US1021745A - Train-order-catching device. - Google Patents

Description

P. J. ROLFVE.

TRAIN ORDER GATGHING DEVICE. 7 APPLICATION FILED NOV. 24, 1911.

" 1,021,745 r PatentedMar.26,1912.

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WITNESSES MOM [N VEN T OR COLUMBIA ruuoalums C0,, WASHINGTON, D. c.

I Atlorney FRANK J'- ROLFE, OF MCCOOK, NEBRASKA.

TnAIN-oRnER-oATcHING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 26, 1912.

Application filed November 24, 1911. Serial N 0. 662,159.

To all whom it may concern:

citizen of the United States, residing at McCook, in the county of Red Willow and State of Nebraska, have invented new and useful Improvements in Train-Order-Catching Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to devices for catching and holding train orders.

It is at present the general practice for the fireman to stand upon the step of the locomotive cab and thrust an arm through the loop of the hoop, to which the train orders are fastened, as he passes the same. This practice has proven dangerous, however, inasmuch as the fireman is sometimes struck and injured by obstacles located in his path.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simple and convenient device, whereby train orders can be secured without thus exposing the fireman or other train operative to the dangers above set forth.

' A simple embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device, and Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

As disclosed, the device comprises a handle staff 3 having a handle grip 4 at one end, and having a train order catching arm 5 secured to its other end, and projecting at an acute angle forwardly therefrom. This arm 5 is preferably braced by corner pieces 6 of sheet metal, which are bolted or riveted, as shown at 7 to the staff and arm, thus rigidly securing the. latter to the former. In order to absorb the shock that is apt to be imparted to the device upon its engagement with the hoop of the train order holder, a cushion strip 8 of rubber or other yielding material is located in the angle formed by the staif and arm, and is secured to the inner sides of the same.

For the purpose of retaining the orders on the device when they have been caught, yielding fingers 9 are'employed, and are secured to the staif and arm. These fingers are preferably formed of wire which are passed through the parts, and have their ends bent against the same, as illustrated.

l The said fingers bridge the space between Be it known that I, FRANK J. RoLFE, a-

the staff and arm and have their free ends overlapped. 'In order to secure the desired resiliency, they are preferably coiled, as shown at 10, adjacent to the staff and arm. If desired for night service and on trains having modern equipment, an electric lamp 11 may be mounted on the handle staff 3, a suitable bracket 12 being employed for the purpose.

The manner of using the device, it is believed, will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The fireman or other operative who is to'catch the order, holds the same by means of the handle grip with the staff extending rearwardly and outwardly from the locomotive. As he passes the holder for the train order, the free end of the arm 13 enters the hoop, which causes the arms 9 to springbackwardly, as indicated in dotted lines, and the hoop will consequently enter and be retained in the pocket formed by the staff 3 and arm 5. It is then manually released therefrom. With this device, the operator does not have to expose himself to any danger in making the transfer.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion and minor details of construction, may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fullydescribed my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A manually operated train order catcher, comprising a handle staff having-a grip at one end, and a substantially straight forwardly and outwardly extending catching arm projecting from the rear end of the staff and disposed at an acute angle thereto.

2. A manually operated train order catcher, comprising a handle stalf, an 'outwardly extending catching arm carried thereby, retaining means extending into the space between the staff and arm, and a cushion located in the angle formed by the staif and arm and extending along the same, substantially to the retaining means.

3. A manually operated train order catcher, comprising a handle staff having an angularly disposed forwardly extending train order catching arm mounted on the rear end thereof, and yielding retaining fingers mounted respectively on the staff and arm and extending into the space between the same, said fingers having their free ends overlapped.

4. A manually operated train order catcher, comprising a stafl having a handle at its front end, and an angularly disposed train order catching arm extending from its other end, a yielding bufier strip located against the inner sides of the staff and arm, and spring retaining fingers mounted on the stafl' and arm and extending into the space between the same.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK J. ROLFE.

Witnesses:

F. L. WoLFr, E. E. TURNER.

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

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