US1086500A - Railway-switch or the like. - Google Patents

Description

G. O. ANDERSON.

RAILWAY SWITCH OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. s, 1911.

1,086,500. Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

3&5, e .152 0672737 COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

G. 0. ANDERSON.

RAILWAY SWITCH OR THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. s, 1911.

a a 5! g Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. O. ANDERSON.

RAILWAY SWITCH OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 6, 1911.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

zwzd JM lTED STATES PATENT DFFICE.

CHARLES O. ANDERSON, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOR OF SEVEN-TENTI-IS TO A. T. AUSTIN, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

RAILWAY-SWITCH OR THE LIKE.

Specification of'Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 16 1914.

Original application filed March 29, 1909, Serial No. 486,375. Divided and this application filed February To all whom itmay concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES O. ANDER- son, a citizen of the United. States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway- Switches or the like, of which the following is a description.

.lt'ly invention belongs to that class of devices known as railway switches or the like, and refers particularly to that class of switches adapted to be operated or controlled from a particular or central controlling or operating point. It may be proximate to or at some distance from the switch to be operated. The construction shown is a sclfadjusting electrically operated switch, only so much of the same being shown as pertains to the invention herein described and claimed. For further understanding of the complete switch mechanism reference may be had to my pending application, filed March 29, 1909, Serial No. lees-i5, of which this is a divisional application. l i hile the motive power and control therein is electrical the present inven tion is clearly applicable for other sources of power, the electrical power and control being shown only for purposes of illustration and to give a complete understanding of the invention.

My invention has among its objects the product-ion of a simple, efficient, safe, satisfactory and durable switch of the kind described for use wherever it may be found applicable.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

in the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like 01' corresponding parts: Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch and operating mechanism, a part of the operating mechanism inclosed. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the auxiliary locking mechanism taken substantially on line 2, 2 of Fig, Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 3, 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a sectional View of a resilient looking mechanism, taken substantially on line Serial No. 606,822.

1, 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken. substantially on line 5, 5 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the usual form of railway switch is shown comprising the stock rails 1, 3, 1 and 8-, and the movable switch points 2 and at, with my invention applied thereto. It may be assumed for convenience in describing the device, that when the switch points 2 and at are in the positions shown, they are in normal position, and when thrown to the opposite side they are in reverse position. Suitable ties 7, 7, etc., of the usual or any preferred con struction or material may be provided and the rails and switch points may be supported thereon in any suitable way. The switch points, where the switch is provided with two points, are secured together by means of suitable connecting or spreader bars 9 and 10 or their equivalents. For street railway switches or derails, etc, there may be but one movable part if desired, it being understood that the switch parts or points shown, the ties, etc, may be of such design or construction as may be preferred.

Secured to the bar 9, as shown to the extension 11 by nuts 15, is a throw rod 12, which is operatively connected with mechanisms for actuating the same. In the con struction shown an electric motor is provided for actuating the throw rod, the operation of the same being fully described in my application mentioned. It may be mentioned, however, that the motor is of a type that may be driven in one direction or the other, the controlling mechanism including rods 17 and 16 connected to one of the stock rails and to the switch points.

The rod 12 is connected to a rod 2 1, which extends within the casing, the two being connected by means of a pin 25 or the equivalent, preferably so that the same are pivotally secured together and form the throw rod. The rod 24; is suitably supported within the casing 13, the same being threaded as most clearly shown in Fig. 3. Mounted upon the rod 24 is an internally threaded or rotatable nut- 26, the same being shown in the form of a gear, which meshes with a pinion 35, as hereafter described.

The ear 26 is free to rotate noon the rod 24, but is prevented from moving longitudinally by the extension 27 in the casing 13 and the shoulder shown, so that rotating or driving the gear in one direction or the other longitudinally moves the rod in one direction or the other, thereby shifting or moving the switch points of the switch. If desired ball bearings 29 or their equivalents for the purpose may be arranged to derease the friction and prevent the gear from binding. The nut 26 is driven from the motor shaft by a pinion 35, which is preferably yieldingly driven by the shaft 34;. Any equivalent means may be employed for transmitting the power from the shaft 34 to the nut 26, but the construction shown is very convenient and satisfactory where the throw rod and shaft 34: are comparatively close to each other. As an example the teeth of the nut might be made in the form of sprocket chain teeth, and the sprocket wheel substituted for the pinion 35, in which case the nut would be driven from the shaft 34L through a sprocket chain. The gear or pinion 35 is preferably yieldingly secured to the shaft 3% by means of a cone clutch part 36 cooperating therewith, which cone is slidably mounted upon the shaft and normally maintained in driving contact with the pinion by the spring 37, washer 3S and nut 38. Any other means may be employed for yieldingly securing the pinion or its equivalent on the shaft 34. By employing the clutch all shock is taken ofi of the motor when the switch points reach the limit of their travel, or in the starting of the device, as a slight slip is permitted at these times. Also in case the switch points become clog ed or accidentally blocked for any reason, the pinion 35 will slip on its shaft so that the mechanisms will not be injured. If desired the gear 26 may be provided with a bevel gear 32, arranged to engage the bevel gear 31, so that the switch may be thrown by hand by means of a suitable wrench (not shown) engaging the squared end 33 or its equivalent.

It should be particularly noted that this construction comprising the threaded rod and rotatable gear or nut mounted upon the same, prevents rebounding of the switch points, inasmuch as the arrangement in itself forms a lock. An auxiliary locking means may be employed, however, if desired, a very satisfactory arrangement being fully described hereafter. The movement of the rod 24L may be limited by means of a pin 39 or equivalent means, so that when the pin 39 engages the casing, the throw rod will be locked against further movement outward, in which case the pinion 35 will slip on its shaft 3 1. This construction is particularly advantageous where the outside stock rail spreads beyond a safe point, and is particularly convenient for my switch mechanism shown in my pending application mentioned, where the controlling mechanism takes into consideration the position of the stock rails. The casing 13 and its top surrounding the mechanism, protect it from the weather, keeping out both moisture and dirt. If desired a suitable amount of oil, preferably a non-freezing oil, may be placed in the casing, submerging the parts, in which case suitable packing 40 may be provided for preventing the leakage of the oil from the casing.

As before mentioned, the throw rod and gear 26 practically form a lock for the movable switch points 2 and i, but if desired suitable auxiliary mechanism, as before mentioned, may be employed to lock the same. Referring particularly to Figs. 2, a and 5, tl is a locking member provided wit-l1 an extension 42 adapted to cooperate with notches 43 (see Figs. 2 and l) on the face of the gear, and lock the same in position. In an electrically controlled and operated switch, the locking member 41 may be controlled by a suitable coil as or the equivalent for the purpose, arranged in one of the operating circuits, or independently controlled. The member 41 is pivotally secured at 45, and is provided with an arm 46 hav ing a weight l7, the weight arm tending to normally maintain the arm in the position shown in Fig. 2. Any equivalent for the weight l? may be provided. then the power is turned on to operate the actuating mechanism for the motor, the coil a l draws the arm 41 away from the gear 26, thereby releasing the same, the lock being held out of operative position as long as the coil a4 is energized. If desired the gear may be recessed between the notches as at l8 (see Figs. 2 and 4) so that the rotation of the gear when once unlocked will tend to normally throw or kick the lock out of operative position. In place of electrically controlling the locking member 41, the same may be controlled by a detector bar arranged along one of the rails substantially as shown in the pending application mentioned, so that the locking mechanism is mechanically instead of electrically controlled. Referring to Fig. 5, 20 is the rod extending from a detector bar, which might be connected with the lock 4:1, or its equivalent.

The operation of the device may be briefly described as follows: Assuming that the switch points are as shown in Fig. 1, and itis desired to throw them to the reverse position, in this case the motor 1% or other actuating mechanism is operated so as to rotate or drive the shaft 34, which through the pinion 35 rotates the nut or gear 26. The nut or gear 26 being prevented from moving longitudinally, causes the throw rod 24, to be moved longitudinally, throwing the switch points to the reverse position. When the switch points reach the stock rails the power is shut off by the controlling mechanism, any shock or ar being avoided owing to the yielding connection between the motor shaft and the pinion 35. To return the switch points the shaft 84rmay be rotated in the opposite direction, thereby rotating the pinio-ns and 36, re turning the switch points to the normal. position.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention. Hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact construction, arrangement or combination of parts here in shown and described.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch points comprising a threaded member connected with the switch points and nut rotatably positioned on said threaded member, said nut provided with gear teeth on the circumferential edge thereof, and with a thread on the interior thereof corresponding with and in engagement with the thread on said member, means for rotating said nut and means op erable in conjunction therewith for nor mally locking the nut against rotation in either direction.

2. In a switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch points comprising a threaded member connected with the switch points, a rotatable nut mounted upon said threaded member, said nut provided with gear teeth on the circumferential edge thereof, and with a thread on the interior thereof corresponding with and in engagement with the thread on said member, means for preventing longitudinal movementof said nut, means for rotating said nut and means operable in conjunction therewith for normally locking the nut against rotation in either direction.

3. In a switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch points comprising a threaded rod connected with the switch points, a rotatable nut mounted upon said threaded member, and means for yieldingly rotating said nut.

4. In a switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch points, comprising a threaded member connected with the switch points, a nut rotatably positioned on said threaded member, said nut provided with gear teeth on the circumferential edge there of, and with a thread on the interior thereof corresponding with and in engagement with the thread. on said member, means for pre-- venting longitudinal movement of said nut, a driving shaft, means for operatively connecting said shaft and nut and means operable in conjunction with the driving mechanism for normally preventing the rotation of the nut in either direction.

5. In a switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch points comprising a threaded rod connected with the switch points, a rotatable nut positioned on said threaded rod, a driving shaft, means for operatively connectin said shaft and nut, and means for locking said nut against rotation.

6. The combination with a railway switch. of actuating means for the movable switch parts comprising a threaded rod connected with said movable parts, a nut operatively engaged with said rod so as to move the rod longitudinally by rotation thereon, a motor and connecting means including a clutch between the motor and the nut.

7. In a railway switch of the kind de scribed and in combination, a movable part provided with a throw rod therefor, means for operating said throw red as desired, comprising a nut rotatably mounted there on, driving mechanism for said nut arranged to drive the same in either direction, electrically controlled means for positively engaging and locking said nut, and controlling means for said driving mechanism, including mechanism connected with said movable part.

8. In a railway switch mechanism, actuating means for the switch points comprising a threaded member connected with the switch points, a nut rotatably positioned on said threaded member and arranged so that longitudinal movement of the rod is permitted solely by rotation of the nut, a motor, and yieldable operating connections between the motor and the nut.

9. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a movable switch part, a controlling rod therefor operatively connected therewith, and means for moving said rod in a direction longitudinally thereof and locking the same in position, said means including a gear positioned thereon and arranged to move said rod by the rotation of the gear and driving means for said gear member.

10. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a movable switch part, a controlling rod therefor operativelyconnected therewith, and means for moving said rod in a direction longitudinally thereof and locking the same in position, said means including a gear rotatable thereon and arranged to move said rod by the rotation of the gear and driving means therefor arranged to drive said gear in either direction.

11. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a movable switch part, a controlling rod therefor operatively connected therewith, and means for moving said rod in a direction longitudinally thereof and locking the same in position, said means including a member rotatably positioned thereon and arranged to longitudinally move said rod by the rotation thereof, driving mechanism for said member and means for locking said member and preventing the rotation thereof.

12. In a device of the kind described and in combination, a movable switch part, a controlling rod therefor operatively connected therewith, and means for moving said rod in a direction longitudinally thereof and locking the same in position, said means including a gear rotatably positioned thereon and arranged to move said rod by the rotation thereof, and driving mechanism for said gear comprising a driving shaft provided with a pinion yieldingly connected therewith and in mesh with said gear.

18. In a railway switch of the kind described and in combination, a movable part provided with a throw rod therefor. means for operating said throw rod as desired, comprising a nut rotatably mounted thereon, driving mechanism for said nut arranged to drive the same in either direction, electrically controlled means for positively engaging and locking said nut, and controlling means for said driving mechanism, including mechanism connected with said movable part.

14. The combination with a railway switch, of actuating means for the movable switch parts comprising a threaded rod connected with said movable parts, a nut operatively engaged with said rod so as to move the rod longitudinally by rotation thereon, a motor and connecting means including a clutch between the motor and the nut.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES O. ANDERSON.

Vitnesses WILSON A. AUSTIN, A. A. MGGLURE.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. O.

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