Improvements in Car Couplings.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1899-Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1899
Improvements in Car Couplings.
I, KARL HEIDTKAMP, of Zeche König Ludwig, Bruch i/W, in the Empire of
Germany, 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 relates to an improved coupling which can be easily fitted to
existing rolling stock, which will not necessitate passage between the buffers
and can be coupled closed up and uncoupled from the side of the car.
In the annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a plan view of the coupling and Fig. 2 a
vertical section on the line A-B of Fig. 1.
The shank of the draw hook 2 passes loosely through the end beam 1 and is
screw threaded to receive the end of a union 3 the other end of which is held
between collars on the draw rod 4 which is fastened in the usual way and has
spring bearing. Where the hook 2 joins its shank a hole is made for passage
of a shaft 5 which extends nearly to the buffers on both sides and carries hand
cranks 6, 6. A link 7 is fastened on the shaft 5 and straddles the hook 2. This
link swings with the movements given to the cranks 6.
To couple two cars they are pushed together after the links 7 have been raised,
and at the proper moment one of the links 7 is turned down over the hook 2 of
the opposite car. To close up the cars the union 3 is rotated by means of a worm
wheel 8 thereon and a worm 10 on the shaft 11 which extends to the sides of the
car and is there provided with cranks 12.
By right or left revolution of either crank 12 the shank of the hook 2 is drawn
in or thrust out. The wheel 8 can be prevented from moving laterally to any
suitable abutments if desired.
9, 9 are staples for guiding the shaft 5. To hold the raised link 7 and pre-
vent its falling when not required a spring clip can be placed on the end of the
car with which the end of the link will engage.
A
A secondary coupling is also provided for safety purposes and comprises a
link 13 straddling the link 7 and carrying projecting from it a hook 14. The
ends of the link revolve loosely on the shaft 5 and the link is connected for ex-
ample by rods to hand crank 15 also loose on the shaft 5 near to the buffers.
similar device is placed on the end of each vehicle and either of the hooks 14
can be engaged with the opposite link 13 by suitable manipulation of cranks 15, 15.
This coupling can be operated from either side of the cars without entering
between their ends and can be fitted without great cost to any car.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A car coupling device adapted to be operated from the side and comprising
a shaft 5 passing through the neck of the coupling hook 2, movable parallel with
itself and having at its ends hand cranks 6, and a link 7 straddling the coupling
1
dhaft 5

page_text: 2. In combination with the coupling device claimed above, the mechanism
for closing up or unclosing by drawing in or projecting the coupling hook` 2
consisting of the union 3 adapted on rotary movement to screw together or
apart the hook 2 and draw rod 4 and to be revolved by worm 10 and worm
wheel 8.
3. In combination with the coupling described in Claim 1, the secondary coup-
ling device comprising a link 13 loose on shaft 5 and terminating in a hook 14
together with hand cranks 15 connected to said link 13 for raising or lowering it.
Dated this 20th day of March 1899.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents to Applicant,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London.