US1619070A - Railway-crossing guard - Google Patents

Description

v I 1,619,070 March 1 1927' w. H. GOLDING RAILWAY CROS S I NG GUARD Filed Feb. 28. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l nomato'a I v Gttoznug W. H. GOLDING RAILWAY CROSSING GUARD March 1 1927.

Filed Feb. 28. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Figure 1,

Patented Mar.- 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM H. GOLDI'NG, OF MERRICK, NEW YORK.

RAILWAY-CROSSIN G GUARD.

Application filed February 28, 1924. Serial No. 695,769.

This invention relates to railroad crossing guards, the primary object of the same being to provide means of simplified and improved construct-ion for detaining vehicles approaching a grade crossing at times when trains or cars are approaching the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of the character and for the purpose stated which is of comparatively simple construction, which employs but few operative parts, which parts are so arranged and assembled as to eliminate to a great degree the possibility of wear, breakage, or derangement, which requires little or no attention after once being properly installed, which is positive in all its operations, and which will prove highly practical and eificient in the accomplishment of the purposes for which it is designed.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatical plan view illustrating a grade crossing and showin the application of my invention as applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon line 22 of Figure 1 Figure 3 is a slightly enlarged sectional view taken substantially upon line 33 of Figure 4 is a similar view taken upon line 44. of Figure 1, p

Figure 5 is asectional view taken upon line 55 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 illustrates the exit barrier, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary front elevation of one of the roadway barriers.-

In carrying out the invention, it is my purpose to provide barriers or obstructions in the roadway approaching a railroad crossing as well as in the path usually traversed by pedestrians, to halt the approach of traflic toward the railroad track at times when it would be dangerous to attempt a crossing. The. invention further proposes means whereby trafiic approaching railways will be at once warned or apprised of possible danger, to cause the traffic to slow down to a f p her or n tram or cars are approaching the crossing. To this end, I provide in the roadway at suitable distances on each side of the railroad and in the path of oncoming traffic barriers which constitute obstructions in the roadway to be I encountered by vehicular traflic in its approach to the crossing. Under normal conditions, or when there is no train or vcar approaching the crossing, these barriers or obstructions will not hinder the passage of vehicles thereover, as they are capable of swinging to inoperative position immediately when such traflic is brought into contact with them. At other times, that is, when cars or trains are approaching the crossing, these barriers are maintained rig-. idly in upright position so as to present a fixe g or solid obstruction to the passage of tra c.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 10 indicates generally a railroad track over which trains and cars are to pass, and 11 represents the roadway intersecting this track. The barriers for the roadway are indicated generally at 13, and are arranged transversely of the roadway from curb to curb at suitable distances each side of the railroad track and parallel therewith. In the present instance, the roadway 11 at the approach'of the crossing is designed to accommodate two lines of vehicular traflic, one traveling in each direction, and the barrier portions at the approach sides of the roadway will now be described.

The roadway will be provided with a transverse chamber for the accommodation of the barrier mechanism, and above this channel or chamber and slightly below the street or pavement surfaceis disposed a bar or shaft 14 extending transversely of the roadway. This shaft may be suitably supported at its ends by the braces or standards indicated at 15. That portion of theshaft 14. which traverses the approach portion.

of the roadway has mounted thereon in spaced relation the upstanding arms 16,

which are connected by a barrier plate 17..

This barrier plate has-journaled in its upper edge a roller member 18 which is coextenslve with the barrier plate'and which is suitably supported in the latter upon the roller or other anti-friction bearing members 19. The

endsof this roller bar may be suitabl 'ournaled 1n the upstanding arms 16, an earings may be employed in this journal as well as at spaced intervals throughout the length of the barrier member 17.

ably maintain the barrier bar and buffer members at substantially right angles to each other.

The barrier bar is provided upon its rear face with an arcuate follower plate 22 forming substantially a uadrant, and which covers the buffer mem ers and the upper portion of the channel or recess in the roadway when the barrier is in upright position, thus preventing dirt, sand, snow and sleet from passing down to the interior of the chamber within which the mechanism hereinafter described is located.

The shaft 14 has aifixed thereto near its ends weights 23 of sufficient size to normally maintain the barrier bar and associated parts in upright position, These weights may be arranged at any suitable intervals, however, in the present instance, they are within suitable housings or channels indicated at 24 when-the bar or shaft 14 is rotated.. The spaced weights 23 may be connectedby a connector bar or plate 25, and

' against which leaf springs 26 secured to angle members contact with the upper surfaces of buffer members 20. lVhen this conthe buffer members 20 bear.) This spring and connector plate arrangement maintains a yieldable angular relation between the buffer members and the weights 23.

Each of the arms 16 has secured to its rear" edge or face an angle member or plate 27 which abut witlfthe buffer members after the said arms ,have passed through a certain number .of' degrees of movement in a rearward d1rect1on.- The lower faces of the angle members 27 are cut angular-1y as shown in Figure 4, permitting the said arms to move rearwardly'upon shaft 14 opposed by springs 21 before the lower edges of the tact is made, however, through rearward swinging movement of the arms 16 and the mechanism carried thereby the buffer members will be' caused to rotate in the same "direction upon shaft 14. and eventually a driving connection will be established between the buffer members and the connector bar 25 through the medium of springs 26, whereupon the weights 23 will be caused to swing into the arcuate channels or housings 24. When pressure 'uponthe barrier plate 17 isv released, the weights 23 will-immeby approaching trains.

diately swing back to normal vertical powith theent-rance barriers for maintaining the same in rigid upright position at the approach of a train or car upon the track, includes a latch member 28 rotatably mounted as at 29 upon suitable bearings beneath the roadway and movable into or out of the path of travel of the buffer members 20. The latch member is provided with a depending arm 30 to be actuated by the electro-magnet 31 suitably housed in the chamber beneath the roadway, and this electromagnet is connected with detent mechanism represented generally at 32 to be operated This magnet may be operatively connected with the well known signal bell circuits used at railway crossings to serve as Warnings to oncoming pedestrians and traflic, so that the mechanism will be rendered active immediately the warning bells are brought into operation, and, similarly, the electro-magnets are rendered inactive after the train or cars has moved out of the bell block. The depending arm 30 of the latch member may,

,latch out of the path of downward swinglocated at the ends of the bars and travel ing movement of the buffer member 20, or other suitable mechanism may be coupled for the accomplishment of the same result, however, the arm 30 will immediately be attracted and drawn to the electro-magnet 31 when the latter becomes energized.

When so positioned, any tendency of the bufl'eranembers 20 and the associated mechanism will be resisted-by the latch members 28, so that vehicular" traffic engaging the barriers will be caused to ride over the same.

There may be provided a magnet 31 at each end of the barrier channel for operation with each of' the buffer members located therein, or a single elect-ro-magnet may be utilized to operate two or more of such latch members; The latch members are supported upon a rod 33 suitably mounted w1th1 n the chamber beneath the roadway. TlllS rod, in the present instance, is yieldably supported at each end by a spring 34 upon a bearing bloc as shown in Figure 4, and to minimize friction between the bar and latch members 28, a knife edge bearing may be employed as shown. I

It will be-observed by referring to Figs. 3 and 4 that the lower ends of the latch members are disposed above arcuate revcesses in their supporting beds, and are and depressed by a moving vehicle will not be so. violent as to break or derange any of the parts of the mechanism, I provide a pneumatic or hydraulic check 36 to arrest 4 the movements of the parts just prior to the time they reach their full depressed position. This check 36 is in the path of movement of the buffer member 20, as shown.

In Figure 6 of'the drawings there is illustrated the exit barrier member, and wherein the barrier bar, buffer members and weight arms are formed in one piece. In this modification,the members 17 and 23 are alined with each other and a weight is secured to the lower end of the member 23, while the arm 20 is disposed at right angles to these portions and receives the lower end of the follower plate 22.

In operation, under normal conditions or when no train or car is within the bell block, the barrier mechanism will be inactive. When in such condition the barrier 17 will'be uprightin the positions shown in the drawings, and the engagement of wheels of oncoming traffic therewith will cause the same to swing down the horizontal position to permit of such traflic moving on unrestricted. At all times the exit barriers are free to so move. Upon the approach of climb the barrier.

a train or car on the track 10 and the closing of the circuit through the electro-magnet 31, the arm 30 is attracted therebyand the latch 28 is caused to move into operative position beneath the buffer members 20.

vShould vehicular trafiic encounter the barrier when so locked, the front wheels thereof, in the event the vehicle is traveling at rier until after the latch mechanism' has been released.

From the above it is apparent that I have provided a grade crossing guard which is of comparatively simple construction and which will capably perform the intended purposes. The various. partsofthe mechanism may be so constructed and assembled at proper positions upon the roadway as to require little or no attention after once being properly installed and are proof against accidental breakage or derangement.

The mechanism herein disclosed is believed to be the most practical in carrying out this inventive idea, however, it will be understood that various changes in the mechanical details may be resorted to liberally without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the right is reserved to make such alteration, changes and reassemblages as may be deemed necessary or more practical without departing from the in vention as defined by the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim a 1. In a device of the class described, a barrier member mounted for oscillation upon a roadway, means normally and yieldably maintaining said barrier in obstructing position, a latch member for holding said barrier so positioned, and an electro-magnet for operating said latch member. 7 V

2. In a device of the class described, a shaft mounted horizontally upon a roadway, a barrier member swingingly carried by said shaft, a bufier member on said shaft, a weight for normally maintaining said bar'- rier in raised position, means normally Separating the bufier and barrier members in angular relation about the shaft, means inweight for normally separating the same in angular relation about the shaft, and a latch for said bufier member.

.3; In a device of the class described, a

shaft mounted upon a roadway, a barrier bar supported by said shaft, a roller mounted upon theouter end of said barrier, means, normally holding said barrier in upright position upon the roadway, and a latch member governing the movements of said barrier.

4. Ina device of the class described, a

shaft mounted transversely of a roadway, arms carried by said shaft, a barrier bar secured to said arms and disposed parallel with said shaft, a follower plate carried by 1 said barrier bar, a buffer member carried by i said shaft and disposed at substantially right angles to said barrier bar, a spring normally separating said barrier barand bufier bar, an angle plate to establish adriving connection between said buffer member and barrier bar when the latter is moved a predetermined distance in one direction, a

-weight for. nogmally maintaining said bar-- rier bar in upright position upon the road- -way, a'spring between said bufl'er member and said weight, a latch member adapted to move beneath said buffer member, and an electro-magne't governing the movements of said latch.

5. In/a device of the class described, a tiltable barrier arranged upon a roadway,

. a buifer member operable by said barrier, a rod beneath said bufl'er, springs supporting 5 said rod, a latch supported by said rod and adapted to lie in the path of downward movement of said bufl'er, and a support beneath said latch having a recess therein conforming to the shape of the lower end of 10 aid latch and adapted to receive and support the same after said springs have been compressed.

6. In a device 0 f the class "described, a

barrier'arranged in and movable above or below the surface of a roadway and normally projecting above the same, a buffer below said barrier, means for transmitting motion from said barrier to said bufi'er when the former is moved a predetermined distance in one direction, a latch member cooperating with said bufl'er to hold or release WI LIAM H. GOLDING.

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