IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY BUFFERS
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John William Howard
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd February 1881.
JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD, of 155, Fenchurch Street, in the City of London,
Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY BUFFERS."
My improvements in railway buffers relate, firstly, to what are termed spindle
buffers; I purpose to confine the spindle or plunger-rod in the case by means of
what I term a ferrule push-plate of section in the position shown, and I thus
dispense with compound collars, screws, or nuts. The small end of the plunger-rod
having been turned, and a hole of certain dimensions having been bored up the end,
is then heated and passed into the buffer case horizontally through the ferrule
push-plate. When the rod and push-plate are in their proper positions, a tool
of suitable form is to be driven into the hollow end of the plunger-rod which forces
the end of the rod to expand within and over the end of the ferrule push-plate.
The rim thus raised on the end of the rod prevents the separation of any of the
parts.
The same object may be attained by pouring hot metal into a groove formed at
the end of the rod.
The second part of my Invention is applicable to box or hollow plunger buffers.
To a certain depth and at intervals round the end of the plunger, I propose to make
gaps or recesses, the intermediate parts thus forming projections. For the
reception of these projections a corresponding number of grooves are to be made
running longitudinally in the inner surface of the buffer-case, and stopping at an
appointed distance from the front end of the case. When the plunger has entered
the buffer-case, the projections described above are then forced to bend outwardly
and fill the said grooves within which they slide as the plunger moves.
means the plunger can neither turn round in the buffer-case nor escape from it.
By this

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John William Howard in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th August 1881.
JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD, of 155, Fenchurch Street, in the City of London,
Mechanical Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY BUFFERS."
My Improvements in railway buffers, relate,-first, to what are termed spindle
buffers; I propose to confine the spindle or plunger rod on the buffer-case, not by
the aid of compound collars, bolts, or screws, but by means of what I term a
ferrule push plate, which, in its longitudinal section, presents a form resembling the
letter T.
The second part of my Invention is applicable to box or hollow plunger buffers.
To a certain depth and at intervals round the end of the plunger I propose to
make gaps or recesses, the intermediate parts forming projections; these projections
being heated, are bent into a corresponding number of grooves running longitudinally
in the inner surface of the buffer case, and stopping at an appointed distance from
the front end of the case. By this means the plunger can neither turn round in
the buffer case nor escape from it.
That my Invention may be fully understood, I will now refer to and describe
various Figures, illustrating my "Improvements in Railway Buffers," shown on the
annexed Sheet of Drawings.
Figure 1 represents the longitudinal section of a spindle buffer, case A, with the
plunger rod B in position, and C is a section of my ferrule push plate. It will be
seen that a certain length of the plunger rod from its small or inner end; has been
'lessened in size or diameter. From the interior of this diminished end of the rod
is to be taken a small quantity of metal, and then the said end is to be heated to
a certain degree. Thus prepared, the plunger rod is to be fitted in the buffer-case,
the small heated end passing into the ferrule push-plate C. This push-plate is
made to rest or abut against a shoulder d formed on the interior surface of the
buffer case.
When the rod B and the ferrule push plate C are thus in their proper
position, a tool of a suitable form is to be driven into the hollow end of the rod
and force some portion of the hot metal to pass out of and over the end of the
ferrule push plate, where it will form a flange or rim e, thus effectually preventing
any separation of the plunger rod from the push plate.
Figure 2 is a section similar to Fig. 1, the difference being that the small end of
the plunger. rod B, and the hollow shank of the ferrule push-plate C are shewn
lengthened until they reach the external surface of the buffer case A, where the
end of the rod is made to overlap, as already described, the edges of the push-
plate. The effect thus produced is precisely the same as in the former example.
Figure 3 represents in section an arrangement of central Drawing and buffing
apparatus to which my ferrule push plate is adopted. It will be seen that in this
case the flanged end f of the ferrule push-plate C occupies a position outside the
chamber wherein is lodged the buffer spring.
The small end of the buffer-rod after being heated is brought flush with the
outside surface of the flange f of the ferrule push plate, and is then forced to over-
lap the said flange by means already described. Thus, as in the preceding
examples, the union of the plunger rod and the ferrule push-plate is secured.
In Figure 4 two ferrule push plates C, C are used, one at each end of the buffer-
spring chamber. The hollow shank of the one against which the head of the
buffer-spring abuts is extended beyond the end of the buffer case to a distance
equal to the range of the spring. The small end of the plunger-rod is likewise
lengthened, passing through both ferrule push-plates, and having fitted to it a

page_text: washer K and a nut 7, which form a stop when the spring has reached its destined
range. A second stop in the form of a shoulder on the plunger rod; is shewn at m,
which also allows the rod a movement from o to p, equal to the range of the spring.
As an effectual guide and support to this portion of the buffer rod during its
movement within the range prescribed to it; a pin or stud r is inserted in the
buffer case, one end of which is sufficiently lengthened, as shewn, to work in a
groove made in the wearing surface of the buffer rod.
In Fig. 5 the buffer case and its base plate being forged solid, the adjustment of
a spring and buffer-rod must be made from the front end of the case. The buffer
spindle and ferrule push-plate are combined before being put into the buffer case.
The external diameter of the shank of the push-plate may be lessened (as shewn)
at any convenient distance from its end, and limit the inward movement of the
buffer-rod by the shoulder thus formed coming in contact with the base-plate. A
stop may also be formed by reducing the diameter of the inner part of the buffer
spindle itself.
The second part of my Invention is shewn in Figs. 6 and 7; each of these
Figures represents a longitudinal section of a box or hollow plunger buffer. To a
certain depth and at intervals round the end of the plunger S, shewn in Fig. 6,
gaps or recesses are made, the intermediate parts when bent up forming projections
marked w. For the reception of these projections a corresponding number of
grooves are to be made running longitudinally in the inner surface of the buffer
case T, and stopping at an appointed distance from the front end of the case.
When the plunger S has entered the buffer case, the projections ware forced to
bend outwardly and so fill the grooves x within which they slide as the plunger
moves. By this means the plunger can neither turn round in the buffer-case nor
escape from it.
Fig. 7 represents a modification of this part of my Invention. To the interior
surface of the plunger S, I propose to attach by means of rivets y, or otherwise, a
cylinder Z. Round the end of this cylinder projections are formed similar to those
round the end of the plunger in Fig. 6. These projections are intended to move in
grooves as in the aforesaid Figure, and for the same purpose.
Having thus described my Invention, I conclude by observing that I do not
restrict myself to the precise form and details herein-before set forth, but what I
claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-
First. The combination of a ferrule push plate with a buffer, spindle, or rod,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Secondly. The lessening of the diameter of the shank of the ferrule push-plate
for the purpose of forming a stop.
Thirdly. The method of retaining the hollow plunger of a box buffer in its case
by means of projections formed on the extremity of the plunger or on the extremity
of an independent cylinder fixed to the interior of the plunger; which projections
correspond to and slide in grooves formed for them round the interior surface of
the buffer-case, substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John William Howard, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
JOHN WILLIAM HOWARD. (L.S.)