US1615186A - Directional track contactor - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18 1927.

W. F. BOSSERT ET AL.

DIRECTIONAL TRACK GONTACTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed August 14. 1922 i In n Jan. 18, 1921. ,615,186

W. F. BOSSERT ET AL DIRECTI ONAL TRACK CONTAQTOR Filed August 14, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 18,1927. 1515,1136

W. F'. BQSSERT ET AL DIRECTIONAL TRACK CONTACTOR I Filed August 14. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 18,1927. 1,615,186

w. F. BossERT ET AL A DIRECTIONAL TRACK CON'I ACTOR Filed August 14', 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR a/W 1 cfizwm BY W I AT NEYs.

Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

v-um'reu srarss PATENT. ore-ice.

WILLIAM F} BOSSEET AND JOHN C. EDW'AR'DS, OF UTIOA, NEW YORK, AS'SIGNORS T0 SIGNAL ACCESSORIES CORPORATION, 011 UTICA, YORK, A CORPORATION" OF NEW YORK.

DIRECTIONAL TRACK CONTAC'IOB.

Application filed. August 14, 1922'. Serial No. 581,678.

This invention relates to a new directional track contactor, and more specifically to mechanism for controlling electric circuits adapted to be actuated by the contact of a 5 passing locomotive or car wheel, which mechanism when primarily actuated upont-he passing of a train in either direction, will not be aiij'ected by subsequent contacts of a car or locomotive wheel until the entire train has passed beyond the zone of the device, thereby adapting the device for use uion sin le track railwa s.

In a general way, the invention comprises the combination with a railway track of a wheel contact mechanism attached to a rail section or the ties thereof, and arranged to be actuated by the foremost wheel only of the passing train, and being provided with a mechanical time release attachment by which subsequent operations by the succeeding wheels are avoided until the train has passed beyond the zone of the device.

The

invention utilizes or embodies a circuit-closing means positioned directly in line with the contact point, and having mechanically operable connection. to the contact device.

The main object of the invention is to provide circuit-controlling means of the character described, adapted to be actuated in either direction from a normal position by an impulse received from the Wheel of a passing train to thereby indicate at some more or less distant point, the passage of such train, and the direction of its movement.

drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the wheel contact device and power-transmitting shaft,

in combination with a through the instrument box.

sectional view Figure 2: is a view showing an end elevation of the wheel contact device and the method of applying the same to a track.

Figure 3- is a top plan view of the instrument box with the cover removed.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4'4, Fig

ure 3.

, invention. a

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view through the mechanism of Figure 8'.

Figure 10 is an elevation partially in section of the rocking levers for actuating the weight utilized in connection with the time "75 release mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is illustrated in connection with a railway track, including a rail 1 with the wheel -2' moving thereon, and the ties 3- for supporting the rail.

The contact trip 4, as illustrated, is carried by a contact lever --5 the latter being provided with an angular or squared opening fitting a squared portion of the shaft 7, and adapted to convey any movement of the contact lever 5 to the mechanism of the instrument box hereinafter described. Preferably, the operating shaft 7 includes a flexible insulated joint 8 of any suitable well known construction. The other end of the shaft 7 may be provided with a squared portion, as

indicated, which is passed through the central portion of a yoke 9 and through the axis of a segment gear 10, the latter 1 adapted to actuate pinions 13 mounted upon a pair. of oppositely disposed shafts 30- extending longitudinally of the instrument box 31.

The opposite ends of-the yoke 9 are each equipped with a clevis 11 having a portion disposed within and engaged with the respective springs 12-, which springs support the clevises in proper position. The

lower ends of the springs are maintained in predetermined relation to the instrument box --3lin any suitable way, as by providing the box with recesses 14 within which the lower ends of the springs are adapted to project. These springs are of such form and size as to normally maintain or tend to maintain the yoke in a balanced or equi librium position, as indicated in Figure t.

The shafts 30, as indicated, extend longitudinally of the instrument box -31- and are in substantial parallelism with the operating shaft 7, and as stated, at one end are equipped with pinions -13.

A framework 15- is arranged within the instrument box 31- for supporting the parts already described, and those now about to be described.

This framework comprises an upright --16 in which the end of the shaft 7-- may be journaled at a point beyond the mounting of the segment gear 10 and in this upright -16 at opposite sides of the instrument box are mounted the forward ends of the shafts 30- upon which the pinions -13 are mounted for co-operative engagement with the segment gear -10-. The opposite ends of the shafts 30 are mounted in an upright -17 of the said framework, which upright may be spaced a proper distance from the adjacent end of the instrument box to permit mounting upon the said shafts between the upright and the adjacent wall of the box, of a pair of ra-tchets 18 and a pair of weight-operating levers 50- journaled at 19 on shafts --30-.

Upon the shafts 30 between the uprights 16 and 17- are mounted cylindrical commutators 20, each commutator comprising an insulating cylinder, and a series ofcontacts -26- which may be of the form shown in Figure 6, and adapted to form a circuit closing medium between the springs, brushes or contacts 2l which project, or may project, downwardly from an insulating cover 22 secured to the up r ends of the uprights 16 and -17- an forming with the said framework a partial casing for the commutator 20. These insulating covers -22-- may carry suitable terminals -23- to which the wiring systems may be secured, the wires being conveyed from the instrument box through an outlet -6 and a flexible conduit 24 which may carry the wires to any suitable more or less distant point where the signals are to be produced and interpreted.

'It will be obvious that if the commutator and the contacts 21 are normally in the relative position shown in Figure 6, that rotation of the shaft 30 through substantially a quarter turn, or an arc of 90 degrees, will bring the commutator contact --26 into a position to close the circuit between the oppositely disposed fingers or contacts 21, thereby effecting the production of a predetermined signal, should that be desired. The mere closing of the circuit indicates the movement of contact trip -4. as by the wheel of a passing train. The ratchets 1S mounted upon respective shafts 30 are each free to rotate in one direction, but are normally prevented from return rotation by the pawls 27- pivoted at 2S- upon the framework *15--- and for the purpose of moving said pawls from engagement with the respective ratchets, the pawls may have their inner ends connected by a pair of links 29-, one of said links having a pivotal connection to the other" pawl, and said links having a common pivot 60- on a box-like structure 61- and which may be depressed against the action of the supportingspring -32 to move said pawls from engagement with their respective ratchets, and thereby permit return movement of either ratchet and either of the shafts 30- to its original position, as actuated by the balancing springs 12-.

This depression of the box-like structure 61 is effected at a delayed and substantially predetermined time through the medium of a weight mounted upon an arm 3t rotatably journaled on the flange 8(3 of a gear wheel 37, which wheel is in turn rotatably mounted on a shaft --35, the arm 34 being provided with a pivoted pawl -4-7- that engages the teeth of the gear 37 so as to rotate said gear 3'7 as the weight lowers or falls, The gear --3T is in mesh with gear teeth 39 formed integrally upon the Shaft --8(3- which shaft. has mounted thereon an auxiliary time release gear &()- pinned to the shaft for rotation tl'ierewith, and having its peripheral teeth in engagement with gear teeth -at1- formed integrally with the shaft 35. Mounted on the flange (55 of the gear 40 is one member of an escapement mechanism for causing a step by step movement of the time release mechanism. This escapement mechanism, as stated, consists of an oscillatory ring t.2- having a pair of inwardly projecting teeth or lugs 43 and et4- which are adapted to engage the teeth upon the periphery of an escapement wheel -43- keyed to shaft 35. so as to rotate there with. As the escapement wheel 43 is rotated through the rotation of shaft 35- by means of the gears --40- and --3T and the gear teeth 39- and 41-, the teeth upon the escapcment wheel 4t3 will come into contact with the pawls or teeth -43 and 4.4. upon the interior of the oscillating ring %2 and the teeth upon the es capement wheel t-3' by alternate engagement with the pawls -4$ and -%4 will move the pawls to thereby effect oscillating movement of the ring -42-, whereby a step by step rotation of the gear 37- is permitted to allow in like manner a step by step downward movement of the arm 34--- and the Weight -33-, such movement continuing until the leverarm '-46 upon the pawl 47 comes into contact with the adjustable stop -48 whereupon the pawl 4'(-+ is moved from engagement withthe teeth of the gear 37 and the weight *-33- falls and strikes the box-like structure --61'- causing the pawls -27 to be moved from engagement with their respective ratchet wheels -18 thereby permitting the springs -'12- to move the operating mechanism to its original position.

The mechanism for raising the weight -33 and its lever arm --34- to the elevated position from which it gravitates in a step by step movement, as described, consists of the lever arms -50* which, as shown, may be of jointed form so as to be capable of returning to their original position after the weight -33 has fallen.

By reference to Figure 10, it will be seen that the weight 33 is normally in its lowermost position resting upon the box-like structure 61- this being the normal and inoperative position of the structure Upon rotation of either of the shafts 30- the jointed arm carried by the respective shaft will be moved thru the are illustrated in Figure 10' to the position shown in dotted lines, and during such rocking movement, the end of the lever --50- will contact with the Weight- -33 and throw it upwardly to the position shown in dotted lines, Figure 10.

The weight will then begin to move downwardly while the shafts '30 are locked in stationary position, and will graduallymove to the position where the releasing member -4f3 strikes the stop 48 and the weight drops to release the shaft -30- from its locked position, and permit its return through the action of one of the springs -12-,

The instrument housing -31- may be supported, as indicated, between two t ies 3'- to which it is connected in any suitable way as by means of the angular straps "TO-. These straps may be connected to the housing in any suitable manner or may consist of a single strap of metal extending beneath the housing up the sides thereof and then bent outwardly across the ties. The frame 15 including the uprights in which the rotary parts are journaled may be secured to the housing in any suitable manner, as by bolts not shown, or otherwise.

This housing may include a cover 7 1 forming a water-tight joint with the other portions of the housing in any suitable manher, as by interposed packing, and may be securely fastened in position as by locking strap -72.

The segment gear 10- attached to the shaft 7- will be revolved by movement of the shaft, and will transmit motion to one of the pinions 13.

It will be understood that. movement of the segment gear in one direction operates but one of the pinions, and that movement of the segment gear in the opposite direction will actuate solely the other pinion, thus making the instrument absolutely directionah The revolving motion of the segment gear 10 and the particular pinion 13 at tached to its shaft -30 will transmit this motion to the commutator 20', the time release operating lever -50 and the ratchet wheel -18, which ratchet wheel will be maintained in the position to which it is moved by its'respective pawl 27 until released, as described; The movement of the shaft- 30 will raise the time release operating lever 50 together with operating weight 33 to a predetermined height, whereupon the weight 33 will set in motion the mechanical time. release herein before described, and when the weight has lowered to the point where the lever arm -46 contacts with the adjustable stop t8 the weight 33' will drop suddenly upon the box-like structure 6'1 releasing the pawls 27- from engagement with their respective ratchets -18- and permitting springs --12 to return the segment gear,

the shaft 30 and parts carried thereby to a rotary shaft actuated thereby, a pair of pin ions selectively actuated by movement of said shaft in opposite directions, and movable contacts actuated by said pinions.

2. A track contactori comprising a shoe, a rotary shaft actuated thereby, a pair of pin ions selectively actuated by movementof said shaft in opposite directions, movable contacts actuated by said pinions, and ratchets actuated by said pinions.

3. A track contactor comprising a shoe, a rotary shaft actuated thereby, a pair of pinions selectively actuated by movement of said shaft in opposite directions, movable contacts actuated by said pinions, ratchets actuated by said pinions, said operating levers actuated by said pinions.

l. A track contactor comprising a shoe, a rotary shaft actuated thereby, a pair of pinions selectively actuated by movement of said shaft in opposite directions, movable contacts actuated by said pinions, ratchets actuated by said pinions, operating levers actuated by said pinions, a weight-operated time release mechanism, and a weight-actuated by said levers.

5. 'A track contactor comprising a shoe, a rotary shaft actuated thereby, a pair of pinions selectively actuated. by movement of said shaft in opposite directions movable contacts actuated by said pinions, ratchets actuated by said pinions, operating levers actuated by said pinions, a weightoperated time release mechanism, a weight actuated by said levers, pawls engaged with said ratchets, and means operated by said weight for moving said pawls from engagement with said ratchets.

6. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaft actuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft and pinions selectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with the direction of rocking of said shaft.

7 A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaft actuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft, pinions selectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with the direction of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions, and contacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said last named shafts.

8. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaft actuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft, pinions selectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with the direction of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions, contacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said last named shafts, and ratchets rotating with said last-named shafts.

9. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaft actuated thereby, a segmentgear carried by said shaft, pinions selectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with the direction of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions, contacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said last named shafts, ratchets rotating with said last named shafts, and pawls for engagement with said ratchets.

10. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaft actuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft, pinions selectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with the direction of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions, contacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said last named shafts, ratchets rotating with said last named shafts, pawls for engagement with said ratchets, and means for moving the pawls from engagement with the ratchets.

11. A track contactor comprising a con tact member, a rocking shaft actuated thereby, a segment gear carried by said shaft, pinions selectively actuated by said segment gear in accordance with the direction of rocking of said shaft, shafts actuated by said pinions, contacts brought into circuitclosing relation by rotation of said last named shafts, ratchets rotating with said last named shafts, pawls for engagement with said ratchets, means for moving the pawls from engagement with the ratchets,

and means for returning said parts to a normal starting position when said pawls are moved from engagement with said ratchets.

12. In a track contactor a time release mechanism operated solely by weight.

13. In a track contactor an instrument actuated by a passing train and means for mintaining said instrument in its actuated position.

14. In a track contactor an instrument actuated by a passing train and means for maintaining said instrument in its actuated position, and a time release mechanism for releasing said instrument from its actuated position after a substantially predetermined period.

15. A track instrument including a wheel contact member adapted to receive its operating impulse from the foremost wheel of a passing train, said instrument including a locking device that eliminates contact of said member with the succeeding wheels of a passing train.

16. A track instrument including a wheel contact member adapted to receive its operating impulse from the foremost wheel of a passing train, said instrument including a locking device that eliminates contact of said member with the succeeding wheels of a passing train, and a time release mechanism permitting return of said instrument to starting position.

17. A track instrument including a wheel contact member adapted to receive its operating impulse from the foremost wheel of a passing train, said instrument including a locking device that eliminates contact of said member With the succeeding Wheels of a passing train, a time release mechanism permitting return of said instrument to starting position, and spring means for effecting such return.

18. A track contactor including mechanism actuated by a passing train and pawls and ratchets for holding said mechanism in its actuated position.

19. A track contactor including mechanism actuated by a passing train, and pawls and ratchets for holding said mechanism in its actuated position, and a time release mechanism for effecting movement of said pawls from engagement with the ratchets.

20. A track contactor comprising a contact member, a rocking shaft actuated thereby, a yoke actuated by said shaft, spring means supporting the opposite ends of said yoke, a gear actuated by said shaft, a pair of longitudinal commutator shafts and gears on said commutator shafts meshing With the first-named gear, means for holding said commutator shafts in actuated position after each actuation, and means for releasing said holding means after the lapse of a predetermined time.

In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

WILLIAM F. BOSSERT. JOHN C. EDWARDS.

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