US1976829A

US1976829A - Railway switch operating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US1976829A
Application number: US667775A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herbert L Bone
Original assignee: Union Switch and Signal Inc
Current assignee: Hitachi Rail STS USA Inc
Priority date: 1933-04-25
Filing date: 1933-04-25
Publication date: 1934-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 1951-10-16

Description

Oct. 16, 1934.

H. L. BONE RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Herbert b301 9.

BY mwvw 111s ATTORNEY Oct. 16, 1934.

H. L. BONE RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1933 3 Sheets -She'et 2 e v. mm m MBJWO V T NL T g M W. 4 4 5 w x l u 8 w M v u 2 9 H w n! w m J 5 n w M fifi 6 1 ."0 I P! 7 n H Oct-16, 1934. H. BONE RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Filed April 25, 1933 stares RAILWAYSWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Herbert L- Bone, Swissvile, Fa assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 25, 1933, Serial No. 667,775

33 Claims. (01. 246-253) My invention relates to railway switch operating apparatus, and particularly tomanually controlled switch operating apparatus for switches of the type which are designed to be trailed.

One object of'my invention is to provide novel means whereby a switch of the type described may be positively locked in its normal position for facing point moves over the switch but will become automatically unlocked when a train trails the switch.

- I will describe one form of apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing a railway switch operated by a switch stand B, and provided with one form of lock mechanism M embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l as it appears when viewed from theleft in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged View partly in section and partly in elevation of the switch stand B forming part of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially "on the line IVIV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of the facing point lock mechanism M and circuit controller C shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the various covers removed to better illustrate the construction of the parts. Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views taken substantially on the lines VIVI andVII-VII, respectively, of Fig. 5.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views. 7

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character A designates a railway switch comprising, as usual, two fixed rails l and 1 andtwo movable rails 2 and 2 The fixed rails 1 andl arelaid on tie plates 3, and are secured to crosstiesl in the usual manner. The movable rails 2 and 2 are fastened together by a front rod 5, a head rod 6, a bridle rod '7 and a tie rod 8, and may be moved into a normalor a reverse position by means of an operating rod 9'which is connected with the head rod 6. When the switch occupies its normal" position in which it is shown in Fig. 1, the movable rail 2 engages the fixed rail 1, and the movable rail 2 is spaced a predetermined distance from the fixed rail 1 When the'switch is reversed, however, the movable rail 2 then engages the fixed rail l and the movable rail 2 is spaced from the fixed rail 1. 7

Associated with the switch A is'a switch stand B comprising a box or casing 11 (see Figs. 3 and 4) provided with two

removable covers

13 and 14,

and secured at its lower end to the outer ends of an adjacent pair of the crossties 4. The usual rotatable spindle or switch actuating shaft 16 extends downwardly through the casing 11, and

carries at its lower end an adjustable crank. 17 which is pivotally connected with the previously described operating rod 9, the parts being so proportioned that rotation of the shaft 16 through an angle of approximately so will move the switch. between its normal and reverse positions.

The lower portion of the shaft 16, that is, the portion within the casing 11 is made roundand is journaled in a bearing 18 formed in the bottom of the casing 11, and in a star block 19 which, in turn is journaled in a bearing 2'0 formed in the top of the casing 11. The portion of the shaft 16 above the top of the star block bearing, however, is made square and has a somewhat smaller cross-sectional area than the lower portion of the shaft. 7

Secured to the square portion of the shaft 16 is a square sleeve 21, and slidably mounted on this sleeve is an outer sleeve 22 which is provided with a square opening to receive the inner sleeve so that both sleeves and the shaft are constrained to rotate together.

When the outer sleeve 22 occupies a lowermost position on the inner sleeve, in which position it is shown in the drawings, a square portion 23 formed on'the lower end of the outer sleeve enters a square recess 01' socket 24 formed in the upper end of the star block 19, and under these conditions the outer sleeve, and hence the shaft 16, is connected with the star block, so that any rotation of the shaft will cause'corresponding rotation of the star block. When, however, the outer sleeve 22 is moved to an upper position on the inner sleeve, the square portion 23 on the lower end of the outer sleeve becomes disengaged from the socket 2 i in the star block, and the two sleeves and the shaft are then free to rotate'as a unit independently of the star block. I

The outer sleeve 22 is arranged to be moved between its two extreme positions by means of a hand lever 27 which also serves as a means for rotating the switch actuating shaft 16 between its two extreme positions. This leveris bifurcated at one end, and the

bifurcations

27 and 27 thereof are disposed on opposite sides of a square portion formed at the upper end of the outer sleeve, and are pivoted intermediate their ends on a pin or bolt 28 mounted in a lug 29' formed on the sleeve 21. Each bifurcation extends between a pair of lugs 30 which are se- 3.6 of: the. sleeve 36.

the outer sleeve will then be moved to its upperposition on the inner sleeve. It follows that the.

switch actuating shaft 16 will be connected with, or disconnected from; the. starblhck I9 according as the lever 2'7 occupies its depending or its horizontal position, and that, when the lever occupies its horizontal position, theshaft 16 may be rotated between its two extreme positions to move the switch points-to their cor responding extreme positions by rotating thelever about the axis of the shaft without causing rotation of the star block.

Whenthe hand lever 2'7 occupies its depending. position, which position is. its normal. position,,it may be locked in this position by placing a padlock 51 or other suitable locking device through a hole 527 formed in the outer end of a. lug; 52: which is fastened; to the outer sleeve 22, and which passes through a suitable slot 53 in the lever 2'7.

A suitable signal, here shown as a pair of vanes 31,, positioned- 90 with respect to each other in plan view, is fastened to the upper end of the' switch actuating shaft 16, and serves to accurately indicate at all times the position of the switch.

,The' star block 19 -is. constantly biased to.- the position. in which it is shown in the drawings by means of two. biasing

devices

32 and 33 which: are disposed on opposite sides of. the star block as best seen in Fig. 3. These biasing de- Vices-are similar,.-and-adescription ofqone will therefore suffice for both. Referring particularly to the'biasing device 33, this biasing devicecomprisesarod: or bolt 34 supported. at one end ina wall of the casing 11, and: at the other end in an upright support: 35 provided on the bottom of the casing 11. Two sleeves 36. and 37. provided with annular flanges 36 and. 37, respectively, are slidably mounted on the bolt 34! with their flanges 36 and 3'7 facing each other, and positioned on the bolt between these sleeves isa coil. spring; 38 which biases these sleeves to: the position. in. which the outer. end of the sleeve 36 engages one of a. pair of thrust washersr39! interposed between the sleeve and sleeve i=1 having; a flange 42 at one end which engages: the: outer side of the flange 3'7 of the sleeve 37, and a removable flange 43. at the other. end whichengages the outer side of the flange An upwardly projecting lug; 44 is. secured. to: the outer sleeve 41,- as shown irr Fig. 3. I;

The lug' i i on. the biasing device 32 extends upwardlybetween two

rollers

45 and 46 which I are, journals-d between; suitable spaced lugs formed onthe star block 19, and the lug 44' on the. outer sleeve of: the. biasing device 33 similarlyextends upwardly between two rollers 49 and 50- which'are also journaled. between. the lugs.- on the star block, the four. rollers 45-, 46,.

I Surrounding the sleeves 36 and. 37 and the spring 38"is a. third 49 and 50 being disposed at the four corners of a rectangle.

With the biasing devices constructed and connected with the star block in the manner just described, it will be apparent that rotation of the star block 19 in either direction from the position shown will cause the lugs 44cm the outer sleeves of the two

biasing devices

32 and 33 to rotate in opposite directions, thus compressing the springs within the biasing devices. It follows that, when the star block has been rotated away from the positions shown, as soon as the. force which caused the rotation of the star block is removed, the springs will act to restore the star block to the position shown.

For reasons which will be made clear presently, it is desirable to prevent the biasing devices-from returning the star block to the position shown at too rapid a rate after the star block has been moved away from this position,

without interfering with the rotation of the star block away from the position shown. For this purpose, the star block is pivotally connected with the piston rod of a dash. potor bufling device 56, the cylinder 57 of which is pivotally attached to the left-hand wall of the casing 11 by means ofa pin 58 and a lug 59. The buffing device 56 forms no part of my present invention, and may be of any suitable type which will allow free and unrestricted movement of the piston rod out of the cylinder, but which will retard movement of. the pistonrod into the cylinder. As here shown, this buihng device is similar in all respects to the buffing device shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,830,803, granted to William C. McWhirter, on Nov. 10, 1931, for Railway switch operating apparatus, and it is believed. to be unnecessary therefore to describe it in detail here.

The portion of the apparatus thus far described is similar in all respects to apparatus which is now in wide-spread use, with the single exception. that the bifurcations 2'7" and 2'7 of the hand lever 27 of the switch stand B have been lengthened somewhat for a purpose pres-- ently to be described, and it is believed, therefore, that for purposes of the present disclosure, the following brief description of the operation oithis apparatus will be suflicient. As shown in the drawings, the switch points are in their normal extreme position, and the hand lever 27 is locked in its depending position by means of the padlock 51. Under these conditions, the sliding sleeve 22 is held in its lowermost position onthe inner sleeve 21, so that the switch actuating shaft 16 is connected with the star block 19, and the

biasing devices

32 and 33 are therefore effective to hold the switch points in their normal extreme position. When it is desired to reverse-the switch points, the padlock 51' is firstremoved from the hole 52 in the lug 52 to unlock the hand lever, and the hand lever is then raised to its horizontal position, thereby disconnecting the star block 19 from the switch actuating shaft- 16 in the manner previously described. The hand. lever 2'7 is next rotated in the horizontal position which it then occupies through an angle of in a clockwise direction, after which it is again lowered to its depending position. The rotation of the hand. lever moves the switch points totheir reverse positions, while the lowering of the hand lever to its depending positionreconnects the star blockv 19 .with the switch actuating shaft. 16,

thus causing the switch points to become biased to their reverse positions. When the hand lever has been restored to its depending position it may, if desired, be relocked in this position by again inserting the padlock 51 in the hole 52 in the lug 52. The operation of the apparatus when the switch points are to be restored to their normal position is exactly the reverse of that just described, and will be understood from the foregoing without further description.

If, when the switch points are in either extreme position, and the hand lever is in its dependingposition, a train trails the switch, the wheels of the train will force the switch points away from the extreme position which they then occupy, and this'movement of the switch points, in turn, will rotate the crank arm 17, and hence the entire assembly of

concentric members

16, 21 and 22 together with the star block 19. As was previously pointed out, when the star block 19 is. rotated, it operates the

biasing devices

32 and 33 to compress the springs therein, and also operates the buffing device 56, with the result that'while the train is trailing the switch the biasing devices will constantly tend to return the switch points to the extreme position which they occupied before the train started to, trail the switch, and the bufimg device will act to retard the quick movement of the points by the biasing devices between the passage of the successive wheelsof the train. After the train has completely passed the switch, however, the displacingiorce of the wheels will then be removed,and the biasing devices will then slowly force the switch points to the positions which they occupied before the train trailed the switch.

Associated with the switch stand B is a facing point lock mechanism M embodying present invention, which lock mechanism I will now describe. As best seen in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, this mechanism; in the form here shown, comprises a main casing 65 and an auxiliary casing 66. The main casing 65 is bolted to the same pair of ties 4 to which the switch stand B is bolted, at a point between the switch stand and the rail 1, while the auxiliary casing 66 is bolted to a tail-like projection 65 of the main casing 65. The upper end of the main casing 65 is closed by a 'removable cover 6'2, and the upper end of the removable casing 66 is closed by a hinged cover Reciprocably mounted within the main casing is a locking device '70 comprising two transversely disposed horizontal end members W and 7i) secured together in spaced relation by means of two parallel bolt members 70 and le The one end member '70 is provided with an' integral rectangular locking plunger 70, while the other end member '70 is provided with a horizontal integral arm 70 and with a centrally located hole 70 The locking plunger "10 is mounted to slide in arr-axially extending rectangular guideway '71 formed in the top of the tail-like projection of the casing 65, and cooperates at its free end with a lock-rod L which is slidably mounted, at right angles to the locking plunger, within a transverse slot 72 formed in-the' tail-like projection 65 The lock rod L is of standard construction, and comprises two longitudinally .adjustable bars '73 and 'l l attached at one end to the front rod 5 of the switch-A, and provided with registering notches 75 so disposed that these notches will align with the locking plunger Z when and only when the switch occupies its normal extreme position in which it is shown in the drawings.

The locking device '20 is arranged to be mo 'ed in a manner which will be described hereinafter, between a left-hand extreme position in which the locking plunger 70 is within the notches '75 in the lock rod L, and a right hand extreme position in which the locking plunger is withdrawn from the notches 75, and it will be apparent that when the locking device is moved to the position in which the locking plunger is within the notches, the switch will be positively locked in. its normal extreme position, but that, when the locking device is moved to the position in which the locking plunger is withdrawn from the notches in the lock rod, the switch will then be unlocked.

The

bolt members

70 and 70 of the locking device 70 are slidably mounted in suitable holes or guideways 76 and '77, respectively, formed in a substantially U -shaped bracket '28 (see Fig. 'l) which is bolted to the sides of the casing 65, and surrounding each bolt member between the bracket '78 and the end member '70 is a partly compressed coil s ring '79 which biases the looking device in the direction to cause the locking plunger 2 0 to enter the notches in the lock rod L.

As shown in Fig. 5, the arm '70 attached to the end member 70 of the locking device 7'0 is provided at its free end with bifurcations 70 and 79 and journaled on a pin 80 mounted in these bifurcations is a roller 81 which cooperates with a cam 82 attached to a rockshaft 83. The rockshaft '83 is journaled in suitable bearings 8-4 secured to the sides of the casing 65, and is rotataend of a connectin rod 87, the upper end of which is connected to the free end of the bifurc'ations 27 of the hand throw lever 27 of the switch stand B, by means of a ball and socket connection 88.

For reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the parts are so proper tioned that when the switch is in its normal extreme position and the hand lever 27 is in its depending position as shown in the drawings, the biasing spr'ngs '79 will tend to drive the locking device to an extreme position which is beyond the desired locking position. The locking device '70 is prevented from moving beyond the desired lockingposltion under these conditions, however, by means of linkage which connects the locking device with the tie rod 8. As here shown, this linkage includes a plunger bolt 90 which extends with some clearance through the hole 70 in the end member 70 and the head of which bolt engages the left-hand side of the end member '70, as viewed in Figs. 5 and 6. The threaded end of the plunger bolt 90 isadjustably con nected by means of a turn buckle 91 (see Fig. 1) with one end of a link 92, the opposite end of which link is connected with the long arm 93 of a bell crank lever 93. The bell crank lever 93 is pivotally supported in the crank stand 94, and has its short arm 93 pivotally connected with one end of an operating rod 95. The other end of the operating rod 95 is connected with the. previously described tie rod 8' by' means of a standard switch basket 96. The plunger bolt 90, turn buckle 91, bell cranklever 93, operating rod 95, switch basket 96 and tie rod 8 also constitute means for effecting the unlocking of. the switch points when the switch points'are in their normal positions and a train trails the switch, as will be-made clear hereinafter.

The tie rod 8 may be located at any suitable location, but will preferably be located approximately halfway between the. heel and the point of the switch. The base 97 of the crank stand 941s secured to a base plate.98 which, in turn, is secured to a tie strap 99.- One .end of the tie strap 99 is bolted to the casing. of the facing point lockmechanism M and it will .be apparent, therefore, that any loss of adjustment between the parts due to creepage of the ties is prevented. 1

Pivoted on a pin 100 (see Figs. 5 and 6) mounted in the outer end of an arm 101 which is formed integral with the bracket 73 directly below the-arm of the locking device'lO is a latch 102 having a nose 103, which, under certain conditions to be described hereinafter, cooperates with a: latch finger 104 secured to the arm 70 to prevent the locking device from mova depending arm 102 formed on the latch 102.

The latch plunger is constantly biased, in the pro-per direction to cause it to enter the recess 106, by means of a compressed coil-spring 109 which abuts at one end against the bracket '78, and at the other-end against a lug 110 formed on the latch 102 between'the depending arm 102 and a similar arm 102. The recess 106 in the lock rod L is so designed that this recess will align with the latch plunger at all times except when theswitch occupies its extreme reverse position, or iswithin a predetermined distance'of this position, and the parts are so proportioned that when the latch plunger enters the recess 106, the: latch 102 will be rotatedto its normal position in. which it is shown inthe drawings, and in which the nose 103 thereof is out of the path of movement of the latch'finger 104'. However, when thelatch plunger is forced out of the recess 106, the latch. 102 will then-be rotated in a coLmter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 7 tea latching position in which the nose 103 extends into the path of movement of the latch finger 104. The latch finger 104 is made of spring material so that if the latch should be rotated to the position in which the nose 103 is within the path of movement of the latch finger 104 while the latch finger is directly above the latch', thelatch finger can. be sprung up without damage to the latch mechanism. 7 V 1 i The lock mechanism- M also: includes a circuit controller Cwhich circuit controller is. disposed wholly within the casing 66, and which can, therefore, be added to or removed from the lockingmechanismas desired; The details of construction of this circuit controller are similar in. all respects to those of the circuit controller described and claimed in my copending application:for Letters Patent of the United StatesySerial No. 651,933,.fi1ed January 16, 1933, for Railway'switch circuit controllers, and in themselves form no part of my present inven: tion; except as they are. used in combination with the rest of. the apparatus; Briefly, this. circuit controller includes two separate sets of contacts, one. set of which is usually referred to as plunger lock contactsand the other set of which is usually referred to as point detector contacts. The plunge-flock contactsare each designated by-the reference characters 111-112, and are all controlled byacontact operating member 113 pivotally attached to. one end. of a rocker arm 114, which'rocker arm, in turn, is pivoted intermediate its ends on a fixed pin 115, and is provided in the end opposite to the operating member 113-with a cam'slot 116and a cam face 116 thatcooperate with aroller 117 mounted in the upper end of a bracket 118 secured to the upper face of the'locking'plunger 70 mg device 70' occupies its locking position in which position it is shown in the drawings, the roller 117 engages the cam slot ll6.at an offset portion 116*, and under these conditions, the rocker arm 114 is rotated to. an extreme position in which the plunger lock contacts 111-l12 are all closed. When, however, the locking device '70 is moved in either direction from its normal locking position, the roll'er 117 is forced out'of the oifset portion 116 of the cam slot 116, and the rocker arm 114 is then rotated to another extreme position in which the plunger lock. contacts 111'--112 are all open.

The point detector contacts of the circuit controllor C are each designated by the reference characters 119-120, and are all controlled by a contact operating member 121 provided with a roller-122 which cooperates with a notch 123 formed in a point detector rod D. The point detector rod D is slidably mounted in the casing 66 transversely thereof, and is'attached at one end by means of a link 124 and a bolt member 125 (see Figs. 1 and 2), to the movable rail 2 of the switch A in the usual and well-known manner. The notch 123 in the point detector rod D is so positioned that it will align with the roller 122 when and only when the switch occupies its normal position and the movable rail 2 is tight against the associated fixed rail 1, and the parts are so proportioned that when the notch 123 aligns with the roller 122, this roller will enter the notch, thereby permitting the contact operating member 121 to rotate by gravity to a position in which it is out of engagement with'the contact fingers 120 of the point detector con-- 1 tacts, and hence permitting these contacts toclose'. When, however, the roller 122 is forced out of the notch 123, the contact operating member 121 will then be positively rotated to the position in which the point detector contacts become opened. I g

V The circuit controller C further comprises lock mechanism whereby, if 'the'roller 122 is forced out of the notch 123 in the pointdet'ector rod D when the locking device 70 occupies any-pcsition in which the locking plunger '70 is within the notches in the lock rod L, the-point detector contacts will, after becoming opened'in the'niaimer previously described, subsequently be held open until the latch mechanism is manually operated to permit these contacts to again be come closed. This latch mechanism is fully described in my above referred to copending application, Serial No. 651,933, and need not there- When the lockfore be desciibedhere. The plunger lock con-' acrea e tacts and point detector contacts of circuit controller C may be used to control signals governing trains over switch A in a well-known manner.

'ljhe' operation of the apparatus as a whole is as follows: When the switch A occupies its normal position and the hand lever 27 is in its de'pres pos ion as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the parts of the -o l mechanism occupy the poemcee in wlii they are shown in Figs. 5 and 6. That is to say, tlocking device 70 occupies its normal lee-king position, the latcli plunger 105 within the recess 106 in the lock rod L, and the rockshaft 83 is rotated in a clockwise direction to its normal extreme position. Furthermore, under these conditions, the plunger lock contacts 111- 112, and the point detector contacts 119120 of circuit controller C are both closed. It follows, therefore, that when the switch'oocupies its normal position and the hand lever 27 is in its depressed position, the switch points will be positively locked in their normal positions and both sets of contacts of circuitcontrcller C will then be closed, thus causing the signals governing traffic over switch A to indicate that the switch is then in proper condition for main line traiilc over the switch. 1 Iwill now assume that a switchman, wishing to reverse the switch, operates the switch stand B in the manner previously described; that is to say, he first raises the hand lever 27 from its depressed position to its horizontal position, then swings the hand lever in a horizontal position (high an arc of substantially 90 in a clocke direction from the position shown in Fig. 1,

5 g finally restores the hand lever to its depressed position. When the switchman raises thehand lever to its horizontal position, the star block ,19, of course, becomes disconnected from the switch actuating shaft 16, and in addition, the connecting rod 87 which connects the switch stand with the lock mechanism M is forced downwardly, thus causing the crank arm 85, and hence the -1' ick shaft 83, of the lock mechanism M to rotate in a counte -clockwise direction from the extreme position shown in Fig. 6, through an angle of approximately The initial part of this rotation causes the cam 82 to move into engagement with the roller 81, and as the rockshaft continues to rotate, the roller 81, due to the shape of the cam 82, is forced toward the right, thus moving the locking device toward the right in opposition to the bias of the springs '79, to a position in which the locking plunger 70 is just clear of the notches '75 in the lock rod L, and hence unlocking the switch. As was previously pointed out, as soon as the locking device '10 is moved away from its normal locking position, the plunger lock contacts 111-112 of circuit controller C become opened, thereby causing the signals governing tramc over the switch to indicate danger. It follows, therefore, from the foregoing that when the hand lever 27 is moved from its depressed position to its horizontal position, it not only disconnects the star block 19, and hence the

biasing devices

32 and 33 and buffing device 56, from the switch actuating shaft 16, but also operates the lock mechanism M to unlock the switch, and the plunger lock contacts 111-412 of circuit controller C to indicate that the switch is then unlocked. When the switchrnan next swings the hand lever in its horizontal position through an arc of substantially 90 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 1, the movable rails of the switch are reversed in the manner previously described, and the rockshaft 83, due to the angular relation between the connecting rod 87 and the crank arm is simultaneously rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, through the balance of its stroke to the opposite extreme position from that shown. During a part of this latter rotation of the rockshaft 83 the roller 81 will remain in engagement with the cam 32, but before this rotation is completed, the simultaneous movement of the switch points to their reverse positions will act through the linkage which connects the locking device 70 with the tie rod 8, to move the locking device to a pe sition in which the roller 81 is out of engagement with the cam 82. It should be noted that when the locking device is moved to this latter position, the latch finger 104 will be some distance (about one nch in actual practice) to the right of the nose 103 of the latch 102. The cam 82 is so shaped that even if the roller 81 re mained in engagement with the cam 82 during the total amount of this latter rotation of the rockshaft, this engagement of the roller with the rockshaft would not cause any movement of the locking device '70 in either direction. The movement of the switch points to their reverse po sitions, in addition to actuating the linkage connected with the tie rod 8 and the locking device '70, moves the lock rod L and point detector rod D upwardly as viewed in Figs. 1 and 5. The initial part of the upward movement of the point detector rod D causes the contacts 119-120 of circuit controller C to become opened in the manner previously described, while the final part of the upward movement of lock rod L forces the latch plunger 105 out of recess 106 in lock rod L, thereby rotating latch 102 to its latching position. When the latch is rotated to this position, the latch finger 104 will be some distance to the right of the nose of the latch for the reasons pointed out above, and it will be seen, therefore, that the latch is freeto move to its latching position under these conditions without any interference from the latch finger.

When the operator next restores the hand lever- 2-7 to its depending position, thus reconnecting the star block 19, and hence the

biasing devices

32 and 33 and buffing device 56 with the switch actuating shaft 16, the rockshaft 83 will be moved partway toward the extreme position shown in the drawings, but this movement of the rockshaft will not afiect the remainder of the lock mechanism because the locking device 70 will then be held in its extreme right-hand position in which the roller 81 is out of engagement with the cam 82, by means of the linkage which con: heats the locking device'with the tie rod 8.

After the switch has been reversed in the manner previously described, if the switch stand B is then operated to restore the switch to its nor- 'mal position, the subsequent movements of the parts will be exactly the reverse of those just described, and it is believed, therefore, that the operation of the apparatus under these conditions will be readily understood from the forei:

going and from an inspection of. the drawings without further description.

I will now assume that the parts are in the positions in which they are shown in the drawings, and that atrain trails the switch. As the leading wheels of the train roll along the fixed rail 1 and movable rail 2 the movable rails 2 and 2 are forced over laterally, but before a sufficient force is developed at thepoints of these rails to overcome the opposingforce of s in the drawings.

the

biasing devices

32 and 33 of the switch stand B and cause the point of the movable rail 2 to move out of engagement with the fixed rail 1, the movable rails, being somewhat resilient, become bent, so that with the usual standard split switch, the tie rod 8 will be moved upwardly, as viewed inFig. 1, three-quarters of an inch or more. This movement of the tie rod 8 acts through the linkage connecting the tie rod with the locking device '70 to move the locking device in opposition to the bias of the springs '79 a sufiicient amount to completely withdraw the locking plunger '10 of the locking device from engagement with the notches '75 in the lock rod L, thus unlocking the switch, and also operating the plunger lock contacts l11112 of circuit controller C to open these contacts. It will be seen, therefore, that when the leading wheels of the train have reached the position in which a sufficient force is developed to cause the point of the movable rail 2 to move out of engagement of the fixed rail 1, the movable rails will be fully unlocked, and the movable rails will thereforebe forced away from their normal position in the same manner as'if nopoint lock were provided. As the movable rails move away from their normal position, the shaft 16 of the switch stand Bis rotated in'the manner previously .described, so that the

biasing devices

32 and 33 now tend to constantly restore the switch points to theirnormal position, and the buffing device 56 acts to prevent the quick return of the points to their normal position between the passage of the successive wheels of the train. Furthermore, the rotation of the shaft 16 causes the hand lever 2'7 to rotate therewith, and this-latter rotation causes the upper end of the connecting rod 87 to swing in an arc whose center is the axis of the shaft 16, thereby forcing the crank arm'85 downwardly from the position shown in the drawings, and hence rotating. the rockshaft 83.and the cam 82 a certain amount in a counter-clockwise direction from the positions in which these last mentioned members are shown The rotation of these last mentioned members, however, has no effect on thelocking device 70 because when this rotation takes place, the locking device will already have been moved tothe position in which the roller 80 is clear of the cam 82 by means of the linkage which connects the tie rod 8With the locking device, as will be readily understood from the foregoing and from an inspection of the drawings. The movementof the movable rails away from their normal position, in addition to rotating the switch actuating shaft 16 and-associated parts as just described, also moves the point detector rod D and lock rod L upwardly as viewed in Fig. 1. This upward movement of the point detector rod D opens the point detector contacts ofcircuit controller C in the same manner as when the switch ismanually moved from its normal extreme position by means of the switch stand 13. The upward movement of the lock rod L, however, has no effect on the remaincler of the apparatus unless the movable rails are moved substantiallyto their full reverse positions, under which conditions the latch plunger 105 will'be forced-out of'the recess 106 in the lock rodL, thereby moving, the latch 102 to its latching position. After the train has completelypassed the switch, the displacing force of the wheels will be removed, and the

biasing devices

32 and 33 of the switch stand B will 'then slowly return the movable rails to their normalpositions in themanner' previously de scribed. If the movable rails are in their extreme reverse positions, or only a short distance away from their extreme reverse positions, at the beginning of this return movement, the first part of this movement will cause the recess 106 in look rod L to move into alignment with latch plunger 105, and when this happens, spring 109 will restore latch 102 to its normal position in which it is shown in the drawings. The first part of the return movement of the rails will also permit the springs '79 to move thelocking device 70 a certain amount toward its locking position. The parts are so proportioned, however, that before the locking device has moved far enough toward its locking position under these conditions to move latch finger 104 to the position in which it would engage the latch 102 if the latch were then in its latchingposition,

the latch will have had ample time to drop down to its normal position. It will be apparent, thereforathat the latch will have no effect whatever on the remainder of the apparatus when a train trails the switch in the normal position of the switch. As the movable rails continue their return movement, the locking device 70 will continue to move toward its locking position by virtue of the bias of the springs '79 until it is stopped by engagement of roller 81 with cam 82. Cam 82, however, is being simul- .tane'ously returned to its normal position, in a manner which will be readily understood from an inspection of the drawings, and due to the previously described clearance which exists be tween cam 82 and roller 81 when the movable rails of .the switch occupy their full normal position, it will be apparent that sometime before the movable rails have reached their full normal position, thecam will move outof engagement with the roller 81. Since there is no deflection of the movable rails under these conditions it follows that when the cam 82 moves out of engagement with the roller 81, the springs '79 will move thelocking device '70 to the position in which locking plunger '20 engages the side of lock rod L. The locking plunger will then slide along the side of the lock rod L until the switch points reach their full normal position in which the notches in the lock rod align with the locking plunger, whereupon the compressed springs '79 will force the locking device 70 to its normal locking position, thus relocking the switch in its normal position. If the notches 75 should not come into alignment with the locking plunger under these conditions for any reason, or if the notches should come into alignment. with the locking plunger. and the linkage which connects the locking device '70 with the tie rod 8 is then out of adjustment, so that the locking plunger is prevented from moving to its normal locking position, or is permitted to move beyond its normal locking position, contacts 111-112 of circuit controller C will remain open, thus causing the signals controlled by the circuit controller to remain at danger. Furthermore, if while the train is trailingthe switch the switch point 2 should become bent or damaged, so that when the movable rails have returned to their normal position, the switch point 2 failed to assume its proper position with respect to the fixed rail 1, the point detector contacts 119120 of circuit controller C would remain open, which would cause the signals controlled by circuit controller C to remain at danger. It follows,

therefore, that with apparatus embodying my.

Leo

invention," i1nder no conditions can a dangerous condition exist due to a train trailing the switch when .the'switch occupies its normal position.

I will now assume that switch A has been moved to its reverse position by means of the switchstand B in. the manner previously described, and thata train trails the switch. As will beremembered, when the switch occupies its reverse position, locking device '70 is held in its extreme right-hand position so that the switch is then unlocked, and the latch finger 104 is some distance to the right of latch 102.

Furthermore, under these conditions, latch 102 is held in its latching position due to latch plunger 105 being forced in recess 106 out of lock rod L, and rockshaft 83 is rotated partway from the extreme position shown in the drawings toward its other extreme positionby virtue of the connection between the crank arm and hand lever 27. As the leading wheels of the train. roll along fixed rail 1 and movable rail 2, the movable rails become bent in much the same manner as they become bent when the switch occupies. its normal position and a train trails the switch, but this bending is now in the direction to allow the biasing springs 79 to move the locking plunger '70 toward its locking position. As a result, under these conditions, before the points of the movable rails have moved far enough to cause the recess 1% in the, loci; rod L to move into alignment with the latch plunger 105, the locking device '79 will have moved to the position in which the latch finger 104 engages the nose 103 of latch 102. .The shape of the nose 103 and the angle at which the latch finger 104 is disposed are such that, after the latch finger has once moved into engagement with the latch, the spring 1&9 will not be sufficiently. strong to move the latch out of engage ment with the latching finger. It will be apparent, therefore, that after the latch finger has -moved into engagement with the latch plunger 105, further movement of the locking device toward its locking position will be prevented. -t follows that under these conditions, there is no possibility of. locking device 70 movingv to its locking position and locking the movable rails in their normal position in the event that these rails are forced to their full normal positions by the trailing train. The movement of the movable rails away from their reverse positions will, of course, rotate shaft 16 of switch stand 13, so that the

biasing devices

32 and 33 will constantly tend to restore the movable rails, to their reverse positions, and the buffing device will operate to prevent too rapid movement of the movable rails toward their reverse positions between the passage of the successive wheels or" the train. The rotation of shaft 16 will also cause a certain amount of rotation of rockshait 83 but, due to the pr viously described cooperation between latch 102 and latch finger 104, roller 81 does not at any time come in contact with cam 82, and the movement of rockshait 83 under these condi tions does not, therefore, have any effect on the remainder of the apparatus. When the switch points finally return to their r verse positions after the train has completely trailed the switch, the linkage which connectsthe locking device'70 with the tie rod 8 will move the look ing device '70 in opposition to the bias of the spring 'le to its extreme right hand position, and when this happens, latch finger 104 will move out of engagement with nose 103 of latch 102.

Latch 102, however, will remain in its latching position because recess 106 and lock rod L will then be out of alignment with latch plunger 105.

One advantage of railway switch operating apparatus embodying my invention is that since the switch stand and locking mechanisms are separate and are operatively connected together by means of an external connection, the locking mechanism can be added to switches which are already provided with switch stands of the type described, without changing any part of the switch stand except the handle.

Another advantage of switch operating appa'ratus embodying my invention is that it provides means for positively locking the switch in its normal position when the switch is moved to this position by the switch stand but eliminates any possibility of the locking mechanism improperly locking the switch in its normal position in the event that the switch is moved to its normal position from its reverse position by a train trailing the switch.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of railway switch operating apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scopeof my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with a spring switch, means for moving the switch between its two extreme positions, loosing mechanism constantly biased to a locking position and normally eiiective when the switch is moved to one extreme position for positively locking the switch in said one extreme position, and means for preventing the switch from becoming locked in said one extreme posh tion in the event that said switch is moved to said one extreme position from its other extreme for moving the switch between" its normal and reverse positions, locking mechanism biased to a locking position and effective when in its locking position for locking the switch in its normal extreme position, and means controlled in part by the lateral bending of the movable rails which takes place when the switch occupies its reverse position and a train trails the switch for preventing said locking mechanism from moving to its locking position whdle the train is trailing the switch.

i. In combination with a spring switch, means for moving the movable rails of said switch between their normal and reverse positions, a

lock rod connected with the movable rails for movement therewith, locking mechanism biased to alocking position and cooperating with said lock rod for normally locking the movable rails when the movable rails occupy their normal po sition, and means controlled in part by said look rod and in part by the lateral bending of the movable rails which takes place when a train trails the switch for preventing said locking mechanism from moving to its locking position if the movable rails are moved to theirnormal position from their reverse positions by a train trailing the switch. a I

5. .In combination with a spring switch, a lock rod'connected with the switch'and provided with a notch, a locking plunger movable to a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod when and only when the switch occupies its normal position, means for constantly biasing said locking plunger to its locking position, means for moving said looking plunger to an unlocking position when the switch occupies its normal position and a train trails the switch, manually operable means for moving said switch 'to its normal and reverse positions, and means for preventing said locking plunger from moving to its locking position except when said switch is moved to its normal position by said manually operable means or when the switch has returned to its normal position after it has been moved away from this position by a train trailing the switch.

6'. In combination witha spring switch, means for moving the switch between normal and reverse positions, a lock rod provided with a notch and with a recess, a locking plunger movable. to a'locking position in which it enters the notch in said lock rod when and only when the switch occupies its normal extreme position, and means controlled in part by the recess in said lock rod for preventing said locking plunger from moving to its locking position in the event that said switch is moved to its normal position from its reverse position by a train trailing the switch.

7. In combination with a spring switch, a lock rod connected with one of the movable rails of said switch and provided with a notch and with a recess, a locking plunger adapted to enter said notch in said lock rod when and only when said one movable rail occupies one extreme position to lock said one movable rail in said one extreme position, means for biasing said locking plunger to the position in which it enters said notch, linkage connected with said "locking plunger and adapted to be actu-. ated by the wheels of a train which is trailing the switch when saidon'e movable rail occupies said one extreme position for withdrawing said locking plunger from the notch in said lock rod to unlock said one movable rail, and means controlled in part by said recess for preventing said one movable rail from becoming locked in said one extreme position if it is moved to said one extreme position from its reverse position by a train trailing the switch.

8. In combination with a spring switch, a

lock rod connected with one, of the movable rails of said switch and provided with a notch and with a recess, a'locking plunger adapted to enter said notch in said lock rod when and only when said one movable rail occupies one extrain trails the switch for preventing said onemovable rail frombecoming locked insa'id one extremeposition if it is moved to said one extreme position from its reverse position by the trailing train. i

9. In combination with a spring switch, a

lock rod connected with one of the movable rails of said switch and provided with a notch and with .a recess, a locking plunger adapted to enter said notch in said lock rod when and only when said one movable rail occupies one extreme position to lock said one movable rail in said one extreme position, means for biasing said locking plunger to the position in which it enters said notch, linkage connecting said looking plunger with both movable rails at a point approximately halfway between the 'heel and the point of the switch and responsive to the lateral forces which are set up in 'themovable rails when said one 'movable rail occupies said one extreme position and a train trails the switch for withdrawing said locking plunger from the notch in said lock rod to unlock said one movable rail, and means controlled in part by said' recess and in part by said linkage for preventing said one movable rail from becoming locked in said one extreme position if it is moved to said one extreme position from its reverse position by a train trailing the switch.

10. In combination with a spring switch, means for moving the movable rails of said switch to their extreme positions, a lock rod connected with one of the movable rails and provided with a recess, a locking plunger adapted to be moved into locking engagement with said lock rod when and only when the movable rails occupy one extreme position, means for constantly biasing said locking plunger "to its locking position, linkage connecting the-movable rails with said locking plunger'and adapted *to be actuated mechanically by a train which is trailing the switch when'the movable rails occupysaid one=extreme position for withdrawing said locking plunger from engagement. with said lock 'rod, and means cooperating with said recess for preventing said locking plunger from moving to its lockingv position when said movable rails are moved to'said one extreme position from the other extreme position by a train trailing the switch.

1L 'In combination with a spring switch, means for moving the movable rails of said switch to their extreme positions, a lock rod connected with one of the movable rails, a locking plunger adapted to be moved into locking engagement with said lock rod when and only when said one movable rail occupies its one extreme position, means for constantly biasing said'locking plunger to its locking position, linkage connected with said locking plunger and adapted to be actuated mechanically by a train "which is trailing the switch when said one movable rail occupies its one extreme position for withdrawing said locking plunger from engagement with said lock rod, and means controlled in part by said lock rod for preventing said locking plunger from moving to its locking position when said one movable rail is moved to its one extreme position 'from its other extreme lit!) position and cooperating in its locking position with said lock rod to lock the switch in its nor mal position, means for constantly biasing said locking plunger to its locking position, a tie rod connected with the movable rails at a point approximately midway between the heel and the point of the switch, linkage connecting said tie rod and said locking plunger so designed that when the switch occupies its normal position and a train trails the switch the lateral bending of the movable rails which takes place before said lock rod is moved will cause said locki g plunger to be moved toward its extreme unloc.. ing position far enough to unlock the switch and that when the switch is moved to its reverse position said locking plunger will be moved in opposition to its bias from its locking position to its extreme unlocking position, but that, when the switch occupies its reverse position and a train trails the switch the lateral bending of the movable rails which takes place before said lock rod is moved will permit said locking plungor to be moved partway from its extreme unlocking position toward its locking position 'by said biasing means, a latch movable between a normal and a latching position, means cooperating with said recess in said lock rod for moving said latch to its latching position when and only when the movable rails are in their reverse positions or are within a predetermined distance of their reverse positions, and a latch finger connected with said locking plunger and cooperating with said latch in such manner that the movement of said locking plunger toward its locking position which takes place due to the bending of the rails when a train trails the switch in the reverse position of the switch will cause said latch finger to engage said latch in its latching position and prevent said locking plunger from moving to its locking position, wh reby it the rails are forced to their full normal positions by a trailing train the switch will remain unlocked, but that if the switch is moved to its normal position by said moving means said switch will become automatically locked in its normal position.

13. In combination with a spring switch, a manually operable lever, means controlled by said lever for moving the switch between its two extreme positions, a lock rod connected with themovable railsof said switch and provided with a notch, a locking plunger adapted to align with the notch in said lock rod when and only when said switch occupies one extreme position and movable between a locking position in which said'phmger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position in which the plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said loci; rod, means for constantly biasing said looking plunger to its looking position, means actuated by a train approaching said switch in a trailing direction when said switch occupies said one extreme position for moving said lock rod from its looking to its unlocking position until after the train has trailed the switch, a roller attached to said locking plunger to move therewith, a rotatable rockshaft, a cam secured to said rockshaft and cooperating with said roller for moving said locking plunger from its looking position to its unlocking position in response to rotation of said rockshaft in one irection through a predetermined angular distance, and means controlled by said manually operable lever for rotating said rockshaft in said one direction l through a suificient angular distance to move said locking plunger to its unlocking position prior to movement of said switch from said one extreme position by said lever.

14. In combination with a spring switch, a

manually operable lever, means controlled by said lever for moving the switch between its two extr me positions, a lock od connected with the movable rails of said switch a :rovided with a notch, a locking plunger adapted to align vf' 'n the notch in said lock rod when and only on said switch occupies one extreme position movable between a locking position in which i" plunger enters the note said lock position in which the plunger loin the notch in said loci: rod, tantly biasing said locking pin or to its locking position, means actuated by a train approaching switch in a trailing di rection when said switch occupies said or extreme position for moving said locl: rod i looking to its unlocking position until after train has trailed the switch, a roller connected with said locking plunger to move therewith, a rotatable rockshait, a cam secured to said rocl:- shaft and cooperating with said roller in ing said locking plunger from its locking p" to an unlocking position in response to .tion of said rockshaft in one direction thro'c" pi determined angular distance, means entrolled by said manually operable lever for rotat ng rockehaft in said one direction through a sun cient angular distance to unlock said sv itch to movement of said switch from said one treme position bysaid lever, and means for preventing said locking plunger from me a to its locking position in the event the sw tch is moved to said one extreme position fr its other extreme position by a train trailing the switch.

15. In combination with a switc 1, a manually operable lever, means said lever for moving t -e switch between s extreme positions, a lock rod connected icvable rails of said switch and provided with notch, a locking plunger adapted to align with the notch in said lock rod when only when said switch occupies one extreme position and movable between a locking position in which said plunger enters thenotch in said loci: rod an unlocking position in which the plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for constantly biasing said locking plun or to its locking position, means acti b train approaching said switch in a trailing direction when said switch occupies said one extreme position for moving said loci: rod om look-- ing to its unlocking position until after the train has trailed the switch, a roller attached to locking plunger to move therewith, a rotatable rockshaft, a cam secured to said rocl"""it cooperating with said roller for locking plunger from its locking position to an unlocking position in response to rotation of s roclrshaft in one direction through a :znined angular distance, means contr led V, said manually operable lever for rota g rockshaft in said one direction through a suiticient angular distance to unlock said switch prior to movement of said switch from said one extreme position by said lever, means controlled in part by said lock rod for preventing said locking plunger from moving to i looking position in the event the switch is controlled by said i stand including a switch stand. casing, a manually operable lever rotatable in two planes, means in said casing responsive to rotation of said lever in one plane for moving said switch between its extreme positions, biasing and buffing devices in said casing; means respomive to rotation of said lever in the other plane for connecting said biasing and bufling devices with and disconnecting said biasing and buffing devices from. said switch; said biasing devices being effective when connected with said switch for biasing said switch to one ext eme position or the other according to the extreme position which the switch occupies when said devices become connected with the switch, and said buffing device being eifective when connected with said switch for retarding movement of said switch by said biasing devices, the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities, of a lock mechanism including a lock mechanism casing, a locking device in said casing biased to a locking position and effective when in its locking position for locking the switch points in one extreme position, a cam in said casing cooperating with said locking device for at times moving said locking device from its locking position to an unlocking position, means controlled by said manually operable lever for controlling said cam, and means independent of said cam for at times moving said locking device from its locking to its unlocking position. i

17. In combination, a railway switch, a switch stand including a switch stand casing, a manually operable lever rotatable in two planes, means in said casing responsive to rotation of said lever in one plane for rotating said switch between its extreme positions, biasing and buffing devices in' said casing; means responsive to rotation of said lever in the other plane for connecting said biasing and buffing devices with and disconnecting said biasing and buffing devices from, said switch; said biasing devices being effective when connected with said switch for biasing said switch to the extreme position which the switch then occupies, and said bumng device being effective when connected with said switch for retarding movement of said switch by said biasing devices, the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities of a lock mechanism including a lock mechanism casing, a locking device in said casing biased to a locking position and effective when in its locking position for locking the switch points in one extreme position, a cam in said casing cooperating'with said locking device for at times moving said locking device from its locking position to an unlocking position, means controlled by said manually operable lever for controlling said cam, and means effective when the switch occupies one extreme position and a train trails the switch for moving said locking device to its unlocking position.

18. In combination, a railway switch, a switch stand comprising a switch'stand casing, a vertical switch actuating shaft journaled in said casing and operatively connected with said switch in such manner that said switch may be moved between its normal and reverse positions by rotating said shaft between two extreme positions, a love provided with bifurcations which straddle said shaft, means for pivotally attaching said lever to said shaft intermediate the ends of said bifurcations in such manner that said lever is free to rotate relative to said shaft between two extreme positions in a vertical plane but that said shaft may be rotated between its two extreme positions by rotating said lever about the axis of shaft, means for preventing said lever 'rom being moved to its lower extreme position in said vertical plane except when said shaft occupies one or the other of its extreme positions, and means effective when said lever is moved to its lower extreme position for connecting with said shaft me r for biasing said shaft to the extreme politlei which it then occupies and means for retardi' movement of said shaft by said biasing means, the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities of a locking mechanism comprising a lock mechanism casing, a lock rod secured to the movable rails of said switch and slidably mounted in' said casing and provided with a notch, a'locking device reciprocably mounted in saidcasing at right angles to said lock rod and provided with alocking plunger which aligns with said notch when and only when said switch occupies its normal position, said lockin device being movable between a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position in which saidgplunger is withdrawn from the notch said lock rod, means for biasing said locking device to its locking position, a rockshaft journaled in said casing, a crank arm secured to said rockshaft, a connecting rod connected with said crank arm and with one of the bifurcations of said lever by ball and socket connections, whereby rotation of said lever in said vertical plane will cause corresponding rotation of said rockshaft, a roller secured to said locking device, a cam secured to said rockshaft and cooperating with said roller in such manner that when said rockshaft is rotated in response to movement of said lever from its lower extreme position to its other extreme position said cam will engage said roller and move said locking device in opposition to its bias from its locking position to its unlocking position, and means independent of said lever controlled means for at times mcving said locking device from its looking to its unlocking position to permit a train to trail the switch.

19. In combination, a railway switch, a switch stand comprising a switch stand casing, a vertical switch actuating shaft journaled in said casing and operatively connected with said switch in such manner that said switch may be moved between its normal and reverse positions by rotating said shaft between two extreme positions, a lever provided with bifurcations which straddle said shaft, means for pivotally attaching said lever to said shaft intermediate the ends of said bifurcations in such manner that said lever is free to rotate relative to said shaft between two extreme positions in a vertical plane but that said shaft may be rotated between its two extreme positions by rotating said lever about the axis of said shaft, means for preventing said lever from being moved to its lower extreme position in said vertical plane except when said shaft occupies one or the other of its extreme positions, and means effective when said lever is moved to its lower extreme position for corn necting with said shaft means for biasing shaft to the extreme position which it then occupies and means for retarding movement of said shaft by said biasing means, the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities of a locking 'mechanism comprising a lock HIE-sh anism casing, a lock rod secured to the movable its lower extreme position to its other extreme rails of said switch and slidably mounted in said casing and provided with a notch, a locking device reciprocably mounted in said casing at right angles to said lock rod and provided with a, locking plunger which aligns with said notch when and only wh n said switch occupies its normal position, said locking device being movable between a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position in which said locking plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for biasing said locking device to its locking position, means operatively connected with the outer end of one of the bifurcations of said lever for moving said locking device from its looking to its unlocking position when said lever is moved from its lower extreme position to its oti er extreme position in said vertical plane, a tie rod connecting the movable rails of the switch at a point approximately midway between the heel and the point of the switch, and linkage connecting said tie rod and said locking device so designed that when the switch occupies its normal position and a train trails the switch the lateral bending of the movable rails takes place before a force is developed at the points of these rails which is suflicient to overcome the force of the biasing means tending to hold the points of the rails in their normal positions will cause said locking plunger to be mover from its looking to its unlocking position.

26. In combination, a railway switch, a switch stand comprising a switch stand casing, a vertical switch actuating shaft journaled in said casoperativeiy connected with said switch in such manner that said switch may be moved between its normal and reverse positions by rotating said shaft between two extreme positions, a lever provided with bifurcations which straddle said shaft, means for pivotally attaching said iev to said shaft intermediate the ends of'said bifurcations in such manner that said lever is free to rotate relative to said shaft between two extreme positions in a vertical plane but that shaft may be rotated between its two exti cnie positions by rotating'said lever about the axis of said shaft, means for preventing said lever from being moved to its lower extreme position in said vertical plane except when said shaft occupies one or the other of its extreme positions, and means effective when said lever is moved to lower extreme position for connecting with o. shaft means for biasing said shaft to the ex reme position which it then occupies and means for retarding movement of said shaft by biasing means, the combination with the aforeme itioned instrumentalities of a locking mechanism comprising a lock mechanism casing, a loci; rod secured to the movable rails of said switch and slidabiy mountedin said casing and provided with a notch, a locking device reciprocably mounted in said casing at right angles to k rod and provided with alccking plunger which aligns with said .notch when and only when said switch occupies its normal position, locking device being movable between a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position which said plunger is withdrawn from thenotch in said lock rod, means for biasing said locking device to its looking position, means operatively connected with the outer end of one of the bifurcations of said lever for moving said locking device from its locking to its unlockin posit-ion when said lever is moved from position in said vertical plane, and means actuated by a train approaching the switch in a trailing direction when the switch is locked in its normal position for moving said locking de vice from its locking position to its unlocking position until after the train has compietely passed the switch.

21. In combination, a railway switch, a switch stand comprising a switch stand casing, a vertical switch actuating shaft journaled in said casing and operatively connected with said switch in such manner that said switch may be moved between its normal and reverse positions by rotating said shaft between two extreme positions, a lever provided with bifurcations which straddle said shaft, means for pivotally attaching said lever to said shaft intermediate the ends of said bifurcations in such manner that said lever is free to rotate relative to said shaft between two extreme positions in a vertical plane but that said shaft may be rotated between its two extreme positions by rotating said lever about the axis of said shaft, means for preventing said lever from being moved to its lower extreme position in said vertical plane except when said shaft occupies one or the other of its extreme positions, means effective when said lever is moved to its lower extreme position for connecting wlth said shaft means for biasing said shaft to the extreme position which it then occupies and means for retarding movement of said shaft by said biasing means, the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalitles of a locking mechanism com rising a lock mechanism casing, a lock rod secured to the movable rails of said switch and slidably mounted in said casing and provided with a notch, a locking device reciprocably mounted in said casing at right angles to said lock rod and provided with a locking plunger which aligns with said notch when and only when said switch occupies its normal position, said locking device being movable between a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position in which said plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for biasing said locking device to its locking position, means operatively connected with the outer end of one of the bifurcations of said lever for moving said locking device from its locking to its unlocking position when said lever is moved from its lower extreme position to its other extreme position in said vertical plane, means actuated by a train approaching the switch in a trailing direction when the switch is locked in its normal position for moving said locking device from its locking position to its unlocking position until after the train has completely passed the switch, and means for preventing said locking device from moving to its locking position if the switch is moved to its normal position from its reverseposition by a train trailing the switch.

22. In combination, a railway switch, a-switch stand comprising a switch stand casing, a vertical switch actuating shaft journaled in said casing and operatively connected with said switch in such manner that said switch may be moved between its normal and reverse positions by rotatlng said shaft between two extreme positions, a lever provided with bifurcations which straddle said shaft, means for pivotally attaching said lever to said shaftintermediate the ends .of saidbifurcations in such manner that said lever is free to rotate relative to said shaft between two extreme positions in a vertical plane but thatsaid shaft may be rotated between its two extreme positions by rotating said lever about the axis of said shaft, means forpreventing said lever from being moved to its lower extreme position in said vertical plane except when said shaft occupies one or the other of its extreme positions, means effective when, said lever is moved to its lower extreme position for connecting with said shaft means for biasing said shaft to the extreme position which it then occupies and means for retarding movement of said shaft by said biasing means, the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities of a locking mechanism comprising a lock mechanism casing, a lock rod secured to the movable rails of said switch and slidably mounted in said casing and provided with a notch, a locking device reciprocably mounted in said casing at right angles to said lock rod and provided with a locking plunger which aligns with said notch when and only when said switch occupies its normal position, said loclsingcdevice beingmovable between a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod andvan unlocking position in which said plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for biasing said locking device to its locking position, ,means operatively connected with the outer end of one of the bifurcations of said lever for moving said locking device from its looking to its unlocking position when said lever is moved from itslower extreme position to its other extreme position in said vertical plane, ieans actuated by a train approaching the switch in a trailing direction when the switch is looked in its normal position for moving said locking device from its locking position to its unlocking position until after the train has completely passed the switch, and means controlled in part by said lock rod for preventing said locking device from moving to its locking position if the switch is moved to its normal position from its reverse position by a train trailing the switch. V

23. In combination, a railway switch, a switch stand comprising a switch stand casing, a vertical switch actuating shaft journaled in said casing and operatively connected with said switch in such manner that said switch may be moved between its normal and reverse positions .by rotating said shaft between two extreme positions, a lever provided with bifurcations which straddle said shaft, ,means for'pivotally attaching said lever to said shaft intermediate the ends of said bifurcations in such manner that said lever is free to rotate relative to said shaft between two extreme positions. in a, vertical plane but that said shaft may be rotated between its two extreme positionsxby rotating said lever about the axis of said shaft, means for preventing said lever from beingmoved to its lower extreme position in said vertical. plane except when said shaft occupies onevor the other of its extreme positions, and means effective when said lever is moved to its lower extreme position for connecting with said shaft means for biasing said shaft to, the extreme position which it then occupies and means for-retard-v ing movement of said shaft by said biasing means, the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities of a locking mechanism comprising a lock mechanism casing, a lock rod secured to the movable rails of said switch and slidablyunounted in said casing and provided with a notch, a locking device reciprocably mounted in said casing at right angles to said look rod and provided with a locking plunger which aligns with said notch when and only when said switch occupies its normal position, said locking device being movable between a lockingposition in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position in which said plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for biasing said locking device to its locking position, a rockshaft journaled in said casing, acrank arm secured to said rockshaft, a connecting rod connected with said crank arm and with :one of the bifurcations of said lever by ball and socket connections, whereby rotation of said lever in said vertical plane will cause corresponding rotation of said rockshaft, a roller secured to said locking device, a cam secured to said rockshaft and cooperating with said roller in such manner that when said rockshaft is rotated in response to movement of said lever from its lower extreme position to its other extreme position said cam will engage said roller and move said locking device in opposition to its bias from its locking position to its unlocking position, a tie rod connecting the movable rails of the switch at a point approximately midway between the heel and the point of the switch, and linkage connecting said tie rod and said locking device so designed that when the switch; occupies its. normal position and a train trails the switch the lateral bending of the movable rails which takes place before a force is developed at the points of these rails which is sufiioient to overcome the force of the biasing means tending to hold the points of the rails in their normal positions will cause said locking plunger to be moved from its looking to its unlocking position.

24. In combination, a railway switch, a switch stand comprising a switch stand casing, a vertical'switch actuating shaft journaled in said casing and operatively connected with said switch in such. manner that said switch may be moved between its normal and reverse positions by rotating said shaft between two extreme positions, a lever providedwith bifurcations which straddle said shaft, means for pivotally attaching said lever to said shaft intermediate the ends of said bifurcations in such manner that said lever is free to rotate relative to said shaft between two extreme positions in a vertical plane but that said shaft may be rotated between its two extreme positions by rotating said lever about the axis of said shaft, means for preventing said lever from being moved to its lower extreme position in said vertical plane except when said shaft occupies one or the other of its extreme positions, and means effective when said lever is moved to its lower extreme position for connecting with said shaft means for biasing said shaft to the extreme position which it then occupies and means for retarding movement of said shaft by said biasing means, the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities of a locking mechanism comprising alockmechanism casing, a lock rod secured to the movable rails of said switch and slidably mounted in said casing and provided with .a notch and with a recess, a locking device reciprocably mounted in said casing at right angles to said lock rod and provided with a'locking plunger which aligns with said notch to j:

when and only when said switch occupies its normal position, said locking device being movable between a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position in which said plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for biasing said locking device to its locking position, a rockshaft journaled in said casing, a crank arm secured to said rockshaft, a connecting rod connected with said crank arm and with one of the bifurcations of said lever by ball and socket connections, whereby rotation of said lever in said vertical plane will cause corresponding rotation of said rockshaft, a roller secured to said locking device, a cam secured to said rockshaft and cooperating with said roller in such manner that when said rockshaft is rotated in response to movement of said lever from its lower extreme position to its other extreme position said cam will engage said roller and move said locking device in opposition to its bias from its locking position to its unlocking position, means operatively connected with the outer end of one of .jthe bifurcations of said lever for moving said locking device from its locking to its unlocking position when said lever is moved from its lower extreme position to its other extreme position in said vertical plane, a tie rod connecting the movable rails or" the switch at a point approximately midway between the heel and the point of the switch, linkage connecting said tie rod and said locking device so designed that when the switch occupies its normal position and a train trails the switch the lateral bending of the movable rails which takes place before a force is developed at the points of these rails which is suflicient to overcome the force of the biasing means tending to hold the points of the ';rails in their normal positions will cause said locking plunger to be moved from its locking to its unlocking position, a pivoted latch movable between a normal and a latching position, a,

latch plunger operatively connected with said 'latch and cooperating with the recess in said lock rod in such manner that said plunger is free to enter said recess when and only when the movable rails of the switch occupy their reverse positions or are within a predetermined distance of their reverse positions, means for biasing said latch plunger to the position in which it enters said recess, the parts being so proportioned that said latch will be moved to its normal or its latching position according as said latch plunger is in or out of said recess,

and a latch finger secured to said locking device and cooperating with said latch for preventing said locking device from being moved to its locking position by the associated biasing means in the event that the switch is moved to its normal position from its reverse position by a train trailing the switch.

25. In combination with a railway switch of the type which is adapted to be trailed, a switch stand including a manually operable lever operatively connected with the switch for moving the switch between its two extreme positions, lock mechanism eifective after the switch has been moved to one extreme position by said lever for positively locking said switch in said one extreme position for facing point moves over the switch, means effective when said switch occupies said one extreme position and a train trails the switch for actuating said lock mechanism to unlock the switch until after the train has completely trailed the switch, and means for connecting said lever with said lock mechanism in such manner that when said lever is operated to move the switch from said one extreme position to the other extreme position said lock mechanism will be automatically operated to unlock the switch.

26. In combination with a railway switch of the type which is adapted to be trailed, a switch stand including a manually operable lever operatively connected with the switch for moving the switch between its two extreme positions, lock mechanism separate from said switch stand and effective after the switch has been moved to one extreme position by said lever for positively locking said switch in said one extreme position for facing point moves over the switch, means efifective when said switch occupies said one extreme position and a train trails the switch for actuating said lock mechanism to unlock the switch until after the train has completely trailed the switch, and a connecting rod connecting said lock mechanism and said lever in such manner that when said lever is operated to move the switch from said one extreme position to the other extreme position said lock mechanism will be automatically operated to unlock the switch.

27. The combination with a railway switch and a switch stand having a manually operable lever operatively connected with the switch and rotatable in one plane for moving the switch between its normal and reverse positions and rotatable in another plane for connecting with the switch and disconnecting from the switch devices for biasing the switch to its extreme positions and a device for retarding movement of the switch by said biasing devices, of a separate lock mechanism comprising a locking device movable between a locking and an unlocking position and effective when in its locking position for locking the switch in its normal position, biasing means for biasing said locking device to its locking position, means mechanically actuated by a train trailing the switch when the switch occupies its normal position for moving said locking device from its locking to its unlocking position, and means operatively connecting said locking device and the manually operable lever of said switch stand in such manner that when said lever is actuated to disconnect said biasing and buffing devices from said switch said locking device will be moved from its locking to its unlocking position.

28. The combination with a railway switch andaswitch stand having a manually operable lever rotatable in one plane for moving the switch between its normal and reverse positions and rotatable in another plane for simultane ously connecting with the switch and disconnecting from the switch devices for biasing the switch to its extreme positions and a device for retarding movement of the switch by said biasing devices, of a separate lock mechanism comprising a locking device movable between a looking and an unlocking position and effective when in its locking position for locking the switch in its normal position, biasing means for biasing said locking device to its locking position, means mechanically actuated by a train trailing the;

such manner that when said' lever is actuated to disconnect said biasing and bufiing devices from said switch said locking device willbe moved from its looking to its unlocking position, and means for preventing said locking device from moving to its locking position if the switch is moved to its normal position from its reverse position by a train trailing the switch.

29. In combination with a railway switch, a switch stand for moving the switch between its normal and reverse positions, biasing devices included in said switch stand and effective when said switch is moved to either its normal or its reverse position for biasing the switch to the position which it then occupies, a buffing device included in said switch stand and effective for preventing too rapid movement of said switch by said biasing devices, the combination with the aforementioned instrumentalities, of lock mechanism effective when the switch is moved to its normal position for normally locking the switch in this position, means actuated by a train approaching the switch in a trailing direction when the switch is locked in its normal position for actuating said lock mechanism to unlock the switch until after the train has completely trailed the switch, and means for connecting said lock mechanism with said switch stand in such manner that when said switch is operated to move the switch from its normal position to its reverse position said lock mechanism will be automatically actuatedto unlock the switch prior to movement of the switch.

30. In combination with a spring switch, man ually operable means for moving the switch between its normal and reverse positions, a lock rod connected with the movable rails of said switch and provided with a notch, a locking plunger adapted to align with the notch in said lock rod when and only when the switch occupies its normal position and movable between a locking position in which said plunger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position in which said plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for constantly biasing said locking plunger to its locking position, means for moving said looking plunger from its locking to its unlocking position prior to movement of said switch from its normal to its reverse position by said manually operable means, means actuated by a train approaching the switch in a trailing direction when the switch occupies its normal position for moving said locking plunger from its locking position to its unlocking position until after the train has completely trailed the switch, and means for preventing said locking plunger from moving to its locking position in the event the switch is moved to its normal position from its reverse position by a train trailing the switch.

31. In combination with a railway switch, a switch actuating shaft movable between two extreme positions and operatively connected with the switch for moving the switch between its normal and reverse positions, a star block rotatable about said shaft, means connected with said star block for biasing said star block to one position and for retarding movement of said star block by said biasing means, a manually operable lever rotatable in two planes, means responsive to rotation of said lever in one of said planes for rotating said switch actuating shaft between its two extreme positions, means responsive .to rotation of said lever in the other plane for connecting and disconnecting said star block from said switch actuating shaft, a lock rod connected with the switch to move therewith and provided with a notch, a locking plunger adapted to align with the notch in said lock rod when and only when the switch occupies its normal position and movable between a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said look rod and an unlocking position in which said locking plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for constantly biasing said locking plunger to its locking position, means for moving said locking plunger to its unlocking position in opposition to its bias whenever said star block becomes disconnected from said switch actuating shaft-means connected with said locking plunger and adapted to be actuated by a train trailing the switch when the switch occupies its normal position for moving said locking plunger from its locking to its unlocking position, and means effective when said star block is connected with said switch actuating shaft for preventing said locking plunger from moving to its locking position in the event that the switch is moved to its normal position from its reverse position by a trailing train.

32. In combination with a railway switch, a switch actuating shaft movable between two extreme positions and operatively connected with the switch for moving the'switch between its normal and reverse positions, a star block rotatable about said shaft, means connected with said star block for biasing said star block to one position and for retarding movement of said star block by said biasing means, a manually operable lever rotatable in two planes, means responsive to rotation of said lever in one of said planes for rotating said switch actuating shaft between its two extreme positions, means responsiveto rotation of said lever in the other plane for connecting and disconnecting said star block from said switch actuating shaft, a lock rod connected with the switch to move therewith and provided with a notch, a locking plunger adapted to align with the notch in said lock rod when and only when the switch occupies its normal position and movable between a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position in which said locking plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for constantly biasing said locking plunger to its locking position, means for moving said locking plunger to its unlocking position in opposition to its bias whenever said star block becomes disconnected from said switch actuating shaft, means connected with said locking plunger and adapted to be actuated by a train trailing the switch when the switch occupies its normal position for moving said locking plunger from. its looking to its unlocking position, and means for preventing said locking plunger from moving to its locking position except when said star block occupies said one position.

33. In combination with a railway switch, a switch actuating shaft movable between two extreme positions and operatively connected with the switch for moving the switch between its normal and reverse positions, a star block rotatable about said shaft, means connected with said star-block for biasing said star block to one position, a manually operable lever rotatable in two planes, means responsive to rotation of said lever in one of said planes for rotating said switch actuating shaft between its two extreme positions, means responsive to rotation of said lever in the other plane for connecting and disconnecting said star block from said switch actuating shaft, a lock rod connected with the switch to move therewith and provided with a notch, a locking plunger adapted to align with the notch in said lock rod when and only when the switch occupies its normal position and movable between a locking position in which said locking plunger enters the notch in said lock rod and an unlocking position in which said locking plunger is withdrawn from the notch in said lock rod, means for constantly biasing said locking plunger to its locking position, means for moving said locking plunger to its unlocking position in opposition to its bias whenever said star block becomes disconnected from said switch actuating shaft, means connected with said locking plunger and adapted to be actuated by a train trailing the switch when the switch occupies its normal position for moving said locking plunger from its looking to its unlocking position, and means effective when said star block is connected with said switch actuating shaft for preventing said locking plunger from moving to its locking position in the event that the switch is moved to its normal position from its reverse position by a trailing train.

HERBERT L. BONE.

CERTEFICATE OF CORRECTMN.

Patent No. 1,976,829. October 16, 1934.

HERBERT L. BONE.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of ihe above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 7, strike out iines 108 to 118 inciusive, comprising claim 1; and page 13, strike out lines '63 to 82 inclusive, comprising claim 25. The claims now appearing in thepatent as

numbers

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1G, 11, i2, 13, 14, i5, l6, l7, i8, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, should hear he numbers respeeively 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, ll, 12, 13, 14, 15, l6, 17, 18, i 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31; and that the said Letters iatent should be read with these corrections herein the: the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 131?: day of November, A. 13-. i934.

Les l ie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.