US1463984A - Adjustable tiebar for switches - Google Patents

Description

W. L. WALKER ADJUSTABLE TIEBAR FOR SWITCHES v A g. 7, 1923. 1,463.984

Filed Dec. 13, 1922 Patented Aug. 7, i923.

sraras l,4h3,98e PATENT OFFIE.

WILBUR L. WALKER, OF LA GRANGE, ILLINOIS.

ADJUSTABLE TIEBAR FOR SWITCHES.

Application filed. December 13, 1922. Serial No. 606,689.

' justable tie bar for railway switches. It is quite desirable that railway switch connections. tie bars and the like be provided with means for adjustment to facilitate their installation and also to compensate for wear of the switch parts. it is essential, however. that such adjustment features or take up devices be of positive character, incapable of accidentally changing adjustment, yet easily and readily accessible and convenient for adjustment when a change is to be made.

The present form of tie bar adjustment contemplates two relatively adjustable members having interposed therebetween a number of interchangeable shims of various thickness the shims being enclosed orhoused in such manner that they may not be accidentally disengaged or removed, thus insuring the safety of these connections.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure as well as the means and mode of operation of adjustable connections applicable to railway switch connections and the like, which will not only be cheap in construction, but will be more eflicient in use, positive in operation, capable of being easily and quickly adjusted, of increased durability and unlikely to get out of repair.

l further object of the invention is to provide such adjusting device, which while being easily accessible will be fully safeguarded against accidental disengagement and against any accidental change of adjustment.

A further object of the invention is to providesuch adjustable connection having a comparatively wide range of adjustment, through a succession of small units of variation.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention consists of the features of construction, the parts and combinations thereof and the mode of operation. or their equivalents as hereinafter described. and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred, but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a portion of a railway rail and adjustable switch point, to which the adjustable tie bar connection forming the subject matter hereof has been applied. Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in section, of the adjustable connection. Fig. 3 is an end elevation likewise partly in section of the tie bar and its connection. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the engaging end of thetie bar and the adjusting shims and space block disconnected from each other. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail plan views showing different relative adjustments of the interconnected parts by transposition of the adjusting stem. Fig. 7 is a detail end elevation illustrating a modification of the construction previously described.

Like parts areindicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

In the drawing 1 is the track rail and 2 the adjustable switch member movable in relation with the rail. Connected to the switch member 2 by the adjustable connection forming the subject matter hereof, is a transversely arranged tie bar 3. For the purpose of connecting this tie bar 3 with the switch member 2. there is provided a bracket bolted or otherwise secured to the switch member 2, comprising a T shaped head portion 4. from which projects he arm 5, formed integral with the head 4 and supporting a housing or keeper 6. within which the tie bar 3 extends. The head 4 of the bracket may be attached by suitable bolts 7, to the switch member 2. In the particular design illustrated the supporting arm 5 is provided with a strengthening rib by which the bracket is enabled to withstand severe strains and hard usage. The housing or keeper 6 is of recumbent Ushaped form, comprising top and bottom walls 6 and 6". extending in substantially parallel spaced relation and interconnected at one edge as at 6, leaving the opposite lateral edge and the ends of the keeper or housing open. The intervening space within the housing or keeper 6 is such as to permit the free and easy adjustment of the bar 3 therewithin. That portion of the tie bar 3 within the housing or keeper is provided with an elongated rectangular opening 9, to receive a space block 10, and a plurality of interchangeable shims 11, which. together completely fill the opening 9. For convenience of assembly outside the housing or keeper 6, the space block 10 and shims 11 are preferably provided with laterally projecting ledges or extensions 12, whereby the shims are of substantially T- shape. These ledges or extensions l2 will rest upon the tie bar 3 about the margins of the opening 9, thereby temporarily supporting the block and shims in adjusted relation until the bar with its collection of shims is insertedwithin the keeper or housing. The housing is of sufiicient depth to accommodate the extension of the shims and block 10 above the top surface of the bar 3. The block 10 and the housing or keeper 6 are provided with holes 13 and 14 respectively, which register with each other whatever the relative adjustment may be. These registeringholes 13 and 14 receive a coupling pin or bolt 15, which extends transversely through the housing or keeper 6, and through the interposed block 10 upon each side of which the interchangeable shims 11 are arranged 'to afford the desired degree of adjustment. It is quite obvious that so long as the shims and space block are enclosed within the housing or keeper the shims cannot be displaced either accidentally or otherwise. The shims 11 being of such thickness and number as to completely fill the space 9 on opposite sides of the block 10 aiiord a positive connection between the block and the bar 3 in eitherdirection. By removing the coupling pin or bolt 15, the bar with its collection of shims and the block 10 may be withdrawn from the keeper r housing 9, and the shims rearranged by transposing one or more shims from one side of the space block to the other. to afford different degrees of adjustment. While these shims maybe provided in any number and any combination. for illustrative purposes only, a combination of five shims is suggested. having thickness var by one sixteenth of an inch from a quarter inch to a half inch inclusive. Thusthe live shims would be one quarter inch, five sixteenths. three eighths of an inch, seven sixteenths of an inch and one half inch respectively. By variously arranging such combination of shims on oppo site sides of the space blocls; 10 a range. of adjustment at each end of the tie bar may be effected by sixteenths of an inch. from ones xteenthto one and three eighths inches. and by q uaizter inches from one and three eighths to; one and seven eighths inches, while the throw of the switch may be varied from three inches to five and: three quarter inches by variationsof one sixteenth inch and from two and one half inches to six and a quarterinches by fourths of an inch. 1 The. e dimensions are mentioned. not with any intent of limitingthe invention. to specific sizes or dimensions, but for illustrative purposes only, it being understood that the size and number of shims may be increased or diminished in accordance with varying conditions of use.

In lieu of the self supporting shims eng raging the tie bar 3 by means of the extensions 12. such extensions or supporting ledges may be entirely omitted. In such change the lower side or bottom 6 of the housing or keeper 6 may be extended laterally as at 16. Fig. 7. to form a temporary support for the bar 3 and shimsyduring the assembly of the parts in their relatively adjusted position after which the bar and a sembled keeper may be shifted laterally upon such projecting lip or ledge 16 within the keeper or housing 6.

In Figs. 5 and 6 there are shown two different adjustments effected by transposition or the adjusting shims from one side to the othen of the intermediate space block.

It will be obvious that by the construction described, the bar 3 will be positively connected with the switch member for movemcnt'in either direction at all times yet the connection cannot become loosened by vibration and will not wedge n. 1 stick to prevent adjustment when change becomes necessary. The adjustable parts are protected to some extent from weather and from tampering.

It will be understood that in the usual and ordinary application of the invention, an ad justable connection as here described will be provided at each end of. the tie bars 3. This will enable either switch point to be adjusted in relation with the rail, independent of the other point. in order that the switch members may en uniformly. It also en'- ables the switch points to berelatively adjusted to bring them to proper gauge.

The supporting bracket comprising the head 4, arm. 5, and housing 6 is a standard design of track member. This form of bracket is very generally used at the present time. The present invention is thus appli cable to existing railway track work. without disarrangement of track by employing the existing brackets and substituting for the present tie bar connection. the interchangeable shim and: adjustable block connection of the present construction.

From the above description it will be apparent th at there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions. detail construction and" arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

lVhilc in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features,

ing in the portion of the bar contained within the recess of the bracket, a member operatively engaged with the bracket extending within the opening in the bar, and a plurality of interchangeable shims of diilerent thickness inserted within the opening in the bar beside said bracket engaging portion,

and within the recess of the bracket whereby the bracket overhangs the shims to prevent their displacement from the opening in the bar.

2. In a construction of the character described, a switch member, a tie bar adjustably connected thereto, a recessed bracket carried by the switch member within the recess of which the tie bar extends, and a series of interchangeable shims having ongagement with the tie bar within the recess of the bracket for maintaining the bar in different. positions of adjustment in relation with the bracket, said shims being held against displacement by said bracket.

3. In a construction of the character described, a tie bar having an opening therein,

a. connection for said tie bar extending through said opening, a. plurality of interchangeable shims also located within said opening, and a housing enclosing the shims to prevent displacement of the shims from the opening in the tie bar.

4. In a construction of the character described, two relatively adjustable members one of which is provided with a recess within which. the other members extends, a plurality of interchangeable shims also located within said recess to complete the filling of the same, and a housing enclosing the shims to prevent their displacement from said recess.

5. In a construction of the character described, a recessed bar, a thrust member ex tending within the recess of the bar, a plurality of interchangeable shims arranged beside said thrust member within said recess, and an enclosure for the recessed portion of the bar and the shims preventing the displacement of the'shimsl from said recess.

6. In a construction of the character described, an adjustable bar having an elongated opening therein, a second member overlapping the elongated opening in the bar,a coupling member carried by the overlapping member, and extending within the said opening in said bar and a series of removable shims engaged. in said opening beneath the overhanging member to differentially position the coupling member within the elongated opening.

7. In a construction of the character described, a bifurcated member, a second member extending between the furcations of the first member, a coupling member extending thru the furcations of the first member and through the interposed second member, and a plurality of interchangeable shimslocated in said second member beside the coupling member and overhung by the furcations of the first member to prevent their displacement.

able shims which by their. transposition vary the relation of the coupled members, said shims being held against displacement by the overlapping relation of the members.

10. In a construction of the character described, a bar having an elongated opening, a thrust member engageable within said opening, a pluralitv of shims insertable within the opening beside the thrust member to afl'ord variable abutment for the thrust member in either direction, means .Tshaped shims insertable within the open ing, beside the thrust member, to ailord variable abutment for the thrust member, said shims being supported in assembled relation by the engagement of the lateral projections of said T-shaped shims with the bar,

and means for preventing the displacement of the shims from said opening.

12. In a construction of the character described, a bar having therein an elongated opening, thrust member engageable with in the opening, and a. plurality of shims insertable Within said elongated opening bemy hand this 5 day of December, A. D. side the thrust member to afford avariable 1922. v abutment for said thrust member, and means overhanging said shims When in, operative WILBUR VVALKER' 5 position to prevent their displacement from Witnesses:

the o peningin said bar. H. N. MOGG,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set BLANCHE A. FROOM.

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