US1948512A - Crossing gate - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 27, 1934. E DANEL 1,948,512

CROSSING GATE Filed Jan. 30, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zinnentor z BB I (Ittornegs E. DANIEL 1,948,512

CROSSING GATE 30, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan.

Feb. 27, 1934.

I Cittornegs.

Z 3nventor E. DANiEL CROSSING GATE Feb. 27, 1934.

Filed Jan. 30, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 lhmentor Gttornegs E. DANIEL CROSS ING GATE Feb. 27, 1934.

Filed Jan. 30, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1 ZQZ lhwentor Jaer eiifi Patented Feb. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CROSSING GATE Everett Daniel, Moultrie, Ga.

Application January 30, 1933. Serial No. 654,328

4 Claims. ,(Cl. 246-293) The device forming the subject matter of this application is of the general sort shown in my prior Patent No. 1,825,780, granted on the 6th day of October, 1931. Its general object is to provide a novel means whereby a gate will be closed at a railroad crossing, whilst a train is at some distance from the crossing, and be opened as the train clears the crossing.

The movement of the gate is controlled by a slide, moving parallel to the track, and by a shaft journaled for rotation about an axis at right angles to the track. Specifically, the present invention aims to improve the mechanism which is interposed between the slide and the shaft. Y

The aforesaid shaft actuates and controls a spring mechanism interposed between the shaft and the gate. Another object of the invention is to improve the mechanism that lies between the shaft and the gate.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows in top plan, a device constructed in accordance with the invention, parts being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section wherein parts are broken away, many parts being in elevation;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the mechanism which is immediately connected with the gate, parts being in section;

Fig. 4 is an elevation at right angles to the showing of Fig. 3, and illustrating the parts which are closely associated with the gate;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a top plan of the mechanism which connects the slide rods operatively with the shaft that transmits movement to the gate, the parts being in the positions which they will assume when the gate is opened;

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section of the structure shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but with some parts omitted, the mechanism being in the position which it will assume after the gate has been opened; I

Fig. 10. is a. sectional view of the structure shownin Fig. 9.

The crossing gate forming the subject matter of this application is an improvement on the crossing gate shown in my prior Patent No. 1,825,780, granted on October 6, 1931. Wherever there is any readily discernible similarity, in function or in structure, parts in the present device will be designated by numerals used to indicate those parts in the patent mentioned.

In the drawings, there is shown a railroad track, comprising a rail 1 and a rail 2, supported on ties 3, 4 and 5, the ties 4 and 5 being somewhat longer than the rest of the ties. The numeral 6 designates a highway that crosses the railroad track. Ramps 7 and 8 are disposed outside of the rail 1, on opposite sides of the highway 6, at a proper distance therefrom, and closely adjacent to the rail 1. The ramps 7 and 8 are mounted at 9 in such a way that they can swing both vertically and horizontally. The ramps 7 and 8 are raised by springs 10. The ends of the springs 10 are extended, as shown in Figs. 3 and l, and are connected, respectively, to the ramps 7 and 8 and to the rail 2, or to any other suitable anchoring object. The ramps 7 and 8, therefore, are swung against the rail 1 by the arms 11 of the springs 10. The inner ends of the ramps 7 and 8 are provided with outwardly slanting portions 12 that extend upwardly above the ball of the rail 1, as shown in Fig. 3.

When the ramps 7 and 8 are depressed, they cooperate with cranks 14 on the inner ends of shafts 15, mounted to rock on certain of the ties 3 and extended outwardly beyond the rail 1. The shafts 15 have cranks 16 at their outer ends. A flexible connection 60 is joined to the crank 16 ct one shaft 15, and a flexible connection 61 is joined to the crank 16 of the other shaft 15, as Fig. 1 will show. The inner end of the connection 60 is joined resiliently to a slide bar 17, and the inner end of the connection 61 is joined resiliently to a slide bar 19. The slide bars 17 and 19 have right line reciprocation in guides 21, mounted on a base plate 62, the base plate 62 being secured to the long ties 4 and 5.

A'shaft 23 is journaled for rotation in bearings 24 on the base plate 62. The mechanism for operating the shaft 23 from the slide bars 17 and 19, is one of the features which distinguish the present device from the one shown in my Patent 1,825,780.

The mechanism which establishes a cooperating relation between the slide bars 17 and 19, on the one hand, and the shaft 23, on the other hand, is detailed in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10. Arms 63 and 64 are adjustably secured at 65 to the shaft The arms 63 and 64 extend downwardly, and are guidedin slots 66 in the base plate 62.

Figures? and 9 show that an operating member 67, in the form of a thrust rod, is slidably carried on the base plate 62. The operating member 67 has an elongated opening 68, extended through one end of the operating member, and receiving the arm 63. At one end of the opening 68, there is a shoulder 69 which is adapted to engage the arm 63. The operating member 67 is pivoted at '70 to a lever 71 of the first order, the lever being fulcrumed at '72 upon the base plate 62. The outer end of the lever 71 lies in the path of a projection 73 on the slide rod 17, the said projection preferably being a roller, journaled on the slide rod. The slide rod 17 is provided (Fig. 10), underneath the roller 73, with a foot 74, which slides on the base plate 62 and aids in supporting the slide rod.

Figure 9 shows that a foot '75, functioning like the foot 74, is secured to the slide rod 19, the foot 74 having an extension 76, arranged parallel to the slide rod 19. In the extension '76 there is an elongated slot '77 which receives the arm 64 on the shaft 23. The slot '77 preferably is located entirely within the extension 76, and at one end of the slot there is a shoulder 78, adapted to engage the arm 64 on the shaft 23, as shown in Fig. '7.

Referring to Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10, in conjunction with Fig. 1, it will be noted that shafts 42 and 42a extend transversely of the track rails 1 and 2, these shafts being journaled (Fig. 2) between the ties 5 and 4, and being journaled (Figs. 8 and 10) on the base plate 62. It appears in Figs. 1 and 2 that on the outer end of the shaft 42 there is a curved arm 45, located outwardly of the rail 2. The shaft 42a has a similar arm 45a, the arms 45 and 45a being crossed with respect to each other, as disclosed in Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 10, the drawings show that an upwardly extended latch '79 is secured to the shaft 42. A similar upwardly extended latch is secured to the shaft 42a. These latches 79 and 80 work through holes 81 in the base plate 62. The latches '79 and 80 tend to swing upward- 1y, because their outer ends are weighted, as shown at 82. Referring to Fig. 8, if the slide rod 17 is advanced, the latch 79 rests against the under-edge of the slide red: but when the latch rod 17 is retracted, as in Fig. 10, then the latch '79 swings upwardly, responsive to the corresponding weight 82, and engages the slide rod 17, to hold it against movement toward the left in Fig. 10. The latch 88 cooperates in the same way with the slide rod 19.

A post 28 (Fig. 3) is connected by brace frames 83 with a foundation 84 (Fig. 1). The shaft 23 is journaled on the brace frames 83. The numeral 47 marks a gate. The gate 47 is pivoted at 48 to the post 28 to swing vertically. The gate carries a cross piece 85. There is anarm 25 on the shaft 23, the arm working through a hole 86 in the post 28. A second improvement in the article shown in my Patent 1,825,780 lies in the mechanism which is interposed operatively between the arm 25 of the shaft 23 and the cross piece on the gate 47.

A guide 26, in the form of a cylinder, is'secured lo the post 28 by brackets 27. A slide is'provided, and includes a rod 29 mounted to reciprocate in the upper end of the cylinder 26. The rod 29 is threaded for adjustment into a support 31, and is held in adjusted positions by a lock nut 87. The rod 29 carries a head 30 mounted-to reciprocate in the cylinder 26. A link 32 extends upwardly into the cylinder 26, the link being pivoted to the lowerend of the rod-29 and at 91 to the crank 25 of the shaft 23. A strong compression spring 33 is disposed in the-cylinder-26. The lower end of the spring 33 engages an abutment 88, carried by the cylinder 26, and the upper end of the compression spring engages the head 30 of the rod 29.

The part 31 is called a support, because the cross pin 85 of the gate 4'7 rests upon it, the gate being supported by the part 31, during the operation of the gate. A guide rod 89 is disposed parallel to the slide rod 29. The upper end of the guide rod 89 is threaded for adjustment into the support 31, and is held in adjusted positions by a lock nut 90. The guide rod 89 is mounted for vertical reciprocation in the brackets 2'7 that connect the cylinder 26 with the posts 28. Because the guide rod 89 is provided, the slide rod 29 has no tendency to turn on its axis. This is desirable for several reasons, one of which is that the support 31 ought at all times to be positioned properly with respect to the cross piece 85 on the gate 47. Another reason is that, if the rod 29 and the link 32 cannot turn on their axes, the lower end of the link 32 is so connected with the pivot element 91 which joins the link 32 to the arm 25 that there is no binding there, friction being reduced accordingly.

If a train is going in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 1, treads of the wheels of the train will run over the part 12 of the ramp '7 and. depress the ramp, compressing the spring 10, rotation being imparted to the corresponding shaft 15 by way'of the crank 14, the crank 16 and the connection 60 operating the rod 1'7. As the rod 1'7 is carried to the right, from the position of Fig.8 to the position of Fig. 10, the rod is withdrawn from above the latch '79, and the latch, responding to its weight 82, rises and engages the end of the rod 1'7, so that the said rod cannot move to the left.

As the rod 17 moves to the right, from the position of Fig. 8 to the position of Fig. 10, the roller projection 73 on the rod engages the outer end of the lever '71 (Fig. 9), and tilts the lever on its "fulcrum 72, the lever carrying the operating member 67 tothe left,the shoulder 69 on the operating member cooperating with'the arm 63 on the shaft 23, 'to rock the shaft. 'When the shaft 23 is rocked, the'arm 25 (Fig. 5) on the shaft swings 82, the shaft 42 is rocked, and the arm 45 (Fig. 2)

on the shaft 42 is raised enough with respect to I the rail 2-so that the arm can be engaged by a wheel of the train. When the arm 45 is thus engaged by a wheel of the train, the shaft 42 is rocked reversely, and the'latch 79 is carried down from the position of-Fig. 10, enter engagement with the end of the rod 17, and the rod 1'7 moves to the-left, and assumes a position above the latch 17, as in Fig. 8. The mechanism [that carries the rod 17 from the position of Fig. 10 to 25' on the shaft 23, theshaft 23,- the arm- 63: on

the shaft 23, the operating member 67 of-Fig39,

the lever '71, and the roller projection 73 on the rod 17. As soon as the latch 79 (Fig. 10) is released from the end of the rod 17, the whole train of parts, beginning with the rod 17 of Figs. 10 and 9, and ending with the support 31 of Fig. 5, is set free, and the spring 33 shoves up the rod 29 and the support 31, the support 31 cooperating with the cross piece 85 on the gate 47 to raise and open the gate.

The train, proceeding in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 1, encounters the part 12 of the ramp 8, but there is no closing of the gate 4'7. This is so because the necessary depression of the ramp 8 does not occur. The side of the car wheel simply engages the divergent end of the part 12 of the ramp 8 and swings the ramp 8 outwardly but not downwardly, on the pivotal mounting 9, in the direction of the arrow B of Fig. 1. The spring means 11 restores the ramp 8 to the position of Fig. 1, as soon as the tread of the car Wheel is clear of the part 12 of the ramp 8.

It is not necessary to trace out the operation when the train runs counter to the arrow A in Fig. 1, since it is a substantial duplicate of the operation hereinbefore set forth, the ramp 8, the slide 19, the operating member 76 of Fig. 7, the arm 64 on the shaft 23, the latch of Fig. 8, the shaft 42a, and the arm 45a. of Fig. 2 being the parts then involved. The only step characterizing any essential difference is that when the ramp 8 does the work, there is a direct operative relation between the rod 19 and the arm 64 on the shaft 23, by way of member 76 of Fig. '7; whereas when the ramp 7 does the work, there is no correspondingly direct relation between the rod 17, the operating member 67, and the arm 63 on the shaft 23, the lever 7 being interposed between the rod 17 and the member 67. The reason for having the lever 71 is that, although the rods 17 and 19 move in opposite directions to open the gate 4'7, the shaft 23 always has to turn in the same direction, to open the gate.

Among other combinations of parts, the device shown in the drawings and described in the specification comprises a track 12, a gravity-closing gate 47, a first slide 29 mounted for reciprocation and engaging the gate 47, a shaft 23 mounted for rocking movement and operatively connected at 25 with the first slide 29, an arm 63 on the shaft 23, a second slide 17 mounted at 21 for reciprocation, mechanism 7167 for operatively connecting the second slide 17 with the arm 63, spring means 33 for actuating the first slide 29 to raise and open the gate 47, and to advance the second slide 17 to the position of Fig. 8, car-operated means 760 for retracting the second slide 17, thereby to retract the first slide 29, compress the spring means 33, and permit the gate 47 to close, a pivotally mounted gravity latch '79 held in inoperative position by the second slide 17. as shown in Fig. 8, when the second slide 17 is advanced, the latch '79 engaging the second slide 17, as shown in Fig. 10, when the second slide is retracted, to hold the second slide 17 against advancement to the position of Fig. 8, and trainoperated means 42-45 for releasing the latch 79 from the second slide 1'7, thereby releasing the spring means 33, to bring about an opening of the gate 47, and to advance the second slide 17. The second slide above referred to, of course, may be either the slide 17 or the slide 19, and the mechanism mentioned may be either the lever 79 and the member 67, or the member 76.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. The combination with a track and a gravityclosing crossing gate, of a first slide mounted for reciprocation and engaging the gate, a shaft mounted for rocking movement and operatively connected with the first slide, an arm on the shaft, a second slide mounted for reciprocation, mechanism for operatively connecting the second slide with the arm, spring means for actuating the first slide to raise and open the gate, and to advance the second slide, car-operated means for retracting the second slide, thereby to retract the first slide, compress the spring means, and permit the gate to close, a pivotally mounted gravity latch held in inoperative position by engagement with the second slide when the second slide is advanced, the latch engaging the second slide, when the second slide is retracted, to hold the second slide against advancement, and train-operated means for releasing the latch from the second slide, thereby releasing the spring means, to bring about an opening of the gate, and to advance the second slide.

2. A device of the class described, constructed as set forth in claim 1, and further characterized by the fact that said mechanism comprises a slidably mounted operating member engaged with the arm, a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends and pivotally connected at one end with the operating member, and mechanism for operatively connecting the opposite end of the lever with the second slide.

3. A device of the class described, constructed as set forth in claim 1, and further characterized by the fact that said mechanism comprises a member on the slide, and having an opening receiving the arm on the shaft.

4. In combination with a track, cooperating parts comprising a post, a guide, and a connection between the post and the guide; a crossing gate mounted to swing vertically on the post, a slide of inverted U-shape, the slide comprising inner and outer arms and a support connecting the upper ends of the arms, the support being engaged with the gate, the inner arm being slidably mounted in the guide, and the outer arm being external to the guide and being slidably carried upon one of said cooperating parts, to prevent the inner arm from turning on its axis, a compression spring carried by the guide, means on the inner arm for engaging the spring to bring about a compression of the spring, car-operated means for depressing the slide and compressing the spring, thereby permitting the gate to close, automatically-acting latch means holding the spring compressed and the slide depressed, and car-operated means for releasing the latch means.

EVERETT DANIEL.

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