US1272099A - Semaphore-signal mechanism. - Google Patents

Description

G. REKERS.

SEMAPHORE SIGNAL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2|, m3.

1 ,272,099. Patented July 9, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1. q E 2 Q 1e 4 6 5 5/ 48 as 44 7 k u 60 t a 47 l8 V X I 7 /4 L5 /6 A a I I e 5 0 2 1 S 6 s: 52 52 3 Fred.

F168. FIGS.

WIT/E8858: INVENTOR G. REKERS.

SEMAPHORE SIGNAL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21. 1913.

1,272,099. Patented July 9,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOI? m w 2% may.

ERS cow. Puom-Lnua. WASHING mm a. c.

G, REKERS.

SEMAPHORE SIGNAL MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 21, I913- Patented July 9, 1918.

3 $HEETS-SHEET 3- v nvvawm X BY WIT/(8858:

Z ATTORNEY UNITED srarns rarnnr oniuion.

GERRET REKERS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAILW'AY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF GATES, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SEMAPHORE-SIGNAL MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 9, 1918.

Application filed April 21, 1913. Serial No. 762,570.

ing and which are ordinarily termed, semaphore operating mechanisms.

The primary object of this invention is to design and construct a mechanism for operating a semaphore, such that the semaphore will be moved from a biased to an operated position by the operation of any well known form of rotary motor through the intermediary of reduction gearing, but in which the semaphore may be allowed to fall to its bias position without being obliged to rotate the reduction gearing.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description of the invention progresses, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail, referenceis had to the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated a preferred physical embodiment of my invention, and wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1, is a view. in sectional elevation of the semaphore operating mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention taken on the line AB of Fig. 5, viewed in the direction of the arrow W, which also shows a fragment of a semaphore in side elevation and a circuit controller in elevation with certain partsbroken away; Fig. 2, is a sectional elevation on the line EF of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of, the arrow K; Fig. 3, is a sectional elevation on the line E.F of Fig. 1 viewed in the direction of the arrow J; Fig. 4, is a rear elevational view of the case containing the semaphore operating mechanism showing the circuit controller attached thereto and a fragment of a semaphore in the biased position; Fig. 5, is a sectional elevation on the line CD of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrev We an n ged d ta l see tional elevation of a clutch member on the line E-F. viewed in the direction of the arrow J Fig. 7, is an enlarged detail elevation of a clutch member and gear used in my invention; Fig. 8, is a detail view of a latch member;Fig. 9, is an elevational view of the right hand side of the latch member shown in Fig. 8; Fig. 10, is a schematic view illustrating a conventional semaphore and the operating mechanism and circuit controlling the same; Fig. 11, is a view partly in section on the line GH, Fig. 4,

. viewed in the direction of the arrow, showing the method of securing the latch member in the rear cover of the mechanism case.

1, designates a casing formed with an opening at its rear end which may be closed by the cover 2, which is attached to the casing 1 by means of screws 8, best shown in Fig. 4;.

The casing 1, contains two continuous lugs 4. and 5, best shown in Fig. l, on its inside surface. The lugs 4: and 5 support and hold firmly in place a magnetic stator member 6, which is provided with any usual and well known type of stator winding 7. \Vithin the stator is positioned a rotor 8, formed of magnetic material 9 which is pro vided with the usual and well known rotor winding 10, which is connected in the usual and well known manner to the segments of the commutator 11. The type of motor illustrated in this particular physical em bodiment, is considered to be a series wound motor, which is connected in the usual marrner and to which connection is made by means of brushes 12 bearing upon the commutator 11, as shown in Fig. The rotor 3 is firmly attached to the hollow shaft 13, which is journaled so as to rotate freely about the sleeves l4 and 15 placed on the shaft 16. ,The shaft 16 is journaled in the anti-friction bearings 17 and 18 which are supported by the case 1 and the cover 2 respectively.

In the rear of the case a holding stator 19 is positioned, which is formed of magnetic material and has poles 20, each of which has a coil of insulated wire 21 placed thereon. The coils are connected in a series circuit, the terminals of which are wires 22 and 28 as shown in Fig. 2. Within the holding stator 19 is'positioned a holding rotor 24, which is journaled so as to be free to move on. the sleeve and which has polar-projections 30 corresponding with the poles 20 ofathe holdingstator. A bearin'gs 26 is formed inthe holding. rotoryand in;

this bearing a shaft 27 is journaled. This shaft 27 is formed into a 'ear 28 at oneend and has keyed thereto at the other end, the geariwheel '29. a

The sleeve 13 has a gear 31 .formedon one of its ends, best shown in Fig. 2. which mesheswith gear 29 on shaft.2'-7 v also well ShOWllzlll Fig-2; Sleeve 13 has also a clutchmember 32. best shown lnpl lg. 6, formed.

thereom This clutch member has a plurality of cut-awayportions on itsperiphery, soformed. that oneeend of .theicut away POI? tion is of less depth than. the other end,.- and in each cut-away portionis positioned a[ ball 33,. which. is spring pressed .by a (spr ng 1 3 1 toward. .theshallow end of thecut-away.

portion Positioned aboutthe clutch mem ber is an outer clutchmcmber 35, which has a groove. 36 formed therein; in which the balls 33crest, and which has notches 37 formed in its outer periphery. Thenotches 37, in the outer clutch..member.35, each receive an arm 38, shown. in. Fig. 1, and 'alsoin, Fig. 2, 'which arms 'arerigidly attached to the-holding rotor 2 1, so thatouter clutch. member 35 must move in unison with hold-l in g rotor 24:.

A clutch member 39. similar-in all'respects to. clutch, member 32.- and best. shown by fig. 7. is keyed to shaft-16 The clutch member 39 has associated with it an outer clutch. member 40, whichv hasla groove 41 similar to the groove 36,, of outer clutch member 35. butthe outerclutch member 40 has its periphery formed into. teeth which. engage with theteeth of gear 28, formed on.

shaft 27. best. shownin Fig. 5..

The hold clear rotor 24. asbest shown in F i g; 5. has its rear face formed into a .series l of latching notches 42, which are adapted to engage with latch- 61 to preventa rotation.

of the holding -rotor-2l-in-the direction of the-arrow M,- Fig. 5.- The latch filshown in. detail in Figs. 8; 9. and 11 isformed with a hole 43;.by which thelatch is journaled on a pin 44, best shown in; Figs. 4 and 11. r The latchis provided with a pieceofrubben-or similar material lf). which passes through the latch and rests agalnst the-holding rotor I 2%, and 'whichl'reduces the noise causediby the movement of latch 61 caused bvarotw tion of theholding rotor;21,=in .a direction opposite to -thearrow at.

The cover 2- of-th,e case 1 has a circuit controller bolted thereto by means of bolts 46- best shown in Fig. l. This circuit controller comprises av supporting plate; 4'? which has projecting arms 48'and e9, con.-

ncct'ed at their. outer end by means of 'web 50 and at;th.eir inner end by means of plate 47, and: support blocks, 51' ofinsulating;

material. The blocks of insulating material 5l'support adjustable contact fingers 52 by means @ofbin i1 srQ 3-; he.., 1 .aft 116 i extended throu h-t e :Mwntihm 2, so as to have its outer end journaled in the me'mb'en505: Between plate 4.7 and member 50. is situated a drum of insulating material 54 rigidly attached to the shaft 16 ,103 means Oli SCIIGW. 55. The drum of insulating material 5d carries metalhc strip 106 which 1s positioned so as to lie in. thepath of contact f finger-s52. Tlnscirouit controlling devlcezls substantially identical with; thatsliown .de

scribed and claimed in the patent numbered 1,224,542,: granted. to William; Henry May .1st',"1917.. The,.circuiticontroller hast. however, one feature not shown in; the, above mentioned patent, which is known as a slip;

contact, and consists of a .spring arm; 56.at-

tached to. .insulating block. 51, in .the.;.sa1 ne manner ascontactfingers .52 are; attached and bears at itsouter end. a,. cup -shaped member; 57,.1nwl11ch one. endof a.- p1n, 58

is loosely positionedi The other. end of the pin. .58 .isQloosely positioned, in a. cavity formed in .a fmemb'er; 59.v The member. 59.

is formed-with an .are shaped face: which bears against the insulatinggdrum.54. The: rotation of drum 5d inthe direction. ,of the arrow P,{Fig'.; 1, causes; a n,upwardemoxze ment of member 59, buta movement of 111-.

v sulating drum. 54 :in a directionopposite to arrow. P; causes the memberv 59 :to movedownwardly. and into contact. with a. con.-.

tact .finger as,52, positioned in; line withgit. and -si;1pported by: av lower, ii'isulating. block;

51 .as best shown in Fig.

When current is applied to the electric.

inotor,;the-,rotor of which has :beenz-idesig- 31 to rotate. gear'29 to rotatein a counter clock-wiserdirection and ,as gear v28 is ,rigidly, attachedto gear 29 by meansof shaft 2'1 a counterclockwiserotation of gear 28 ,Will takep lace,

and-,asgear 2S meshes with. outer clutch member 4.0 a ,clock-wise rotation; of outer clutch: member. 40 will take place therebyv causing the balls, of 5 the. innerfclutch-mem-H her to moventovard the *shallowend of the:

cut-away; portion of J the inner; clutch member 39, so. binding the innerand outer clutch 1 members firmly together, and asinner clutch member 39is keyed .to shaftzlda clock-wise rotation of shaftldwillltake placerwhiclr will cause-semaphore 6 Q attached thereto to b ..moved to an operated position. I e

' During the operation; just 1 described the inner clutch member;32 andthe outer clutch: 7

member 35 will not bje causedto rotate in,

unisonpbecause-sinner clutch member .32- will rotate 1n the direction of the arrow T, Fig.

6, and so balls 33 will move to the deepest part ofthe cut-away portions in whichthey rest, thus preventing any binding between inner clutch member 32 and outer clutch As gears 28 and 29 are somewhat in the nature of a floating gear supported by rotor 24, there will be a tendency to move rotor 24: in the direction of the arrow U, Fig. 5,

but such tendency will be resisted by latch 61 and holding rotor 21 will be held in the position shown in Fig. 5, so that, the polar projections 30 of the rotor 2 1 will not coincide withthe poles 20 of .the holding stator.

lVhen the semaphore has been moved to the full clear position the current to the electric motorwillbe interrupted and just before the semaphore reaches the full clear position, current will be fed to terminals 22 and 23 of the coils of the holding stator, so that theholdingstator19 can, by reacting on the holding rotor 24:, hold the semaphore in themoved position. The holding action takes place through the shaft 16 keyed to the inner clutch '39, which by reason of the bias of the semaphore tends to move in a counter clock-wise direction and so tends to movethe outer clutch member 40, which being in mesh with gear 28 tends to turn shaft 27 and gear 29 in a clock-wise direction, but a turningmovement of gear 29 in a clock-wise direction tends to move gear 31 in a counter clock-wise direction and as gear 31 is rigidly attached to sleeve 13,upon which inner clutch member 32 is formed, there is a tendency to move inner clutch member 32 in a counter clock-wise direction, that is in a direction opposite to the arrow T of Fig. 6, so that inner clutch member 32 moves so thatballs 33 are positioned in the shallow end. of the cut away portion of the inner clutch member thus transmitting a tendency to move in a counter clock-wise direction to outer member The outer clutch member 35 being rigidly attached to holding rotor 24 by means of arms "33 tends toimove holding rotor 24 in a counter clock-wise direction, that is, in a direction opposite to the arrow UFig. 5, but the magnetic attractionof the poles 20 of the holding stator 19, 'upon'the polar projections 30 of the holding rotor 24, prevents any movement of holding rotor 24.

\Vhenfheflow of current through the coils of holding stator 19 is interrupted, the holding rotor 2% is free to move so that the force exerted by the semaphore 60 causes a counter: clock-wise rotation of shaft 16, clutch member 3'9fiand outer clutch member 40, thereby causing a clock-wise rotation of gear 2S,shatt27 andgear 29, which causes a counterclock-wiserotationof gear 31',

sleeve 13, and inner clutch member 32. which causes outer clutch member to be bound tightly to inner clutch member'32 which transmits its motion through arms 38 to holding rotor 2i, causing holding rotor to rotate in a counter clock-wise direction, and at the same time causes rotor 8 to also move in a counter clock-wise direction as rotor 8 is firmly attached to sleeve The movement of semaphore 60 to the biased position will therefore take place with either no movement at all of the reduction gearing, through which it was moved to the clear position, or at most, througha movement just sutticient to bind inner clutch member 32 and outer clutch member 35 together. Even the slight movement mentioned is, however, not necessary, because if anything prevents a slight movement between gear 29 and gear 31, the parts will act just as though the slight movement had taken place, as the slight movement which may normally take place is merely that which is necessary to bind inner clutch member 32 and outer clutch member 35 together, but if these two parts move together without any previous binding by means of balls 33 then of course the slight motion is unnecessary.

It must now be seen that applicant has designed a semaphore operating mechanism by means of which a semaphore is moved from the biased position to an operated position' through the intermediary of. reduction gearing which revolves upon its own axis during a movement of the semaphore to an operated position but which moves as a whole when the semaphore moves to the'biased position from an operated position, so that, the force which the semaphore is capable of exerting by reason of its bias is capable of exerting its greatest possible effect to cause the rotor of the operating motor to rotate backwardly.

In Fig. 10, I have shown schematically the operating mechanism ease and designated it by 1, the semaphore as 60, the in sulatingblocks 51, the drum 5%, and the contact fingers and metallic strips to connect threwith. 62 designates a source of current; 63, a switch arm which may be moved from the position shown to the dotted line position; 64, another switch arm which may be moved from the full line posi tiontothe dotted line position.

Vith all of-the parts as shown in Fig. 10, current will flow as follows: positive terminal of battery 62, wire 65, switch arm 63, wires 66 and 67, switch arm 64-, wires 68 and 69 to contact finger 70, metallic strip t to If switch arm Get-is moved to the dotted line position theflowof current through jthe whole'holdingstator coil will be interrupted,

andthe drum 54, by reason of the bias of semaphore 60, willbe rotated backwardly. The backward rotation of drum 54: will cause member 59 to contact with contact finger 76,: so that when the drum has been rotated backwardly sufficiently foristrip 77 to make contact between contact fingers '78 and 79 a circuit will be-formed in which current-:flows as follows: posit ve terminal of battery 62, wire 65, arm 63, wires66 and;

80, contact'finger 78, strip 77, contact finger 79, wires 81 and 82, contact finger 83, member 59,- contact finger-7 6, wires Stand 85 to one of the brushes 12, as shown in Fig.3,

and through the armature andfieldroils leaving'by one end of the winding-of the field coil, to wire and to the negative terminal I of the battery 62. Current in the above traced path would cause such an energization of theoperating motor that it would tend to move thesemaphore 60 to-' ward an operatedposition, but, the action" is merely momentary, for the strip77 is so.

adjusted in itsposition on the drum 54, that it makes contact between strip 78 and 79-; just before thesemaphore 6O reaches the caution position and breaks contact with strip 7 9 immediatelythereafter, so that the efi'ect is merely thatofa dash pot to bring the semaphore ,60 torestat the caution po:

sition. I

Whenthe-semaphore 60 reaches the cau tion;position a circuit isformed inwhich current flows as follows: positive terminal of thebattery62, wire 65, arm 63, wires66,

86 and 92, contact finger 93, metallic strip. 94, caused to bridge fingers 93 and 95 byzthe backward movement of the drum 54: caused by thefall of the semaphore 60,contact finger 95, wires 96 and 74:1;0 terminal 22 as shown in. Fig. 2, and, from terminal 23 shown in Fig. 2, to wire 75, and thence to;

thenegative terminal of'the battery. Cur-- rent flowing in theabove traced path: will prevent a anovementofholding rotor 24 sotive'terminal of the battery 62, wire 65, switch arm 63 in the dotted lineposition, wire 97, contact finger'98, metallic strip 99,

contact finger 100, wire 82, spring 83, member 59, contact finger 76,: wires 84 and85, one of the brushes '12 of the, operatingmotor, through the armature and field:coils leaving by oneeendof the 'windingof the. field coil of the operating motor andwire,

75 to the negative terminal of the battery 62. Tl1e meta1lic.strip 99. wo11ld only make momentary connection betweencontact fingers 198; andvlOO, and when the semaphore has arrived at its full bias position will have broken; contact between the two lfingers 98 and 100 so that the efl'ectwill be, merely,

that of adash-pot acting temporarily. to re;

strain a too violent motion. of the semaphore 0 The return of the semaphore 60V to the bias I 60 to the biaspositiom position will cause metallicstrip. 89 to bridge contact fingers 88 and 90 so thatif theswitch arm 63 were again movedto the, full line position current would flow inrthe followe ing path: positive terminal ofbatteryt62, wire- 65,,arm 63, wires 66, .86 2111(1'87, contact finger 88,.metallic strip 89,- contact finger 90, wires'91 and to one ofthe'brushes 12. of the operating-motor through ,the armature. and field coils leaving by one end of,

the winding of the-field coilof'the operating motorto the wire 75 and thence to the negative terminal of,the-:battery,62. Cur-V rent flowing, in the above traced path wouldcause the rotor of-the'operating motor to; rotate inia clock-wise direction andmove the semaphore arm to the caution-position at-which point metallic strip, .89: will have:

moved from in contact with contact finger 88,. thus breaking the operatingcircuit, but

at-the same time contact 94 will have moved so asto bridge contact fingers 93 and;95' so;

that the holding circuit for i thecaution position of the-semaphore heretofore traced;

will be formed.

If afterthe semaphore 60 has arrived at:

the caution position, the switch arm=6l is moved to thefull-lineposition and-switch arm 63is still in the full line position, then as metallic strip- 101 moved :so as to bridge contact fingers 102. and 103 by the move ment-of the semaphore to the caution posi tion, current will flow in a path as follows: positive terminal of the battery'62, wire 65,

arm- 63, wires 66 and 67, arm v64, wires 68' and 104, contact finger 102, metallic strip- 101', contact finger103, wires 105 and-85 to one of thebrushes12 of the operating motor, through the armature and:field'coils leavingby one end of the windingof the field coil of the operatingmotor to :wire 75 and thus to'the negative terminal of the: battery 62. Current flowing in therabove traced path wouldcause the semaphore 60 to be moved to the full clear operated-position and the drum- 54: moved so that metallic" strip 71 makes contact between contact fin ger 70 andcontact fing'er 72, sothat the holding cir uit fo he fu l cle r opera edposition of the semaphore heretofore traced would be formed;

In those types of semaphore operating mechanism heretofore employed in which which the semaphore itself moves, so that with a semaphore moved through an arc of 90, the total arc of movement of the rotor of the motor would only be 90, which would not be sutticient to generate sufiicient current to effectually damp the movement of the semaphore in its downward movement if the terminals of the operating motor were shunted ust before the semaphore reached either the caution position or the full biased position, therefore applicant has devised the means herein shown which includes the slip contact.

The arrangement and construction of parts, including the slip contact, for temporarily supplying current to the operating motor when the semaphore moves toward its biased'or stop position, for the purpose of snubbing or retarding the movement of the semaphore, is applicable to types of semaphore operating mechanisms other than the particular type shown and described, particularly to those types in which an alternating current motor is used; and in my co-pending application Serial No. 110,313, filed July 20, 1916, I have disclosed and claimed my invention including the slip contact applied to another type of semaphore operating mechanism illustrative of the general application ofmy invention.

which by reason of the use of reduction gearing, will allow the use of a low powered motor; In fact the gear reduction between the operating motor and the semaphore, can be made so great, that the amount of force needed to be exerted at gear 31 to prevent a backward rotation of the gear 31 on its axis, due to the bias of the semaphore would 'be extremely slight so that the slightest impediment offered to the rotation of gear 31, would prevent a movement of the semaphore 60 to the biased position. Such a large gear reduction would, of course, result in a considerable saving in electrical energy needed to cause the operating motor to move and is therefore very desirable and as applicants invention provides a means for allowing the semaphore to move to its bias position without a rotation of the reduction gearing upon its axis, but as a whole, no fear need be entertained that the mechanism by which a decided economy of electrical energy is obtained will result in an apparatus 'in which there is a possibility that the semaphore will not return to its bias position when released, due to a slight impediment offered to the rotation of the red uction gearing employed therein.

, It is evident that various modifications may be made in the detail construction of the operating gearing connecting the motor and the semaphore; and in my co-pending application Serial No. 110,312, filed July 20, 1916, I have shown another form of my invention and claimed broadly a construction and arrangement of parts whereby the sema phore will be operated by the motor through reduction gearing, but will be directly connected to the motor when returning from an operated position toward its biased position.

Although I have particularly described the construction of one physical embodiment of my invention, and explained the operation and principle thereof; nevertheless, I desire to have it understood that the form selected is merely illustrative, but does not exhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of means underlying my invention.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: 1. In an electric signal mechanism, in combination: an oscillatable member having a biased and aset position; a motor for causing the member to assume the set position; a shaft connected to the motor; a shaft connected to the member; a train of gear wheels having one end wheel connected to the shaft of the motor; a clutch for connecting the other end wheel and the shaft of the member when said member is assuming set position; a rotatable device of magnetic material mounted for turning in the direction of rotation of said member when assuming the biased position; a clutch for connecting the shaft of the member and the device when the member is assuming the biased position; the intermediate gear wheels in said train being operably mounted on the said device and movable therewith, and means for magnetically holding the rotatable device from turning.

2. In an electric signal mechanism, in combination: a shaft, an oscillatable member connected to the shaft and having a biased and a set position; arot-atable device formed :ing the Shaft and the device when said member is assuming the biased position, and

means for magnetically holding the rotatable device from turning; I a

3. In an electric signal mechanism, in combination: an oscillatable'member having a biased and a set position; a motor for'causing the member to assume its set position; a'rotatable device formed of magnetic material means for preventing-the devicefrom turning in the direction of rotation of the member whenassuming set position; means for connecting-the said member, the motor and the device for synchronous movement when-the said member is assuming the biased position and means for magnetically holding the rotatable device from turning. V

t. In a signal operating,'mechanism, in combination: an oscillatablearm having an 'operatedposition and a biasedgposition; an

electricmotor for operating said arm; an operating connection between said motor and said" arm including a reduction gearing; means interposed in said connection and automatically operated by the movement of said: arm to its biased position for interrupting said connection; means operated automatically-by themovement of said arm to its blased POSltlOIl for operatively connectmg said motor andsaid arm; an operatlng circuit for said motor; and circuit controlling means included in said motoroperating circuit and governed by the movement of said arm, said 011011111 controlling I means 1 temporarily closing sald motor operating circult near the biased-position {of said arm when said arm moves toward itsbiased position.

5. In a semaphore signal-operatingmechamsm, in combination: a semaphore;- a motorfor operatingsaid semaphore to either of two operated positlons; meansincludmg reduction-gearing 'foroperatively connecting said motorto said semaphore upon energization of the motor tomovethe semaphore to an operatedfposition, said means acting when the semaphore moves toward its biased position to renderr'th'e reduction gearing ineffective and toestablish a direct connection between the motor-and the semaphore; and: means for retarding the return movement;

of saidsemaphore'to its biased position.

6. In an electric signal mechanism, in combination a semaphore having an operated position-and a biased position; ainotor for operating saidsemaphore a holding :rotor of magnetic -material; a fiXGCl-SDEL'DQI arranged :incooperative relation with said'rotor and having anienergizing winding; reduction gearing carried by said rotor-andoperatively connecting said semaphore and said motor; means ifor-jpermitting rotation of saidrotor relative-to said motor in' one direction and; preventing saidgrotation in the opposite" direction a source ofcurrent; and

circuit controlling means for controlling the material; a train of'gea'rs having one end;

.Qgear connected'to the shaft of the motor'and its other end gear connected to the shaft of the semaphore, the intermedite gears in the said train 'being carriedby said rotor and beingmovable' therewith means connecting said rotor and the shaft of'the motor and permitting relative movement thereof in one directiononly; and afi'Xed stator arranged in cooperative relation with said rotora'nd adapted when energized to prevent rotation (if-said rotor. f a v f p v ",8. In anelectric signal mechanism, in combination a semaphore having an operated position and a biasedpo'sition; ashaft connected tosaid semaphore; a motor for operating said semaphore; a shaft connected to said motor,'the shaft of the semaphore and the shaft ofthe motor'i'being arranged ..concentrically; a'holding' rotor ofmagnetic material; a'train ofg'earshaving one'end cgearconnected to the shaft of 'the'motor .and the other end gear 'con'nectedto the shaft of, the semaphore; the intermediate gears of said train beingcarrie'd bysaid rotor and being movable therewith ;j m'e'a ns connecting the shaft of themotor a'nd'said rotor and :permitting rotation of saidmotor shaft f'relative to said rotor when the motor I shaft is rotated inthe-directionto move-the semaphore'to-its operated positionbut'preventing such relative rotationin'theoppo site direction; a fixed stator arranged'incooperative relation with said rotor and adapted when energized to prevent rotation of said rotor; a source ofcurrentyand circuit controlling means for governing the connection between the source of current and sai'dstat or and said'motor, I

*9, In an electric signal mechanism, in combination a semaphore 1 having an operated; position and a biased position; a motor for operating saidfsemaphore; meansin- V eluding :reduction gearing for "operatively connecting said sema hore andsa id motor upon energization of said 'i'notor to'm'ove the semaphore to its operated position; means for directly connecting the somagphore and the motor upon movement of the semaphore to its biased position; and means for energizing the motor "to; retard the semaphore during aporti'on of its re phore; a train of gears adapted to connect said motor and said semaphore; means for operatively connecting said semaphore to said motor through the intermediary of said train of gears when said motor drives the semaphore to its operated position and for allowing the train of gears to be moved as a whole upon movement of the semaphore to its biased position; and means for energizing the motor to retard the semaphore during a portion of its return movement to its biased position.

11. In a semaphore signal operating machanism, in combination: a semaphore having an operated position and a biased position; a motor for operating the semaphore; a rotatable member; reduction gearing carried by said member and operatively connecting the motor and the semaphore; means for directly connecting said member and said motor when the semaphore moves from its operated position to its biased position; means for magnetically holding said member against rotation; and means for energizing the motor to retard the semapliore during a portion of its return movement to its biased position.

12. In a semaphore signal operating mechanism in combination: a semaphore having an operated position and a biased position; a motor for operating said semaphore; means including reduction gearing and rendered effective only when the semaphore is moved toward its operated position for operatively connecting the semaphore and the motor; means rendered eiiective only when the semaphore moves toward its biased position for directly connecting the motor and the semaphore; a circuit controller governed by the semaphore and closed only when the semaphore moves toward its biased position; an operating cir cuit for the motor including said circuit controller; and means fol-closing said operating circuit for part of the movement of the semaphore near its biased position.

GERRET REKERS. iVitnesses LILLIAN L. PHILLIPS; LORETTA M. SPJESS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

Images