Rail Car Coupler Diagram

Inventor Andrew Jackson Beard applied for a patent for this railcar coupler in November 1897. The mechanism allowed workers to connect cars in a much safer manner and greatly reduced accidents.

Patent drawing for Andrew Jackson Beard’s 1897 railroad car coupler, showing several views of the coupling mechanism.Patent drawing for Andrew Jackson Beard’s 1897 railroad car coupler, showing several views of the coupling mechanism.
Patent drawing for Andrew Jackson Beard’s 1897 railroad car coupler, showing several views of the coupling mechanism.Patent drawing for Andrew Jackson Beard’s 1897 railroad car coupler, showing several views of the coupling mechanism.