US1299718A

US1299718A - Railway-signal.

Info

Publication number: US1299718A
Application number: US72218212A
Authority: US
Inventors: James T Hambay
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1912-09-25
Filing date: 1912-09-25
Publication date: 1919-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 1936-04-08

Description

J. T. HAM BAY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-25, I9I2.

- 1,299,718, Patented APR-8,1919,

4 SHEETS-SHEET I.

0k Jivmcs Tfiamlac WIT/V588 A TTOR/V J. T. HAMBAY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-25.1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Jbmes THambg I INVENTOR ATTO/VEVS,

Patented Apr. 8,1919.

i e I !l L I I I x 6 a H i i a E I a I e. [m I J. T. HAMBAY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.2s. 1912.

1,299,71 8. Patented Apr. 8,1919.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3- INVE/VTUR James THambay.

' I BY ATTORNEY;

J. T. HAMBAY.

RAILWAY SIGNAL. APPLICATION FILED SEP'[- 25. i912.

1 299,7 1 8 Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

II/WE/VTOR Jvmes THamlJqy BY durability imil.

JAMES T. HAMBAY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

RAILWAY-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8, 1919.

Application filed September 25, 1912. Serial No. 722,182.

7 '0 all whom it mag concern Be it known that 1, JAMES T. HAMBAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York, have in vented a certain new and useful Railway- Signal, of which the following is a speci cation.

This invention is a new signal operating mechanism, and the object of the invention is to operate signals with pronounced economy, efficiency and safety. Moreover, the operation is such that the moving parts are subjected to only a minimum of momentum and shock, thereby greatly increasing the of the mechanism. Furthermore, the speed of operation is very considerably greater than that of the apparatus heretofore used, and certain of the important automatically operating parts can be so controlled as to regulate the speed at which the sigiial blade moves in going to either the danger or safety position.

The salient advantage of the invention consists in its great economy of operation, and to secure this advantage the invention embodies mechanism whereby a very considerable portion of the energy developed when the signal-blade falls by gravity to a danger position is stored up and made available to assist in returning the signal blade to a safety position.

While the foregoing result may be attained eitherelectrically or mechanically, I prefer to employ any onewf the usual electrically operating mechanisms now or heretofore used, and to use, in conjunction therewith supplemental mechanism whereby the gravity movement of the signalblade to danger operates to elevate a weight or weights, or otherwise store energy, which energy is subsequently utilized to assist in returning the signal-blade to safety.

In the standard electrical systems now generally used, it is necessary to employ a battery containing about seventeen (17 cells to energize the motor which operates each signal-blade, whereas in my improved mechanism it is necessary to employ only from three to five (5) cells in the battery to do the corresponding work, thereby effecting an economy of over seventy-five (75) per cent. in. the electrical power required and yet secure superior results.

Notwithstanding the economical and efficient operation of the; mechanism, it embodies all the factors of safety which practive demands in signaling mechanism, such as the quick and positive return of the sig nal-blade to danger should any part or parts of the signal-operating mechanism fail to work.

Other features of the invention, and the i advantages thereof, will appear from the hereinafter detailed description taken in conjunction .with the accompanying drawmgs.

In the accompanying "drawings, I have illustrated different practical embodiments of the invention, but the constructions shown therein are to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in vertical section, illustrating an ordinary signal blade in conjunction with a stand and a portion of a track, the full lines illustrating the signal blade at danger and the dotted lines at safety.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the base of the signal stand, a part of my invention being shown in vertical section and in side elevation, and one of the standard electrical operating mechanisms for the signal blade being illustrated in side elevation.

Fig. 3 is a View partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the mechanism of Fig. 2 as viewed from the left hand side thereof.

Fig. 4c is a detail view in elevation of a part of the energy storing mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a detail section onthe line 5-5 of Fig. 3 illustrating one form of clutch mechanism which cooperates with the weight lifting mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical circuits which includethe track, the motor and signal operating mech anism.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation illustrating another embodiment of the invention wherein the signal is operated and .controlled mechanically in contradistinction to the electrical operating and controlling mechanism of Figs..2', 3 and 6 of the drawings, the signal blade being shown at danger and the weight lifting mechanism having been operated so as to assist in returning said signal blade to safety.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation ofthe en'- ergy storing mechanism of Fig. 7, i-l-lus 5 designates an ordinary signal stand erected upon a suitable foundation 6 adjacent to a railway track, the rails of which are indicated at 7, said signal stand including a hollow member 5 extending upwardly therefrom. A signal blade 9 is pivotally supported at 10; in the ordinary way upon the hollow member of the signal stand, said blade in the form of signal selected for illus tration being movable through an arc of substantially 90 and occupying a horizontal position when at danger and an upwardly extended position when at safety, see full and dotted lines respectively in Fig. 1. As is usual, the signal blade is counterweighted', at 11, in order that said signal will instantly return to-danger in the event of any of the operating parts getting out of order. As required by standard practice in the signal art, the pivoted blade is. weighted or overbalanced (not merely counterbalanced) so as to be capable of lifting a weight of blade equal to four (4). pounds in order to secure that factor of safety demanded by signal. engineers, as a result of which the signal blade will invariably and inevitably turn to the danger position in theevent of sticking of anyparts, or in case parts break or get out of order. The. signal is moved to a safety position by any mechanism ordinarily employed; in the art, aswill hereinafter appear. Asshown in Fig; 1, a crank 12 extends from the stub shaft which constitutes the pivotal support 10 for the signal blade, said crank being connected with a rod 13 which extends downwardly through the hollow member 5 into the signal stand'5'.

Speaking generally, the signal blade of Figs. 1 to 6 is moved by electrical mechanism from danger to safety, and by gravitv from safety to danger, said electrical mech anism including a motor 14incased within the lower part of signal stand 5. The motor is included in circuit with a battery 15, as illustrated in the diagram Fig. 6, and this motor drives a train of gears, one of which gears, 16, is on a shaft having a pin-ion 17, the latter meshing with a gear 18 on a shaft 19, the latter shaft having a sprocket 20 which impartsmovement to a sprocket chain 21, which sprocket chain-extends upwardly and over a sprocket; wheel 22 on a shaft 23. The sprocket chain is provided with a member 24 adapted to. act: upon a trigger 25' in a manner to bodilyelevate a lever member 26, said lever member being fulcru-med on a shaft27 supported in a stationary frame 27 Thelever member 26 is. connected with the signal blade through mechanism which will beihcreinafter described,for the. purpose of imparting movement to said signal blade in order to. shift said blade from a danger to a safety position, and as is ordinary 111 one type of standard electrically operated mech anism, this lever member 26 is provided with suitable lever and trip devices, inclicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, in order that the lever member may be operated by a minimum expenditure of battery and motor power. One of the trip devices 28 has an armature 29 adapted to be attracted by a magnet 30 which is included in the circuit of battery 15 and motor 14, for the purpose of releasing trigger 25 from a latch 25*. The lever member 26. and signal blade 9 are operatively connected so that they move in unison; thus, when the signal blade 9 falls by gravity to danger, the lever member 26 also falls downward, turning 011 pivot 27 and assuming a downwardly inclined position, with trigger 25 in contact with member 24 on chain 21, but when the motoris energized and operates to impart movement to chain 21 and member 24, then lever member 26' is swung upwardly and the signal blade isturned on its pivot in order to set said.

signal blade at safety. I have not considered it necessary to enter into a detailed description of the motor-driven mechanism herein shown for setting the signal, for the reason that the construction and operation of these parts are well understood by those skilled in the art, and for the-further reason that any well known or preferred mechanism may be used for imparting movement to the signal blade.

Before proceeding to a description of the invention, 1 consider it advisable to refer briefly to the diagrammatic illustration of the electric circuits in Fig. 6, wherein the rails 7 of the track are shown in connection with a track battery 32. From one rail extends a conductor 33 to the coils of a track magnet 34, a return conductor 35 leading from the coils of the track magnet backto the other rail. This track magnet includes an armature 84 which when attracted is adapted to make a contact 35*, from which leads. a conductor 36 to one pole of battery 15, and from the other pole of this battery extends a conductor 37, which leads to a magnet of an electrically control-led brake mechanism to be hereinafter described, from which magnet extends a conductor 38 leading to a coarse winding 30 of low resistance, said coarse winding forming a part of magnet-30. From the coarse winding of said magnet 30'leads a conductor 39 to the'motor 14, from which extends a conductor 40 to an automatic. circuit, breaker 41, 41, the latterconsisting of two spring members having contact points 42, one of said members 41 being in the path of lever member '26. The circuit breaker is open when the signal the lever member 26 is lifted in unison with the elevation of the signal blade, so that said lever member acts on spring men'iber 41 to lift the contact thereof free from the other contact on member 41*, whereby the motor circuit is interrupted and no current will flow from battery 15 to motor 14; but when the signal blade drops to danger and lever member 26 falls in unison therewith, then lever member 26 is withdrawn from spring contact 41 and the latter springs toward member 41 so that contacts 42 close the motor circuit, thus placing the apparatus in condition-for operation under proper conditions. From member 41 of this circuit breaker 41 extends a conductor 43, which is connected with the armature of the track magnet 34 so as to complete the circuit through the battery and the motor.

The magnet 30, which controls the locking and releasing mechanism for lever member 26, is provided, in addition to the coarse winding 30, with high resistance winding 30 from which extend theconductors 50 and 30 which are branched onto

conductors

37, 43, so as to include the high resistance winding 30 in a closed circuit with battery 15, whereby a small quantity of current will flow from this battery, through armature 34,

conductors

43, 30 winding 30", and

conductors

30, 37 back to the battery, for the purpose, mainly, of energizing the magnet 30 to actuate the locking devices for lever member 26 in. order to contribute to the safety of the signal, but should any of the wires become disconnected or the parts get out of working order, then the magnet is deenergized and the signal blade at once drops to danger. The foregoing operation is usual in the electrical operating mecha nisms of the type selected for illustration.

In a general way, the signal system shown depends for operation upon a closed track circuit so that battery 32 will energize magnet 34 and battery 15 furnishes the small amount of current required to energize the high resistance winding 30 of magnet 80, the signal blade being raised into the safety position and the lever member 26 being elevated so as to lift member 41 and open the circuit leading from battery 15 to motor 14.

train entering a block, short circuits battery and deenergizes magnet 34, whereupon armature 34 leaves contact 35 and de energizes magnet 30, thus releasing lever member 2-6 from the restraint of its latch, whereupon the lever member 26 and signal blade 9 drop or fall, the signal blade assuming the danger position. Said signal blade is thus withdrawn from member 41 and the cireuitbreaker closes the motor circuit, but as armature 34 remains open by battery 32 being short circuited due to the'presenoe of the train in the block, no current flows from battery 15 to motor 14. The signal thus I the block.

mains at danger so long as the train is on When the block is vacated, battery 32 again energizes magnet 34, attracting armature 34 and closing the circuit, whereupon current flows from battery 15 into motor 14 for the purpose of imparting movement to lever member 26, whereby the latter is raised and locked and the signal is restored to safety.

A salient feature of the present invention is a movable cylinder A which is operatively connected with signal blade 9 and lever member 26. Cooperating with this movable cylinder is a piston 13 having a'piston rod Z) connected with a cross member 6, said cross member being positioned externally to the cylinder, below the same. This cross member of the piston is connected by a chain or chains C with a weight or weights D, which weights are adapted to be lifted by the movement of the piston when the signal blade moves by gravity to a danger position, whereby the energy of the signal blade when moving by gravity to its danger position is stored up due to the lifting of the weights, so that the gravity of the weights will be available to assist the signal operating mechanism in' moving the signal blade to safety.

In the embodiment shown, cylinder A is operatively connected with signal rod 13 and with an upper cross member 0 of a yoke E. The lower cross member 6' of said yoke E is shown as having a depending boss 6 to which is pivotally connected lug Q6 of lever member 26. It will be'apparent that cylinder A is suspended within the yoke E, and, furthermore, that this yoke operatively connects the cylinder with lever mem ber 26 and signal rod 13, whereby the cylinder is supported for movement with lever member 26 and the signal blade. As shown, the cylinder is provided in one of itswalls with an air passage F, the upper and lower ends of which terminate in ports f, 7, respectively, which ports open into, or com municate with, the piston chamber at the respective sides of the piston and at the opposite limits of travel of said piston within the piston chamber. Intermediate the ends of the air passa e F is positioned a suitable valve adapted to control the flow of air through the passage and from one end. of the piston chamber to the other, said valve being illustrated in Fig. 2 as a regulating screw F adapted to be projected across the passage F so as to control the flow of air through the passage and thereby assist in regulating the flow of air through the passage and the consequent speed of movement of piston B relative to the cylinder 4 The lower head of cylinder A is provided with a stuffing box 6 through which extends the rod 72 of piston 13, said pistonrodbe ing connected fixedly in any suitablexway to cross bar 6. Chains C (or their mechanical equivalents) are attached to the respective ends of said cross bar 6, said chains extending upwardly over, and into engagement with, sprocket wheels 0, and the free ends of said chains C being connected respectively to eye bolts 05 of weights D. The sprocket wheels are carried on shafts C journaled in suitable bearings provided in the upper free end portion of frame member G, the latter being supported in a stationary position within the chamber of signal stand 5 by rods 9, or their equivalents, and said frame being braced in position by inclined rods 9. Said shafts C which carry the sprocket wheels 0 are provided with gears c, and these gears mesh with pinions h of a cross shaft H, said cross shaft being journaled in bearings it of frame member G, for the purpose of supporting the cross shaft H in parallel relation to the shafts C.

When the signal blade moves by gravity to danger, the cylinde and lever member 26 move downwardly in unison with the drop of said signal blade, for the reason that the signal rod 13 and the lever member 26are connected rigidly by the yoke E and, fur ther, the cylinder A is attached rigidly to the yoke E. The downward travel of cylinder A with respect to piston B compresses air within the upper part of said cylinder,

between the upper cylinder head and the piston, and during the downward travel of the cylinder the air compressed within said cylinder attains such pressure that it overcomes the ponderosity of the weights D and forces piston B down. The descent of the pistonand its member 6 draws upon the chains C and elevates weights D, whereby the said weights are adapted to be used upon the subsequent operation of the signal operating mechanism, for the purpose of assisting the signal operating mechanism to return the signal from danger to safety.

During the period which elapscs between the fall of the signal blade to dange and the return of said signal blade to safety, it is desirable to retain the weights, the piston and cylinder in the positions into which they are moved, thus relieving the piston and cylinder from the ponderosity of the weights. To this end, I have provided an automatic brake mechanism which cooperates with a part of the weight lifting mechanism, said brake mechanism being controllable by a magnet which is included in the circuit of the battery and the motor. Various forms of retaining or brake devices may be employed for the purpose of relieving the piston and cylinder from the ponderosity of the weights, but as shown, cross shaft H is provided with a brake member I in the form of a chambered disk, Said disk'is mounted loosely on the shaft H to turn freely in one direction thereon, but with this brake memher is associated a clutch consisting of a cam disk 2' and a series of clutch rollers 2", see

and the gears 0, 0, h and shafts C are free I to rotate while the brake disk is held stationary by the action of the brake shoe on the brake disk, as when the piston is forced downward .to elevate the weights; but at other periods of operation, the rollers and cam disk cooperate in making the brake disk fast with said shaft H, whereby on the elevation of the weights the brake, mechanism supported by frame G operates to lock the weights in raised positions and the ponderosity of the weights is removed for the time being from the piston and cylinder. But upon the removal of the braking pressure from disk I, the latter and the gears are free to rotate so as to permit the descent of the weights which act to impart movement to the piston in order to lift the latter quickly for compressing air within the cylinder, thus performing the important function of accelcrating the speed of the signal blade when retru'ning to safety. l/Vith the brake disk I cooperates a brake shoe J, the latter having a working surface J formed by some suitable friction material. This brake shoe is con nected pivotally with a brake lever J, fulcrumed at j to frame member G, said brake lever being under the control of a suitable retractor, such as spring J for the purpose of impelling the brake lever normally toward the brake disk I, whereby the brake shoe engages normally with the brake disk owing to the action of the retractor J for the purpose of normally applying the brake to arrest the movement of shaft H. The brake lever is operated electrically to release the brake, and to this end, said brake lever is provided with an armature 70 adapted to be attracted by a magnet K, the coils of which are connected by

conductors

37, 38 in the circuit which includes the motor 14 and battery 15, whereby the flow of current from the battery to the motor energizes magnets 30 and K, the latter acting to release the brake mechanism simultaneously with the operation of motor 14 to impart movement to the lever member 26 of the signal operating mechanism. Magnet K for releasing the brake mechanism is positioned below brake lever J, and it is supported by a bracket is attached to frame member G, whereby magnet K is positioned andsupported in cooperative relation to the movable parts of said automatic brake.

Piston B is of any suitable construction, the same being shown as an ordinary. piston head provided with packings and with a central hub to which is attached the piston rod. It is preferred to employ a piston having aport Z which is normally closed by a valve L, the stem of which. is enveloped by a coiled spring Z. A relative movement of the piston and cylinder in one direction unseats the valve so thatair will pass through the piston from one side thereof to the othe side, but movement of the piston and cylinder in an opposite direction will compress air between the piston and one cylinder head in a manner for the air pressure to close valve L as will presently appear.

The operation of the energy storing mechanism in connection with the signal blade and signal-operating member 26 is as follows :Assuming that the signal blade is in the raised position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1 to indicate safety, and that a train enters the block, battery 32 is short circuited to de'c'nergize magnet 34% and release lever member 26, whereupon the signal blade drops by gravity to danger and lever mem: ber 26 turns on pivot27 to a downwardly inclined position. The fall of the signal and the lever member forces cylinder A downward relative to piston B, as a result of which air is compressed between the upper cylinder head and the piston, thereby checking the sudden movement of the parts for the reason that the piston and cylinder serve the functions of adash pot in the relative moven'ient of the cylinder to the piston. At this time valve- L is closed, and the air rushes through passage'F, past valve F, flowing from the upper part of the piston chamber to the lower part thereof, but it is not necessary that the cylinder shall descend its full length. Now this relative movement of the cylinder to the piston, occasioned by, and due to, the gravity movement of the signal blade brings into action the weight lifting mechanism-as follows The descent of the cylinder relative to the piston compresses air within the upper part of the cylinder, andsuch' compressed air exerts pressure upon the piston. As the pressure increases to a point suiiiclent to overcome the ponderosity of the weights, the pistonis forced downward within the cylinder, and thus the descent of the piston forces cross member bf downward and draws upon chains C, thereby elevating weights D the distance deslred. At thls time. brake member I remains at rest, being in frictional contact with brake shoe J which is under the control of retractor J the magnet K remaining inert or passive for the reason that no current flows through it; but the movement of chains C inelevating the weights D takes place freely for the reason that clutch member i is free to turn relative to clutch rollers a" when the sprockets 0. gears c, shafts C, gear h, and shaft H are rotated. by the movement of the chains. as described.

' u will be manifest thatthe'movement" of rectly; The signal blade, and devices coopcrating therewith, remain in the described positions so long as the block is occupied by a train, but when the block is vacated, then the following operations take place Battery 32 energizes magnet 3a and armature 34c closes the circuit through battery 15 and motor 14, the lever member 26 having previously dropped to a downwardly inclined position so as to allow circuit breaker 4141 to'close and to bring trigger 25 into contact with member 24: on motor driven chain 21. Now when the train moves out of the block, and the motor circuit is closed, current flows through magnet K so as to attract armature is for the purpose of moving brake lever J against the tension of retractor J 2 and withdrawing shoe J from brake disk I, thus releasing the weights from the restraint of the automatic brake; At such time, the motor it acts upon lever member 26 to restore the signal blade to safety, and this operation of the motor is assisted or supplemented by the gravity of the weights D. Said weights having been made free from the restraint of the brake, at once drop, pulling down the chains and elevating the piston within the cylinder, thereby compressing air between the piston and the upper cylinder head, the valve L being closed. The upward impulse thus given to the piston by the gravity movement of the weights, exceeds the upward speed of movement imparted to the cvlinder by the action of the motor through chain 21, member 24. lever member 26 and yoke E, as a result of which the air compressed in the cylinder by the action of the piston imparts an increased speed or accelerates the travel of the cylinder, whereby the cooperating weights and piston not only supplement the action of the motor in returning the signal blade to safety but the speed of movement of the cylinder and the si nal blade is accelerated. I am thus able to restore the signal blade to safety at a much faster speed, within much less time, than is ordinarily possible, but what is of greater importance, I am enabled to effect a very considerable saving in the battery power required to energize the motor, for the reason that the energy of the weights D is utilized to compress air in the cylinder, and this compressed air imparts an impulseto the cylinder in-a direction to stand 5.

re-set the signal, whereby a battery consisting of a comparatively few cells may be employed to furnish the power required to operate the motor. When such upward movement of the piston relative to the cylinder takes place, the air compressed in the cylinder flows from the upper end of the piston chamber, through'passage F, and into the lower end of the piston chamber, whereby the flow of air is checked by the small diameter of passage F, but such flow of air through the passage may be controlled by an adjustment of valve F, thus regulating'the speed of movement of the cylinder in restoring the signal blade to safety.

F igs. 7 and 8 of the drawings illustrate a mechanically operated and controlled signal embodying thesalient features of the present invention. The signal blade 9 is of that type which moves through an arc of 60, from safety to danger, and vice versa, the blade assuming a downwardly inclined position when at safety and a horizontal position at danger. Said blade 9 is counterbalanced at 11 and fulcrumed at 10 upon stand 5,

and to this signal blade is connected an operating rod'13. As shown, this rod is attached at its, lower end to a lever fulcrumed by a bolt 46 upon a bracket 47 of Said lever carries a weight 48, and to the free end of the lever is pivoted the upper portion of-a rod 49, the lower end of which is pivoted to a bell crank 50,

. from which extends a rod 51 leading to a tower or any other place convenient for the operation of the signal. Cooperating with the weighted lever- L5 is movable cylinder A and piston B, said movable cylinder being directly connectedwith the lever by a rod 52, one end of which is pivoted directly to the lever and the other end connected fixedly to the moving cylinder. This cylinder is provided with an air passage F, the flow of air through which is regulated by a con trolling valve F. The piston B operates within the cylinder, said piston having a rod Z) extending through the lower head of the cylinder. To this piston rod is attached a chain C, which runs over a pulley 53, supported on the signal stand, said pulley 53 being th mechanical equivalent of the sprocket wheel 0, over which runs one of the chains C in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The chain C is connected at its other end to a weight D, but, if desired, two chains and two weights may be associated with the piston rod 6 of Figs. 7 and 8 in the same way as the corresponding chains and weights are combined with the piston rod and the cross member 6 in the construction of Figs. 2 to 4., inclusive. As a means for relieving the ponderosity of the weights from the piston and the cylinder, when said weights shall have been raised by the gravity movement of the signal blade to danger, I have provided the following mechanism, the same being'considered the equivalent of the electrically operated brake mechanism employed in the construction of Figs; 2 to 5, inclusive, viz: The rod49 is provided intermediate its ends witha shoe m, which is adapted to engage with the free'end of a trip M, the latterbeing pivotally supported on the signal post 5. The piston rod 7) extends clownwardly a suitable distance below the cylinder, the lower end of said rod-being guided in a 'lug n, of a bracket N, fixed to the signal post, and on this piston rod is secured a locking member 0, the same being shown as having a series of ratchet teeth 0. With this ratchet face of the locking member cooperates :a pawl P, the same being pivotally supported at 7 on'the bracket N. A spring P normally impels the pawl into the path of the ratchet teeth on the locking member 0,

so that the pawl will engage with the locking member when the piston rod moves in a downward direction upon the elevation of weights B, whereby the pawl acts to restrain the member 0 and the piston rod from movement in an upward direction by the weights, andthus the piston and the cylinder are relieved from the ponderosity of the weights. The pawl isreleased automatically from the locking member at the proper interval of time by an operative connection of said pawl with the trip M, said operative connection being-shown as a link Q, one end of which is pivoted to an arm of pawl P, whereas the other end of the link is pivoted to the trip M, the movement of which trip is effected by contact with the shoe m on rod 49 when said rod is actuated by bell crank 50 and rod 51 so as to withdraw the dog from the locking member at a time just prior to the return of the signal from danger to safety, which return movement of the signal to safety is facilitated bythe cooperation of the piston with the cylinder, as a result of which a minimum effort is required to return the signal to safety position and the speed of setting the signal to said safety position is materially increased.

It will be noted that the signal shown in Figs. 7 and 8 pertains to a different type from that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, the main differences being that the signal blade is weighted to-rise to danger and be positively lowered to safety and that it moves through an arc of substantially 6 so as toxbe inclined when at safety.

The operation of the signal illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is as follows :'With the signal blade 9 at danger, Fig. 7, cylinder A and piston B were previously operated to raise weight D, and pawl P is in engagement-with lockingmember O to relieve the piston from the direct pull of the weights. To restore the blade to safety,bell crank 50 is operated in the usual way by a towerman, or through any other agency, thus pulling down on rod as, starting to raise weighted lever 45, and moving shoe m into engagement with trigger M, the latter being shifted to withdraw dog P from member 0. The piston is thus released from the restraint of the locking mechanism, whereupon weight D pulls down the chain and lifts the piston within the cylinder. The operations of tripping the dog and releasing the weight take place quickly, and although cylinder A" begins to ascend with the weighted lever and to move in unison with the signal blade, still the weight D imparts such a quick impulse to piston B that the speed of the piston within the cylinder exceeds the upward movement of said cylinder under the action of lever 45, as a result'of which air is compressed between the piston and the upper cylinder head, which compressed air in turn acts upon the cylinder head so as to impart to the cylinder a sudden upward movement, whereby the conjoint action of the cylinder and pistondue to the quick drop of the weight assists to a very marked extent the operation of lever 45 in restoring the signal blade to safety. The mechanism Contributes a very material amount of energy to the operation of the ordinary mechanism in resetting the signal, thus making it easy for the signal operator to restore the signal, but a marked advantage of my device is that the speed of resetting the signal is increased to a substantial extent owing to the air within the cylinder being compressed by the movement of the piston, which air reacts upon the cylinder to accelerate the upward movement thereof. The speed of the cylinder is controllable by adjustment of valve F to regulate the flow of air through passage F.

With the signal blade at safety, the parts of the energy storing mechanism occupy the positions of Fig." 8, wherein the weighted lever and the cylinder are raised, the chain and weight lowered, and the piston pulled upward until arrested by'a stop 8 on the piston rod 79 abutting the bracket. When the signal blade moves to danger, from any cause, lever 45 and cylinder A are quickly lowered, thus raising rod 49 and shoe m so as to release trigger M and allow spring P to throw dog P into the path of toothed member 0. The quick descent of cylinder A compresses air within the upper part of the piston chamber, the outflow of air through passage F being controlled by valve F, whereby the compressed air acting upon the pistonforces the latter downwardly within the descending cylinder. Such downward movement of the piston pulls on the chain and elevates the weight to the position of Fig. 7, and the toothed member 0 engages autoniaticallywith dog P so as to lock the weight in a raised posi' tion and to arrest the piston from movement within the cylinder, although said cylinder is capable of movement relative to the piston upon the subsequent operation of restoring the signal blade to safety.

The type of signal shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is known as a mechanically operated signal wherein the signal blade is moved positively into the danger position as well as the safety position, but in case of breakage of the parts the signal blade is weight controlled so that it will return to danger by gravity auto matically and instantaneously.

It should be stated that when my invention is embodied as a part of the electrically operated signal setting mechanism of Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, the motor and other parts can be reduced in size to a substantial extent, for the reason that the energy storing mechanism of this invention furnishes such an amount of power that not only is it possible to decrease the cells of the battery, but the motor, gearing and other parts may, also, be decreased in size. It is to be understood that the piston B, in either of the two forms of mechanism herein disclosed, should be provided with the valve L, the latter serving the purpose, mainly, of an escape valve whereby air may flow through the piston under the following conditions: The gravity movement of the signal blade and the consequent movement of the cylinder involves two consecu tive periods of movements in order to absorb the shock due to the momentum of the parts and to fully restore the signal blade to its danger position. At the first period of movement of the signal blade under the ponderosity of its counterweight 11 to shift said signal blade to the danger position, the cylinder moves quickly in a downward direction for a part of its stroke, which downward movement is checked by the compression of air between the upper cylinder head and the piston, the latter at such period being stationary relatively to the cylinder. The air thus compressed acts upon the piston to depress the latter and thus elevate the weights for storing energy as has been explained. The bypass F permits the air to escape from the upper part to the lower part of the cylinder, the flow of air being regulated by adjustment of the valve F so that there is always made provision for the flow of air, and should anything happen to the working parts of the signal mechanism which would make it necessary to use the full force of the counterweight 11 in moving the signal blade to danger, the air is free to escape from the upper to the lower part of the cylinder and thus the signal blade will slowly return to the normal or danger position under the full force of its counterweight.

' upwardly by the action of the motor to begin the operation of moving the signal blade from the danger position to the safety position, the piston will still occupy a position an appreciable distance above the lower cylinder head. The brake. having been released and the weights having acted to im part the upward impulse to the piston in order to compress the air in the upper part of the cylinder and thereby accelerate the upward movement of the cylinder, it is apparent that the piston will reach the end of its upward stroke and will be at rest while the cylinder still continues to move upwardly under the power of the motor, in order to return the cylinder and the signal blade to their fully restored positions. Such continued upward movement of the cylinder after the piston makes the full limit of its upward travel, results in the compression of air between the piston and the lower cylinder head, the presence of which coinpressed air would tend to retard the continued upward movement. This is overcome by the presence of the valve L in the body of the piston, which valve is opened automatically by the pressure of 'air below the piston, so as to act as a relief vto the air pressure, whereby the cylinder is permitted to move upwardly under the power of the motor until the cylinder reaches its final position in an upward direction, and the signal blade is returned to a' fully restored safety position. This leaves the cylinder and piston in the most effective positions for the further operation of restoring the signal blade to safety under the conditions described.

Although I have shown and described the power transmitter consistin of cylinder A and piston B as adapted for compressing air, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that any fluid may be used in the power transmitter.

As hereinbefore stated, the energy storing mechanism of this invention may be used in connection with any of the usual types of signals, two forms of which are shown. Furthermore, while I have particularly shown and described the energy storing mechanism as adapted for the work of resetting the signal blade 'to safety, it is manifest that the energy stored by such mechanism may be utilized for other purposes, such as operating other signals on sidings, and for the operation of audible signals, etc.

Should any part of the weight lifting mechanism get out of order for any reason, the signal blade is still free to drop by gravity to danger, for the reason that the weight imposed upon'the cylinder will act to depress said cylinder, the air leaking slowly through passage F and past valve F, and flowing slowly from the upper part into the lower part of the cylinder, whereupon the cylinder descends without moving the energy storing weight, the net result being to permit'the cylinder to descend when the signal blade moves to danger owingto the presence of the passage F in the cylinder.

Having thus fullydescribed the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by j Letters Patent is 1. In a signal, the combination with a signal blade mounted formovement freely by gravityito one of its indicating positions, and operating means for effecting positively a return movement of said signal blade to anotherof its indicating positions ofelasticfluid mechanism for storing energy 1 developed by a rapid gravity movement of said signal blade, said elastic-fluid mechanism cooperating with said operating'means for accelerating the return movement of said signal blade.

2. In a signal, an overbalanced signal blade mounted for unrestrained movement by gravity to one of its indicating positions, operating means for imparting a reverse movement to said signal blade, and energystoring means connected with the signal blade and with said operating means, said energy-storing means being operated by the unrestrained and rapid gravity movement of the signal blade and said energy-storing means cooperating with said operating means in the subsequent action thereof when returningthe 'signalblade to another of its indicating positions.

3. In ,a signal, the combination of a signal-blade, a movable cylinder cooperating with the blade, a movable pistonoperating within the cylinder, and energy storing means, adapted to receive energy from the movement of the signal-blade, for actuating said cylinder and piston.

4. In a signal, the combination with a signal blade, of a cylinder movable with said blade, a piston operativelyvpositioned for movement within said cylinder, and a weight controllable by the movement of said piston, said parts being operated by a gravity movement of the said signal blade for storing energy.

In a signal, the combination with a signal blade movable by gravity to one position, and operating means for imparting a reverse movement thereto, of an elastic-fluid device embodying a cooperating piston and cylinder, one of which parts is connected withsaid signal blade for movement therewith, and energy storing means connected with the other of said parts of the elastic-fluid means. i

6. In a signal, the combination with a signal blade movable by gravity to one position, and operating means for imparting a reverse movement thereto, of an elastic-fluid device embodying a cooperating piston and cylinder, one of which parts is connected with said signal blade for movement therewith, a weight operated by the movement of the other of said parts of said elasticfiuid means, and means for relieving the cylinder and the piston from the effect of said weight.

7. In a signal, the combination with a signal blade, of a cylinder to which movement is imparted by gravity movement of the signal blade, a piston cooperating with the cylinder, a weight operated by a movement of the piston relatively to the cylinder, and means for relieving the piston from the action of said weight.

8. In a signal, a signal member adapted to be moved by gravity to one of its indicating positions, means for imparting a reverse movement thereto, a cooperating cylinder and piston each of which is movable with relation to the other and one of which is actuated directly by the gravity movement of the signal member, and means influenced by the compression of air within the cylinder due to such relative movement between the piston and cylinder for storing up energy developed by the gravity movement of said signal member.

9. In a signal, the combination with a signal blade free to move by gravity to one of its indicating positions, of an elastic fluid power transmitter embodying two members free to move relatively to each other, one of said members being operated by a gravity movement of the signal blade, operating means for imparting a return movement to the signal blade, and energy storing means controlled by the other member of said power transmitter, said energy storing means cooperating with said operating means in accelerating the return movement of the signal blade.

10. In a signal, a signal member adapted to be moved by gravity to one of its indicating positions, means for imparting a reverse movement thereto, a cooperating cylinder and piston mechanism operated by said signal member, and means operable by said cylinder and piston mechanism for storing energy developed by the gravity movement of said signal member.

11. In a signal, a signal memberadapted to be moved by gravity to one of its indicating positions, means for imparting a reverse movement thereto, a cooperating piston and cylinder mechanism operated by the signal member, and means actuated by said piston and cylinder mechanism for storing energy developed by the gravity novement of said signal member, said energy storing mechanism and the piston and cylinder mechanism being subsequently effective in moving the signal member to another of its indicating positions.

12. In a signal, a signal member adapted to be moved by gravity to one of its indicating positions, means for imparting a reverse movement thereto, a cylinder movable in unison with said signal member, a piston cooperating with said cylinder, means for controlling the flow of air within the cylinder set in motion by a relative movement of the piston and cylinder, and reserve power means controllable by the compression of air established within the cylinder upon the gravity movement of the signal member.

13. In a signal, a signal member movable by gravity to one of its indicating positions,

a cooperating cylinder and piston mechanism whereof the cylinder is movable in unison with said signal member, and reserve power mechanism actuated by the compression of air established within the cylinder upon the gravity movement of said signal member.

14. In a signal, a signal member movable by gravity to one of its indicating positions, a cylinder and piston mechanism whereof the cylinder is connected with the signal member for movement in unison therewith, and a weight controllable by the piston, to which piston movement is imparted by the air compressed in the cylinder when the signal member is moved by gravity to said indicating posltion.

15. In a signal, a signal member movable by gravity to one of its indicating positions, a cooperating cylinder and piston, said cylinder being movable in unison with said signal member, and a weight cooperating with said piston and adapted to be raised by the movement of said piston relative to the cylinder due to the compression of air within the latter when the gravity movement of said signal member takes place.

16. In a signal, the combination with a gravity operated signal blade, an air compressing mechanism operated by the gravity movement of said signal blade, and means actuated by the air compressing mechanism for storing energy developed by said gravity movement of the signal blade.

v17. In a signal, the combination with a gravity operated signal blade, means for imparting a reverse movement thereto, air-compressing mechanism operated by said signal blade, meansactuated by said air compressing mechanism for storing energy developed by the gravity movement of said signal blade,

and means whereby the stored energy is rendered subsequently effective in the operation of moving the signal blade to another of its indicating positions. I 1 I v 18. In a signal, the combination With a gravity operated signal blade, of an air-compressing means connected With said signal 7 blade for operation thereby, a Weight adapted to be raised by the operation of said aircompressing means vvhen the gravity movement of the signal blade takes place, and

, mechanism whereby the energy of the Weight is rendered available in imparting movement to said signal blade subsequent to thegravity movement thereof. 7

19. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity to danger, an air compressing Vmeans' operated by such gravity movement of the signal blade, a Weight adapted to be raised by theoperation of said air compressing means when the signal blade is operated by gravity, and means operable tojutilize the energy of the Weight in subsequently movingthe signal blade to safety. V

20. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity to danger, an air-compressing means operable by said signal blade upon the gravity movement there of, means actuated by the air-compressing 'means for storing. energy developed by such grax' ity movement of the signal blade, and signal setting means adapted to utilize the energy of said storing means in subsequently imparting movement to the signal blade for restoring the latter to safety.

21. In a signal, the combination of a gravity operated signal blade, an air-compressing means connected therewith and operable upon the gravity movement thereof for compressing air, a weight, means actuated by the compression of air Within said air-compressing means-for lifting the Weight, and means v hereby the energy ofthe Weight is subsequently rendered available in imparting movement to the signal blade in a reverse 7 direction to the gravity movement thereof.

22. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity toone position, an air compressing means operated by said signal blade upon the gravity movement thereof, a Weight, means actuated by the compression of air for raising said weight, means 7 for utilizing the energy of'said Weight in subsequently imparting movement to said signal blade, and means for retaining the Weight in its raised position Without imposing the ponderosity thereofupon' said air compressing means. i

23. In a signal, the-combination with a I signalblade, of an air-compressor-operable by a gravity movement of said signal blade, a Weight, said Weight being lifted by the compression of air by said aircompressor, retaining means for said Weight, and means for releasing said Weight from the action of the retaining means, said Weight and air compressor cooperating With the signal during themovement of the latter to one ofits ind eating positions.

24. In a signal, the combination of a sig nalblade movable by gravity to one position, an air compressing mechanism operated by said signal blade upon the gravity movement thereof, a Weight, means actuated by the compression of air for raising said Weight When the gravity movement of the signal blade takes place,'and means adapted to utilize the gravity movement of the Weight in compressing air Within the air compressing mechanism for subsequently imparting an accelerated speed to the signal blade in a reverse direction to that in which the signal blade moves When actuated .by' gravity.

25. In a signal, the combination of a sig nal blade movable by gravity to one position, an air-compressing mechanism connected With said signal blade, a weight, means for elevating the Weight when air is compressed Within said air-compressing mechanism by the gravity movement of said signal blade, and means for utilizing a gravity movement of the Weight in subsequently compressing air within said air compressing mechanism whereby the latter is actuated by the Weight to accelerate the speed of the signal blade and for moving the latter to another of its indicating positions.

26. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity to one position, air-compressing mechanism operated by the gravity movement of said blade, and means operated by the air compressing mechanism for storing energy, said energy storing means acting subsequently through said air compressing mechanism for compressing air therein whereby the compressed air Within said air compressing mechanism imparts movement at accelerated speed to said signal blade and in an opposite direction to that in Which the signal blade is actuated by gravity, 7

27. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity toone position, an air-compressing means embodying a piston and a cylinder the latter of which is operated by the gravity movement of the signal blade, a Weight connected to the aircompressing piston, and means whereby the nal blade movable by gravity to danger, an

air-compressing means connected with said signal blade, a weight adapted to be raised by the operation of the air-compressing means upon the gravity movement of the signal blade, and means operated by the fall of the weight for compressing air whereby said air-compressing means actuates to return the signal blade to safety at accelerated speed.

29. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity to one posi tion, an air compressor the cylinder of which is connected with said signal blade, a weight operated by the descent of the piston due to the compression of air within the cylinder upon the gravity movement of the signal blade, means for retaining the weight in a raised position, and means for releasing the retaining means whereby the weight actuates the piston and the latter compresses air within the cylinder for imparting movement to the signal blade in a reverse direction and at an increased speed.

30. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity to one position, an air compressor embodying a cooperating cylinder and piston and the cylinder of which is connected with said signal blade, a weight mechanically connected with the piston and adapted to be elevated by a movement thereof due to the pressure of air established within the cylinder upon the gravity movement of the signal blade,cretaining means whereby the weight is held in said elevated position, and signal setting devices including means for releasing said retaining means whereby a gravity movement of the weight actuates the piston to subsequently compress air with the cylinder for imparting movement at accelerated speed to the signal blade, thereby shifting the latter to another of its indicating positions.

31. In a signal. the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity to one position, electrically operated means for imparting a reverse movement to said signal blade, an air compressor operated by the gravity movement of said signal blade, a weight, and means operated by said compressor for elevating said weight. 32. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity to one position, electrically operated means for imparting a reverse movement to said signal blade, an. air-compressor connected mechanically wit-h said signal blade, energy storing means operated by the air compressor upon the gravity movement of the signal blade, and means whereby the energy of said storing means is adapted to supplement the electrically operated means when imparting the reverse movement to the signal blade.

33. In a signal, the combination of a sig nal blade movable by gravity to one position, electrically operated means for imparting a reverse movement to said signal blade, an air compressor connected mechanically with said signal blade, a Weight adapted to be lifted by said air compressor upon the gravity movement of said signal blade, and means whereby a gravity movement of the weight is utilized for subsequently compressing air whereby said air compressor acts in conjunction with the electrically operated means in imparting reverse motion to the signal blade and at accelerated speed. x

34;. In a signal, a signal blade movable by gravity to danger, electrically operated means for impartingreverse motion to said signal blade, an air compressor operated by the gravity movement of the signal blade, a weight adapted to be elevated by said air compressor, and means for subsequently releasing the weight whereby the energy of said weight is applied to subsequently compress air and said air compressor cooperates with the electrically operated means in imparting reverse motion and at accelerated speed to the signal blade when returning the said signal blade to safety.

35. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity to one position, electrically operated means for imparting reverse movement thereto, an air compressor ated retaining means cooperating with said weight and adapted to release the same, whereby the fall of the weight actuates the air compressor to compress air which is. applied in conjunction with said electrically operated means in imparting reverse motion and at increased speed to the signal blade.

36. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable by gravity to one position, electrically operated means for imparting reverse movement thereto, an air compressor connected with said signal blade, and movable in unison therewith, a weight, lifting means operated by the air compressor and adapted to elevate the weight upon the gravity movement of the signal blade, a brake for restraining said lifting means from movement, and means operable in unison with the electrically operated means for releasing said brake whereby the weight is free to actuate the motor in accelerating the reverse movement of the signal blade.

37. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade, operating means for imparting movement in one direction thereto, an air compressor operable by a gravity movement of said signal blade, a weight, lifting means cooperating with the air compressor and the weight, and restraining means for relieving 38. In a signal, the combination of a signalbladelmovable by gravity to one position,

" means for imparting reverse motion thereto,

an air compressor the cylinder of which is connected with the signal blade for. movement in unison therewith, a weight, lifting means cooperating with the weight and the compressor piston, and automatic brake mechanism for retaining the weight in the position to which it is elevated by the compressorwhen the latteris actuated by the gravity movement of said signal blade, said brake mechanism being releasable prior to resetting the signal blade, whereby the weight is released and actuates the com pressor piston for compressing. air within the cylinder for the purpose of imparting reverse motion and at accelerated speed to said signal blade.

39. In a signal, the combination of a sig-- indicatingpositions.

40. In a signal, the ;combination of a signal blade movable to a plurality of indicating positions, means for setting the signal blade, a power transmitter operated by the movement of the signal blade to one of its indicating positions, a weight adapted to be lifted by the operation of said power transmitter, and means actuated by the signal setting means for releasing the weight whereby the energy of the weight is applied through said power transmitter to cooperate with said signal. setting means in moving the signal blade to another of its indicating positions.

41. In a signal, the combination of a signal blade movable to a plurality of indicating positions, means for setting the signal blade, a power transmitter operated by the movement of the signal blade to one of its indicating positions, said power transmits ter embodying a movable cylinder having an air passage, a piston movable therein, and an automatic valve movable with said piston for relieving the air pressure in one direction, a weight adapted to be elevated by the operation of the power transmitter when the signal blade moves to one position, and means for releasing the weight whereby its gravity fall is applied through the power transmitter to cooperate with the setting means in moving the signal blade to another of its indicating positions.

42. In a signal, a signal blade movable to a plurality of indicating positions, means for setting the signal blade, a cylinder to which movement is imparted by the signal blade, a piston, aweight controlled by the movement of the piston, and means whereby air is permitted to leak from said cylinder when the signal blade moves to one indicating position.

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

. JAMES T. HAMBAY.

Witnesses: 1

' H. I. BERNI-IARD,

M. C. RODRIGUEZ.

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