Improvements in Car-couplings.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1890-Accepted, 10th May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Car-couplings.
We, FRED WENDT and ALBERT CARL WENDT, of Marshfield, in the County of
Wood and State of Wisconsin United States of America, gentlemen, 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 :-
Our invention relates to improvements in car-couplings, and it consists in certain
novel features hereinafter described and claimed.
In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the end of the car with
the improved coupling applied thereto. Figs. 2 and 3 are views showing the improved
device partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section.
Referring to the drawings by letter, A designates the end of a car and B is a
draw-head secured to the bottom of the same in the usual or any preferred manner.
The draw-head is provided in its top and bottom with the pin-holes C, and the
coupling pin D plays through the said holes as shown and as will be readily under-
stood. Within the draw-head, we pivot the pin-supporting block E which is provided
with a central opening F, adapted to permit the passage of the coupling pin and
support the said pin by allowing the lower end of the same to rest on the rear wall
of the opening. On the upper side of the draw-head in standards B' near the rear
end of the same we journal a rock shaft G having the forwardly extending central
crank arm, H, which is connected with the coupling pin by the links I, as will be
readily understood. The rock-shaft is provided at its ends with the crank arms J by
means of which it may be rotated from the side of the car without necessitating the
brakeman going between the cars.
The above described devices constitute an improved draw-head adapted to be made
as an article of manufacture and substituted for the draw-heads now in use.
In our
preferred form of car-coupling however, which is adapted to be used in connection
with freight cars the rock shaft is further provided with a crank-arm K and a chain L
has its lower end secured to the said crank arm and its upper end secured to a
reciprocating rod M which is mounted in guide loops or brackets N on the ends of
the car and is provided in its front edge with notches O adapted to engage the said
guides or brackets to hold the rod in an elevated position.
The construction and arrangement of the several parts of the device being thus
made known, the operation and advantages of the same will, it is thought be readily
understood. When it is desired to couple two cars together, the link is secured
manually in one draw-head and the other link held in raised position by block E as
shown in Fig. 2. and the two draw-heads then brought together. As the link enters
the opposing draw-head it pushes the pin-supporting block upward and rearward so
that the pin will be permitted to fall into engagement with the link, thereby com-
pleting the coupling. If, however, the pin does not so fall into engagement, the
crank J may be operated to force the armi H downward and the links I will forcibly
push the pin D into its seat. When it is desired to uncouple the cars one of the
crank handles J is operated or if the brakeman be on top of the freight car, the
reciprocating bar M is raised thereby rotating the rock shaft so as to raise the coupling
pin out of engagement with the link. The link can then be easily withdrawn from
the draw-head as will be readily understood. The flexible connection between the
ink I and notched bar M permits the former to be operated to uncouple the cars
without raising the bar M. This is advantageous for the operator at the side of the
car could not disengage the teeth of the bar M while standing in that position.
It will be observed that in our device the coupling and uncoupling are accom-
blished from the top or side of the car so that we overcome danger to life and limb.
Especial stress is placed on the reciprocating rod having the notches in its front edge.

page_text: When it is desired to hold the coupling pin in an elevated position without with-
drawing the link, the said bar is raised and the proper notch engaged in the upper
guide or bracket so as to hold it in its raised position.
The pin will thus be held in its raised position so that upon moving the car the
link will be left in the draw-head of the stationary car.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The draw-head B having laterally perforated standards B' on its sides, the rock
shaft G journalled in said standards and provided with cranked ends J and the arm H
on said shaft projecting over said draw-head in combination with the coupling pin D,
playing vertically through said draw-head approximately below the free end of the
arm H and the link I pivoted at its ends on pins passing through horizontal
cylindrical holes in the pin and arm, as and for the purpose specified.
2. The draw-head B, rock shaft G, having cranked ends J, arm 1 on said shaft
above said draw-head pin, D, and link connecting said arm and pin, in combination
with the vertical notched bar, M, guides N in the end of the car, inclosing said notched
bar and flexible connection L between said notched bar M and said arm, I, as and for
the purpose set forth.
Dated this 10th day of Anril 1890.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.