Car Coupling

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The end of the draw 001 is formed with a socket, B, from the open end of,which jie top and bottom buffer prongs, C, project, In the socket is a ball, E, having a stem on its rear end entering a recess to prevent the ball from swinging up or down or laterally, - The free end of a stem projecting from the ball through the open end of the socket is formed with jaws, G, between which two S-shaped coupling hooks, H, are pivoted. Between the buffer prongs a plate, J, is held by diagonally opposite arms; the plate is between the hooks, and separates them in the act of uncoupling. The stem, M, projecting from the ball, passes through a slot in the socket and carries a weight at its outer end. The rod, 0, slides longitudinally, and has a stop button on its inner end and a beveled head on its front end. An angular arm projects upward from the top buffer prong, and a lug projects from the opposite side of the prong. Hung on the upper end of the arm is a slotted link having a ball on its lower end. When a car is uncoupled, the jaws, G, are held diagonally in the draw head by the hook, W, on the bar, 0, holding the weighted stem at an angle of about 45 degrees. The ball on the link rests against the front end of the beveled head. When the cars come, together, the lug of one draw bar strikes the link ball of the other, and pushes the rod, O, back; this liberates the stem, M, which swings downward, thereby turning the ball, E, and the jaws, and interlocking the hooks of the two couplings. The link ball then slides upon the beveled top edge of the head. To uncouple, the stem, M, is raised, and the hooks are opened by the disk, 3, while turning. The stem is then held by the hook, and the link ball slides down the bevel of the hook in front of the end. This invention has been patented by Messrs. J. Hampl & D. Jacobs, of Fort Clark, Tex., and 74 Leonard Street, New York city.

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