RECENTLY PATENTED IMPROVEMENTS. 211 



Cords or chains are attached to this bail^ so that it may be operated from 

 each side of the car. 



A draw-head is provided, in addition to the flared opening for theUnk, with 

 a vertical circular disk-chamber, open at the bottom and closed at the top. The 

 rotary coupling-disk is provided with the before-mentioned segmental hook, which, 

 when the said disk is rotated by the link striking the inner inclined edge of the 

 annular slot, acts as a coupling-pin, and the said link cannot be withdrawn until 

 the disk is turned in an opposite direction. 



The link-opening, at its inner extremity, is in the form of a right-angle or a 

 hypotenuse, and the link, upon entering the opening, is guided by the inclined 

 sides of the angle to the apex thereof, at which point the said link, resting near 

 its center upon the convex lower side of the aforesaid opening, should lie in a 

 parallel position. 



Now, by operating the chains, which are attached to the car, the bail, to 

 which such chains or cords are fastened, is raised, and, the same being jointed 

 to the disk-journal by means of the side cranks, the coupling-disk is rotated 

 slightly, and the link may then be withdrawn; but when a link is already within 

 the draw head, and it is desired to couple with a draw-head that is of a different 

 height, the outside end of the link may be easily raised or lowered by reason of 

 the weighted side of the disk, resting upon its inner extremity in the angle of the 

 link-opening. 



By manipulating the weight of the disk in making a coupling, the operator, 

 aided and by reason of the before described inclined surfaces at the end of the 

 link-opening, may hold the link parallel with the draw-bar, or it may be slid for- 

 ward and downward, or forward and upward, as desired. 



Stops upon chains prevent them from being drawn up so high that they can- 

 not be readily reached from the ground. Handholds also are attached to the 

 ends of the chains for convenience. 



A stop, upon the end of the car a short distance above the bail, prevents the 

 opening of the coupling until the bail is lifted by means of the chains. 



A stop-lug upon the disk prevents the same from rotating so far as to allow 

 the cranks to form a line with the bail-arms. The inventor is Mr. W, H. Holley, 

 of this city. 



Balancing Engine Slide-Valves. — A very simple idea, yet an efficient 

 and practical device, has been patented by Mr. James Bewsher, of this city, for 

 overcoming the justly condemned pressure exerted by the steam upon the back 

 of a steam-engine slide-valve. 



To the back of the valve in bearings that are cast thereon, is journaled mid- 

 way of its length, an equalizing-bar, having a short link journaled to each ex- 

 tremity, one of such links extends downwardly to the bottom of the steam-chest 

 where its lower end is securely journaled, the other extends upward and is pivoted 

 to the piston of a small cylinder upon the top of the steam- chest. 



When the steam is pressing downwardly upon the valve, it at the same time 



