US1485966A

US1485966A - Switch-operating mechanism

Info

Publication number: US1485966A
Application number: US672552A
Authority: US
Inventors: Israel K Dixon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1923-11-03
Filing date: 1923-11-03
Publication date: 1924-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 1941-03-04

Description

March 4 1924.

l. K. im'xoNl SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM,

Filed NOV. 3, 1925 other.

Patented Mar. 4, 19.24.

srra

ISRAEL x. DIXON, or JoHNsTowmrnNNsYm-IANIA.

SWITCH-OPERATNG MECHANISM.

Application led November 3, 1923. Serial No. 672,552.

To all whom t may concern. A

Be it known that 1, IsRAEL K. DIXON, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Johnstown, in the county of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Switch-Operating Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tongue switches and more particularly to the connecting rods used to connectthe switch tongues to the switch operating mechanism, and has for its object the provision of an improved connecting rod vfor switch tongues composed of two parts arranged end for end and connected by an improved form of joint Vadapted to permit a transverse and vertical movement of the parts relative to each Another object is to provide a connecting rod composed of two parts arranged end-for end and connected by a novel form of joint free from bolts or'nutsQ and, therefore, not liable to become loosened in service.

A further object is lto provide a novel form of connecting rod of the class vdescribed having the novel construction, design, and combination of parts hereinafter described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. c

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan, showing a switch operating mechanism constructed and arranged and applied for use on a switch structure in accordance with my invention, the cover plate being removed from the operating mechanism for clearness.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line II--H of Figure 1.

Figure'3 is a sectional elevation taken at right angles tol Figure 2 on the line III-IH of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the spring pressed rocker members.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of one of the toggle arms.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the forward end of the connecting rod.

Referring more'particularly to thedrawings, the numeral 2 designates the switch body of a tongue switch of a type adapted for use on street railways. The switch body is provided in its upper faceY with a longitudinal recessf3, in which the switch tongue 4- is pivotally. mounted or positioned. The tongue 4 is pivoted at its heel on one end, in the recess 3, and the switch point on the opposite end of the tongue is arranged to swing sidewise from one side to the other of the recess 3 against the sides 5 'and 6 of the recess 3.

The switch tongue connecting rod forming my invention being adapted for use with anyV of the known switch constructions, the switch is not fully illustratedr or described in detail. v Y

A switchV tongue operating mechanism is enclosed in arectangularv hollow metal box or casing 8 having an open top side normally closed by a cover plate 9, and secured to the switch body'by means of bolts 7 7.

A second box or casingv 10 is mounted within the box or casing 8. The box 10 is provided with integral lugs 11 which project outwardly from the side faces thereof, andl are provided with screw threaded apertures adapted to-receivethreaded adjusting,

rods or bolts 12. The bolts 12 are journaled in bearings 13 on the ends of the box 8 and are provided lwith squared portions 14 adapted to be engaged by a suitable tool when it is desired to rotate them. The box 10 is moved longitudinally of the bolts 12 and relative to the box 8 by rotation of the bolts 12,V since the lugs 11 serve as nuts on the bolts. l y

The box 10 is provided with rocker arm supporting lugs 15 which project inwardly from the side' face of the box which terminate at their inner ends in jaws 16.

Rocker arms 17. are mounted between the jaws 16 and are adapted to have a horizontal rocking movement. The arms 17 comprise forwardly projecting spring bearing portions 18 and rearwardly projecting toggle'y arm bearing portions 19. Y

A coil spring 20 is mounted between the portions 18 of the rocker arms 17 and tends to Nnormally rock the arms about their vertical axis, so as to force the toggle bearing 'portions' inwardly toward each other.

A pair'of toggle arms 21 are arranged horizontally within the box 10, one of which is in engagement with each of the rocker arms 17. The inner ends of the toggle arms 21 terminate in cylindrical bearing portions 22 adapted to fit within and engage against Isu each other through an outwardly flaring aperture 23 in the inner end or head 24 of .a connecting rod, the other end of which is connected to a downwardly projecting lug 25 onv the lower Jface of the switch tongue.

The connecting rod is composed or two parts or sections 26 and 27 arranged end 'for end. The outer part 'or section 27, which is connected to the lug 25 on the switch tongue,

is provided with an integral head 23 and is passed through an aperture in the lug. A sleeve 29 is passed over the section or part 27 after it is mounted in the lug-25, and a head or nut 30 is screwed 'on ther opposite end of the part 27, which is provided with screw threads 3l. The rod part or section 27 is thus held rmly in position. The other section or rod part 26 is also provided with screw threads 32 and a nut 33 is threaded thereon. The

nuts

30 and 33 are inthe form of bearing heads and have their abutting faces, which engage each other, curved transversely as at 34, so as to permit a transverse or horizontal swinging movement of one rod section relative to the other.

Suitable apertures 35 are formed in theV nuts or

heads

30 and 33 at such a point l that they will cut through the ends of the rod sections 26 and 27, and a U-shaped connecting link 36 of cylindrical cross section has one of its legs mounted in each of the apertures 35, thus forming a flexible connection between the rod parts or sections 26 and 27. One kof the legs of the link 36 is or" greaterlength than the other, and a suitable locking plate 37 is mounted across the bottom o the legs of the link 36 by pins 33. The plate 37 is stepped down so as to permit a limited vertical movement of one rod section relative to the other, and the round cross section of the link permits the rod section to move horizontally.

It will readily be seen that by forming the apertures 35 so that they pass through the rod sections that the nuts or

heads

30 and 33 are prevented from working loose and that there are no screwed connections or joints in the whole connecting rod assembly to become loose.

While I have described the switch tongue operating mechanism in detail, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since my improved connectingr rod may be used with various other kinds of switch operating mechanisms.

It will also be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment of my invention shown, since various modified ptorms of connecting rods may be made without departing from the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims. n

I claim i switch tongue connecting rod comprising two parts arranged endl for end,

Lacasse and means connecting said parts adapted to permit a limited vertical movement of one part of said rod relative tothe other.

2. A switch tongue connecting rod comprising two parts arranged end` for end, and means connecting said parts adapted to permit a transverse `swinging movement and a limited vertical movement of the parts. K

3. A switch tongue connecting rod comprising two parts arranged end for end and provided with apertures adjacentV their abutting ends, and a U-shaped connecting link having its lugs passed through said apertures to Vconnect said parts;

4C. A switch tongue connecting rod comprising two parts arranged end for end and provided with apertures adjacent their abutting ends, a U-shaped connecting link having its legs passed through saidA apertures to connect said parts, and meansw for detachably securing saidV link in position.

5.` The combination with a switch tongue and operating and retaining mechanism therefor, of a connecting rod for connecting said switch tongue with said op erating and retaining mechanism, said rodbeing composed of two parts, one ot said parts having one end secured to 0perating mechanismV and the other of said parts having one end secured to said switch tongue, apertured heads on the free ends of said rod parts, and a U-shaped connecting link having its legs passed through said apertured heads to connect said rodparts.

6. The combinationwith a switch tongue and operating 'and retaining mechanism therefor, of a connecting rod for connectimjr said switch tongue with said operating and retaining mechanism, said rod being composed of two parts', one of said parts 'having one end secured to operating mechanism .and

the other of said parts having'one end secured to said switchv tongue, sai'drods having their free ends screw threaded, bearing heads screw threaded on each osa-id rods, said heads being adapted to abut eachf other and having their abutting ends rounded so as to permit transverse movement one against the other, apertures formed in said heads and rod` parts, and a U-shaped connecting link having its legs passed through said apertures to connect said rod parts together and also lock said heads against movement relative to said rod parts.

7. rlhe combination with a switch tongue and operating and retaining mechanism therefor, of a connecting rod for connecting said switch tongue with said operating and retaining mechanism, said rod being composed of two parts, one of said parts having one end secured to operating mechanism and the other of said parts having one end secured to said switch tongue, said ,rods having their free ends screw threaded, bearing heads screw threaded on each of said together and also look said heads against rods, said heads being adapted to abut each movement relative to said rod parts, and 10 other and having their abutting ends roundmeans for detaohably securing said link in ed so as to permit transverse movement one position.

against the other, apertures formed in said In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set heads and rod parts, and a U-shaped conmy hand.

neeting link having its legs passed through said apertures to connect said rod parts ISRAEL K. DIXON.