US1144241A - Mail-bag retainer for mail-cranes. - Google Patents

Description

L. C. POULSON & A. J. BUCHANAN.

MAIL BAG RETAINER FOR MAIL CRANES.

APPUCATION FILED FEB-1. 1915.

l 144,241 Patented J une 22, 1915.

THE NORRIS PETERS $0., PHDTOLITHO., WASHINGTON, D. C.

FIQE.

LESTER C. POULSON AND ALEXANDRIA, J. BUCHANAN, 0F BIRDSNEST, VIRGINIA.

MAIL-BAG RETAINER FOB, MAIL-CRANES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LESTER C(Po'tinsOn and ALEXANDRIA J. BUCHANAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Birdsnest, Northampton county, and State of Virginia, have invented and discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Retainers for Mail-Cranes, of which the following is a specification.

In the use of mail cranes, difiiculty is frequently experienced in securing the rings of the mail bags on the cranes so as to avoid liability of accidental removal by the action of the wind or of the passing train and, at the same time, permit them to be removed without undue resistance whenseized by the mail catching device attached to the car. In the use of some devices for this purpose, the rings of the mail bags are so held as to resist removal to the extent of causing undue strain or jerk upon the crane and its injury or destruction by the almost instantaneous removal of the bag when engaged by the mail catching device on a rapidly moving train. Other devices provide inadequate security, permitting the ring of the mail bag to fall out on any quick accidental opening of the retaining device, and the bag to be released through accidental jars and vibrations caused either by the wind or passing trains.

The object of our said invention is to provide an attachment for securing the mail bags to said cranes in such a manner that they may be readily removed and offer but slight resistance to the mail catching apparatus, at the same time providing absolute security against accidental removal, thereby guarding against injury to, and loss of mail sacks, with the consequent disadvantage and annoyance, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which are made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the top end of a mail crane with the mail bag holding arms equipped with our improved securing devices, and Fig. 2 a side elevation of one of the mail bag ring holders equipped with our securing device, on an enlarged scale.-

In said drawings the portions marked A represent the mast of the mail crane, B the upper arm, and O the lower arm. These parts are of a type in common use and no Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1915..

Application filed February 1, 1915. Serial No. 5,517.

special description thereof need be made herein.

Each of the arms B and C is provided at its outer end'with a mail bag ring receiving arm 10, formed of a rod of a right-angular formation, the vertical part extending through a vertical perforation near the outer end ofthe arm and having a nut 11 on its end with a spring 12 interposed be tween the nut and the adjacent face of the arm. On each of the horizontal branches of said arms 10, we form ears or brackets 13, between which we pivot a retaining or clamping jaw 14:, the outer end of which bears upon the adjacent surface of the arm 10, and the other end of which is perforated and slides over a pin 15, a spring 16 being mounted on said pin 15, interposed between said arm 10 and the adjacent side of the clamping jaw 14. The outer end of the clamping jaw 14 is formed to rest for a considerable distance upon the surface of the arm 10, and, from the point of contact with said arm 10, as at point 17, it is tapered gradually back to a point near its pivot in the brackets 13. The mail bag ring 18 is adapted to be embraced by said curved part and retained between said curved part and the adjacent surface of the arm 10. The surface of arm 10, on which ring 18 slides, is left straight and smooth without any depressions or other formations to retain said ring or interfere with its removal therefrom. The ring is retained solely by the long tapered curve in the jaw 14, and, by reason of the long contact between said jaw 14 and arm 10, any accidental vibration of said jaw will not. permit said ring 18 to escape free from arm 10, but the jaw will catch said ring, if it should become accidentally opened, before the ring is beyond the tapered portion and, by the action of the spring 16, will cause said ring to slide back into its normal position. Then the mail bags are caught by the mail catching apparatus on the car, the resistance to the removal of the ring is very slight, the arms 10 being adapted to swing on their vertical shanks in the direction of the moving train and the pull from the mail catching device easily removing the mail bag from connection with the crane.

Having thus fully described our sa d 1nvention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A mail bag retaining device for mall cranes comprising a swiveled arm formed adapted to slide, a bracket secured thereto to extend outwardly therefrom, a ring-see curing lever pivoted in said bracket to extend each way therefrom the outer end being formed at an angle tapering from its pivot gradually toward the adjacent surface of said swiveled arm until it contacts therewith and from the point of contact extending for a considerable distance parallel and in contact with said surface, whereby a long contact is provided between said two parts, and the other end of said pivoted lever being formed to extend back from said bracket for a distance, and a coiled spring mounted between said lever and said arm, whereby the outer ends thereof are held in contact and the accidental or inadvertent escape of the-mail bag ring from the retaining device prevented substantially as set forth, 7

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals at Washington, D. C., this 26th day of January A. 1)., nineteen hundred and fifteen.

LESTER C. POULSON. ALEXANDRIA J .i BUCHANAN. Witnesses:

E. W. BRADFORD, A. M. PARKINs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, 13.0?

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