holds said link in the position shown in Fig. 1. When elevated the pin will occupy
the position shown in Fig. 2, that is, it will rest against the rearwardly inclined
wall, its lower, front end bearing against the front vertical wall of said opening.
Upon two cars striking together the concussion will cause the pin to be lowered
and its lower end pass through the link carried by the other draw-head.
The advantages of my invention are apparent. By providing the coupling pin
with the lateral ribs or wings the strength thereof is greatly enhanced, the link
is held firm in its position ready for coupling with the drawhead of an approaching
car, and by making the opening in the top of the drawhead to correspond with
the shape of the pin the latter is guided in its movements and its entrance
through the opening in the link and bottom of the drawhead always insured.
By means of my invention it is not necessary for a trainman to pass in between
the cars in order to effect the coupling thereof, as is the case when the link is held
loose, or allowed to hang down..
A car coupling thus constructed is extremely simple and inexpensive and not
liable to readily get out of order.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The combination with the drawhead having a cross-shaped opening in its top
provided with a rearwardly inclined wall, of the coupling-pin herein described
having lateral wings and designed to fit in said cross-shaped opening, substantially
as set forth.
2. The herein described improved car-coupling, comprising the chambered draw-
head having a rearwardly inclined, bottom and a cross-shaped opening in its top, and
the coupling pin having lateral, ribs, or wings throughout, a. portion, of its length
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 15th day of March 1801
PERCY R. J.' WILLIS,'
55, Chancery Lane, W:C.