US1312101A - clough - Google Patents

Description

J. CLOUGH, W. H STILWELL AND A. R. FUGINA.

RAIL CONTACT CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJS I917.

Lafvnfvd Aug. 5, 191 O.

2 SHEETS- SHEET 1.

J. E. CLOUGH, W. H. STILWELL AND A. R. FUG-IIXL A; RAIL com/m cmcun CONTROLLER. APPLICATION FILED AUG.I5, 1917. 1,312,101 Patented Aug. 5,1919.

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JAMES E. CLOUGH AND WILSON I-I. STILWELIJ', OF PARIS, AND LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

RAIL-CONTACT CIRCUIT-CONTROLLER.

. Specifleation of Letters Patent.

Patented Au .f5, 1919.

it Application filed August 15, 1917. SerialNo. 186,334. i

To all whom may concern: Be it known that we, JAMES EDGAR CLoUcH,

WILSON HEATH STILWELL, and ARTHUR H.

FUGINA, citizens-of the United States, residing, respectively, the first two at Paris, county of Bourbon, the latter in Louisville, county of Jefferson, all in the State of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Rail- Contact Circuit-Controller, of which the following is a specification. h I

This invention relates to means for controlling electric circuits, adapted to be actuated upon the depressionof a rail by a passing train, which when primarily actuated upon the passlng of a train 111 either direction, will not be changed by subsequent depressions of the rail, until the train has passed beyond the zone of thedevice, and which consequently may be used on single track railways.

The invention consists, essentially, in the combination with a railway track, having points disposed a spaced distance apart, in a rail thereof, and arranged to be depressed by each wheel passing along the rail, of circuit closing means positioned intermediate the depressible points, and having mechanically operatable connections therewith.

An object of the invention is to provide circuit controlling means of 'the character described, having a plurality of connections with a railway .rail, and adapted to be actuated from a normal position, by an impulse received upon a depression of the. rail at either of said connections, subsequent impulses due to a depression at either of. said connections prior to a return to normal,

tending to maintain the position assumed in obedience to the primary impulse.

Afurtherobject is to provide a device as characterized, which shall be economical in construction, easily installed, eflieient in operation and durable in service.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accon'ipanying drawings, which form 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. d r

In the drawings whereip sim lar reference tie plate. track a weather proofcontroller box -19- characters designate likeparts in the several views, Figure of a railway track showing an embodiment of the invention installed in connection therewith, the cover ofthecontroller box being removed: Fig. 2, a side elevation of the. same with the box cover in place: Fig.

3, a side elevation (on an enlarged scale) of Fig. 4, a dia- Referring now to, the drawing wherein is shown a portion 'of a railway track, compr sing 12- by suitable means. Tie the ties, and sprlngs -14- are positioned between the tie plates and the rail, at right angles to the rail. The spring plates have a central arched portion --15- which yields under the weight of passing rolling stock, permitting a depression of the rail of approximately of an inch. The spring plate is retained in place by suitable means such as bolts -16- which pass through slots --17-, extended in from the ends thereof, which permit extension ofthe plate as it flattens out, and throughfiopenings in the At a suitable point along the is positioned, preferably between "two cross ties, ,whereit is supported byl suitable means such as bars 207. in sucha'manner that the top of the box will be below the level of the ,rail.--The box is provided withia removable cover .21 A suitable packing is placed in a space -22- between the cover and theupper edge of the walls of thebox to prevent the entrance of moistura Pairs of oppositely disposed ears 23,,' -24 are secured to the sides of the box. A looking arm 25 is pivotally connected tothe ear-23, and an eye bolt-26 is pivotally connected toth'e earns. The cover may be secured in place folding the locking arm there-across. and engaging it with the eye lael-t. A hot 2-7- scene ye belt, is then THUR n. FUGINA, or

1, is a plan View, ofa portion a rail 1 1 -*of conventional design which is securedupon cross ties, or sleepers plates -13 are secured to certain of screwed down against the arm, forcing the cover down upon the box. A hasp 2S-, which is hinged to the nut, is then turned down and engaged with a staple 29 which extends from the top of the arm, and a locking element (not shown) such as.a

adlock inserted through the staple. A Block 30 is erected on the bottom of the box interiorly thereof, on a medial longitudinal line. On one side of the block 30, at the forward end thereof and extending forward therefrom a mounting strip 3l of insulating material such as fiber, is se'ured by suitable means such as bolts 82. On this strip are mounted a plurality of binding posts 33, 35, .37 which are in,

electrical connection respectively with a heel contact spring 34, a stirrup contact spring 36, and a movable contact finger 38 which are mounted on the opposltesidc ofthestrip and extend upward paral ,lelwith and at varying distances therefrom. ,Electrical conduetors lead from the respective binding posts through an outlet 40 .to distantly positioned electrically. operated inechanism.., A block -4l pivotally v mounted upon the block 30' near thefor- Ward end thereof carries a selector bar 42-' which is arranged transversely of the box. Centrally of this bar, on the forward side thereof, an arm ,43 extends.

I This arm is insulatedfrom the .bar by a contact with one or the other of the contact the ties.

jfiber' strip and is provided on its forward end with a slot -(i5 adapted to receive the contact finger 38. whereby movement ofv the selector bar will be communicated to the contact finger moving it into springs. A pair of oppositely disposed springs 46 which are securedto the sides of a projection 47- at the rear of the block 130,. extend forward and bear against the s'ides of the pivotbloek 41L fThese springs oppose any movement of the. pivot block andserve to return it, and associated parts to normal position when deflected therefrom. At spaced distances from' the.

controller box, on'each side thereof, brackets 50 are positioned,and are-secured to the tie plates .on whichv thelspring plates are located in proximity 'tolthe rails; These brackets comprise parallel spaced walls 5I, 52'joine d by an arched portion,53, and a base 54'. extended from the wall 52, by means of whicli they are attached to A pipe rail, from the boxto the" bracket; one end of the pipe bcing'reccived in a projection or boss 56 onthebox and the other'cnd in the wall 51 of the bracket. 'Afshaft -.57

is run through the pipe and projects into Q L the box. The outer end of thcshaft, is

journaled in the wall 52of the bracket and the inner end in a boss, 58- on the inner side of the wa ll of the box, A dog -59 1 position.

55- extends alongthe is secured on the shaft between the walls of the bracket, by suitable means such as a taper pin and a toe 60 thereof bears upon the flange of the rail. A lever 61 is secured on the inner end of each of the shafts by suitable means, as herewith illustrated said means comprising a looped per-- lever is raised it will engage the selector bar near the end thereof. If the selector bar is in its normal position the tip will come into contact with the forward side thereof and draw the end engaged toward the rear of the box. If while the parts are in this position the lower lever is actuated the tip thereof will pass behind the advanced end of the bar and hold it in actuated A pin 66 erected on the floor of the box extends upward through a perforation 67 in the lever and serves as a guide therefor. A spring 68 disposed about the pin and bearing respectively on the floor and against the lever tends to force the latter upward. This movement is resisted by the dogs 59 which bear upon the 9 rail. The arrangement is such that the movemcntof the lovers is controlled by the deflection of the rail which in turn is actuated by the passage of the rolling stock. A rod 69. disposed transversely of the box, a spaced distance above the levers (31,, serves as a stop to limit their upward movement. The relative positions of the dogs 59 and the levers 61 on the shafts is such that whenthe rail is in its normal, or elcvated position, the lovers are in their lowest position.

As a train approaches the apparatus, say in the direction of the arrow, the weight thereof overcoming the tension of the spring plate depresses the rail whereupon the dog atthat point being free to move, the spring 68 will force the corresponding lever upward, the chisel pointed end of the lever tip will slideover the bevel edge of that end of the selector bar moving it in the opposite direction. This movement of the selector bar through the medium of the arm we 43,.causcsthe contact finger to contact with a spring. as the heel contact 35. whereupon an impulse is transmitted which actuates a signal indicating the approach of a train and thedirection from which it is coming. As the train passcsover the plate. on the other side of the selector box, it depresses the rail atthat point and the corresponding selector lever is raised by its spring 68, but, as that end of the selector bar has moved forward, thetip oi the lever passes behind the bar, thereby holding it in the actuated position until the train has passed. It will be observed that upon the depression of a all plates connected with thecontroller box. When the rear-most wheel of a train passes over the depressible point in the rail onthe near side of a selector-box the rail at that point will return to its normalposition and through the medium of the dog 59 and shaft 57, Will lower the associated lever 61, selector-bar 42,

disengaging it from the p p p which would then return to its normal po of the train passing over the depressiblepoint, on the far side of the selector-box, which controls it. When wheel passes over the depressible-point on the far side of the selector-box, the lever 61 actuated therefrom will be lowered from its engagement with the selector-bar, which will then be returned to its normal position by means of the springs 46, carrying with it the contact spring 38. The parts are now in their normal position ready for actuation by a train approaching from either direction.

It is to be understood that while the oper ation of the device is explained in connection with an open circuit, its useis contemplated with a closedcircuit, andclaims directed to an open circuit are to be read as applying with equal force to a closed circuit.

Having thus described our invention so that anyone skilled in the artpertaining thereto can make and use the same, we

claim 1. In an apparatus as characterized,

plurality of contactspringsfa contact finger adapted to be contacted with selected ones of said springs, aplurality ofmeansadapted to actuate said finger, a railwayrail, a

plurality of depressible points along said rail and operative connectlonsfbetween said actuating means and said depressible points.

2. In coinbinationwith a rail, a plurality of cross files to which said rail 15 attached, the rail being at onejpolnt movable relative to anadjacent tie, a plurality of contact springs, a flexible contact finger, means for flexing said finger, and operative connections between said flexing means and said movable point in therail.

3. Inconibination, a rail adapted to be depressed at a given point by a passing train, a plurality of contacts, a member adapted to close certain of said contacts, means adapted to actuate said member, and opermembers,

the rearmost plurality said actuating means and said depressible arail adapted to be p contacts,a lmember adapted to close certain ofrsaid contactsya of; means adapted to actuate said a member, and operative connections between points inuthe rail whereby closure of the i the rail.

5. In combination,aplurality of actuating a plurality of contacts, a movable finger adapted i to close, certain of said: contacts, aselector bar adapted to move said sition, but that it is still held by the other fi selector-lever 61, which is upheld by reason nger, said bar lying within thezone of accontacts is controlled by the movementsof tion and adapted to beshiftedby said ]11II1 mined points, operative connections between the aetuatingmembers and said de-- bers, a rail adapted to bedepressedat deterpressible points in the rail wherebycde-l pression ofthe rail at apoint will allow the said selector bar thereby removmg itlfrom the active zone of the other actuating menu complementary; actuating member to shift levers adaptedto actuate saidbar, a

points, opcrativeconneetions between said J levers and said depressible points whereby depression ofthe railat apoint will allow the complementary lever to actuate the bar.

7. In combination with arail, a plurality of cross-ties to which it is secured, resilient supporting meanspositioned between said rail andatie, a shaft, alever extended from one end thereof, a dog secured on the other end ,thereoffand bearingonythe rail in prox- 1 l 8. In combinat'on,,arailadapted to be dc-v I imity to said supporting means, and electric contacts adaptedto bei actuated by-said' lever 1 1F 1 t e P "S$lO :0 e ra pressed at given points, aboxlpositioned be-v tween said pointsin proximity to saidrail,

a lurality of contacts in said box, a member shaftextending from each side of the box ate said closing member, a dog on the outer a apted toclose certainiof said contacts, as

to a depressible point, aleverextended from i the inner end of eachshaft adaptcdto actu-;

end of eaehishaft said dogs bearingflon the; 1

rail in proximity to a depressible point opposing movement of thetlevers except when the railisdepressed. 1, 1

9. In apparatus as characterized, a box, oppositely disposed contacts therein, a movable-contact finger, a pivoted block, a bar secured to said block, an arm extended from said bar and engaged with said finger, means inner ends of which said levers are secured,

a rail adapted to be depressed at points spaced each way from the box and a dog secured on the outer end of each shaft, a toe of the dog bearing on the rail in proximity to the depressible point and opposing movement of the levers except when the rail is depressed.

10. In apparatus as characterized, a box, oppositely disposed contacts therein, a movable contact finger, a pivoted block, a bar secured to said block, an-arm extended from said bar and engaged with said finger, means for normally holding the block and assembly in such position that the finger does not make contact, levers adapted to engage respectively with opposite ends of the bar to move the finger to or fro, shafts to the inner ends of which said levers are secured, a rail adapted to be depressed at points spaced each way from the box'and a dog secured on the outer end of each shaft, a toe of the dog bearing on the rail in proximity to the depressible point and opposing movement of the levers except when the rail is depressed.

.11. In a circuit controller as characterized, a rail adapted to be depressed at given points by passing trains, a plurality of contacts, a'contact finger, a member adapted to vmove said finger in opposite directions, means adapted to be brought into engagement with said member to shift the same in one direction, other means adapted to be brought into engagement with said member to shift it in a reverse direction, and mechanical operative connections between said means and said depressible points in the rail whereby movement of the rail permits functioning of the means.

12. In combination with a rail, a plurality of cross ties to which it is secured, resilient supporting means positioned between said rail and certain ties spaced a distance apart whereby the rail may be depressed at said point, a contact finger positioned intermediate said depressible points, shafts journaled in proximity to and substantially parallel with the rail, a lever on the inner end of each shaft adapted to actuate said contact finger, means tending to rotate the respective shafts, and a dog on the outer end of each shaft adapted to bear on the rail 'in proximity toa depressible point opposing the action of said rotating means whereby the shaft is turned only when the rail is depressed.

13. In apparatus as characterized, a movable contact member, means for moving said member, a rail, having a dcpressible point in the length thereof and mechanical connections whereby movement of the contact member is controlled by the movement of the rail at said point.

14. In apparatus of the character described, a movable contact member, means for moving said member, a rail having depressible points in the length thereof, and mechanical connections between said means and said points whereby movement of the rail at either of the points will permit functioning of the means.

15. In apparatus as characterized, a movable contact member, a rail having depressible points in its length, means for moving the member in a given direction, means for moving the member in another direction, and mechanical connections between said means and respective depressible points whereby the depression of the rail at either of the points will permit the said means to function, the construction and arrangement being such that an initial depression of the rail at either of the points will result in a movement of the contact member, and that a succeeding depression at another point will confirm said movement.

16. In apparatus as characterized, a flexible contact member, and a plurality of means adapted to act upon said member, either of said means being initially actuatable and serving in accordance with the sequence of their actuation to flex said member or to maintain it in a flexed position.

17. In apparatus as characterized. a flexible contact member, a plurality of means adapted to flex said member, a rail having depressible points in its length, and operative connections between said means and respective depressible points whereby movement of the rail at said points will permit functioning of the means, said means serving according to the sequenceof their functioning to flex said member or to hold it in a flexed position.

'18. In apparatus as characterized, a movable contact member, selectively operatable means adapted to act sequentially upon said member, initially operated means moving the member in a predetermined direction, and subsequently operated means holding the member in the actuated position.

J. E. CLOUGH. W. H. STILWELL. A. R. FUGINA.

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