US1301761A - Car-step. - Google Patents

Description

H. B. STHATION.

CAR STEP. APPLlvcATloN FILED MAY 24, 1918.

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Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

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HENRY B. STRATTON, 0F WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI.

CAR-STEP.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

Application led May 24, 1918. Serial No. 236,304.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY B. STRATTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Warrensburg, in the county of Johnson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Steps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in car steps, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a new and improved type of car step especially adapted for use on vestibule passenger cars, -which is 'Provided with an extension step which is adapted to be folded so as to close the step to prevent passengers from having access thereto when the lcar is in motion, and which, likewise, forms a cover so as to prevent cold air entering the vestibule.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment for car steps of the vestibule type, which includes an extension step pivotally mounted beneath the lowermost step, and adapted to be swung outwardly so as to form an extension step, and to be folded up over the Vstep to form a cover or closure for the same for preventing access thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is easily and simply constructed, inexpensive to manufacture, and one which will be very eficient in operation.

With these and numerous other objects in view my invention consists of the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be herein referred to and more particularly `pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device,

Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation from the opposite side from that which is illustrated in Fig. l,

and

Fig. 4L is a fragmentary detail in'perspective of a portion of the step and the operating means therefor.

In describing my invention I shall refer to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The numeral 1 designates car steps of the conventional type that are ordinarily employed for use on passenger cars of the vestibule type, and the steps 1 are also provided with side portions 2, with laterally projecting spaced flanges 3 adjacent their upper ends.

Pivotally mounted beneath the next to the lowermost of the steps l, is a substantially rectangular-shaped frame t, which has its upper edge pivotally mounted through the side portions 2 of the steps and one end thereof projects from the adjacent side portion, and has a laterally extending arm 5 connected therewith. The frame 4 is of a corresponding sizeV approximately to the front portion of the lower step, and it is so mounted that it is adapted to have its lower edge swing outwardly and rearwardly, the lower edge of said frame, which is designated by the numeral 6, being provided with projecting ends that extend through the side portions, being slidable in notches 7 therein, as clearly shown in Fig. l of the drawings. When in normal position the projecting portions of the lower edge 6 of the frame are mounted in the notches 7, and the frame is positioned substantially vertically. Connected with the `projecting ends of the lower edge 6 of the frame, are the side portions 8 of an extension step 9, which side portions being connected with the projecting ends at their upper rear ends and being so mounted on the projecting portions that they are adapted to swing.

Slidably mounted through the projecting flanges 3 of the steps 1, at one side of said steps, is an operating bar 10 provided with an enlarged lower end 1l that has therein a transverse slot 12 for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. This bar 10 that is slidableJ through the flanges 3, has one edge notched as shown at 13, and a handle 14: is positioned on the upper end of said bar that extends above the uppermost of the flanges 3. Secured to the under side of the upper flange 3, is a spring pressed bolt 15, that is adapted to bear against one side of the bar 10, to force the same outwardly so that when the bar is in one position, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the notch portion thereof will be positioned beneath the fla-nge 3, and the spring pressed bolt will move the same to coperative engagement therewith to prevent movement of the bar unless it is moved laterally against the bolt. A connecting link 16 has one end pivotally connected with the arm 5 of the frame 4, and the opposite end thereof has a projecting lug 17 thereon that is mounted through the slot 12 in the lower end of the bar 10. This construction forms the operating means for moving theextension step 9 to operative position, in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described.

A substantially U-shaped frame 18 has its base portion pivotally mounted through the side portions 2 of the steps, beneath the next to the lowermost step, and in parallel relation with the upper edge of the frame 4. This frame 18 has its arms disposed parallel with the side portions of the steps, and said arms, which are designated by the numeral 19, are connected with the side portions 8 of the extension step 9 by connecting links 20. These links extend outwardly and are connected with the forward portions of the sides Of the extension step, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. One of the arms 19 has a rearwardly extending` extension 21 thereon that is positioned on the opposite side of the steps from which the bar 10 is positioned, said extension being clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Slidably mounted through the fianges 3 at this side of the steps is a vertically adjustable operating bar 22, that is provided with an enlarged lower end 23, provided with a transverse slot 24C for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. The extension 21 of the arm 19 that is disposed adjacent thereto is connected with a point adjacent the lower end of said arm by a link 25 and said link is provided with a projecting lug 26 thereon that is positioned through the slot 24 in the lower end of said bar so as to limit the nro-vement between these parts as is obvious. The bar 22 is notched as shown at 27 on one edge, and is provided on its upper end that projects above the uppermost flange 3 with a head 28. The opposite side from which the notches 27 are positioned has bearing against the same, and a spring pressed bolt 29 is connected with the underside of the upper flange 3 so that when the notches 27 are disposed adjacent said upper flange 3 the bolt will move the same for cooperative engagement therewith for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully described. This construction forms a means for closing the eX- tension step 9 as will be hereinafter more fully described.

In operation, when the various parts of the device are assembled and positioned as is clearly shown in the accompanying drawings, the extension step 9 will be in open position beneath the lowermost of the steps 1, so as to permit passengers to have access to said steps. To open the extension step 9, move this bar 22 rearwardly against the spring bolt 29 so that the upper notch 27 is disengaged from the upper flange 3 allowing the bar 22 to pass upwardly when the ste-p 9 will drop by gravity to open position. To close the extension step 9, place the foot upon the head 28 of the bar 22, thus, shovingbar 22 downwardly and bringing step 9 to folded position. When the spring bol-t shoves said bar 22 forwardly engaging the upper notch 27 with the upper flange 3 then it is automatically locked. The bar 10 is used only in shifting the step 9 back under the steps 1 when approaching a station with a raised platform. This is done by moving the bar 22 rearwardly against the spring bolt 29 so that the upper notch 27 is disengaged from the upper flange 3 allowing it to pass upwardly until the lower notch 27 is engaged with the upper flange 3, the step 9 being in half open position. By grasping handle 14 on top of the bar l0 and moving it rearwardly against the spring bolt 15 until notch 13 is disengaged from the flange and said rod is lifted until the lower notch 13 is engaged on top of the flange when the extension step 9 will be shifted backward underneath the steps 1, thus, avoiding the obstruction of a raised platform. y

lVhen the bar 22 is released the step will drop by gravity to operative position and then by forcing bar 22 down the step is returned to folded position. The bar 10 is used to shift the step backward underneath when approaching a station which has a raised platform. This is done by dropping the step to half open position which is done by the bar 22. Then by lifting the bar 10 the step is shifted backward so as to avoid the obstruction of the raised platform.

This type of folding extension step will be found very efficient in operation, and it is especially adapted to be applied to passenger cars of the vestibule type as the extension step when folded over the front of the steps 1 acts as a cover to prevent cold air from entering the vestibule. The device is very easily operated by movement of the bars 1() and 22 it only being necessary to lift the bar 110 to move the extension step to operative position, and to force the bar 22 downwardly to return the step to folded position.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought that a `clear and comprehensive understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of my invention may be had, and while I have shown and described the device as embodying a specific, structure, I desire that it be understood that such changes may be made in said structureas do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having fully described my invention, wha-t I claim is new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with car steps, a pivoted frame beneath the neXt to the lowermost step, an extension step having the inner end of its side portions connected with said frame, and means for swinging the frame rearwardly whereby the extension step is drawn rearwardly and downwardly to allow the same to drop by gravity to operative position.

2. The combination with ear steps, a pivoted frame beneath the neXt to the lowermost step, an extension step having the upper inner end of its side portions pivotally connected with said frame, means for swing ing the frame rearwardly whereby the extension step is drawn rearwardly and down wardly to allow the same to drop by gravity to operative position, and means connected with said extension step for returning the same to folded position.

3. The combination with ear steps, a pivoted frame vertically disposed beneath the next to the lowermost step, an extension step having its upper inner end of its side portions pivotally connected with said frame, an arm on said Jframe, a vertically adjustable operating bar, and a link having a limited movement connecting said bar and arm for swinging the frame upon movement of the bar to move the extension step to operative position.

4. rllhe combination with oar steps, an eX- tension step pivotally connected with the oar steps, means for shifting the extension step into position in front of the car steps, a substantially U-shaped frame having its base portion pivotally mounted through the sides of said step, links connecting the Jforward portions of the sides of the extension stepl with the arms of said frame, and a vertically adjustable operating bar connected with said frame for swinging the extension step to folded position.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature hereto.

HENRY B. STRAT'ION- Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents., Washington, D. CE2.

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