US1070533A - Switch. - Google Patents

Description

P. E. RICHARDS.

SWITCH.

APPLIOATION FILED 311N220, 1911.

1 70,533, Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

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P. E. RICHARDS.

SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1911.

Patented Aug. 19, 1913.

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1911.

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FEED STATES PATEN FTQE.

PAUL E. RICHARDS, 0F PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

SWITCH.

Application filed June 20, 1911.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PAUL E. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Placerville, in the county of Eldorado and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railway switches, and particularly to that type employing a movable switching frog as a part of the switching equipment for directing a train on and off a siding or side track.

To this end the invention contemplates the novel construction of switch which entirely obviates the employment of such frogs as are usually associated with the contiguous ends of the tracks, thereby preserving the continuity of the rails so that a perfectly smooth track is provided for the train when the switch member is thrown either into engagement with the siding or main rails.

Another object of the invention is to provide a frog rail comprising a rail section of the ordinary construction, the same being pivotally connected with one of the ties of the rail whereby it may be swung into engagement with either the main rail or with the siding rail, the rail section or frog being provided with means whereby the same, when swung into position with either the ends of the main or siding rails is effectively locked thereto and a substantially contiguous rail is produced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of this class with switch points which are adapted to overlie the tops of the rail members when the same are thrown, the device being provided with simple apparatus whereby upon the swinging of the said switch points the frog rail will be moved to the desired position into engagement with either the main or siding rail.

A still further object of the invention is to provide the switch points with novel hinging mechanism whereby the rail ends adjacent the switch points are efli'ectively braced, the switch points being connected together and the hinge members being so constructed and arranged as to swing the inner switch point concentrically with the pivot point of the outer switch point.

WVith the above, and other objects in view, which will appear as the description progresses, the invention resides in the novel construction and arrangement of parts here inafter fully described and claimed.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19,1913.

Serial No. 634,230.

In the accompanying drawings there has been illustrated a simple and preferred embodiment of the improvement, and in which drawings,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a railway switch embodying the present invention. Fig, 2 is a horizontal sectional View of that portion of the device designated by the dotted line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. at is a sectional view upon the line 44; of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional view upon the line 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a similar view upon the line 6-6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a similar section upon the line 77 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view upon the line 8-8 of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a detail horizontal sectional View of the reduced end of one of the switch points. Fig. 10 is a detailed sectional view taken in the plane of the operating lever 23.

In the accompanying drawings the numerals 1 designate the main track rails, the numerals 2 the siding rails, and the numerals 3 the ties to which the rails are socured. All of the rail members are constructed in the ordinary manner, being provided with the usual head, flange and connecting web and the rails are secured upon the ties 3 through the medium of the usual headed spikes or other analogous devices if preferable. hat I term the inner rail member of the rail track 1 is cut away a suit-- able distance, approximately equaling the distance from the center of three of the ties 3 and pivotally connected with the intermediate of these ties is a rail section or frog member 4. This rail section or frog 4 is of the ordinary formation corresponding with the rail members 1 and 2, and the said section is centrally provided with a hinge member designated by the numeral 5. This hinge member 5 is of a peculiar construction and is preferably connected with the web of the rail section 4 through the medium of removable bolts or other analogous devices, and the said member 5 extends from each side of the said rail or frog member t. The oppositely disposed ears 6 and 7 provided by the member 5 are adapted to rest upon a suitable plate 8 provided by the tie member upon which the device lies and which is designated by the numeral 9. One of the ears 7 is provided with a centrally arranged opening adapted for the reception of a pivot 10, while the opposite ear section is provided.

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with an arcuate slot 11, arranged concentric with the pivot 10 and which is also adapted for the reception of an upstanding member 12. By this arrangement it will be noted that when the rail or frog member 4 is rotated upon the pintle 10, the member 12 in connection with the arcuate slot 11 not only serves as an ettective guiding means for the said rail sectionv 4 but also serves as a stop to regulate the swing of the said frog rail so as to bring the latter directly into alinement with the outer rail sections 2 of the siding. The webs upon the adjacent siding and main rail sections are each provided with headed studs 13, while the frog rail 4 is provided upon its web adjacent each of its ends with sliding latch members 14, the same having their outer portions bifurcated so as to engage the stud of theheaded member 13. The members 14 are of substantially rectangular formations and the same are normally projected beyond the end of the frog rail 4 through the medium of suitable helical springs 15. The web of the frog rail 4 is provided with guide eyes 16, the latter being adapted for the reception of flexible elements 17 secured to the inner edges of the sliding members 14, and the said flexible members are adapted to be passed over the opposite space of a pair of sheave wheels 17 and 18 provided upon the pintle 10, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The free ends of these flexible members 17 are connected together as designated by the numeral 19, and this connection is passed over a suitable pulley wheel 20 provided adjacent the end of the tie 9 and from thence passed through suitable guiding eyes 21 carried by the ties 3 and has its extremity connected with the rotary arm 22 of a switch operating lever 23 which is mounted within a suitable switch stand 24. The arm 22 of the operating lever 23 is further provided with a pair of offset arms 25 and 26, and connected with the arm 25 is a longitudinally extending bar 27. The bar 27 is preferably constructed of a pair of members, each having their adjacent ends threaded and the said threaded portions being adapted for the reception of a. suitable turn buckle 28. The rod 27 is mounted within suitable eyes 29 provided by the ties 3 and is also provided with a central guiding eye 30 carried by a suitable support 31. The free end of the rod 27 is connected with one arm 32 of a bell crank lever 33, the latter being pivoted at its offset to any suitable support and the opposite arm 34 thereof is provided with a transversely extending rod 35 which has its free end connected to the web of the frog rail 4 adjacent one of its ends. The rod 35 is also constructed of a pair of members, each of said members having their adjacent end portions threaded and being adapted for the reception of a turn buckle 36 whereby the said rod may be properly adjusted in its connection with the bell crank lever and the frog rail. By the arrangement just described, it will be noted that when the switch lever 23 is rotated, the flexible member 19 connected with the bolt members 14 ot' the frog rail will be operated in unison with the rods 27 and The numerals 37 and 38 designate the switch points of the device. These switch points are hingedly connected with the ends of the siding or switch rails 2 through the medium of suitable hinges 39 and 40, and the said switch points are of a height slightly greater than that of the main rails 1, so that the points may be cut away a suitable distance adjacent their outer edges and allow their recessed heads 41 to overlie the heads of the rail members 1. The switch points 37 and 38 are connected together, and retained in proper spaced relation with each other through the medium of suitable connecting rods 42 and 43. Each of the rods 42 and 43 are arranged in pairs, and the said rods have their adjacent ends threaded and adapted for the reception of suitable turn buckles 44 whereby the switch points 37 and 38 may be retained in pro-per adjusted position with each other. The rods 42 and 43 have their outer extremities bent so as to engage the flanges and the webs of the switch points and these portions of the rod are connected with the said switch points through the medium of removable securing members. In order to tightly engage the switch points upon both of their sides, I have provided the inner faces of the said points with additional plates 45 which are bent to provide overlying flanges as well as vertical extensions which engage the base flanges and the webs of the said points. The lower portion of the plates 45 are bent horizontally and are connected with the rods 42 and 43. By this arrangement, it will be noted that the switch points 37 and 38 are effectively and securely connected together and danger of accidental disconnection is effectively obviated. The extremities of the switch points 37 and 38 are provided with a rod 46, the latter having its free extremity connected with the offset member 26 of the arm 22 provided by the switch lever 23. By this arrangement it will be noted that as the lever 23 is rotated, the offset arm 26 will cause the switch points 37 and 38 to be swung in unison wlth the frog rail 4, so that all of the members of the switch are operated simultaneously. The switch stand 24 has its upper plate 47 provided with suitable depressions 48, arranged in proper spaced relation with each other, and the oflset lever 23 has its extremity provided with the usual pivoted link 49, the latter being adapted to engage with the said recesses 48 when the switch points are in either of their positions, so as to prevent the accidental rotation of the arm 26 of the lever 23 and the mechanism controlled thereby.

Each of the hinge members 39 and 40 are provided with curved ears adapted to be connected with each other through the medium of suitable pintles 51. One of the members 52 comprising the ears 39 and 40 is connected with the webs of the siding rails 2, while the cooperating ear is provided with a projecting portion whereby it is removably connected with the web of the switch point 37 or 38. The curved ear connected with the hinge member 39 and what I term the outer switch point 37 is provided with an arcuate slot 53 which is struck from the pivot point of the hinge member 40 connected with the inner switch point 38. By this arrangement it will be noted that the said switch points are free to move in unison, and that while rigidly connected together, the arcuate slot allows for the free movement of the inner switch point 37. Positioned between the ends of the siding rails 2 and the webs of the main rails 1, adjacent the hinges 39 and 40 are block members 54, one of the faces of each of the said blocks 54: being inclined to correspond with the inclined side rails 2. By this arrangement, it will be noted that the side rails are not only effectively sustained in spaced relation with the main rails 1, but are also securely based by the said blocks 54 so that danger of the springing of the ends of the side rails 2 toward the main rails l is effectively prevented, while the hinge members 39 and 40 prevent the springing of the said rail members 2 in the opposite direction.

From the above description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings it will be noted that I have provided an extremely simple and effective device for the purpose intended, and while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of the improvement, as it now appears to me, minor details of construction, within the scope of the following claims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. In combination with main rails and siding rails, the ends of said siding rails being provided with curved ears, of switch points also provided with curved ears, pivots for the ears, the ear of one of the switch points being provided with an arcuate slot engaging its pivot, means for connecting the switch points together, and means for swinging the switch points.

2. In combination with main rails and siding rails, said siding rails being provided with curved ears, of switch points also provided with curved ears, pivoted members for these cars, the ear of one of the switch points being provided with an arcuate slot surrounding its pivot, blocks provided with inclined faces connecting the ends of the siding rails with the main rails, means for adjustably securing the switch points together, and operating means for the switch points.

3. In combination with main rails and siding rails, of switch points hingedly connected with the siding rails, a frog rail, said frog rail having oppositely arranged ears, a pivot for the ear upon one side of the frog rail, the ear upon the opposite side of the frog rail being provided with a slot arranged concentric of the pivot, a pintle for this slot, locking means connected with the frog rail, and means for simultaneously swinging the switch points and frog rail and operating the locking means of the frog rail.

4. In combination with main rails and siding rails, switch points hingedly con.- nected with the siding rails, adjustable rods connecting the switch points, a frog rail for the main and siding rails, said frog rail being centrally provided with oppositely ar ranged ears, a pivot for one of these ears, the opposite ear being provided with an arcuate slot, a pintle engaging this slot, the ends of the main and switch rails adjacent the ends of the frog rail being provided with headed offsets, sliding latches upon the frog rail for these offsets, resilient members for the latches, flexible members connected with the latches, and means connected with the flexible members, the frog rail and the switch points for operating the said members simultaneously.

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

PAUL E. RICHARDS.

Witnesses LoUIs CLAUs, CARL SALZMANN,

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

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