US1306857A - Bailroad-signal - Google Patents

Description

L F. SALCHLL RAILROAD SIGNAL.

APPLxcATloN FILED Nov. 12. 1911.

Patented J une 17, 1919.

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JOHN F. SALOHLI, OF FRANKFURT, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR TO IDOIVIINICO MARCUCCILLI,

i i 0F LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

RAILROAD-SIGNAL.

specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 17, 1919.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN F. SALCHLI, a citizen of the United States, `and a resident of Frankfort, in the county of Franklin and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Raioad- Signals, of which the following is a speciication.

This invention relates to signals designed to be positioned at the intersection of thoroughfares with railroads and which are adapted to be actuated by approaching trains to afford notice, by constant movement, of the trains approach. Many accidents occur at railroad crossings due to lack of warning, or neglect thereof. In many States railroads are required to place signs at crossings. These signs, however, merely indicate that there is a crossing at that point, anda traveler is expected to exercise due care in approaching the railroad, theyY give no warning as to the approach of a train. Now man is so constituted that he becomes accustomed to and eventually oblivious tothe presence of a passive object,

consequently these signs are of little value.

An object of this invention is to providey a sign, or` signal, normally quiescent but having an element adapted ytoibe agitated, by a train Vupon the approachthereof, thereby attracting by its vsudden movement, the attention of a person approaching the crossmg. 1 Y ,a

. With the foregoing and otherobjects in view, the invention consists'of the novel construction and arrangement of parts illustratedin the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, wherein is set forth an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that such changes and modifications may be resorted to as come within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing, wherein similar reference characters designate like parts in the several views, Figure l, is a perspective view of a railroad crossing, showing an embodiment of the invention associated therewith: Fig. 2, is a side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the actuating lever, showing the normal position thereof in full lines and actuated positions in dotted lines: Fig. 3, a View on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Referring now to the drawing the reference numeral -1- designates a highway which crosses a railroad 9- at a point -3-. In proximity to the intersection a standard *tis erected, this standard may be of any suitable construction, but as illustrated it is quadrangular in cross section and hollow. At its upper end there is attached the usual X signboard -5- associated with signs of this nature. An arm -6` extends from the standard out over the highway. Suspended from the outer end of this arm is a rod -7 to the lower end of which a disk -8- is attached. A warning such as the word Stop may be printed upon the disk. This rod is free to swing in axvertical plane parallel with said arm and? crosses the path of an approaching traveler. A second arm 9- which extends from the standard at a spaced distanceV below the arm 6 is provided with a slot '10- through which, and by which, the `rod V'7 extendsv and is guided. A rod -.-11, reciprocably mounted in bearings -12,l3- on the arm 9,- is provided at its forward end with a lateral projection *I4-f.

adapted tobe broughtinto contact .with the swinging rod `7, to give-it a swinging Ino-` attached to the rear end of the rod 11 is led over a pulley -l8- down through the standard to and under 4a pulley -19- at the foot of the standard, here it divides, and branches 20, 21 extend along the railroad, in each direction to connections with suitable devices -22- adapted to be actuated by an approaching train to exert traction on the respective connectives. As illustrated this actuating device comprises a bracket -23- adapted to be secured to a crosstie 24.- and to which a lever-25- is pivoted at -26-- To the lower end of this lever the connective 17 is attached. A lateral projection -27- from the lever 25 bears against the lower edge of the bracket when the lever is in a normal or vertical position, and is held in, and returned to, that position by means of a spring 28. A trip 29- pivotally attached to the upper end of the lever at 30- extends upward in prolongation of the lever a spaced distance suiiicient to be in path of, and be struck by, a suitable projection from a railroad train. A shoulder -31- on the trip normally rests on a projection 32- on the lever 30, a spring #33 serving to hold it in that position, the arrrngement being such that a train approaching the crossing will strike the trip and move it and the lever as a unit, thereby exerting traction on the chain 17, thereby drawing the rod 11, on the signal post back against the resistance of the spring 15. As the rod 11 is drawn back, the projection 14 thereon will come into contact with the pendulous rod 7 and carry it with it to the limit of its travel, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. As the train moves forward the trip will escape from the contact member thereon, and will be returned to its normal, vertical position by the spring 33. At the same time the spring 15 will return the rod 11 to its nor* mal position releasing the rod 7 permitting it to swing to and fro. The movement of the disk 8 across the line of vision, as it swings to and fro, will attract the attention of a person approaching the intersection and warn him to observe proper precaution. A train receding from the crossing will strike the trip, one the reverse side from that against which the oncoming train strikes, causing it to give on the pivot 30, against the pressure of the spring #33, which serves to return it to its normal position. While' the mechanism for the purpose described may in accordancewith this invention be varied considerably in the matter of detail without departure from the essence and spirit thereofitis to be pointed out that the arrangement shown is one wherein the number of necessary parts is reduced to a minimum, and wherein the assemblage may quickly and easily bc performed, and the signal erected economically.

` Having thus described my invention so that any one skilled in the art pertaining thereto can make and use the same, I claim:

1. In a signal as characterized, a pendulate member, and means adapted to be actuated by an approaching train to impart motion to said member, said member being permitted to oscillate freely until stopped by friction.

2. In a signal as characterized, a pendulate member, means in proximity thereto, said member thereupon swinging without further urge until stopped by friction of its bearings and of the air for imparting motion thereto, distant means adapted to be actuated by a passing train, and operative connections between said means.

3. In a signal as characterized, a pendulate member, a guide therefor, a sliding member on said guide adapted to be brought into contact with the pendulate member, a distant member adapted to be actuated by a passing train, and operative connections between said sliding and distant members.

1. A post, a lateral arm extended therefrom, a pendu-late member carried by said arm, a second lateral arm adapted to guide said member, a rod slidably mounted on saidl second arm, said rod provided with a projection adapted to be brought into contact with said member, a distant `member adapted to vbe actuated by an approaching train, and operative means connecting said distant member' and the rod. Y

5. In a railroad signal a'pendulate member normally hanging vertically and free to oscillate in a vertical'plane, anoscillating member normally lying beyond the path of travel of said pendulatemember and adapted toV be brought into contact therewithand move same fromrits' vertical position, and means for returningsaid actuating member to its normahposition thereby permitting the pendulate member to oscillate freely until it comes :to rest. l JOIYINF. SALCHLI.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve centseach, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 2D.' C.

It is hereby certified that Letters Patent No. 1,306,857, granted June 17, 1919, upon the application of John F. Salchli, of Frankfort, Kentucky, for an improvement in Railroad-Signals, Were erroneously issued to Dominico Marcuccilli, as assignee of the entire interest in said invention, Whereas said Letters Patent should have been issued t0 the inventor, said Salcili, and Dominica Marcuccilli, jointly, said assignee being owner of one-half only of said invention, as shown by the records of assignments in this office; and that the said Letters Patent should be read With this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. i

Signed and sealed this 29th day of July, A. D., 1919.

J. T. NEWTON,

Commissioner of Patents.

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