US1208172A - Flag-signal for use on railways. - Google Patents

Description

W. S. LENG.

FLAG SIGNAL FOR USE ON EAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED 020.14.1914.

mmmmn v Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

IIFIIM AT I.

WILLIAM SAMUEL LENG, OF GATESHEAID, ENGLAND.

FLAG-SIGNAL FOR USE ON RAILWAYS.

Application filed December 14, 1914.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM SaMUEL LENG, a subject of the King of England, residing at Gateshead, in the county of Durham, in England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flag-Signals for Use on Railways, of which the following is a specification.

This invention consists of improvements in flag signals for use on railways to protect workmen during alterations or repairs to the permanent way.

The ordinary flag signal consists of a red flag fixed to the top of a stall having a pointed iron shoe on the bottom end. In use, the flag stafi is thrust into the ballast between or near the rails at a distance from the workmen. This mode of fixing is insecure; as shown in the drawings the present invention comprises two connected but relatively movable staves, each adapted to carry a flag, and means such as shoes at the lower ends of said staves for engaging the track rails to support the staves thereon, thus producing a secure device spanning the track and showing two signals.

The invention also comprises details of construction and arrangements of parts hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation showing the device in use. Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial elevation showing the shoe applied to the outside of a heavy section rail, and Fig. 4 a simllar view showing same applied to the inside of such a rail. Fig 5 is an enlarged elevation showing an adapting piece on the shoe, and Fig. 6 a similar view showing the application of the shoe when the device is used in connection with light section rails. Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged elevations showing a modified form of shoe for fixing or applying to the inside of the rails. V

I provide two staves a each with a flag 0 at the top and fasten said staves together at or about their centers by a pin or bolt 6 in such a manner that they are free to turn with respect to each other. The flags are either permanently connected to the staves or provided with sheaths or pockets of leather or other material for fitting on the ends of the staves. The lower end of each staff is fixed as by bolts or rivets 39 into a socket d integral with or connected to a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, I916.

Serial No. 877,057.

metallic shoe 6 shaped to fit on and embrace the outer edge of the top bulb or flange of one of the rails a when said lower ends of the staves are drawn apart to bring them over the two rails forming the track, as shown in Fig. 1. The breadth of the shoes 6 vis sufiicient to keep the staves firmly in the upright position. The staves instead of being in one piece as shown may each be formed of two or more pieces and arranged lazy-tongs fashion, particularly in cases where storage room is limited. One end of a helical spring or the like 9 or a bar of adjustable length, is fastened as by a clip h to one staff between the shoe 0 and the connection Z) of the two staves, and when in use the other end of the spring 9 or bar is detachably fastened as by hooking to a clip 70 on a corresponding horizontal point in the other staff. When out of use said other end of the spring may be secured as by a clip y' to the first stafi as shown in broken lines in Fig. 1. When the shoes 6 are placed in position on the rails 01, the action of the spring 9 tends to bring the shoes together and firmly hold them on the rails.

Instead of making the shoe 6 and socket d in one, I may join them pivotally together so that the shoe can be turned to fit against the inside edge of the top of the rail. With this arrangement of shoes the staves can be clipped to either the outside (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6) or to the inside edges (Fig. 4) of the rails as may be preferred.

Figs. 7 and 8 also show another form of shoe for application to the inside of the rails the shoe in. this case being shaped and fixed to the socket at such an angle that it bears against the web and part of the head and foot of the rail. Provision is made such as a clip or socket m for hanging lamps to the staves for use in the dark, and to one or both staves a detonator may be fixed with a trigger and spring arrangement for striking the detonator in the event of the staves being upset from any cause, and thus attract the attention of the workmen.

In Figs. 5 and 6 there is illustrated an adapter piece 7 pivoted to the shoe e and capable of being turned up into the position shown in Fig. 6 to enable the shoe to fit the heads of rails of light section. Z designates a curved member secured to the socket d to receive the end of the other staff with the two staves folded together when the device is not in use.

\Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is l. A signal device for use on railways comprising two pivotally connected relatively movable members, and means at the lower ends of said members for engaging the track rails to support the device.

2. A railway signal device comprising two movable members pivotally connected at their centers, rail engaging devices pivotally attached to the lower ends of said members, and flags attached to the upper ends of said members.

A railway signal device comprising two movable intersecting members pivotally connected together, a spring attached to said members adapted to hold their lower ends against the rails, and signals attached to the upper ends of said members.

A. A railway signal device comprising two members pivotally connected together at their centers, means for securing lamps thereto; shoe members attached to the lower ends of said members adapted to engage the rails, and means for holding said shoe members tightly againstsaid rails.

5.111 a signal device for railways, the combination of two intersecting members pivotally connected together, shoes attached to said members adapted to engage the rails; saidshoes being shaped to fit the top of the rail, substantially as described.

6. A railway signaling device comprising intersecting members pivotally connected together, means for securing signals thereto, rail engaging means pivotally secured to the lower ends of said members, and a spring connected to said members below the pivot and adapted to hold said members in position on the rails, substantially as described.

7; In a railway signal the combination with staves pivotally connected together and carrying flags at their upper ends, of shoe members attached to their lower ends, comprising, socket members pivotally connected to said staves, and plates attached to said sockets and shaped to conform with the top of the rail and adapted to engage said rails, substantially as described.

8. A railway signal device comprising two movable stares pivotally connected at their centers, rail engaging means attached at their lower ends consisting of a shoe pivotally connected to said staves and adapted to engage the rail and flags attached to their upper ends.

9. A railway signal device comprising two movable staves pivotally connected togcther, shoes attached to their lower ends adapted to engage the rails, a spring attached to said staves adapted to hold said stares tightly against said rails and flags attached to their upper ends.

10. A railway signal device comprising two rods pivotally connected together at their centers, flags secured to their upper ends; means for securing lamps to said rods, shoe members attached to their lower ends adapted to en age the rails, a spring connecting said rods adapted to hold said shoe members tightly against said rails.

11. In a signal device for railways, the combination of rods pivotally connected together and carrying flags at their upper ends, of means for securing said rods to the rails consisting of shoe members adapted to engage said rails, said shoe members being composed of sockets adapted to be socured to the ends of said rods and having attached thereto plates shaped to lit the top of the rail, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two witnesses.

lVILLIAM SAMUEL LENG. lVitnesses A. Mrrenmson, l. S. GARDNER.

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

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