US1305391A - Safety device to compel proper observance of railroad-signals - Google Patents

Description

L B. MARTIN.

SAFETY DEViCE T0 COMPEL PROPER OBSERVANCE 0F RAILROAD SIGNALS.

APPLICATION HLED APR. 24. I917.

Patented June 3, 1919.

.I. B. MARTIN.

SAFETY DEVICE T0 COMPEL PROPER OBSERVANCE OF RAILROAD SIGNALS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, IBI].

1,305,391 Patented J une 3, 1919 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses: y

ATTORNEY.

1: Movems PEIEPS cnmwruumo,wsmwmv. n c

JOSEPH BRYAN MARTIN, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SAFETY DEVICE T0 COMPEL PROPER OBSERVAINCE OF RAILROAD-SIGNALS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J one 3, 1919.

Application filed April 24, 1917. Serial No. 164,278.

To all whmn it may concern.

Be it known that I, JosErH BRYAN MAR- TIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety Devices to Compel Proper Observance of Railroad-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means to compel compliance with signals displayed along a railroad to inform the engineman or motorman as to conditions of the road ahead.

Its principal objects are to register, note and secure records of the time and location of any disregard of a danger signal, to synchronously notify the train despatchers office or other distant headquarters of such disregard, to promptly notify the engineman of his neglect, to automatically stop the train in such case, and, through fear of detection, to prevent such neglect, as well as other objects which will be understood as the explanation proceeds.

My invention, combining unerring telltale mechanism with automatic train-stopping apparatus, serves to make the engine man exercise the greatest care and caution in observing and obeying all signals set up for his information and uidance, and being, also, an apparatus i or giving an instantaneous alarm to both the engineer and the distant headquarters, whether the disregard be intentional or otherwise, it serves to operate as a check to reckless or inattentive running of trains.

I attain these objects by the mechanism hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my attach ment, showing a locomotive approaching a signal set, normally, 2'. e. at danger; Fig. 2, an elevation of part of Fig. 1, at right angles thereto, with section of parts on line 'w'w thereof; Fig. 3, a view of the recording apparatus; Fig. 4, a view of the alarmproducin mechanism, and Fig. 5, an illustration o the mechanism employed to apply the air-brakes and to shut oil the steam to the engine, the construction in each case being substantially the sarre. The illustrations of the electric circuits are, of course, merely diagrammatic to graphically show the course of the currents and would in practice be properly disposed of and insulated. The method of current application, whether in series, or in parallel or partly in series and partly in parallel, or by relay to local separate circuit, must depend largely on the character of the currents in use, and should be varied and arranged to best harmonize with the system in vogue.

Similar characters of reference relate to similar parts.

For the purpose of illustrating my invention I have shown in the accompanying views the form thereof at present preferred by me, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized, and that my invention is not to be limited to the precise arrangement and organization herein shown and described, and I hereby reserve the right to reorganize and rearrange these instrumentalities within the scope of my invention.

In lZllGSPGClfiC construction shown in this application the elevated semaphore, 1, is pivoted to post 2, and provided with link, 3, adapted to operate a switch, 4, so as to open and hold open and to close and to hold closed an electric circuit emanating from the battery, 6, according to its position. A rod, 5, to operate this arm, connects it with the signal-actuating system, whether it be by automatic action or by hand at a signal tower. The arm or semaphore, 1, is properly balanced so as to normally, by the action of gravity, always set itself at danger or in a horizontal position, whereby the switch 4 is normally closed, except at such times as the signal arm, 1, is held down or at the clear signal by the restraining action of the arm 5. The battery, 6, is shown attached to the post, 2, but its location is immaterial and may be changed to meet varying conditions. The source of the current is likewise optional; it may be generated by battery or dynamo. A lead, a, connects one terminal of the switch, 4, with one of the track rails, 7 another lead, 6, connects the other terminal of the switch with a yieldable contacting member, 8. This element of my device consists of a composite strip of material so located adjacent to the tracks that it will be properly touched by another member attached to a part of the train, when the train passes, so as to form a good con ducting contact. I have shown it yieldably suspended from a frame or standard 10, and in the form of an arc, straightened at each end where it is slotted and loosely bolted to the standard. In this form it is composed of a series of conducting sections, a, alternating with a series of non-conductors, y, 3 So that the member on the train, in gliding past and beneath it, will press upwardly on these parts and alternately close and open the circuit from the battery, 6, as will presently appear. Each conductor area, a", is connected to the lead, I).

()n the train, so located as to make the required contact with member, 8, just described, is fixed the terminal, or pole piece, 9. It is here shown attached to the truck, 12, of the tender, from which it is insulated by a non-conducting shield, 11. The exact locations for these contacting members, 8 and 9, are not essentials to the working oi the device, for the contact may be arranged to occur beneath the train, overhead, or on either side. The object to be attained is a sufficient contact to make the circuit as the trainpasses. A roller, if desired, may be centered on the terminal, 9, to traverse the member, 8, or, the member, 8, may be in the form of a rotatable disk, the periphery whereof is composed of alternate arcs of conductors and non-conductors, and the train member, 9, in the form of a horizontal rail to engage and rotate the disk one complete turn. A lead,c,suitably insulated connects the terminal, 9, with one terminal ot the recorder or register, A, and a corresponding lead, cl, connects the truck, 12 (to which the wheel is electricall connected), with the other terminal thereo As there is no break in the circuit within the register, A, any contact between the terminal, 9, on the train and a conducting area, m, on the roadbcd terminal, 8, will close the circuit from the switch, 4, as follows: through lead, a, to rail, 7, to truck, 12, to lead, (13, to recorder, A to lead, 0, to member, 9, to member, 8, to lead, 5, back to switch, 4. hen the arm, 1, is down signifying safety, the switch, 4, is open, and the battery, 6, is cut out so that there will be no flow of current and consequently no action of the recorder, A. But when the semaphore indicates danger and has the switch, 4, held closed so that the battery, 6, is thrown into the circuit, any contact between members 8 and 9 will cause the current to flow through recorder or register, A, so as to actuate its mechanical parts.

The recorder shown consists of a time printing stamp, 13, having clock movement within actuating a time changing dial. Over the impression-making part of this is stretched a tape or strip, 14, so as to receive a printed or stamped impress every time the jaw, 15, is struck down. This tape is stored on a roller, 16, and passes between the stamp, 13, and.the jaw, 15, to the feed rollers, 17 and 18, so as to be held lirmly between them and advanced by their rotation in the directions of the arrows. Adjacent to this time printing stamp is a bracket, 15), to which is pivoted the punching arm, 20, normally held suspended by the helical spring, 21. To this arm is pendant the pawl or rider, 22, terminating in a hook adapted to engage with and actuate a pin, on the roller, 17. When the arm, 20, is lowered the pawl, by reason of its form and ad ustment is pressed aside as it passes the lower pm, 23, until it clears the same, whereupon it gravitates beneath so that, when lifted by the action of the spring, 21, it en gages this pin and draws the roller, 17, a partial turn on its axis, which moves the tape, 14. a sutlieient distance to advance the impression already made by the downward stroke of the arm, 20, and to present a fresh surface to the printing dial. The arm, 20, 6X- tends over the jaw, 15, so as to be adapted to administer to it a firm sharp jolt, when suddenly pulled downward. A suitable solenoid magnet, 24, is located beneath the extended end of the arm, 20, so that the core or armature, 25, may be loosely suspended therefrom by link, 26, and hang directly Within the central hollow of the solenoid, 24, and project into its magnetic field. Leads, 0, and (i, already mentioned, from the polepiece. 9, and from the truck, 12, respectively, Join the terminals of the solenoid. It is obvious, therefore, that whenever the magnet, 24, is excited by the passage of current from battery, 6, the arm, 20, will be jerked down upon the jaw, 15, resulting in a printed record u on the tape, 14, which record will state t e time of the action. The number of repetitions of this record will indicate the number of conducting sections composing the member, 8, passed at that time. As the numerical composition of this member can be Varied so as to designate different signal stations, such record will certify the identity of the place where the disregard occurs as well as register the time of the act.

An apparatus, which I designate as the alarm, B, is located so as to be suitably near the driver or engineer. In the drawing it is shown suspended from the ceiling of a locomotive cab. It consists of an electro-mag net, 27, to the terminals of which, leads, e and f, from the pole-piece, 9, and truck, 12, respectively, are attached so as to close the circuit at this point. The spring armature, 28, is pivoted so as to normally rest beneath and prop up the spring switch-arm, 29, but to be drawn from under and away from this arm upon any excitation of the magnet, 27.

This switch-arm, 29, when allowed to drop under the force of the spring, 30, closes the switch, 31, controlling the flow of a local circuit, lcl, from battery, In this circuit are electrically connected a loud, continuous-ringing gong, 33, and one or more lamps, 34, so that at the first pull on the armature, 28, the switch, 31, will be instantly closed and a separate current sent through the local circuit li hting up the lamps and ringing the bell. his light and noise will persist until the arm, 29, is reset by being raised and again propped upon the armature, 28. This may be done as shown, by a pull on the handle, 35, attached to the otuer end of the arm, whereby the inner end will be raised above the tip of the armature, 28, which will in turn be drawn to its normal position under the arm by the action of the spring, 36.

The mechanism to automatically bring the train to a stop embodies means to apply the air-brakes and to cut off the steam supply from the boiler to the engine. The method of doing this is substantially the same in each case. To the train-pipe, 50, controlling the air-brakes on the entire train is fitted a valve, ll, provided with an operating lever, 40, a solenoid, 37, with its core, 38, joined by link, 39, to lever, 40, is suitably positioned to exert the necessary pull, when excited, to operate the lever, 40, and open the valve, 41, and thus act as an emergency brake on the entire train. Leads, 9 and h, from the solenoid, 37, connected respectively to member, 9, and truck, 12, supply the actuating energy when the circuit is closed, as already explained in connection with the re cording and alarm apparatus. A similar construction is used to shut off the steam. A solenoid, 4:2, with its core, 43, link, 44, and lever, 45, serves to operate the steam valve, 16, which valve is located in the passage for the steam from the boiler to the engine, presumably near the throttle. When the solenoid, 4:2, is excited by current, the resulting magnetism acts on the mechanism just mentioned similarly to the actions described already touching the application of the airbrakes. Should the motive power of the train or car be electricity instead of steam, the construction would be modified by substituting a switch on the actuating current in place of the valve, 46, whereby the end to be attained, viz. the interruption of the motive power, would be similarly accomplished.

In order to increase the efliciency of my invention by simultaneously checking-up a disregard of a danger signal and notifylng a distant train-dc atcher or other operator, as well as to provide duplicate record or records of such disregard in case the traincarried apparatus should be completely destroyed by an accident, I place in the circuit with the switch, 4, by leads, m, n, relay 47 adapted to operate synchronously, a long distance circuit, 0-3), leading to any distant points that may be desired and having its own separate source of electrical energy and its own sets of registers and alarms. These appurtenances may, of course, be duplicated indefinitely, and will all operate in precise accord with the operation of the apparatus on the moving train, so as to keep the traindespatcher and other distant headquarters informed.

The recording apparatus on the train is inclosed within the strongbox, A which is securely locked and to which no one but the properly constituted oflicer may have access. The alarm construction is similarly grouped on the panel, or base-board, B, so as to be conveniently located to attract attention from the driver or engineer.

My invention is susceptible to unlimited duplication of the recording and alarmgiving apparatus, as well as to many variations of circuits carrying the electrical energy, whether in series or in parallel or partly in series and partly in parallel whether all actuated by the same source 0t current, or by independent or local circuits controlled by relays actuated by one circuit, and of the source of the electrical energy. Such duplications and variations of the character described may naturally be required to meet exigencies and conditions of different systems, and are, of course, claimed and intended to be covered and protected by this application. Indeed, if desired, the recording feature may be eliminated from the train altogether and located at fixed points alone.

It is to be understood also that in these specifications and claims, the word train is used generically so as to comprehend any power-propelled vehicle traveling on rails, Whether the conventional steam locomotive with its train of cars, or the other extreme, a single self-propelled car, or any intermediate combination, irrespective of the type and character of the motive power or its mode of application.

Having thus explained the nature of my invention and described and shown one way of constructing and using the same, without attempting to set forth all the forms in which it may be made, or all the methods of its use, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, in combination, a signal located adjacent to the train track, a register adapted to make permanent records, and means, partly on the train on said track and partly at said signal, to repeatedl operate said register by the transit of said train past said signal.

2. In a device of the character described, in combination, a signal located adjacent to the train track, a register adapted to make permanent records, means, partly on the train and partly at said signal, to repeatedly operate said register by the transit of said train past said signal, and means to predetermine the number of said repetitions.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination a. signal. located adjacent to the train track, a register adapted to make permanent. records, a continuously ringing alarm, and means, partly on a train on said track and partly at said signal, to set-up said alarm and to repeatedly operate said register by the transit of said train past said signal.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a signal located adjacent to the train track, a register adapted to make permanent records, a valve-controlling device adapted to open and close the air sup ply to the air-brakes on a train on said track, and means, partly on said train and partly at said signal, to operate said register any predetermined number of times and to operate said valve controlling device, synchronously, by the transit of said train past said signal.

5. In a device of the character described, in combination, a signal located adjacent to the train track, a register adapted to make permanent records, a controlling device adapted to open and close the supply of energy moving a train on said track, and means, partly on said train and partly at said signal, to operate said register any predetermined number of times and to operate said controlling device, synchronously, by the transit of said train past said signal.

6. In a device of the character described, in combination, a signal located adjacent to the train track, a register adapted to make permanent records, a valve-controlling device adapted to open and close the air supply to the air-brakes on a train on said track, a controlling device adapted to open and close the supply of energy moving said train, and means, partly on said train and partly at said signal, to operate said register any predetermined number of times and to operate said air controlling device and said energy controlling device, synchronous] y. by the transit of said train past said signal.

7. In a device of the character described, in combination. a signal located adjacent to the train track, a register adapted to make permanent records, a valve-controlling device adapted to open and close the air supply to the air-brakes on a train on said track, a valve-controlling device adapted to open and close the steam supply to the engines moving said train, and means, partly on said train and partly at said signal, to operate said register any predetermined number of times and to synchronously operate said air controlling device and said steam controlling device by the transit of said train past said signal.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, a signal located adjacent to the train track, a register adapted to make permanent records, an alarm, a valve-controlling device adapted to 0 en and close the air supply to the air-bra es on a train on said track, a controlling device adapted to open and close the supply of energy moving said train, and means, partly on said train and partly at said signal, to operate said register any predetermined number of times and to synchronously operate said alarm, said air-controlling device and said energy-controlling device, by the transit of said train past said signal.

9. In a device of the character described, in combination, a signal located adjacent to the train track, a register adapted to make permanent records, an alarm, a valve-controlling device adapted to open and close the air supply to the air-brakes on a train on said track, a valve-controlling device adapted to open and close the steam supply to the engines moving said train, and means, partly on said train and partly at said signal, to operate, said register any predetermined number of times and to synchronously operate said alarm, said air controlling device and said steam controlling device, by the transit of said train past said signal.

10. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a signal, electrically operated recorders, an actuating electric circuit for said recorders, means controlled by said signal, to repeatedly close and open said circuit by the transit of said train past said signal.

11. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a signal, electrically operated recorders variously located, electrically operated alarms variously located, actuating circuits for said recorders and for said alarms, and means controlled by said signal to open and close said circuits any '.-re(:letermined number of times by the transit of said train past said signal.

12. In a safety appliance for a moving t'ain, in combination, a signal, electrically operated recorders tvariously located. an electrically controlled air-brake valve on said train, actuating circuits for said recorders and for said valve, and means controlled by said signal to open and close said circuits any predetermii'ied number of times by the transit of said train past said signal.

13. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a signal, electrically operated recorders variously located, an electrically controlled device on said train to regulate the supply of energy moving the train, actuating circuits for said recorders and for said device, and means controlled by said signal to open and close said circuits any predetermined number of times by the transit of said train past said signal.

14. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a signal, electrically operated recorders variously located, an electrically controlled air-brake valve on said train, an electrically controlled device on said train to regulate the supply of en ergy moving said train, actuating circuits for said recorders, for said valve and for said device, and means controlled by said signal to open and close said circuits any predetermined number of times by the transit of said train past said signal.

15. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a signal, electrically operated recorders variously located, an electrically controlled air-brake valve on said train, an electrically controlled valve on said train adapted to regulate the steam supply to the engine moving said train, actuating circuits for said recorders, for said air-brake valve and for said steam valve, and means controlled by said signal to open and close said circuits any predetermined number of times by the transit of said train past said signal.

16. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a signal, electrically operated recorders variously located, electrically operated alarms variously located, an electrically controlled air-brake valve on said train, an electrically controlled device on said train to regulate the supply of energy moving the train, actuating circuits for said recorders, for said alarms, for said valve and for said device, and means controlled by said signal to open and close said circuits any predetermined number of times by the transit of said train past said signal.

17. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a signal, electrically operated recorders variously located, electrically operated alarms variously located, an electrically controlled air-brake valve on said train, an electrically controlled valve on said train adapted to regulate the steam supply to the engine moving the train, actuating circuits for said recorders, for said alarms, for said air-brake valve and for said steam valve, and means controlled by said signal to open and close said circuits any predetermined number of times by the transit of said train past said signal.

18. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a movable signal, an electric circuit having terminals adapted to be closed and opened any predetermined number of times by the transit of a train therepast, means on said train to "so close and open said circuit, means actuated by the movements of said signal to open and close said circuit, independently of the opening and closing thereof by said train, and divers electrically actuated safety promoting mechanisms, variously located and s0 connected electrically, as to be operated by the currents in said circuit when said circuit is closed throughout.

19. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a movable signal, an electric circuit having terminals adapted to be closed and opened any predetermined number of times by the transit of a train therepast, means on said train to open and close said circuit, means actuated by the movements of said signal to open and close said circuit, independently of the closing and opening thereof by said train, and registers adapted to make permanent records, and to be actuated by said circuit each time the same is closed throughout.

20. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a movable signal, an electric circuit having terminals adapted to be closed and opened by the transit of a train therepast, one of said terminals consisting of several independent poles, successively disposed, means on said train to successively close and open said circuit as many times as there are independent poles, means actuated by the movements of said signal to open and close said circuit. independently of the closing and opening thereof by said train, and registers, operated by said circuit and adapted to make permanent records as often as said circuit is closed and opened throughout.

21. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a movable signal. an electric circuit having terminals adapted to be closed and opened any predetermined number of times by the transit of a train therepast. means on said train to open and close said circuit, means actuated by the motions of said signal, to open and close said circuit independently of the closing and opening thereof by said train, registers adapted to make permanent records, variously located and so connected as to be operated by said circuit each time the same is closed, and alarms, variously located and so connected as to be operated by said circuit when first closed.

22. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a movable signal. an electric circuit having terminals adapted to be closed and opened any predetermined number of times by the transit of a train therepast, means on said train to close and open said circuit, means actuated by the motions of said signal, to open and close said circuit independently of the closing and opening thereof by said train, registers adapted to make permanent records, variously located, and so connected as to be operated by said circuit each time the same is closed, alarms, variously located, and so connected as to be operated by said circuit when first closed, and electrically moved valvecontrolling devices attached to the air-brake system pipe and to the steam supply pipe, respectively, on said train, and so connected as to be operated by the said circuit when first closed.

In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a movable signal, an electric circuit having teri'ninals adapted to be closed and opened any predetermined number of times by the transit of a train therepast, means on said train to close and open said circuit, means actuated by the motions of said signal to open and close said circuit, independently of the closing and opening thereof by the train, registers adapted to make permanent records, variously located, and so connected as to be operated by said circuit each time the same is closed, alarms, variously located and so con nected as to be operated by said circuit when first closed, electrically moved valve controlling devices attached to the air-brake system pipe on said train, electrically operated mechanism to control the supply of motive power to said train, and means whereby said valve devices and said motive power mechanism are actuated by the said circuit when first closed.

24. In a safety appliance for a moving train, in combination, a recording register consisting of a time-printing stamp, a tape to receive the impress thereof, means to advance said tape after an impress thereon, an electro-magnet to actuate said register, an electric circuit to excite said magnet, means, partly on said train and partly at fixed points adjacent to the track of said train to close and open said circuit any predetermined number of times by the passage of said train past said fixed points.

In a safety appliance for a moving train. in combination, a movable signal, an electric circuit having terminals adapted to he opened and closed by the transit of a train thcrepast, one of said terminals consisting of several independent poles sun-essively disposed, means on said train to suecessively close and open said circuits as many times as there are poles, means actuated by the movements of said signal to open and close said circuit independently of the opening and closing thereof by said train, a recording register on said train consisting of a time-printing stamp, a tape to receive the impress thereof, feed rollers to advance said tape over said stamp, a lever to operate said stamp, a member on said lever to rotate said rollers, an electric solenoid having a core suspended from said lever and actuated by said electric circuit, a plurality of similar registers located at fixed points, currents to similarly actuate said registers, means included in the first mentioned circuit, to close and open said currents, synchronously with the opening and closing of said circuit by said train.

26. In a device of the character described, in combination, with a moving car, a semaphore, an electric switch operated by the action thereof, an electric circuit controlled by said switch, one lead thereof connected to the rails on which said car moves, an element composed of alternate sections of conducting and non-conducting material yieldably disposed adjacent to the track of said car, the other lead of said circuit connected with each of said conductor sections, electrically operated recording registers included in said circuit so as to be actuated thereby and variously located, conducting means on said car to engage said yieldable element and so electrically connected with the track as to close and open said circuit by the transit of said car.

27. In a device of the character described, in combination with a moving train, a semaphore, an electric switch operated by the action thereof, an electric circuit controlled by said switch, one lead therefrom connected to the train track, an element composed of altenate sections of conducting and non-conducting materials and yieldably disposed adjacent to said track, the other lead from said switch connected to each of said conductor sections, electrically actuated recording registers adapted to be operated by said current and variously located, electrically actuated alarms adapted to be operated by said circuit and variously located, means operated by said circuit to actuate both said registers and said alarms synchronously, and conducting means on said train, including a similar register and a similar alarm, positioned to electrically engage said composite element and so electrically connected with said track as to close and open said circuit by the transit of said train.

28. In a device of the character described, in combination "with a moving train, a semaphore, an electric switch operated by the action thereof, an electric circuit controlled by said switch, one lead thereof connected to the track on which the train moves, an element composed of alternate sections of conducting and non-conducting materials yieldably disposed adjacent to the track, the other lead thereof connected with each of the said conductor sections, electrically actuated recording registers adapted to be operated by said circuit and variously located, electrically actuated alarms adapted to be operated by said circuit and variously located, means operated by said circuit to actuate said registers and said alarms synchronously, an electrically operated control valve on the air-pipe to the air-brakes and adapted to set the same, an electrically 0perated throttle on the steam-pipe to the engines, conducting means on said train, intle synchronously With the operations of eluding an actuating device for said air valve said registers and said alarms. 10 and an actuating device for said throttl and In testimony whereof I have hereunto set so positioned as to electrically engage said my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

yieldable element and so electrically con- JOSEPH BRYAN MARTIN. nected with said track as to close and open \Vitnesses:

said circuit by the transit of said train, and AUGUSTINE O. METZINGER,

operate said air-brake valve and said throt- L. T. MARTIN.

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

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