US1494540A

US1494540A - Git abb fob

Info

Publication number: US1494540A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1924-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 1941-05-20

Description

WITNESSES G. W. GOODMAN GUARD Fon RAILROAD cRossmGs Filed NOV- 9. 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lNVEN-TOR G. W-Goodman,

ATTORNEYS May 20,1924. 4 1,494,540

' G. W. GOODMAN GUARD For: RAILROAD .cRossINss Filed Nov. 9, 1923 2 .sheets-sneer 2 z', /Q /fL f i. 3. J@

4 8 L 4 N/KQ a7 "19 l@ sa l V/ r "e7 J L7 41 .9 i 45 l 4 A 25 ,ez H 4m |I Il l/ N s L7 1L-1 munnlulmuun" 16 M N WICI'NJESSES INVENTOR Cz'. W odlffav,

'gy/www5 ATTORNEYS Patented May `mi, llilh y lidddidh UNITED STATES PATENT GFF'lCEi (JrLENN "WIALTER GODMJMQ, F'MEMI'HS,

snaai) non, nainnonn necesarios.

Appr'ioat'on filed November 9, i923.

i the following is a specification.

This invention relatesto that class oi apparatus which guards the approacho 'highivaysat railroad grade crossings and has for its object the provision of a device caused to be operated by a moving train and disposed in the path of the grade crossing to prevent vehicles from reaching the tracks.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device autoiuiatically operated to obstruct grade crossings and equipped with an automaticytinie release for causing a removal of the obstruction in the event that the train does not reach the grade crossing ivithin a predetermined time.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device 'tor positioning an obstruc-` tion transversely of the railway grade crossing to not only act as a Warning but prevent trafic at the crossingby throwing an obstruction across the road hed with auto matic means for causing the obstruction to be removed after the train has cleared the crossing.

l still. 'further object of the invention is the provision of y af device automatically operated by the Wheelsot ajtrain :for placing obstructions in the path o'l the trailic to Warn travellers of the` approach oit a `t ain but pern'iitting vehicles in close proximity to the obstruction and travelling at a high rate of speed to proceed across the obstruction Without interference `and at a time when the train is substantially i mile troni the grade crossing, the obstruction being su'lliciently elevated after this point to prevent actual crossing;`

Another object ci the invention is the provision of a d evice forming an obstruction to t 'aille at grade crossings yand controlled by fluid pressure through the direct action et the Wheels ot the trainupon a'pumping mechanism. l

This invention will. be best understood from, a considotation` of the `following detailed description7 in view' olf' the accompanying drawing forming a part of the speciiication; ,nevertheless it is to be understood that the invention isnot conilined to the dis Serial No. tif/3,5241.

closure, being susceptible of such changes and modiioations which shall deline no tinaterial departure trom the salient features oit 'the invention as expressed in the ap pended claims.

In the drawings:

Figurel is a plan view oit the tracks and grade crossing showing tiny invention applied in operative position.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section taken along the line 2--2 ci Figure l. Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical. section ot the bumper and its related parts forming `obstructions to trailic at a grade crossing.

Figure el is a vertical. section oil the fluid pumping mechanism operated by the Wheels of a passing train.

Figure 5 is a plan vien ci the pumping mechanism shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectionot the release valve box -l'or controlling the return oi" the bumper.

Figure 7 is a plan view shown in Figure 6.

Referring more particularly to the draiv ings, l` designates each of a pair orails ot a railroad track and i?,` thehighvvay which crosses the rails` at a grade crossing 3.

At predetern'iined distances from "the crossing 3 and transversely of the highway and upon opposite sides ol. the 'traclr are provided pits 3 `which are cut into the roadhed having` its side walls and bottoni iorined of a concrete constructiini l or any other material suitable for the purpose.

A beam 5 is c ninected with the side Walls of the pi t and is provided with a rod 6 upon which is pivotally mounted a curved armv 'i' having a forwardextension ti to which is rigidly secured bumper plate 9. The arm 7 has a portion extended substantially parale lel to the plate 9 and below the beam 5 and has a weight or countenbalance l0 mounted upon its free end. The upper end of the beunris cut aivay as shown at l1 to permit :tree oscillation oit the curved arm 7. The forward Yfree end oit the bumper 9 is provided with a depending transparent member 12 which is adapted to normally seat Within the pit Si and adjacent the end Wall 13 of said pit and to be carried upwardly or downwardly by the bumper 9. The transparent member 12 is red in color and its surface is such that it is adapted to reflect the sunlight during the day and the artificial .light directed upon it at night in of the device order to ywarn `travellers along the highway of the position of the bumper and likewise of the approach of a train.

A pair of cylinders are located adjacent the forward end of the pit 3a and rigidly mounted upon the bottom ofthe same in each of which is adapted to reciprocate a piston 15. Rods 16 have pivotal connections with the pistons 15 and with the inner wall of the bumper 9. A fluid feed line 16"L is connected with the cylinders 14 below the pistons 15 and adapted to supply fluid under pressure for elevating or lowering the pistons and likewise elevating or lowering the forward end of the bumper 9.

A box or casing 17 is placed in a pit between the ties of the railroad track and adjacent the rail 1. A pair of these casings are disposed a predetermined distance from the grade crossing 3. A rock shaft 18 is mounted in bearings within the casing and is provided with a rock arm 19 having pivotal connections with a rod 2O which has its other end connected to a piston 21 mounted for operation within a. cylinder 22.' Said cylinder is mounted upon the bottom of the casing 17.

A dash pot comprising acylinder 23, a piston24 is connected to the shaft 18 by means of a rod 25 and a rock arm 26.

A crank arm 27 has a bumper roller 28 adapted to be engaged by the wheels of the trains and depressed for oscillating the crank 27 and rocking the shaft 18. The roller 28 is disposed adjacent the rail 1, as shown more. particularly in Figure 4.

Cylinder 22 is directly connected by means of a pipe line 29 and branch pipes 30 to the pipes 16"L which are in communication with the bottom of the cylinders 14 which cooperate with pistons 15 for controlling the elevation of the bumper 9.

A time release 31 located in the casing 17 and in pipe line 29 is adapted to relieve pressure of the fluid in the cylinder 22 and therelby permit the piston 21 to descend at a predetermined time. This time release acts after the train has operated the crank 27 to raise the bumper 9 and where the train has failed to continue to the crossing. This permits the disappearing bumper'9 to be returned to its horizontal position and in line with the top ofthe road bed in those cases where the trains are withheld from movement between the position of the casing 17 and the crossing 3 in order that the traffic may continue which otherwise would be held up indefinitely.

The casings 17 are supplied with oil which is the fluid employed for operating the pistons 21 and an inlet valve 32 provides communication between the bottom of the cylinders 22 and the casings 17. A poppet valve 33 ofusual construction is connected with cylinder 22 and is adapted to permit the, Oil

to escape from the cylinder when pressure of the oil is increased beyond a predeterlnined degree in order to prevent injury to the mechanism.

A closed casing 34 is located in a pit between the rails 1 and to one side of the grade crossing 3 and is adapted to provide means for releasing the pressure in cylinder 22 and permitting the bumpers to descend and disappear within the upper end of their respective pits This casing is provided with a shaft 35 having a crank 36 which is adapted to be operated through a roller 37 being engaged by an element of the moving train. This roller is located adjacent a rail. The shaft 35 is provided with a rock arm 38 connected to a piston 39 by means of a rod 40. Said piston is adapted to reciprocate within a cylinder 41 mounted upon the bottom of the casing 34. The piston 39 and cylinder 41 cooperate to form a dash pot to prevent sudden action of certain of the elements of the mechanism and which will he presently explained.

A second rock arm 42 is rigidly connected with the shaft 35 and operated thereby for operating a crank 43 connected to the arm 42 by a rod 44. The crank operates a release valve diagrammatically shown at 45. The valve is connected by means of a pipe 46 with the pressure line 29 for releasing pressure on the pistons 21 and permitting the pistons to descend after the train has left the grade crossing.

A pipe 47 is connected to a pipe 48 which connects the pairs of casings 17 located upon opposite sides of the grade crossing and is adapted. to provide an equalizing line hetween the various casings.

As shown more particularly in Figure 2, a pair of cylinders 14 and cooperating pistons 15 are located in each pit 3 which carry the disappearing bumpers and are both connected to the pressure pipe 30.

The operation of my device is as follows:

The rollers 28 are always maintained in an elevated position and adapted to be engaged by some element ou the moving train whereby the same is depressed. causing rocking of the shaft 18. The piston 21 is then forced downwardly into the cylinder 22 forcing the oil out of said cylinder through the pipe lining 29 and into the pipes 30 to the bottoms of the cylinders 14 and through the conduit 16L which is in communication with said cylinders below the pistons 15. The casings containing the operating mechanism which includes the piston 2l` and the cylinders 22 are located at approximately l of a mile from the crossing and when the train operates the rock shaft 18 and depresses piston 21 the first impulse of the fluid acting upon the piston 15 will elevate said piston and likewise the forward ends of the bumpers 9 about three inches. The

nesecito dash pot, includingthe cylinder 23 and the piston 24. prevents any sudden actionoii the piston 21 jon the` fluid in the system and which may cause injury to the mechanism. The slight elevation of approximately three inches of the forward end ot the bumper 9 will permit any vehicle `which is travelling' at a high rate of sped along` the highway to pass over the partially elevated bumper and prevent sudden stopping ot the `vehicle whereby the vehicle may clear the `grade crossingT without subjecting' the occupants ot the vehicle to any danger from theitrain.

After the train has reached at least approximately of a mile from the crossing, an equilibrium in the tluid pressure line has been reached and the bumper will have been elevated approximately tive more inches `which locates the free end ot the bumper at about eight inches above the road bed and will prevent passage of vehicles onto the grade crossing'` but not off oit the grade crossing. j

In order to prevent a continuous operation of the crankfarm 27by the moving; train, the crank arm7 together with the roller Q28 is maintained out of its normal position and `located horizontally through the action of the piston 24 and in the cylinder 23 which operates as a dash pot and overcomes the pressure ol the fluid in the lines from returning the piston 21 from its i position of upstroke until after a predeterfit! minedtime which is sufficient to permit the train to entirely `pass over the arm before the same begins to return to its elevated position.

In order to cause lowering ofthe bumpers 9 after the train has cleared the `grade crossing;r 3, I have provided the casiimr 34 located upon one side of the crossing` and between the rails 1 so `that as the train reaches the grade crossing 3 the crank arm 36 will `be operated together with the arms 4t2 and 38 connected with the shaft The `operation of rock arm 42 operates the valve 415 and opens the pressure line 46 and permits the oil below the pistons 15 in. the cylinders 14 to flow back into casing 17. The arm 38 operates the piston 39 in cylinder LM .which comprises the dash pot to prevent sudden action of the elements ot `the mechanism and with a. consequent injury to the parts. i t

The time release 31 may be ot any approved type and is designed to permit the fluid from the cylindersQQI to tiow back into thecasing.;r 17 and permit the pistons 21 to descend for lowering the bumpers 9 at a time when the train after having actuated the pistons 21, tails to reach the crossingfor some reason and continue its passage.

lf desired or necessary a pair ot casings may be disposed adjacent each other having,r separate pumping mechanism together with j a separate crank arm adapted to be operated by the movingr train for increasing` the pressure upon the fluid which operates the piston 15 and likewise the bumpers 9.

The pipe L18 connecting the casings 17 located upon opposite sides and at a considerable distance from the grade crossing 3 is adapted for the purpose of equalizing prersure between said casings and the casingIt 34C. rlhe poppet valve 33 is provided to relieve pressure within the cylinder 22 when the pressure in said cylinder exceeds a prede termined degree.

What I claim is:

1. A guard iter railroad crossings com prising a bumper adapted to be elevated across a highway, operating means connected with the bumper 'for raising said bumper above thehighway, a pump located inthe path of a moving train, pipes carrying a i'iuid and connecting the pump with the elevating means for the bumper, a crank arm adapted to be actuated by the moving; train tor operating the pump and supply ing pressure to the fluid in the pipes for setting the elevating); means in action to raise the bumper, and means for causing limited elevation ot the bumper when the pump is actuated but permitting; subsequent elevation ot the bumper. i

2. guard tor railroad crossings com prising a bumper adapted tc be elevated across a highway, operating means connected with the bumper ttor raising said bumper above the highway, a pump located in the path or a moving train, pipes carrying a 'Huid and connecting the pump with the elevatingl means for the bumper, a crank arm adapted to be actuated by the moving train tor operating the pump and. supplyingpressure to the 'liuid in the pipes for setting the elevatingr means in action to raise the bumper, and means to maintain the crank arm out ot engagement with the n'ioving train alter the arm has been moved to an operative positiom and means 'For eausine' limited elevation of the bumper when the pump is actuated but permitting` subsequent elevation ot' the bumper.

3. A guard tor railroad crossings comn prising` a bumper adapted to be elevated across l a highway, operating means connected with the bumper 'For raisinsf said biunper above the highway, a pump located in `the path of a moving train, pipes carrying' a 'iiuid and connectingr the pump with `the elevatimi` means tor the biu'i'ipcr, a crank arm adapted to be actuated by the movingr train tor operatingthe pump and supplying); pressure to the fluid `in the pipes tor setting the elevating` means in action to raise the bumper` and means actuated by the movinga train ftor causing' release of pressure in the pipes to permit return ot the bumper, and means for causing limited elevation of the bumper when the pump is actuated but permitting ysubsequent elevation of the bumper.

t. A guard for railroad crossings comprising a bumper adapted to be elevated across a highway, operating means connected with the bumper for raising said bumper above the highway, a pump located in the path of a moving train, pipes carrying a fluid and connecting the pump with the elevating means for the bumper, a crank arm adapted to be actuated by the moving train for operating the pump and supplying pressure to the fluid in the pipes for setting the elevating means in action to raise ther bumper, means actuated by the moving train for causing release of pressure in the pipes to permit return et the bumper, and means to prevent immediate relief of the pressure, and means for causing limited elevation of the bumper when the pump is actuated but permitting subsequent elevation of the bumper.

5. A guard for railroad crossings com prising a bumper adapted to be elevated across a highway, operating means conneeted with the bumper for raising said bumper above the highway, a pump located in the path of a movingtrain, pipes carrying a fluid and connecting the pump with .the elevating means for the bumper, a crank arm adapted to be actuated by the moving train for operating the pump and supplying pressure to the fluid in the pipes for setting the elevating means in action to raise the bumper, means to maintain the crank arm out of engagement with the moving train after the arm has been moved to an operative position, and means to release the pressure on the elevating means at a predetermined time after the pump has been actuated by the moving train and when the train has failed to reach the crossing.

"6. A guard for railroad crossings comprising a bumper adapted to be elevated across a highway, operating means connected with the bumper for raising said bumper labove the highway, a pump located in the path of a moving train, pipes carrying a fluid and connecting the pump with the elevating means for the bumper, a crank arm adapted to be actuated by the moving train for operating the pump and supplying pressure to the fluid in the pipes for setting the elevating means in action to raise the bumper, means actuated by the moving train for causing release of pressure in the pipes to permit return of the bumper, and means independent of the last mentioned means for releasing pressure in the pipes after a predetermined time to permit return of the bumper.

7 A guard for railroad crossings comprising a bumper adapted to be elevated across a highway, a cylinder, a piston operating therein and connected with the bumper, a pump remotely located from the bumper, operating means connected with the pump and adapted to be actuated by the moving train, pipes carrying a fluid and connecting the pump with the cylinder, said pump when actuated adapted to force the fluid through the pipes under pressure and cause movement of the piston for elevating the bumper, and means for causing limited elevation of the bumper when the pump is actuated but permitting subsequent elevation of the bumper.

8. A guard for railroad crossings comprising a bumper adapted to be elevated across a highway, a cylinder, a piston operating therein and connected with the bumper, a pump remotely located from the bumper, operating means connected with the pump and adapted to be actuated by the moving train, pipes carrying a fluid and connecting the pump with the cylinder, said pump when actuated adapted to force the fluid through the pipes under pressure and cause movement of the piston for elevating the bumper, a valve, operating mechanism adjacent the bumper adapted to be operated by the moving train for relieving pressure inthe pipes to permit return of the bumper, and means for causing limited elevation of the bumper when the pump is actuated but permitting subsequent elevation o the bumper.

9. A guard for railroad crossings comprising a bumper adapted to be elevated across a highway, a cylinder, a piston operating therein and connected with the bumper, a pump remotely located from the bumper, operating means connected with the pump and adapted to be actuated by a moving train, pipes carrying a fluid and connecting the pump with the cylinder, said pump when actuated adapted to force the fluid through the pipes under pressure and cause movement of the piston for elevating the bumper, a valve, operating mechanism adjacent the bumper adapted to be Aoperated by the moving train for actuating the valve to relieve pressure in the pipes to permit return of the bumper, casings enclosing the cylinder and piston and the valve, and pipes connecting the casings for equalizing the pressure within said casings.

10. A guard for railroad crossings comprising a bumper adaptedy to be elevated across a highway, a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder and connected with the bumper, a casing remotely located from the bumper, a pump located within the casing, means projecting from the casing adapted to be operated by the moving train for actuating the pump, a casing located adjacent the bumper, a valve within the easing, a pipe carrying liquid and connected between the pump and the cylinder whereby fluid ll U under pressure is forced vvitbin tbe cylinderl tor actuating tbe pistou and raising tlie bumper, an equalizing pipe connecting the casings, a pipe connecting tbe rst men` bumper being pivotally connected at one end to the bar, said bumper` forming a closure for the upper end or tbe casing, a counten i vveigbt connected to the bumper and suspended below tbe lsame and movable Witbin the casing, and means operated by a moving train for `elevatimg; tlie tree end olI tbe bumper above and transversely or tbe bigbvvay.

l2. t guard for railroad crossings com prising a bumper, a casing carrying said bumper, a bar mounted in tbe casing, said bumper being pivotally connected at one end to tbc bar, said bumper forming a closure for tbe upper end ot tbe casing, a counter-Weight connected to the bumper and suspended below the same, and movable within the casing, means operated by a moving train for elevatingtlie tree end of tbe bumper above and transversely oit' tbe bigbivay, and a reflecting member connected with the bumper and adapted to be Withdrawn vvben the freeend ofjtliebumper is elevated and operating as a Warning signal to traffic.

13, A guard for railroad crossings comprising a bumper adapted to be elevated across a bigbway, operating means connected with tbe bumper tor raising said bumper above tbe highway, a pump located in tbe patb of a moving` train, pipes carrying a fluid and connecting tbe pump with the elevating means for tbe bumper, a crank arm adapted to be actuated by tbe moving train for operating tbe pump and supplying pressure to tbe lluid in the pipes for setting the elevating means in action to raise the bumper, and means connected with tbe pump tor checking elevation of the bumper, said means permitting further elevation ot tbe bumper after predetermined lapse of time.

la. ll guard :tor railroad crossings coinprising a bumper adapted to be elevated across a highway, operating means connected Wit-li tbe bumper for raising said bumper above tbe bigbway, a pump located in the path ot a moving train, pipes carrying a tluid and connecting the pump vvitli the elcvating means for the bumper, a crank arm adapted to be actuated by tbe moving train for operating tbe pump and supplying pressure to the duid in the pipes :tor setting tbe `elet/'ating means in action to raise the bumper, acylinder, a piston movable in tbe cylinder adapted to be influenced by the liquid under pressure tor checking elevation of tbe bumper at tbe time that the train operates tbe crank 'arm but permitting furtber elevation of the bumper after a predetermined lapse of time.