US1308543A - Automatic train-control system - Google Patents

Automatic train-control system Download PDF

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US1308543A
US1308543A US1308543DA US1308543A US 1308543 A US1308543 A US 1308543A US 1308543D A US1308543D A US 1308543DA US 1308543 A US1308543 A US 1308543A
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shoe
contact
ramp
oil
vehicle
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61RAILWAYS
    • B61LGUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L3/00Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal
    • B61L3/02Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal at selected places along the route, e.g. intermittent control simultaneous mechanical and electrical control
    • B61L3/04Devices along the route for controlling devices on the vehicle or train, e.g. to release brake or to operate a warning signal at selected places along the route, e.g. intermittent control simultaneous mechanical and electrical control controlling mechanically

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  • the invention relates to such means of communication which ⁇ in ⁇ cludes ⁇ a contact shoe carried bythe vehicle and arranged to cooperate mechanically and" electrically with suitable contact rails o-r ⁇ ramps ⁇ located atintervals ⁇ along the track over which the vehicle travels.
  • One of the objects of this invention is to i devise a simple and eilicient contact shoe for automatic train control systems which will Open or close certain electric circuits positively and reliably as the vehicle travels over i the track, and which may also be used to control electric circuits selectively according to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling.
  • a further object of the invention yis to devise an arrangement and construction of parts whereby frost,jsleet, iceand ⁇ thelike ⁇ on the ramp will not interfere with the elec- ⁇ trical contact between the contact shoe and a ramp.
  • a further object of the invention is tode-i vise-a simple means for economically oiling the movable parts of a contact shoe and the ⁇ Contact surface of the several ramps with which this contact shoe engages.
  • a still further obj ect of the invention is an arrangement and construction of parts whereby the contact surface of the several ramps and the important ⁇ moving parts of the contact shoe., which are subjected to the greatest wear, may be supplied with. oil, thereby enabling a greater contact pressure between the shoe and the ramps to be used ⁇ without objectionable wear than could otherwise be used, 'thus improving ⁇ the electricalv contact of the shoe with the ramps.
  • the ⁇ imfention consists in the ⁇ parts, and in the arrangements and combinations ⁇ of parts, which are more "fully ⁇ set forth hereinafter.
  • F'gure l is af-vertioilsectional. viewof a Contact shoeeinbodying the invention.
  • Fig. 2 ⁇ is another ⁇ vertical section through the contact shoe, said sectionbeing taken ⁇ at right angles to the section shown in Fig. l and substantially o'n the line 2--2 ⁇ in Fig. ⁇
  • Fig. 3 shows a ⁇ portion of the Contact shoe anda type of ramp which is preferred for use with the forni of contact shoe illustrated.
  • the Contact shoe designed to be supported inany suitable way (not shown) preferably adjustably on some 'part of the vehicle, as on a journal box, an axle, truck side frame or1 the like; and since one function of the cont-act shoe is to establish electrical commu; ⁇
  • the contact shoe pref erahly mountedjon afbar 5 of wood or other suitable insulating material, so that the shoe asa wholeis insulated from the frame or body of the vehicle.
  • the contact shoe;l as a whole comprises a body portion or casting A which in effect consistsof two chambers or casings B and C arranged oneabove the other, the upper casing ⁇ C being provided with a suitable removablecover l), and the l front of the lower casing 'Bbeinlg provided with a removable cover plate E.
  • the body portion or casting A of the whole Contact shoe is fastened to the supporting bar or shoe beam 5 by two bolts 6, aplate or washer 7 being interposed between the nuts of said bolts andfthe bar
  • the portion of the shoe which actually contacts with the scveral ramps consists of a diskor footShaving an j integral 'bearing stud 9 ⁇ which is revolubly mounted in a block 10, said bearing stud 9 being held in said block l() bytwo pins 11 engaging a circumferential groove in said [bei is explained hereinafter, extend from the upper face of the foot 8 to the recess in its under face.
  • the block 10, carrying the foot 8 of the shoe, is supported by two parallel crank arms, each of which is pivotally supported atfits upper end to the body portion f or casting A of the Contact shoe and at its lower end to the block 10; and since the construction of these crank arms and their associated parts'are the same in most r e spects, the general description of one will suliice for both, and for convenience the cor- 'responding ⁇ parts will be designated by the same reference characters with the dist1nctive exponent 1 added thereto.
  • Each of thecrank arms 15 has a laterally projecting bearing stud 16 (see Fig. 2) at its lower end which extends through a correspending bore near one end of the block 10, a washer 18 and a cotter pin 17 passed through said stud 16 serving to hold the block 10 in place on said bearing stud.
  • Extending longitudinally of the bearing stud 16 for part of its length is a comparatively small hole or bore 19, the outer exposed end of which is closed by a suitable plug 20; and communicating with the bore 19 is another channel or passage 21 which extends transversely of the bearing stud 16 to its outer surface; and when the contact shoe is not in engagement with a ramp and the parts thereof are in the normal position shown in the drawing, the channel 21 is in communication with a channel 22 extendin through the block 10 to the outer surface o the bearing stud 9, as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 1.V Extending longitudinally of each I crank arm 15 is a channel or passage 23, the
  • each crank arm is an upper bearing stud 30 which extends through the front and rear walls of the lower casing B of the body portion A of the Contact shoe and which is held in place by a collar 31 fastened thereto by a pin 32.
  • Extending longitudinally for part of the length of the upper bearing stud 30 from its front end is a bore or channel 25, the outer end of which is closed by a plug 26, and the inner end of which communicates with another channel 27 extending to the outer surface of the corresponding bearing stud.
  • each crank arm 15 In the body portion or casting A of the contact shoe immediately above the outer end of each crank arm 15 is a downwardly extending channel 28, the lower end of which is in communication with the channel 27 in the corresponding crank arm when the parts of the shoe are in their normal position, and the upper end of which communicates with a pipe 29 leading to a suitable oil pump hereinafter described.
  • each of the crank arms 15 is encircled by a torsion Spring 33, one end of which is bent and fixed to the rear wall of the lower casing B of the contact shoe, as indicated by the numeral 34, and the other end of said spring is secured to the correspondiiw bearing stud 30, this connection being malde between a bent end 35 of the spring 33 and a collar 36 which is ixed to the corresponding ⁇ bearing stud 30 by a key 37.
  • a torsion Spring 33 one end of which is bent and fixed to the rear wall of the lower casing B of the contact shoe, as indicated by the numeral 34, and the other end of said spring is secured to the correspondiiw bearing stud 30, this connection being malde between a bent end 35 of the spring 33 and a collar 36 which is ixed to the corresponding ⁇ bearing stud 30 by a key 37.
  • the collar 36 has integral therewith a cam 38, shown to the best advantage in Fig. 1.
  • a cam 38 journaled on a pin 41 secured to a lug 42 fixed to or integral with the side wall of the lower casing B; and mounted on a pin 43 in this arm 40 is a roller 44 arranged to press against the edge of the cam 38.
  • a rod 45 is pivotally connected by a pin 46 to the outer or free end of the arm 40, and this rod 45 extends upwardly through'a slot 47 in the bottom of the upper casing C.
  • a compression coil spring 51 which serves to press the arm 40 downward.
  • a squared shaft 53 which is journaled at its ends in suitable bearing supports 52 bolted to the end walls of said casing, and fastened on the squared shaft 53 is a crank arm 54, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to the upper end of the rod 45.
  • one function of the contact shoe is to open and close certain controlling circuits, and to perform this function a number of contact springs are supported in the upper casing (l in position to be engaged by contact sectors secured to the shaft 53.
  • a number of contact springs are supported in the upper casing (l in position to be engaged by contact sectors secured to the shaft 53.
  • one set of these contact fingers has been xillustrate'd and are shown as fastened to a block 55 of suitable insulating material fixed in the upper casing C.
  • the contact springs 56 are arranged side by side and are fastened to said insulating block 55 by bolts which also serve as binding posts.
  • each contact spring extends downwardly along one face of the block 55, is doubled back upon itself, and then extends upwardly and terminates in a V-shaped con tact piece; and to limit the .movement of the contact piece outward from the block 55 a stop 57 is secured to the block 55, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.
  • the part arranged to cooperate with the two contact springs 56 is comprises aibody portion or casing l?, ⁇ the lower end of which bears -upon the front ⁇ cross rib ott ⁇ thelower casing B, as shown to the best advantage in Fig. Q, said pump cas ⁇ ing P being secured by a tap bolt 6l to the main casting A. of the contact shoe, as shown in Fig. l.
  • a longitudinal bore 62 In the lower end of the pump casing P is a longitudinal bore 62, the upper a end of which communicates with a smaller bore 66 and is shaped to form a seat for the ball check 63, saidball check :being held againstits seat by a light compression spring 6i bearing at its lower end against a plug G5 secured inthe lower end of the bore 62.
  • the bore or chamber 66 constitutes the cylinder or pump chamber of the pump proper and communicates at its upperend with an enlarged longitudinal bore 67, and extend ing through the bore 67 and part way into the pump chamber 166 is a pump plunger 68 which extends upwardly throughithe bottom ofthe upper casingO,
  • the pump plunger 68 has ⁇ integral therewith a collar ⁇ 69 [itting in the bore 67 and held against up ⁇ ward movement by pins 71, ⁇ a ⁇ compression coil spring 70 being disposed between the collar 69 and the bottom of the bore 67.
  • the horizontally extending arm 74 of said angle lever has an adjustable bolt 75 extending therethrough into position to strike the upper end of the pump ⁇ plunger 68 when said arm "('t is moved downward,
  • the pump chamber 66 communi ⁇ cates by a passage S0 ⁇ with a checlrvalve chamber 82, the outer end of the 4passage 80 being closed by a suitable plug S1, and the upper end ci? the chamber 82 being closed by a plug 831- ⁇
  • the lower end of the chamberBQ ⁇ communicates with a passage S4 and is formed to pro.- vide a seat for the ball checlnSB; and the passage 84 leads to a pipe 85 threaded at one end in the bodyportio-nl? of the pump, and
  • this pipe 85 extendsthrough aside wall oi? the lower casing B and is held inplaceby a nut ⁇ S6.
  • An oil.” tank orireservoir 871 is tasw tened ⁇ to the side walls of the casings C and Baby tap bolts 88, and in the upper end oi'the tank S7 is a iilling opening 89 covered with a suitable cap 90, a strainer 91 for the oil ⁇ being preferably supported under the opening 89.
  • the ramp R which is preferably used in connection with the con ⁇ tact shoe shown and hereinbetore described comprises an angle iron 96 having a comparatively narrow edge.
  • This angle iron 96 ⁇ maybe supported in any suitable way,but is shown as having its horizontal leg ⁇ iastened ⁇ by alag screw 97 to a support 98 of wood or other suitable material, there being comparatively ⁇ thin washers ⁇ or shims 99 interposed between the upper face of the support 98 ⁇ and the horizontal leg oft the angle iron 96, whereby a vertical adjustment ofi the. ⁇ angleiron 96 may be obtained by in creasing or ⁇ decreasing the number of these shims' 99. ⁇ As shown in Fig.
  • the angle iron 96 constituting the rampR, is preferably positioned so to engage the foot 8 ofthecentact shoe in line with its axis; but sincethere is always more or less of a side sway to the car, theaXis of the toot 8 will be practically all of the time on one side or the other of the vertical leg of the angle iron 96, so that said foot 8 willbe turned with a scraping1 action, which tends to ⁇ clean the upperedge ofthe angle iron and scrape it clear of snow, sleet and ice.
  • the shoe i moves in a direction in the plane o'F the paper as viewed in Fig. 1. and at right angles to the paper as viewed in Fig ⁇ 2.
  • the vehicle to whielrthe shoe is attached may travel in either direction over the track, 1
  • the ⁇ vehicle may be traveling in the normal "direction ot traiiic orin the opposite direction. ⁇ Assuming that the ⁇ vehicle is traveling ⁇ in the direction corresponding to that indicated by the arrow X in liig. ⁇ l, when the foot 8l of the shoe engages the sloping end of ⁇ a ramp this foot is forced to the left and upward, the crank arms 15 and 151 being correspondingly rocked to the left.
  • Oil in the reservoir tank 87 passes by gravity aided by the suction of the pump through the pipes 93, 94 and 85 to the passage 84, thence past the ball check 83 into the chamber 82, and through the passage 80 into the pump chamber 66.
  • the shaft 53 is rocked in one direction or the other as eX- plained hereinbefore and the cam 79 secured to said shaft bears against the roller 78 and pushes the vertical arm of the angle lever L to the right, as viewed in Fig.
  • the oil in the felt pad 12 is distributed over the upper edge of the ramp in a thin film, and not only serves to decrease the friction between this upper edge of the ramp and the foot of the shoe but also apparently prevents frost and sleet from adhering so tightly to the ramp that it can not be easily scraped away by a moderate prcssure between the shoe and said ramp.
  • the oiling system serves the dual function of minimizing the wear and in improving the electrical contact between that shoe and a ramp.
  • Means for communicating between a moving vehicle and a fixed point comprising, in combination: a movable cont-act slice carried by the vehicle; a ramp arranged to be engaged by said contact shoe; and means operated automatically by the movement of nauseas said shoe upon engagement with a ramplfor delivering a prede erminedf tpiantity ⁇ of ⁇ oil te the contactsurface of the shes, thereby causing a coating of oilrto be distributed over the contact surface ⁇ of the ramp.
  • a ramp ⁇ having a relatively narrow contact edge
  • a contact shoe ⁇ carried by the vehc-leand having rotatable part adapted toengage said ramp" to; ⁇ be automatically rotated by Stich engagement
  • Means fer communicating between a moving ⁇ vehicle and fixed point* comprising, in Combination z a slice.' ⁇ carriedv by" thel vehicle andsupportedl thereby to move relatively thereto; a ramp arranged to be engaged by said shoe; a compact pa'd of nn'lttrial capable of absorbing ⁇ oil andl secured ⁇ to said ⁇ shoe in position tol touchthe contacteur acebf said ramp an oil ⁇ tank carried bydie vehicle; andmeans automatically operated by ⁇ said shoe for feeding' oil ⁇ to said pad as the shoe successively engages said ramps.
  • Means for communicating bettveen av ⁇ trackvvay and a moving vehicle comprising;
  • a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps located at intervals along the trackvvay in position to be engaged by said shoe; and means including a force pump operated when said shoe engages a ramp for automatically supplying a predetermined quantity of cil to the contact surface of said ramp.
  • Means for communicating between a trackvvay and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps located at intervals along the trackvvay in position to be engaged by said shoe; an oil reservoir on the vehicle, and means operated automatically by the engagement of the shoe with each ramp' for ⁇ theshoe ⁇ ,itlie1eby causing a1 coating ofoil ⁇ to be distributed over the Contact surf face of the ⁇ axnp, said means being ⁇ adjustable to vary the' quantity of oil supplied at each ramp 8.
  • a Contact shoe foi" communicating be tvveen a traoliWay ⁇ and a movilig vehicle comprislng, ⁇ aconducting member revolubly supclosed casing; circuit controlling device inchidng a movable element having a nurn ⁇ mal ⁇ ly closed positionfandtyvo other circuit controlling positions; parallel crank" arms pivotably connected toA saidA casing at their ⁇ iipper ends; a foot pivotally connectingsaid drank arms at their lotvei ends; a cam operated by the svvinginglof said crank arms; and means controlled by said ⁇ cam for operating ⁇ said circuit controlling' device from its ⁇ normal position to either of its? circuit controlling positions in accordance ⁇ with the direction of movement ofsaid crank arms.
  • Means for communicating between a "tracktvay and a moving" vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps having relatively narroW contact surfaces and located at intervals along the trackivay in position to be engaged by said shoe; and means for automatically applying a substantially uniform coating of oil over the contact surfaces of said ramps as said shoe successively engages them.
  • Means for communicating between a trackvvay and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps having relatively narrovvr contact surfaces and located at intervals along the traclrvvay in position to be engaged by said shoe; said shoe comprising a rotary part adapted toengage said ramps and to be ion rotated by such engagement; a pad of material capable of absorbing oil carried by said rotary part; means for. pressing the rotary part of said shoe against said ramps; and means for supplying a iXed quantity of oil to said pad each time said shoe engages a ramp.
  • Means for communicating between a trackway and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps having relatively narrow contact surfaces and located at intervals along the trackway in position to be engaged by said shoe; said shoe comprising a rota table part adapted to engage said ramps and to be automatically rotated by said engagement to scrape the contacting surface of said ramps; and means for automatically applying a fixed quantity of oil to the contacting surfaces of said ramps each time said shoe engages a ramp.
  • a contactv shoey for communicating between a trackway and a moving vehicle comprlsing, a movable part supported by said shoe and carrying a pad of material capable of absorbing oil; an oil container carried by the vehicle; a passage constituting a measuring chamber adapted to hold a predetermined amount of oil, said chamber being connected with said oil container; passages constituting paths for the iiow of oil from' said measuring chamber to said pad, and
  • a contact shoe for communicating between a trackway and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a movable contact shoe carried by the vehicle and provided with a compact pad of absorbent material arranged to rub over the contact surface of a ramp engaged by said shoe; an oil reser. voir carried by thevehicle; and means operated automatically by the movement of the shoe upon its engagement with a ramp for regulating the supply of oil from the reservoir to said pad to maintain the pad substantially saturated.
  • a contact shoe for communicating between a trackway and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle and having movable parts; an oil container carried by the vehicle; passages constituting paths for the flow of oil from said container to the bearings of said movable parts; and means operated by said movable parts for forcing a predetermined quantity of oil through said paths as said shoe is successively operated.
  • a contact shoe for automatic train control systems comprising a movable elcment adapted to be displaced by engagement With ramps in oppositedirections according to the direction of movement of the vehicle over the track, a circuit controller1 including a movable part and adapted-to open upon movement of said part from its normal position in one direction but to remain closed upon like movement in the opposite direc tion, and means operatively connecting said movable element of the shoe with said movable part of the circuit controller, whereby the circuit controller will be opened when the vehicle passes a ramp traveling in one direction but will remain closed when the vehicle travels by that ramp in the opposite direction.
  • a contact shoe for automatic train control systems comprising a body portion, crank arms pivotally connected at one end to the body portion, a contacting foot pivotally connected to the other ends of the crank arms, separate torsion springs operatively connected to the crank arms and tending to hold them in a predetermined normal position, and circuit controlling means operated by the movement of the crank arms from their normal position in one direction.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)

Description

W. K. HOWE. AUTOMATIC TRATN CONTROL sYsTTTvT. APPLICATION FILED MAYI. IUIGT 1,308,548, Patented July 1, 1919.
2 SHEETS-SHEET l.
W. K. HOWE.
AUONIATIC TRAIN CONTROL SYSTEM.
APPucATioN FILED MAY l. 191s.
1,308,543. Patented July 1, 1919.
2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.
Fue. Z.
u f mmf/Me sa BY Il .461/ l FIG' 0f7a/MV1fr0/mfr i THE coLvmlA VLANOURAPII C0., WASHINB'ION. u. C.
nNiTnn sTATiis PATENT orrioir.
WINTHROP n. Howe, or noonnsrnnyrnnw Yonai, assreNon Toennnnan :RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, or iearns, New YORK, a Conronerronor New YORK.
AUTOMATIC TnaiN-coNTnot svsTEii/i.`
`Specification of` Letters Patent.` .Patented lilly 1, 1919` Apncation aiedfiviay 1,191t. semaine. einser;
system to a moving vehicle at points along the track over which the vehicle is traveling; More specifically, the invention relates to such means of communication which `in` cludes` a contact shoe carried bythe vehicle and arranged to cooperate mechanically and" electrically with suitable contact rails o-r` ramps `located atintervals` along the track over which the vehicle travels.
One of the objects of this invention is to i devise a simple and eilicient contact shoe for automatic train control systems which will Open or close certain electric circuits positively and reliably as the vehicle travels over i the track, and which may also be used to control electric circuits selectively according to the direction in which the vehicle is traveling. i, A further object of the invention yis to devise an arrangement and construction of parts whereby frost,jsleet, iceand` thelike` on the ramp will not interfere with the elec-` trical contact between the contact shoe and a ramp.
A further object of the invention is tode-i vise-a simple means for economically oiling the movable parts of a contact shoe and the `Contact surface of the several ramps with which this contact shoe engages. l
A still further obj ect of the invention. is an arrangement and construction of parts whereby the contact surface of the several ramps and the important `moving parts of the contact shoe., which are subjected to the greatest wear, may be supplied with. oil, thereby enabling a greater contact pressure between the shoe and the ramps to be used` without objectionable wear than could otherwise be used, 'thus improving` the electricalv contact of the shoe with the ramps.
Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of the invention protien will be `partifailarly pointed out in the appended claims.
The `imfention consists in the` parts, and in the arrangements and combinations `of parts, which are more "fully` set forth hereinafter.
In describing theinventionindetail, reference ishad tothe accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated a preferred physical .embodiment of the invention, in which like [j j 65,
reference charaeters "designate like parts in the several views, and in which:
F'gure l is af-vertioilsectional. viewof a Contact shoeeinbodying the invention, the
' line on which the seetionfis taken being` indicated by thelline l--lj'in Fig. 2;
` Fig. 2`is another `vertical section through the contact shoe, said sectionbeing taken` at right angles to the section shown in Fig. l and substantially o'n the line 2--2`in Fig.`
` 1, and
Fig. 3 shows a `portion of the Contact shoe anda type of ramp which is preferred for use with the forni of contact shoe illustrated.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, the Contact shoe designed to be supported inany suitable way (not shown) preferably adjustably on some 'part of the vehicle, as on a journal box, an axle, truck side frame or1 the like; and since one function of the cont-act shoe is to establish electrical commu;`
nication between `the several ramps with j which it engages and suitable controlling devices on the vehicle, the Contact shoe pref erahly mountedjon afbar 5 of wood or other suitable insulating material, so that the shoe asa wholeis insulated from the frame or body of the vehicle. The contact shoe;l as a whole, comprises a body portion or casting A which in effect consistsof two chambers or casings B and C arranged oneabove the other, the upper casing` C being provided with a suitable removablecover l), and the l front of the lower casing 'Bbeinlg provided with a removable cover plate E. `The body portion or casting A of the whole Contact shoe is fastened to the supporting bar or shoe beam 5 by two bolts 6, aplate or washer 7 being interposed between the nuts of said bolts andfthe bar The portion of the shoe which actually contacts with the scveral ramps consists of a diskor footShaving an j integral 'bearing stud 9` which is revolubly mounted in a block 10, said bearing stud 9 being held in said block l() bytwo pins 11 engaging a circumferential groove in said [bei is explained hereinafter, extend from the upper face of the foot 8 to the recess in its under face. The block 10, carrying the foot 8 of the shoe, is supported by two parallel crank arms, each of which is pivotally supported atfits upper end to the body portion f or casting A of the Contact shoe and at its lower end to the block 10; and since the construction of these crank arms and their associated parts'are the same in most r e spects, the general description of one will suliice for both, and for convenience the cor- 'responding` parts will be designated by the same reference characters with the dist1nctive exponent 1 added thereto.
Each of thecrank arms 15 has a laterally projecting bearing stud 16 (see Fig. 2) at its lower end which extends through a correspending bore near one end of the block 10, a washer 18 and a cotter pin 17 passed through said stud 16 serving to hold the block 10 in place on said bearing stud. Extending longitudinally of the bearing stud 16 for part of its length is a comparatively small hole or bore 19, the outer exposed end of which is closed by a suitable plug 20; and communicating with the bore 19 is another channel or passage 21 which extends transversely of the bearing stud 16 to its outer surface; and when the contact shoe is not in engagement with a ramp and the parts thereof are in the normal position shown in the drawing, the channel 21 is in communication with a channel 22 extendin through the block 10 to the outer surface o the bearing stud 9, as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 1.V Extending longitudinally of each I crank arm 15 is a channel or passage 23, the
upper end of which is closed by a suitable plug 24 and the lower end of which communicates with the passage 19, as shown in Fig. 2. .Integral with the upper end of each crank arm is an upper bearing stud 30 which extends through the front and rear walls of the lower casing B of the body portion A of the Contact shoe and which is held in place by a collar 31 fastened thereto by a pin 32. Extending longitudinally for part of the length of the upper bearing stud 30 from its front end is a bore or channel 25, the outer end of which is closed by a plug 26, and the inner end of which communicates with another channel 27 extending to the outer surface of the corresponding bearing stud. In the body portion or casting A of the contact shoe immediately above the outer end of each crank arm 15 is a downwardly extending channel 28, the lower end of which is in communication with the channel 27 in the corresponding crank arm when the parts of the shoe are in their normal position, and the upper end of which communicates with a pipe 29 leading to a suitable oil pump hereinafter described.
The upper bearing stud 30 of each of the crank arms 15 is encircled by a torsion Spring 33, one end of which is bent and fixed to the rear wall of the lower casing B of the contact shoe, as indicated by the numeral 34, and the other end of said spring is secured to the correspondiiw bearing stud 30, this connection being malde between a bent end 35 of the spring 33 and a collar 36 which is ixed to the corresponding` bearing stud 30 by a key 37. In the case of the crank arm 15,
which is the lefthand crank arm as the shoe is viewed in Fig. 1, the collar 36 has integral therewith a cam 38, shown to the best advantage in Fig. 1. Above the cam 38 is au arm 40 journaled on a pin 41 secured to a lug 42 fixed to or integral with the side wall of the lower casing B; and mounted on a pin 43 in this arm 40 is a roller 44 arranged to press against the edge of the cam 38. A rod 45 is pivotally connected by a pin 46 to the outer or free end of the arm 40, and this rod 45 extends upwardly through'a slot 47 in the bottom of the upper casing C. Upon the rod l45 are disposed spring caps 48 and 49, the spring cap 48 bearing against the arm 40, and the spring cap 49 bearing against the inclined face of a projection 50 integral with the bottom of the upper easing C; and encircling` the rod 45 and interposed between the caps 48 and 49 is a compression coil spring 51, which serves to press the arm 40 downward. In the upper casing C is a squared shaft 53 which is journaled at its ends in suitable bearing supports 52 bolted to the end walls of said casing, and fastened on the squared shaft 53 is a crank arm 54, the outer end of which is pivotally connected to the upper end of the rod 45.
As indicated hereinbefore, one function of the contact shoe is to open and close certain controlling circuits, and to perform this function a number of contact springs are supported in the upper casing (l in position to be engaged by contact sectors secured to the shaft 53. For the sake of simplicityY one set of these contact fingers has been xillustrate'd and are shown as fastened to a block 55 of suitable insulating material fixed in the upper casing C. The contact springs 56 are arranged side by side and are fastened to said insulating block 55 by bolts which also serve as binding posts. In the form illustrated each contact spring extends downwardly along one face of the block 55, is doubled back upon itself, and then extends upwardly and terminates in a V-shaped con tact piece; and to limit the .movement of the contact piece outward from the block 55 a stop 57 is secured to the block 55, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The part arranged to cooperate with the two contact springs 56is comprises aibody portion or casing l?, `the lower end of which bears -upon the front` cross rib ott `thelower casing B, as shown to the best advantage in Fig. Q, said pump cas` ing P being secured by a tap bolt 6l to the main casting A. of the contact shoe, as shown in Fig. l. In the lower end of the pump casing P is a longitudinal bore 62, the upper a end of which communicates with a smaller bore 66 and is shaped to form a seat for the ball check 63, saidball check :being held againstits seat by a light compression spring 6i bearing at its lower end against a plug G5 secured inthe lower end of the bore 62. The bore or chamber 66 constitutes the cylinder or pump chamber of the pump proper and communicates at its upperend with an enlarged longitudinal bore 67, and extend ing through the bore 67 and part way into the pump chamber 166 is a pump plunger 68 which extends upwardly throughithe bottom ofthe upper casingO, The pump plunger 68has` integral therewith a collar `69 [itting in the bore 67 and held against up` ward movement by pins 71, `a `compression coil spring 70 being disposed between the collar 69 and the bottom of the bore 67. a 1ntegral with the bottom oi the upper casing C kare two upwardly extending lugs 72 in which is fastened a horizontal `pin 73, and journaled on said pin 173 is an angle lever L. lllhis angle lever L is disposed substanu tially in the plane of the pump plunger 68,
and the horizontally extending arm 74 of said angle lever has an adjustable bolt 75 extending therethrough into position to strike the upper end of the pump `plunger 68 when said arm "('t is moved downward,
said bolt 75 being provided with a `iam nut of 76. The vertically extending arm 77 the angle lever L has journaled in its outer end a roller 78 whichis arranged to bear against acam` 7 9 iiXed` to the shaft 53, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. i
rThe pump chamber 66communi`cates by a passage S0`with a checlrvalve chamber 82, the outer end of the 4passage 80 being closed by a suitable plug S1, and the upper end ci? the chamber 82 being closed by a plug 831-` The lower end of the chamberBQ` communicates with a passage S4 and is formed to pro.- vide a seat for the ball checlnSB; and the passage 84 leads to a pipe 85 threaded at one end in the bodyportio-nl? of the pump, and
this pipe 85 extendsthrough aside wall oi? the lower casing B and is held inplaceby a nut `S6. An oil." tank orireservoir 871 is tasw tened` to the side walls of the casings C and Baby tap bolts 88, and in the upper end oi'the tank S7 is a iilling opening 89 covered with a suitable cap 90, a strainer 91 for the oil` being preferably supported under the opening 89. In the bottoin of the oil tank 87 is a depression 92, in one wall oi which a short length otpipe 93 is threaded; and the pipe 85 is connected `to `the pipe `93 by means of a short length of pipe 94 and two unions 95.-1
Referring to Fig.
3, the ramp R which is preferably used in connection with the con` tact shoe shown and hereinbetore described comprises an angle iron 96 having a comparatively narrow edge. This angle iron 96` maybe supported in any suitable way,but is shown as having its horizontal leg` iastened `by alag screw 97 to a support 98 of wood or other suitable material, there being comparatively `thin washers `or shims 99 interposed between the upper face of the support 98 `and the horizontal leg oft the angle iron 96, whereby a vertical adjustment ofi the.` angleiron 96 may be obtained by in creasing or `decreasing the number of these shims' 99.` As shown in Fig. 3, the angle iron 96, constituting the rampR, is preferably positioned so to engage the foot 8 ofthecentact shoe in line with its axis; but sincethere is always more or less of a side sway to the car, theaXis of the toot 8 will be practically all of the time on one side or the other of the vertical leg of the angle iron 96, so that said foot 8 willbe turned with a scraping1 action, which tends to `clean the upperedge ofthe angle iron and scrape it clear of snow, sleet and ice.
i Operation.
vehicle to which the shoe is attached, the shoe i moves in a direction in the plane o'F the paper as viewed in Fig. 1. and at right angles to the paper as viewed in Fig` 2. The vehicle to whielrthe shoe is attached may travel in either direction over the track, 1
that is, the `vehicle may be traveling in the normal "direction ot traiiic orin the opposite direction. `Assuming that the `vehicle is traveling `in the direction corresponding to that indicated by the arrow X in liig.` l, when the foot 8l of the shoe engages the sloping end of `a ramp this foot is forced to the left and upward, the crank arms 15 and 151 being correspondingly rocked to the left.
By reason oi? the parallel arrangement oi l the crank arms 15 and 151 the toot S of the shoe remains parallel with the edge ot the ramp during this swingingmovement. W'hen the crank arm l5 is swung to the left,
the cam BSismovedto the right; and it can l be readily seen from the shape of this cam shown in Fig. 1 that after a small angular movement of said cam, the roller 44 and the arm 40, to which said roller is attached, may
move downward under pressure of the spring 51, thereby pulling down on the rod 45 which rocks the shaft 53 counterclockwise through a small angle. It can also be seen that further movement of the cam 38 after this small angular movement does not move the roller 44, the arm 40 and the rod 45. 'Ihe rocking movement of the shaft 53 may be used to either open or close certain circuits; but in the arrangement illustrated the circuit which is normally closed by the contact of the contact plate 59 with the contact springs 56 is not disturbed by this movement of the shoe. In case the vehicle were traveling in the other direction, however, the crank arms 15 and 151 would be swung to the right as viewed in Fig. 1, thereby moving the cam 38 to the left; and it can be readily seen from the shape of the cam 38 that the roller 44 and the arm 40 would be forced upward against the opposition of the spring` 51, thereby causing a clockwise movement of the shaft 53 through a small angle, which moves thecontact plate 59 out of contact with the contact springs 56 to break the circuit controlled thereby. During the movement of the crank arms l5 and 151 in either' direction the torsion springs 33 are distorted, so that after the foot 8 of the shoe leaves engagement with the ramp these springs serve to return the crank arms to their normal position as shown.
The operation of the oiling system is as follows: Oil in the reservoir tank 87 passes by gravity aided by the suction of the pump through the pipes 93, 94 and 85 to the passage 84, thence past the ball check 83 into the chamber 82, and through the passage 80 into the pump chamber 66. When the shoe engages a ramp, the shaft 53 is rocked in one direction or the other as eX- plained hereinbefore and the cam 79 secured to said shaft bears against the roller 78 and pushes the vertical arm of the angle lever L to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, regardless of the direction in which the shaft 53 is turned; and after a certain amount of idle movement, which is determined by the adjustment of the bolt 75, the bolt 75 in the arm 74 of the angle lever L strikes the pump plunger 68. In this way the pump'plunger 68 is forced downward against the opposition of the spring 70 each time the shoe engages a ramp; and at each stroke of the pump plunger 68 downward, some of the oil contained in the pump chamber 66 is forced past the ball check 63 into the chamber 64 through the pipes 29 and 291. As soon as the shoe leaves engagement with a ramp and the crank arms 15 and 151 return to their normal position, the oil will flow through the pipes 29 and 291 downward through the crank arms to the felt pad 12 in the foot 8 of the shoe, the route of the oil in the case of each of these crank arms being similar, said route in the case of the crank arm 151 being along passage 281 (see Fig. 2) passages 271, 251, 231, 191 and 211 to the surface of the bearing stud 9 to the upper face of the foot 8 and thence by the passages 14 to the pad l2. It can be seen that the bearings of the principal moving parts of the shoe are freely oiled and that the felt pad 12 is kept saturated with oil. The oil in the felt pad 12 is distributed over the upper edge of the ramp in a thin film, and not only serves to decrease the friction between this upper edge of the ramp and the foot of the shoe but also apparently prevents frost and sleet from adhering so tightly to the ramp that it can not be easily scraped away by a moderate prcssure between the shoe and said ramp. In other words, the oiling system serves the dual function of minimizing the wear and in improving the electrical contact between that shoe and a ramp. By adjusting theA stroke of the pump plunger 68 the rapidity with which the oil is fed to the bearings of the shoe and the felt pad 12 may be regulated with nicety so that, while there is no waste of oil, there is always sufficient oil to accomplish the desired results. In this connection is should bc noted that the pump is operated only when the contact shoe engages a ramp; and in this way the flow of oil is automatically regulated according to the demand.
In all structures involving a ramp and a shoe for contacting with said ramp, it is not only highly desirable but my experience has shown that it is practically necessary for best operation to oil the contact surface of the ramp; and when, as in the specific embodiment of my invention shown and hereinbefore described, in addition to oiling the contact surface of the ramp, a ramp having a comparatively narrow edge and a contact shoe having a revoluble foot is used, the most eiiicient combination is obtained.
Although I have particularly described the construction of one physical en'ibodirnent '115 of my invention, and explained the, operation and principle thereof; nevertheless, l desire to have it understood that the form selected is merely illustrative, but does not eXhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of means underlying my invention.
What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:
l. Means for communicating between a moving vehicle and a fixed point comprising, in combination: a movable cont-act slice carried by the vehicle; a ramp arranged to be engaged by said contact shoe; and means operated automatically by the movement of nauseas said shoe upon engagement with a ramplfor delivering a prede erminedf tpiantity` of `oil te the contactsurface of the shes, thereby causing a coating of oilrto be distributed over the contact surface `of the ramp.
2. Means for communicating betw moving vehicle and a `fixed point com y y in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; a ramphaving a relatively narrow contact edge and arranged `torba engaged by said shoe; land means for automatically applyingyoilto" the Contact edge of said ramp. i y
3. Means for communicating between a movingvehiele' and adiXed pointeomprising, in combination: a ramp; aieontact shoe earu fied by the e; andlnavng rotatable part adaptedto gage said ramp anclfitobe automatically ed by such engagement; the rotatable part or 1`janip; aid meansfor automatlcal ng" oil tstbe "centaet surface of said ramp assaich shoe engages it.
t. Means for communicatingbetween* a moving vehicle and a li'ie'd pointlcoiiiprising, in combination: a ramp` having a relatively narrow contact edge; a contact shoe` carried by the vehc-leand having rotatable part adapted toengage said ramp" to;` be automatically rotated by Stich engagement; means `for pressing the rotatablefpaijt of" said shoe againstthecontact edge of* said and means for automatically applying oil said shoe again to the contact edge ofI said rampas said shoe `engages it.A y .l y
5. Means fer communicating between a moving` vehicle and fixed point* comprising, in Combination z a slice.'` carriedv by" thel vehicle andsupportedl thereby to move relatively thereto; a ramp arranged to be engaged by said shoe; a compact pa'd of nn'lttrial capable of absorbing` oil andl secured `to said` shoe in position tol touchthe contacteur acebf said ramp an oil` tank carried bydie vehicle; andmeans automatically operated by` said shoe for feeding' oil `to said pad as the shoe successively engages said ramps.
` 6"; Means for communicating bettveen av` trackvvay and a moving vehicle comprising;
in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps located at intervals along the trackvvay in position to be engaged by said shoe; and means including a force pump operated when said shoe engages a ramp for automatically supplying a predetermined quantity of cil to the contact surface of said ramp.
7. Means for communicating between a trackvvay and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps located at intervals along the trackvvay in position to be engaged by said shoe; an oil reservoir on the vehicle, and means operated automatically by the engagement of the shoe with each ramp' for `theshoe`,itlie1eby causing a1 coating ofoil` to be distributed over the Contact surf face of the `axnp, said means being` adjustable to vary the' quantity of oil supplied at each ramp 8. Means for communicating "between a trackway and a moving vehicle compr ing, in combination:- a Contact shoe carried by the vehicle and having niovable parte;
located along the trackivayin position to beengaged by said shoe; a container for oil; said shoe being provided with pas constituting a path for the flow of oil frolnsaid container to the bearings of the movable parts of said shoe and to the contasting surface thereof; and means "for automatically forcing a fixed quantity of oil throughsaidpassages, whereby coating of oil is applied to the contact surfaces of said ramps and the bearingsare lubricated.
9L A Contact shoe foi" communicating be tvveen a traoliWay `and a movilig vehicle comprislng,` aconducting member revolubly supclosed casing; circuit controlling device inchidng a movable element having a nurn `mal`ly closed positionfandtyvo other circuit controlling positions; parallel crank" arms pivotably connected toA saidA casing at their `iipper ends; a foot pivotally connectingsaid drank arms at their lotvei ends; a cam operated by the svvinginglof said crank arms; and means controlled by said `cam for operating `said circuit controlling' device from its `normal position to either of its? circuit controlling positions in accordance `with the direction of movement ofsaid crank arms.
11. Means for communicating between a "tracktvay and a moving" vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps having relatively narroW contact surfaces and located at intervals along the trackivay in position to be engaged by said shoe; and means for automatically applying a substantially uniform coating of oil over the contact surfaces of said ramps as said shoe successively engages them.
12. Means for communicating between a trackvvay and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps having relatively narrovvr contact surfaces and located at intervals along the traclrvvay in position to be engaged by said shoe; said shoe comprising a rotary part adapted toengage said ramps and to be ion rotated by such engagement; a pad of material capable of absorbing oil carried by said rotary part; means for. pressing the rotary part of said shoe against said ramps; and means for supplying a iXed quantity of oil to said pad each time said shoe engages a ramp.
13. Means for communicating between a trackway and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle; ramps having relatively narrow contact surfaces and located at intervals along the trackway in position to be engaged by said shoe; said shoe comprising a rota table part adapted to engage said ramps and to be automatically rotated by said engagement to scrape the contacting surface of said ramps; and means for automatically applying a fixed quantity of oil to the contacting surfaces of said ramps each time said shoe engages a ramp.
14C. A contactv shoey for communicating between a trackway and a moving vehicle comprlsing, a movable part supported by said shoe and carrying a pad of material capable of absorbing oil; an oil container carried by the vehicle; a passage constituting a measuring chamber adapted to hold a predetermined amount of oil, said chamber being connected with said oil container; passages constituting paths for the iiow of oil from' said measuring chamber to said pad, and
means operated by said movable member for cutting off the connection between said oil container and said chamber and for forcing the oil in said chamber through said paths to said pad.
15. A contact shoe for communicating between a trackway and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a movable contact shoe carried by the vehicle and provided with a compact pad of absorbent material arranged to rub over the contact surface of a ramp engaged by said shoe; an oil reser. voir carried by thevehicle; and means operated automatically by the movement of the shoe upon its engagement with a ramp for regulating the supply of oil from the reservoir to said pad to maintain the pad substantially saturated.
16. A contact shoe for communicating between a trackway and a moving vehicle comprising, in combination: a contact shoe carried by the vehicle and having movable parts; an oil container carried by the vehicle; passages constituting paths for the flow of oil from said container to the bearings of said movable parts; and means operated by said movable parts for forcing a predetermined quantity of oil through said paths as said shoe is successively operated.
17. A contact shoe for automatic train control systems comprising a movable elcment adapted to be displaced by engagement With ramps in oppositedirections according to the direction of movement of the vehicle over the track, a circuit controller1 including a movable part and adapted-to open upon movement of said part from its normal position in one direction but to remain closed upon like movement in the opposite direc tion, and means operatively connecting said movable element of the shoe with said movable part of the circuit controller, whereby the circuit controller will be opened when the vehicle passes a ramp traveling in one direction but will remain closed when the vehicle travels by that ramp in the opposite direction.
18. A contact shoe for automatic train control systems comprising a body portion, crank arms pivotally connected at one end to the body portion, a contacting foot pivotally connected to the other ends of the crank arms, separate torsion springs operatively connected to the crank arms and tending to hold them in a predetermined normal position, and circuit controlling means operated by the movement of the crank arms from their normal position in one direction.
WINTHROP K. I-IOWE.
Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,
` Washington, D. C.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4286698A (en) * 1978-12-16 1981-09-01 Artur Fischer Sliding contact for a toy vehicle
US5454456A (en) * 1994-06-23 1995-10-03 Mckenzie; Dan Third rail collection assembly and beam therefor

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4286698A (en) * 1978-12-16 1981-09-01 Artur Fischer Sliding contact for a toy vehicle
US5454456A (en) * 1994-06-23 1995-10-03 Mckenzie; Dan Third rail collection assembly and beam therefor

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