US1133043A - Auxiliary step for car-platforms. - Google Patents

Description

J. R. KUNZELMAN. AUXILIARY STEP FOR UAR PLATFORMS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1914.

1 ,1 33,043. Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS coy. PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHING TON. D, 4

J. R. KUNZELMAN:

' AUXILIARY STEP FOR CAR'PLATFORMS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1914.

Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

'3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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AUXILIARY STEP FOR G R PLATFORMS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29, 1914.

1,1 33,043; Patented Mar. 23, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. FHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. L.

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JOHN R. KUNZELMAN, or DULUTH, MINNESOTA;

AUXILIARY STEP FOR CAR-PLATFORMS.-

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 29,1914. Serial No. 847,328.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, JOHN R. KUNZELMAN, citizen of the United States, residing at Duluth, in the county of St. Louisand State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Auxiliary Steps for Car-Platforms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention relates to improvements in auxiliary steps for car platforms; and, to this end, it consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views. 7

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a view, principally in elevation, of a car body and vestibule, having applied thereto in working position the improved auxiliary step, some parts being sectioned and some parts being broken away, the door of said vestibule being mounted to swing inward; Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing the vestibule door closed and the auxiliary step in a folded position; Fig. 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section, taken on the line m 00 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4: is a horizontal section, taken on the line :0 m of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section,taken on the line 00 of Fig. 2; Figs. 6 and 7 are views corre sponding to Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, with the exception that the door of the vestibule is mounted to swing outward instead of inward and the means for raising and lowering the auxiliary step being modified accordingly; Fig. 8 is a modification of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive; and Figs. 9 and 10 are modifications of the link connection between the vestibule door and the mechanism for raising and lowering the auxiliary step. 7

Referring first to the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, of theparts of the car illustrated, it is only necessary to note the body 1, vestibule 2, main steps 3, secured between side walls 4, and leading to the vestibule platform 5, and a door 6, hinged to the vestibule 2 for outward horizontal swinging movement. For the purpose of this case it is not thought necessary to illus- Patented Mar. 23, 1915. i

trate the customary trap door provided for covering the steps 3 to form an extension of the platform owhen the vestibule door 6 is closed. As is well known, the lower car step is usually located so high above the road bed that it is practically impossible to step upon the samewithout the use of a stool, unlessan elevated platform is provided at the stations. To take the place of these removable stepping stools, I provide an improved auxiliary step mounted for simultaneous recedingand lowering movements from an inoperative position to'an operative position, andv v1 ce versa. The improved auxiliary step comprises a tread 7, having vertically extended end and back flanges 8 and 9, respectively, and a riser 10 in the form of a pair of parallel supporting links. The upper ends of these links 10 are pivotally secured at 11 to the side walls 4, and the lower ends thereof are pivotally secured to the end flanges 8 in a position to be engaged by the flange 9, whlch affords a stop to limit the unfolding movement of the tread 7. An upwardly buckling toggle lever 12 is provided for moving the auxiliary step to and from operative positions and to hold the same locked in an operative position. The free end of the lower arm of the lever 12 is journaled in a bearing 13, secured to the under side of the tread 7, and is provided, inward of the said bearing, with a rearwardly and downwardly turned extensionl. This extenslon 14: is arranged to engage the tread 7 duringthe folding movement thereof, under the buoklingaction of the lever 12, and positively fold said tread with respect to the riser 10. Said extension also assists in supportingv the tread 7 when in a folded or inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 2. The free end of the upper arm of the lever 12'is rigidly secured to a rock shaft 15, journaled in the side walls 4:. A sear spring 16, mounted on the rock shaft 15, tends to straighten the toggle lever 12. One end of this spring is anchored to said side wall and the other end 'thereoffbears on the said lever.v The mediate portion ofthe upper arm of said lever, and the other arm thereof is connected to the door 6 by a link 19. The pivot of the bell crank 17 is journaled in the inner side wall 4 so the arms of said bell'g crank work on opposite sides of said wall. The arrangement of this bell crank 17 is such that when the door 6 is open the lever 12 is straight and the tread 7 is in an operative position, and when said door is closed the lever 12 is buckled and the tread 7 folded into an inoperative position. To look the toggle lever 12 in a buckled position, as shown in Fig. 2, and the tread 7 in an inoperative position, there is provided a horizontally extended hook 20 having a vertically projecting spirally-threaded shank 21, which has threaded engagement with a bearing 22, bolted to the inner side wall l. Obviously, by moving the shank 21 endwise through the bearing 22, rotary motion is imparted thereto for carrying the hook 20 into and out of engagement with the upper arm of the lever 12, and the same is buckled. This endwise movement of the shank 21 is imparted by an intermediately pivoted lever 23, secured to the inner side wall of the vestibule 2, and having its short end connected to the upper end of said shank by a link 24. The upper end of the link 24 is pivotally secured to the lever 23, and the lower end thereof is swiveled at 25 to the shank 21, as best shown in Fig. 3. A notched segment 26, secured to the inner wall of the vestibule 2, for cooperation with the lever 23, holds said lever in different set positions, as best shown in Fig. 3. The long end of the lever 23 is constructed with a slight spring action which holds the same interlocked with the segment 26.

The construction shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is'identical with that shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, with the exception that the door 6 is mounted to swing outward instead of inward and the position of the bell crank 17 is reversed in order that the proper movements may be imparted to the lever 12 during the opening and closing movements of the door 6. p

In the construction shown in Fig. 8, the lever 12 is buckled and straightened by a hand lever 27, having a crank arm 28, connected to the intermediate portion of the upper arm of the toggle lever 12 by a link 29. The pivot 30 for the hand lever 27 is journaled in the inner side wall 4c and has rigidly secured thereto the arm 28. A notched segment 31, secured to the inner wall of the vestibule 2, is provided for holding the lever 27 in difierent set positions. Like the lever 23, the lever 27 is moved into and out of engagement with the segment 31 under a spring action. The construction shown in this figure is especially intended for use on cars not having vestibule doors.

To permit the vestibule door 6 to be opened and closed at stations having elevated platforms, which do not require the use of the auxiliary step, various means may be provided for rendering the connection between the toggle lever 12 and the vestibule door 6 inoperative. In Figs. 9 and 10, is shown an intermediately ointed link 32, which may be substituted for the link 19. is a sleeve 33, held in different positions on said link by a spring latch 34L, adapted to enter either one of two notches 35 cut, one in each of the arms of the link 32. lVhen the sleeve 33 is telescoped over the joint of the link 32, as shown in Fig. 9, the sections of said link are held rigid and will operate the same as the link 19, but when said sleeve is moved into a position, as shown in Fig. 10, the link 32 will fold during the opening movement of the door 6, thereby rendering the tread-actuating means inoperative.

While in the drawings only one toggle lever 12 is shown, in actual practice, there will. be two of these levers secured one to each end of the tread 7 and to the rock shaft 15.

What I claim is 1. The combination with a car, having a horizontally swinging door, of an auxiliary step, movably mounted on said car, connections between said step and door for moving said step to and from operative positions under the swinging movement of said door, and means for rendering said step operating connections inoperative, at will, whereby said door may be opened and closed without operating said step.

2. The combination with a car, having a horizontally swinging door, of an auxiliary step movably mounted on said car, connections between said step and door for moving said step to and from operative positions under the swinging movement of said door, means for locking said step in an inoperative position, and means for rendering said step-operating connections inoperative, at will, whereby said door may be opened and closed without operating said step.

3. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser, pivotally connected one to the other and to said car for toggle-like folding action, a toggle lever for moving said tread to and from operative positions, a connection for buckling said lever to move said tread into an inoperative position, and a lock engageable with said lever for holding the same buckled.

4. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser, pivotally connected one to the other and to said car for toggle-like folding action, a toggle lever for moving said tread to and from operative positions, a connection for buckling said lever to move said tread into an inoperative position, and a lock actuated by a spiral thread for holding said lever buckled.

5. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser, pivotally connected one to the other and to said car for toggle-like folding Slidably mounted on this link 32 action, a toggle lever for moving said tread to and from operative positions, a connection for buckling said lever to move said tread into an inoperative position, a lock en gageable with said lever for holding the same buckled, and a spring tending to straighten said lever.

6. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser pivotally connected, one to the other and to said car, for toggle-like folding action, a toggle lever having one of its'arms pivotally secured to said car and having its other arm pivotally secured to said tread, and a connection for buckling said lever to move said tread into an inoperative position, said lever having an extension, operative, during the buckling movement of said lever, to positively fold said tread.

7. The combination with a car, of a tread and riser, pivotally connected, one to the other and to said car, for toggle-like folding action, a toggle lever having one of its arms pivotally secured to said car and having its other arm pivotally secured to said tread, and a connection for buckling said lever to move said tread into an inoperative position, said lever having an extension, operative,

during the buckling movement of said lever,

to positively fold said tread and to assist in holding said tread folded in an inoperative position.

8. The combination with a car, having a horizontal swinging door, of a tread and,

riser, pivotally connected one to the other and to said car for tcggle-like folding action, a toggle lever for moving said tread to and from operative positions, and connections between said toggle lever and door, actuated by the closing movement of said door to buckle said lever and move said tread into an inoperative position.

9. The combination with a car, having a horizontal swinging door, of a tread and riser, pivotally connected one to the other and to said car for toggle-like folding action, a toggle lever for moving said tread to and from operative positions, connections between said toggle lever and door, actuated by the closing movement of said door to buckle said lever and move said tread into an inopera- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,'by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington; D. 0.

and to said car for toggle-like folding action,

a toggle lever for moving saidtread to and from operative positions, connections be tween said toggle lever and door, actuated by the closlng movement of said doorto buckle said lever and move said tread into an inoperative position, means for renderlng sald connectlons lnoperative, at wlll,

whereby said door may be opened and closed without operating said step, and a lock for holding said lever buckled.

11. The combination with a car, having a horizontal swinging door, of a tread and riser, pivotally connected one to the other and to said car for toggle-like folding ac tion, a toggle lever for moving said tread to and from operative positions, connections between said toggle lever and door, including a bell crank, actuated by the closing movement of said door, to buckle said lever and move said tread into an inoperative position, and a spring tending to straighten said lever.

12. The combination with a car, having a horizontal swinging door, of a tread and riser, pivotally connected one to the other 7 ing a bell crank, actuated by the closing movement of said door, to buckle said lever and move said tread 1nto an inoperative position, and a spring tending to straighten 1 1 said lever, said lever having an extension, operative during the bucklingmovement of said lever to positively fold said tread.

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

JOHN R. KUNZELMAN.

Witnesses:

Gnonen S. MALESKI, J. L. MARTIN.

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