US1852989A - Traffic signal - Google Patents

Description

TRAFFIC S IGNAL 18. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Dep.

Aprilns, 1932.

J. H: WALRATH ET AL TRAFFIC S IGNAL Filed Deo.

18. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 1 mm .n

WUNSS April 5, 1932. J. H.. WALRATH ET AL 1,852,989

TRAFFIC S IGNAL Filed 1380.18. 1922 5 sheets-sheet 5" Fi G. 5.

' I Q -jfva TOR wnNEss 7/ Hmm-Km @Wm ATTORNEY.

April 5, 1932. 1,852,989

J. H. WALRATH ET AL TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Dec, 18, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 \NVENTOR S ATTORNEY wn-Nss Heu-dd. LKUS.

April 5, 1932- J. H. WALRATH ET AL 1,352,989

TRAFFIC S IGNAL Filed Deo'. 18. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 wnNEss A 20 /7' Mm H Qvok L. K'u-S. A ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 5, 1932 'UNITED STATES PATE-Nr OFFICE JOHN H5. WALK-ATH AN D KARL SCHWARTZOF SYBACUSE, NEW YRK;ELIZOABETH GILL SCHWARTZ, EXECUTRIX 1? SAID KARL SCHWARTZ, DECEASED, .ASSIGNOR TO SAID WALRATH TRAFFIC SIGNAL Application led December 18, 1922. Serial N. 607,611.

traiic and thereby to avoid the dangers in;

cidental thereto. y

Itis well known that in most cities and villages the traffic along certain streets or thor'- 1g oughfares is considerably heavier 'than that along other cross streets, and this traiiic va` ries materially at diii'erentperiods of the day and night, under which conditions it is obf viously vnecessary to vary the Stop and Go periods on one or both of the crossing streets according to the amount of traffic without imposing undue delays on the traveling public, and one of the essential objects of this invention is to render the operation of the Stop and .Go signals entirely automatic and variable as to their time periods of presentation according to the condition of the tratic so that the device may beset to give Stop and Go signals of certain selected time periods for the traiiic along the more ebngested street and diiferent time periods for the traiiic along the cross street.

Other ^objects and uses relatlng to specinc the following description.

In the drawings, Figure l'is a side elevation of a traffic-signal vembodying the various features of our invention, the central portion of the upright standard being broken away.

Figure 2 is anenlarged horizontal sectional view taken on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken in the plane of line 3-3, Figure 2. I

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the device taken on line lL-4, Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional View taken in the plane Ofiline 5 5, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken .on line 6-6, Figure 1.

vFigure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken in' the plane of line 7 7, Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 8 8, Figure l.

Figure gis a diagrammatic view of the parts of the apparatus will be brought out in several -lamp and bell circuits of the signal together with the switches for controlling said circuits.

' Figure 10 is a detail sectional view taken in I ing parts and protects them from the ele-V ments, and also from accidental or malicious interference by unauthorized persons.

The upper reduced portion of the base or pedestal -1- preferably consists of a foursided hollow pyramid containing a plurality of, in this instance eight, incandescent electric lamps -R- and -G, arranged in sets of two, one set for each side and each set -consistin of a red lamp -RF and a green lamp both of which are visible through a transparent lens -5- in the corresponding side of the pedestal as indicated in Figures 1 and 8 and diagrammatically, in Figure 9.

The base or pedestal -l-f may be permanently installed upon a suitable foundation at a street crossing with two of its opposite lenses ---fy facing in opposite directions along one street and the other two facing in opposite rdirections along the crossing street A so that they may be visible by vehicle drivers and pedestrians at either side on both streets.

The column -2 is permanently securedV at its lower end tol the pedestalv--l-rand extends upwardly any suitable height prefer'- ahly sufficient to support the case -3- above the level of the tops of' street cars and other vehicles so that the signals carried in said case may he, at-all times, visible by pedestrians and drivers of approaching machines,

height with an opening normally closed by a key-locked door -4- permitting access to certain manually controlled parts hereinafter described.

said column being provided at a suitable The .case -3- is preferably square in horizontal section and its four sides arranged to correspond to the four sides of the pedestal -1- and provided with similar relatively large circular dials -6- which are graduated circumferentially and mounted in circular door frames -7- capable of being removed when necessary but normally locked in their closed positions to permit authorized access to the interior mechanisms when desired, said dials being preferably made of clear transparent material such' as glass, while the graduations may represent intervals of time such as fractions of a minute.

One or more sides of the portion of the case below the dials -6- may be provided with openings which are normally closed by keycontrolled doors -8- to further permit authorized access to the interior mechanisms for repairs, replacements or adjustments.

The side walls ofthe case -3- are preferably made up as a unit which is removably secured at its lower end upon a bottom plate -9- having a central downwardly projecting boss or hub -10 which in turn is secured telescopically upon the upper end of the column fthe upper end of the case being normally closed by a conical top l1- removablysecured thereto in any suitable manner.

The portions of the side walls of the case registering with the dials -6-- are depressed inwardly toward the center to form similar conical reflectors -l2 and similar chambers -13- between the dials and reflectors for a purpose presently described.

Each chamber contains a set of two incandescent electric lamps '-R- and -G- which are secured in opposed relation to o posite walls of the reflector 12- prefera ly one above the other and have their bulbs made of glass or equivilent transparent or translucent material, colored respectively red andgreen, and like the similarly colored sets of bulbs in the pedestal -lconstitute what may be termed Stop and Go signals.

uitable means is provided for automatically energizing these signals at regular predetermined intervals of time whereby the Stoplsignals in opposite sides of both the pedestal --1` and case -3- and two of the Go signals in the remaining opposite sides of the pedestal and case will be simultaneously energized for a certain period of time while the remaining signals will be de-energized, and at the end of that period of time, the signals previously energized will be deener ized and the remaining signals ener-y gize for the same or for a different period of time as` will be hereinafter more fully explained.

An electric bell -14 is suitably mounted 1n the upper portion of the case -3- and .is

adapted to be energized for a short intervall of time to give an audible signal during the change of visual signals yabout to be made so that traffic may be prepared to Stop or Go as directed by the visual signals.

Suitable pointers or index fingers l5- are moved'around the dials -6- within the corresponding chambers 13- and for this purpose are mounted upon the outer ends of separate horizontal shafts or spindles -16- which are journaled in bearings -17- at the centers of the conical reflectors -l2- to radiate from the center of the case coaxially with their respective dials (3- and in order that they may be visible at night, eachl pointer carries near its outer end, a relatively small electric incandescent lamp -18- all of which are connected in the lighting circuits hereinafter described.

A constant speed electric motor -19- is suitably mounted within the case -3- preferably upon the bottom plate thereof and has its armature shaft -20- provided with a worm -21- meshing with aworm gear *Q2- which in turn is secured to a horizontal shaft -23- at rightangles to the motor shaft 20-.

The shaft 23- is journaled in suitable bearings 2twithin the case 3- and is provided with a pinion e525- meshing with a relatively large spur gear -26 which in turn is formed from the periphery of a friction disk -27-, Figure 4. i

The friction disk 27* is mounted upon a supporting shaft -28 which in turn is journaled at its ends in suitable bearings 29 within the case "-3-v to rotate about a horizontal axis parallelv with the shaft mS23- A pair of upright tubular shafts, 30- and -31- are' journaled at their lower en ds on end thrust bearings *32* at opposite sides of the friction disk -27- and have their upper ends journaled respectively in bearings -33- and 841- `within the case 3-, said shafts being provided with similar intermeshing gears -35- for transmitting rotary motion from one to the other ,and are also provided with axially movable friction disks 36- and 36 for frictionally engaging. opposite faces of the disk w-27- and thereby transmitting rotary motion from said1 disk -27- tothe shafts 30'- and 3 The shaft 30t is coaxial `with the column -2- and extends upwardly along the center of the case-3- and is provided at its upper end with a beveled gear 37- which meshes with beveled inions -38- on the inner ends of the pointer 4shafts -16-, the ratio lofuth'e gear and pinions being two to one so as .to rotate the pointers at twice the speed of the tubular shafts -30 and `--31-.

The speed of rotation ofbthe disk -27- is constant, but greatly reduced from that of the motor by thc reason of the reducing ratio i' zero orlstarting positions, and return.

The axes of the tubular shafts and -31- are parallel and equal distances from vopposite sides of the disk -27-, which sides are also parallel with the axes of the shafts -36- to be moved axially parallel with said sides for varying the speed of rotation of the ,pointers relatively to the driving disk For example, if both disks' -36- and -36' were set at the same distance from the axis of the disk 27 their corresponding shafts 30- and 3lwould, of course, be rotated at the same speed which could be varied by simply adjusting the disks nearer to or farther from said axis, but it Will be observed uponV reference to Figure 7 thatsubstantially one half only of each disk 36,- and -36- is adapted to engage the driving disk -27--, the remaining half of each disk being cut away to avoid contact with the driving disk and that the semi-circular contacting portions of the driven disks are reversely arranged so as to alternately engageand release opposite faces of the driving disk, it being understood that the contacting portion of each disk is slightly greater than a semi-circleto assure positive contact of each before the breaking of contact of the other. Y

That is, the disks -36- and -36 are alternately driven a half revolution byalternate contact with the adjacent sides of the 'continuous rotating driving disk 27- and,

through the medium of the gears -25I-., effecting a continuous rotation of the .shaft -30- andv pointer supporting shafts .--16..

It is now clear that by making the ratio of the gears *37* and 38- two to one, and by causing the disk -36- to contact with the disk 27 through only half of its circumference, the pointers 15- will be rotated J i one complete revolution for each half revolution of the shaft -30- and that the interval of time through which"the pointers make one complete revolution may be matevrially varied byV simply shifting the disk' 36- axially .to contact with the adjacent side of the driving disk -27- at different Y distances from the axis of said driving disk.

driving disk -27- is that the pointers 15V may be caused to move through successive revolutions at different speeds, each revolution of the pointers around the dial indicating the period of Stop7 for the vehicles on one street and the same period of Go on the cross street, and inasmuch as the disks -36- and -36- are adjustable axially, independently of each other, they may be set at diderent distances from the axis of the driving disk -27 under which conditions the driven disk farther from the axis of the driving disk would cause the pointers --15 to be moved through one revolution faster or in a shorter time than the driven disk which is nearer the axis of the driving disk.

For example, if the disk -36- is farthest n from the axiscf the driving disk -27 it would be rotated one half revolution at a certain speed which would cause all of the` pointers -15- to rotate through a full revolution While the disk --36 is traveling through a half revolution, whereupon the disk 36-- breaks contact with the driving disk -27 by presenting its shorter radius thereto.

At the end of this complete revolution of the pointers -15- around their respective dials, the disk -36- Will have been brought into contact with the driving member 27- and will be rotated a half turn thereby before breaking contact therewith, thereby causing the rotation of the shaft -30- to be continued in the same direction through the medium of the gears S5-,- but at a slower. speed resulting in a slower motion of the pointers and consequent longer interval of time in making the next complete revolution, these operations being repeated in the same relative periods while the disks 36- and -36- remain in the same relative positions uwith reference to the axis of the driving disk.

Any suitable means may"be provided for shifting the friction disk -36- axially and in this instance consists of an upright rod 39- movable through an opening Jin the bottom of the case 3H and having its upper end extended through the bearing S2- and into the tubular shaft -30- where it is connected to a cross pin -10- which is movable in lengthwise slots -41- in opposite sides of the shaft -30- and thereby serves to spline the disk ,-36- on the shaft 30 to cause those parts to rotate in unison in addition to its function of attaching the rod 39- to the disk whereby the axial movea suitable bracket within and upon the interior of the column Q and is provided with a pinion 46 meshing with the toothed rack 43- of the rod 39 at approximately the level of the door 4 said shaft having one end facing the' door angular'4 in cross section for receiving a suitable key or crank arm not shown, but by which the shaft 44 and its pinion 46- may be rotated to move the rod 39 axiallyt for the purpose of shifting the disk 36 axially or radially across the face of the driving disk 27 and thereby changing the speed of rotation or time interval of each complete revolution of the pointers 15- as may be desired. l

` Suitable means is also provided for shifting the disk 36 axially and for this purpose an upright rod 39 is extended through the bearing 32 into the tubular shaft 31 and is attached at its upper end to a cross pin 40 which is secured to the hub ofthe disk 36 and is movable vertically in lengthwise slots 41 in opposite Sides of the shaft 31 thereby connecting the disk 36 to the shaft to rotate therewith and also "permitting axial adjustment of said disk by vertical movement of the rod 39 The lower` end of this rod 39-, Figures 2 and 4, is provided with a toothed rack 43 ,meshing with the pinion 46 y which in turn is secured to a horizontal shaft This shaft 48 is journaled in suitable brackets 49 on the bottom -9 of the `case 3 and is provided with a spiral gear ,with a spiral gear 5Qf meshing with a similar spiral gear -53 on a horizontal shaft 54 the latter being journaled in the bracket 42 in approximately the horizontal plane of the door 4- and like the shaft 44 has one end facing the door angular in cross section for the reception of a key or other suitable device not shown, by which the shaft may be rotated for imparting rotary motion to the shaft 51 and thereby rotating the shaft 48- to reciprocate the rod BSV-' .axially for shifting the disk 36 radially of'the driving disk 27 the object of which is to cause the pointers to rotate at the same or different speed than that produced by the disk 36 Suitable means is provided for holding the disks l--36 and 36 in their adjusted positions and for this purpose is provided a pawl 55 for engaging the teeth of the pinion 4G-'while the shaft 54- is provided with a ratchet wheel 56- en aged by a pawl 57 both of said pawls elng preferably of the spring type to permit them to ride over the teeth when the corresponding shafts are rotated by hand, but are of sufficient tension to hold said shafts against rotation when the disks are adjusted to the desired positions. c

Current may be supported from any suitable source of electric energy for operating the motor 19- and for energizing the several 'lamps R'and G and 18 and the bell M and for this purpose, we have shown in Figure 9, a main line circuit A- as supplying current through a conductor afand brush -a to a conducting sleeve 60- which is mounted on the shaft 30 to rotate therewith but is insulated therefrom p by insulation 6l Substantially one half of the upper end of the sleeve 60 is .cut away to form a semi-circular conducting segment, the remainder of the circle in the same horizontal (plane being filled in with the insulator 61 said sleeve being secured to the shaft 30 in such manner that the semi-circular conducting segment at the upper end thereof will be at the same side of the axis as the semi-circular contacting side of the friction disk '-36- while the semi-circular insulated portion will correspond to the cut away side of the same disk.

Suitable brushes G2- and 62 are arranged at diametrically opposite sides of the conducting sleeve 60 in the horizontal plane of the semi-circular segment thereof, so as to contact therewith and are set so that the advancing end of the segment will begin to Contact with one of the brushes as -62 uat about the same time that the advancing end of the semi-circular contact side of one of Jthe disks as 36 begins to Contact with the adjacent side of the driving disk 27 at which time the other brush as 6Q will begin to contact with the semi-circular portion of the insulation 61- thereby energizing all of the lamps which may,then be connected in the circuit closed by the contact of the segment with the brush as 62 In the diagram, the upper groups of lamps R and G correspond to those which are located within the case 3- while the lower group represents those in the pedestal 1 and it will be observed that when the semicircular conducting segment of the sleeve 60 is in contact with the brush 62 the lower and upper lamps R of both groups facing in opposite directions along one street and theopposite side lamps G of both groups facing'r4 in opposite directions along' a cross street will be simultaneously energized while the semi-circular contacting side of the disk as 36- remains in Contact with and is driven by the driving disk -27 during which the Contact brush 62 recontact of the brush -62- with the insula! tion -G1-.

For example, while the brush *62- is in contact with the semi-circular segment of the sleeve -60-, current will be supplied through wire b to a bus Wire c and thence through branches d and cl to the red lights R of both groups for one street and the green lights G of both groups for the cross street while the pointers are being rotatSeGd one complete revolution by the disk 0n the other hand, just before the contact side of the disk 4-36- breaks contact with the driving disk -27, the disk -36- will makecontact therewith at which time,`the semi-circular conducting segment of the sleeve -60- Will have broken contact with the brush -62- and made Contact with the brush -62- thereby cle-energizing the lamps previously energized and causing the energizing of the remaining lamps of both groups through a second bus wire 0' and its branch Wires e and 6' during the next half revolution of the disks -36- and -36- and next complete revolution of the pointers -15- thus completing the cycle of energizing of the lamps for both streets after which the operations will be repeated in the manner described.

In devices of this character it is desirable to operate an audible signal announcing to, the traic that al change of signals is aboutto take place and for this purpose is provided the electric bell annunciator 111- Which is alsocontrolled electrically by a part of the same switch member -60- through the medium of a. brush f and wire -f leading therefrom to the bell.

As shown in Figure 11, the conducting sleeve 60 is provided at its lower end with diametrically opposite extensions -gadapted to successively contact with the lbrush -7- as the sleeve is rotated, said extensions being preferably alined axially with the ends of the semi-circular segment of the sleeve -60- so as to close the bell circuit for a. relatively short period just b'efore the trailing end of said segment breaks contact with each of the brushgs 62- and -62- or just before the completion of each revolution of the pointers -15- around their respective dials at which time the change ,of visual signals in both groups of lamps is made7 and the bell circuit is broken to deenergize the bell and simultaneously energize the desired Stop and Go Signals while the disks 36 and -36- are making the next half revolution and the pointers are making their next complete revolution.

In order that the pointers may be visible, at night they are provided with suitable electric incandescent lamps -18- to Which current is supplied from the said wire -af through another bus wire -ffand branch wires fi so that these lamps may be continuously energized while the apparatus is in use. y

The motor 19- may be electrically connected across the main circuit -A- as diagrammatically shown in Figure 9 and provided With a switch -l9- for controlling the same, and mechanisms actuated thereby, and if desired, the bus wire L may also be provided with a switch -1.- by which the lights to the pointer lamps may also be controlled as desired.

As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the outer ends of the pointer shafts or spindles -16- are provided with collars -70- to rotateV therewith, each collar being provided with a pair of contact brushes -71- for engaging conducting rings -73- which are mounte on an insulating sleeve -75- secured to the adjacent bearings -17 said conducting rings being electrically connected in the branch circuits zlshown diagrammatically in Figure 9.

Operation The motor -19- being driven at constant ample, when the pointers approach their zero positions, the red lights -R- facing 1n opposite directions along one street and the green lights -G- facing in opposite directions along the other street will be energized to indicate Stop to the traffic along the first named street and permit it to Go along the other street the lights remaining energized during one complete revolution of the pointers from its zero or starting positions, and at the end of that complete revolution` the other sets of lamps will be energized during the next succeeding revolution of the pointers,

Athese operations being repeated as long as desired. I

On thev other hand, if it becomes necessary to change the duration of each complete revolution of the pointers it is simply necessary to adjust the disks -36- and -36- axially or radially with relation to the driving disk deo Q7- or these disks -36- and --86- may be adjusted to different planes to cause the pointers to travel through one complete revolution in one period of time and through the next complete revolution in a different period of time all of which renders the apparatus very flexible and adaptable for all traffic conditions Without special attention on the part of the attendant, except to see that the various parts are adjusted for the proper time intervall for maintaining visual signals according to the conditions of trafic at the junction of the streets at which the device is usually located, it being understood that immediately preceding eaclrsuccessive revolution of the pointers, froom their zero positions, the annunciator -14- will be automatically operated to indicate to the traffic the coming change in signal display which enables the public to be better prepared for instant Stop or Go movements.

Weu claim:

1. In a traffic signal, a dial, a. pointer movable around the dial, a motor, means for transmitting motion from the motor to the pointer including means adjustable at will for causing the pointer to move through successive revolutions at different speeds, a Stop signal and a. Go signal, and means for alternately energizing said signals at each revolution of the pointer.

2. In a traffic signal, a dial, a pointer movable around the dial, a motor, means for transmitting motion from the motor to the pointer including means adjustable at will for automatically changing the speed of movement of the pointer at the\end of each revolution, a Stop signal and a Go signal, and means for alternately energizing said signals at each revolution of the pointer.

3. In atrafiic signal, a dial, a pointer movable around the dial, a rotary driving member, a. rotary driven member, means for transmitting motion from the driven member to the pointer devices actuated by the driving member for alternately transmitting motion to the driven member first at one speed and then at a different speed, a Stop signal and a Go signal, and means for alternately energizing said signals at each revolution of the pointer.

4. In a traffic signal, a pointer movable around the dial, a motor, a rotary friction disk, means for transmitting motion from the motor to said disk, rotary shafts at opposite sides of the disk, means for transmitting motion from one of said shafts to the pointer, means for transmitting motion from one shaft to the other friction disks movable axially on said shafts and alternately engaging the first named disk for driving their respective shafts, a Stop signal and a Go signal, and means for alternately energizing said signals at each revolution of the pointer.

5. In a traflic regulator, a Stop-signal and a Go-signal, means including a rotary member for alternately operating said signals, and means for causing said member to travel rotarily a certain distance at one speed to operate one signal and an approximately equal distance at a different speed to operate the other signal. v

6. In a traffic regulator, a Stop signal and a Go signal, means including a rotary member for alternately operating said signals, and means for causing said member to travel rotarily a certain distance at one speed to operate one signal and an approximately equal distance at the same or at a different speed to operate the other signal. j 7 In a traffic signal, a dial, a pointer movable around the dial, a rotary driving member, rotary driven members having limited portions thereof movable alternately into driving engagement With the driving member during each revolution of said driven members, so that When one driven member is engaged with the driving member the other driven member will be out of engagement With said driving member, means for alternately moving said rotary members into engagement with said driving member, means for transmitting motion from said driven members to the pointer, and means for moving the driven members toward and from the axis of the driving member for varying the speeds of rotation of said driven members and the pointer actuated thereby.

8. In a traffic signal, a dial, a pointer movable around'the dial, a rotary driving friction disk, means for rotating said disk at a constant speed, rotary driven disks having means for alternately engaging opposite faces of the driving disk and adjustable radially thereof for varying their speed of rotation, means for transmitting rotary motion from the driven. disks to the pointer, and means for adjusting said driven disks axially independently of each other, each driven disk having means for alternately making and breaking Contact with the driving disk during each revolution of said driven'disk.

9. In a mechanism of the class described having a plurality of electrical signalling4 devices to be energized, the combination of a plurality of electric conductors operatively connected with said signalling devices, a r0- tative circuit-controller member, movable electric contacts operatively connected with and adapted to be moved by said rotative circuit-controller member into and out of conl member in a part of a continuous revolution relatively to the speed of movement of the same in another part of such revolution, for controlling the duration of signals.

10. In a mechanism of the class described having electrical signalling devices to be energized, the combination of a plurality of electric conductors operatively connected with said signalling devices, a rotative circuit-controller member, electric-contacts on and movable' with said rotative circuit-controller member into and out of electrical contactwith said electrical conductors in predetermined order, for making and breaking corresponding electric circuits in predetermined order, said movable contacts being adapted to be connected with a ,source of electric supply, and means for driving said rotative electric controller member, said driving means including means Jfor rotating said rotativemember, and means for varying the speed of rotation of such rotative circuit-controller member in a part ot its rotative movement relatively to the speed of rotation of the same in' lanother part of such rotative movemer t, for controlling the duration of signals.

11. In a mechanism of the class described having electric signalling devices to be energized, the combination of a plurality of electric conductors operatively connected with such signalling devices, a rotative circuit-controller member, electricV contacts on and movable with said rotative circuit-controller member into and out of contact with said electric conductors -in predetermined order, for making and breaking corresponding electric circuits in predetermined order, said movable contacts being adapted to he connected with a source of electric supply, and driving mechanism operatively connected with said rotative circuit-controller member, said driv- 'ing' mechanism including means for rotating said rotative circuit-controller member normally at progressively varying speeds in different parts of each continuous revolution, and comprising means for varying the speed of rotation of said ritative circuit-controller member in a part of a revolution relatively to the speed of rotation of the same in another part of such revolution, for controlling the duration of signals.

12. In a mechanism of the class described,

having a plurality of electrical signalling devices, the combination of a pluarlity of electric conductors operatively connected with Said signalling devices, a rotative circuit-controller member, means for rotatively supporting said circuit controller member, a plurality of electric contacts on and movable with said rotative circuit-controller member into and out of contact with said electric conductors in predetermined order, means for connecting the movable contacts with a source of electric sup-ply, and driving mechanism operatively connected with said rotative circuit-controller member, said driving mechanism including means for varying the speedof rotation of the rotative circuit-controller member in different parts nalling devices, a. rotative circuit-controlling member, a plurality of electric contacts on and movable with said rotative circuit-controller member into and out of contact with said electric conductors in predetermined order, for making and breaking electric circuits for controlling said signalling devices, anddriving mechanism operatively connected with said rotative circuitl controller member, for rotating the same, said driving mechanism inclu-ding a constant speed motor, and motor-driven Variable gearing operatively connected with and forming an operative connection between the motor and said rotative circuitcontroller member, and acting to automatically vary the speed of rotation of said rotative circuit-controller member relatively to the speed of the motor, for controlling the time relation between various signals.

14. In a mechanism of the class described, having a plurality of electrical signalling devices, the combination of a plurality of electric conductors operatively connected with said signalling devices, a rotative circuit-controller member adapted to be connected with a source of electric supply, means for rotatively supporting said circuitcontroller member, a plurality of electric contacts connected with and adapted to be moved by said rotative circuit-controller member into and out of contact with saidlelectric conductors 1n predetermined, order,

combination of a rotative electrically conductive 'drum member, means for rotatively l supportingsaid drum member, means for connecting said drum member with a source of electric supply, a series of segmental electric contacts on said drum, a series .of stationary electric conductors connected with said lamps and each located adjacent to the path of movementof and adapted to be engaged by a corresponding segmental contact on said drum, and driving mechanism for rotating said drum, said driving mechanism comprising a constant speed motor provided with a mot-or shaft, and connecting means forming a variable speed connection bctween said motor shaft and said drum, said connecting means including means for va rying the` speed of the drum during diii-erent parts of cach revolution of the same, whereby the time and the duration of the period of lighting the various lamps may be controlled.

16. In a mechanism of the class described, having a plurality of electric lamps, the combination of a rotative electrically conductive drum, means for rotatively supporting said drum, means for connecting said drum with a source of electric supply, a series of segmental electric contacts on said drum, a series of stationary electric conductors electrically connected with said lamps and each located adjacent to the path of movement of and adapted to be engaged and disengaged by a corresponding segmental contact on said drum, and drivingmechanism for rotating vsaid drum, said driving mechanism comprising a constant speed motor provided with an armature shaft, and variable speed connecting gear mechanism operatively connected with and forming a connection between said armature shaft andl drum, said connecting gear mechanism including means for varyj, said other switches,

ing the speed of the drum during different# parts of each revolution of the same, whereby the time relation between the duration of various signals maybe controlled.

17. In a mechanism of the class described, having a plurality of electric lamps to be intermittently lighted, the combination of a plurality of stationary electric conductors. each connected with a corresponding lamp and adapted toform a part of an electric circuit, a rotative circuit-controller member, a plurality of electric contacts on said rotative circuit-controller member and each adapted to be moved by the latter into and out of contact with a corresponding stationary electric conductor, for making and breaking a corresponding electric circuitwith which such stationary conductor is connected, means for connecting said movable contacts with a source of electric supply, and driving mechanism comprising a constant speed motor, for rotating said rotative circuit-controlling member, and motor-driven means for varying the relative speed of rotation of said circuit-controller member during diii'erent parts of each revolution of the same While maintaining the time for such complete revolution constant and unchanged, for automatically controlling the time of lighting the respective lamps and the duration ofthe periods of time during which the respective lamps continue lighted. v s

18. A switching mechanism comprising a motor, a plurality of switches, switch operating means driven by said motor for opening and closing said switches in a predetermined desired sequence, and common adjusting means included in said switch operating means for varying the time relation of operation between some of said switches and simultaneously with such adjustment varying the relative time of operation of another of said switches to maintain the desired sequence of operation.

19. A switching mechanism comprising a motor, three switches, switch operating means driven by s aid motor for opening and clos-- lng said switches in a predetermined desired sequence, one switch being opened and closed twice for each opening and closing of the other two switches and common means for adjusting the time relation between the operation of said last mentioned switches, and simultaneouslyJv adjusting the time of operation of said first mentioned switch to maintain the desired sequence of operation.-

20. A switching mechanism comprising a motor, a pair of switches, means driven by Said motor for substantially simultaneously opening one of said switches and closing the other and vice versa, a third switch, means driven by said motor for opening and closing said third switch in a predetermined time relation with each corresponding operation of and a common adjusting means for adjusting the relative duration of closure between said pair of switches and the time of operation of said third switch to naintain the said predetermined time rela- 1on. l

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 9th day of December, 1922. JOHN H. WALRATH.

KARL SCHWARTZ.

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