US1021725A

US1021725A - Point-rail-locking device.

Info

Publication number: US1021725A
Application number: US61354911A
Authority: US
Inventors: Victor H Nulle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1911-03-10
Filing date: 1911-03-10
Publication date: 1912-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 1929-03-26

Description

V. H. NULLE.

' POINT RAIL LOCKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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IN VEN TOR By i Anomvisv Patented Mar. 26, 1912.A

`VICTOR I-I. NUL-LE, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA.

POINTLRAIL-LOCKING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Flai'. 26d, 1912.

i YApplication mea March 1o, 1911. serial No. 613,549.

In street railway trackage there has come into universal use, the class of switch shown in Figure 1 of the annexed drawings. This standard switch is constructed and its sev keral parts are arranged substantially as shown and includes the separator block A to which the rails B and C are secured. The point rail D having its rear end connected in position pivotally, is capable of being shifted from the one side to the other of the space between the rails B and C', thereby closing or opening the track main line as the case may be. In orderthat the cars may at all times be operated safely over this switch,

and thatthe point rail may be protected.

against injury, it is essential that the' point rail should be so retained in place that it will not be accidentally dislodged or shifted from its operative position at engagement with'one or the other of the rails `B or C. I-Ieretofore there have been means devised for so retaining or holding this point rail, but I am not aware that any of such devices or invent-ions have proven to be practicable.

To be of utility or vreal use, a mechanism intended to accomplish the objects sought by devices of the character above referred to, should be simple in construction and composed of parts so constructed and arranged that the`device will be ruggedand durable andnot liable to become deranged or to get out of repair. Moreover the device should be capable of being applied easilyv and practically to switches that are already in use and with the expenditure of the mini-r mum amount of time and labor. y

To provide a mechanism whereby the above named advantages may be gained, are t-he objects of my invention.

These, and other objects which will be apparent as thek specification ofmy invention ris read, are accomplished by, and'my present invention consists of the new and improved construction, combination and arrangement of parts described in this speciication, dened in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The several'parts of my invention are designated in the different views by similar characters of reference.

Fig. l is a plan view, and Fig. Qis a side view showing a standard track switch equipped with my invention. Fig. 3 isY a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-#3 in Fig. yl. F ig. a is an end view of my improved point rail locking device removed from its operative position. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a view of the'cover plate removed and in inverted position. Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 7 7 in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a view showing a modified form of fastening means, and Fig. 9 show's a modification of the shift bar.

Broadly stated, my invention consists of a transverse bar supported slidablyin lposition and adapted to be connected to the underside of the point rail, the said bar having an angular tooth thereon, a detent to yieldingly maintain a pressure against the said tooth, and means whereby the distance between the connecting end of the shift bar and the center of said tooth may be varied. More specifically, the invention consists of the new and useful features and details of rtaining this adjustmenty is that shown in Fig. 5. In the outer end of the bar E is screwed a finger piece E2 consisting yof a threaded bar, the upturned end of which will engage a recess provided therefor in the underside Vof the point rail D. By this means, adjustment of the distance between the tooth El and vthe point rail is possible.

The frame support and housing for the shift bar and the detent F consists of a cast metal case having the walls G1, G2, G3 and GL formed integral with the bottom G. Guide studs I-I and H1 may be formed inte` gral with the bottom G, but preferably con-y sist of threaded pieces screwed into suitably threaded holes in the said bottom. On the studs H1 are the bearing rings H2. Between these pairs of studs and formed integral with the bottom G are the ridges G5 of rounded or angular form in cross section, so that the ways so formed for the shift bar will present the minimum of bearing surface. The guide studs J and J1 may be formed integral with the bottom G, but preferably consist of threaded pieces `screwed into suitably threaded holes in the said bottom. On the studs J1 are the bearing rings J2. Between the pairs of studs J and J 1 are ridges G*3 which together with the studs J1 and the rings J2 constitute guide ways for the detent F. The construction and arrangement of this detent will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 5. The forward end of this detent is square in cross section, and is retained between the rings J2; its lower face resting on one of the ridges G5. The body portion of this detent is round in cross section and disposed thereon is a coil spring K whose function will be presently referred to. The sleeve F1 arranged loosely on the rear end of the detent performs the function of a bearing to engage the guide studs J and constitutes a member between the nut F2 and the loose collar L whereby the position of the latter on the detent may be varied by manipulating the nut F2. The collar L1 bears against the forward portion of the detent. The sides of the collar L will bear against the studs J. By this construction it will be seen that the detent is free to move longitudinally but is held against transverse movement. The position to which the shift bar will be adjusted relative to the center line of the cle-tent, will be determined by the dist-ance through which that portion of the point rail where the finger piece is coni nected will be moved when the point rail is shifted to operate the switch. 1n this regard further reference will be made when the operation of my invention is described.

The features of construction of the casement whereby the foregoing parts may be practically held and sustained at operative position in combination with the track rail and point rail will now be pointed out. The wall G2 of the case is provided with the offset G7 of such depth that it will fit to the ball of the rail when the face of the said wall G2 is tightened against the web of the track or guard rail B. The lugs Gs are formed integral with the bottom of the case and will rest against the base of the flange of the track rail. On the ends of the case are formed the bifurcated ears G9. At the side or wall G1 of the case are provided feet G10 each of which has a recess for the reception of a spike or other fastening means. G11 designates an opening at the base of the wall G1, thus possibility of the accumulation of water in the case is obviated.

The cover plate h1 is provided with a pair of ridges M1 and a pair of ridges B12 on its under side. These ridges are so positioned that when the cover plate is at the position as shown in Fig. l, the ridges h 1 will register wit-h the tops of the studs H and H1 and will complete the guide ways for the shift bar E; and the ridges l 2 will register with the tops of the studs J and J1 and will complete the guideways for the detent F. The inner edges of the walls of the case are rabbeted, as shown in Fig. 2 so that the cover plate may be easily placed, and will be effectively retained at the closed position. It may be secured by suitable bolts N. The purpose in providing the openings O and P in the bottom of the case will presently be referred to.

This invention is capable of being applied to use at switches of varied styles and structure, and it is shown in this specification as applied to a switch of the most generally adopted type.

Very little work on the switch preparatory to installing this invention is necessary. The device may7 be located with reference to the positions of the cross ties Q, and the only work necessary on switch parts proper is to cut holes in the flange of the rail B for the reception of the bolts R. In case it may (by reason of the cross ties) be unhandy to use bolts R at the ends of the case, then they may be used at the holes P. Being disposed at an angle, as shown in Fig. et, the case when the bolts are tightened will be drawn and will be held to tight contact with the rail B. Spikes driven into the ties at the feet G10 will complete the fastening of the case into position.

There having been provided a channel A1 in the separator block A, and through the web of rail B, and a hole D1 in the underside of the point rail D, the installation of my invention may be completed. The rings H2 and J2 are first disposed on the studs H1 and J1 respectively. The shift bar is then inserted into position as shown in Fig. 5, the finger piece E2 coming into engagement with the hole D1. To make possible such final placement of this shift bar that the detent F constructed and arranged as shown, will operate to hold the rail at contact with one or the other of the track rails, is the function of the adjustable finger piece E2. When the final adjustment in the shift bar of the linger piece is had, the point rail and the tooth E1, each will be at central or neutral position.

A desirable slope for the sides of the tooth E1 is that shown at Fig. 5, and the tooth is of such depth that when the shift bar is at either of the eXtreme positions of its movement, there will be a bearing of the wheel F2 against one side of the tooth and at a location between the point and base thereof. With the placement and securing in position of the cover plate M, the ridges M1 and M3 complete the guide ways for the shift bar and the detent, and the device is complete.

A point rail locking device constructed in accordance with my invention is capable of such adjustment, and of being so easily se* cured in posit-ion that it is adaptable to form part of the equipment of any style of track switch employing the point rail. By virtue of the adjustability of the shift bar and of its arrangement relatively to the yieldable holding member which operates to urge the point rail in one direction or the other at all times, it is possible to rig the invention at any point desired with reference to the location of the cross ties or other form of structure or material upon which the rails are supported. Comparatively small work on the switch structure is needed preparatory to installing my invention. All of the partsy are strong and durable, the work of construction and installation is simple, and there being only a small amount of machine work necessary, the invention may be manufactured very economically.

Another important result of my invention is that it serves as an effective drain; the water and slush of the switch will have egress through the channel A1 and will flow over the bottom of the case, and out through the opening G11. In the cover plate are provided holes M3 through which lubricant may be introduced to lubricate the guide ways'of the shift bar and the detent, and the tooth El.

A modified form of means whereby the desired adjustability between the point rail and the center line of the tooth is shown at Fig. 9. The shift bar has a plain outer end provided with a studlli to engage the point rail and the tooth E5 is capable of being moved to and held at different adjusted positions on the shift bar.

In the work of installing this invention should it occur thatl it would not be so convenient to use the ears G9, then the bolts R would be passed through the holes P in the bottom of the case. Still another manner of fastening the case in place in engagement with the rail is shown in the modification at Fig. 8, wherein turnbuolle tie-rods S have their hook ends to engage the flange of the rail B and thel holes O of the bottom of the case. When my invention is to be applied to a switch composed of a rail B of height or proportion different from the one shown herein, alteration of the depth of the lugs G8 and of the feet Glo and change in the shape of the offset G7 will be made accordingly.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a track switch,`the combination of a easement having an open top and adapted to have its side secured adjacent to the guard rail, pairs of studs rising from the bottom of said easement there being intermediate ridges on the said bottom at each pair of studs, friction rings on the guide studs, a transverse shift bar between said studs and having its one end to pass through the guard rail and having connection with the point rail, and being provided with a triangular tooth, a second set of studs rising from the bottom of the easement, friction rings on the forward pair of these last named studs, a detent disposed between the said studs, and at alinement to register with the center of the tooth when the point V`rail is in neutral position, a friction wheel at the forward end of said detent, a spring to press said detent forwardly, and against said tooth, a cover yplate' for said easement, having pairs of ridges on its under side to register with f the tops of the said pairs of guide studs.

2. "In a track switch, the combination of a easement to be secured adjacent to the rail, pairs of studs rising from the bottom of said easement, friction rings on the said studs, a transverse shift bar between said studs and having connection with the point rail, a triangular tooth on the side of said bar, a second set of studs rising from the bottom of the easement, friction rings on the forward pair of these studs, a detent disposed between the said studs and at alinement to register with thecenter of the tooth when the point rail is at neutral position, a friction wheel at the forward end of said detent, a spring to press said detent forwardly and against said tooth, and means to adjust the tension of said spring.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VICTOR I-I. NULLE.

Vitnesses:

EMMA TURNER, MARY E. NULLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, ID. C.