US1885212A - System of railway mail collection - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 1, 1932. 1.. s. ADAMS I 1,885,212

SYSTEM OF RAILWAY MAIL COLLEC,TION

' Filed Dec. 51, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1.

fi- Egg. 4 55X attain/e41 Zlwvantoz Nov. 1, 1932. L. s; ADAMS SYSTEM OF RAILWAY MAIL COLLECTION Filed Dec. 51, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 1, 1932. L. s. ADAMS 1,885,212

SYSTEM OF RAILWAY MAIL COLLECTION Fild Dec. 31, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet s N m 1H] 64 as 6 -61 66 g 75 72 617 E 2 Ly/l'lndiAdamd Nov. 1, 1932. s. ADAMS SYSTEM OF RAILWAY MAIL COLLECTION Filed Dec. 51, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet .4

v 71402672 lr zlflll Patented Nov. 1,. 1932 i LY'rL'n nnrmsgon wesmnoroni ms'rnrcir on c oLUMBIA svs'rn rjjo'r RAILWAY AIL coiLEcrIoN 'f ii liafion filea n ee be; 31.1930; Serial mlsoassa P This invention relates to the use of railway cars, and more especially subway cars, for

collecting mail and delivering it'at a postal station on the'line, andaims to provide automatic means forso doing, thereby permitting.

frequent collections tobe made and relieving the streets of some ofthe vehicular 'trafiic that has been required heretofore for mail collections. I p

Objects of theinvention are to increase the utility of subway cars in large cities byadapt-J ing them for collecting. letter mail and light packages from passengers, street collection boxes and building mail chutesalong the sub-1 way, and to provide suitablemeans on the cars and along thetrack for mutual cooper? and supplementing the air mail in providing a more rapid delivery, and to enable the transportation company to increase its reve- .nue withf-very little additional operating cost;

Other objects and advantages of the invention appear in connection with the following description of an illustrative embodimentas shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side view of-a standard subway.

carused in cities onthe eastern seaboard of the United States, provided with mail col the arrangement of a mail chute to discharge into a suitable receptacleon the car below; Fig. 5 is a lengthwise vertical section of the same, showing the detail construction of the lower end ofthedischarging chute and upper portion of the receiving hopper or chute on the car, showing the parts about to engage upon. movement of the car in thedirection of the arrows; Fig. 6'is a similar viewlooking atthe'car from the opposite side; y j

Fig. 7 's an enlarged transverse section of the same, showing? the chute closure and roof trap parts in maildeliveringposition; Fig. 8 is a vertical section of. the same on the line 88 in Fig.7

. Fig. 9 is a plan viewofthe trackand stationary mail receiving hopper showing the lower end of the 'car chute in cross-section T on the line 99 in Fig. 10; v V Fig. 1Q is a vertical; longitudinal section of the same on the line 10. 10 in Fig. 9; I

K Fig. I1 is.a,vertical;cross-section on the line 11 -11 in Fig. 10 of. the trackhopper and lower-endofthe car chute, showing the parts in mail delivering position;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged view ofithe end of i0 the track hopper,sh0wing the parts in normal position in full lines, and in mail discharging position in dottedlines; a I 1 Fig. 13 is -a vertical longitudinal section through the lower end-of the car receptacle and side view ofv the track hopper, showing the car bottom1doo-r-and hopperdoor in closed position; V e v I Fig. l4 is a partial side view of the track 7 hopper, etcalooking'atth'e opposite side from a Fig: 13;

.Fig. 15 is a transverse vertical section of the lower part ofthe car and track, showing 7 the track. hopper in end elevation, on the line 15;15' inFig. 14, the operating parts being shown in mail discharging position and Fig. 16 is a partside viewand part, crosssection of a detail of the apparatusillustrated inFig. 13, to a larger scale.

As is well known, the cars; or trains operat- V ed in subways in large cities are dispatched on a fast schedule at frequent intervals, so

that a large number ofjcars'or trains pass a given, point in an hour, thusmaking possible collections from chutes and .receptacl'eslocated along the line at veryfrequent intervals.

invention contemplates locating dischargev hoppers at convenient points along the lineto receive the mail collected by, the cars, thereby securing an almost "continuous discharge at its'lower end into one or more track hoppers 24: (see Fig. 1) preferably positioned between the track rails 25. The car receptacles may be located centrally in the ears, as illustrated, or wherever convenient.

In the illustrated apparatus, each station ary receptacle or chute: 26) is provided with a gate 26 at; its lower end and a second gate 27 spaced above its lower end. These gates maybe pivoted or otherwise arranged to open and close alternation, that is, when the lower gate is in its usual closed position the upper gate-is open, and vice versa,.as-illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, thereby preventing an undue discharge of mail at a time. The gates 26 ,21, areactu'ated by them-oving car'through any convenientmeans, that illustrated comprising a gear sector 28 on the pivot shaft of the gate26 meshin-gwith a sector 29 on an operating shaft 3t) having anarm 31 provided with a roller 32" adapted to be engaged and lifted by the angle plate 3'8, which is mount-- ed on. the outside of one side wall of the hopper 23 on the car. The upper gate is connected to the sector 29 by'm'eans of a link 34-0011- nected through a spring relief device- 35 with the arm 36 on the pivot shaft of the gate 27. The spring relief device contains acompression spring 37 so disposed as not to-interfere with the opening of the upper gate when the lower gate'cl'oses, but to permit the lower'gate tooperr wi-thout closing the upper gate should it be jammed for any reason. A spring 38 attached to the gear sector 29* 'normall y holds the lower gate closed and: the upper gateopen'. These operating parts are suitably housed in a casing 40 on the outside of the chute 20.

The lower end of the chute 26' is provided with a flexible tube 11 of canvas or othersuitahle material to: guide the mail into the hopper 23", this tube being'l'ong' enough to extend between its side walls; which project above the end walls, as shown in. Fig. 7, to prevent mail from spilling over the side of the hopper between it the lower end of the chute. The length of the hopper issufficient' to prevent mail from spilling over its ends during thetimethat'the lower gate 26 is open, the track 33. bein substantially shorter thanrthe hopper to shorten the space inter val: that the gate 26 is open.

The hopper 23' is provided with hinged doorsor covers l'3,. t4,.pivoted. lentghwise of its side walls to open downwards when the car moves beneath the chute 2.0, as. indicated in full lines in Fig. 7. Any convenient mechanism' may be utilized for this purpose, that shown comprising gear sectors on the ends of the pivot shafts for the doors, which mesh together to cause the doors to swing in unison.

mounting secured to the lower end of the chute 20, or other stationary support, as illus trated in Fig. 6, to open the doors 43, 44'.

The-mounting 52 and roller 51 are normally' held in proper position to engage and depress the cam rail; by means of a spring relief strut 53, shown in Fig. 16. This strut com.- prises a link 54 pivoted to the mounting arm 52 and. carrying a spring case: within which the spring 55' is held compressedby an adj-use ing: rod 56.. The upper end of theadjusting rod 56 is pivoted to a fixed part of the roof structure. Lock nuts 5'? hold the adjusting rod in its proper relation to the link 54; to

adjust the length of the strut to hold the arm 52 and roller: 51. at the proper elevation to actuate the hopper doors: 43 44,. when the car: moves the: latter beneath the chute 20-. Should any obstruction. strikethe roller 51 orarnm 52 the spring 55' would give and permit the strut 53 to sh'orten, thus preventing any mishap to the apparatus.

The. track hopper 2d.- and' actuating: means for. the: gate 60 at the lower end of the car receptacle 22' and doors 61 covering theh-opperfopening. may be similar in construction to:

the corresponding parts of the chute 20 and car hopper 23 (:see Figs. 9 to 1-5, inclusive).

The gate 69 is preferably actuated by a gear sector: 62 meshing: with a second gear sector 63pivotedtothe lower end of the chute 22and provided with an arm 64: and roller 65 for engagement with the angle track 66 on the side wallio f the hopper. The hopper doors 61 are pivoted upon lengthwise shafts 67 having meshing gearsectors 68-at their ends to cause them to swing. down and back together. Upon the ends of one, of the shafts 67 are fixedi small gear sectors 69, and loosely pivoted on the ends of the" other shaft 67 are large gear sectors 70 meshing wlth the sectors 69.

Arms 71 carried. by the gear sectors 70 have a roller track 72 fixed to their ends for actuating the gear sectors when the car passes over'the hopper24, the springs 73 enclosed inthetelescoping housings 74 pivoted on the ends of the shaft 67 normally holding the hopper'doors in closed position. The actuatmeans on the car foropening the hopper doors comprises a roller ona pivoted arm 76 maintained in proper position by a spring strut 7 7 similar to thespring strut 53. v

A flexible extension 78 is secured on the lower end'of the receptacle 22, .to guide loose The. receptacle .mayv also be fittedwith letter drop slots? 9 within mail into the hopper.

the carfor the-convenience of passengers.

' As shownin Fig. 7 the side walls of the hoppers may be 'provided with slots 80 immediately above the door pivot'shafts to permit dirt, water and debris to pass off the doors v and outside of the hopper, the doors sloping towards the'slots for thispurpose; andthe doors may advantageously be shaped to inter-- engage along their edgesto prevent rain'and snow and dirt from getting into thehopper.

A draft deflector 81 may'advantageously be fitted to the lowerend of the receptacle '23; to provide a downward current of air aroundthe mouth of the receptacle tending to suckv air through it fronithetop end and aid in delivering loose mail into the hopper in the track. K

For the accommodation of street mail collectors a deposit chute 85 may be provided on the chute 20 at a convenientheight above the sidewalk to receive mail tromthe-collectors wagon or pouch. It-is contemplated that these chutes will be located near stopping points of the cars so as toreduce wear and tear on the equipment due-to unduly high running speed.

The'operation of the equipment 'isenti'rely automatic from the time the mail or package is deposited'in the root chute 20' until it'is discharged into a track hopper 24, the movement of the car'causing the gates inthechutes and hopper doors to open" and close at the proper times for the respective cars to pick" up and deliver such mail as collects in the stationary receptacles in the interim.

Means are provided for preventing injury tothe parts of the apparatus should moving i parts foulfixed partsorsomethinggo'wrong,

and for keeping the weather out of the receptacles and chutes. The working parts are few and easily accessible for'inspection and repair.

attention. No radical changes or rearrangement of essential constructional or operat ng features in the'car or track are required in There are vno motors or othercon tlnuously running parts requiring frequent Isclaim the following as my invention: y 1 E 1. Asystem of mail or package collection. comprising a succession of movmg cars on atrack, stationary chutes located along the track and adapted to discharge intothe-Path of movement of thec'ars, ahopper on each car adapted to receive articles from said'chutes, I

control gates on said chutes andhoppershaving means actuated by movement of individ- '1 mil cars toopen said gates in synchronism and o means tor closing said gates automatically :2. A system of'mail or package collection comprising succession of moving cars ona track, stationarychutes located along the track and adapted to, discharge into the path of movement of the cars, a hopper on each car adaptedto receive articles from said chutes,

a receiving station on the track,-a discharge V chut'e insaid hopper adapted toregister with i said receiving station, control gates on said receiving station, chutes and hoppers having closures actuated by movement of individual cars to'open said closures and gates in syn-' chron-ism and means for closlng said gates" and closures automatically. 7 i

' I A system of mail or package collection comprising a succession ofmovin'g cars on a track, stationary chutes located along the track and adaptedrto discharge intothe path of movement of thecars, a hopper on each car adapted to receive articles from said chutes control'gatesonsaid chutes and hop pers having meansactuated movement of individual cars to open said gates in.synchro-' nism, and means for closing said gates auto-'= matically, 1 including spring means arrangedto permit openingthem when said'car actu 'ated means o'peratesi 4.. Asystem of mail or package collection for'subways comprising spaced chutes-discharging'into thesubwaytunnel above the track level, cars provided with hoppers adapted to register with said chutes,-closures for said chutes and hoppers, and-means'ac tuated' by "movement of said respective cars for opening. saidclosureswhen 1n reglster with each other, said closures" normally being closed. j p

5. A system ofxmail or package'collection for subways comprising spaced chutes disc'harginginto the subway tunnel above the track level, cars provided with hoppers adapted to register with said chutes, said'hop persdischarging' at near the track level, a

stationary receiving receptacle, closures for and means actuated by movement of said re said receiving receptacle, chutes and hoppers spective cars for opening said closures when in register with each mallyheingclosed.

6. A system of mail or package collection forsubways comprising spaced chutes discharging intdthe subway tunnel above the track level, cars provided with hoppers adapted to registerwith said chutes, a sta other, said closures nortionaryreceivingtreceptacle,closures forf said neoeivingmeoeptacle, chutes and: hoppers, and means": actuated" by movement of sa d respective cars for opening; said closures when in register with each other,.said* means includmgzsprings for permlttmgamovement of saidparts'to prevent breakage in case of fouling.

or derangement.

7.. In combination-with a track and a passenger car running thereon, a fixed chute mounteditodischarge abovesaidtrack', a hopper alongsidethe track below the discharge level of said chute, and a chute passing through the car for receiving articles from: saidchute and: discharging articles into said: hopper.

from said'chute and discharging articles intosaid-hopper, saidlast named chute having an I opening into it from thecar permitting deposit of articles therein by passengers.

9; Incombination. with a track and a pas-.

sengerv car running thereon, afixed chute mounted to discharge above said track, a hopper alongside the track below the. discharge level of said chute, anda chute passing through the car for. receiving, articles. from: said chute and discharging. artlcles intosaid hopper, said last named. chute having: an opening into it from the car permitting deposit of articles. therein byh'passengers, and.

means operated by movement of. the car for opening said chutes to control the discharge of articles therefrom.

IO. In combination with atrack and apassengercar running. thereon, a fixed chute mounted tov discharge above said track, ahopper alongside the track below the discharge level of said chute, and a chute passing through the car for receiving articles from said: chute and discharging articles into said hopper, said last: namedt chute having an opening into it from the car permitting deposit of articles therein by passengers, and means operated: by movement of the car for opening said chutes and automatic means for closing them to control the discharge of articles therefrom.

11. In a system of railway mail collection, a car having a hopper at an upper level and chute leading therefrom to a lower level, a closure for said hopper, a gate for said chute, means for normally holding said closure and gate closed, and means for actuating saidclosure to open when the car passes a fixed point for delivering. articles to said hopper.

12. In a system of railway mail collection, a car having a hopper atan upper level and chute leading. therefrom to a lower level, a closure for said hopper,a gate for said chute. means for normally holding said closure and gate closed, and. means for actuating said gate-to open whenxthe car passesa fixedpoint for discharging articles from said chute.

13.. Ina system'of railway mailcollection, a: track running, below a street,spaced de-- posit chutes having openings above said street level and extending below said street levelto discharge above said tracklevel, gates for the dischargeopeningsofsaid chutes,.cars on said track and receptacles on said cars, and means. on said cars operated by movement thereof for opening said: gates when said chutes register, with said receptacles.

14. In a-system of railway mail collection, a track. running belowa street, spaced deposit chutes having, openings above said street level and extending below said street level. todischarge above said track level, gates for the discharge openings ofrsaid chutes, gates in said chutes above the dis charge openings, means for closin the upper and. openingthe lower gates simultane ously, cars on said tracli a'nd receptacles on said cars, and means on said cars operated by movement. thereof for opening said lower gates when said chutes register with said-re ceptacles.v V

15. In a railway mail collectionsystem, a series of collection receptacles locamd along thetrack having discharge openings spaced. above the tracklevel, cars on the track. provided with hoppers below the level of said discharge openings and above the level ofthetrack, covers for said hoppers, said covers being pivoted to swing into said hoppers, springs for holding said covers closed, op-' erating means for opening said covers, and. means positioned. adjacent. said dischargeopenings for engaging said cover operating means and swingin said covers'into open position. V V

16. In a railway'mail collection system, a series of collection receptacles located: along the track having discharge openings spaced above the track level, cars on the track provided with hoppers below the level of said discharge. openings and above the level of the track, covers for said hoppers, said covers being pivoted to swing into said hoppers, springs for holding said covers closed, operating means for opening said covers, including a roller and track, and. means positioned adjacent said discharge openings for engag ing said cover operating means and. swinging said covers into open position.

17. Ina railway mail collection. system comprising cars running on a fixed track hoppers on the cars and chutes spaced above the track level and disch r ing into said hop-- pers, said chutes having flexible extremities to avoid injuring said cars in case of fouling, closures for the hoppers means associ-' ated with said chutes for opening said closures, and resilient means supporting said closure opening means permitting'wi'thdraw comprising cars running on a fixed track,

al thereof to prevent dainage in, case of fouling amoving car. v

18'. In a railway mail collect-ion system I hoppers on the cars, and chutes spaced above the track level and discharging'into said hoppers, closuresfor the hoppers, weatherprooflng means for sa1d closures, means foropenlng said closures, and reslllent'means supporting said closure opening means. I a

19. A mail collecting apparatus for use 0 I passenger cars traveling fixed routes having I established stopping places provided with deposit and collection receptacles, said apparatus comprising an elongated hopper arranged lengthwise of the roof of the car, and

a chute leading therefrom through the floor of the car, a weatherproof closure for said 7' hopper and a gate for said chute, and means for opening said closure and gate, respectively, at recelving and discharge stations to cooperate with said deposit and collection'receptacles. V

20. A passenger car having side doors,'a

V chute extending from the roof to beneath the floor of said car opposite said doors, mail olepositslots 1n said chute convenient to passengers using said doors, a, hopper in the roof discharging into said chute, and a gate below said slots to control the discharge from said chute, and 'meansfor actuating said gatea In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

' LY'VILE; s. ADAMS.

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