US1692184A - Railway-crossing guard - Google Patents

Description

- Nov. 20, 1928. 1,692,184

F. P. MILLER RA-ILWAY CROSSING GUARD File d Oct 29,1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 20, 1928. I "1,692,184

Y F.P.MILLER RAILWAY CROS SING GUARD j? zfen for. Fran]? ft /f: Ile r Patented Nov. 2@, 1928.

ii STATES PA'lEF-l'l OFFICE.

FRANK P. MILLER, 'OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RAILWAY-CROSSING GUARD.

Application filed October 29, 1926. Serial No. 144,949.

matically lowered by mechanism set in mo tion by a train approaching that crossing, and automatically raised when the train is passing or has passed the crossing.

The essence ot the present invention resides in a crossing guard comprising gates or the like, auton'iatically lowered and raised, preferably while simultaneously showing red danger lights and ringing gongs.

Among the advantages of the present invention may be set forth the simplicity of the device from the standpoint of installation and maintenance, its absolute certainty and accuracy in operation, the economy in the use of an automatically operated railway crossing guard and the elimination or" the necessity of manual manipulation Locom rive engines both steam and electrically driven, as well as other types of driving elements of the present day are equipped with electric generators functioned for lighting the train and for other purposes. In locomotive engines of the steam type, these generators are functioned under the control or a manually operable valve by steam generated therein.

I propose to connect a contacting eleto a suitable part of the driving elelllclli. ring current through a lead wire from said generator. A predetermined distance trout a grade crossing for instance, a mile more or less, a third or auxiliary rail may he laid down with which the contact element makes contact. This auxiliary or third rail at a point adjacent the crossing is connected in circuit with a motor functioning to automatically lower the gates and with magnetic coils functioning when energized to operate a clutch mechanism to keep the gates in lowered position.

As one of the additional features of the invention, after the gate has been. lowered a predetermined distance, for instance, when it is parallel to the ground a switch is automaticallv ope atcd to break the circuit and d' ontinue the flow of current to the motor which arrests further rotation of the instrun'ientality operated by the motor for lowering the gate, with the result that the gate is not moved downwardly any further.

The gate is maintained in this lowered position by means of a clutch arrangement actuated by the energizing of said magnetic coils, which latter are simultaneously energized by the same source of current which operates the motor, it being emphasized that the switch which breaks the circuit and shuts off current to the motor does not in any way actuate the magnetic coils. Thus current is still flowing through the magnetic coils keeping the gate in lowered position while the contact el ment carried by the engine or other driving element is making contact with the surface of the third rail. Immediately adjacent the crossing the auxiliary or third rail terminates and as the engine 1'?1"l1GS the crossing, the contact element rides off the end of the rail and since no more current is passing through the shoe to the rail from the generator carried by the engine as heretotore described, the magnetic coils are deenergized, thus permitting an arm held under spring tension to actuate the clutch mechanism to disengage the instrumentality which lowered the gate.

hen this instrumentality is thus disengaged, a counter weight on the end of the gate causes the gate to be moved upwardly to its raised position.

In the rotation of the clutch mechanism, simultaneously with the moving of the gate to raised position, a projection having cooperative engagcment with the clutch mechanism will automatically acutate the switch and restore it to its normal position to close the circuit, so that when the mechanism is again operated, the switch is in contact and in closed circuit.

Simultaneously with the automatic lowering of the gate as above described, electric current will be supplied to a danger light or lights, as well as to a warning gong, thus complying with all public safety statutes.

In the drawings:

F 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view.

' Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, illustrating the contact be tween the shoe and theauxiliary rail.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged elevational view,

partly in vertical section, illustrating in outline the mechanism for raising and lowering the gates.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view on a different angle from Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic plan View showing the circuit.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary diagrammatie view illustrating the switch in normal position with the circuit closed.

Fig. 9 is a similar view illustrating the position of the knife and switch when the gate has been lowered and the circuit broken.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, 1 designates as a whole a locomotive equipped with the generator 2. It is to be understood that although I have shown a locomotive of the steam or oil burning type, the invention is for use with engines operated entirely electrically or with cars which themselves are equipped with motors and control devices. These various types of engines and motor driven cars will be referred to in this specification as driving elements.

These driving elements 1 are adapted to ride over the rails 3 mounted on cross ties 4. A lead wire 5 may run from the genera tor 2 to a contact element designated as a. whole 6 carried on a suitable supporting bracket attached to the lower part of the element 1 at any desired point, as will be obvious.

This contact element 6 as shown more clearly in Fig. 3 may take the form of a shoe comprising the plate suspended from bracket 8 and connected by means of bolts 9, coil springs 10 being inserted between the plates 7 and 8. The lead wire 5 may have a direct connection with the rail contacting element 11. A crossing is designated as a whole at 12. From a point which may vary from one to two miles to the crossing, to be predetermined depending on the speed of the train approaching the crossing, there is laid on the ties 4 and preferably outside the outer rail 3, an auxiliary or third rail 13. As shown more particularly in Fig. 3, the contact element 11 carried by the shoe is adapted to ride on the surface of the third or auxiliary rail 13. An electric circuit is made by connecting a lead wire 14 to the end of the third rail 13 terminating immediately adjacent the crossing, permitting cur rent to flow from generator 2 through the line 5, element 11 and rail 13 into lead wire 14. This lead wire 14 is hooked up in electric circuit shown diagrammatically in Fg. 7 in which circuit is included a hell or gong 15, danger lights 16 and 17, motor 18, switch 19 and magnetic coils 20.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 5 and 6, the motor may drive a shaft 21 on which is mounted the worm 22. This worm may be adapted to mesh with the worm gear tion of which will be hereinafter more particularly described.

The arrangement such that current flowing through the lead wire 14, passes through motor 18 to drive shaft 19 and worms 22 and 24. Simultaneously, the magnetic coils 20 will be energized, causing an arm 25 pivoted at 26 to rock against the tension of a coil spring 27 anchored to a wall of the housing 23. The opposite end of the pivoted arm 25 may ride in a flanged track 29 carried by shaft 24, which latter is also provided with a similar flanged track 30 adjacent'the track 29. The outer ends of hell crank levers 31 pivoted 32 are adapted to ride in the track 30, the opposite ends of these levers may be provided with pins 33. The bell crank levers 31 are pivoted intermediate their length at 34 on the surface of a flange 35 forming part of a sleeve 36 which latter is keyed to shaft 24. is journalled in bearings in the housing 28 and on an end projecting outside of the housing has fixedly connected thereto a gate or crossing guard 37.

The arrangement is such that the energizing of the magnetic coils 2O attracts an end of arm 25, which, rocking on its pivot 26, causes the other end to force the flanged tracks 29 and 30, which are loosely mounted on shaft 24 outwardly. The ends of levers 31 riding in the flanged track 30 will be moved outwardly and, rocking on the pins 34, will move the pins 33 into engagement with a recess in the face of the worm gear, 23, thus rotation of the worm gear 23 by motor 18 will be transmitted to the shaft- 24-, which rotation will lower the gates 37.

As another feature of the present invention, after the gates have been'lowered to a predetermined position, for instance, at a point substantially parallel with the-ground, mechanism is provided for automatically preventing further downward movement'of said gate, which mechanism will be now described. A flange 38 fixedly connected to sleeve 36, has a pin 39 projecting from its surface. Normally the knife 40 of switch 19 is making contact to complete a circuit, requiring only the transmission of current to the motor to close the circuit and rotate the worm gear 23 as shown in Fig. 8. After the gate has been lowered to a predetermined position, the pin 39 will have been moved around. to the point where it contacts the knife 40 and further rotation thereof forces said knife 40 away from contact with switch 19 shown in Fig. 9 to close the circuit and prevent further downward movement of the gates 37. his knife 40 may beheld against the tension of the coil spring 40. It is to The shaft 24 be noted that this breaking of contact by release of the switch does not 111 any way ailect'the inechanlsm set in motion by the 1nagnetic coils as long as the contact element 6 is making contact with the third rail 13. When knife 40 is released from engagement with the switch 19, the circuit broken and the flow of current of the motor is interrupted. Thi. stops rotation of shaft 21 and worm gear The continued energization of the magnetic coils 20 by the continued contact of the element 6 with the third rail 13 will keepthe in their lowered position just as long as the contact element 6 makes contact with the third rail. 1V hile the element 1 is passing the crossing, or after it has passed the crossing, the element 6 rides off the third rail 13, thus dc-energiZi-ng the magnetic coils 20.

This permits the arm 25 under tension of the spring 27 to be restored to normal position, which in turn sets in motion mechanism including the flanged tracks 29 and SO and the bell crank levers 31 to permit disengagement of the pins 33 from engageme with. the worm gear 23. When these pins are disei'igaged, counter weights all on the ends of the gates 37 will cause said to be moved upwardly tonormal oed'position indicated in dotted lines in 1 and 4.

Simultaneously with this upward movement, the flange 38 being fixedly connected to the sleeve 36 is moving around carrying the pin 39 with it. lVhen the pin 39 moves a vay from contact with the knife 40 of switch 19, said kni'l e may be again restored to contact with the switch 19 under the tension of the coil spring 40. i

It is to be understood that the diagrams illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 are merely ill-ustrative of one method or" manipulating the swi ch, and the present invention contemplates any obvious method of accomplisln the purpose.

Thus, it will be found that the gates are automatically raised and the mechanism has been restored to normal position to be automatically actuated by another approaching train, it being noted that the knife &-0 has been restored. to engagement with the switch 19, so that contact with the element 6 with the third rail may close the circuit, and permit the motor 18 to be placed in operation.

As another feature of the present invention, it for any reason the element 1 should stop on the area within a mile, more or less, from the crossing with the element in contact with the third rail, it may be desirable to permit the gates to be raised. This may be easily accomplished by the manipulation of obvious mechanism by the operator of the element 1 for breaking contact between the element 6 and the third rail during the time the en 'ine is stopped. hen the element 1 is again started, the element 6 may be brought again into'contact either aut mat ically with the starting of the element 1 or by means of manual manipulation.

The housing 28 is so constructed that it permits ready access to the interior for the purpose of inspection, maintenance and repair.

As another feature oi the present inven tion, a single motor 18 and the accompanying mechanism may be utilized to raise and lower gates on opposite sides of the crossing.

This may 'beaccomplished by providing a pulley 1:2 mounted on shaft 241 having cooperative engagement with a cable l3 which through an arrangement of pulley wheels or shibs transmits movement to the pulley wheel 4-5, thus movement of the mechanism on one side oi the crossing may be transmitted to the pulley wheel and the mechanism associated therewith for automatically lowe ,4 site side of the. crossing.

Each of the gates may carr a stopsignal 46,

which may comprise a plate with. the letters cut out to permit a danger light to shine ethrough, electric currentto operate said t being transmitted indicated in the rammatic circuit illustrated in Fig. 7. he speed with which the gates are lowis so correlated thatpersons or vehicles over the crossing during the time ha he mechanism is being placed in operai by the train approaching the crossing, will have an opportunity to get to the other side before the gates have Completely lowered.

It is obvious that the present invention also contemplates the provision of auxiliary means functioned in the same manner for giving warning by means of lights or gongs a predetermined time in advance of the low ering 01 the gates to comply with the requirements of public safety statutes.

The mechanism is certain and accurate in its operation, and economical to install and maintain. E2: mes of weather will in no way affect its operation. In addition to this, the cost of installation will be small compared to its life saving, accident preventing value, and its economy in eliminating the necessity for manual guarding of a crossing.

I claim as my invention:

1. A crossing guard comprising in combination. a movable gate, means for automatically actuating said gate comprising an auxiliary rail and an electric motor, electric current connections between said rail and motor, electric current connections between said rail and a source of current moving toward said gate, a control switch for said motor, clutch mechanism, electric current connections between said rail and said clutch n'ieehanism, an electromagnet, a connection between the magnet and clutch mechanism, means operg and raising the gate on the oppo- Inn able by actuation of the clutch mechanism to automatically break the switch contact to the motor whereby further downward movement of said gate is automatically arrested after the gate has reached a predetermined lowered position, said clutch being held in engagement with said motor by said electromagnet and released from such engagement only when said magnet is deenergized by the breaking of contact between said rail and said moving source of current to permit the gates to rise.

2. A crossing guard comprising in combination, a movable gate and a counter weight therefor, means for automatically actuating said gate comprising an auxiliary rail, an

electric motor and clutch mechanism connected in electric circuit, electric current connetions between said auxilary rail and a source of current moving toward said gate, a control switch for said motor, an electro magnet, a connection between the magnet and clutch mechanism, means operable by actuation of the clutch mechanism to automatically break contact between the switch and motor, whereby further downward movement of said gate is automatically arrested after the gate has reached a predetermined lowered position, said gate being kept in that lowered position by the electric current connection between the rail and the clutch mechanism and raised through the (lB-GDGT- gization of the magnet by its counterweight only when the clutch mechanism is actuated by the breaking of contact between said rail and the moving source of current.

3. A crossing guard comprising in combination a movable gate, means for automatically actuating said gate, comprising an auxiliary rail, an electric motor, an electromagnet, and a control switch for said motor connected in electric circuit, electric current connections between said auxilary rail and a source of current moving toward said gate,

clutch mechanism actuated by said electromagnet, means operable by actuation of the clutch mechanism to automatically break contact between the switch and motor whereby further downward movement of said gate is automatically arrested after the gate has reached a predetermined lowered position, said clutch being held in engagement with said motor by said clectromagnet and re leased from such engagement only when said magnet is de-energized by the breaking of contact between said rail and said moving source of current to permit the gate to rise.

4:. A crossing guard comprising in combination a movable gate, a counter weight therefor, means for automatically actuating said gate, comprising an auxiliary rail, an electric motor, an electromagnet, and a control switch for said motor connected in electric circuit, electric current connections between said auxiliary rail and a source of current moving toward said gate, clutch mechanism actuated by said electromagnet, and means operable by actuation of the clutch mechanism to automatically break contact between the switch and motor whereby further downward movement of said gate is automatically arrested after the gate has reached a predetermined lowered position, said gate being kept in lowered position by electric current connection between therail and the clutch mechanism, and raised by its counter weight only when the magnet is de-energized by breaking of contact between it and said auxiliary rail whereby said clutch mechanism is actuated.

5. A crossing guard comprising in combination a movable gate and a count-er weight therefor, means for automatically lowering said gate comprising an auxiliary rail through which electric current passes when contact is made with said rail, and a moving source of current approaching said gate, a motor, a switch therefor, and clutch mechanism connected in electric circuit, said cluth mechanism actuable to break contact between the switch and motor to arrest further downward movement of said gate when the latter has reached a predetermined lowered position, and said clutch mechanism released by the breaking of contact between said rail and said moving source of current to permit the gate to raise due to said counter weight.

6. A crossing guard comprising in combination a movable gate and a counter weight therefor, means for automatically lowering said gate comprising an auxiliary rail through which electric current passes when contact is made with said rail, and a moving source of current approaching said gate, a

motor, a switch therefor, and clutch mechanism connected in electric circuit, said clutch mechanism actuable to breakcontact between the switch and motor to arrest fur ther downward movement of said gate when the latter has reached a predetermined lowered position, and mechanism released by the breaking of contact between said rail and said moving source of current to permit the gate to raise due to said counter weight, comprising an electromagnet interposed in the circuit and adapted to be respectively energized and de-energized to actuate the clutch mechanism by the making and breaking of contact between the moving source of power and said rail.

7. A crossing guard comprising in com:

bination a movable gate and a counter weight therefor, means for automatically lowering said gate comprising an auxiliary rail through which electric current passes when contact is made with said rail, and a moving source of current approaching said gate, a motor, a switch therefor, and clutch mech anism connected in electric circuit, said clutch mechanism aotuable to break contact between the swith and motor to arrest further downward movement of said gate when the latter has reached a predetermined lowa ered position, and mechanism released by the breaking of contact between said rail and said moving source of current to permit the gate to raise due to said counter weight, comprising an electromagnet interposed in the circuit and adapted to be respectively energized and de-energized to actuate the clutch mechanism by the making and break ing of contact between the moving source of power and said rail, danger signal warning gongs being connected in circuit, and simultaneously operated with the making of contact between the rail and said moving source of current.

FRANK P. MILLER.

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