US1688734A - Railway signal - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 23, 1928..

c. Z. MILLER RAILWAY SIGNAL Filed Aug. 9-. 1926 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 my, 't?

cg K) 2 Sheets-Shee Oct. 23, 1928.

. C. Z. MILLER RAILWAY SIGNAL F 'iled Aug. 1926 Patented Oct. 23, 1928.

UNITED STATES CHARLES Z. MILLER, OF FORT SCOTT, KANSAS.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

Application filed August 9, 1926'. Serial No. 158,314.

As is well known, it is usual to provide switches and other similar devices with semaphore signals which usualy contain a light. These signals throw red, green or othercolored light as required by the exigencies of the system. The use of an electric, gas, or other light is, of course, objectionable on account of expense, installation, upkeep and care required. There is, moreover, always danger of accident resulting because of the sudden extinguishment of the light from one cause or another.

The purpose of this invention is toprovide railway signals to replace usual semaphore systems which will eliminate the necessity of the use of any light. These signals are so constructed that the light from an oncoming engine will be reflected back to the engineer and will be colored according to the posi- 2 tion in which the signal is set. Tests have shown that these signals are visible at a dis tance of a mile and there is, obviously, no danger of their being extinguished nor is there any especial cost for upkeep.

The invention comprises the formation of the reflector or the colored glass in such forms that the reflected light will be diffused somewhat both laterally and vertically but in a uniform manner for the entire surface of the reflector.

Other objects of the invention will be a1- parent from the following' detailed description and the appended claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the invention and of the head light of an engine showing the maner in which the rays are vertically dispersed.

Figure 2 is a plan View of the same elements showing the horizontal dispersion of the horizontal rays of light.

Figure 3 is a partial section through one of the reflecting elements.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a portion of the signal with parts broken away.

Figure 5 is a portion of one of the reflecting elements in slightly different form.

Figure 6 is a cross section of a modification.

There is illustrated in the drawings the usual semaphore standard A mounted on a base B adjacent the track C. There is also shown the head light of an engine D approaching said signal. Upon the semaphore 55 standard A is mounted a support 1 having four frames 2 mounted in right angular relation. Two of these will be adapted to reflect red light and the other two green light. In other systems different color lights may be en'iployed as desired. L

In the modification shown in Figures 51 and 4 there is mounted in the frame 2 a metal reflector 3 having a backing 4 and in front of the reflector is placed a colorcd glass 5) of a particular character hereinafter described. The casing or frame 2 may be formed of metal such that the edge 6 can be bent over on all sides to hold the glass and reflector firmly in place. If desired, as indicated in Figure 3, the other side of the casing may have a reflector 3 and a similar glass not illustrated.

There a colored glass is used as in this form of the device, instead of using a plain glass surface, there is employed a glass which has in cross section a wavy surface as shown in Figure 3. The wave formation extends in both directions at right angles so that in effect there are formed a number of high points at from which points the glass slopes slightly in all directions.

In the form of the device shown in Figures 5 and 6, the back of the casing 2 is formed of a reflector 7 which is of a wavy formation similar to that of the glass 5 in the other form of the device. In front of this reflector is placed a colored glass 8 of plain configuration. The glass may be held at its edges between backing devices 9 which may easily be formed of ordinary cordage. The edge 10 of the frame or casingis folded over to hold the glass in proper position.

IVhere the wavy glass 5 is employed, the desired diffusion is obtained by refraction and where the wavy reflector 7 is used. the dispersion of the rays is obtained by reflection. In either case the result is practically the same and is diagrammatically indicated in Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1 which shows the vertical dispersem'ent obtained, rays A and B which fall upon a portion of the glass or reflector which is substantially normal to the incident ray are reflected back in substantially a direct line. A ray a, however, which falls upon a point which is not normal to the incident ray, will be reflected at a slight angle and will take the position a. Similarly a ray 1) falling on the lower part of the glass or reflector will be reflected back along the path 6.

Substantially the same action takes place c and d.

By the employment of the particularly formed reflector or glass it is thus evident that a uniform dispersion will be given in both lateral and vertical planes and that a large beam of light will be reflected back in the direction of the oncoming engine. It has been proven that these signals are visible at a great dis' tance and that the light afforded is even more satisfactory than that given by the usual semaphore lamps. It is also apparent that in daytime the red and green signals will be visible in the usual manner.

lVhile I have disclosed the invention in its preferable embodiments, it is obvious that minor changes may be made Without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be regarded as limited only by the scope of the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

A signal comprising in combination, four casings arranged in pairs at right angles to each other, each pair of the casings being arranged in a single plane at right angles to the plane of the other pair, a reflector and a lens mounted on each casing one in front of the other, both lenses of one pair of casings being of identical color, both lenses of the other pair of casings being of identical color but contrasting to the color of the lenses of the first mentioned pair, the reflectors and lenses of each pair of casings being located-on the same .side of the casings, whereby both reflectors and lenses of each pair will be faced in one direction, and means for supporting said casings whereby the latter may be swung about a common axis to present either pair of casings in operative position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

CHARLES Z. MILLER.

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