US1319620A - Railroad safety-gate - Google Patents

Description

L. RIKARD.

RAILROAD SAFETY GATE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. e, um.

1,319,620. Patented 0dr. 21,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

wvemtoz Lester Rikard L. RIKARD.

RAILROAD SAFETY GATE.

Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

7 m 1 8 PW E D D E L H N o H A c U P P A 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Lesi'er Rikard WHMWJQM Ms.

L. RIKAIID.

RAILROAD SAFETY GATE.

APPLICATION FILED nEc.8, 191].

Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

LESTER RIKARD, 0F CHANDLER, OKLAHOMA.

RAILROAD SAFETY-GATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 21, 1919'.

Application filed December 8, 1917. Serial No. 206,251.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lns'rnn RIKARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chandler, in the county of Lincoln and State of Oklahoma, have invented new and useful Improvements in Railroad SafetyGates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to safety gates for railways and operating means therefor.

The primary object of the invention is to produce a simple construction and arrangement of parts designed to be actuated by a train to influence a gate, to bring the same to obstructing position when the train is operating a crossing and to automatically return the said gatesto non-obstructing position after the train has passed the crossing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety device for railways which will be automatic in action comprising few parts which require no adjustment after installation, and which will operate with efficiency and with certainty.

Otherobjects and advantages will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a top plan view of the gates in obstructing position,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view ap proximately on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a substantially similar sectional view but illustratingthe arrangement of parts when the gates are brought to their non-obstructing position, the posts for the gates being shown in section.

Fig. 4: is a transverse sectional view approximately on the line H of Fig.1, upon an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the depressible trigger operating members.

'Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the actuating means as applied to a swinging gate.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view approximately on the line 77 of Fig. 6.

As illustrated by the drawings, in Figs. 1 to 6 thereof, at the corners of the crossing C of a railway track T, I arrange posts 10. These posts are preferably secured to long ties 11 and the rails of the track T are spiked to the ties 11 as well as to the other ties for the track. Theposts 10, at the confronting sides, of each pair of said posts is provided, for a suitable distance from its bottom with an elongated slot providing a pocket 12, and preferably, the posts, at their upper ends are rounded and reduced, gradually increasing in thickness to approximately the center of the said posts. The pockets, of course, ter minute away from the upper ends of the. posts and within each of these pockets is pivotally secured a gatc'13. Each of the gates is of a particular construction, including.

an upper member or bar 14 having its inner end pivoted off its center as at15 in thepocket 12. A lower bar 16, of a less length than the upper bar 14, is also provided, the

said bar 16 having its inner end pivoted off its center as at 17, the inner end of the bar 16 being arranged nearer the mouth of the pocket than the pivot of the bar 14-. Preferably, the pivoted end of the bar 16 is rounded and is provided with peripheral teeth 18. The teeth 18 may mesh with a toothed wheel 19'provided with a striker member designed to contact with a bell 20. If desired, the toothed wheel 19 of the-teeth 1:8 may be dispensed with and the inner end of the bar 16 may be provided with a striker member designed to contact with a bell 20 when the gate is being brought to obstructing position. 7

Connecting the bars 14: and 16, at approximately the center of each of the gates 13 is a vertically disposed bar 20, pivoted as at 21 and 22 to the bars 14C and 16 respectively. The outer bar for the gate is indicated by the numeral '23. This last mentioned bar is preferably hollow receiving therein the ends of the bars 14. and 16 which are pivoted to the said end bar 23 as indicated by the numerals 24 and 2'5 respectively. Pivotally secured to the outer members orbars 23 of each of the gates 13, is a latch member 27,

- the inner end of the said latch being loosely connected through the medium of a link 28 to the lower bars or rails 16 of the gate, and these latch members, when the gates are brought to obstructing position will lock each pair of gates against lateral movement.

Arranged angularly and extending outwardly from the end of each of the rails or bars 16 of the gates 13 is an arm 29, and to the outer end of this arm is loosely secured a link 30. .The arm 29, when the gates are in their lower or obstructing position, is designed to contact with a stud or buffer member 29 which maintainsthe gates at a right angle with respect to the posts and the upper and lower rails14 and 16 thereof in a horizontal position.

The links pass through a suitable opening in each of the posts 10 and are arranged at an outward angle with respect to the said posts. The ends of the links 30 are loosely connected to the angle ends 31 of shafts 32, the said shafts being journaled in suitable bearings 33 in the referred to ties l1. 7 In this connection, it is to be stated, that, if desired, the ties 11 may be in the nature of hollow members, so that the shafts 32 may be wholly concealed therein.

7 Upon each of the shafts 32, inward of the angle ends 31 thereof is arranged angular fingers 34, each pair of fingers being connected by a bar or cable 35 and to one of the fingers 34 is secured a flexible element 36 which may form the end of the element 35 when the same is in the nature of a cable. The element 36 is connected to a crank arm 37 secured upon the shaft 38 of a toothed wheel 39. The toothed wheel 39 intermeshes with alarger toothed wheel 40 and this toothed wheel 40 is held against movement in one direction by the engagement therewith of a spring pressed dog 41. Loosely arranged on the shaft 42 of the toothed wheel 40 is a lever 43, the said lever being normally swung to one position through the medium of a spring 44 and retained in such position through contact with a stop member 45. Pivoted to the lever and engaging with the'teeth of the wheel 40 is a dog 46. a

Arranged along the side of the outer rails V of the tracks T, at predetermined distances to the; opposite sides of the crossing C are contact members 47 over which the wheels of the rolling stock traveling on the track are designed to ride. The contact member 47 preferably comprises a pair of rail members 48 and 49 respectively, which are pivotally connected at their meeting ends as indicated'by the numeral 50. The outer ends of these rails are loosely pivoted, as a 51, to the rail of the track, and the said short rails 48 and 49 are under the influence of a spring 52 whichelevates the same at the joint thereof above the rail of the track, so that the short rails 48 and 49 are thus maintained at opposite angles with respect to each other and with respect to the track the said trigger being in the nature of a cam I member and being also influenced by a: spring 54 to maintain the same in contacting relation with the widened under faces' of the rails 48 and 49 at the pivotal eonnection' thereof. In this connection, it should be stated that the spring 54 may be of a sufficient strength to retain the rails 48 and 49 at a desired inclination and above the rail of the track, in which instance, the

referred to spring for elevating the said short rails may be dispensed with.

Connected to each of the cam shaped triggers 53 and journaled in suitable bearings 55 is a shaft 56, the said'shaft having an angular finger 57 and to this finger is secured a cable 58 which has its-end connected to the lever 43. r 1

Arranged outwardly of the toothed wheel 40, and having its shaft journaled in suitable bearings is a sheave wheel 59 and secured to the lever 43 and trained around the sheave wheel 59 is a flexible element or cable 60, This cable is directedbelow the crossing C and may be inclosediin 'asuitable pipe or other casing, the opposite end of the cable being connected directly tothe finger 57 of theshaft 56 for the trip member 53 arranged at the opposite side of the crossing.

While the contact members 47 are arranged opposite each of the outer rails of the traclgso four of the same are employed, one for each of the tracks, only one of the gate operating means is required, these means comprising the toothed wheels 39 and 40 and the elements associated therewith. In this connection, it is to be stated that the gate operating means is suitably incased, as in fact is all of the construction which might be effected by weather conditions, and the operation of the device will presently be described. I

' Normally the gates are 'in'the'ir elevated position, and whenin suchposition, the ele-' ments comprising the same will be effectively collapsed so that the rail 16 of each of the gates will be swung against the rail 14 thereof, and the outer members 23 as well as the brace or central members 20 will be arranged approximatelyin a line with the said rails. The gates when collapsed are fully inclosed in the pockets 12 of there spective posts 1O. In Fig. 2 of the drawings, I have illustrated the gates in their lower or obstructing position, the gates being in a likeposition in Fig. loof the drawings, and in the said Fig. l, I have illustrated diagrammatically the wheels of a.

rolling stock positioned on one of the tracks outward of one of the contact members 47. We will presume that the wheel travels over one of the said contact members to bring the gates to their upper position.

Now, when the wheel, moving in the directoothed wheel 40 a handle 61.

shaft 42 of the toothed wheel 10 and throughthe medium of the pawl or dog 46,, the said toothed wheel is permitted of one-fourth of a revolution.

As the toothed wheel 10 is twice the size of the toothed wheel 39, the said toothed wheel 40 meshing with the wheel 39 'will revolve the said wheel 38 at one-half a revolution, swinging' the lever 37'connected to the said wheel 39 to the position illustrated in Fig. i of the drawin s. .This draws onthe flexible element 36 causing the same to turnboth of the shafts 32, (throughthe medium of a connection 35 with the fingers 34: of the said shafts), bringing the crank ends 31 of the said shafts downwardly and through the medium of the link connection 30with the 011111829 on the lower members 16 of the gates 13, swing the said gates upwardly into the pockets 12 of the posts 10. The lever 43, throughthe medium of a spring 1-1, will bereturned to its initial position, but the wheelaO being engaged by the dog 11 is held against turning, and the intermeshing of the wheel 39 with the wheel 4L0 prevents the turning of the wheel 39 so that the gate is maintained locked in its raised or inoperative position. Now, we will suppose that the train again approaches the crossing from either direction, say again in the direction of the arrow a. The pivoted contact member 47 will actuate one of the triggers 53 turning the shaft 56 connected therewith and pulling upon the cable 60 which draws the said cable in the direction of the arrow 0, (Fig. 1) pulling the lever 43 in the direction of the arrow 6, (Fig. 4) again turning the toothed wheel 40 a onefourth revolution. This turns the toothed wheel 39 a one-half revolution bringing the lever 37 secured thereto to the position illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, causing the gates 13 tl'irough the weight at the outer ends thereof to drop by gravity to obstructing position. It is to be noted that the latch members 26, through the medium of their loose connection with the lower bars 16 of the gates, will have their operating ends swung outwardly when the gates are lowered so that the gates are automatically latched when in obstructing position, and it will be further noted that the device is thoroughly automatic in action.

In some instances, it may be found desirable to operate the gates by hand, in which instances, I secure to the shaft 42, of the I By turning this handle in the direction of the arrow 6, a determined distance, the members will be actuated as above described, say to open the gates and by turning the handle still farther in the same direction, the members will be actuated to permit of the automatic gravitation of the gates to closing position.

It is to be understood that the crank or lever 37 may be dispensed with, if desired, and in lieu thereof, the toothed wheel 39 may be provided upon one of its faces with a wrist pin, to which the flexible element 36 is secured. It is to be further understood that in instances where extra long trains, or a train made up of a great number of coaches or cars constantly pass the crossing additional contact niembers'and triggers therefor may be employed so that while the gates would be both opened and closed as portions of the trains pass a crossing, the

gates would, however, be retained in their closed condition until the train has fully passed the crossing, the gates being raised only after the last car of the train has entirely passed the crossing.

As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the improved operating meaus may be employed in connection with a swinging gate, the contact members, triggers, and gate sustaining means being similar to that previously described willnot, therefore, be alluded to in detail in the description of the said Figs. 6 and 7. The gates inFigs. 6 and T are designed as a cattle guard and hzwing their upper and lower rails hingediy connected with the posts 65, the upper rail 66 of the gates 67 being influenced by springs 68 to hold the same across the railway track. Suitable stop means 69 is provided for retaining the gates in this position. The lower rails 70 of the gates 67 have secured thereto, adjacent their hinged or swiveled connection with the posts (35 a sprocket chain 71 that is trained around a sprocket wheel 72, and the free end of this chain is connected to the offset end 73 of shafts 7a, the said shafts being similar to the shafts 32 and being provided with fingers 75 to which the element, similar to the element 35 is secured, one end of the said element being conneeted to the wrist pin or to the crank or lever 36 secured on the wheel 39, the said wheel being operated by the wheel 40 in a manner as previously described.

From the foregoing description, when taken in connection with the drawings, it is believed that the construction and operation of my improvement will be apparent without further detailed description, it being understood, however, that while I have illustrated and described the me ferred embodiment of the improvement as it now appears to me, I may, at a later date, make such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of what I claim.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination with a pivoted gate, operating means therefor including a toothed wheel, a crank arm thereon and a connection between said crank arm and the gate, depressible contact members to the opposite sides of the gate, a second toothed tioned toothed wheel to turn the crank arm thereon and swing the gate to an open or closed position, and means for returning the depressible contact members to their initial position.

2. The combination with a pivoted gate, operating means therefor including a toothed wheel, a crank arm thereon, and a flexible connection between the crank arm and the gate, depressible contact members to the opposite'sides of the gate, a flexible element operated by said contact members when the latter are depressed, guide means for said flexible element, a second toothed wheel meshing with the first mentioned toothed wheel, means for holding said last mentioned wheel against turning in one direction, a lever secured to said last mentioned wheel and connected with the flexible Copies of this patent may be obtained for element, a pawl on said lever co'engaging' with the teeth of the last mentioned wheel, and spring means for normally retaining the lever in one position. r

3. The combination with a pivoted gate, operating means therefor including a toothed wheel, a crank arm thereon and a flexible connection" between said crank arm and the gate, yieldable contact members arranged on'the opposite sides of the gate,

spring means for retaining said members in one position, a cam-shaped trigger pivoted below each of said contact members, 'a shaft therefor, an offset finger on each of said shafts, a cable connected to said triggers, a guide wheel therefor, a second and larger toothed wheel meshing with the first men tioned toothed wheel, a lever therefor, means for holding said last mentioned wheel against turning in one direction, a pawl on the lever co-engaging with said last mentioned toothed wheel, and spring means for retaining the lever in one position.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

' LESTER RIKARD.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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