US1939381A - Cushioning mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 12, 1933. D. s. BARROWS cusnxoume MECHANISM Filed Nov. 14, 1929 Patented Dec. 12,1933

CUSHIONIN G MECHANISM Donald S. Barrows,

Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Symington Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application November 14, 1929 Serial No. 407,254

6 Claims.

This invention relates to railway draft rigging and cushioning mechanism adapted for use with such rigging. l

The principal object of my invention, generally I considered, is the provision of a preferably double end draft gear or cushioning'mechanism adapted for series application to provide a greater bufling than draft energy absorbing capacity with the housing thereof slotted for receiving means for connection with associated sills.

Another object of my invention is to provide cushioning mechanism comprising a housing or casing with one or more pockets, each of which v contains a series of ring springs presenting inclined friction surfaces in engagement with one another, and a closure member or members telescoping in the pocket or pockets of the housing for compressing the spring mechanism therein.

A further object of my invention is to provide cushioning mechanism enclosed in a housing with top, bottom and side walls, and a transverse wall serving to position associated ring spring cushioning means, the end of said housing being closed by an inwardly opening end closure member telescoping in the spring receiving pocket of the housing, and means connecting said housing and closure member for limiting relative movement therebetween.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is definedby the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a partial side elevational and partial longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of my cushioning mechanism.

Figure 2 is a partial end elevation and partial 40 transverse section on the line 22 of Figure 1,

looking in the direction of the arrows. V

. Figure -3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. I

Referring to the drawing in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, there is shown a form of double ended, series, friction draft gear 1 involvinga housing or casing 2 having longitudinal walls 3, 4 and 5, the walls 3 being preferably'the side or vertical walls, and the walls 4 and 5 being, respectively, the top and bottom walls, although as will be understood,

I do not wish to be limited to using the gear in this position. 'I'he'walls 3, 4 and 5 are connected and braced by a transverse wall 6 preferably extending from the ends of a normally horizontal connecting web 7. Saidweb 7 and the corresponding portions of the side walls 3 are desirably provided with a longitudinal slot 8 for receiving a draft key 9 or other means for connecting the 0 housing and cushioning mechanism to associated draft sills or cheek plates thereon (not shown). In the present embodiment I have shown the cushioning mechanism associated with a horizontal yoke 10, the arms of which are correspond- 5 ingly slottedtoreceive the key 9, the rearmost portion of said yoke preferably engaging a rear follower 12. A front follower 13 is desirably disposed between the butt of the associated coupler 1'4 and the front end of the gear or closure mem- 7 her 15 thereof.

That portion of the housing between the transverse walls 6 is desirably reinforced by longitudinal flanges 16 upstanding and depending from the transverse slotted web '7, thereby making it possible to omit the central portions of the upper and lower walls 4 and 5 between said transverse walls 6 and giving access to the interior of the housing for core removal and for the application of securing nuts 17 on retainers or bolts 18 30 which serve to connect the front and rear closure members 15 and 19 to the housing 2. Said nuts 17 are desirably castellated and provided with locking cotters 20.

Disposed between the transverse walls 6 of the 35 housing and the end walls 21 of the closure members 15 and 19 are series of ring springs 22,- said springsbeing desirably made of rolled spring steel and said rings being alternately placed in compression and tension when the gear is com- 99 pressed. In the embodiment illustrated the ring spring is composed of individual rings 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35, the springs 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33 and 35 being placed in compression when force is applied to the gear and the rings 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 beingunder tension at that time. All of said rings have engaging inclined friction surfaces 36, so that when the gear is compressed the compression force is resisted not only by the resiliency of the springs, but also by the friction developed at the engaging friction surfaces 36. In order to provide a gear in which the initial resisting force is relatively small, some of the rings, for example the compression rings 25, 2'7 and 29 and the tension rings 24, 26, 28 and 30 are desirably formed of smaller cross sectional area and therefore weaker than some of the other springs, such as the compression springs 31 and 33 and the tension springs 32 and 34. On account of this construction the and telescoping with the respective ends of'the housing 2. The retaining bolts 18 extend through apertures 41 in the closure members 15 and 19, and 42 in the transverse walls 6 of the housing, those portions of the end walls "21 of the closure members 15 and 19 being preferably inset, as indicated at 43, to avoid having the heads 44 of the bolts 18 extend beyond the outer surfaces of the closuremembers and interfering with the application of the followers 12 and 13.

The proportions of the closure members 15 and -19 and the ring spring assembly 22 are desirably such that the spring assembly is centered by the side walls of said closure members on the side and by the inset portions 43 for the bolt heads at the top and bottom. The inner ends of the spring assemblies may conveniently be centered by bosses 45 extending outwardly and over which the rings 35 fit. If desired, similar bosses may be provided on the closure members 15 and 19 for centering the ring spring assembly.

The operation of my cushioning mechanism may be as follows, assuming the coupler stem 14 to be connected to the yoke 10 in any usual or desired manner and the yoke slots 46 andthe corresponding slots in the cheek plates and/or draft sills (not shown) to'be extended rearwardly beyond the normal position of the slot 8, so that underthe action of bufling forces, the housing is allowedto move rearwardly, while under the action of draft forces, it is retained immovable or substantially so withrespect to the associated sills. When draft forces are applied to the coupler the yoke 10 is pulled forwardly moving the rear follower 12 toward the housing and telescoping the rear closure member 19 in the housing, compressing the ring spring assembly 22 and utilizing only one half of the total capacity of the double end gear disclosed, permitting the coupler to travel only one half of the total permissible compression of the gear on account of said housing 2 being held stationary by the key 9. c

Under the action of buffing forces,however, the coupler stem or butt 14 engages the front follower 13, pushing the closure member 15 into the corresponding end pocket in the housing and at the same time moving the housing rearwardly to cause it to telescope over the rear closure member 19 because of the rearward elongation of the slots 46, it being understood that the rear portion of the yoke or rear follower is associated with a backstop or other limiting means (not shown) for effecting compression of the mechanism. It will therefore be seen that a full compression of the gear at both ends thereof is permitted on buff, thereby providing for not only an increased buffing capacity, but for a coupler travel equal to the sum of the travel permitted by the friction elements at each end of the gear. Although for convenience and economy in manufacture the gear or cushioning mechanism is preferably made symmetrical, so that the travel and capacity provided by each end isidentical, yet this is not essential, as'the capacities and rotated through 90 about a longitudinal axis.

closed in a housing as a unitary cushioning device travels of the two ends of the gear may be equal or different, as desired.

Although I have described a preferred manner of using my double end gear, it is to be understood that, if desired, it may be utilized so that the total capacity is used under both buff and draft and it may also be employed so that the present side 'walls are disposed as top and bottom walls, that is, the gear may be used after being From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be seen that ,I have devised an improved form of series draft gear or cushioning mechanism enand adapted for use to provide differential shock absorbing capacity under buff and draft, so that the total capacity of the gear need not be used under both buff and draft. By providing a housing with a slotted central portion and outwardlyopening end pockets. receiving telescop- ;ing closure members, I can 'convenientlyprovide for the reception of two sets of ring springs which may be centered partly by the walls of the closure members and partly by embossments formed thereon and on the transverse walls of the main housing. By having the closure members connected to the'main housing by longitudinal bolts, compressive action is not interfered with as the ends of the bolts and nuts thereon are permitted to freely move inward the desired amount, while said bolts prevent outward movement beyond the normal position and thereby retain the members of the gear in assembled relation even when removed from the 116 associated rigging.

AlthoughI have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited thereto as modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims without departing from my invention.

It will also be understood that one or more of the inner rings 25, 2'7 and 29 are desirably split, as indicated at47, to soften the resistin force of the gear at the beginning of the stroke and 120 thatthe rings are desirably packed during manufacture with wool waste soaked in graphite grease or other suitable lubricant, thereby minimizing wear on the friction surfaces and resulting in long life. 4

e V 1125 Having now described my invention, I claim: 1. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing formed with longitudinal walls, open at each end to provide pockets and provided, adjacent its central portion, with a transverse reinforcement connecting a pair of opposite walls, the inner ends of said pockets being defined by transverse partitions extending between the walls and connected to the ends of the reinforcement, the outer surfaces ofsaid partitions being formed with outstanding bosses, and cushioning meansdisposed in each pocket and centered by said bosses. 2. A housing for cushioning mechanism, formed with longitudinal walls, open at each end and provided with a transverse reinforcement intermediate vits ends and connecting a pair of opposite walls, the inner ends of said pockets being defined by transverse partitions extending between the walls of the housing and integral with the ends of the reinforcement, said partitions having outwardly extending centering bosses.

3. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing formed with longitudinally extending, transversely spaced walls, a longitudinally extending partition connecting intermediate portions of said walls, longitudinally spaced, transversely extending walls connecting said transversely spaced walls and merging with said partition, wall portions connecting the lateral edge portions of said transversely spaced walls, adjacent the ends of said housing, beyond said transverse walls and, with said transversely extending walls and transversely spaced walls, defining outwardly opening pockets, end members telescopically closing said pockets, a pair of retainers extending longitudinally through each end member and the adjacent transverse wall, the inner ends of said retainers extending into the spaces between said transverse walls, thereby allowing for inward movement without buckling upon compression of the mechanism, and cushioning means dis-' posed in each pocket between said retainers at the ends of the mechanism. 7

4. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing formed with longitudinally extending, transversely spaced walls, a longitudinally extending partition connecting intermediate portions of said walls, longitudinally spaced, transversely extending walls connecting said longitudinally extending walls, merging with said partition, and, with said transversely spaced walls, defining outwardly opening pockets, end members telescopically closing said pockets, and a pair of retainers extending longitudinally through each end member and the adjacent transverse wall, the inner ends of said retainers extending into the spaces between said transverse walls, thereby allowing for inward movement without buckling upon compression of the mechanism.

5. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing having longitudinal walls, open at each end to form pockets, and provided with a reinforcement intermediate its ends and connecting a pair or opposite walls, the inner ends of said pockets being defined byv transverse partitions formed integral with the walls of said housing and spaced portions of the reinforcement, resilient means in said pockets normally engaging said partitions, and closure members at each end of said mechanism telescoping over said resilient means.

6. Cushioning mechanism comprising a housing having longitudinal walls, open at each end to form pockets, and provided with a reinforcement intermediate its ends and connecting a pair of opposite walls, the inner ends of said pockets being defined by transverse partitions formed integral with the walls of said housing and said reinforcement, said partitions having outwardly extending generally cylindrical bosses, members telescopically closing the pockets of the housing at each end thereof, a series of resilient rings received in each pocket, said rings nesting one with another so that when force is applied to the gear, said rings are alternately placed under compression and tension, the innermost ring of each series encircling and being centered by the corresponding boss on a transverse partition, each closure member having inwardly extending flange portions embracing the adjacent end portion of a series of resilient rings for centering purposes, and bolts, laterally disposed beyond said rings, connecting each closure member and the adjacent partition, the bolt heads lying adjacent centering flange portions of said closure members, said flange portions having transversely disposed extensions providing inset seats for said heads.

DONALD S. BARROWS.

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