US1168922A - Switching mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

R. vm. v SWITCHING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1 914.

1,168,922., Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

wi/lmeowo THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH ,CO-I WASHXNGTON, D. C.

nnvnnno vrrror sr. LOUIS, iarssoonr.

new

SWITCHING MECI-EANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J 18, 31916.

Application filed November 18, 1914:. Serial No..872,706.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, RINALDO Vrri, a c1t1- zen of the United States, residing at l0 12 Holland Building, St. Louis, State of Mrssouri, have invented certain new and usetul Improvements in Switching Mechanism, of which the following is a specification, reiterence being had therein to the accompanying drawing. I

This invention relates to improvements 1n railroad switches, especially intended for use in mines where an easily movable switch is needed, and more particularly to that type of switch designed to be operated from an,

engaging part carriedby a moving vehicle so as to dispense with the servlces of a switchman.

The invention contemplates the provision of instrumentalities enabling the throwing of a switch point when the vehicle is moving, in one direction, and enabling the restoration of said switch point to its original position by a continued movement of the vehicle in the same direction. Y

The invention also embraces means for reintorcing the switch point when open-to relieve the mountings thereof of the strains incident to travel over and against said switch points, said means also acting to assist in the maintenance of switch points in operative thrown position. v

The features of construction constituting my present improvements generally referred to above will be'more apparent from an mspection of the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof and wherein the; preferred embodiment of the invention is lllustrated, when considered in connection with the detail description thereof as hereinafter contained.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is aplan view of a section of track illustrative of a main line and a branch line leading therefrom, with my switching mechanism cooperating therewith; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33 of Fi l, and Fig. l is an elevation of a fragmentary portion ofa vehicle, forexample, a conventional motor car or locomotive, showing the switch controlling device mounted upon and adapted to travel with said car to effect the operation of the switch throwing mechanism,;,in keepingwith the purposes of the motorman or engineer.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, A represents the main line of a railroad and B the branch line leading therefrom. i

C indicate the usual switch points associated with the lines referred to and pivoted at Dto permit lateral movement thereof as occasion requires.

The tree or pointed endsot the switch points are pivotally united, as at E, to a cross bar F, designed to throw the points in unison so that when one point is engaged with its cooperating rail G, the other is carried from its corresponding cooperating rail H.

The means for laterally shifting the connecting bar F may now be defined.

J are a pair of bell crank levers, pivoted at their elbows to a tie member or equivalent supporting structure K, the pivoting of the bell crank levers being on the outwardly projecting ends of the supporting member K, as represented at L.

Arranged parallel to the straight rail H of the main line, and at suitable distances, respectively, in rear and in advance of the switch points, are a pair of actuators M and M, the same being in the nature of rocking cams arranged horizontally, whereby to swing vertically, and formed of undulating metal bars, as shown. These cams are pivoted, as at N,in a pair of separated brackets 0,1 mounted on supporting beams 0, 79, similar to the supporting member K, the pivoting of the cams being with the axes thereof disposed in a horizontal plane to permit the swinging of the cams in a vertical plane, as previously mentioned. De-

pending portions Q, rigidly connected tothe cams, so as to rock therewith, are connected by oppositely extending links it and S to the outer ends of the bell crank levers J.

From the description thus far given, it

ing a corresponding movement of the links and bell crank levers, sothat the bar F is shifted also in the direction indicated by the arrow and the switch closed to permit the 7,110 a car to continue along themain line, the subsequent action of the cam M along the main track, restoring the switch points to an open position, if desired. e

In view of the fact that the cams, mount ings and connecting means associated there? with are of the same general construction, on opposite sides of the track, it is not neces sary to again specifically define thecon- During the operastruction of these cams. tion of the device, if it is desired to send the car around the curve, the trip U carried by the car is shifted to engage the cam M on the'left hand side of the track, causing the cam member to tilt and through the medium of the connecting links S shift the switch points to permit the car to move along the branch line, the switch points being restored to a closed position'by the actuation of the cam R arranged along the branch line.

In view of the fact that the cams, mountings and connecting means associated there w1tl. are the same at the opposite sides of theroad, 1t s not necessary, to again specifically define the elements making up the corresponding pair of cams and operating means adjacent to the branch line, because as stated, they are substantially identical with the same voperating means along the main line, it being sufiicient here to say that one double cam M is arranged adjacent to the main line in advance of the pointed ends of the switch points and another R adjacent to the branch line, so that by actuation of one of the cams the throwing of the switch points in one direction is accomplished, and by an actuation of the other cam of that pair the. switch points may be restored to the initial position.

Intermediate of the free ends of the switch points and on the supporting member K, I pivotally mount at S, a pair of bell crank levers, the inner ends of which are connected by a strongbar T, while the outer ends are turned upwardlyto constitute abutting shoulders adapted'to engage the inner surfaces of the switch points. These bell crank levers are rocked by the engagement of the switch points therewith in consonance with the movement of the switch points and serve to "reinforce the pivoted lever V adapted to be held in either aneutral oreither one of its lateral positions by a pawl and ratchet mechan sm W.

It will be understood that independently of the direction of travel of the train or car by reason of the double cam actuators, the projection of the rod to one of its lateral positions will first throw the switch and if the rodis permitted to retain the same positien, it will engage the other cam of the pair being controlled for the time being and restore the switch to its original position. 1

' While I have herein disclosed one special embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent that the latter is capable of embodiment in such other forms and devices as may be in keepingwith the hereto appended claims. Y Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 4 1-. In combination with a main andbranch line of a railroad, pivoted switch points the switch points to opposite positions, and:

means unattached to the points and independent of said throwing means for riding againstand reinforcing the free ends of the switch points, said reinforcing means comprising pivoted means freely associated with the switch points and adapted to-be shifted by the movement of the latter and consisting of a pair of pivoted levers mounted independently of the switch points, each having one arm abutting against the switch points and the other armsthereof being connected together, substantially as and for the pur pose described. I

- 2. The combination with a main and branch line of a railroad, pivoted switch points cooperating therewith, means for throwing the switch points to opposite positions, a plurality of members unattached to theswitch points and one member lying adjacent each point and independent of the switch throwing means for reinforcing the ends of the switch point, and connecting means for said reinforcing members whereby they act in unison, substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

3. The combination with a main and branch'line of a railroad, pivoted switch points cooperating therewith, means for throwing the switch points to opposite positions, and members independent of said throwing means arranged adjacent each switch point for reinforcing thefree weakenedends of the switch points, said rein- I forcing members comprising pivoted levers having a connecting member therewith so that they act in unison, movably associated with the switchpoints and adapted to be shifted by a movement of the latter, substantially as and for the purpose described.

a. The combination with the main and branch line etc railroad, pivoted switch pointscooperating therewith, means for throwing the switch points to opposite positions, a relnforcingmember ly ng adj acen't operating therewith, means for throwing the switch points to opposite positions, and means unattached to the points and independent of said throwingmeans for riding against and reinforcing the ends of the switchpoints, said reinforcingmeans comprising pivoted bell crank levers each having an arm associated with a switch point and adapted to be shifted by the movement of the latter, a connecting rod arranged be- I tween said levers and connected to one of their arms whereby the levers move 1n muson upon the actuation of the switch points, substantially as described.

6. The combination of a main and branch line of a railroad, pivoted switch points cooperating therewith, meansfor throwing the switch points to opposite positions, and means comprising a pivoted lever arranged adjacent each switch point for reinforcing the same, the said levers being provided with a relatively wide upstanding arm adapted to ride against the switch points,

and a connecting member arranged between the levers whereby the said levers act 1n unison, substantially as and'for the purposes described.

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

RINALDO VITI.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH NIooLAIs, LAUTI CAsTELLI.

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

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