US1215515A - Non-interference successive signal-box. - Google Patents

Description

R. J. GASKILL.

NON-INTERFERENCE SUCCESSIVE SIGNAL BOX. APPLICATION FILED JULY 3,1916.

1 ,21 5,5 1 5 Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

fli @MM/ ED STATES PA N OFFTQ ROBERT J. GASKILL, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNORTO GAMEW'ELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEEVTON UPPER FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

Application filed July 3, 1916; Serial No. 107,231.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT J. GAsKILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented an Improvement in Non-Interference Successive Signal- Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signal-boxes for fire-alarm and other purposes of the variety commonly known as non-interference successive boxes. In signal-boxes of this type the signal-formulating or transmitting-means, and the locking-lever for the signalingtrain, are controlled by the non-interference device, thereby controllingthe transmission of the signal and alsothe running of the train. Many structures involving this broad idea are known, but the simpler and more advanced forms are of special design.

Prior to the innovation of non-interference successive boxes, many non-interference boxes which did not involve the successive feature were made and installed, and at the present time many such boxes are being made and installed, hence-there are a large number of such boxes in use; and this inven tion has forits object the provision of means whereby a non-interference signal-box, such for instance as one of the well-known forms now in use, may be easily altered to involve the successive feature, although the essen tial features of the invention are applicable to other forms'of non-interference signalboxes.

In non-interference signal-boxes to which my invention is applicable, the non-interference-devices are arranged, ,if not previously so devised, to control the movement of the signal-key, which latter forms a part of the signal-formulating or transmitting-means, and is arranged for operation by the'bo'xnumber wheel and is associated with a pair of contacts which it operates in transmitting the signal. The locking-lever for the signaling-train is arranged tobe operated by or upon each operation of the pull to permit, the train to run, and the cooperating parts are usually arranged in such manner that the train,'when operated, is allowed to run a predetermined length of time, or in other words to run long enough to enable a pre determined number of rounds of the signal to be sent, as for instance, four rounds of the signal before the locking-lever can again engage to stop the train. In adding the successive feature to this type of signal-box, means are provided whereby the locking lever is arranged to be controlled by the signal-key in such manner that when moved into unlocking position to release the train,

it is prevented from returning to locking position unless the signal-key operates to open its contacts in response to operation of its signal-wheel'to cause a signal, whereupon the locking-lever is then permitted to resume ts locking position at its next regular stopping place.

The non-interference devices of this form of box are usually arranged, when in cutt1ng out position, to be automatically restored to normal position at the end or completion of each revolution of the signalwheel, so that the signal-formulating or sending means may make successive attempts to send its signal, but always from or at the beginning of a round of the signal, so that complete rounds of the signal only may betransmitted whenever the circuit is in condition to allow the non-interference devices to permit or cause the sending of the same.

In case the line is not in use or free from interference when the box is operated, then the signal-key will not be engaged or'held in any manner by the non-interference devices, and the locking-lever will be permitted to act just as if the means-herein provided for preventing it from returning to locking position were not present, but in case of interference then the locking-lever will be prevented from returning to locking position until after its associated signalkey has been allowed to open the circuit in response to its signal-wheel in formulating a signal.

'In carrying out this invention in a simple manner a prop having a latch is arranged between the locking-lever and signal-key, which prop is arrangedto be moved by the box-pull to lift the locking-lever into unlocking position to release the train, and also tocause'its latch to engage the signalkey while said key is in its normal closed condition. The prop will then remain in its elevated position until the signal-key is moved to open its contacts and disengage said latch, whereupon the prop can then immediately resume its normal position and not thereafter prevent or obstruct return movement of the locking-lever. The signalkey is controlled by the non-interference devices and is held by them from operation if they are in disabling or cutting-out condition, as they will be if the circuit is otherwise in use when the box is operated and the signal-key will only be disengaged by the non-interference devices just at the beginning of a round, and the prop will be permitted to resume its normal position only when the key opens the circuit in response to its signal-wheel. In case the line is clear when the box is pulled the prop will be permitted to resume its normal position immediately, but in case of interference it will remain in elevated position until the signal-key is moved or permitted to move to open the circuit to send its signal. Nhile altering the box-structure to embody this successive feature, other minor changes will or may be also made, but the essential alteration is the provision of a prop having a latch, which is arranged between the locking-lever and signal-key, by which return movement of said lever is prevented until the signal-key is operated to send its signal.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a noninterference successive signal-box embodying this invention, the parts being in their normal positions, and the armature held mechanically restored by a pin in the train.

Fig. :2 is a fragmentary detail with the parts in the position they will occupy im mediately after the box has been pulled, and before the signal-key has been moved to open the circuit, the dotted lines representing the non-interference devices as moved in response to an interference on the line.

Fig. 8 is a similar fragmentary detail with the parts in the position they will occupy when the signal-key has opened the circuit for the first time, and the prop is disengaged and has resumed its normal position, thereby freeing the locking-lever.

Fig. i is an edge view of the prop and its associated parts.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. at, the boxpull having been moved to lift the prop to a position to lift the lockinglever to release the train and to cause its latch to engage the signal-key while closed.

Fig. 6 is a detail showing the cooperating parts for mechanically restoring the armature-lever of the non-interference-devices.

Fig. 7 is a modified form of prop which may be employed.

The signal-box here shown, in so far as its general structure is concerned, is of the type manufactured by the Gamewell Fire Alarm Telegraph Company and commonly known as the Gardiner box. It comprises a signaling-train having a pull 1, and signal-formulating-means including a signalkey 2, a pair of signal- contacts 3, 4, controlled by said key, and a box-number wheel 5. Associated with the signal-key and controlling its operation are the non-interference devices which comprise a non-interference magnet 10, armature 12, armature-lever 13, having a projection 14 arranged for cooperation with the signal-key in a well known manner. The armature of the noninterference magnet is arranged to move out of its magnetic field when the magnet is deenergized, and to be subsequently returned by means controlled by the train when running.

The running of the signaling-train is controlled by a locking-lever 15, arranged to engage one of the members of the train and hold the train at rest, but which, when lifted by the pull, permits actuation of the train; and associated with said locking-lever are the controlling-means operated by the train by which its movement is controlled, whereby it is permitted to return to looking position and reengage the train at predetermined times only, so that the train is permitted to run for a predetermined length of time, as for instance long enough to enable a predetermined number of rounds of the signal to be sent, say four rounds of the signal.

Generally speaking, these parts or elements are of common construction, and in fact many of the well-known non-interference signal-boxes are of similar construction.

In making these boxes successive, the armature of the non-interference magnet is purposely arranged to be restored just at or before each revolution of the signalwheel, so that the box, when disabled or cut out by reason of the circuit being in use at the time the box is pulled, may make repeated attempts to send its signal at predetermined times, and such attempts will be repeated until the line is free from interference or the signaling-train has run down.

In the particular box, here shown, the armature-lever 13 has another projection 16, see Fig. 6, with an inclined side arranged for engagement with a pin 17 on the wheel. 18, which is secured to the shaft bearing the signal-wheel 5. When the train is at rest, said pin 17 rests against the edge of said projection, near the end thereof, so that when the train is started, said pin immediately disengages said projection, whereupon the armature is free to respond to the noninterference magnet, and such condition obtains upon each round of the signal-wheel, in case the armature is in retracted position at the moment the pin 17 arrives in position to engage the projection 16, thus to repeatedly place the armature under the control of the non-interference magnet in order that repeated attempts may be made to send the signal.

Also in making these boxes successive, it is necessary to provide means to control their locking-levers, whereby their trains, when released, will be permitted to continue running more than their usual operation under certain conditions of interference, to allow the signal to be sent even though delayed by other temporary use of the circuit, as determined by the non-interference devices, and the provision of such means, whereby this and similar types of boxes may be easily altered to make them successive, comprehends the gist of this invention.

Between the locking-lever and the signalkey, and adjacent the pull, a sliding prop 20, is arranged, and the upper end-portion of said prop is made T-shape, and one arm of said end-portion is disposed beneath a pin 21 on the locking-lever, and the other arm of said end-portion is disposed above the inner end-portion of the pull, so that when the pull is depressed its inner end-portion will be lifted and will engage the pro-p and lift it, and the prop when thus lifted will in turn engage the locking-lever and lift it, thereby releasing the signaling-train. The lower end-portion of the prop has a springlatch 22, arranged for engagement with a pin 24, projecting from the signal-key, and when the prop is lifted by the pull its latch will be moved to engage said pin on the signal-key, and hence wilhbe held by said signal-key in elevated position until said key is moved to effect disengagement therefrom. Engagement of the prop with the signal-key occurs only when said key is in its normal position and the signal-contacts are therefore in closed-circuit position. When the key is moved to permit or cause the separation of its signal-contacts, and therefore, the opening of the circuit, its pin 24 will be moved out of the path of the latch, or otherwise moved to disengage it, whereupon the prop is free to move downward. It may move downward by gravity assisted by the spring 25, or its upper end-portion may be made as a hook, see Fig. 7, for engagement with the pin 21 in the locking-lever, and in such case will return with the locking-lever.

In Fig. 1, the prop is represented in its lowermost position, and the several component parts of the box-mechanism are also represented in their normal positions. When the forward end of the pull is depressed, its inner end-portion engages and lifts the prointo the position represented in Fig. 2, an the locking-lever will be lifted and the signaling-train released.

In case the signaling-circuit is free from interference, the signal-key will be moved or permitted to move by the rotation of the number-wheel, and upon its first movement in a direction to Open the circuit, by permitting the signal-contacts to separate, its pin 24 will be moved from beneath the latch on the prop, and the prop will then be free to move downward into the position shown in Fig. 3. The locking-lever will however be held in elevated position by its usual controlling-means until the proper stopping place arrives in position to permit the lockinglever to resume its normal or looking position, whereupon it returns and stops the signaling-train.

In case of interference or other use of the circuit, when the box is pulled, the signaltrain will run and the armature of the noninterference magnet will be retracted, and the projection 14 operated or carried by the armature-lever will pass beneath the end of the signal-key, thereby to hold said signalkey in its normal or closed-circuit position while the signaling-train runs. The prop will consequently be held in elevated position and such positions of the parts will continue until the non-interference devices have been restored to their normal positions and the signal-key is disengaged thereby, and thereafter until the key is permitted to move to open the circuit to send its signal. When the circuit is opened by the signal-key in sending its signal, the prop will as shown, be disengaged and permitted to resume its normal position, thereby removing it as an obstruction from the path of movement of the locking-lever, so that said locking-lever may return to normal or locking position upon the arrival of the next stopping place.

The provision of this simple form of prop and its arrangement with respect to the parts with which it cooperates, and the provision of automatic restoring means for the noninterference devices, so that the signalingmechanism may make repeated successive attempts to signal when necessary on account of other use of the circuit when the box is operated is suflicient to alter an ordinary non-interference signal-box, whereby it will involve the successive feature, although other minor alterations may be made; and so far as my invention is concerned, I do not desire to limit its scope to this particular structure, as other means of an equivalent character may be employed, which are arranged for cooperation with the lockinglever and signal-key, whereby the lockinglever is prevented from returning to locking position by means controlled by the signalkey, until said key has been moved to open the circuit to send its signal.

I claim 1. In a non-interference successive signalbox, the combination with a signaling-train having signal-formulating means including a signal-key, a locking-lever for the train, non-interference devices arranged to control the signal-key, of means controlled by the signal-key and arranged to prevent the locking-lever from returning to locking position after releasing the train, until the signalkey has been moved to open its signalingcontacts, substantially as described.

2. In a non-interference successive signalboX, the combination with a signaling-train having signal-formulating means including a signal-key, a locking-lever for the train, and non-interference devices arranged to control the signal-key, of means arranged between the locking-lever and signal-key, and adapted to be held by said key in position to prevent return movement of said lever until said key is moved to disengage said means, substantially as described.

3. In a non-interference successive signalboX, the combination with a signaling-train having a pull and also having signal-formulating means including a signal-key, a locking-lever for the train, and non-interference devices arranged to control the signal-key, of means arranged to be operated by the pull and also arranged to lift the locking-lever and to engage the signal-key, whereby return movement of the locking-lever is thereafter controlled by the signal-key, substantially as described.

I. In a non-interference successive signalboX, the combination with a signaling-train having signal-formulating means including a signal-key, a locking-lever for the train,

and non-interference devices arranged to control the signal-key, of a prop having a latch, said prop being arranged between the locking-lever and signal-key for cooperation with both, by which the locking-lever is prevented from returning to locking posi-- tion until after the key has been moved to disengage the prop and open its contacts, substantially as described.

5. In a non-interference successive signalbox, the combination with a signaling-train having signal-formulating means including a signal-key, a locking-lever for the train, and non-interference devices arranged to control the signal-key, of a sliding prop arranged for movement between the lockinglever and signal-key to lift the lever and to engage the key so that the lever is prevented from returning to locking position until after the key has been moved to disengage the prop, substantially as described.

until the key has been moved to disengage it, substantially as described.

7. In a successive non-interference signalboX, the combination with a signaling-train having signal-formulating means including a normally closed sigml-key, non-interference devices arranged to control the signalkey, and a locking-lever for the train, of means controlled by the signal-key arranged to prevent the locking-lever from returning to locking position after releasing. the train while the signal-key remains in closed-circuit position, substantially as described.

8. In a successive non-interference signalboX, the combination of a signaling-train having signal-formulating means including a signal-key and cooperating signal-contacts, non-interference devices arranged to control the signal-key, means controlled by the signaling-train in running for restoring the non-interference devices, and placing the armature of the non-interference magnet under the control of said magnet just before the beginning of each round of the signalwheel, the signal-key at such time being held by the signal-wheel in closedcircuit position, a locking-lever for the train and means controlled by the signaLkey which is arranged to prevent the locking-lever from returning to locking position after it has been moved to release the train and While the signal-key remains in closed-circuit position, substantially as described.

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

ROBERT J. GASKILL.

Witnesses:

C. W. WINBAUGH, S. T. SMITH.

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

- Washington, D. C.

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