US2061349A - Railroad signal - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 17, 1936. w. COLEMAN RAILROAD S IGNAL Filed Nbv. 8, 1934 In. ELE- INVENTbR W. L. aolemaiv- ATTO RN EYS Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to signals for railroad crossings, and has for its object the provision of an apparatus which will operate instantly when a train is approaching a crossing to put the signal into action. The invention seeks particularly to provide an electro-magnet of novel construction which will act directly upon the signal and will operate in a highly efficient manner upon a weak current. The objects of the invention are attained in such a structure as is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and the invention resides in certain novel features which will be fully described and then particularly defined in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through an electro-magnet embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same.

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevation showing the magnet connected with the signal.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of the spool which supports the Winding of the magnet.

Referring particularly to the drawing, the reference numeral l designates a brass tube which is longitudinally split, as shown at 2, and 3 designates brass plates which may be formed integral with the tube or sleeve and have radial slits therer in which are alined with the split 2 in the tube. One end plate 3 is located at the end of the tube, while the other plate is located near but at a point inwardly from the opposite end of the tube. Disposed around the brass tube I is a wrapper 5 of asbestos or other fiber and at the ends of the wrapper are plates 6 of the same material, said plates 6 bearing against the inner faces of the respective brass end plates 3, as clearly shown in Figure 1. The wire constituting the winding 1 is wrapped around the asbestos wrapper 5, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and extends between the plates 6 and is carried to approximately the edges of said plates, as shown. A stationary core or plug 8 of iron is fitted in the extended end of the brass tube l and is secured therein by a set screw 9, as will be understood. This stationary core extends from a point near the center of the coil or magnet to the end of the projecting portion of the brass center tube and in the opposite end of said tube is mounted the movable core I0 which is also of iron and which has a central stud l I provided with an opening [2 at its extremity to be pivotally attached to a link l3 which is also operatively connected with a lever I4 controlling a whistle l5 and a switch arm l6 which is intended to be connected with a lamp so that the lamp will be lighted whenever the signal is to be operated. The whistle l5 and the lamp are mounted upon a frame 50 which comprises a bracket I1 and an arm I8, respectively, said bracket and arm being of brass and the bracket having a yoke l9 at its upper end to which the end plates of the magnet are secured.

All of the metal employed is brass or other non-magnetic material, except the cores 8 and Ill so that the magnetic currents which are generated will be concentrated in the cores and the movable core ID will be quickly attracted by the stationary core and caused to slide within the center of the magnet to operate the signals even though the electric current available may be quite weak. It will be noted that the stationary core 8 projects beyond the end of the magnet winding so that it provides a large body for holding the magnetism and, consequently, a weak current will serve to actuate the movable core. It will be understood, of course, that the magnet is energized through an electric circuit which includes circuit closers disposed adjacent the track and at some distance from the crossing to be closed by the wheels of an approaching train and,

therefore, the signal will be operated automatically whenever there is need therefor. The split in the tube l and in the end plates provides accommodation for the expansion of these parts under high temperatures and also furnishes an outlet for air which might otherwise be trapped between the cores to impede operation of the movable core and thereby interfere with the successful operation of the signal.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A support for an article on another article, comprising a bracket having an angularly downwardly extending arm for attachment to one end of the supporting article and terminating in an upstanding yoke for carrying the supported article between the arms of the yoke, and a second bracket extending horizontally between and secured to other portions of the supported and supporting articles.

WILLIAM L. COLEMAN.

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