US2259447A - Journal box assembly - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 21, 1941. D. s. BARROWS ET AL JOURNAL BOX ASSEMBLY 3. Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1939 Oct. 21, 1941 D. s. BARROWS ET AL JOURNAL BOX ASSEMBLY Filed June 5, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 6/. ENN F. (7000 Oct. 21, 1941' D. s. BARROWS ET AL 2,259,447

JOURNAL BOX ASSEMXBLY 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 5, 1959 amen 143065 DON/7L0 ,5: BFEE'OWS 62 (s/v/v 7 Coach Patented Oct. 21, 1941 JOURNAL BOX ASSEMBLY Donald S. Barrows and Glenn F. Couch, Roches: ter, N. Y., assignors to The Symington-Gould Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application June 5, 1939, Serial No. 277,499

22 Claims.

The invention relates to journal box assemblies and more particularly to a movable lid construction adapted to close an access opening in a journal box.

An object of the present invention is the provision, in a journal box assembly, of an arrangement of instrumentalities which effectively and positively forms a lid for an access opening or aperture in a journal box; the elements forming the assembly being so constructed and arranged that forces are directly applied to a central portion of a journal box cover with means associated therewith to maintain the forces under all service conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a journal box having an access opening closed by an arrangement of elements interlocked with the journal box at oppositely spaced positions.

It is of common knowledge that after a journal box has been in service for a period of time the lever or spring engaging surface of the hinge lug wears to such a degree that the spring pressure or force tending to urge the cover against the journal box has been materially diminished or decreased, and it, therefore, follows that the lidstructure thus becomes less eiiective for the purpose designed. It is, therefore, a further ob ject of the invention to provide a journal box having an access opening and a hinging lug, a lid structure pivotally connected to the hinging lug and comprising a cover for closing the'access opening, an energized spring means incorporated in the lid structure to urge the cover against the journal box, and an auxiliary or latch means associated with the lid and journal box at a location spaced from the hinge lug to further or additionally energize the spring means and thereby materially increase the pressure of the cover against the journal box without the introduction of additional spring means. Hence, as will be clearly pointed out in the succeeding description, a relatively light spring may be employed to urge the cover against the journal box, and by the employment of the present association and relation of parts it is possible to obtain a cover pressure in the instant structure of increased magnitude as compared with the journal box assemblies currently in use.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a journal box structure, of an articulated lid for covering an access opening in a journal box, the lid comprising means for energizing a resilient element for increasing forces applied to a central portion of a cover so as to maintain the cover in storm-proof engagement with the journal box.

A feature of the invention is the provision of an arrangement of means associated with a journal box for closing an access opening therein and including a cover having an outwardly opening socket adjacent the central portion thereof, lever means bearing against the journal box and having a lower ball-shaped extremity seated in the lid socket'so as to permit universal movement between the cover and lever, a closure arm piv-' otally connected to the journal box, means extending outwardly from the cover adjacent the central 'sockethaving an elongated aperture therein, and pintle means removably associated with the closure armand extending through the elongated aperture; the closurearni being movable relatively to the cover in a direction inwardly and outwardly thereof.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a latch means pivotally associated with an extremity of the closure arm adapted to be interlocked with the journal. box, and resilient means for retaining the latch in journal boxengaging position.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a treadle or pedal on a lower extremity ofv the closure arm for engagement to urge it toward the journal box and facilitate either the engagement of the latch with the journal box or displacement of the latch from journ'al'box engag'ement.

The above objects and features of the invention as well as numerous others will become apparent from an inspection of the accompanying drawings which disclose, in various views, an exemplification of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of a journal box assembly embodyinga form of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 22'of Figure 1, looking ni the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3. is a view somewhat similar to Figure 2 but showing a latch mechanism out of interlocking engagement with a journal box.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the lines 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a substantially horizontal sectional View taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6' is a substantially vertical sectional view taken along the lines 66 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view of the journal box cover taken along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1; the cover being removed from the assembled structure to more clearly illustrate the construction.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the spring lever taken along the lines 22 of Figure 1; the lever being removed from the assembled structure so as to clearly illustrate the details of construction.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherepositive in its operation, and composed of rela-' tively few elements. journal box 2, only a portion of which is illustrated, formed by aroof or top wall 3, a bottom wall 4 spaced vertically from the top wall, and horizontally spaced side walls extending between and joining the top and bottom walls to define a forward access opening therebetween. Positioned adjacent the forward extremity of the journal box roof is an upstanding, integrally formed, apertured hinging lug 6 centrally disposed intermediate the planes of the side walls.

A lid structure 1 is arranged for pivotal move ment relatively to the journal box and adapted to form an efiective seal at the access opening extremity of the box to thereby exclude water or foreign substance of any nature or character from the interior of the box as well as arrest the escape or unwarranted passage of the journal lubricating medium from the interior of the box.

Forming a component part of the lid structure is a cover or closure member 8 adapted to be positioned in bearing relation with the journal box surfaces defining the access opening to spread over or form a shield for the forward or outer entrance of the box. The portion of the cover within the planes of the box walls is preferably substantially arcuate in form or crowned or bulged outwardly of the journal box, as at 9, to terminate adjacent the central portion of the cover in an outwardly opening cup-shaped spherically formed socket lEl. Among other advantages gained in crowning the central portion of the cover, is a lightening of the structure since a web of lesser thickness is permissible in the present structure as compared with a web of a cover which is disposed in a single plane for its entire extent.

Movably associated with the cover is a spring lever II, which may be of cast form, comprising transversely spaced side flanges l2 joined adjacent their upper extremities by means of a plate I3 which bears against a forwardly facing surface I4 on the hinging lug. The plate is angularly disposed to the surface l4 so that a line contact is presented between the lever and hinging lug adjacent an upper or extreme end of the lever to thereby exert a force adjacent the other or lower extremity of the lever. The lower extremities of the side flanges merge into a spherically formed, ball-like, protuberance or extension l5 which projects toward the cover and is correspondingly formed with the socket H) to nest in the socket and provide for equalizing, adjusting or articulating movement of the cover with respect to the lever. By reason of this particular construction, the cover, when the lid is in closed or illustrated position, can assume a full bearing relation with the surfaces defining the opening into the journal box and thereby fully and adequately perform the function for which it is intended. The extension !5 is preferably made as a frustum of a sphere to thereby contain a plain web I6 which defines the outer limit of a pocket ll forming, if desired, a receptacle for a lubricating medium. The formation of the web l6 also insures, without a great degree of accuracy in manufacturing the lever and cover to thereby allow a greater range of manufacturing tolerances, a surface bearing of appreciable area between the protuberance and socket to defeat any The assembly comprises a v tendency of a vertical movement of the cover in closed position clue to vibratory forces transmitted thereto as the result of wheels of a railway vehicle (not shown) passing over irregularities in the supporting rails or contiguous or associated ends of the rails (not shown).

Forming a component part of the lid structure is a hood, actuating member or closure arm I8; generally of U- or channel-shape in horizontal cross section (see Figure 4) and comprising a web l9 spaced a desired distance outwardly from the lever and cover. The lateral edges of the web merge into horizontally spaced side flanges or leg's' '20 directed toward the cover to terminate short of the cover and thereby provide a clearance therebetween for a free unrestricted movement of the closure arm toward or away from the cover. The upper extremity of the web 19 is directed toward the journal box in an angularly disposed top flange 2| which overlies the journal box hinging lug in spaced relation to form a protective ledge at the top of the hood or closure arm. The side flanges, adjacent their upper extremities, are spaced horizontally to be closely associated with and embrace the journal box hinging lug. The lid structure is pivotally connected to the journal box, and to accomplish this purpose there are outwardly extending hinging ears or ferrules 22 formed integrally with the side flanges and provided with apertures 23 communicating with the interior of the hood or closure arm to be in substantial alignment with the aperture of the hinging lug. A headless pin or rod 24 extends through and outwardly from the hinging lug to have the ends thereof positioned in or accommodated by the ear apertures.

Upstanding from the cover on opposite sides of the hinging lug are integrally formed cup-shaped members 25 which partially overlie and house the hood ears, and in this manner when the hood or closure arm is in its outermost or illustrated position relatively to the lug the members 25 overlie the extremities of the pin to prevent an unwarranted displacement or longitudinal movement of the pin. Sufficient clearance is provided between the members 25 and hood ears to enable the cover to move freely with respect to its associated structure. The hood ears are reinforced by means of gussets 26 which extend laterally of the hood from the free extremities of the side flanges along the major portion thereof.

In order to maintain the cover against the lid seating surfaces of the journal box, when the structure is in service, a spring means of any nature or character is interposed between and reacts against the hood and lever. In the instant embodiment the spring means takes the form of a helical or coil spring 21 positioned intermediate the hinging lug and lever hood connection to thereby urge the lower extremity of the lever inwardly toward the journal box and maintain the cover in journal box engagement. The inner extremity of the spring means is retained in operable position by means of a U-shaped spring seat 28 which extends between and is formed integrally with the spaced side flanges [2 of the lever, while the outer extremity of the spring is surrounded by an annular ring-like flange 29 extending inwardly of the structure from the hood web l9 to form a spring centering means. As will be noted, the spring means urges the upper extremity of the lever against the hinging lug, and when the lid is pivoted to open position (not shown) the plate l3 will engage an upwardly facing surface 30 of the hinging lug throughout an area of appreciable extent to maintain the lid in open position without theintervention of any additional structure or 'particularly formed elements.

Various methods, means and'instrumentalities may be employed to retain the hood or closure arm, lever and cover in assembled relation, but the instant connection has been constructed with the thought in mind of allowing a continued movement of the hood toward the cover after an initial relation of parts when the cover is first brought into contact with the journal box upon moving the cover from an open to a closed or illustrated position. The disclosed connection also provides for the creation of frictional forces to retain a substantially constant relation between the cover and lever when the lid is being moved from open to closed position, and by reason of this relationship the cover will be returned to the original or the same seating position on the box as it assumed before it was removed or displaced.

. As an exemplification of the above connection, there is disclosed a hook 3| in each lever side flange adjacent the lower extremity thereof having an arcuate slot or substantially U-shaped aperture 32 opening outwardly of the lid structure toward the hood or closure arm. The center line of each aperture, indicated diagrammatically by the .dot and dash line A--A is substantially coaxial with the pin 24. The lever hook desirably tak-esthe form of the ball 15, as viewed from the front (see Figure 1), so as not to interfere with an articulate movement of the cover. Positioned outwardly of and in the close proximity to each lever hook is an eyelet, link or extension 33 formed integrally with the cover on either side of the socket If]. The links are spaced horizontally of the cover and extend to within the closure arm to terminate in advance of the web 19 so as not to interfere with an inward movement of the closure arm. The links have arcuate elongated apertures 34 the center lines of which coincide substantially with the center lines of the hook apertures for the purpose to be hereinafter explained.

'Extending horizontally through the hook and link apertures is a tubular, hinging or retaining member or pintle 35 which projects through suitably aligned orifices or holes 35in the closure arm side flanges. The orifices are flared adjacent their outer extremities so as to permit a corresponding flaring of the associated end of the pintle to thereby lock the pintle in position, thus eliminating the introduction of nuts, cotters or other extraneous elements to retain the pintle in a predetermined. and assembled relation with the associated elements. It will be observed by referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3 that, by reason of the particular disposition of the apertures 32 and 34, the pintle may pass through an are about the hinging pin 24 without being fouled by the lever or cover links to permit a free unrestricted movement of the pintle and closure arm within certainpredetermined limits. Sufficient clearanceis provided between the pintle .35 and cover links to allow a desired rotative and pivotal movement of the cover with respect to the lever and closure arm. When the lid is manipulated from the position illustrated in Figure 2 to that disclosed by Figure3 it will be observed that the cover remains in intimate contact with the journal box, and the relationship between the lever and cover remains the same. The .pintle 35, carried by the closure arm, moves outwardly in a direction away from the journal box until'it reaches the outer limits of the link apertures 34, at which time and upon a continued movement of the closure arm in a clockwise direction the links will be picked up by the pintle to carry the cover away from the journal box to open position. Since the lever apertures 32 are open-ended, particular reference being had to Figure .8, a clockwise movement of the pintle will not carry the lever ball out ,of the cover socket, and by reason of the spring 27 reacting against .the closure ,arm and lever, frictional forces will be created on the engaging surfaces of the ball and socket to hold the cover, throughoutthe entire range of opening and closing move- ,ment, in the same position, relatively to the lever, as itassumed while in engagement with the journal-boxso that it may be returned to the same position on the journal box. The beneficial result attained will be appreciated when it is borne in mind that after a lid structure has been placed in service for a length of time the cover will seat itself on the journal box to positively seal the access opening. ,It, therefore, becomes importantto return a displaced cover to its original seat on the journal box, and by reason of the illustrated and described construction this result will be accomplished without a manipulation of the cover by an operator,

,,,So as to arrest the rotative movement of the cover with respect to the lever and associated structureafter a predetermined movement thereof. thejhood-is formed with a plurality of integral 1 shoes or inwardly extending shoulders 37 each having an upwardly facing cylindrical concave surface 38 coaxial with respect to the apertures 32 and 34. The surfaces 38 are spaced from a correspondingly formed cylindrical convex lower surface 39 on each of the cover links 33 which are substantially coaxial with respect to the coversurfaces 38, thereby enabling the hood to .move freely inwardly and outwardly of the journal box with respect to the cover as well as forming definite and positive means to limit a rotative cover action.

In order to make the seal at the access opening storm-proof so as to prevent the ingress of foreign substance to within the journal box during severe climatic conditions, an additional means has been provided to assist the previously recited structure-inincreasing the pressure at or adjacent the central portion of the cover, As previously indicated in connection with the above recited objects of the invention, auxiliary means is provided to additionally energizethe spring or resilient means so as to amplify the forces normally exerted by the spring means and accordingly increase the forces urging the cover inengagement with the journal box. These increased forces, as will be observed, are maintained throughout all service conditions and without any diminution thereof as the result of wear taking place on the engaging surfaces of the hinging lug and lever plate or .at any other surface engagement between the component partsof the lid structure. It is quite possible with the instant structure to develop a greater force than that heretofore developed, acting perpendicular to the journal box along the .entire periphery of the cover with a lighter spring than those in structures currently in use.

As an exemplification of the above, the actuating arm is extended below the lower extremity of the associated cover with the web portion thereof ,being curved,downwardly and outwardly so as to present a suitable-treadle or pedal 40 to be engage'd by a foot of an operator for urging the lower extremity of'the closure arm or actuating member inwardly toward the journal box for the pure pose to be hereinafter explained. The outer surfaceof the tieadle is roughened in any manner or fluted, as at 40?, so that the operators foot stood and if found desirable, be removably secured.

to the journal box. The latch may take various forms to accomplish the desired result and, as an illustrative form, the disclosed latch comprises a bail-like member or yoke 43 formed by horizontally spaced "fingers 44 removed from each other a sufficient distance to permit the entrance of the associated lug therebetween. The fingers are joined adjacent one or the outer extremity thereof by a connecting rib 45 which is substantially triangular in vertical cross section to present an inclined-surface 46 adapted to engage a correspondingly formed surface 41 on thelug so that, upon a movement of the closure arm from the position illustrated in Figure 3 to the position disclosed by Figure 2, the latch will be urged in a clockwise direction until the connecting rib 45 passes over the lug to be positioned in the rear =of the lug and thereby retains the associated'extremity of the closure arm in a predetermined position. The fingers of the yoke extend to a position intermediate'the closure arm side flanges with the free extremities thereof provided with apertures 48 in alignment with correspondingly formed apertures 49 in the hood side flanges. The apertures 48 and 49 accommodate a pivot means, pin or axle 50 about which the latch is arranged to rotate. The pin 50, like the pintle 35, is of tubular formation, and since the outer extremities of the apertures 49 are flared, as at the associated ends of the pin are correspondingly flared to thereby lock the pin in position.

Means has been provided to retain the latch, when disengaged from the lug, in lug interlocking position without the necessity of a manual manipulation by the operator as well as retain the latch in interlocked relation with the lug during service. To the accomplishment of the above, an abutment or foot 52 is formed integrally with and upstands from the latch fingers adjacent the pin extremities thereof to bear against the adjacent portion of the closure arm 50 as to limit or arrest the rotative movement of the latch in a counterclockwise direction beyond a predetermined or desired position. Extending in a downward direction from the latch fingers intermediate their ends is a bifurcated engageable means or winglike formation 53 which is positioned in the rear of and extends laterally beyond the limits of the treadle to form a means which may be engaged by'a hook or packing iron (not shown) to rotate the latch in a clockwise direction so as to disengage the latch yoke from the lug 42. The latch yoke is retained in normal position or interlocked with the lug 42 by means of a resilient element which may be of any design orcharacter and represented in the instant structure by a torsion spring 54 having spaced coils or convolutions 55 circumambient the pin 50 which anchors the spring in position. The convolutions arejoined by an intermediate leg 56 bearing or reacting against the engageable means to urge the latch in a counter-clockwise direction about the pin, and the outer or free extremities of the spring convolutions terminate in downwardly directed end legs 51 which react against the rear portion of the treadle.

By reason of the illustrated latch construction, which merely exemplifies the invention and by no means is intended as a limitation, the spring 21 can be additionally energized after an initial engagement of the journal box by the cover to increase the pressure applied to the central portion of the cover, and this pressure is maintained throughout all service conditions,

Various changes and alterations may be made to the illustrated and described structure without departing fromv Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

- We claim:

1. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having spaced lugs, an articulated lid comprising a cover extending over an access opening in said journal box and having a centrally disposed socket, a lever having one end bearing against one of said lugs and another end extending into and correspondingly formed with said socket, a closure arm having one end thereof pivotally connected to said lever engaged lug, spring means reacting against said closure arm and lever, and latch means pivotally connected to another end of said closure arm and inter- ].ccked with the other of said lugs to additionally energize said spring means.

'2. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, a closure arm pivotally connected to said lug, a cover extending over an access opening in said journal box and having a centrally disposed socket, a lever interposed between said cover and closure arm, one end of said lever bearing against said lug and another end of said lever correspondingly formed with and positioned in said socket to provide an articulated movement between said cover and lever, spring means reacting against said closure arm and lever for urging said cover against said journal box, spaced links upstanding from said cover adjacent said socket, spaced hooks formed on said lever and positioned between said links, and pintle means secured to said closure arm and extending through said links and hooks, whereby upon an opening movement of said closure arm said cover will be carried away from said journal box through said links and said cover and lever will maintain a substantially constant relation.

3. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, a closure arm pivotally connected to said lug, a cover bearing against said journal box, a lever extending between and bearing against said hinging lug and cover, spring means reacting against said closure arm and lever for urging said cover against said journal box, spaced links outstanding from said cover, spaced hooks formed on said lever and interposed between said links, and a pintle secured to said closure arm and extending through said links and hooks; said pintle after a predetermined opening movement of said closure arm engaging said links to carry said cover away from said journal box and said cover maintaining a substantially constant relation with said lever throughout the entire range of its opening and closure movement,

4. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, a closure arm pivotally connected to said lug, a cover bearing against said journal box, a lever extending between and bearing against said hinging lug and cover, said cover being universally associated with said lever, spring means reacting against said closure arm and lever for urging said cover against said journal box, spaced links outstanding from said cover, spaced hooks formed on said lever and interposed between said links, a pintle secured to said closure arm and extending through said links and hooks, and latch means pivotally connected to said closure arm and interlocked with said journal box for further energizing said spring means.

5. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having spaced lugs, a cover bearing against said journal box adapted to cover an access opening therein, a lever having its ends bearing against one of said lugs and a central portion of said cover, a closure arm pivotally connected to said lever engaged lug, resilient means reacting against said closure arm and lever, latch means pivotally connected to said closure arm and interlocked with the other of said lugs,

and spring means retaining said latch in a predetermined position.

6. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having spaced lugs, a cover bearing against said journal box, a closure arm pivotally connected to one of said lugs, spring means associated with said closure arm for urging said cover against said journal box, a treadle formed on said closure arm spaced from said pivotal connection, latch means movably connected to said closure arm adjacent said treadle, said latch means being normally interlocked with the other of said lugs for energizing said spring means, and resilient means associated with said closure arm and latch for maintaining said latch in lug engaging position.

'7. Ina journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having spaced lugs, a cover bearing against said journal box, a closure arm pivotally connected to one of said lugs, spring means associated with said closure arm for urging said cover against said journal box, a pedal formed on said closure arm spaced from said pivotalconnection, latch means rotatably connected to said closure arm adjacent said pedal, said latch means being normally interlocked with the other of said lugs for energizing said spring means, and means formed on said latch extending beyond the limits of said pedal so that upon ,forces being applied to said pedal said means may be engaged to rotate said latch and disconnect it from the associated lug.

8. In a, journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having spaced lugs, an articulated lid, pivotally connected to one of said lugs and comprising a closure arm, a pedal formedon saidt closure arm adjacent an extremity thereof, a latch'pivotally connected to said closure arm adjacent said pedal and interlocked with the other of said lugs, means on said latch abutting said closure arm for limiting the pivotal movement of said latch, and spring means reacting against said closure arm and latch for retaining said latch in a predetermined position.

.9. In a journal box assembly, in combination, 7

a journal box having spaced lugs, an articulated lid pivotally connected to one of said lugs and comprising a closure arm, a pedal formed on said closure arm adjacent an extremity thereof, a

latch pivotallyconnectedto said closure arm adjacent said pedal. and interlocked with the other of said lugs, a foot on said latch abutting said "closure arm for limiting the pivotal movement of said latch in one direction, and spring means associated with said closure arm and latch for preventing an unwarranted pivotal movement of the latch in the opposite direction. 10. Ina journal box assembly, in combination, a journal. box having spaced lugs, an articulated lid pivotally connected to one of said lugs and comprising a closure arm, a latch pivotally connected to said closure arm and having spaced fingers connected at one extremity by a web, a tapered surface on said web adapted to engage a correspondingly formed surface on the other of said lugs for a displacement of said latch upon a closing movement of said lid and to effect an interlock between said latch and associatedlug, and spring means reacting against said closure arm and, latch for, maintaining said latch in a predetermined position.

11. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug and an access opening, a cover adapted ,to close, said access opening and provided with a centrally disposed,- outwardly facing socket, spaced links formed on said cover adjacent said socket and having elongated apertures, a leverlhaving one extremity thereof, bearing against said hinging links for moving said cover away from said journal box while the cover maintains a substantially fixed relation with the lever throughout the entire range of its opening and closing movement.

12. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, an

articulated lid comprising a cover normally hearing against said journal box and having a centrally disposed socket, links formed in said cover adjacent said socket .having elongated apertures,

.a lever having one end thereof bearing against .said hinging lug and another end'formed as a ball positioned withinsaid socket, hooks having -U- shaped apertures formed on said lever adjacent said ball, a hood positioned outwardly of said cover, spring means reacting against said lever and hood, a 'pin extending through said hinging lug and hood, pintle'means carried by said hood and extending through all of said apertures, said pintle, after a predeterminedopening movement of said lid, being adapted to engage said links for moving said cover away from said journal box, andsaid apertures having center lines thereof coaxial with said pin.

13; In a journal box assembly, in combina- 'tion, a5 journal box having a hinging lug, an 'articulatedlid comprising a cover provided with a'centrally disposed socket, a lever having one end bearing against said hinging lug and another end formed as a ball and positioned within said socket, hooks formed on said lever adjacent said ball end, links formed on said cover and positioned outwardly of. said books, a hood one end of which is pivotally connected to said hinging lug, a coil spring acting between said hood and an intermediate portion of said lever, a pintle carried by said hood and extending through said hooks andlinks, and means associated with said hood for energizing said coil spring.

14.. As an article of manufacture, a cover for a journal box comprising a crowned web terminating adjacent the central portions thereof in an outwardly facing spherical socket, spaced links outstanding from said cover adjacent said socket, and elongated apertures in said links each having a center line substantially coaxial with respect to a hinging "pin of an associated journal box.

15. As an article of manufacture, a cast lever comprising spaced arms joined adjacent one extremity by a plate, a substantially spherical member formed adjacent the other extremity of said arms, a springseat connecting said arms intermediate the ends thereof, and said arms adjacent said spherical member forming U- shaped means opening away from said spherical member. 1

16. In a journal box assembly, in combination, Y

a journal box having a hinging lug, a coverbearing against said journal box adapted to close an access opening therein, a closure. arm pivotally connected to said hinging lug and extending across said cover, a, relatively light energized) spring means: associated with said closure arm and urging said cover againstv said journal box, and means connecting said journal box and closure arm at a position spaced from said hinging lug for further energizing said spring means.

1'7. In a journal box assembly, in combination,

a journal box having a hinging lug, a hood pivotally connected tosaid lug by means of a hinging pin, a cover bearing against said journal box, a lever extending between and bearing against said hinging lug and cover, said cover being movably associated with said lever, spring means reacting against said hood and lever for urging said cover against said journal box, spaced links outstanding from. said cover, spaced hooks formed on said lever and interposedv between said links, aligned arcuate apertures in said hooks and links substantially coaxial with said hinging pin, a pintle secured to said hood andv extending through. said ,arcuate apertures, shoulders formed on said hood having a concave surface 00- axial with said apertures, and a convex surface formed on said links spaced from and substantially coaxial with said concave surfaces for limiting the movement of said cover with respect to saidhood.

18. In a journal box assembly, in combination,

a journal box having a lug extending therefrom,

a cover bearing against said journal box adapted to close an accessopening therein, a pivotally mounted actuating arm positioned outwardly of said cover, means reacting against the central portion of said cover, an initially energized spring interposed between said actuating arm and.

"means, a latch pivotally connected to an extremity of said actuating armiand adapted to interlock with said lug for additionally energizing said springa torsion springreacting against said actuating arm and latch for resisting rotative movement of said latch in one direction, and a web formed integrally with said actuating arm for arresting movement of said latch; said torsion spring and web being'adapted to maintain said latch in' lug engaging position.

19. In a journal box assembly, in combination,

a journal box having a hinging lug, an articulated lid comprising a freely movable cover closing an access opening in said journal box, means movably associated with said hinging lug and a central portion of said cover, an actuating arm pivotally connected to said hinging lug, an energized spring acting between and bearing against said actuating arm and means, a pintle carried by said actuating arm and extending through a portion of said cover, a latch pivotally connected to said actuating arm for additionally energizing said spring, a locking lug formed on said journal box spaced from said hinging lug and engaging said latch, and means associated with said latch for maintaining it in locking lug engaging position.

20. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having spaced lugs, an articulated lid comprising a freely movable cover closing an access opening in said journal box, an actuating arm extending across said cover and having one end thereof pivotally connected to one of said lugs, an energized spring acting between said actuating arm and cover for retaining the latter against said journal box, a latch pivotally connected to said actuating arm adjacent another end thereof and interlocked with the other of said lugs for additionally energizing said spring, meansengaging said latch, and means resisting movement of said latch in on direction, all of said means being adapted to maintain said latch in lug engaging position.

21. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug extending therefrom, a cover bearing against said journal box adapted to close an access opening therein, a pivotally mounted actuating member positioned outwardly of said cover, a lever member reacting against the central portion of said cover, an initially energized spring interposed between said lever member and actuating member, a post outstanding from said cover having an elongated aperture therein, the center line of which is substantially coaxial with a pin connecting said cover to said hinging lug, a pintle carried by one of said members extending through said post aperture for connecting said actuating member, lever member and cover together, and latch means pivotally secured to said actuating member adapted to be interlocked with another lug on said journal box for further energizing said spring means.

22. In a journal box assembly, in combination, a journal box having a hinging lug, an articulated lid comprising a freely movable cover closing an access opening in said journal box, an actuating arm spaced outwardly of said cover and having an extremity thereof pivotally connected to said hinging lug, a normally energized spring means acting between said actuating arm and cover for urging the latter against said journal box, means on said actuating arm underlying a portion of said cover for limiting downward movement of said cover, a detent on said journal box, latch means pivotally connected to said actuating arm and interlocked with said detent for additionally energizing said spring means, resilient means adapted to maintain said latch means in detent engaging position, and means on said actuating arm for limiting rotation of said latch in one direction.

DONALD S. BARRON/VS: GLENN F. COUCH.

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