GB154331A - Improvements in and relating to car couplings - Google Patents

Abstract

154,331. Vinograd, E., and Groten, M. N. Aug. 26,1919. Couplings, automatic; draw-gear tensioning and slackening agents.-In automatic couplings for railway vehicles of the kind in which a clevis linked to a draw-bar is manually-operated into a raised position and is released so as to pull into engagement with the draw-hook of the other car by the compression of the contacting buffers, means are provided for elevating and manipulating the clevis additionai. to the main operating-means for raising and lowering the clevis and the links connecting it with the supporting draw-hook. Each clevis 30 is pivotally connected to a draw-hook member 20 by links 39, the clevis having a finger 30<a> which maintains the coupling-element rigid when the link is lifted. An extension 37 of the clevis is connected by links 55, 56 with a rock-shaft 57 operated from the side of the car to manipulate the clevis as desired On rotating a crank arm at the end of a shaft 45, the links and clevis are lifted through chains 42 on a drum 44 and a link 40, a detent 16 engaging a stop 17 to hold the coupling-members in the raised position for the coupling operation. As the cars come together, the buffers 13 are forced inwardly, the spindle 14 engaging an adjustable stop 50 to disengage the end of the pivoted arm 48 from the detent 16. This releases the shaft 45, and the link 39 is allowed to drop so that the clevis engages the draw-hook 20 of the other car. The detent may be released manually by handles 52, 51 on the detent and lever arm 48 respectively. When engaged, the clevis is prevented from uncoupling by retracting the hook 20 and draw-bar 19 by means of an eccentric 22 operated through a shaft extending to a hand-wheel at the side of the car, springs 54 being tensioned through a cross-bar 26. On the end cill, wing members 53 are provided at each side of the hooks to prevent disengagement of the clevis members when the cars are rounding a curve. In a modified arrangement for tightening up the coupling- elements, the draw-bars from each end of the car are oppositely threaded and engage a central nut, which may be operated through gearing from the side of the car.