US164719A - Improvement in signal-operating devices - Google Patents

Description

F. CULHAM.

Signal OperatingDevice. N0. I64,7I9" I Patentedlune22,l875.

- Q If WITNESSES W INVENTOR ATTORNEYS THE GRAPHIC CO.PHOT0 -LlTH-39 &41 PARK PLAOLNY.

PATENT FRANCIS CULHAM, OF THEDFORD, CANADA,ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO RICHARD A. ROUNDS, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN SIGNAL-OPERATING DEVlCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Ifatent No. 164,719, dated J une 22, 1875; application filed March 13, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS CULHAM, of village of Thedford, in the county of Lambton and Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in a Railroad-Signal; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of thesame, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of a side View of my signal; and Fig. 2 is a front view, part sectional, of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view.

This invention has relation to improvements in railroad-signals. The object of the invention is to devise a means whereby the engine-driver of a trainmay be informed that a switch is in proper position for allowing his train to pass, or that further progress would be dangerous, a sufficient time before he reaches the spot where a misplaced switch might be apprehended to permit the train to be stopped, and thus avoid danger. Tothis end the nature of the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the parts, as will be hereafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings, A designates a preferably cylindrical close lantern, having a number of funnel-shaped outlets, a 12, those a, being of different and of stren gl y contrasting colors from those I). This lantern has a stem 011 the vertical shaft 0, which is a continuation of the horizontal shaft C, having its bearings in the upper end of an elevated post, 15, upon which it has free horizontal vibration, the said shank having a grooved pulleywheel', C, horizontally keyed thereon, as shown in Fig. 1. D indicates a chain or rope passing around the said pulley-wheel; thence over vertically rotating and arranged pulleywheels E, having their hearings in standards 61, erected upon the upper end of post 13. Chain D is rigidly secured as to its two ends in any suitable manner to a second chain, E, which passes over a grooved. pulley-wheel, F, vertically arranged and keyed upon a horizontal shaft, Gr, forming a part of the vertical shaft 0, having its bearings in the post B. Shaft G has upon its outer end a weighted by Letters Patent, is

lever, B, which is rigidly keyed thereon, so

that by its natural gravitation to a vertical position it shall hold the lantern 1n position for signaling safe either up or down traok. Chain E extends downward a certain distance, and each of its ends passes over pulley-wheels I, arranged side by side upon a horizontal staple, J, rigidly driven into post B, as shown in Fig. 1. It is then rigidly secured as to each of its ends to two metallic rods, K K, which extend horizontally a certain distance, when they are rigidly secured, the one above and the other below the fulcrum i of a vertically-vibrating lever, L, pivoted to an upright post, M. Lever H will hold the lantern in proper position, as above described, for'signaling safe both up and down track, and lever L, when operated by a switchman, will actuate the said lantern through the medium of rods K K, pulleywheel I, chains E and D, and turn 1t with the lightsindicating danger up or down track, so that long before the switclnnans stand is reached the engineer will have notice of danger ahead, and by blowing down brakes will be enabled to stop the train. The inner surfaces ot funnels a b are differently colored, funnels a being of one color, those I) of another, so that during the day 'they take the place of the ordinary flag, and

signal safe or danger; as the case may be. These funnels may be ofany size, and they are in practice provided with glass covers of the desired colors, preferably green and red, passing through which the lights will be of corresponding shades, and will produce a signal visible at a distance proportionate to the height of the lantern from the ground.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure The shaft Cr 0. having keyedthereon the lantern a, grooved wheel C, grooved pulley F, and weighted lever H, in combination with the chains D, E, and E, the rods K and K, and actuating-lever L.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS CULHAM.

Witnesses:

JAMns Donna, T. KIRKPATRICK.

FFICE. f

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