US1472708A - Safety switch point - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 30, 1923.

L. M. WENTLING SAFETY SWITCH POINT;

- Filed June 4, 1923 \w 7 J r v w mm /w/ \M 1% Patented Get. 3Q, 1923.

. L lian uirsu STATES PATENT oiuc,

nsrna M. wn v'rmne, or roxiaone, PENNSYLVANIA, assrenoa or ONE-EIGHTH TO GLEN v. GIBSON; or WEST MONTEREY, rENNsYLvANrA, ONE-EIGHTH TO ROBERT H. nowivrivs, SR, ONE-EIGHTH T0 or ST. rnranssnns,

ONE-EIGHTH TO ALBERT L. NEVEL, or EMLENTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

SAFETY SWITCH POINT.

Application filed June 4, 1923. Serial No. 643,391.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lnsrnn M. WENTLING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Foxburg, in the county of Clarion and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety Switch Points, of which the following is a specification.

It has been discovered that switch points now in use on railroads rise at their terminals subsequently to the wheels passing thereover, in which case the following pair of wheels strike the terminals very often resulting in breaking the switch point,

ing accidents. I

It is, therefore, the purpose of the present invention to avoid these difficulties by providing an improved switch point so constructed that the terminal thereof will remain in its proper position adjacent the main rail, in fact level or flush with the ball of the rail, thereby preventing the wheels from striking the terminal.

Another purpose isthe provision of a switch point provided with an angular channel adjacent its end portion and extending longitudinally of the switch point for suflicient distance so as to engage under the ball of the rail and retain the end portion of the switch point insuch position as to prevent it from rising or springing up subsequent to the passage of the wheels.

It is to be understood that the particulars herein given are in no way limitative and that while still keeping within the scope of the invention, any desired modifications of detail and desired proportions may be made in the apparatus according to the circumstances. 1

The invention comprises further features and combinations of parts to be hereinafter set forth, shown in the drawings and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a switch point constructed in accordance with the inventiop, showing the same adjacent the main T311 0 making it very dangerous and at times caus- Figure 2 is a View in side elevation of the switch point.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the main rail andthe end portion of the switch point in. position adjacent to the main rail, more clearly showing the bevel at the terminal of the switch point whereby ROBERT H. nowivrne, an, nun ONE- 1 the wheels may readily engage with the switch point.

Figure 4 is a view in elevation showing the side of the switch point which lies adjacent one side of the mainrail.

Figure 5 is a sectionalview'on line 5-5 of Figure 8Q Figures 6 and 7 are respectively detail perspective views of the switch point plates.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the switch point as a whole having its under portion from its terminal 2 fora distance terminating at 3 undercut or recessed longitudinally, as shown at 4. This recess or undercut portion gradually tapers and diminishes at its termination indicated at 3 so as to merge into the base of the switch point. Beyond the point the base of the switch point is similar to the construction of the main rail. At a suitable location be tween the point where the undercut portion or recess 4 terminates and the end 5 of the switch point plates 6 and 7 are suitably secured preferably by bolts, rivets or the like 9 and 8. These plates are corrugated or undulated, as shown at 10 and 11.

The body portion of the switch point for a distance between a location 12 and the end 13 of said body has the usual shaped head corresponding in contour to the ball of the main rail. the switchpoint gradually merges or blends off into the web 15 of the switch point in order to provide a surface that will lie in contact with the side of the main rail. This web or surface'15 at a location 16 substantially midway the location 12 and the terminal of the switch point is provided with a recess 17 angular in cross section and extending longitudinally of the switch point. This cut-away portion or recess 17 terminates at the extremity of the switch point However, this ball or head 14 of the location 16 into the surface or web 15.

This cut-away portion or recess 17 engages with and fits: under one side of the ball of the main rail 18, as clearly shown in Figure 3, and thereby constitutes means to prcvent the end portion of the switch point from rising subsequent to the passage of.

the car wheels.

The opposite face of the switch point adjacent the recess or cut-away portion 17 for a distance not quite as long as the recess 17 is providedwith a beveled off surface or face 19 which tapers and merges or blends into the side of the switch point. This tapering bevel permits the car wheel to easily engage with and pass over the switch point when it has been moved to a position adjacent the main rail.

At a suitable location on one side of the switch point; preferably adjacent. the beveled off surface 19, are enlargements or protrusions 20 which are provided with openings or apertures 21 which also are formed through the web of the switch point. These openings or apertures 21 are designed for the purpose of receiving suitable means (not shown) for fastening connecting rods (not shown) which unite the two switch points. The apertures or openings 21 adjacent where the switch point engages the side of the main rail have their ends rectangular in formation. These rectangular ends are countersunk, as shown at 22, to receive the heads of the fastening bolts which fasten the connecting rods between the two switch points.

The invention having been set forth, what isclaimed is: V

1. A switch point comprising a body in cluding a tapered portion of a length substantially half the length of the switch point, the inner surface of the tapered portion adj acent the bottom being undercut to engage with and fit the base of the main rail, said tapered portion for half its length having a longitudinal recess angular in cross section to engage with and fit the under part of one side of the ball of the main rail, the outer face of the switch point adjacent the extremity of the ball of said point being provided with a beveled oft surface to cause the car wheels to engage with and ride the switch point, said tapered portion adj acent its extremity having enlargements with apertures formed transversely therethrough and through the switch point web to receive fastening-means for connecting rods.

' 2. A switch point comprising a body including a tapered portion undercut on the bottom to engage with and fit the base of th main rail and recessed on the top to engage with and'fit the underpart of one side of the ball of the main rail, said tapered portion adjacent its extremities having en largements with apertures formed transversely therethrough and through the switch point web for the reception of connecting rods, saidweb on the side opposite said enlargementsbeing counterbored for the reception of connecting rod nuts.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

LESTER M. WENTLING.

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