US1079120A - Switch throwing and locking mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

A. R. GARBER. SWITOH THROWING AND LGOKING MECHANISM.

1,@79, 1 20, Patented NQV. 18, 1913.

. 3 BHEI'ITBBHBET 1.

Q g Q1 APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1010.

x INVENTOR BY g5 ATTORNEY A. R. GARBER. SWITCH THBOWING AND LOOKING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1910.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

3 BHEETS-8HEET 2.

INVENTOR WITNZAS'ISES C I i 3 A TTORNE Y A. R. GARBER. SWITCH THROWINGAND LOOKING MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 10, 1910.

Patented Nov. 18, 1913.

8 SHEETS-$111131 3 INVENTOR A TTORNEY WITNESS S Fanny/Q 'to'be unlocked, --thrown, and locked by the strains to the best advantage so as to obtain brace the switch against fixed parts at each IT @TATES ATENT FFICE.

AMOS R. GARBER, OF MOUNT JOY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO .ERNEST K. POST, OF MEDIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SWITCH THRO'WING AND LOCKING MECHANISM.

V Specification ofQLettcrs Patent.

Application filed March 10, 1910. Serial No. 548.423.

T 0 all whom it may concern 'Be it known that I, AMos R. Gannon, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Mount Joy, in the county .of- Lancaster, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Switch Throwing and Looking Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

I My invention relates to switch throwing and locking mechanism of the type intended movement of a single rod.

' The purpose of my invention 1s, to dis- -t r1bute locking, throwing and unlocking a minimum of resistance.

A further purpose of my invention is to shift-the switch-operating rod laterally into locking engagement with a fixed surface at the end of its stroke and to retain it therein by reason of further movement of the driving plate. 1

A further purpose of my invention is, to overcome the objectionable characteristics of cam; switch operation and of bell cranks direction of movement, avoiding the expense of the parts themselves, the additional resistance imposed by them, and the additional exposure to injury caused by their presence.

A further purpose of my invention is to hold the switch free from the driving plate while setting and releasing the usual switch loc A further purpose of my invention is to provide a lock for the switch-o icrating rod itself, which look shall be supported free from the driving plate.

further purpose of my invention is, to

end of the switch movement. not only rigidly holding the switch by this additional means, but relieving the locking and unlocking operations of all friction therefrom. The saving inlabor is attended also by greater reliability in making the indication contacts.

A further pu rpose of my invention is, to rigidly join the cross connection from the pipe line to the switch operating rod during the switch throwing operation and to release it therefrom at each end of said operation, shifting the strain of'the switch to fixed 3. Fig.

PatcntodNov. 18, 1913.

members at approximately the same time as but preferably slightly prior to the'beginmng of movement of the slide bar of the locking mechanism.

Further purposes of my invention will up pear throughout the specification and claims attached hereto.

I have illustrated one form of my invention which is durable, of good mechanical construction and well illustrates the invention, but recognize that many other forms thereof may be made use of, coming within the spirit and scope of my invention, and therefore present the illustrations and descriptions of thisforin as illustrative only.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a track structure to which my invention is applied, the hand lever being shown in elevation. Fig. 2 is a top plan view oi the preferred form of my construction shown in'Figl 1 with top plate removed. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3---3 of the structure shown in Fig.

2. Fig. l'is a section upon line -.t---& of Fig. 5 IS an elevation of a part of Fig. 2.

.1 designates the track rails adjoining a means of rod 4 pivotally connected to the points by brackets 5 and pivots 6. The lock rod 7 is connected to the switch points by rods 8 and 9, capable of adjustment by turnbuckle 10.

For the support of the operating mechanism the ties 11 are preferably extended to provide bearing for a base plate 12 secured thereto in any suitable manner as at 13 and supporting a pillow plate at 1 1. I have illustrated the ties as rigidly held in position at their opposite ends by strip 15 in any suitable manner and have shown a spacin bar 16 pivotally connected to the switci points by brackets 17 and pivots 18 to com- Dlet-e the illustration. I have also illustrated, at 19, the means by which, at the present time, the positions of the locking grooves or notches in the locking rod are adjusted, and the rod 20 is proddr with blocks or other parts 21 to enter the r. tches at the limits of the movement of the switch to lock it in position.

In Fig. 1, T have shown the hand lever 22, latch lever 23, and segment 24. and have shown the lever as pivoted. at 25 in the usual switch whose points 2, 3 are to be moved, for the purpose of throwing the switch, by.

warmer and corniected as at '26. to

pose at the opposite end by throw rod 27 for the imlccking, throwing and locking ofthe switch.

The structure thus far described, as well as the bell crank 28 pivoted. at 29uby which transverse movement is given to a rod, are all well known. in the art.

My invention c .-'iteinpla tes new and useful connections-between a transverse driving rod as 30, the switch rod 31, which I will here call the switch rod or switch-operating rod, and the slide bar 20 of the locking system, or parts having similar functions, by

which the switch may be thrown-by direct movement, with previous unlocking and subsequentlocking movement ofthe bar 20. I show a structure by which the mechanism for this operation maybe thrown without change of direction of the movement of the switch parts from the direction of movement of the driving rod 30, and with advantageous distribution of the strains so that the throwing and locking operations shall be free from frictional binding interference with each other and there shall be substantially, no side strains upon the operating mechanism. particularly desire to avoid the necessity for cam engaging surfaces for the switch throwing movement.

In order to provide a good mechanical frame structure for the fixed and movable parts of my operating mechanism, ll prefer to make the relatively fixed and movable parts in the form of frames 'comprising spaced plates united with the requisite rigidity and having the guiding slots therein in duplicate, thus equalizing the strains and avoiding diagonal strains.

Because I prefer to mount and have shown the whole structure as mounted upon the base plate I will first refer to the locking bar and to its mounting-for movement through the guiding This'bar is well known. I have mounted it upon the block 32 within which studs 34 are secured. Above the base these studs aiford bearing for rollers 35, which are maintained free to turn by the bodies 36 of the studs which extend above them and support the plates 37 held slide bar is shown as made up of two plates 39 and 40 which are spaced by means of a sleeve 41 and rivets 42.

Continuing my illustration: For Various purposes of causing movement of the slide bar with movement of driving rod 30 I provide a frame, preferably made up of plates. as 43 and 44, which are spaced and secured together by any desired means. I have chosen a rivet 45 end and have accomplished the same pura head 46 which lies between the plates and is riveted thereto at 47 at the end to which the driving rod 30 is to 'be attached. Attachment is made by and supporting means.

in place by nuts 38. The

for this purpose at one .bar in the opposite any suitable yoke engaging with the end 48 so that movement of the driving rod 30 shall cause movement of the frame comprising plates 43 and 44. I guide this movement by means of rpllers 49 at the sides of the plates, and secure the rollers 49 upon the studs 50 which space plates 51 and and which are secured. at one end both to the plate 52 and to the support at 53 and at the other end to the upper plate 51 and cover plate 54 by nuts 55.

- Itwill be evident that the so-called fined members of the relatively fixed and movable coiiper'ating members are best constructed in the form of frames, one embracing the other to distribute the contact and balance the structure, though their functions can beperformed by other constructions and arrangements. To effect the locking function, the faces with which rod 81 or any member upon it engages at the end of its stroke must be fixed against transverse movement. here I have referred to this member as fixed or transversely fixed I wish to be understood as indicating such immovabi-lity transversely during the periods of rest of the rod 31 as shall effectively prevent transverse movement of this rod.

In the form shown, the top andbottom plates 51 and 52 are grooved or slotted in duplicate in the direction of the length of the slide bar, as at 56, to guide the ends 57 of the pin passing through the spacing sleeve 41 so that the slide bar can have longitudinal movement only and shall be limited by these slots 56 to the requisite ultimate position in each direction to perform looking function. As illustrated, the portions 58 of the pin 57 lie within duplicate slots 59' in the plates 43 and 44, respectively, which slots comprise intermediate straight portions 60 and reversely turned cam end slots 61 and 62, with the result that movement of plates 43 and 44 in" their only possible direction of movement,. transversely to the track, will result in withdrawal of the slide bar from locking engag ment during the action of the first cam slotsto L upon the portions 58 of the pin. It will maintain the slide bar in non locking position while the pin lies within the straight portions 60 of the slots and there will be relocking movement of the slide direction at the other end of the continued movement of the plates 43 and 44 when the pin engages with the other cam slots 62. This is of course true of the movement in the reverse direction in that there will be corresponding unlocking, maintenance in unlocked position, and lock- 'ing by the slide bar.

The top and bottom plates 51 and 52 are provided with mating slots or grooves 63 comprising. central portions approximately transverse to the track, at 64 and end turned portions extending reversely at opposite ends-g -in some instances included some cooperative fornuition of the end of the rod 31 as part of the rod itself without specific designation, and where I refer to a pin thereon, I desire to include all mechanical equivalents therefor or thereof.

Between the ends 69 these rollers lie Within mating slots 71 in the transversely movable plates 43 and hl. These slots 71 comprise approximately transverse end portions 7:2 and 73, out of line with each other, and an intermediateconnecting portion 74:, pro viding edges, 75, 76 for engagement with the rollers under certain circumstances to move them. bodily in one direction or the other within the nearly transverse portions 64: of the slots 63. The word transverse is used with reference to the length of the track. The rollers 70 act as spacing sleeves to hold the eye end 77 of switch rod or switch-operating rod 31 in positlon vert1- cally and the pin 69 passes through this eye so that the movement of the rollers 70 and pin 69 transversely shall result in movement of the switch. 7

Starting with the plates '43 and 44 in the position shown in the drawings it will be seen that initial movement of the plates will result in the pin 69 and its rollers 7 0 remaining stationary in space because of the engagement oil the rollers with the edges 78 of slots 63 while the side movement is pre vented by engagement with the edges 79 of slots T2. The two movable plates 43 and 44 meantime travel past the rollers while the cam slots 61 are withdrawing the slide bar from its initial locking position and until the rollers engage with the edges 80 of slots 71 at approximately the same time as the portions 58 of the slide bar pin reach the straight portions 60 of the slots The middle portions 74 of the slots 71 now periuit and their edges 80 assist the rollers 70 to move into the portions 64 of the slots 63, but the edges 81 of the slots 64 prevent the rollers troni moving far enough to pass within the ends 73 of the slots 71, with the result that the edges 7 5 of slots 71 engage with the rollers and drive them with their pin and the switch. operating rod transversely of the track throughout the entire switclnthrowing movement. while the slide bar pin is held in the straight portions 60 of the slots 59. It will thus be seen that direct transverse switch thrmving movement is effected without cam operation of any member for any purpose during this movement, and without any movement of the slide bar, applying the full and direct force of the switelnthrowing lever to-thc throwing of the switch during this movement. hen the end of the switch throwing n'iovement has been reached. the edges 68 of slots 3 guide the rollers into the portions 66 of these slots, and the portions 73 of the slots 71. As soon as the rollers 70 enter the end branches (55, any tcmlcncy to move in the reverse direction. is taken up by the fixed frame by engagement with edges 78 which all'ord a definite bar against such movement and relieve the operating mechanism from all further strain from switch operating parts. The plates '13 and i4.- continue their movement without any strain upon or from the switch. while the slide bar is thrown by slots (32 and the rollers 70 remain within slots 73. In the reverse movement of the plates 43 and a l it will be seen that the unlocking movement takes place while the plates 43 and a l are moving but not carry ing the rollers 70 bctore the switch operating pin (39 has been freed from lixed support against edges and without switch movement, and that the cam surfaces 83 of slots 71 guidethe rollers 70 into line with the portions 6+ of slots (53 so that the edges 70 shall drive the rollers and hence throw the switcl as soon as the unlocking movement has been completed and the slide bar pin lies within the straight part (50. During this time there can be no movement of the bar. At the end of the stroke the rollers 70 are guided into the ends 72- of slots 71 and travel in these straight portions of the slots 71 while the slide bar is moved to the position shown. At this end also the switch held in position. by ongagement of rollers 70 with fixed edges The connecting member l-[i can be inserted at either end of the plates 43 and it so that the switch can be operated from either side of the track with the result that my structure is of equal use for any position or move ment of switch. The bars or rods 27 and S can be of any desired length.

The top plate 54; is a cover plate merely, in order that the slots may be cut freely through the plate and yet he kept clean and be protected from interior-once. it also holds the pins in place.

It will be evident that my invention has been illustrated and described in connection with a form of slide locking bar construetion, which is considered desirable, but which is not the only one at present known or used and that my invention can be applied to any slide bar locking operation,-

using slots such as those shown at 60, 61 and 62 where the movement of the slide bar is continuous from one locked position to the other through an unlocked intermediate position.

It will be evident that other construotlons of relatively fixed locking surfaces and intermediate guiding devices for controlling rod.

' cessory parts, as

31 may be supplied and that other means for eifecting direct driving engagement between it and rod 3.0 with locking of the rod 31 with its locking devices and subsequent relative movement betwen the two rods may be had within. the scope of my invention.

Itis evident .that other means of slide bar operation. may be used in connection with my invention and that changes in the acwoll as in the form of application of my invention itself, may be made useof without departingfrom the 1 spirit and scope of my invention. It will be evident also that my invention may be applied to power switch operation with advantage in case and reliability of operation. What I'claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character stated,

switch points, a switch-operating rod cooperating therewith, extending at an angle with the points and provided with a projection, a fixed guide for the projection substantially parallel with the rod, locking walls for the projection transverse to the rod and in proximity to the ends respectively of the guide, means effective by reason of movement of the projection with'the points for diverting itlaterally with respect to the rod length from the guide against a locking wall and a driving member movable in the direction of the length of the switch-operating rod and having abutments engaging the pro jection to drive it along the guide, and cooperating with the means for diverting the projection to seat the latter against a looking wall.

2. In a 'device of the character stated, switch points, a switch-operating rod extending transversely thereto and connected therewith, a projection from the rod, a fixed member having coiiperat-ing walls at an angle to each other, one a guiding wall extending in the direction of thelength of the rod and anotherretaining it against movementin thedirecti'on of the length of the guiding wall, a guide at the junctionof the walls, diverting the projection from the direction of the length of the guiding wall against the retaining wall and means for giving the projection movement along-the guiding wall of thefi'iied member. j

In "a deviceof the character stated, switch points, a switch-operating rod connected therewith and at anangle thereto, a

fixed membe, cooperating parts upon the rod and one comprising a pronoveaec jection and the other having a guide for the projection and a wall at an angle to the guide effective as an abutment cooperating with the projection for retaining the rod and fixed member against relative movement in the direction of the guide length and means movable substantially parallel to the rod length provided with engaging edges for freeing the projection and abutment fIOID.

locking engagement, and driving the rod lengthwise of the guide.

4:. In a device of the character stated, a

switch, an operating rod therefor having a projection thereon, spaced guiding plates forming a guide for said rod projection guiding movement thereof parallel to the length of the rod, provided with a fixed lock therefor out of line with the guide, driving means between the plates engaging the projection to drive it within the guide and means maintained in operative relation to the guiding plates cooperating with the drivswitch and having terminal slots transverse.

to the switch, spaced laterally substantially the same as the extent between said lateral slots, a connecting lateral. slot, and a guide for the movable member, providing for its straight line movement, 111 combination with switch-operating means engaging the slots of both members and guiding means cooperating between the two members for causing the end of the switch-operating means to move parallel with the switch for I vengagement and disengagement with the lateral slots.

6. In a device of the character stated, switch points, a rod movable therewith at an angle thereto and carrying a pin, a plate fixed against -movement transverse to the switch, having a slot therein for the pin,

said slot extending in line with the rod, slots communicating with said slot and at an angle thereto, providing locking walls and cam surfaces located at the junction of the slots and guiding the pin laterally with re spect to the length of the rod in combination with a movable platehaving communicating slots therein for said pin provided with driving walls and cam surfaces located at the junction of the slots and guidingthe in laterally with respect to the length of the rod, whose walls engage with the pin to drive it in the main slot of the relatively I fixed plate and against the cam surfaces of said. relatively fixed plate to engage with the

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